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English Translation
She smiled while lightly shaking her head in agreement—a smile that almost made Fahad faint where he sat. He couldn't even move, staring at her intensely until she pulled out the money and handed it to him. He took it, lowering his eyelids due to the overwhelming, intoxicating scent of her perfume that drifted very close to him.
Meanwhile, Bilkisu had no idea what he was doing because her phone was ringing frantically, signaling an incoming call. She pulled out her phone and answered it to speak with Ammah. As soon as she picked up, she heard Meenah's voice saying:
"Adda, it’s not Ammah, it’s me, laboor! Please, can you bring us some perfumes?"
She glanced at her silver wristwatch, which looked stunning on her:
"Meenah, you people always have issues! Your requests never end. Let me see what I can do."
Without waiting for Meenah to reply, she ended the call and tossed the phone into her handbag. Just then, Fahad looked away from her.
"Um, let’s see the tailored outfits..."
He began pulling them out one by one. Bilkisu immediately started praising them and complimenting the craftsmanship because they were exceptionally well-made. When she compared them to Maama's and even the brides' outfits, she felt theirs paled in comparison—even the brides' dresses didn't look as good as hers. Furthermore, the tailoring perfectly accentuated her shape.
"My goodness, these outfits are truly gorgeous! I’ve honestly found my tailor. Insha Allah, from now on, you are the only one I will be giving my clothes to."
"Well then, Hajiya, may Allah bless your arrival."
With that, he picked up a large polythene bag, began folding the clothes, and placed them inside. She helped him while continuing to praise the tailoring. Just as they were finishing up packing the clothes into the bag, he glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"Hajiya, aren't you going to invite me to the wedding?"
Bilkisu smiled.
"Well, I can only invite you to the wedding Fatiha."
"I don't even know the grooms."
"Then I will invite you to the dinner."
He opened his eyes a bit wider and put on a pleading tone.
"Well, if I come, they won't let me in since no one knows me."
Bilkisu smiled again, extending her hand to take the bag of clothes, but he stopped her and kept holding it.
"Don't worry, everyone will be allowed in since we aren't issuing gate passes."
"Alright then, I will come, Insha Allah, Hajiya... especially to see how these outfits look on you, because I'd love to see them on your body."
He finished the sentence under his breath in a way that she wouldn't hear clearly. Indeed, she didn't hear that part; she only heard what he said initially, but not the end. As she tried to take the clothes again, he stopped her, picked them up himself, and said:
"No, Hajiya, let me walk you out with them."
"Oh, thank you, but I want to go into the market; there's something I need to buy."
"Don't worry, it's no trouble at all. Let's go."
"Thank you."
She picked up her handbag and they stepped outside, with him following right behind her. As they stepped out, Hamza arrived, so Fahad didn't lock his shop; instead, he left and followed her. He walked with her right into the market until she finished buying the perfumes. Then they came out to the roadside where she could catch a Napep (tricycle). He stood by to flag one down for her, but every tricycle he hailed had a male passenger inside, so he would tell them to move on. After hailing about three like that, on the fourth one, he saw a tricycle with only one man and one woman inside. He told her to walk around to the woman's side and sit there. She did just that. He picked up her bags and handed them to her while she thanked him. He didn't say anything in response, only sending her a smile deep from within his heart, while saying to himself:
"I am going to miss you."
He stood watching until they disappeared from view, then returned to his shop. As soon as he stepped inside, her fragrance rushed to meet him. He closed his eyes and whispered to himself:
"Your scent is better than any other woman's."
He just sat down on the bench, unable to continue the work he had started. Instead, he kept chatting with Hamza, who was on his tricycle sewing a lace material. While this was happening, that persistent girl Husna came to find him. Honestly, that girl baffled him; she acted like she wasn't even a student, roaming about so much that he could never tell when she actually attended classes. As he sewed her clothes, he kept a stern face, but it didn't faze her at all because she kept chattering away like an unripened, sour fruit.
Thus, life went on. In Bilkisu's household, everyone was busy with wedding preparations. Their entire house had been renovated and repainted. The living room furniture was completely replaced—from the cushions to the television, curtains, and more. There used to be a carpet spread across the living room floor, but now expensive tiles were laid down, accompanied by a giant plasma TV mounted on the wall and royal chairs. Ammi's living room now looked like a young maiden's parlor, even though she kept begging Abba to tone down the renovations. Abba also handled the children's bedrooms because marrying off two young women at the same time was no small feat. However, he said he wanted to make her a bride all over again, and indeed that happened because the house looked exceptionally stunning. Even Bilkisu's room was completely upgraded by Abba: she got brand new curtains, a medium-sized TV mounted on the wall facing her bed, a mini-fridge in the corner, and a fresh coat of paint that made the room look bright and sparkling.
