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BANANA ISLAND BOOK COMPELET BY HAIRAN
Part 1: The Encounter & Confrontation
"I am calling to tell you that Aneesah's mum is at home now. Are you going to pick her up from where she is and take her home?" Abdul snatched the phone from Mujaheed’s hand, cut the call, and said, "Just give me the house address so I can go pick her up and take her home. Maybe that will make her stop treating me the way she does, and she’ll start respecting me." Mujaheed stood looking at him, harboring doubts in his heart, but eventually said, "Let’s just go together. I will explain things to Mum; I know she will forgive me."
Not even five minutes passed before Hydar called Mujaheed. Mujaheed answered, and Hydar said, "I don’t understand what you’re talking about." Mujaheed replied, "No, just leave it," and immediately cut the call.
When they arrived at Mudatheer’s family house, Mujaheed called him and said they were outside. Mudatheer told them to go inside because he wasn’t home. Mujaheed didn't notice Hydar’s car parked outside and went in. Hydar, who was sitting on a chair under a small tree waiting for Aneesah—having just arrived himself—watched them with a look of surprise, though they didn't notice him at all.
Ever since the security guard told Aneesah someone was looking for her, her heart had been pounding because she knew it was Hydar and she was currently terrified of him. She came out slowly after seeking permission from Momy. As she stepped out of the living room, she locked eyes with Mujaheed, who was walking across the compound, with Abdul right behind him. She didn't even notice Abdul. Her eyes widened with immense joy, and she exclaimed, "My brother!" Mujaheed’s eyes widened with joy too as he replied, "My sister!" She ran to him, he opened his arms, and she threw herself into his embrace, hugging him tightly. He placed his lips on her forehead. On the verge of tears, she said, "My brother, where did you go and leave me?" He whispered to her, "Things just became too overwhelming for me, my sister."
It was only then that she noticed Abdul. She stepped back in fear, staring at him. She quickly turned her head, preparing to leave the area as her heart pounded. Suddenly, everything inside her froze as she locked eyes with Hydar. Immediately, her body began to shake. She violently wrenched her hand from Mujaheed’s grip and collapsed to the ground, her legs failing to support her. Mujaheed knelt before her in shock and asked, "What happened, my sister?"
She burst into heavy tears, staring at Hydar, who stood up with difficulty from his chair and headed toward the exit. Mujaheed watched him in confusion. Aneesah quickly stood up and ran after Hydar. Mujaheed watched her go, his heart boiling with anger. Just as Hydar opened his car door to get in, Aneesah reached him, knelt before him, crying bitterly, and said, "Oh no, Ya Hydar, I swear I didn't know..."
Hydar slapped her hard across the face, violently shoved her away from him, got into his car, and drove off. Mujaheed and Abdul exchanged intense looks in the middle of the compound. Calmly, Abdul walked up to Mujaheed, staring at him intensely, and said, "So you love Aneesah too, and you've been using me to achieve your own goals? Well, let me tell you, you are not worthy of marrying Aneesah. Aneesah is mine and belongs to no one else." As Abdul said this and turned to leave, Mujaheed grabbed his hand and said, "Remove Aneesah from your heart. She is mine." Saying this, he let go of him and headed out of the house as well.
Part 98
Hydar turned and looked at Aneesah after parking in front of Mudatheer’s house. For the first time, he spoke to her while looking at her face. Since they left for the cafe to do her JAMB registration, whenever he spoke to her, he would avoid looking at her face. Now, he was looking directly at her, noticing she hadn't even realized they had arrived home, lost in whatever thoughts she was having. She quickly lowered her head when she noticed him staring.
Calmly, he asked, "What is wrong with you?" She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. He scowled deeply and said, "I didn't tell you to cry for me. I only asked you a question." She quickly wiped her eyes with her palms. Looking at her softly, he asked, "What is wrong with you, Aneesah?" She remained silent, and so did he. After about five minutes, he said, "Alright, get out. See you later." She raised her head quickly, looking at him weakly, and said, "I am sorry." He stared at her and asked, "So, what happened?" She wiped her tears and said, "I don't know what I did to you, Ya Hydar..." and she burst into tears. He quickly turned his head away, letting her cry her fill, and then said, "Go inside, it's late." She didn't argue; she opened the car door while tears still flowed and said, "Thank you." He watched her walk away and then held his head in frustration. Aneesah irritated him, and he didn't know why. Realizing the stress might trigger his fever, he drove out of the neighborhood.
