Auren Adashe Part 2 Compelet

Description

AUREN ADASHE 

Page 13

Bash's room emptied out as more people spilled out together. Their leader turned to Alhaji and said, "His excellency, please forgive us, but we have to take them."

"What? What do you mean you have to take us? What did we do... hold on, what are you talking about?" Azad spoke, trying to steady his composure.

A pair of handcuffs was pulled out to be placed on Bash. With lightning speed, Azad grabbed the handcuffs and snapped, "Are you out of your senses? Did he commit murder that you're putting handcuffs on him? For what reason?"

Alhaji placed a hand on Azad's back. Azad spun around quickly to see him and exclaimed, "They've come right inside my father's house to say they're taking me and my younger brothers!" He glared at the leader. "Do we look like drug traffickers to you? Do you see any signs that we take drugs or anything?"

The leader lowered his head respectfully and replied, "Sorry, sir, this is just how our job is, and evidence was found in your room. We have to take you with us; if investigations show you have no hand in it, you'll be released."

Azad shook his head. "This is serious."

Muhammad spoke up, "Azad, go ahead, we'll follow right behind you, nothing will happen."

Alhaji looked at his younger brother and said, "Muhammad, call a lawyer and meet us at the police station." Then, looking at the police officers with Azad, he said, "Let's go together."

Just like that, they walked ahead with the police behind them, carrying the illicit substances. Bash held tightly onto Babban Yaya's hand, refusing to let go, consumed by fear and anxiety. As they stepped out into the compound yard, the house security guards and soldiers rushed forward. A convoy was formed, and they were driven off to the police station.

Aunty Zuli curled her lip and muttered, "Well, who knows if this is actually what happened?" Everyone looked up at her. Mommy's face darkened with anger as she said, "Well, if it's true, you know very well your daughter would be arrested first, since she's the drug addict."

Aunty Zuli let out a mocking, arrogant laugh and retorted, "And yet, look, it wasn't her who got arrested; it's the darlings of the house who brought shame upon themselves."

Mommy was about to snap back when Hajiyarmu grabbed her hand and shook her head. Mommy just let out an irritated huff and fell silent.

Aunty Ni'ima signaled Anwar and the others with her eyes. They quickly stood up to leave. Mommy demanded, "Where are you going?"

Anwar answered, "To the police station."

Taslim stood up, wiping her tears, and said, "I'll come with you, Yaya."

Na'ef quickly shook his head. "Stay here, Taslim, we'll go and be right back, In sha Allah."

Looking like she was about to cry, Taslim sat back down and propped her chin on her hand in despair. Everyone's nerves were on edge, except for Iftihal and her mother, who couldn't care less.

At the police station, upon arrival, they found journalists with cameras zeroed in on them. Alhaji managed a smile more painful than crying, looked at Azad, and said, "This is a setup just to disgrace my family and me."

Azad placed his hand on Papa's shoulder and said, "Master of avoiding disgrace, don't worry, In sha Allah, if they framed us just to disgrace us, God will not let them get away with it." Alhaji simply nodded.

With that, they were led into the DPO's office. Azad firmly held onto his younger brothers, Faisal and Bash, refusing to let go.

With utter shamelessness, the DPO looked Alhaji dead in the eye and said, "His excellency, sorry to see this, but these boys are staying right here with us until the investigation is complete."

Furious, Alhaji said, "It is impossible for me to leave my sons at a police station without solid justification."

The DPO laughed and said, "His excellency, there is evidence stronger than what was found in their bedroom."

Azad stared at the DPO and asked, "How much did they pay you to talk without a single shred of doubt?"

The DPO snapped at Azad, "Are you going to disrespect me, you son of a dog, just because you're a governor's son?"

Azad was about to retaliate when Alhaji shook his head and said, "Let's wait until the lawyer arrives before I leave."

"As you wish," the DPO said, spinning around in his chair.

When the lawyer arrived, they tried everything possible to get Azad and the boys released to sleep at home, planning to return the next day. But the DPO dug his heels in and stubbornly refused. Reluctantly, after Isha prayers, Alhaji had to leave for home, leaving Lukman and two security guards behind. Right before his eyes, his sons were shoved into a cell; in the DPO's words, they were not above the law either.

As they sat inside the cell, Azad remained silent, deep in thought, analyzing the glimpse of a person he had seen yesterday. Bash's voice broke his train of thought: "Why are they opening the cell? Where are they taking us?"

