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"Whenever Allah decrees the existence of a human being upon the face of the earth, most certainly—whether they like it or not—there are clusters of destinies that align with the body and soul of every servant. A shadow is something the Almighty decrees to exist, closely attached to every single thing, whether living or otherwise...
It is always trailing behind us, provided a person pauses to speak and pays attention. The word 'destiny' is a word comprising two branches: either a good destiny or its opposite. Destiny is the twin companion of a shadow because a servant can never bypass their bundles of destinies. No matter how fast you run, no matter how quickly you sprint, you cannot outrun the bundles of destinies that the Lord of the Heavens has decreed for you. Knowing this made me understand the Hausa proverb: 'From the day of construction to the day of design'—it settled firmly, exactly like placing a calabash perfectly onto its stand.
Today, I find myself in the role of a married woman—a title I will bear until my very last breath. A profound journey led us to a neighborhood whose name I did not know, because by that time I had plunged into genuine weeping. The stopping of the vehicles made me realize we had arrived at Salman’s house, for indeed, I could not call it my house. Hajiya Umma tapped my shoulders, saying:
'Step out with your right foot, coupled with Bismillah, Maryama.'
Warm tears washed my eyes once again. So it has really happened, oh God, life, I said within myself, feeling a deep pain trying to well up from the very depths of my heart. The pulling of my hand that I felt forced me to utter the name of Allah upon my lips..."
(The narrative follows Maryam—known as Merrah—as she is thrust into a mysterious, high-society arranged marriage to a man she has never met, navigating the confusion of wealthy households, palace intrigues involving King Suraj Shureim, and the explosive temperament of Salman, only to discover her true destiny is tied to an enigmatic figure known as AK Prince in Kuwait).
📖 Summary
This excerpt from the Hausa romance novel "Mikiya" (Book Two) by Ammey Laylerh centers on the turbulent life of Maryam Naseer (Merrah).
The story opens with deep philosophical reflections on destiny (ƙaddara). Merrah is unceremoniously married off and brought to a luxurious estate she is told belongs to Salman, a man she expected to marry. However, Salman is nowhere to be found, and the household is controlled by an elite, mysterious elderly woman referred to as "Fulani."
Meanwhile, a furious and unstable Salman throws a violent fit upon discovering that Merrah has been taken away and married off, leading to his dramatic arrest by the police after threatening his own family.
Back at the palace, Merrah is escorted to meet King Suraj Sunusi Shureim, who warmly accepts her. Unbeknownst to Merrah, the king orchestrates a grander destiny, placing a phone call to Abdoul-Malleek (AK Prince) in Kuwait, commanding him to return to Nigeria to claim the bride chosen for him—setting up a high-stakes clash of power, wealth, and destiny.
📝 Description
- Title: Mikiya (Book Two)
- Author: Ammey Laylerh
- Genre: Contemporary Hausa Fiction / Royal Romance / Drama / Suspense
- Main Characters:
- Maryam (Merrah): The protagonist, an emotionally overwhelmed young bride caught in the web of an unexpected, high-stakes arranged marriage.
- Salman: A hot-tempered, aggressive young man who expected to marry Merrah but loses control when she is taken from him.
- Fulani: A high-ranking, elegant elderly matriarch within the royal family who guides Merrah through her new reality.
- King Suraj Sunusi Shureim: The influential monarch orchestrating the intricate matrimonial arrangements.
- AK Prince (Abdoul-Malleek): A wealthy, aloof, and powerful figure based in Kuwait who is unexpectedly summoned back to Nigeria by the King.
- Key Themes: Destiny (Ƙaddara), forced/arranged marriages, high-society wealth and power dynamics, betrayal, and romance.
📊 Analytics
- Literary Style & Tone: Melodramatic, suspenseful, and deeply reflective. The author uses traditional Hausa philosophical sayings (karin magana) blended with modern high-society extravagance (private jets, luxury cars, elite guards).
- Narrative Perspective: Alternating Points of View (POV) between Merrah's emotional confusion and Salman’s aggressive outbursts, later shifting to royal and international settings (Kuwait).
- Pacing: Fast-moving and chaotic, mirroring the overwhelming panic and disorientation experienced by the protagonist. The scene transitions rapidly from traditional family domestic disputes to high-security arrests and royal palace decrees.
- Linguistic Elements: Written in contemporary Hausa infused with English slang and loanwords (brain, jet, tightly security, car key), reflecting modern Nigerian urban fiction styles.