Aneesah felt completely weak that day. She suddenly felt a desperate longing to see her Ammi (mother), despite the immense care Mudatheer's mom and dad were giving her. She couldn't sleep that night; thoughts of her mother consumed her. Where was her Ammi? Where had she gone and left her? Why had she been so relaxed all this time without her mother? She cried until she exhausted herself that night.
Meanwhile, Abdul stayed at Mujaheed’s house after their return from Katsina. Not even an hour after arriving home, his mother (Hajiya) called him, sounding frantic after finding out from Alhaji Suleman’s wives that Abdul had gone to rescue Ammi. Before she could finish speaking, Abdul told her, "To hell with you," and turned off his phone completely.
Mujaheed asked, "What's wrong? You and who?" Abdul replied, "My mum found out that I brought Aneesah’s mum back." Mujaheed asked, "So what happens now?" Abdul said, "Nothing." Mujaheed remarked, "I will explain everything to you, Abdul, because I see you're not bothered and you're very calm." Abdul just kept looking at him.
Calmly, Mujaheed began explaining the entire sequence of events to Abdul—from the moment he rescued Aneesah from the village to when he brought her to Mudatheer’s house. He hid nothing from Abdul. Abdul smiled, biting his lip, and said, "So you guys are the ones who locked up my dad?" Mujaheed shrugged while looking at him. Abdul shrugged too, looked at the clock, and noted it was almost time for prayer.
After the Maghrib prayer, Mujaheed suggested they visit Aneesah’s family house so Ammi wouldn't go to Baffa's house. They went, and Mujaheed briefly explained things to her as well. However, the way she stared at them made them realize she didn't believe their story. Consequently, Mujaheed stood up and said, "Alright Momy, we are leaving. We will bring Aneesah tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow is the court hearing." She didn't answer them as they said their goodbyes. Abdul hadn't said a word since they entered.
The next morning at dawn, Abdul woke Mujaheed up for prayer, seeing how he was sleeping like a corpse due to exhaustion. They went to the mosque together and returned. Mujaheed wanted to go back to sleep, but Abdul asked him for a Qur'an. Mujaheed pointed to where it was and went to lie down.
At exactly 7:00 AM, Abdul hit him to wake him up. Mujaheed sat up quickly, looking at Abdul, and asked, "What’s wrong?" Abdul said, "I don't like seeing a man sleeping past 6:00 AM. That is laziness. Look, wanting to be a doctor is a great thing in life; you rarely see a doctor still in bed after 6:00 AM." Having said this, he got up and went into the bathroom. Mujaheed hissed loudly and muttered, "Do I look like a doctor to you? This is pure harassment." At 8:00 AM, Amira brought breakfast upstairs. She greeted her brother and then greeted Abdul, who nodded in response while staring at her. She set the food down and left. Abdul remarked, "Your sister is quite old-fashioned/local, wallahi." Mujaheed looked at him, shrugged without saying anything, and started fixing tea. Abdul said, "As for me, I drink coffee." Mujaheed had to call Amira back to bring him coffee.
After breakfast, Mujaheed pulled out some clothes for Abdul, noticing he refused to change out of his singlet and boxers. Abdul said, "I don't wear other people's clothes. I'm going to a boutique now." Mujaheed didn't argue and went into the bathroom. When he came out, he found Abdul wearing his clothes anyway. Mujaheed mocked, "So you're actually a hypocrite? I thought you said you were going to the boutique in your singlet." Abdul ignored him, scrolling through the photos on Mujaheed’s phone. He stood up, pointing to a photo of Mujaheed and Hydar, and asked, "Is this the Hydar you were telling me about?" Mujaheed answered, "Yeah."