Azad finally looked up and saw the DPO and other armed officers standing there. The DPO smiled, stepped up in front of Azad, and said, "A governor's son is still a governor, but alas, look at them now—cheap nobodies locked up in a police station cell."

Azad gave him one hard look and turned his head away, realizing completely now that he had been set up and the officer bought off. He watched the other police officers trying to put handcuffs on Faisal and barked angrily, "Are you out of your minds putting handcuffs on him?"

The DPO interrupted, "Shut up! One more word out of you and I'll shoot him right in front of you, and I'll shoot you too, and kill you for nothing. Tomorrow the report will read that the governor's sons brought illicit drugs into Nigeria and DPO Hamza gunned them down. See? There won't be any punishment for me since I was just defending the dignity of my country."

Azad's blood boiled at the DPO's words. He nodded, chewing on his lower lip, and grabbed Faisal and Bash, declaring, "Not right in front of my eyes will my brothers be handcuffed! I'd rather die first!"

The DPO nodded. "Okay, then let's move."

"Where to?" Azad demanded, scowling darkly.

The DPO gave him a contemptuous look. "To where you guys truly belong." He turned to the other officers. "Is the car ready?" One of them replied, "Yes, sir." The DPO smiled and said, "Take them to the vehicle."

Suspicious and sharp-eyed, Azad looked at them and said, "I am respecting you only because I am in your custody right now, and you're just doing your job... otherwise, you know you are way out of your league dealing with me. And you, wait for me, I am coming back for you. You will regret this." He was about to say more when the DPO smashed the butt of his rifle against his head.

"God!" Azad cried out, clutching his head as he staggered backward, about to collapse. The young man sitting behind them quickly jumped up and caught him. When Faisal tried to hold him, he too was punched hard in the stomach. Gripping his abdomen in agony, Faisal sank to the floor, while Bash burst into tears, shaking Azad.

The DPO spoke quickly, a flicker of fear on his face: "Take them and go through the back exit. Make sure no one sees you until you reach where you're taking them. Put them in the isolated prison wing where nobody goes. Tell no one—just me, you, and the person who gave us this job." He turned to leave, then stopped and turned back to look at the young man who had been holding Azad.

He stared at him coldly and said, "Take him along too. Make sure he's also knocked out unconscious before you take them away."

Terrified, the young man began shaking his head, staring at the DPO, and pleaded, "Please, sir, let me go, I swear my mother is sick in the hospital—" A brutal strike silenced him, and the room went dead quiet. Bash watched back and forth, shaking his head in disbelief.

Lukman let out a breath and, looking at Yusrah who was fighting back tears, said, "Let me drop you here, I feel like Babban Yaya has woken up!"

She quickly shook her head and pleaded, "Please, let me come with you, Ya Lukman! I want to know where Faisal and the others were taken, how did they escape? How did you run into them? Who ordered their arrest? Where are the family members?"

Lukman smiled as he stood up and said, "You really are a curious little religious student (Ustaziya). Like I told you, if I start telling you this story, we won't finish today. Let's wait until tomorrow to continue, okay? Right now, Babban Yaya has woken up."

Reluctantly, she gave in, stood up, and followed him to the hut where Azad was resting, her body feeling weak.

To their absolute shock, when they walked in, they found him standing up, cleaning his rifle. He raised his bloodshot eyes, locked them on Yusrah who was staring at him, and said, "Get ready, I'm taking you back to your house."

She quickly shook her head, saying, "I'm staying with you guys."

He didn't realize when he looked up at her again and snapped, "Hey! Do you even know who I am that you'd want to stay with us? Move, get ready, I'm taking you back right now!" he shouted angrily.

Instantly, she burst into tears and sat down on the floor. In astonishment, Babban Yaya looked at Lukman and asked, "Did you guys feed her something weird?"

Lukman laughed and replied, "Nobody gave her anything, she just decided on her own that she can live with us."

"Oh, really..." Babban Yaya walked over, squatted in front of her, and said, "Look up at me."

She looked up, full of pity for him deep inside her heart. He spoke in a soft voice, "Your life is worth more to you. Living with us is dangerous. I only took you because of my adashe (thrift savings) money, but now I forgive the debt and leave it to you."

"No, I swear I want to stay with you guys," she said through her tears.

Gathering his composure, he continued, "Living with us isn't permissible for you as a woman. You see all of us here, none of us is a muharram (lawful male relative) to you. Just in case an accident happens—God forbid—"

"Please, Yaya Azad, just consider me as your adashe money," she said, wiping her tears.

