Mabaraciya Part 1 Complete Book

Description

MABARCIYA BOOKCOMPELET 

She said it, stealing a glance at Ammi, "No, Ameerah, I won’t stop you from following her because at first sight you won my heart, and deep down I have accepted you, except that it is Alh's rule that whenever he comes to town, he does not let anyone out until he leaves. And I want you to know something: be very careful. You see, the people you are working for do not like their staff mingling with us. I wouldn’t feel happy if you lost your job through us. Please be careful, you hear? Not because I don't want you to go there, but to spare you trouble."

"Okay, Ammi, thank you very much. I am leaving." "Okay, then greet the people at your home, you hear."

She headed back to Rufee's section to say goodbye to Larai before going home. Entering the kitchen, she found her rushing around, lifting this and dropping that. Surprised, Meerah said, "Aunty, didn't you finish cooking a while ago?" Larai, unaware of her entry, spun around quickly, rolling her eyes as she said, "Me, Ameerah? Where on earth have you been? Hajiya Rufaidah has been looking for you for ages!" "Looking for me? And what would I have to do with her since I finished all my work before I left?" "Oh, please! Hajiya is back, and she is looking for you to clean her room because it's dusty!"

"Are you serious that Hajiya is back?" "Yes, absolutely! Why wouldn't I be? In fact, I was surprised this time she stayed away; normally she doesn't let Alh spend the night in this town without her returning. You know how intensely jealous she is."

Meerah didn't even wait to listen to Larai further. She quickly forced her way into the parlor, her eyes darting around the room because about five women were seated, spreading out snacks before them and enjoying themselves. "What on earth are you doing here, you wretched, witchy beggar? Your type doesn't belong here!" Even without anyone telling her, she knew it was Rufaidah, but she didn't care who was in front of her; she wanted to identify which of the women was Hajiya Saudah. As they stared at her, she stared back at them, neither greeting nor speaking. The sharp slap she felt across her face brought her back to her senses instantly, and she collapsed to the floor.

"Ah, Rufaidah, who are you making this noise with all the way from upstairs?" Hajiya Saudah asked, walking down into the parlor. "Mama, it's with this wretched beggar girl that I helped and took in for work, but she has no idea what she's doing! I've been looking for her since earlier to come clean your room, but she was out there wandering around. You know how these poor children are—full of greed. Next thing you know, she'll go messing around with the estate workers, get pregnant, and bring shame upon us."

The moment Meerah heard her mention Mama, the sting of the slap vanished from her mind, and she simply fixed a steady gaze on the woman. Indeed, Hajiya Saudah was a complete lady, elegant, flawless, and beautiful. By mere facial appearance, you would never suspect she harbored any strange character. When Hajiya Sauda finished coming down, she finally turned her gaze toward the person Rufee was screaming at, and she abruptly jumped back, pointing at Ameerah with a trembling hand as she whispered, "Mar...y...am."

Hearing the name called made Ameerah heave a sigh of relief because she realized the woman was terrified under the assumption that she was Yaya Maryam.

"Hajiya, is everything alright?" the other women asked. "Mama, what is it? Do you know her?" Rufaidah also threw her question into the mix. Remembering that Maryam was supposedly older at the time and it had been confirmed that she had passed away, she secretly sighed and composed herself. Without answering their questions, she found a place and sat down.

"Mama, please, what is it? Is this girl a witch? Look at how terrified you were just from seeing her. And you, Ameerah, where on earth did you pick up this girl? Just looking at her, you can tell she's untrustworthy, not to mention she looks like those nomadic Buzu people from the bush—you know how notoriously merciless and mostly witchcraft-practicing they are." They kept on murmuring, but Hajiya Sauda said nothing, while Ameerah just kept rolling her eyes because, frankly, she was terrified now.

While she was squatting there, Mu'aisam walked in. He looked at them one by one, trying to understand what was going on, but failed. He sat on a chair and said, "Mama, welcome back." She answered him in a very soft voice, which surprised him immensely because the tone of her voice sounded as if she was in distress. He couldn't remember the last time a normal, pleasant conversation had passed between them; all he knew was that whenever she visited town, he would go and greet her simply because he knew that if he didn't, it could cause bad blood between him and Abba, which would eventually fall back on Ammi—that was why he tolerated all her disrespect.

"What is this one crying for?" he asked, pointing at Meerah. "Yaya, honestly, we were thinking she might be a witch. Mama was completely shaken up because of her!" With an indifferent tone, he said, "Didn't you know her when you took her in for work?" "Yaya, I literally found her wandering around begging on the street, so I helped her." Without looking at Meerah, he asked her, "What time do you knock off from work?" With a voice that was beginning to fade, she replied, "Two o'clock." Checking his wristwatch, he said, "It's 2:40 now, which means you can leave." She quickly stood up.

"Hajiya, how can you say she should leave when we haven't even figured out if she's really a witch?" Seeing the look he gave her made her fall silent, because she didn't like fights coming between them since she wanted him to marry her. Meerah quickly dashed out of the parlor, as she had never expected to see Hajiya Sauda get that terrified.

Looking at Rufaidah, he said, "Preparations should have been made beforehand instead of complaining after the fact. Why didn't you investigate her before taking her in? And suppose she were a witch, she would have eaten you first before Mama." "Oh, please! You just walked in, you don't even know the gist of the matter, yet you're dismissing the girl. If she's a witch, she won't show up tomorrow!" one of the seated women piped up. Waving his hand at her, he said, "Then wait for tomorrow; if she doesn't show up, you can start looking for a cure for Mama." He stood up and said, "Alright, Mama, have a restful day," and with that, he left the parlor.