Once Mujaheed finished getting ready, they went downstairs together. Their mother asked where they were going, and Mujaheed said they were heading out for a bit. She wished them safety, and they got into the car, with Abdul driving. After driving a distance, Abdul asked, "Where are we going?" Mujaheed replied, "We're supposed to go to where Aneesah is, but Mum forbade me from going there, and I don't disobey her commands." Abdul hissed and said, "You're a coward. You don't have to go in; just take me there so I can see my sister."
Part 100
When Mujaheed stepped outside the house, he found Aneesah kneeling on the ground, crying. Seeing him, she stood up and wiped her tears. He approached her with a furious glare and asked, "Why didn't you follow him?" She shook her head, crying, and said, "My brother..." but the words caught in her throat and she burst into fresh tears. Mujaheed shook his head, raised his hand to stop her, and said, "Don't tell me anything. Hold on to your crocodile tears. So you were playing me for a fool, telling me Hydar doesn't love you? Why did you lie to me that there was nothing between you and Hydar when he is actually your lover? Why, Aneesah?"
She could only cry and shake her head at him. He turned away, clapping his hands in exasperation. Then he turned back to her, yelling, "Why didn't you follow him? I asked why didn't you follow him! You should have just gone with him instead of standing here crying and making a scene for people. Hypocrite!" With that, he turned furiously, got into his car, and drove away.
Aneesah slowly sank to the ground, watching his car leave while shaking her head. This time, she couldn't even cry. What kind of life was this?
Slowly, she felt Abdul place his hand on her shoulder. She turned quickly to look at him, and only then did she burst into a heartbreaking sob. He lifted her up, looked at her, and began wiping her eyes, saying, "It’s okay, Aneesah." She said nothing to him. He picked up her veil and handed it to her; she took it as tears rolled down her cheeks. He held her hand, and they left the area. She didn't even realize she was following him as they walked, completely overwhelmed by life's trials. She couldn't stop crying.
Only after they left the neighborhood did she quickly wrench her hand away, looking around at their surroundings, and asked, "Where are you taking me?" Looking at her, he said, "I am taking you to your mother." She shook her head violently, crying hard, and said, "No, my Ammi isn't there. Let me go back home." He took her hand again and said, "Don't worry, your Ammi is at home." She turned quickly, looking at him with a pitiful, hopeless voice, and asked, "Is that true, Ya Abdul?" He nodded and said, "Yes, I am taking you to see her."
This gave her the strength to follow him, though her body felt weak. They walked a long distance on foot. Completely exhausted, she paused and said weakly, "I want to drink water, Ya Abdul." He felt deeply sorry for her. He lifted her up and said, "I don't have cash on me, Aneesah. I'm looking for a bank so we can withdraw money from an ATM." She simply nodded. He held her hand and they kept walking until they finally found a bank. He withdrew money from the ATM while she stood by his side. First, he bought her two bottles of table water, then he hailed a taxi and gave the driver the direction to Aneesah's neighborhood.
This brought her immense joy; she finally trusted that Abdul would not harm her, even though a part of her heart feared they were going on a futile journey. She didn't reveal to him that she had already gone there with Mujaheed and Ammi wasn't there; at the very least, she hoped to see their neighbor to find out if she was in communication with her mother. After thirty minutes, they arrived in their neighborhood. All her sorrow vanished, and her mind found peace. Abdul pointed out the exact spot for the taxi driver to stop right in front of Aneesah’s family house.
Part 101
Abdul walked toward the house entrance, seeing that Aneesah was unable to move, staring at the house as if she were a stranger to it. As he entered the entryway, she quickly followed behind him. He gave a greeting and entered the compound. She trailed behind him sheepishly. Suddenly, she froze upon seeing her Ammi washing the compound floor with water.
Ammi looked up at them. Aneesah didn't know when she let out a scream, ran toward her mother, threw herself upon her, and burst into tears. They both collapsed to the ground. Ammi raised her head, looking at her, as Aneesah held her tightly, weeping in a heart-wrenching manner. Ammi couldn't say a word to her, her own eyes swelling with tears. Abdul stood there watching them the entire time.
Only after Aneesah had cried her heart out did Ammi lift her up, and they stood. She pulled her into the room. With a trembling voice, Aneesah said, "Oh my Ammi, where did you go and leave me? Why did you leave me?" Ammi wiped her tears and said, "Look at me, Aneesah. Stop crying, I will never leave you again." Aneesah kept nodding against her mother's body, letting out deep sighs.
