Bodyguard Hausa Complete Book

Description

Act I: Nawal's Morning & Indo's Domestic Routine

Nawal sat in the lecture hall, her hands clutching her handouts, her total attention fixed on the lecturer.

Back at home, Indo finished all the prep for danbu. Nothing was left undone; she neatly set the dining table, preparing everything required for the head of the house—her master, who would soon return for lunch.

He was the first to arrive, radiating grace and dignity. He offered the traditional greeting, and Indo answered respectfully, welcoming him home. He asked her, "Is lunch ready?" She nodded to indicate yes.

He headed straight to the dining room, looked over the prepared food, and simply shook his head, knowing it was Noor’s favorite. He served himself a portion, but before taking his first bite, I noticed him pause for a moment, looking as though he were pondering something about his wife or child—I couldn't quite tell, because I don't poke around inside people's minds all the time, lol!

After a brief moment, he broke into a soft, gentle smile, said Bismillah, and began eating.

He had barely taken his fourth bite when Noor and Haneef burst into the house running, having just caught sight of their dad. Noor bolted straight toward him, and Haneef followed suit. He had already opened his arms wide, eagerly waiting to feel the warmth of his children pressed against his chest. As he felt them rush into his embrace, he closed his eyes in bliss, kissing them repeatedly while they returned his affection.

He asked, "The light of my eyes, you’re back?" They chorused, "Yes, Dad, we came back!" He smiled, "Me too! Now go take a bath and come back so we can have lunch, okay?"

Haneef curled his lip and asked, "Where is Mom, Dad?" Noor chimed in, "Dad, I swear I want to eat tuwo right now before I take a bath, I'm hungry, Dad, wallahi!" She pushed out her lower lip in that cute, milky, Bournvita-drinking pout—lol.

Indo came out, greeted the children warmly, and told them to go wash up, pray, and then eat their lunch.

Safwan, their dad, answered Haneef: "Mom hasn't returned yet, but we spoke with her on the phone right now. She’s on her way, insha Allah, you'll see." Turning back to them, he added, "Go take a bath and pray."

Noor and Haneef spoke in unison: "Dad, please, let us eat lunch first, wallahi we're starving!" Seeing this, Safwan told Indo, "Let them have their lunch first, then give them a bath and have them pray."

Left with no choice, Indo replied, "Alright, Noor’s daddy," and gathered their lunchboxes and school bags to take them to their rooms.

They ate their lunch in peace, comfort, and happiness. Afterward, they were bathed, performed ablution, and said their prayers.

Safwan got up to head to his bedroom to freshen up before heading back out, as he had somewhere to be.

Once they finished praying, Indo sprayed them lightly with "Al Haramain" body spray, dressed them in their uniforms, handed them their Islamiyya bags, and took them by the hand to lead them to Dan Bala, the driver, who would take them to Islamiyya.

Safwan stepped out looking impeccably dressed and smelling wonderful. He called out, "You guys, you weren't even going to say goodbye to me or wish me safe travels?!"

Noor ran back to him, saying, "Sorry, Dad, we forgot! We didn't want to be late. You know Sheik Yahaya—if you're late, instead of just punishing you with push-ups, he chases people away to go back home and forfeits their studies for the day! That's why we hate being late..."

Dad smiled, "That is the right attitude for Islamiyya. Good for you. Just make sure you maintain your diligence and respect the rules so we can all live in peace."

Indo stood quietly watching the father and his children. Safwan instructed Indo to let him drop them off at the Islamiyya school before heading to his own destination, so she could just go back inside and wish them safe travels.

Act II: Nawal's Background & Character

Nawal didn't arrive home until after 2:00 PM. She herself wasn't thrilled about missing her family upon return. After Indo welcomed her home, she retreated to her room to take a shower.

By: Fatima Abubakar (Maman Shaheed)

Nawal is the daughter of Shareef Ahmad and Hasiyatu. She has three younger siblings—two boys and a girl, with the lastborn being a girl named Husnah (Asma'u).

Shareef Ahmad wasn't an ultra-wealthy tycoon, but he had a comfortable, decent level of financial stability. Nawal was his firstborn. It took them three years after marriage before God blessed them with her pregnancy. There was also a five-year gap between her and Auwal, followed by Ahmad and the lastborn Husnah.

Shareef Ahmad owned a nice, modern house, a personal car, and ran a successful trading business after previously working in civil service, which allowed him to comfortably fund all family and extended family obligations.

