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Hauwa-Kulu (Part 2): The Guest from Kumasi (Ghana)
On a Thursday afternoon, at around four o'clock, a delightfully cool rainy-season breeze was blowing across the courtyard of Hauwa’s house. Heavy storm clouds had gathered, and it was on the verge of pouring. Hauwa’s mother (Inna) sat on a low wooden stool in her kitchen, wrapping pieces of alale (steamed bean cakes) in cellophane wraps for their dinner.
As she tied each wrap and placed it into the cooking pot, she listened contentedly to her radio program, Jakar Magori. At that exact moment, Hauwa was lying in her bedroom, huddled deeply under a blanket on her thick, brand-new Vitafoam mattress as if she were nursing an illness. However, it was her heart that was heavy. Lately, she had been feeling an inexplicable, deep sadness, but looking closely at her emotions, she had finally pinned down the cause: Doctor Sarham! He was the sole reason.
For nearly seven days, she had been battling this underlying anxiety because she noticed that Dr. Sarham had suddenly stopped paying attention to her. It wasn't that he had stopped visiting the house—he still came—but now, she only ever heard his voice from afar, chatting and joking with Inna outside. He had completely stopped looking for her or coming to her doorway to playfully strike up a conversation like he used to do.
Hauwa racked her brain trying to figure out what offense she could have committed to make the doctor cut her off so completely. It almost felt as though he was holding a grudge against her.
Hauwa shifted and adjusted her position under the blanket. A voice inside her argued, "Look at you, Hauwa! Why are you so worried about Sarham ignoring you? He never used to visit this house because of you anyway. It was only out of respect for his own mother that he ever extended his kindness to you. Why are you stressing yourself out over someone who chose to step away?" She hissed in self-frustration. She told herself that from that day onward, she would also ignore him. Whatever high opinion he had of himself, he could keep it. What was he even proud of, anyway? Just a medical degree that he barely knew how to use? There was absolutely no reason to dwell on his unprovoked, baseless anger. Had she known she offended him, she would understand, but since she was innocent, why care?
Lately, whenever she heard his voice in Inna’s living room, she would pull on her veil, stand at her doorway, and greet him. Yet, she noticed he only replied whenever he felt like it, acting aloof and detached as if forced to acknowledge her. After a cold response, he wouldn't say another word, leaving her to stand there awkwardly until she gave up and retreated to her room.
Remembering how coldly he treated her just yesterday, she scoffed, shook her head, and muttered, "Good riddance. Why am I obsessing over him? There isn't even a blood relation between us, aside from the bond of goodwill and the help he volunteered to give us. If that's the case, why should his change of attitude affect me so deeply? He hasn't changed toward Inna at all. In fact, he visits her even more frequently now, even if his visits are brief."
Yet, no matter how hard she tried to shrug off Dr. Sarham's cold shoulder, she simply couldn't shake the worry. Like it or not, she knew Sarham held a profound place in their lives. He had played a vital role that surpassed even that of a blood relative to her and her mother. He was far too important for her to simply hold a grudge against him just because he decided to freeze her out on a whim. His value to her was greater than that. As the saying goes, one must offer a fellow human being seventy excuses before judging them guilty of an offense.
She resolved that the next time he visited, she would directly ask him if she had done something wrong.
Lost in these fruitless thoughts all day, Hauwa felt completely unproductive. She remained glued to her mattress, unable to even step out and help Inna prepare the alale, a chore she usually handled with ease. She couldn't find a shred of peace.
To make matters worse, she had recently been plagued by recurring dreams about her missing father, Malam Bilyaminu. In the dreams, he returned home, but he was gravely ill, suffering from a stroke that paralyzed one side of his body. This deeply disturbed Hauwa, but she hid it from Inna to avoid causing her unnecessary heartbreak.
As Hauwa lay trapped in this cycle of anxiety, with tears silently slipping down her cheeks, a loud, robust, and healthy greeting echoed from the main entrance of their courtyard.
