TA FITA ZAKKA Complete Hausa Novel Document by TA FITA ZAKKA

She stood on the edge of the road, scanning the street in front of the house, though she wasn’t entirely sure she’d spot anyone today—Friday. This was the time when all the men, young and old, were at the mosque where Baba Mallam led the evening recitations. The women, too, stayed indoors on days like this, especially Thursdays and Fridays, when they had the chance to assist their parents since school days left no time for such things.  

After returning from Western-style school, they would eat, pray, and avoid unnecessary outings. By nightfall, it was time for Maghrib prayer, followed by study sessions between Maghrib and Isha. Once Isha prayers were done, everyone attended to schoolwork—whether homework, washing school uniforms, or other tasks. By 10 p.m., everyone sought sleep to avoid missing Fajr prayer or being late for school the next morning. This rule applied to all—no exceptions. It was one of the strict codes of Baba Mallam and Baba Sa’idu’s household.  

Her thoughts returned to the present as she surveyed their quiet neighborhood. No noise, no commotion—just children indoors and adults busy with their tasks. Her gaze drifted toward the mosque’s entrance from where she stood, and her face twisted in disgust at the sight of polished shoes lined up at the door of the grand mosque, gleaming like treasures of the world.  

She figured there must be an evening recitation today, which was why she refused to walk past the front of the mosque. Instead, she took a detour, preferring the longer route if it meant avoiding the oppressors inside—those who had made a habit of tormenting her.  

With a slight frown, she adjusted the black backpack hanging loosely behind her, switching it from one shoulder to the other.  

She was a girl who couldn’t have been more than fifteen—tall, slender, with large, expressive eyes and an elongated face. At first glance, one might assume she was talkative by the way her lips moved, but she carried herself with quiet confidence. She wore her school uniform—a faded blue skirt and white blouse—along with a white hijab and white socks tucked into her school-issued combat shoes, the female version with sneaker-like soles.