ZABIN ABBANA Book Complet by Ummeey  Muhammad  Lawan .txt

<p>:</p><p>My dear readers following this story, I apologize for my absence these past two days. Please forgive your Katsina girl; I’ve been dealing with some things, but I’m not afraid—I’m back! Insha Allah, I will now post regularly on time. I love you all, my dear readers.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>“Who are you, you illiterate village girl, a bush animal, a typical villager? You couldn’t even hear the horn? Do you want to get hit before you move? I’ve been honking at you for a while now, and you still stood there like a fool. Do you villagers even have common sense?”</p><p>“Leave her alone, love. If someone is raised in the village, it takes time to adjust.”</p><p>Aunty Hallilos, who had been watching angrily from the side, turned to him and said, “So, does that mean you’re insulting your own father too? After all, he is from a village as well.”</p><p>“Honey, just let me be. You didn’t hear how loud I was honking at her, yet she still didn’t move.”</p><p>He grabbed his wife’s hand, and they entered the car, leaving Dije standing there. Her body was covered in dust and dirt from the ground, her cheek burning from the slap she had received, and her heart heavy with the humiliation she had just suffered. She waited until their car disappeared before she wiped her tears and started walking home. They called me an animal, a fool… she thought, her heart aching.</p><p>Back at home, Inna was in the yard, winnowing millet. She saw Dije enter, her clothes stained with dirt, tears streaking her face. Inna quickly stood up and rushed to her.</p><p>“Dije, what happened to you? Why are you like this?”</p><p>Dije, not wanting to upset Inna, quickly responded, “I tripped over a stone and fell, Inna.”</p><p>“Oh, sorry, my dear. I hope you didn’t get hurt?”</p><p>“No, Inna, I’m fine.”</p><p>“Alright, may Allah protect you. Can you fetch some water, or should I ask Madu to get it for us? I need to visit the neighbors.”</p><p>“No, Inna, I can do it. I’m not hurt at all.”</p><p>She picked up a clay pot and headed to the stream to fetch water.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Two days later</p><p>Dije and Laure were walking home from the weekly Sunday market.</p><p>“Dije, why haven’t you been joining us to fetch water or gather firewood these past two days?”</p><p>“Nothing, Laure. You weren’t feeling well, so I stayed back to help out.”</p><p>“That’s true. I feel much better now. But let me tell you something, Dije—Ammar’s wife has no manners at all! She’s so rude, and Ammar doesn’t even see her faults.”</p><p>Dije’s heart sank as she remembered the humiliation she had suffered. She stopped walking and stared at Laure.</p><p>Laure placed a hand on Dije’s shoulder and said, “Dije, do you even know which Ammar I’m talking about? It’s the son of Kawu Kabeer from the city.”</p><p>“I know who he is.”</p><p>“Let me tell you, that woman has no shame at all. She hugs him in front of Kaka Tsoho! Can you imagine? Even in front of Hajjo, she still hugs him.”</p><p>Dije’s eyes widened in shock. “She hugs him?”</p><p>“Yes! And sometimes, she even sits on his lap! She doesn’t respect Kaka Tsoho or Hajjo, let alone our mothers. Nobody in the family wanted this marriage, but Ammar insisted on it.”</p><p>Laure suddenly stopped talking as she spotted Habu approaching with his friend, Amadu.</p><p>“Dije, look! Habu is coming with Amadu.”</p><p>Their conversation ended as they continued walking into town. When they reached Laure’s house, she insisted that Dije come inside for a bit. Dije agreed, knowing that Laure’s grandmother, Inno, and Hajjo had been asking about her.</p><p>Inside, Laure playfully snatched Dije’s scarf, and Dije ran after her, trying to grab it back. They were laughing and chasing each other when Dije suddenly collided with someone—hard.</p><p>She fell against the person’s chest before stumbling backward and hitting a wall. A sharp pain shot through her head, and before she could react, everything went dark.</p><p>Laure screamed, “Dije!!!”</p><p>She ran to Dije, panicking when she saw blood trickling from her forehead.</p><p>“Oh no! Kaka Tsoho! Hajjo! Dije is bleeding! Someone help!”</p><p>She ran into the house, crying, “He has killed Dije! Kaka Tsoho, he has killed her!”</p><p>Hearing her screams, Inna and other family members rushed out. Inna grabbed Laure, her voice full of concern.</p><p>“What happened, Laure? Is Dije okay?”</p><p> </p><p> </p>