Inna Safiya’s heart skipped a violent beat. Even in her sleep, she could never mistake that voice. Even if she died and crossed into the afterlife, its resonance was permanently etched into her soul. She knew with absolute certainty that only one man on Earth possessed that voice—the voice she had desperately yearned for over the last seven years.
The visitor called out again, "Subhanallah! Almighty God, I hope I haven't lost my way. Could it really be?"
Their eyes locked—Malam Bilyaminu and his devoted wife, Safiya. He breathed a sigh of relief and praise to Allah. Though the years had aged her slightly, she was just as beautiful and poised as the day he left. He rushed toward her, his lips pouring out endless praises to God.
Inna's lips trembled violently. As he reached her side, she stood up with a shaking hand and gently touched his beard.
"MALAM!" she gasped.
He gently took her hand and replied, "Yes, my Safiyatu. I thank Allah for bringing us face-to-face in good health."
Realizing with absolute certainty that Malam Bilyaminu was truly standing before her and that this was no illusion, her vision blurred. She reeled backward, about to collapse against the wall. He quickly caught her in his arms, saying, "Safiyatu, please don't do this to me! If you fall and injure yourself before we can even talk, what then? We should be praising Allah for keeping us alive and bringing us back together in perfect health."
But it was too late. Inna's eyes rolled back, and she fainted right into Malam Bilyaminu’s arms.
He gently laid her down on the cool floor of the kitchen veranda. Rushing to the outdoor tap, he filled a plastic kettle with water, ran back, and began splashing it gently over her face and neck. Within moments, Inna began to sigh deeply, though she had yet to open her eyes.
From inside her room, Hauwa’s heightened senses caught the unusual commotion. With the sharp hearing typical of the blind, she called out repeatedly, "Who is out there? I asked who just came in! Inna, where are you? What is happening?"
Receiving no answer—as Inna was just opening her eyes to gaze speechlessly at Malam Bilyaminu—Hauwa stood up. She slowly traced her way along the walls until she stepped out into the courtyard, her large, bright, unseeing eyes rolling around.
"So, someone saw that Inna was preoccupied and decided to sneak in and rob her, right?" Hauwa accused.
Malam Bilyaminu looked up, his eyes instantly filling with profound longing as he gazed at his daughter, Hauwa-Kulu. She was walking toward him, throwing out defensive questions with her wide, perfectly clear eyes fixed right in his direction, though she could not actually see his face.
The cool water finally revived Inna from her shock. She stared blankly at her husband. Once she was certain her mind wasn't playing cruel tricks on her, she sat up, pulled away slightly, buried her face in her hands, and burst into heavy tears.
"Hauwa!" Inna wept. "Your father's ghost is haunting me. Today, I felt him physically. I felt his hands on my skin, and I can smell his exact scent right next to me!"
Malam Bilyaminu spoke up, his voice thick with emotion, his own eyes brimming with tears. "Well, if I am just a ghost, perhaps I should simply leave before I terrify you both completely."
He stood up, walked over to a woven mat spread out in the courtyard, and sat down. "Please believe me, I am neither an illusion nor a phantom. I am not a ghost. Today, the Almighty decreed our reunion. It is by no human trick or plan, but by the sheer will of King Allah. Alhamdu lillah that I found you both alive; that is my greatest joy."
Hauwa’s eyes widened in profound realization. She recognized her father's voice without a shadow of a doubt. She marched directly toward the sound of his voice with absolute certainty.
Seeing that she was about to step right over him because she couldn't see him, Malam Bilyaminu reached out to guide her. In that instant, he realized the tragic truth: his Hauwa-Kulu was completely blind.
His heart shattered into a million pieces. A terrible wave of shock hit him. He grabbed her hands, pulled her down to sit closely by his side, and whispered in anguish, "Nana Hauwa'u! Is this what Allah has willed for you?"
Despite his earlier strength and the joy of the reunion, Malam Bilyaminu broke down completely. He pulled the wide sleeve of his traditional babban riga to his face, sobbing and weeping openly. He could say nothing except to pray for God’s divine justice.
