The story starts with a moment that just stops your heart. Imagine being in a quiet place with the person you love, and then suddenly, the whole world comes crashing in. That is exactly what happens to Amina, who everyone calls Iman. She is there with Abdulrahim, the man she calls "Yayanmu," which means our big brother. They are in a moment that was supposed to be private, but then Haj Laure and a bunch of other people walk in. They see them together, and the air just leaves the room. Haj Laure is so angry, her face is probably red. She looks at them and shouts, "Abdulrahim kana da hankali kuwa?" which means "Abdulrahim, do you even have any sense?" It is so intense because she starts calling Iman names, calling her a "black girl" and saying she is just like her mother, following men around. It is the kind of insult that stays with you for a long time.
Iman is just standing there, blinking her eyes, feeling like the earth should open up and swallow her. She doesn't know what to do. But Abdulrahim is different. He is calm, almost like he doesn't care that they just got caught. He just asks his mom what the big deal is. This makes Haj Laure even angrier. She thinks he is being disrespectful. While all this shouting is going on, the bride is also there, and she starts crying. Abdulrahim leaves Iman and goes to comfort his bride, holding her and talking to her. Seeing this makes Iman feel a huge weight in her chest. It is that burning feeling of jealousy that you get when you see the person you love with someone else. If you like this kind of deep emotional struggle, you should really check out UNCLE NE Book 1 because it has that same feeling of forbidden love.
Iman leaves the place in a hurry. She goes and sits by herself, trying to process everything. Her phone is ringing, but she doesn't even want to look at it. She is terrified of what will happen when the head of the family, Haj Yaya, finds out about the hug. In these big families, gossip spreads like wildfire. While she is sitting there in her sadness, a guy named Adams comes up to her. He is very handsome, the kind of guy people call a "black beauty." He has been looking for her because he is really interested in her. He sits down and they start talking. He asks her for her name, and she says, "Amina sunana amma Iman ake ce min," which means "My name is Amina but people call me Iman." Adams is very direct. He tells her he loves her and wants to marry her. He even promises to take her to England with him so she can go to school there. For a moment, Iman wonders if she should just take this chance. It would be an easy way to escape all the pain she feels for Abdulrahim. This part reminds me of the choices characters have to make in KAUNA DA SO.
The next day is the wedding day. The house is full of people and noise. Iman is trying to be helpful, cleaning up and doing chores for her mother, but she feels like a ghost. Her mother pulls her aside and asks her about the rumors. People are saying Abdulrahim hugged her. Iman tries to hide the truth. she says he just called her to give her a message and that people are just making things up. But she knows the truth is already out there. You can find many stories like this on Taskar Novels where the family drama is just as thick as this. While she is working, Abdulrahim calls her to his room. He wants her to help him pack his things because he is moving to his new house with his wife. It is so sad to read this part. Imagine packing the bags of the man you love so he can go start a life with another woman. She fills four big suitcases with his clothes, feeling more and more lonely with every shirt she folds. If you want to download Hausa novels that really make you feel for the characters, this book by Halima K Mashi is a top pick.
Then, the tension goes through the roof. While Iman is still in the bedroom packing, Haj Yaya walks into the parlor. Iman is so scared that she hides behind a curtain. She is literally shaking, hoping the old woman doesn't see her shoes or hear her breathing. Haj Yaya is a very stern woman. When she talks, it sounds like she is always fighting. She starts questioning Abdulrahim about his relationship with Iman. She says, "Haj menene kike nema ne?" which means "Haj, what are you looking for?" when she sees him looking around. She starts listing all the things he does for Iman—taking her in his car, buying her expensive clothes, and now the hugging. She is furious. She tells him that she is tired of his behavior and that she won't let him ruin the family name. This high-stakes drama is very similar to what you see in DAN MILLIONAIRE.
Haj Yaya doesn't just stop at shouting. She gives him an order that changes everything. She tells him that as soon as the wedding is over, he must take his wife and move to England. She wants him far away from Nigeria and far away from Iman. Abdulrahim tries to tell her that he doesn't have a house ready there and that they would have to live in a hotel. But Haj Yaya doesn't care. She says she would rather have them in a hotel than have him near "that girl." She even swears an oath that he must go. Iman is behind the curtain, hearing all of this. Her heart just breaks into a million pieces. She realizes that the woman who hates her just won, and the man she loves is going to be thousands of miles away. It is a very heavy moment, the kind of scene that makes you want to keep reading to see if there is any hope left. It’s as emotional as the story in GARARI 1.
After his mother leaves, Abdulrahim finds Iman still hiding. He sees her tears and tries to comfort her, but what can he really say? He tells her to go back to her room and stop crying, saying that one day things might be better. But the pain is already there. The house is full of wedding guests and celebrations, but for Iman, it feels like a funeral. She has to watch the man she loves leave her, and she has to deal with a family that sees her as a problem. This novel really shows how hard it is for young people when their families interfere in their love lives. If you are looking for Hausa novels online, you will see that many people are talking about this specific book because the drama is so real. It reminds me a bit of the struggles in A SANADIN TSARABA where one event changes everything for the main characters.
As the wedding ceremonies continue, Iman is stuck between two worlds. On one hand, there is Adams, who is ready to give her a new life and take her away from all this suffering. On the other hand, there is her deep, complicated love for Abdulrahim, a man who is being forced to leave her behind. The way Halima K Mashi writes these feelings is so simple but so powerful. You really feel like you are standing in that room with Iman, hiding behind that curtain, feeling your heart race. It’s a classic story of love, family pressure, and the pain of moving on. You can find similar themes in MATAR HABIBI, where marriage and family expectations clash in a big way. This book is definitely one of the best Hausa novels I have come across recently because it doesn't try too hard; it just tells a story that could happen to anyone.
If you want to know what happens next—if Iman goes with Adams or if she waits for Abdulrahim—you really need to read the whole book. The ending of this part leaves you wanting so much more. It is a real page-turner that will keep you up at night. You can find this book and many others like it on Taskar Novels. It is the best place to download Hausa novels and stay updated with all the latest stories from your favorite authors. Go check it out and let me know what you think about Iman's choice!