Suddenly, she sat up and said to her mother, "Ammi, Ya Abdul is outside." Ammi fell silent, looking at her, and then said, "Tell him to come in then." Aneesah stood up and went outside, but she couldn't find him. She even went out to the front gate, but Abdul was gone. She returned, looking at her mother, feeling like she was seeing her in a dream. She sat down and said, "Ammi, he left. I couldn't find him." Ammi asked, "What about Aliyu, Aneesah?" Aneesah lowered her head, fresh tears filling her eyes, and said, "I don't know either, Ammi." Ammi then asked, "So where is your uncle (Baffa)?" Aneesah remained silent, looking at her mother.
When Mujaheed returned home, Mudatheer called him. He answered, and before they could even exchange greetings, Mudatheer asked, "Yah Jaheed, did you take Aneesah?" Mujaheed, who was lying on the bed, sat up quickly and said, "Me? No, I didn't take her. What happened?" Mudatheer explained, "She hasn't been home for a while. Momy said ever since the security guard came to say someone was asking for her and she went out, she hasn't returned. They've looked everywhere and can't find her." Mujaheed stood up, cut the call, and exclaimed, "Innalillahi wa inna'ilaihi raji'un (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return)!" He shouted Abdul’s name fiercely, grabbed his car keys, and rushed out.
Once on the road, he called Abdul’s number and demanded angrily, "Where did you take Aneesah?" Abdul replied, "Fuck you," and terminated the call. Mujaheed almost lost control of the car out of sheer panic. He quickly parked by the roadside and called Abdul's alternative number. Abdul picked up, and Mujaheed pleaded, "For the sake of the Prophet, where did you take Aneesah, Abdul?" Abdul replied, "Did you leave Aneesah in my custody? Don't disturb me, mister," and turned off his phone completely.
Terrified, Mujaheed began calling Hydar. The phone rang more than three times before Hydar finally answered. Disregarding everything else, Mujaheed rushed to ask, "Hydar, did you take Aneesah?" Hydar snapped, "You must be very, very crazy!" and hissed before hanging up. Mujaheed cried out, "Ya Salam, what is happening?!" He quickly tried calling him with his other line, and after taking his time, Hydar answered. Mujaheed said, "I swear I am not joking, Hydar, she is missing! Please listen to me!" Hydar asked, "What do you mean?" Mujaheed said, "Mudatheer just called me saying she hasn't been home for a long time." Hydar fell silent and then asked, "So where did she go?" Mujaheed said, "I swear I don't know either." Hydar asked, "Where are you now?" Mujaheed replied, "I just left the house." Hydar said, "I am on my way."
By the time Hydar arrived, Mujaheed was still in his car trying to reach Abdul’s number. Hydar confronted him, saying, "What kind of story is this? Didn't I leave her with you guys?" Mujaheed said, "I left too and left her with Abdul." Hydar grabbed him furiously by the collar and barked, "Why on earth would you leave her with that madman?!" Mujaheed was speechless. Hydar released him, chanting, "Innalillahi wa inna'ilaihi raji'un." Together with Hydar, they drove back to Mudatheer’s house. Everyone was frantic over Aneesah's disappearance; Ummi and her mother were both weeping, while Abdul’s number remained switched off.
Part 102
Hydar looked at Mujaheed and asked, "Where do you think he took her?" Mujaheed shook his head anxiously and said, "I swear I don't know, especially since he turned off all his phones." Hydar held his head, praying silently. Mudatheer stood nearby, unable to speak, continuously redialing Abdul's number.
Mujaheed headed toward his car, saying, "I'll be right back." Hydar blocked his path and threatened, "Where do you think you're going? Before it's too late for you, produce Aneesah before I shock you. Because I know you're lying—you're lying, you are the one who took Aneesah!" Mujaheed gave him a harsh glare, scoffed, and said, "I am minding my own business, Hydar. Don't provoke me, don't piss me off. It won't end well for either of us here." Hydar beat his chest and challenged, "Do your worst!" Mudatheer stepped between them and said, "Come on, this is not a matter for quarreling, guys. Let's handle this calmly; we will find Aneesah, God willing."