It was an evening of overwhelming emotions—intense joy tightly intertwined with the heartbreaking sorrow of discovering Hauwa’s disability. Tears of happiness and grief flowed freely until the evening call to prayer (Magrib) echoed through the neighborhood. Finally, Inna wiped her eyes and urged Hauwa's father to accept God's decree, just as they had done long ago. They had already made peace with Hauwa-Kulu’s fate.
They performed their Magrib and Isha prayers together in congregation, with Malam leading them as the Imam just like old times. Afterward, Malam Bilyaminu looked around the house in absolute amazement and awe. It was entirely modern! Their old trees were gone, and everything was transformed.
He turned to his wife, "Safiya, please bring me out of the dark. My mind is completely boggled. How did this house transform into this luxury? And how on earth did my precious Hauwa’u lose her sight? Ya Subhanallah!"
Inna wiped her eyes with the edge of her wrapper, suddenly feeling a surge of youthful energy, strength, and vitality coursing through her veins at his return. She replied, "Wallahi, it all started with the 'Apolo' eye epidemic."
From there, she began to recount every single detail of what had transpired during his seven-year absence, leaving nothing out. She detailed how his brother, Zakari, had ruthlessly demolished their family home and how they were thrown into a life of wandering and survival. Hearing this, Hauwa’s father wept like a child, continuously wiping his face with his sleeve.
"Between me and Zakari," he choked out, "lies the ultimate judgment of Allah." He then asked, "So, where is this Doctor Sarham now? I desperately want to meet this hero who stood as a shield (Barde) for my family."
Inna replied, "You will see him very soon. Though he did mention that in two weeks, he and his family are relocating back to the city of Jeddah, where he works as a medical doctor."
Malam Bilyaminu insisted, "Please, give me his phone number so I can call him immediately. It is an absolute obligation that I thank him. If his parents are alive, I will personally travel to wherever they are to thank them before we leave Kano."
Inna then led him to his old room, which had been kept locked. It was his original room, but completely renovated with a modern bed and mattress installed by Sarham. She spread clean sheets over the bed and prepared a warm bath for him in the attached en-suite restroom.
While he bathed, she rushed to finish the alale and quickly prepared a fresh meal of cornmeal tuwo with kuka soup. As she worked, her tongue moved in constant prayers of gratitude, still marveled by her husband's appearance. He showed no signs of hardship whatsoever. Instead of looking aged and gray, he looked rejuvenated, even more youthful than before he disappeared. He had put on a healthy weight born of comfort, and he was dressed in a premium, heavily embroidered white Shadda outfit (of the popular Mirror brand).
When Malam emerged from his bath, Inna presented the feast. She sat by his side, gently fanning him, and remarked affectionately, "If I had known my Malam was returning today, I would have prepared a massive royal feast to welcome you."
He smiled, deeply touched by her presence and her familiar, tender care. In his heart, he committed Zakari's fate to God, but aloud he said, "Safiya, you have no idea how much I missed your tuwo. The way you prepare the meal and the flavor of your soup are unlike anything else in this world. I truly missed your food, your care, your affection, and the daily blessings you gave me whenever I stepped out the door—that prayer asking Allah to let me bring home lawful earnings to feed you. Let us pray that Allah never separates us again, even for a single day, Safiya. My ultimate prayer is that we walk from this earth straight into Paradise together. Whatever destiny awaits us, I pray we face it side-by-side. Finding you unmarried and waiting for me all this time has only deepened my respect and love for you. I promise you here and now: I am yours, and yours alone, forever. May Allah bless you."
It was a night of pure, unadulterated happiness for Malam Bilyaminu and Inna Safiya. In her own room, Hauwa did not sleep for even a single minute. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, she spent the entire night in prayer, thanking the Almighty for restoring the father they had long presumed dead. She was so ecstatic that her previous anxieties regarding Dr. Sarham completely evaporated.
The next morning, Inna walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast and found Hauwa sitting on a low stool, her head buried in her knees. She looked like a vulnerable orphan, trapped in a silent, suffocating grief.
