FreeFreeDescription
KAWAR ZUCIYA (Book 1) — THE MATURITY
The Setting
The city of Abuja, as it is widely known, is a metropolis that aggregates exceptionally crafted and highly celebrated residential estates. As the capital city of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it boasts a diverse array of prominent neighborhoods. Yet, no matter how sophisticated, expansive, or visually captivating any other estate in the city might be to a spectator or visitor, none has quite lived up to its name like "Sunset Estate," located in the heart of the Guzape district.
Known alternatively as "Asokoro Extension," the Guzape district is frequently referred to by some as the "Beverly Hills of Nigeria." This moniker is a tribute to its pristine structural planning, the aesthetic elegance of its street layouts, its architectural masterpieces, and the captivating high-rise buildings perched gracefully upon its undulating terrain. As the residents well know, the entirety of Guzape sits majestically atop these hills.
When approaching Guzape, Sunset Estate is the first landmark to catch the eye due to the sheer, towering height of its entrance gate. It serves as the defining landmark of the entire Guzape main area—a tall, magnificent architectural triumph established right at the district's core.
At first glance, it is difficult to believe that such a stunning environment as Sunset Estate exists within our own native country, particularly if one is viewing it through photographs or video footage rather than experiencing its reality firsthand.
It is even more astonishing when one learns that the visionary blueprint and master plan of this entire estate were conceived by the intellect of a native son—specifically, a young man of Hausa-Fulani heritage. He stands as one of the rare, exceptionally gifted young architectural prodigies of Hausa-Fulani descent. He is an unadulterated product of northern Nigeria, nurtured and produced by one of the premier elite universities that Nigeria prides itself on. Throughout his entire life history—from birth to adulthood and throughout his academic journey—he had never once boarded a flight or traveled abroad to study architectural science or urban estate planning.
Public consensus agrees that his mastery of architectural design was not merely the product of classroom instruction. Rather, it was a profound, innate talent and a unique gift bestowed upon him by Almighty Allah. God blessed him with an extraordinary capacity to visualize architectural blueprints and to manifest a drawing of literally anything he set his mind to create. Many of his university peers used to affectionately dub him "the protege of Zaha Hadid" because of his unparalleled drafting skills. They compared him to the globally celebrated British-Iraqi architect because of how masterfully he wielded his pen to bring complex blueprints to life.
Looking at him in person, it is initially hard to believe that this very man sat down to single-handedly sketch Sunset Estate, drawing out every specific feature and structural form exactly as he had spent years imagining it. He had spent over three years drafting and continuously refining his concepts, ensuring his designs evolved alongside contemporary trends while matching his imaginative vision as a master architect. This was achieved despite the fact that his name had long been well-established in modern residential drafting and urban estate development within the Federal Capital Territory and its environs. Indeed, his reputation for execution had spread across various states in Nigeria; on any given week, he consistently secured contracts to design estates and plan luxury residences nationwide.
By the late 2000s, God granted him the ability to finalize the master blueprint for Sunset Estate. After years of meticulously shaping it to his exact desires with his drafting pen, the structural framework and everything contained within it manifested flawlessly, precisely as he had envisioned in his mind.
Your amazement would deepen significantly when considering his young age at the time Sunset Estate was designed and constructed. The feat becomes even more impressive when you realize he executed this design during his youth, in his early thirties.
Whenever he reflects on the fact that his own intellect brought forth and established the grand edifices of Sunset Estate, he instinctively glorifies his Creator for this exceptional, innate talent. Deep within his soul, he feels a profound sense of pride and self-actualization, thanking the Sovereign of Intellect who grants beautiful gifts and continuous abundance.
There are moments when his hands seem to move of their own accord, coming together in a slow, solitary applause—a physical manifestation of a man applauding his own achievement. This is true despite the widespread knowledge that his architectural prowess is an inherited legacy, not an acquired trait. He inherited this profound gift of design from his late father, Arch. Bello, who was himself a celebrated and legendary icon in the architectural world.
Sunset Estate
The estate is entirely enclosed by tall, lush greenery, with towering palm trees forming a natural, magnificent canopy over it.