Two days before the wedding, Bilkisu managed to go to the salon with her friend Khulsum to get her henna done. She didn't return home until a few minutes before five. As soon as she stepped into her room, she heard the greetings of the Garko visitors, namely Iyallo and her company. Since she was only wearing a chest-binder wrapper (daurin kirji), she didn't step out because she could hear Ya Mudan's voice—it seemed he was the one who brought them.
Iyallo walked straight into Bilkisu's room, while Bilkisu was still in the bathroom. Seeing the extensive makeover the room had received, Iyallo held her chin in disbelief, clapping her hands and uttering exclamations of wonder:
"Ah, truly, this is permanent comfort—as if she's never going to leave! A room like this, as if it's already a husband's house? Tcha... May Allah have mercy. Oh my... Truly... A whole new world!"
She turned around, left the room, and headed further into the house toward Ammi's parlor, where Ammi was exchanging pleasantries with the guests. Iyallo hadn't come alone; she arrived around eight o'clock with her older sister, Inna Maigado (Bilkisu's namesake), two of Abba's younger siblings (Gwaggo Uwa and Yafendo), and their children. Iyallo sat down, curling her lips in disdain and throwing sideways glances. She gave a lukewarm response to the greetings, but food, drinks, and mineral water were immediately served to them, as their arrival had been anticipated. Ya Mudan didn't stay long before leaving them there.
Bilkisu had heard every single word Iyallo uttered when she entered her room. While taking her bath, she muttered to herself:
"Iyallo and her troubles have landed. This is how it's going to be until the day I finally leave this house. May Allah keep us in peace."
With those internal thoughts, she finished her bath and stepped out. She quickly got dressed, and just as Hindu and the others walked in, she joined them to head to the parlor, but...
As for Maama and the others, they were admiring Bilkisu's henna while she praised the skill of their body-treatment specialist, whose three-day regimen had completely transformed their looks. Hindu and Maama, being queens of impudence, immediately pushed their headscarves back onto their foreheads upon seeing Iyallo's footwear, ignoring the fierce glares Bilkisu shot at their direction.
Maama entered the parlor first, and Iyallo greeted her with a fierce glare and a curled lip, unlike Inna Maigado, who beamed with smiles and welcomed her warmly as if she couldn't wait to carry Bilkisu out of sheer love and affection. Just as pleasantries were ongoing, Maama and the others walked in, and Iyallo's voice cut through the air, interrupting everyone:
"You, Samodara, where did you wander off to and leave this tall, ill-mannered girl out of sheer foolishness?"
Maama ignored her completely because she knew Iyallo was talking to her, refusing to offer a reply. Instead, she walked over to Inna Maigado, with whom they were much more comfortable.
"Now, you too, for goodness' sake, don't you feel any shame? Look at you! All your younger sisters are married and have left you behind—here you four are, all stuck at the same stage!" Iyallo ranted, glaring at Bilkisu.
No sooner had Iyallo closed her mouth than Hindu chimed in:
"Listen to this Iyallo and her nagging! So what if we got married and left her behind? And besides, I'm sure she hasn't passed marriageable age..."
"You even bothered to answer her! She was saying we are at the same stage—well, it's just her naturally beautiful physique that makes it hard to tell who the eldest among us is... an..."
A sharp reprimand from Ammah cut Maama short before she could finish what she wanted to say. Ammah launched into a thorough scolding, tearing into them from every direction. Meanwhile, Iyallo chimed in:
"Leave them, let them insult me just as they always do! Ill-mannered delinquents, what do they know besides insolence and bad upbringing? Well, I swear when your father arrives..."
Inna Maigado and Yafendo began pacifying Iyallo, while Hindu and the others couldn't care less. In fact, they simply stood up, left the area, and retreated to their room.
Ever since Iyallo and her group arrived, everyone in the house felt restricted. She had a sharp tongue, was overly nosy, and couldn't see anything without making an issue out of it. That was something Inna Maigado couldn't stand, which was why she constantly scolded Iyallo. Because of this disposition, Bilkisu and her sisters disliked visiting Garko to see Iyallo, as she was always looking for arguments and trouble. Only Maama could match her energy, as she never backed down from her.