Mujaheed got into his car and reversed. Hydar also got into his car and followed closely behind him. They drove for a long time, and Hydar was surprised to see Mujaheed take the turn leading to Aneesah’s neighborhood. When they arrived right in front of the house, they both got out of their cars. Ignoring Hydar entirely, Mujaheed entered the house, with a surprised Hydar following right behind him.
Aneesah was sitting in the compound doing the dishes, while Ammi was rearranging things inside the room. It was around 5:00 PM. Today, she was finally reunited with her mother in their home. Only God knew the immense joy she felt; at times, it felt like a dream she would soon wake up from. Hearing people enter the house without a greeting made her turn around quickly, startled. She stood up abruptly upon seeing Hydar and Mujaheed. Mujaheed leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and let out a massive sigh of relief. Hydar, however, couldn't take his eyes off her.
She turned slowly and walked into their room. Mujaheed opened his eyes and watched her go. Inside, Ammi asked, "Are you done, Aneesah?" She shook her head weakly and said, "Ya Hydar is here." Ammi said, "Oh, really?" She nodded, and Ammi said, "Tell him to come in then." She shook her head and added, "He's not alone." Ammi replied, "Then let them all come in."
Aneesah stepped out and said to them, "You are being asked to come in." Mujaheed turned to look at Hydar, who was staring at her. In disbelief, Hydar asked, "Is Ammi inside this house?" She simply nodded, and he headed into the room. Mujaheed turned and walked out of the house.
Hydar chatted with Ammi, who told him where Baffa had taken her after they finished their long greetings. He then shared his own account of what Baffa had done to him. Ammi was left speechless out of pity for Hydar. Aneesah remained sitting in the compound, having not yet told her mother about the hardships she had personally faced.
Abdul walked in holding bags of takeout food. She watched him approach, and when he reached her, she said, "Welcome back." He nodded and asked, "Where is Ammi?" She pointed toward the room. He walked to the door, offered a greeting, and Ammi answered. He entered. Hydar turned to look at him, but Abdul only spared him a glance before looking away. He dropped the bags and said, "Goodnight." Ammi replied, "Alright, may God bring us to tomorrow. Thank you very much, Abdurrahman." He nodded and stepped out of the room. Hydar kept his eyes fixed on him until he left.
Part 103
Hydar didn't leave Aneesah's house until close to Maghrib prayer time. She was still sitting in the compound, but this time she was performing ablution. He said nothing to her; she watched him until he left the house, then she slowly entered the room.
Only after she finished praying did Ammi call her. Aneesah turned to look at her mother. Ammi said, "Aneesah, so this is what happened to you? Your uncle took you to the village? Why didn't you want to tell me what you went through, Aneesah?" Aneesah remained silent, staring at her mother without a word. Ammi shook her head, tears filling her eyes, and said, "May Allah avenge us, Aneesah. We have nothing left to say but this." She gently took her hand and asked, "Aneesah, I hope these hardships didn't make you throw away your dignity and virtue out there?" Aneesah shook her head violently, tears falling, and said, "No, Ammi."
Ammi fell silent, looking at her, and then asked, "So, who is that other man who was with Abdul?" Aneesah wiped her tears and explained, "His name is Ya Mujaheed. He is the one who rescued me from the village and brought me back to Abuja. He is Ya Hydar’s friend, and he is very kind, Ammi." Ammi looked at her and asked, "When he took you from the village and brought you here, where did he keep you?" Aneesah fell silent, looking at her mother, and then slowly said, "At his house." Ammi questioned, "His house? Doing what in his house?"
Aneesah couldn't answer until Ammi repeated the question, to which she finally said, "Ammi, everyone was looking for me, claiming they wanted to kill me. I don't even know what I did to them—even Ya Hydar’s mother was involved. That's why he later took me to his friend's mother's house to stay. They are a very kind family, Ammi." Ammi asked firmly, "Did you sleep over at his house, Aneesah? Don't lie to me." She quickly shook her head and said, "No." Ammi said, "May Allah reward him just as he helped you."