When night falls, wherever one turns, the landscape is illuminated by the brilliant glow of sophisticated electrical installations. These lights cast an array of different colors and hues, transforming the estate into an environment as bright as daytime. In the evenings, particularly during the twilight hours of Maghrib, the ambiance created by the estate's lighting closely mirrors a slice of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt. Due to the dense coverage of the tall trees, the intense heat of the sun rarely penetrates the estate.
During the rainy season, the estate's foliage transforms into a vibrant, brilliant green, accompanied by the refreshing aroma of blooming flowers. The entrance features massive gates crafted from cast iron that operate via an automatic system. The entirety of the estate's perimeter wall is reinforced with an active electric fence.
Positioned precisely between the entrance and exit lanes—mounted upon a highly polished, eye-catching white glass wall—the name of the estate is elegantly written in gold lettering. It reads clearly in bold, capital letters:
"Sunset Estate"
Upon entry, the roadway splits into two distinct lanes for incoming and outgoing traffic, with the entire expanse beautifully lit by a combination of solar lights, high-security lighting, and standard street lamps. A smooth, flawless layer of black asphalt coats the entire road system guiding vehicles into and out of the residential core.
The interior boasts a diverse variety of residential structures, ranging from blocks of flats to elegant terraces, which include both semi-detached and fully detached luxury houses.
Every street and close within the estate features a dedicated signboard displaying its name. In a brilliant display of cultural identity, every single street and close derives its name from the local governments of Katsina State. This choice was made because the architect and owner of the estate is a native son of Katsina, from the lineage of Dikko.
Driven by a deep sense of state pride, visitors entering the estate are immediately greeted by traditional local street names rarely encountered in such luxury settings, including Batsari Close, Bindawa Close, Ingawa Close, Daura Close, Funtua Close, Jibia Close, Dutsinma Close, Dandume Close, and Bakori Close.
The most expansive street within Sunset Estate is the very first avenue encountered upon entry. The residences lining this particular street are exclusively fully detached luxury mansions, noticeably grander and more aesthetically stunning than the rest. This avenue bears the name of his actual birthplace: "RAFINDADI Close."
Sunset Estate also features a fully stocked supermarket, a local market for fresh produce and vegetables, a grand mosque, a pharmacy, and dedicated luxury salons for both men and women.
At the far end of the estate stands a massive, breathtaking rock formation that can be viewed from any vantage point within the perimeter, characteristic of the iconic Guzape Hills terrain. A beautiful recreational park has been developed around this natural monument. Residents gather here in the evenings to unwind, socialize, and witness the sunset. The location offers a stunning, picturesque backdrop for photography in the late afternoon, particularly as the sun dips below the horizon.
One would naturally be compelled to capture photographs within Sunset Estate during these twilight hours. The sunset creates a mesmerizing, serene atmosphere almost daily—an aesthetic closely resembling elite international luxury resorts. This breathtaking daily phenomenon was the primary reason the architect chose to name his creation "Sunset Estate."
On an adjacent side of the park lies a beautifully decorated children's playground, equipped with an assortment of modern toys, swings, and recreational facilities for young children.
From the sheer layout and master plan of Sunset Estate, it is immediately evident that its owner and creator poured immense wealth, technical mastery, and professional architectural expertise into its drafting, conceptualization, and construction. One glance confirms that this elite enclave is reserved strictly for captains of industry, ultra-wealthy individuals, or high-ranking government officials who possess the financial leverage to purchase or lease property within its walls.
The Narrative Introduction
"My Co-Architect!"
This was the specific endearment he used to call her whenever he was consumed by a profound yearning for her presence, during moments when her absence and his thoughts of her became overwhelmingly heavy, or whenever he spoke about her to others or directly to journalists. If he was to mention her at all, it was certain that he would refer to her as "My co-architect."
This practice began after she departed from his life. This specific moniker became his primary way of referencing her—a permanent mental monument to her memory. When discussing her, he completely ceased using her actual name, substituting it entirely with "My co-architect."