Staring at her in utter shock, he asked, "Repeat the name you just called me by..." His tone was laced with suspicion and doubt. Terrified, she pulled herself together, adjusted her composure, and said, "I didn't say anything."

Dropping his tough thug persona slightly, he probed, "Don't play smart with me. How do you know me by that name? Who told you my name? Are you one of their spies too?" He adjusted his rifle, aiming it right at her forehead.

Lukman's eyes widened. "Babban Yaya!"

Azad raised a hand to signal him to stay silent, then stared straight into her eyes. "Who the hell are you?"

With a trembling voice, she answered, "I swear I'm nobody, I don't know you guys, by God."

He studied her for a moment, lowered the weapon from her head, tucked it against his waist, fixed his shirt, and said, "Lukman, keep an eye on this girl. I don't trust her."

Lukman nodded. "Got it, Babban Yaya."

"I'm going out and coming back. Watch this place closely, there's trouble here too. When I return, we're leaving this spot." With that, he covered his face with a traditional veil-like scarf (buzu) and walked out of the hut.

Yusrah let out a deep sigh of relief, collapsing onto the floor. Lukman laughed, shook his head, and walked out without saying another word to her.

Hidayah's POV

Ever since leaving the hospital, Hidayah drove straight home. She honked, the gateman opened the gate, and she sped in, parking neatly in the lot.

Slowly, she let out a long breath, resting her head against the steering wheel in silence. Feeling completely unwell, she grabbed her bag and phone and stepped out of the car.

Walking with an uneasy, jittery feeling, her head bowed, she stepped inside the main sitting room.

Only Samha was in the lounge watching TV. Samha turned around, looked at her, and said, "Aunty Hidayah, you're back."

Hidayah nodded silently and hurried past toward her bedroom. Samha watched her go, curled her lip, and muttered, "Who knows what's wrong with her."

Entering her room, she locked the door, slid down against it, and burst into a heavy, agonizing fit of tears. She cried bitterly, replaying what had happened between them, and shouted out loud, "Why?! I hate you! I hate you! May God never forgive you, in this world and the hereafter! May God exact justice on my behalf!" She broke down weeping again, clutching her throbbing head.

With great effort, she stood up, stripped off her clothes, took a quick shower, put on a simple loose house dress, and climbed onto the bed. Within moments, sleep claimed her.

Maheer's POV

Sudais stared at him in utter bewilderment and repeated, "Are you kidding me?! What brought Hidayah's folded veil into your office?"

Guiltily, Maheer stammered, "When you ask, isn't she like a younger sister to me? And after the meeting ended, didn't you hear me say she came and I was looking for her? You're asking about a folded veil, it probably slipped off and she didn't notice. Hand it over, I'll take it home to her." He quickly snatched it from Sudais's hand.

Sudais watched him walk away, then sat down as they began discussing the patients under their care.

Yet, over seventy percent of Maheer's mind wasn't in the room; it was entirely with Hidayah. He could hear Sudais talking, but he wasn't absorbing anything. Finally, Sudais finished and added, "So, you see, I think we shouldn't do the operation at all," looking at Maheer.

Noticing how detached Maheer seemed, Sudais tapped him and asked, "Are you even listening to me?"

Maheer shook his head. "Sorry, my mind is elsewhere. What were you saying?"

Giving him an incredulous look, Sudais retorted, "Every single thing I just explained, and you want me to repeat it, Maheer?"

"I told you my mind wasn't here!"

Sudais stood up. "Let's talk when your brain is back; I'm out of here," and walked out of the office.

Maheer grabbed his head and muttered, "What is wrong with me?" He sat in silence for a moment, then stood up, closed his laptop, grabbed what he needed, and left his office. Heading straight for his car, he climbed in, started the engine, and sped off at full speed toward home.

Malam Zubairu's POV

Ever since he was taken to the police station, Malam Zubairu didn't return for three days while investigations were conducted. He was beaten repeatedly to force him to confess his connection to Babban Yaya, but he maintained that they were only connected through an adashe circle, and when Babban Yaya failed to give him his money, he took his daughter instead as collateral for the savings debt.

It was with great difficulty that Malam Zubairu was finally released after enduring brutal beatings.

Limping painfully all the way, he trudged back home.

As soon as he stepped inside, Ummah rushed forward, peering behind him, and asked, "Where is Yusrah?"

Malam Zubairu hissed and snapped, "I didn't see her! You have no fear of God in your ways—even when I was locked up, you didn't bother to go check on me."