Shareef heavily doted on his family, especially Nawal. Since she was the only child for five years before Auwal came along, he spoiled her rotten, giving her everything she wanted—even indulging her beyond what Mama (Hasiyatu) preferred. Mama frequently warned him that spoiling a girl like that wasn't wise, especially considering future life challenges and the fact that she would eventually marry into another man's house. But Shareef would wave it off, insisting he wanted to show her love; if her own family didn't shower her with affection, she would end up seeking it from neighbors' children. She was their firstborn and held a unique place in their hearts.

Ahmad later joined Nawal in receiving this pampered upbringing, though the girls were spoiled even more. Mama’s reprimands mostly amounted to playful scoldings just to keep the peace. However, when they stepped out of line, she didn't hesitate to correct them. Even when Shareef brought in a maid named Inna Dije to help Mama because the children were becoming too much to handle, Mama tried every trick to get him to send the maid away. But Shareef refused, saying that if Mama didn't need help, his growing children certainly did. Inna Dije endured a lot from Nawal and her siblings, but because she was well-paid and very patient, she stayed.

Growing up under her parents' indulgence, Nawal formed a firm resolve: even if she got married, she would only manage her home and children with the help of a maid. Consequently, when she grew up, she crossed paths with Safwan at Shoprite. Within a short period, a powerful mutual attraction sparked between them. Through smooth romance and charm, they agreed they couldn't live without each other, completely intertwining their hearts.

One day, Safwan and Nawal had their very first argument in the history of their relationship. Inna Dije sternly chided Nawal, adding a sharp hiss and a dirty look. This infuriated Safwan because it was the fifth time Nawal had mistreated Inna Dije—an elderly woman whom Safwan deeply respected for her age and because she always served him with kindness whenever she was sent his way.

Because of Inna Dije, friction arose between the two lovers, and they parted ways that day in anger. The reason he left her standing was that she refused to acknowledge her mistake, stubbornly believing she did nothing wrong by treating the hired help harshly. He walked out and left her without even saying goodbye.

Both lovers spent that night heartsick. The usual sweet text messages they exchanged every night were completely absent. Both felt the sting of pride, each waiting for the other to break the silence.

Their romance suffered this silent treatment for a full week. Both withered under the strain, testing who cared more. In the end, Nawal broke down first.

She started texting him. Although he initially acted hesitant to respond, he couldn't hold out for long and replied. Everything was resolved, and their love was renewed.

Act III: Who is Safwan?

Safwan is the son of Alhaji Bukar and Hajiya Aslamiya. There are five children in Safwan's family: he is the second born, preceded by an older brother, Ibraheem, followed by twin girls, and the lastborn, Jannah.

Safwan and his siblings grew up surrounded by care, pampering, and abundant wealth, yet they weren't spoiled rotten. Their home didn't have a live-in maid; instead, an elderly woman and her young daughter came in daily to help Ammy with sweeping and washing dishes before leaving. If extra help was needed, they were called via phone and paid accordingly. Consequently, Ammy kept a spotless home, and even the twins actively handled chores.

Even Safwan and his older brother wouldn't hesitate to step into the kitchen to whip up Indomie, coffee, or fried eggs. Ammy would tease them, joking that their future wives had lucked out. They would laughingly reply, "Who even makes food for a woman before marriage anyway?"

Despite Alhaji Bukar’s massive wealth, he disciplined his family well. His children had a separate car that chauffeured them to school, Islamiyya, the zoo, supermarkets, and amusement parks, showing them immense affection and luxury. However, whenever they crossed a line, they were firmly corrected through gentle reasoning and guidance, making them a source of pride to their parents.

Once they reached adulthood, Alhaji Bukar bought cars of their choice for both Ibraheem and Safwan. After completing their education, he set them up with jobs: Ibraheem worked at a bank, while Safwan worked under his father running a company set up for him.

When Safwan felt ready for marriage, he informed his parents. Seeing that he was mature, responsible, financially stable, and capable of taking care of a woman, they gave him their full blessing and support. The twins were ecstatic that there was finally going to be a wedding in the house.

Within a short time, Safwan and Nawal's wedding was set. Nawal hadn't yet completed her university degree, but she vowed to finish it even if she was married. When she discussed it with Safwan, he reassured her that he valued education and wouldn't stand in her way. Their wedding date was fixed just three months away.