Things were managed somehow, and the house filled to the brim with relatives from Abba's and Ammah's sides. For Ammah's side, her relatives arrived from Dawakin Tofa on the eve of the wedding day—three cars packed with her older and younger siblings and other extended family members. As for Bilkisu, she had no time to sit still; she was even busier than the brides themselves. Even her Hamood only got a quick wave from her. Similarly, Fahad barely got to see her, which caused him immense distress, but what could he do? He simply had to resign himself to it.
The wedding events kicked off on Thursday with the application of henna (sakun lalle) in their neighborhood at the home of their father's friend who sold soap, followed by the traditional Kamu celebration. The brides looked breathtaking in royal blue attire. Bilkisu and Maama wore matching lace outfits that radiated absolute brilliance. People danced joyfully and celebrated to the fullest until everyone departed in high spirits.
Exhausted to the bone after Maghrib prayers, Bilkisu went home, but finding her room packed with guests, she had to use Abba's room to prepare for bed (Abba hadn't returned yet). Ignoring her phones entirely, she went straight to lie down in Meenah's room to get some rest.
The following day was the solemnization of the marriage (daurin aure), after which they would host their dinner party at the Al-Mukarram Event Center. Since early morning, the brides had no moment to rest. Bilkisu too—after the Jumu'ah prayer at the main mosque in their Hotoro neighborhood where the wedding Fatiha was conducted. Hindu's wedding to her groom Mus'ab was conducted first, since she was the eldest, with a dower of thirty thousand Naira. Next was Meenah's wedding to her groom Isma'il, also with a dower of thirty thousand Naira.
Their house was buzzing with activity. When the announcement of the successful wedding Fatiha was made, Iyallo started up again, muttering and throwing veiled insults. Whenever Bilkisu, Ammah, or Hindu walked past, she would track them with hostile glares, though they paid her no mind, completely focused on their own affairs. When Maama told Huda to step aside so she could change her baby's diaper near the well, Iyallo rushed over to harass her, demanding to know why she was bringing filth near the water source. Maama twisted her face into a grimace, rolled her eyes, and Iyallo landed a light knock on her head, saying:
"Insolent girl, are you going to give me attitude today as well?"
Maama ignored her completely, hoisted her child, and headed into Ammy's parlor where Ammy, her family, and well-wishers were gathered, while Iyallo and her Garko entourage remained in the sitting room.
At 8:30 PM, everyone set off for the dinner venue. The brides and grooms looked remarkably dashing. Bilkisu was equally stunning, dressed in the material Fahad had sewn for her. She looked insanely gorgeous, wearing a golden head-tie—there was no veil for her tonight. Neither she nor her friend Khulsum had a moment to sit down, as they were the event coordinators.
Filled with excitement, Fahad had dressed impeccably in brand-new blue tissue fabric with a ministerial-style cap that matched his hand-sewn outfit. He looked beyond handsome. He splashed on Amirul Oad perfume mixed with Black XS, stepping out looking like an urban youth straight out of a magazine. He slipped on black slip-on shoes, grabbed his watch, and walked out right at 8:00 PM sharp.
He first stopped by his house to greet Ayiyah and Mamuh, who immediately started teasing him, asking if he was off to see his girlfriend. Maryam even caught him, and he playfully flicked her forehead before stepping out amidst their giggles and whispers. His older brother, Abba, was sitting outside the doorstep and looked at him teasingly, saying:
"Little brother, are you heading out for a date today?"
Fahad laughed and walked past, saying:
"Wallahi, I'm just going to a wedding."
"Have a safe trip back."
He acknowledged it and walked on. When he arrived at the Al-Mukarram Event Center, the venue was already packed to capacity. Guests were arriving in cars, while others came by Napep or on foot. Fahad joined those who walked in, strolling with one hand in his trouser pocket while operating his phone with the other. Anyone who glanced at him once was compelled to take a second look.
As he reached the front of the hall, he caught sight of the brides' friends dressed in matching uniforms (anko), each looking radiant. He scanned the crowd, searching for a glimpse of his star, but he couldn't spot her before everyone filed into the hall. He slipped his phone into his pocket and walked inside.