Inna approached her gently and said, "Oh, my darling! Hauwa-Kulu, the girl who makes city-style meals! Why are you up so early sitting in the kitchen looking so lost and despondent?" She placed a tender hand on her head, asking with pure, incomparable maternal affection.
As if she had just been waiting for her mother's touch, Hauwa burst into soul-wrenching tears. Between sobs, she cried, "Inna...!" Her weeping intensified.
Inna stood back and let her cry until she was completely spent, knowing that comforting Hauwa mid-cry only prolonged her tears. Finally, Hauwa wiped her eyes and choked out, "Inna, does this mean I am completely useless now? Am I completely incapable of doing anything of value for myself or for you and Baba? Am I nothing but a liability to you both? I woke up so eager to cook a grand welcome breakfast for my father—a meal he hasn't tasted in years. Ever since I was a little girl, I used to cook for him and he would shower me with blessings. But the moment I stepped into this kitchen today, reality hit me. I can't work with fire. I risk burning my hands in hot oil or hot coals because I am blind. I can't even help you with basic chores anymore, Inna. Have I truly become useless?"
Inna’s heart broke completely, overflowing with fierce maternal love. She pulled her daughter close and said, "If Allah wills it, by the sanctity of the Holy Qur'an and the absolute sovereignty of His kingdom, your sight will be fully restored right here in this world, Hauwa-Kulu! You will look into the eyes of your own children, and you will lock eyes with them while nursing them. I feel it deep in my bones that this blindness is not your permanent destiny. The Almighty promised that every disease has a cure, but healing requires divine timing. This is merely a brief test, and it shall pass.
Never say you are useless. As long as a person's spirit is alive and they pursue knowledge, a disabled person can achieve absolutely anything an able-bodied person can do. Allah Himself declared: 'Call upon Me, and I will answer you!'"
Inna raised both hands to the heavens and prayed aloud, "O Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, I supplicate through Your 99 Holy Names. Today, I, Safiya, the mother of Hauwa, beg You: open Hauwa-Kulu’s eyes, even if only a little, right here in this world, out of honor for the deep love and respect she has always shown her parents."
With tears of immense hope, Hauwa whispered, "Amin, Amin, ya Allah, my Inna."
"Now, tell me, what special dish do you want to cook for him so we can make it together?" Inna asked with a warm smile. She added, "Have you forgotten all the hard work you used to do at Tashar Kuka and Kano-Line? You are not some helpless, fragile invalid!"
Feeling her spirit completely revitalized, Hauwa beamed. "Inna, I want to make him flour funkaso with taushe (pumpkin leaf) soup, or maybe alkubus (steamed wheat bread) with vegetable soup. I know it’s been a long time since he tasted them, and even if he did, it wouldn't taste like our home cooking."
Inna laughed. "Consider it done, her father’s favorite girl! Why don't we just make both? Let Malam, the pampered father of Kulu, enjoy both varieties. Let me gather the ingredients so you can knead the dough for the alkubus and funkaso with your own hands, and I will handle the steaming and frying."
Hauwa smiled with pure joy. Inna understood her better than anyone else in the world; she refused to let Hauwa's disability make her feel discarded. They began working side-by-side, chatting and laughing like best friends.
That was exactly how Malam found them when he walked into the kitchen at around eight in the morning.
"Hauwa and her mother, are you preparing a whole royal feast for me?" he joked.
Kneading the funkaso dough, Hauwa laughed and replied, "I am cooking a very special welcome-home meal for you, Baba! I guarantee you’re going to love it."
He smiled warmly, "May Allah bless you. Once you're done, I have special gifts for you from my employer—including a brand-new computer, still sealed in its box, which he sent specifically for you."
Hauwa replied excitedly, "Oh! They actually taught us a bit about how to use computers back in high school when we were in our fifth year. They told us that through 'assistive technology,' blind people can use computers just like anyone else!" She turned toward him and added gently, "Baba, you still haven't told us where you went or what happened during your disappearance. One day you vanished, and then out of nowhere, you suddenly reappear before us in perfect health. It is entirely beyond our own human understanding. But I know it was my prayers that kept us anchored. I never finished a single prayer without begging Allah to reveal your whereabouts. I knew my prayers wouldn't go unanswered; Allah simply delayed the timing of His manifestation."