Without answering him, she turned away, her body weak, sat down, and rested her chin in her hands, consumed with thoughts of her daughter. She had grown thin and haggard from worrying about Yusrah.

Malam Zubairu sat down on the traditional mat and groaned, "I swear I caught hell today... Do you know how painful military beatings are? I genuinely thought I was going to die! Turns out I still have some life left in me. I am definitely quitting this adashe business forever!"

Ummah stood up, wiping her tears, and said, "You ruined my life, and I will never forgive you. There is divine retribution, I promise you."

"Go ahead and don't forgive me then! Worthless nonsense. Did I make any profit or did you? Mtsw!"

Aunty & Mom

Hardly had Aunty and Mom arrived back home when Maheer also pulled in. He parked, stepped out, and found Aunty and Mom standing outside watching him.

"Oh, Mom, you haven't left yet?" he asked after greeting them.

Mom dropped her jaw in disbelief. "Me, at my older brother's house, and you're asking if I haven't left? No, Barde, I haven't left!"

He gave a slight shrug and turned to leave. Mom noticed him heading toward Hidayah's wing. Astonished, Aunty asked, "Maheer, what are you going over there for?"

He paused, turned back, and said, "I'm taking something back to Hidayah that she forgot in my office." With that, he continued into the wing.

Mom muttered, "In his office, my foot!" She quickly turned to Aunty. "See? I told you! Aisha has completely lured your boy away from you. She's snatched him back for herself, and without a doubt, the way he's acting lovesick like this, they've cast a spell on him just so he stays fixated on that demonic girl of hers!"

Aunty shook her head. "You're right. Now what do I do?"

Mom straightened up and said, "Well, thank goodness we tackled that issue quickly. Now you see, the marabout is going to drive that girl completely crazy. After that, Maheer will be done with her. Why on earth would he care for a mad girl? She'll just go crazy and age at home without ever getting married, looking for a cure everywhere and finding none."

Aunty burst into laughter, they high-fived each other, and walked inside.

Maheer stepped into the lounge and found Najma and Ummiee chatting. He greeted Ummiee, Najma responded, and he sat down quietly.

Ummiee stood up, saying, "The way you're so quiet tells me you're starving. Let me dish your food—I cooked extra for you and your special person, but since she came back, she hasn't stepped out, locking herself in her room."

Maheer laughed. "She must be exhausted."

"Well, she knows best," Ummiee said, heading to the kitchen to bring him food.

Najma asked, "Ya Maheer, how was work?"

"Alhamdulillah, Najma. How are your studies?"

"Alhamdulillah, we're right in the middle of them."

"May God help you!"

"Ameen, our dear brother."

Ummiee returned carrying a tray, placing it before him. It was sinasir (rice pancakes) served with spinach soup (miyan alaiyaho), fresh milk drink (kunun madara), and water.

A wide smile spread across his face as he rolled up his sleeves. He slid off the chair and sat down comfortably on the sofa. As Najma giggled, he said, "You don't understand, I swear I'm starving, my stomach is literally growling."

"Yaya, you left without eating anything in the first place," Najma teased, setting up her phone to record a video of him taking a bite. "I finally got something for my WhatsApp status today, I swear!"

He laughed. "Once Fadil and Sameer repost this, consider me fully viral."

Najma was about to reply when they heard the door open, and everyone raised their eyes to see who it was.

She had showered, changed into a simple black abaya, and neatly tied a scarf around her head. Her face was completely bare, and one look was enough to tell she had been crying heavily, her eyes noticeably swollen.

She lifted her eyes, threw one quick, dismissive glance at him, and turned to walk away. Ummiee called out, "Hidayah, come here!"

Reluctantly, she walked over and sat down next to Najma. Ummiee asked, "What happened to your eyes to make them swell up like this? I know nobody upset you in this house today, and nobody beat you."

"Nothing happened to me," she said, eyeing Najma's phone where her video with Maheer was posted, curling her lip and looking away.

Ummiee pressed on, "Then what happened to your eyes?"

"They were hurting, so they swelled up—" Maheer suddenly choked on his food, cutting her off as he coughed, glaring over.

He quickly opened a bottle of water and drank, his eyes turning red. Both Najma and Ummiee chimed in with "Sannu" (sorry).

He looked up at Hidayah, and she quickly turned her face away, scowling.

Ummiee teased, "Sorry, master of the house, did someone give you the evil eye?!" She looked at Najma. Maheer, staring straight at Hidayah, muttered, "I swear, Ummiee, someone's been staring daggers at me."