On numerous occasions, he would invoke this title whenever memories of their shared life struggles flashed across his mind: their rigorous pursuit of academic excellence, their youthful romance that ultimately culminated in marriage, their early financial struggles when he worked as a university lecturer, or when he recalled the historic beauty of their wedding day. Their marriage had been built on a deep, ancestral foundation, solemnized during their youth while his late father was still alive.
He was a man incapable of forgetting any act of kindness extended to him in life, let alone the profound benevolence of the person closest to his soul: his wife. Consequently, not once did he ever overlook or discount her immense contribution to the successful realization and construction of Sunset Estate, or the other monumental achievements she had helped him attain through her counsel. Whenever honors or elevations came his way, he consistently maintained that he achieved them alongside her. Even long after her departure from his life, he preserved this high regard for her, feeling an ever-deepening love and affection.
She had truly been the bedrock of all his progress, his establishment, and his ability to stand firmly on his own two feet. Even after the harsh restructuring of their shared destiny, he refused to view the sweeping success of the estate as a solo achievement; to him, it remained a shared victory. In his own words, he and she had shared ideas to forge the tangible final draft of the architectural blueprint, reflecting her own status as a certified architect.
She had consistently supported him across every dimension of his architectural profession, serving as an invaluable pillar of support within their home. Whenever he addressed journalists regarding the immense sweat and exhausting labor required to manifest Sunset Estate from a mere concept into a physical reality, he would invariably state:
"She and I came together to build this from the ground up."
This deep-seated gratitude was the primary reason that when the luxury properties within Sunset Estate were officially put on the market for lease, he gifted her a separate luxury Terrace home registered entirely in her name within the estate, completely independent of the primary residence they shared.
The cutting-edge design of Sunset Estate, its hyper-modern infrastructure, and its explosive reputation across the Federal Capital Territory heavily captured the attention of both domestic and international media outlets, alongside architectural critics. These journalists were particularly eager to highlight and broadcast authentic indigenous talent to the global stage, demonstrating the sheer capacity of local professionals to the world. Consequently, they constantly pursued him at his private residence and his corporate offices, probing him with deep, investigative questions regarding his life history and the secret formula behind the estate's monumental success.
They frequently questioned him:
"Where exactly did you draw the inspiration and structural concepts for the layout of Sunset Estate? Is it true that you and your wife drafted the blueprints together?"
To such inquiries, he would invariably offer a concise, resolute response to the press:
"Yes! I got the samples from Her! I mean, my co-architect."
Furthermore, when questioned about the secret behind Sunset Estate's sweeping success and its ever-growing prestige—given that currently, every high-ranking public official, elite billionaire merchant, and prominent politician residing in the FCT is aggressively vying to purchase or lease a residential haven within its walls—he never tired of declaring:
"She is behind all these successes, my co-architect!"
There was also a highly intimate, specialized name that the world knew he reserved exclusively for her during their moments of deep romance:
"My Alter Ego!"
This particular title did not merely bring immense joy to her heart and soul; it filled her with a profound sense of validation, making her feel uniquely elevated above all other women, as if she were walking on air. It caused her to wonder if any other woman among her peers had been blessed with the sheer fortune of experiencing such an all-encompassing love from a husband.
She had truly succeeded where so many others had not, securing a husband who loved her with every fiber of his being, to the extent that he treated her as the vital half of his very existence. The profound joy she felt whenever he uttered that name possessed the power to cleanse away any lingering sorrow or emotional scars that had settled within her spirit—even after their shared destiny shifted from light to darkness, transforming from positive to negative.
The phrase gathered every form of happiness and deposited it directly into her soul, rendering her heart pure and pristine, like fresh milk, whenever she recalled the countless, unquantifiable moments across their companionship when he had softly called her "his alter ego." In response, she would call him "Habibyyy" (My Love), though she knew deep down that this single word was entirely insufficient. She knew she wasn't fully reciprocating his verbal depth of affection, nor did she possess any vocabulary expensive enough to match the weight of what he gave her. Yet, he knew better than anyone else that she belonged to him entirely, soul and spirit. Thus, whenever memory brought back that specific title from their romantic past, every trace of current bitterness or heartbreak evaporated from her heart, shielding her from the sorrow of a love that had drastically changed.