Malam Bilyaminu nodded softly, "Indeed, Hauwa’u. A prayer never falls to the ground in vain. I know it is the power and blessing of those prayers that brought me back to my family safe, sound, and with a long life ahead..."
"Assalamu alaikum! Inna, what on earth are you cooking that has the entire alleyway smelling this heavenly?"
Suddenly, Dr. Sarham’s familiar voice and playful complaints echoed through the house. It was an unusual hour for him, as he typically visited in the evenings, but here he was dropping by unannounced at nine in the morning.
One look at Dr. Sarham revealed that he had rushed out of his house in a hurry. Malam Isah had called him at the crack of dawn to confirm that Hauwa’s father had returned and that they had already greeted each other at the mosque during dawn prayers.
Dr. Sarham had rushed over entirely unprepared, driven by a need to verify the news for himself, knowing Malam Isah wouldn't spread false rumors. Sure enough, there was Malam Bilyaminu standing right by the kitchen doorway, happily chatting with his family. Sarham closed his eyes and smiled as he walked up to shake Malam Bilyaminu’s hand, taking in the radiant, joyful faces of the family. "What a family!" Sarham remarked to himself, deeply moved by their profound happiness.
Inna welcomed him with a glowing face. Malam warmly greeted him and invited him into the living room. As they walked in, Malam remarked, "Even without an introduction, my heart and soul instantly tell me that you must be Doctor Sarham."
Sarham bowed his head in deep humility and respect. He felt an intense wave of happiness seeing them as a complete family, much like his own. A wide smile spread across his face. Within less than twenty-four hours, Malam Bilyaminu already knew all about him, which meant he held a highly esteemed position in Inna’s eyes—though he wouldn't dare assume the same applied to Hauwa. He knew Hauwa probably hadn't spoken of him to her father because she barely cared for him; she had likely only told her father about her polo-playing boyfriend.
Inna served him a generous portion of funkaso and alkubus, pouring the rich soup into a small bowl. Sarham didn't put on any false airs of modesty; he hadn't eaten breakfast before rushing over. In fact, he hadn't even stopped to take a shower after receiving Malam Isah's spectacular news. Inna and Hauwa joined them in the living room, and they all ate breakfast together.
Once the meal was finished, hands were washed, and water was served, they sat in a tight circle around Malam Bilyaminu, completely eager to hear his story. Even Sarham was on the edge of his seat, waiting to discover where he had been.
Malam Bilyaminu cleared his throat and began to recount the events of the fateful day he vanished, detailing his grueling seven-year journey in Kumasi, Ghana:
"It all started with the ancestral farmland that my brother Zakari and I inherited. He held all the legal deeds and titles to the property. Every time I intended to demand my rightful share, it felt as though some strange spiritual force would make me completely forget about it. Then, one day, strengthened by intense prayer, I finally found the courage to confront him at his cap-washing business. I proposed that we sell the inherited land so we could pool together a substantial amount of capital to open large, modern shops, which would be far more lucrative for him than washing caps. I told him that with my share, I could finally become a major independent dealer in wholesale thrift clothing, travelling abroad to source goods directly rather than buying second-hand from my local boss.
Zakari listened to my entire proposal in absolute silence. When I finished, he looked me in the eye and coldly claimed that there was no such farmland in his possession, and that he had absolutely no idea what land I was talking about. I looked at him and said that if he denied me my birthright this time, I would take legal action..."
2. Summary
This chapter marks a major emotional turning point in the Hauwa-Kulu series, centering on the miraculous, unannounced return of the family patriarch, Malam Bilyaminu, after a seven-year disappearance.
The narrative opens with Hauwa struggling with a profound, internal emotional crisis regarding Dr. Sarham, who has inexplicably started ignoring her. As she navigates feelings of vulnerability, rejection, and a series of ominous prophetic dreams about her father being struck by an illness, Malam Bilyaminu suddenly walks through the front door in pristine health and premium attire. The initial shock causes Inna Safiya to faint, but she is quickly revived, culminating in a tearful, joyful family reunion.