He sat down next to three young men on a four-seater bench. Right next to them, a group of four women were also seated. He hadn't been seated for even two minutes when he spotted Bilkisu holding Khulsum's hand alongside some items he couldn't quite identify. He suddenly felt a twinge of regret for having her outfit sewn that way, because she wasn't wearing a veil over her dress. She looked breathtakingly gorgeous; the outfit fit her like a second skin, accentuating every curve of her figure—Mashallah. He pressed his palm to his forehead and bowed his head as a wave of dizziness hit him. His anxiety spiked when he saw her climb the steps toward the brides to whisper something—though no one could hear over the soft background music of Umar M. Sharif's song Ranar Kuke Jira...! (The Day You Are Waiting For). He regretted letting her wear that dress because it felt as though everyone in the hall was staring at her.
Once everyone settled down, the program officially commenced with an opening prayer. Then, the eldest sister, Bilkisu, was invited to present the bride's history—being the first of them. True to form as a journalist accustomed to public speaking, she stepped up and eloquently detailed Hindu's history, finally turning to look at Isma'il, the groom:
"Groom, your bride is quite mischievous, especially when it comes to drawing and painting! The entire wall of their room and their wardrobe is covered in drawings of birds and vegetation. We just pray she doesn't paint your bedroom walls with drawings of pigeons..."
Laughter erupted throughout the hall. She stepped down amid applause, and Maama was then called upon to give the history of the youngest, Minah. Wherever Bilkisu moved, Fahad's eyes followed her. He felt a strong urge to get up, shield her, and stop people from staring, but he couldn't.
While food and drinks were being distributed, the conversation of the women seated nearby caught his attention:
"Look at Yahanazu, she has successfully married off all her children, leaving only Maigado—that big-for-nothing who feels no shame hanging around the house while all her younger sisters are married..."
"Didn't you see how they even renovated her room? Just to convince us she's not staying behind forever!"
"It's her mother encouraging her stubbornness. If she refuses to bring a suitor, why don't they just match her with whoever they want..." one of the women said with frustration.
Fahad's gaze snapped back to Bilkisu, who was busy with her duties. Khulsum handed her phone to her. Bilkisu took it and headed toward the back exit. The zipper at the back of her dress had slipped down slightly, revealing the strap of her white bra underneath, visible if one looked closely.
With swift determination, his heart pounding hard (fat fat), he followed her outside. She stood talking on the phone with her back completely exposed. Driven by sheer, unfiltered jealousy, he stepped up directly behind her to shield her.
Sensing someone standing right behind her, she turned her head slightly to look back while keeping the phone pressed to her ear...
Their eyes locked instantly. She slowly pulled her gaze away and turned her back to him. He followed her back with a low, intense gaze. Hearing approaching footsteps behind them—signaling someone coming—he quickly reached out, grabbed the zipper, and pulled it all the way up. At that exact moment, Khulsum arrived at the spot.
He quickly stepped back, while Bilkisu turned around startled. But seeing Khulsum standing there on the phone, she breathed a sigh of relief, assuming Khulsum was the one who had zipped up her dress—it never crossed her mind that Fahad had done it. Khulsum, oblivious to what had just transpired, simply found them standing there while our guy stood dead still, staring fixedly at her with both hands shoved deep into his trouser pockets.
She spent nearly five minutes on the phone before wrapping up her call with her Hamood. She ended the call and turned back to look at Fahad, as Khulsum had already walked away.
Tilting her head, she looked at him like a child:
"So, you actually came?"
"Uhm, Hajjaju, I've been here for a while."
She smiled, glancing at her phone:
"You're going to wait until the event ends, right?"
He shook his head, his head still tilted sideways:
"If I stay too late, I'm going to get punished at home!"
She found his display of pampered childishness hilarious, acting just like Huda.
"So what are we going to do now?"
"Let's go back inside, but I'm leaving in 10 minutes."
"Okay, no problem, let's go."
He gave a slight, charming tilt of his head and walked ahead, and she followed behind him. Honestly, watching them move with such effortless ease was a delightful sight—they looked just like a young courting couple. Despite the high heels on her feet and his height, they walked in tandem right to the center of the hall, which was now fully lively as the brides stepped out to dance. The MC was calling out Bilkisu's name, declaring how much he wanted to see the eldest sister, Adda Bilkisu, the brides' sister.
Bilkisu broke into the circle of her younger sisters, showering them with new Naira notes while they did the same to her. The four of them looked adorable together, especially with Maama joining in, and soon Huda and Minah started shedding tears of joy—even Maama joined in the crying. Bilkisu herself felt tears welling up in her eyes, so she quietly slipped out of the dance floor toward the exit.
From where he sat, Fahad watched everything unfold. It was obvious there was an immensely deep bond between her and her sisters. He stood up and followed her, reaching the exit just as she stepped outside onto the balcony, leaning against the wall.