Sameer walked in with the traditional Islamic greeting, announcing, "I saw someone eating on a status update, and right away I said I'm not sitting this out—I've come to share the food!"

Key Points

• The Police Raid and Arrests: The police arrive at Alhaji's residence with an arrest warrant and search the boys' room, claiming they found illicit substances (kayan ibilis). Azad fiercely resists the humiliation and the use of handcuffs on his younger brothers, Faisal and Bash, standing his ground alongside Alhaji.
• The Family Divide: While Alhaji, Azad, Anwar, and others rush to handle the crisis, Aunty Zuli and Mommy bicker maliciously, with Aunty Zuli celebrating the boys' misfortune. Meanwhile, Hajiyarmu plays a stabilizing role, urging restraint.
• The DPO's Corruption: At the police station, the DPO acts with extreme arrogance, rejecting the lawyer's bail requests and locking Azad, Faisal, and Bash in a cell. The corrupt DPO physically assaults Azad with a rifle butt when Azad refuses to let Faisal be handcuffed, ordering them transferred to an isolated prison wing under secret, illegal orders.
• Yusrah's Captivity and Loyalty: Yusrah is with Azad's camp. Despite Azad's harsh attempts to send her away for her own safety and his offer to clear her adashe debt, Yusrah adamantly insists on staying with them, revealing she knows Azad's name. Azad suspects her of being a spy, while Lukman keeps a watchful eye on her.
• Hidayah's Emotional Turmoil: Hidayah returns home deeply traumatized and heartbroken, locking herself in her room to weep uncontrollably over past events, venting bitter curses and seeking divine justice.
• Maheer's Distraction and Family Dynamics: Maheer is completely distracted by thoughts of Hidayah while at the hospital, prompting Sudais to frustration. Back home, Maheer visits Hidayah's wing under the guise of returning her forgotten veil, triggering Aunty and Mom's scheming to ruin Hidayah using traditional mysticism (boka). During a family meal with Ummiee, Najma, and Sameer, a tense, emotional interaction occurs between Maheer and Hidayah when she claims she is fasting unexpectedly.

About the Book

• Title: Auren Adashe (Book 2)
• Author: Fatima Isa Manu (Dr. Teema / Sahiba)
• Association: Jajirtattun Writer's Association (J.W.A)
• Genre: Contemporary Hausa Fiction / Family Drama / Romance / Suspense

Hausa Impact Reviews

• Nuna Matsalar Zalunci da Rashin Gaskiya: Littafin ya nuna yadda wasu jami'an tsaro ke amfani da ikon su wajen tauye hakkin 'yan kasa ta hanyar karbar cin hanci da kuma shirya makirci domin wulakanta mutanen kirki, kamar yadda DPO ya nuna wa Azad da 'yan uwansa.
• Jajircewa da Kariya a Tsakanin 'Yan Uwa: An nuna matukar soyayya da sadaukarwa a bangaren Azad wajen kare kanensa daga wulakanci da kuma hana a sanya musu ankwa a gaban idonsa, duk da fuskantar barazana mai tsanani.
• Boyayyun Abokai da Aminci na Gaskiya: Halayyar Yusrah ta nuna irin aminci da sadaukarwar da wasu mutane ke yi ga wadanda suka taimake su, duk da kasancewar rayuwar cikin daji ko hatsari.
• Rashin Jituwa da Makircin Iyalai: Fintinkira da hassada irin ta Aunty Zuli da Mommy suna kara nuna irin rikice-rikicen da ke faruwa a cikin iyalai masu fada a ji, inda ake farin ciki da masifar wasu maimakon a hada kai a magance matsala.

Conclusion

Wannan sashi na sha biyu da sha uku na littafin Auren Adashe na dauke da tarin sabbin rikice-rikice, tsara makirci, da kuma gwagwarmaya mai zafi tsakanin adalci da cin hanci da rashawa. Yadda aka shigar da Azad da 'yan uwansa hannun rundunar 'yan sanda bisa sharri ya jefa dangin a cikin babban tashin hankali, yayin da rayuwar Hidayah ke fuskantar matsin lamba da bakin ciki mai tsanani. A daya bangaren kuma, dangantakar dake tsakanin Maheer da Hidayah tana cigaba da zafi yayin da makircin gida ke cigaba da nuna barazana. Wannan babi na cigaba da janyo hankalin masu karatu ta hanyar haɗa tsakanin soyayya, jarumtaka, da kuma tunkarar jarabawar rayuwa.