Whenever he called her his "alter ego," that was exactly what she became. Even if she were to forget everything else due to the bitterness of time, the turning of eras, and the changing of human hearts, those specific words of his remained permanently etched in her memory.
Not for a single day could she forget the intense somatic impact his romantic words had on her physical body whenever he looked directly into her eyes and spoke in that characteristic, resonant voice that would completely disarm her senses, dissolve her defenses, and soothe her entire spirit all at once. Whenever he was in a romantic mood, he would playfully wink, raise an eyebrow, and softly say:
"You know you are my alter ego, right?"
This remained one of those rare, timeless memories that refused to fade from her consciousness. It remained completely unaltered even after the dramatic restructuring of their fates, and even after her absolute, permanent exit from his house and his life.
The Architect
He stood leaning against the metal railing that guarded a modern staircase built onto the upper slope of the massive, natural red rock formation within the Sunset Estate park. The rock continuously cascaded crystal-clear water from its crevices. The water jetted forcefully upward before gently descending downward in a fluid motion. One of his most treasured daily rituals was spending his late afternoons at this exact vantage point, watching the sun set completely over his estate.
At this precise moment, his thoughts were entirely consumed by how their new life was destined to begin on this very day. He watched the divine power manifested in the setting sun, a sight that mirrored the heavy thudding in his own chest as he pondered what the impending night would bring.
By now, he was absolutely certain that his private residence had filled to maximum capacity, teeming with women arriving from various regions.
Visiting this specific location had transformed into a deep-rooted habit, a personal ritual he practiced ever since they officially moved into the estate following its structural completion and grand opening gala. Frequently, on almost any given evening between the hours of 5:00 PM and 6:15 PM—provided he was within the city and free from pressing domestic obligations—he would come to this spot. He would stand silently, watching the sun decline into the horizon over his estate, reflecting deeply upon his life path while gazing over the luxury residences he had personally drafted, feeling a mix of profound awe and self-pride. This consistent reflection made him a man of immense gratitude to God for bestowing upon him a unique intellectual genius and a level of material wealth denied to the vast majority of men.
He shifted his gaze down to the classic black Cartier timepiece strapped firmly around his wrist. The watch sat slightly nestled within the thick, soft hair covering his forearm. This abundance of body hair extended across his entire physique; he was a man of Fulani descent, naturally characterized by a rich growth of hair, particularly on his scalp and his chest, where it curled thickly in the classic manner of purebred Fulanis. He was, by all metrics, an exceptionally handsome man blessed with a striking, robust physical build and a generous head of hair.
The sheer, radiant gleam reflecting off his wristwatch was enough for anyone to estimate its immense luxury value, particularly men of his caliber who intentionally utilize the wealth God has granted them to elevate their personal presentation with highly expensive, elite timepieces. He possessed an immaculate sense of cleanliness, a mastery of dignified wardrobing, and a sophisticated approach to masculine styling that was both visually arresting and deeply impressive. Yet, in his personal style, it was exceptionally rare to ever catch him wearing casual clothing or a Western suit.
On this particular day, he was robed in a magnificent, custom-tailored sky-blue Filtex brocade fabric—a textile explicitly reserved for elite, high-status gentlemen. He looked extraordinarily handsome in it; the specific shade of blue illuminated his complexion, projecting his natural charisma and intellectual aura, while an unmistakable brilliance emanated from his clear eyes. One would easily mistake him for a young man of twenty-seven, rather than a mature householder rapidly approaching his fortieth year.
Recognizing that his home was currently packed to the brim, leaving absolutely no room for peace, he resolved to temporarily leave the residential area of the estate entirely.
By this time, the sun had fully set beneath the horizon, darkness was beginning to blanket the landscape, and the Maghrib twilight had officially arrived. He stepped away from his viewing post and walked down toward the estate's grand mosque, intending to join the congregational Maghrib prayers.
Afterward, he planned to retrieve his vehicle, which he had left sitting in the mosque’s parking lot ever since the mid-afternoon Asr prayers. He felt it was far better to drive over to his friend Baba Abdallah's residence, explicitly to escape the overwhelming influx of women and the chaotic noise currently overtaking his own home.
