Buzu Book 3 Complete Hausa Novel

Nana fell to the ground, trembling with fear and anxiety. She said, “Who? Who is here?” But there was no answer.

She turned on the light and saw Imam Hammad standing in the room. She recoiled in panic, covering her mouth to stifle a scream she was about to make out of fear and shock.

“If you scream and Asal hears you, you will have to explain why I came into this room. And any punishment she imposes on you will be carried out, no matter how severe,” he warned.

Her eyes widened, staring at him in terror.

He stepped slowly toward her, staring at her with eyes that unsettled her even more; her body trembled.

“Who are you?” he asked, fixing her with his gaze.

“I’m nobody,” she whispered, her body shaking with the fear that he might be angry like yesterday when she entered his space.

“Tell me, who are you? And what is your purpose for coming into this house?”

She closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I swear I’m nobody. Your wife is the one who brought me here.”

“Have you met me somewhere before?” He asked. She lifted her head to look at him, shaking it slowly, tears filling her eyes.

“You prevented me from eating mangoes, made me ill, stopped me from climbing the roof—I climbed and fell. When I see you, I feel things in my body I cannot understand, as if you are not human. The taste of your food reminds me of some meal I once ate somewhere I cannot remember. If it wasn’t your cooking, it wouldn’t taste right. You rubbed your special lotion on me, gave me milk with black seed—something no one else knows I drink. Tell me who you are, and where have you met me?” he demanded, stepping closer and raising his voice.

“I have not met you. I’ve never been to Agadez until this time. I know nothing about you,” she said, tears streaming down her face.

He exhaled and said, “If someone sent you to play with my mind, fear Allah. The trials that have been inflicted on my life are enough. Don’t let me catch you in any form of deceit.”

She remained silent, bowing her head.

“Nana?” He called softly. She nodded fearfully.

“Forgive me for scaring you. I don’t want Asal to find out anything—she would only dislike you more.” He turned and left her room.

She found a spot to sit, catching her breath from the fright.

Sagir had taken Yusra to Shukura’s house to comfort each other, along with Hajiya Amina, who also reassured Shukura’s parents that they had no reason to suspect her in the disappearance of Yusra, as she had claimed.

They all sat in the main hall. Hajiya Amina looked completely distressed from worry and anxiety. Beside her was Yusuf, Shukura’s brother, whose face also showed concern.

After greetings, Hajiya Amina asked, “Sagir, is there any news about Shukura’s disappearance?”

“By Allah, Mami, nothing yet. I’ve asked the security officials, but there’s no information. Every day they only tell me it’s under investigation. Tracking her phone has failed—I cannot understand what kind of search they are conducting.”

Hajiya Amina said, “It’s okay. God is with us; we will continue to inform Him. Insha Allah, she will be found.”

Alhaji Zailani then appeared, preparing to leave, respectfully.

He didn’t respond at first, then asked, “So still no news about Shukura?”

“Yes, Daddy, but we keep praying; insha Allah, she will be found.”

“I’ve grown tired of this day-to-day worry. On my part, I will intensify the investigation. I do not trust you to handle it alone. How is it that a girl can disappear in broad daylight, and no one notices—not even her husband or your wife?”

Hajiya Amina said, “Alhaji, how can Sagir know where to hide Shukura, and where to take her?”

“Silence! Anything could happen,” he said, finishing abruptly and leaving.

Hajiya Amina said, “Be patient, Sagir. He’s only distressed because of Shukura’s disappearance. Don’t worry; she will be found, God willing.”

Yusra said, “If my friend were here, she might have already told you where Shukura is.”

Everyone looked at Yusra. She said, “Yes, Nana, you remember her, right?” She spoke while looking at Hajiya Amina. She nodded.

But Sagir said, “Mami, let’s go. You know she’s not in full health.”

Mami said, “God bless you. But she spoke the truth—I know Nana. Where did you meet her?”

Yusra fell silent, not wanting to admit she didn’t have full knowledge. Yet, ever since they entered the house, she had sensed Nana’s presence.

After the Fajr prayer, Nana sat quietly, speaking to herself, thinking about the source of her recent troubles. She realized daily events were increasingly confusing her.

She picked up her phone and looked at Muhsin’s pictures, longing for him so intensely that tears filled her eyes. She decided to seek permission from Imam, wanting to go home, since she trusted him more than Asal in the bedroom.

But something like sleep paralysis overcame her. She could try to pray, but her body wouldn’t move. She saw a shadow enter the room but could not determine its gender.

The shadow came, took the phone from her hand, and left.

Terrified, she awoke at noon, gasping and blinking, but no one was in the room. She searched for her phone but could not find it. Her heart raced; she lifted the mat, checked where she had been sitting—no phone, no reason for its disappearance.

She hurriedly opened her belongings, searching for the phone, but it wasn’t there. She rushed outside to see signs of who had entered the area but found no one.

Her panic escalated, not knowing who had taken her phone.

Asal, panicking at the delay in the kitchen, had gone in. Nana stepped out, shaking, and saw Asal tidying the living room.

Asal greeted her, “Good time of day.”

“Good… don’t worry about storing food for Imam. Since Fajr, he hasn’t been around; they will be in the Sultan’s council meeting.” Nana nodded.

If that was the case, then the one who entered her room again wasn’t Imam—could it have been Asal?

Quickly, she said, “God bless you… I said please…” Then she fell silent, not asking further, letting her words change meaning.

Asal said, “I’m listening.”

“All good, nothing else,” Asal replied, moving on.

Nana’s mind refused to settle; she didn’t know where her phone was, and she had no idea when trouble might strike again, since her phone had no security. She also didn’t consider the house staff—they had no authority to enter that section.