However, the joy is cut short when Bilyaminu realizes that his beautiful daughter Hauwa has completely lost her vision to an Apolo eye epidemic during his absence. Inna fills him in on the agonizing trials they endured, including how his greedy brother, Zakari, ruthlessly evicted them and demolished their home.
The next morning, Hauwa suffers a temporary crisis of confidence, weeping over her inability to safely use the kitchen fire to cook a welcome meal for her father. Inna fiercely restores her daughter's confidence through profound maternal affirmations, prayers for divine healing, and a reminder of Hauwa's past entrepreneurial competence. The family is soon joined by a frantic Dr. Sarham, who rushes over at dawn upon hearing the news. The chapter concludes with the family and Sarham eating breakfast together as Malam Bilyaminu finally begins to unravel the mystery of his seven-year displacement, revealing that his disappearance was tied to a bitter confrontation with his brother Zakari over their ancestral farmland, which ultimately led him to Kumasi, Ghana.
3. Analytics
Theme Analysis
- The Power and Dynamics of Prayer (Addu'a): Prayer is treated as an active structural force in the narrative. Hauwa views her father’s sudden return not as a random coincidence, but as the delayed manifestation of her unwavering daily prayers. Similarly, Bilyaminu attributes his spiritual fortitude to confront his brother to the power of prayer.
- The Burden of Perceived Dependency: Hauwa's breakdown in the kitchen highlights the deep psychological vulnerability experienced by disabled individuals in a highly manual socio-economic environment. Her fear of becoming a "liability" shows that her self-worth is deeply tied to her productivity and her capacity to nurture her parents.
Maternal Affirmation as Therapy: Inna acts as a psychological buffer for Hauwa. Instead of coddling her daughter or validating her helplessness, Inna uses spiritual prophecy (predicting Hauwa will one day see her own children) and historical facts (reminding her of her competence at the motor parks) to push back against a defeatist mindset.
Narrative & Structural Techniques
- Socio-Economic Signifiers: The author uses explicit brand names like "Vitafoam" and "Mirror Shadda" to signify the family's transition from absolute destitution to upward mobility and modern comfort, largely funded by their successful business and Dr. Sarham's support.
- The Voice as an Identity Marker: For a visually impaired protagonist, auditory cues are paramount. The text masterfully describes how Bilyaminu's voice acts as an immediate trigger that shatters seven years of separation before any physical touch occurs.
Pacing and Tension: The author cleverly juxtaposes Hauwa's internal, youthful anxieties about her romantic/platonic relationship with Dr. Sarham against a massive, life-altering familial event (the return of her long-lost father), highlighting the emotional volatility of her transition into young adulthood.
4. Character Description
Malam Bilyaminu
- Role: Family Patriarch / Returning Father
- Physical Description: Despite a seven-year absence, he appears robust, well-rested, and unexpectedly rejuvenated rather than aged. He is clean-shaven, slightly plump from a comfortable lifestyle, and dressed in a high-quality, heavily embroidered white Mirror Shadda outfit.
Psychological Profile: Deeply spiritual, affectionate, and emotionally expressive. He is not afraid to weep openly at the sight of his daughter's blindness or the story of his family's suffering. He possesses a strong sense of justice and immediate gratitude, instantly seeking to honor Dr. Sarham for protecting his household.
Dr. Sarham
- Role: Family Benefactor / Structural Support
- Physical Description: Appears disheveled, unwashed, and completely caught off-guard in the morning scene, having rushed out of his house completely unprepared after hearing rumors of Bilyaminu's return.
- Psychological Profile: Generous, humble, and fiercely loyal to Inna and Hauwa, though currently emotionally guarded. He acts out of a deep sense of communal and religious duty (zumunci). His recent emotional withdrawal from Hauwa suggests an underlying conflict—likely linked to his impending relocation to Jeddah or hidden personal feelings that he is trying to suppress to preserve boundaries.