"Come on, Hajjaju, at your age..."
She turned around and their eyes met; her eyes were slightly reddened. She forced a smile:
"Are you really leaving already?"
"Yeah, truly, I have to head back before they lock the gate on me."
This guy is hilarious, she thought to herself with a smile:
"Alright then, thank you. Now let's go over to that car so I can give you your transport money..."
He rolled his eyes slightly:
"Me? Please, forget it. Do you want everyone to know I came to the wedding? I don't want extra baggage."
She smiled, turning fully to face him:
"Okay then, have a safe journey. Thank you."
"No walk of send-off?"
She flashed a radiant smile that bared her teeth, turned around, and gestured for him to follow her. They walked side by side until they reached the gate. There, she turned to head back inside, but just as she reached the hall entrance, she heard him say:
"Goodnight, sleep well."
She turned around in surprise that he had followed her all the way there, but before she could speak, he had already turned and walked away.
She re-entered the hall where the festivities continued. The dinner didn't wrap up until nearly 11:00 PM, and that was only because their father called insisting that the event must end. With that, the gathering was closed with a prayer, and everyone dispersed home.
As for Fahad, when he returned home, he tossed and turned through the dead of night. Thoughts of Bilkisu consumed his soul. By God, he had fallen hopelessly in love with her, but he had no certainty whether she had already committed to someone as a prospective husband. He tossed for a long time until he finally heard Ya Abba's voice saying:
"What on earth is keeping my little brother from sleeping tonight?"
"LOVE," he said to himself in his heart, though aloud he just turned to look at him through the soft glow of the electric bulb they had left on:
"Nothing is keeping me from sleeping, I'm just tired..."
"Well, once you're rested, turn off the light so we can sleep, will you?"
Fahad smiled as he sat up:
"Honestly, I can't sleep in total darkness, by God..."
"Well, I can't sleep with the lights on. May God bring us—"
Fahad laughed, pulling his pillow closer:
"Yet you keep saying you can't wait for the weekend so we can resume our fights over whether the bathroom door should be left open or closed, even though you always ruin my sleep..."
Ya Abba laughed as well, adjusting his bedding to face Fahad:
"That exact same thing happens to me whenever I go back to school. Honestly, sometimes our little dramas make me laugh—my friends ask why I'm laughing to myself, and eventually, I tell them it's because I remembered how we fight every single day. Because I hate lights, you hate the dark, and I can't go through the night without visiting the bathroom at least three times, while you're the one who always wakes me up!"
Summary
In this excerpt from Kamar da Wasa...!, the wedding festivities for Bilkisu's younger sisters (Hindu and Minah) reach their peak with the traditional Kamu and the grand dinner party at Al-Mukarram Event Center. Amidst the chaotic and joyful atmosphere—which includes the nagging presence of their extended relative Iyallo—Bilkisu shines brilliantly in an outfit tailored by Fahad. Fahad, deeply infatuated with Bilkisu, attends the dinner secretly, watches over her with intense protectiveness and jealousy, and shares subtle, affectionate moments with her before parting ways for the night. Back at home, Fahad struggles to sleep as thoughts of Bilkisu consume him, sharing lighthearted banter with his older brother, Ya Abba.
Description
The narrative captures a vibrant blend of traditional Northern Nigerian wedding preparations, domestic family dynamics, and a budding romance. It highlights the bustling energy of a household preparing two simultaneous weddings, contrasted with the quiet, intense infatuation Fahad holds for Bilkisu. The scenes vividly portray cultural settings—from the bustling local market and neighborhood street corners to a brightly lit, high-energy wedding reception—showcasing themes of sibling affection, generational friction (exemplified by Iyallo's critical nature), and young love.
Analytics
- Core Themes: Infatuation/Romantic Jealousy, Sibling Bonds & Family Dynamics, Generational Friction & Traditional Values, Festive Preparations.
- Character Dynamics:
- Bilkisu & Fahad: A quiet mutual attraction marked by Fahad's protective, low-key devotion and Bilkisu's growing fondness and comfort around him.
- Bilkisu & Her Siblings (Hindu, Minah, Maama): A tight-knit, supportive sisterhood characterized by shared emotions and playful resilience against critics.
- Iyallo & The Household: Iyallo serves as an antagonistic, hyper-critical force representing traditional meddling, contrasting sharply with the progressive, joyful atmosphere fostered by Abba and Ammah.
- Literary Tone: Warm, observant, romantic, and culturally authentic, enriched with relatable humor and emotional depth.