Time flies when life moves forward. The wedding day arrived, perfectly planned and executed. The groom went all out for his bride, and both families put on an impressive display of wealth and prestige. Countless guests attended. In fact, all members of the Maman Shaheed Fanc group graced the wedding, eating, drinking, and taking away souvenir packages—especially the group members and female friends who even packed extra takeaway plates for home (some even asked for seconds!).

The wedding concluded peacefully, and the bride was escorted to her husband's home amid indescribable joy and excitement.

Act IV: Early Marriage, The First Maid, and Pregnancy

Safwan and Nawal thoroughly enjoyed their early honeymoon phase, living life according to Islamic principles under Safwan's guidance, complete with spiritual devotion.

Nawal showered her groom with deep care and affection, realizing firsthand the difference between singlehood and marriage. She felt like the luckiest young woman in the world (minus Maman Shaheed and Waleed, lol!).

Just two months in, Nawal casually broached the topic of getting a housemaid, complaining that she was already growing tired of household chores. Safwan gently reminded her that they hadn't even finished enjoying their honeymoon yet, let alone faced interruptions. He explained things calmly, but reluctantly, she agreed to push it off for another three months, struggling through school and chores.

Eventually, she put her foot down and insisted they urgently find a housemaid to be paid a salary. When she pressed him again, claiming she was completely exhausted from housework, Safwan wasn't pleased. He disliked hearing her complain about being tired of marriage. Was she tired of the marriage itself, or what? He intended to reprimand her and correct her mindset, knowing her temper was short-tempered and knowing he didn't want any marital friction within their first year. So, instead, he swallowed his frustration and promised to figure something out.

Hearing him yield brought a brief wave of relief to her heart.

In the fifth month of their marriage, while they were treating each other wonderfully, morning sickness abruptly ambushed Nawal. It hit her hard; before she even hit the two-month mark, she was suffering intensely.

Seeing the severe difficulty she was going through, Safwan rushed out to find a maid immediately, as his heart was constantly worried about her while he was away at work.

Ammy wasn't thrilled that Safwan had hired a maid, arguing that the twins always helped out with everything without any issues. Young girls needed to learn cleaning and chores, because sometimes, unless you do things yourself, you feel it wasn't done right until you pitch in and praise someone's effort.

However, Safwan stood his ground: "What's done is done. The young girl has already started helping out with the house duties."

Ammy and Ibraheem burst into laughter. Ammy joked, "Don't talk as if this is a massive family estate needing endless estate management!" Safwan laughed, scratching the back of his neck. Deep down, he thought to himself, If only Big Brother knew I'm already done with housework debates. Feeling a bit shy, he quickly said goodbye to Ammy and fled with his young bride.

Back home, Bride Nawal ruled over Indo the maid with an iron fist, barking orders, glaring, and shouting at her. Safwan wanted to speak to her about her harsh treatment of Indo, but whenever he thought about scolding her, he worried the stress might negatively affect her pregnancy, which he cherished as if it were the first child ever conceived on earth.

As for Indo, she was the embodiment of patience and hard work. She endured her mistress's harshness silently. Whenever she visited home and complained to her mother, her mother would advise her to persevere, reminding her that every dog has its day and urging her to excuse Nawal because she wasn't just any ordinary woman—she was pregnant.

Life rolled on. Safwan struggled to buy every special craving a pregnant woman could possibly desire, while Indo kept the house running. Even when Indo cooked, she had strict rules: she had to make sure the kitchen door wasn't left open, otherwise her cooking would be considered "tainted" and unfit for consumption by Nawal. Indo strictly followed every rule just to keep the peace.

By the grace of God, Nawal gave birth. Excitement, pampering, and over-excitement overflowed from Safwan. The naming ceremony was a massive, glamorous celebration.

The baby girl was named Noor. She was showered with luxury. The twins were ecstatic, staying over at the house to help lift the workload off Indo the maid.

Nawal tried to wave them off, but they insisted that work didn't bother them. With skill, cleanliness, and great social grace, they managed everything smoothly. Indo loved having their help; she felt like she could finally breathe and even rest.

She grew quite fond of them, chatting easily, realizing that Nawal's aloofness toward them didn't mean they couldn't bond or help out. The twins concluded that Nawal was actually quite nice, albeit with her own quirky flaws.

Time passed smoothly. Little Noor grew up, became smart, and was eventually weaned. In fact, she was weaned ahead of schedule because Nawal felt exhausted from breastfeeding and worried her figure would get ruined—(The Mistake of Some Women). Instead of feeding her three-way nutritional meals, responsibility fell heavily on Safwan, Nawal, and Indo.

