Ubayd Maleek 1 Complete Hausa Novel

He was trying to unload the luggage from the donkey, his face glowing with joy and happiness. Even his body showed it from the energy and determination with which he handled the load.

His wife—who was also the mother of his children—came out and stared at him in deep surprise at seeing him at that time. She looked up at the sky, trying to estimate the time. By her calculation, it was around three to four in the afternoon.

She glanced at the pile of belongings he had brought on the donkey, her surprise growing. Seeing him arrive in broad daylight with so much luggage shocked her, because by the nature of his work he only came home once every two weeks, stayed one night, and left again for another two weeks.

It had only been six days since he returned to work, yet here he was again—with all these things.

She came out into the courtyard, setting down the water pot in her hand. Softening her expression a little, she stepped closer and took the heavy box he was trying to lower from the donkey’s back. Sighing under its weight, she said:

“Abal… is that you?”

She looked at the things she had just set down, then back at him.

“All these belongings?

I hope everything is alright?”

He finished loosening the last rope tied around the donkey and led it to a small shelter some distance away from their rooms, where they used to tie their animals when they kept livestock. He tied it there and returned, sitting on the mat she spread out for him.

“Alhamdulillah, my Lord,” he said.

She went to fetch water for him in a large, heavy cup and placed it before him, then sat beside him, exhaling deeply. She greeted him again—this time in Amharic:

“Dehina metahi”

(Welcome back.)

He drank deeply, nodding his head.

“Yes, welcome home.

Did I meet you all in good health?”

“Alhamdulillah,” she replied, still looking at him with questioning eyes. Her mind was not at ease seeing him home at this time. More than anyone, she knew the authority and control the Delah palace held over its servants. For nearly twenty years she had lived without her husband by her side—he only visited every two weeks. Sometimes she went to see him, but even then he was always busy. Now that their children were older, they were the ones who visited him occasionally. So seeing him suddenly like this was unexpected.

She exhaled slowly and was about to speak, but he spoke first, looking at her calmly with the composure of an elder.

“Jamila, I know your mind is not at ease seeing me at this time.

Calm yourself—nothing is wrong.

Nothing has happened like you’re thinking.

I have returned home for good this time, by the will of God. I will gain my freedom and live with you and the family in peace.”

She let out a short breath, her body relaxing slightly at his words. But she knew that wasn’t all—there was something bigger behind it. In a low voice, she looked at him and asked:

“Neges?”

He looked away briefly, as though feeling shy about it, then nodded slowly.

“Yes… Negestati.”

Her breath caught. Fear gripped her heart, and it pounded heavily. She lowered her head, her eyes filling with tears.

He looked at her directly and said:

“My father served in Delah from his youth until old age. When he became too weak to continue, he bought his freedom by giving me in his place.

I have served in Delah since I was a young boy until I became a man, married you, and had the children before us.

I have spent over thirty years in service to Delah.

You have spent nearly twenty years living alone without your husband.

My children grew up without living with their father or receiving his full care.

Don’t you think it’s time I gained my freedom and returned home to rest? One of our daughters has ransomed my freedom.

Jamila, you know better than anyone that from now until the end of my life, I would never have been able to leave Delah unless someone replaced me.

If I had a son, he would have continued this service just as I did after my father. Our lineage would have continued like that.

But now it ends with me, insha’Allah. I have only daughters—they will not go into servitude. They will become Negestati.”

She closed her eyes slowly, holding back her tears so he wouldn’t see her distress. Then she lifted her head without looking at him and said softly:

“Neges…

Which one of them did you choose to become it?”