Hearing a greeting at the entrance, Aneesah stood up quickly and said, "Ammi, it's him." Ammi looked at her and said, "Tell him to come in." She ran out quickly and found him standing there, saying, "You should come in." He followed behind her until they...
2. Story Summary
This portion of the novel revolves around the dramatic climax of Aneesah's rescue, a massive web of romantic rivalry, family toxicity, and severe misunderstandings.
Aneesah has been secretly sheltered by Mujaheed at his friend Mudatheer's house after he rescued her from a village where her abusive uncle (Baffa) dropped her off. Meanwhile, Abdul (Mujaheed's cousin/friend) defies his own mother (who was complicit in hiding Aneesah's mother, Ammi) to bring Ammi back to her house.
A volatile love triangle (or quadrangle) erupts outside Mudatheer's house. Hydar (who harbors complicated, angry feelings for Aneesah) discovers Mujaheed and Abdul arriving to see her. Believing she is playing games with multiple men, Hydar physically strikes Aneesah and leaves. This leads to a fierce confrontation between Abdul and Mujaheed, both declaring their possessive claim over Aneesah ("She is mine").
Abdul takes matters into his own hands by driving a traumatized Aneesah back to her family home, orchestrating an emotional reunion with her mother, Ammi. This sparks a frantic missing-person panic for Mujaheed and Hydar, who eventually track her down to her mother's house. The excerpt ends with Aneesah defending her virtue to her mother, explaining how Mujaheed protected her from people trying to kill her (including Hydar's mother), just as a new visitor arrives at the door.
3. Character & Context Description
Characters
- Aneesah: The titular protagonist. She is traumatized, fearful, and caught in a web of danger. Despite her intense hardships, she remains gentle, deeply attached to her mother, and protective of her moral virtue.
- Hydar: A deeply conflicted, hot-tempered man. He cares for Aneesah but expresses it through toxic emotional outbursts, coldness, and physical violence (slapping her over a misunderstanding). He harbors bitter resentment toward Baffa.
- Mujaheed: A protective, responsible character who saved Aneesah. He respects his mother's boundaries but is deeply possessive of Aneesah, leading him to clash with both Hydar and Abdul.
- Abdul: Confident, rebellious, and fiercely independent. He stands up to his own abusive/scheming mother, rescues Ammi, and safely returns Aneesah to her mother on foot and taxi, though he aggressively asserts ownership over Aneesah.
Ammi: Aneesah's mother. Resilient but deeply wounded by her family's betrayal. She is highly protective of her daughter's societal honor and virtue.
Setting & Context
The setting alternates between upscale urban Abuja neighborhoods (Mudatheer's house, banks, eateries) and the modest, traditional family compound of Aneesah and Ammi. The overarching context involves severe family politics, legal battles, and shifting alliances where the younger generation is actively rebelling against the corrupt actions of their parents (Baffa and Abdul's mother).
4. Literary & Thematic Analysis
Themes
- Toxic Masculinity vs. Protection: The text presents a stark look at possessiveness. Both Mujaheed and Abdul view Aneesah as a prize to be claimed ("She is mine"), stripping away her agency. Hydar's physical assault highlights a toxic dynamic where women bear the brunt of male emotional instability.
- Honor and Female Virtue: Ammi’s immediate interrogation of Aneesah regarding whether she slept at a man's house highlights northern Nigerian (Hausa-Islamic) cultural anxieties surrounding female chastity and societal honor (mutunci), even when a girl is fleeing for her life.
Generational Rebellion: The younger male characters (Abdul, Mujaheed) actively break away from the tyrannical choices of their parents/elders (defying mothers, locking up fathers/uncles), showcasing a shift toward justice over blind familial loyalty.
Narrative Techniques & Pacing
Khaleesah Haiydar utilizes a high-intensity, soap-opera-style pacing with rapid shifts in perspective and continuous cliffhangers (e.g., unexpected phone calls, sudden disappearances). The dialogue is sharp, realistic, and frequently utilizes modern northern Nigerian code-switching (interjecting English phrases like "fuck you", "crocodile tears", and "to hell with you" into Hausa prose) to signify the contemporary, youth-driven setting of the novel.