Nawal left Noor primarily in Indo’s care—much against Safwan’s wishes, though he had finally forced Nawal to tone down her shouting and glaring at Indo.

Amidst all this, Nawal was still struggling with school, as she was now in her 300-level at the university.

Act V: The Second Pregnancy Drama & Reconciliation

A stubborn, heavy fever suddenly hit Nawal, forcing her to miss her lectures despite her usual stubborn determination to attend school.

Seeing the symptoms worsening—extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and nausea—Safwan rushed her to a western doctor. After running tests, the doctor broke the news: Nawal was three months pregnant again.

The doctor's announcement hit Nawal like a physical blow. She felt it deeply in her gut: Goodness gracious, when did she even finish having and weaning Noor that another pregnancy was already crashing into her life?!

Safwan immediately noticed the panic washing over her face. He brushed it off, beaming with joy. Happily thanking the doctor, he took his wife by the hand and led her to the car to head home.

Inside the car, Safwan began comforting Nawal with words of wisdom: "Some people pray desperately for children like this and God doesn't give them, and we never know what kind of blessing God has in store. He gave you this, yet you're frowning and upset?"

She glanced at him sideways from under her lashes: "I'm not upset!"

He cut her off sharply: "Ever since the doctor announced the test results, the glow vanished from your face. I know you inside out; I can read your movements and thoughts better than you realize, wallahi..."

She suddenly lifted her head, weeping: "I just feel like—it hasn't even been two years since I gave birth! My father hasn't even fully settled back into his house, and here I am carrying another pregnancy..." Fresh tears streamed down her face (such a baby, lol!).

Safwan smiled a bitter smile: "Is that what the doctor told you? That your father hasn't settled? Or is it your medical theories talking, or are you just tired of sharing your body with me? When I point you east, you march west!"

Safwan's temper finally snapped. He fell completely silent, shutting her out and refusing to comfort her anymore despite her crying. From loud weeping, she eventually wore herself out and quieted down as they arrived home.

Indo rushed out to welcome them, but only Safwan managed a weak reply. Nawal stormed straight into her room—fuuuuul!

Safwan went straight to his own room, completely ignoring her out of pure frustration.

Nawal didn't reappear until dinnertime. Time ticked by, and Safwan still didn't emerge from his room. She sent Indo to go call him—(behold the madness of some women, sending a young maid to summon her husband to his own room!) Luckily, Indo was a very modest girl and felt terribly awkward because she had never stepped foot inside his room while he was inside (unless she was cleaning while he was away—another mistake). So she stopped at the door and knocked.

Safwan called out, "Come in!" assuming it was Nawal lingering outside. Had it been someone else, they would have walked right in. Indo poked her head near the door and whispered, "Aunty says you should come eat, she's waiting for you."

Even Safwan felt a bit taken aback. In his heart, he thought, May God guide you, dear. He replied to Indo, "Tell her I'm coming out," and she scurried off to deliver the message.

When he came out, things were cold and formal. They ate their dinner while Indo tried feeding Noor—who ate a bite and spat out the next, typical toddler style.

After they finished eating, Safwan retreated to his room to observe his Isha'i prayers. Realizing he had no intention of codifying peace, Nawal followed him into his room, because the unresolved tension was choking her.

As she stepped inside, he ignored her completely, furiously tapping away at his phone and pretending she wasn't there. It stung her pride, but she swallowed it because she was desperate for reconciliation (reconciliation is a virtue). She sat down right beside him, their bodies brushing, and murmured: "My dear, what did I do wrong that you've shut me out like this? I wasn't acting out of malice; I was just terrified! You were a live witness to how terribly I suffered through Noor's pregnancy. And now here I am facing another protruding belly, suffering through illness in front of everyone—even you pitied me! Plus, the sheer physical agony of childbirth—did you forget how I screamed in the labor room, or are you pretending your tears wasn't out of pity?"

She burst into passionate, heart-wrenching tears.

That reminder unlocked memories for him. He felt immense pity for her. Remembering the harrowing day Noor was born—how he instantly forgot all his grievances against her—he reached out, pulled her into his arms, and enfolded her in a warm embrace. He rubbed her back, comforting her with soothing words and gentle reassurance. The warmth of his body made her forget everything else as they drifted off into their own private world... completely forgetting they had a little girl named Noor, haha!

That second pregnancy cemented itself in Nawal's heart—especially whenever her school friends teased her about becoming a full-fledged mother, making her momentarily wish the pregnancy would just vanish (Astaghfirullah). She dragged herself through it until she reached nine months.

