MATAR HABIBI Complete Hausa Novel Document by MATAR HABIBI

He called after pushing open her bedroom door, finding her lying curled up on the mattress. Her body was wrapped in a gray hijab, folded to one side—a sign that sleep had overtaken her after prayers. He hesitated, clearing his throat before calling her name again.

"Jamilaa."

She stirred, murmuring "Allah" as she rubbed her eyes and tried to sit up.

"Are you feeling well today?"

After finally managing to sit upright, she replied, "I prayed, but sleep must have taken me by surprise."

Little Baffa felt relieved hearing she was fine. "Well, today's not the day for laziness—we're actually running late, I swear."

Borrowing some irritation, Jamilaa spread her hands over her face. "Subhanallah, late? How?" She reached for her phone on the bed. "Wallahi, I..." After checking the time, she looked at him. "Oh no. A single nap ruined everything. I don’t even set alarms anymore because I’m used to waking up on time."

Baffa sighed and dropped his hand. "Allah knows best, but I’m worried. I didn’t eat well yesterday, and now there’s work waiting at the shop today. Where in my life did I sign up for this struggle?"

Her heart twisted with a strange feeling—pity for him was pressing down on her. Then her brain replayed his words: "If you weren’t at least some help by waking me up, then as your husband, what else am I supposed to do but struggle...?"

Just as sympathy softened her, she caught herself. "Well, that’s how Allah wills it. You should go pray, and I’ll get ready for work. Let me go wash up..." She finished speaking while stretching, sensing his lingering gaze. After entering the bathroom, she soon heard the door open and close—he had left. She waited two minutes before coming out, removing her hijab and settling near Nana, who was still asleep. Her heart felt heavy. 

Since marrying Baffa, he had never hidden his desire for more than one wife—not even subtly. She had resigned herself to it, despite the burn of jealousy. Sometimes, after praying for his increased wealth, she’d catch herself thinking, *May Allah not bless him too much—who can handle serving them all without exhaustion?* Except, of course, when it came to taking another wife.

One day, she caught herself laughing. Back when he first started building, he would excitedly show her the construction progress. She’d stare at the house plans, filled with anticipation—especially when he mentioned adding an upper floor because the kids now needed two rooms.