Once the prayers concluded, he exited the mosque and climbed into his car, which was parked right outside the entrance. He turned the steering wheel gently, navigated the vehicle smoothly onto the main driveway, and then accelerated rapidly into the evening.
As he drove along the highway connecting Guzape to the Life-Camp district, he continuously made silent, analytical comparisons within his mind, looking through his eyes and weighing things in his heart. Passing through the various high-end neighborhoods within the core of Abuja, he found himself entirely unable to spot any residential estate that could match or even remotely compare to his own creation in terms of structural planning, aesthetic layout, or sheer architectural mastery.
For this reason alone, he felt an immense sense of pride in being the sole owner and creator of Sunset Estate. He was an architect without equal in terms of technical skill across northern Nigeria. He repeatedly thanked the Almighty for this singular intellect—a gift not granted to just any northern man, nor to just any individual, nor to the common generality of men.
He spent several hours relaxing at Habibu’s residence. The two indulged in a long, comforting conversation characteristic of lifelong friends, focusing primarily on their respective family affairs. He did not depart from his friend's house until the clock struck midnight. He reasoned that by this late hour, the crowds back home would have completely dispersed, and the women inside the house, exhausted from waiting for his return, would have long since retired to sleep.
His private security guard opened the heavy gates for him. He drove his car smoothly and quietly into the compound, securing it in its permanent spot within his private garage.
He remained seated inside the vehicle for a highly extended period, making no move to step out, to the point where an observer might assume he had fallen asleep. From the moment he leaned his head forward against the steering wheel, he did not raise it again. He was completely pinned down by a sudden, simultaneous wave of physical exhaustion and deep emotional worry.
He spent roughly an hour and a half frozen in this posture, completely submerged in the intense anxiety and heavy thoughts that had suddenly overtaken him. Eventually, he slowly closed his large, expressive eyes. The sheer physical toll of the day had temporarily altered their appearance, turning them a brownish hue from the pristine, clear white everyone typically knew. Finally, gathering his remaining resolve, he switched off the vehicle's engine and leaned his back against the seat of his custom black Bugatti Centodieci.
He finally stepped out of the sports car looking visibly weary, draping his large, flowing traditional robe over his right arm. The garment was exquisitely embroidered with a rich, dark blue thread that radiated luxury. On his head sat a matching blue Tonak cap, a highly fashionable style favored by contemporary young men and elite gentlemen alike. The attire complemented him flawlessly, accentuating the natural, radiant tone of his skin, which was a brilliant, clear olive complexion—as he could not be described as strictly pale white.
His eyes were framed by a pair of sleek, clear, rimless Cassie glasses, which did absolutely nothing to hide the profound worry embedded within his eyes. His eyelids naturally fluttered open and closed in a characteristically soft, rhythmic manner that was innate to his biology.
With measured, quiet steps, he walked toward the main entrance of his house. An absolute, heavy silence hung over the pristine mansion, which sat as the premier property of the neighborhood: No. 1 Rafindadi Close, Sunset Estate.
At this precise hour of the night, the only sound vibrating through the entire estate was the distant, rhythmic barking of the neighborhood security dogs echoing from afar. This was the unchanging nightly reality of the estate once the darkness deepened—the guard dogs maintaining their relentless, echoing vigil into the dead of night.
Content Summary
"Kawar Zuciya (Book 1)" introduces a highly prestigious and meticulously designed elite residential zone in Abuja called Sunset Estate, located in the prominent hills of the Guzape district. The narrative focuses heavily on the estate's creator and owner, a brilliant architectural prodigy in his early thirties of northern Nigerian (Hausa-Fulani) origin. Despite never traveling abroad for training, his raw genius draws comparisons to the legendary architect Zaha Hadid.
The prologue shifts into a bittersweet reflection regarding the architect's estranged or departed wife, whom he affectionately terms "My Co-Architect" and "My Alter Ego." She was a fully certified professional who co-drafted the estate's blueprints and served as his ultimate muse and counselor. As a token of his deep-seated gratitude during their happier times, he gifted her a luxury terrace mansion within the estate in her own name.