Whenever the twins visited, they helped her immensely, refusing to let her lift a finger regarding housework or caring for Noor, eventually taking Noor over to stay at Ammy's place. Nawal was thrilled to "rest," complaining that Noor was always nagging and suffocating her.

Safwan kept pampering her, especially knowing how indifferent she was toward this pregnancy. Finally, her due date arrived, accompanied by severe labor pains. Because she couldn't deliver naturally, she had to undergo a C-section (Cesarean Section). Everyone pitied her, especially her husband. She was pampered thoroughly; even Ammy coddled her, spoon-feeding her meals like a baby. The doctor ordered that she wouldn't be discharged until she regained her full strength.

She delivered a big, healthy baby boy. The twins were ecstatic, and Safwan was happier and more excited than anyone at the prospect of taking his family home. Indo kept watch over the house.

Once she was discharged and brought home, the twins returned with her for their school holiday. Blooming into full-blown maidenhood, they were growing more gorgeous by the day, turning into stunning young women.

On the naming ceremony day, the baby boy was named after Safwan's father and was affectionately called Haneef. The naming ceremony was a peaceful, grand success... gifts and clothes were distributed...

Summary

This narrative snippet follows the intertwined domestic lives of Nawal and Safwan, contrasting their modern, comfortable lifestyle with underlying issues of emotional immaturity, marital friction, and domestic management.

Nawal, a heavily pampered firstborn from a moderately well-off family, struggles to balance university life, motherhood, and domestic duties. Her aversion to housework leads to the hiring of a patient, resilient maid named Indo, whom Nawal frequently mistreats. Safwan, a devoted and affluent husband, tries to balance his deep love and indulgence for Nawal with the need to correct her behavioral flaws, especially regarding her harshness toward Indo and her resistance to family expansion.

The story chronicles their early romance, marriage, the birth of their first daughter Noor, the arrival of a demanding second pregnancy (which brings emotional friction between the couple), and the eventual birth of their baby boy, Haneef. Throughout, the text highlights themes of parental over-indulgence, marital adjustment, domestic labor dynamics, and the psychological realities of young motherhood.

Description

• Setting: An upper-middle-class urban Nigerian household in northern Nigeria, featuring modern amenities, academic institutions, and traditional familial support systems (grandparents, siblings, and domestic help).
• Tone: A mix of domestic realism, lighthearted romance, slice-of-life comedy, cultural commentary, and dramatic domestic tension.

Analytics

• Character Dynamics:
  • Nawal: Defined by her pampered upbringing (sangarta), entitlement, impatience with chores, and occasional emotional volatility. Yet, she deeply relies on her husband’s affection and emotional anchoring.
  • Safwan: A patient, highly supportive, and protective husband who balances modern affection with traditional masculine authority. He is deeply devoted to Nawal and his children, though pushed to his limits by her resistance to domestic reality.
  • Indo: The silent backbone of the household—an enduring, humble maid who bears the brunt of Nawal’s frustrations while maintaining peaceful coexistence.
• Core Themes:
  • The consequences of parental over-indulgence (sangarta).
  • The complexities of modern marriage versus traditional domestic expectations (the "maid vs. housewife" debate).
  • Communication barriers and emotional reconciliation in young marriages.

Comments

• Narrative Style: Written in a conversational, engaging, and colloquial Northern Nigerian fiction style (Littafin Hausa adaptation), the author (Maman Shaheed) frequently breaks the fourth wall with humor, parenthetical asides ("lol"), and direct commentary on female psychology and societal mistakes (Kuskuren Wasu Matan).
• Realism in Domestic Politics: The depiction of class dynamics—how a wealthy family integrates domestic help, how extended family (like Ammy and the twins) acts as a support system, and the academic struggles of a young mother—feels very authentic to contemporary Nigerian urban settings.

Conclusions

This excerpt from Kuskure offers an insightful, entertaining, and morally reflective look into modern marital life in Northern Nigeria. It underscores how foundational upbringing shapes adult behavior, how patience and communication sustain a relationship through crises like unexpected pregnancies, and the importance of empathy toward domestic staff. Despite Nawal's flaws, the enduring love and patience shown by Safwan—and the supportive safety net of their families—allow them to navigate life's growing pains.

Follow-up Question

Would you like to examine how Nawal's growth and her relationship with Indo evolve as the children grow older in the subsequent chapters?