The story transitions to the present day, where the exceptionally handsome, affluent, and style-conscious architect is suffering from immense emotional distress and physical exhaustion. His home (located at the prestigious No. 1 Rafindadi Close) has been inundated by an overwhelming crowd of women coming from different regions for an undisclosed event or marital arrangement. Overwhelmed by anxiety regarding what the night will bring, the architect flees his compound in his multi-million dollar Bugatti Centodieci to seek refuge and advice at his close friend Habibu's home, returning only after midnight when the house has finally fallen quiet.
Literary Analytics
1. Themes
- The Intersections of Genius and Tradition: The text strongly highlights the contrast between traditional identity and ultra-modern global standards. The protagonist is an unadulterated product of northern Nigeria who has never left the country, yet his designs rival global elite standards. He seamlessly integrates his heritage by naming state-of-the-art luxury streets after the local governments of his home state, Katsina.
- The Muse and the Shared Legacy: A profound theme of professional and romantic partnership dominates the narrative. Even after a bitter falling out or tragic separation ("the restructuring of destiny from positive to negative"), the protagonist refuses to erase his wife's intellectual property, proudly declaring to the global press that she is the genius behind his architectural triumph.
The Burden of Wealth and Polyamory/Domestic Intrigue: The narrative sets up a sharp contrast between external perfection (the flawless, paradise-like aesthetic of Sunset Estate) and internal psychological turmoil. The influx of women into his private residence points heavily to traditional domestic pressures, forced family arrangements, or polygamous expectations that conflict with his idealized devotion to his original "Alter Ego."
2. Characterization
- The Architect: He is characterized as an archetype of the idealized modern African man—hyper-competent, highly educated, wealthy, intensely spiritual (glorifying God for his talents), structurally tied to his Fulani heritage, and possessing an immaculate, high-class masculine style. However, his physical descriptions (failing eyesight behind glasses, brownish tint of exhaustion, hiding out in his sports car) reveal a deeply vulnerable character escaping domestic claustrophobia.
The Departed Wife ("My Co-Architect"): Though physically absent in the present timeline, her character looms large over the entire setting. She is characterized as intellectually formidable, elegant, emotionally deep, and highly influential to the point where the entire estate functions as an architectural manifestation of their past love.
3. Symbolism
- The Sunset: The sunset acts as a dual symbol. Statistically, it represents the elite aesthetic beauty of the estate. Metaphorically, it foreshadows the decline, ending, or dark transition of the protagonist's romantic life and peace of mind as night brings a difficult confrontation.
- The Red Rock and Cascading Water: Located at the park, this natural monument symbolizes the architect's enduring structural success, while the continuous movement of the water mirrors his endless internal thoughts and emotional fluidity.
The Bugatti Centodieci: An ultra-rare hypercar that serves as a literal and figurative capsule of isolation. It represents his immense economic power but also acts as a physical hiding spot where he isolates himself for an hour and a half, unable to face the reality waiting inside his own house.
Structural Description
SectionNarrative FocusStructural PurposeToneThe Setting (Guzape / Abuja)Detailed geographical and structural exposition of Sunset Estate and its societal standing.Establishes the grand scale, elite worldbuilding, and spatial boundaries of the novel.Majestic, Descriptive, Awe-inspiring.The Genesis of the CreatorDeep biographical dive into the unnamed protagonist's genius, youth, and his late father, Arch. Bello.Establishes the protagonist's credibility, unique cultural identity, and elite status.Reverent, Academic, Proud.Anatomy of the EstateGranular breakdown of street layouts, amenities, Katsina local government naming conventions, and the Central Park.Imbues the luxury setting with local geopolitical relevance and cultural pride.Analytical, Detailed, Scenic.The Narrative IntroductionInternal monologue and historical backstory of the wife ("My Co-Architect" / "My Alter Ego").Shifts the novel from an architectural exposition into a human, emotionally driven romance-drama.Melancholic, Nostalgic, Romantic.The Present Action (The Flight)The architect's evening routine at the park, his flight to Habibu’s house in his Bugatti, and his late-night return.Initiates the active plot, introduces the central conflict (the house of women), and highlights his psychological distress.Tense, Claustrophobic, Somber.