As soon as he stepped out, they started insulting him. "Wajiya, is this arrogant boy still like this? Look at the way he talks with so much pride, as if he owns the house!" Still, Hajiya Sauda said nothing until Rufaidah shook her roughly. "Mama, what is it? Could she actually be a witch? That girl genuinely scared me."

Only then did she heave a sigh of relief. Trying to brush off the topic, she said, "It's nothing. The girl simply looked like a dear friend of mine who passed away, I swear. When I saw her, it just brought back memories of my friend, and her death felt brand-new again." "Ah, may God have mercy on her soul," they chorosed. "Amen. I am going inside; I need to rest. We'll talk later..."

(First two paragraphs of author notes omitted for translation)

MABARACIYA Story and writing by FIDDAUSI SANI (damsel feedorh) Chapter 18

Meerah stepped into her house with a low energy level. What worsened her mood was finding Yaya Labaran back. She met them in the courtyard, so she sat down briefly to greet them before heading inside.

After she passed by, Yaya Labaran looked at Aunty and said, "Nafisa, is Ameerah alright? I keep feeling like she's going through some emotional distress, judging by the way she greeted me. Where has she even been? I've been asking you for a while now, and you've been beating around the bush."

"Oh, Yaya, I told you she went to her friend's house, and she hasn't been out long; you just happened to arrive. As for emotional stress, well, it could just be the ups and downs of life, you know how living goes. But she was fine when we woke up today. I'll ask her later if something is bothering her."

He stood up, putting on his shoes. "Alright then, I'm heading out and might not return until night because I'm going to make the rounds. You know I've been away for a long time this time—even right from the motor park, Kabir and the guys have been calling me." "Have a safe trip, and greet them for me."

As soon as he left, Aunty quickly got up and went into the kitchen to fetch Ameerah's food. She found her sitting down with both hands propped on her chin, deep, deep in thought. Aunty tapped her, and with a heavy sigh, Ameerah said, "Oh, Aunty, it's you. Sit down," she said, making space for her on the edge of the mattress. Aunty sat down, watching her in silence for a long time until she finished studying her.

"Did Hajiya Saudah come over?" Meerah quickly looked at Aunty in surprise and asked, "How did you know?" Smiling, Aunty replied, "The sheer panic you're in right now is enough to tell me that Hajiya Sauda's face caused it in your heart. But my question is, how did that happen, knowing Ameerah is not a coward, especially when she sets her mind on something?"

"Hmmm, Aunty, you don't understand. It wasn't even her that scared me; it was just the way they started twisting the narrative. Hajiya Sauda saw me and got terrified, thinking I was Yaya Maryam! Then they started saying that unless I'm a witch, how could she lose her mind upon just seeing me? Thank goodness the young master walked in and told me to leave, because I had no idea how to clear my name. Honestly, even her reaction startled me, because that's not what I want. I actually want to get close to her heart, but if she acts coldly toward me, everything will be ruined."

"Hajiya Saudah would never see you and fail to react, and she never takes her eyes off young girls, let alone you. She just went into shock upon seeing you, but I assure you that by tomorrow, her senses will return, and you'll know how to handle her."

"Aunty, look, Yaya is back. I'm so scared now—how am I going to keep going out of this house?" "Aunty, that's what I was thinking too, especially when you saw how he cornered me with questions about where you were. I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced by my story about you visiting your friend, knowing you don't care about visiting just anyone." "Then we have a problem, Aunty." "Don't worry, Insha'Allah, we'll figure out how to frame it. Just keep going without him finding out, right?" Meerah quickly asked, "What do you think will make him agree? You know Yaya—he is easygoing, but when it comes to this kind of thing, he doesn't budge. I'm honestly starting to feel like giving up on this whole plan, Aunty."

"Did I say you should leave him to me? I know what to say to him. Just make sure you wipe that worry off your face so he doesn't suspect anything else." "Alright, Aunty, Insha'Allah, he won't notice a thing."

Rufaidah

At night, Hajiya Saudah was preparing to go to Abba's room—knowing he had a suite in every wing, and she had heard him arrive earlier. As she finished up everything, Rufee asked, "Mama, are you going to Abba's place?" Hajiya Saudah looked at her and asked, "Is there a problem with that?" "No, Mama, I just wanted us to talk for a bit," she said, scratching her head. Hajiya Saudah turned back and sat down, saying, "I'm listening."

"Mama, earlier when you weren't around, Abba was talking to me about marriage..." She paused. "Go on, I'm listening. Is there someone you like?" "Ehhh, Mama, except that the way Abba wants to arrange it—pairing my marriage up with Rumaisa's—doesn't sit well with me. You promised that whenever I got married, the wedding would be unlike any ever seen in this town! So why is he saying it should be done alongside theirs? It's just sheer hypocrisy, Mama. You really should see the things they did to me while you were away. Even Abba kept scolding me, calling me ill-tempered."

"Put their matter aside. As for joint weddings, I wouldn't condone that either. By the way, has she found a suitor herself?" Rumaisa curled her lips and said, "How would I know? You know I don't dabble in their affairs."

Hajiya Saudah beamed and said, "So, who did you find for yourself then? Because we actually thought about pairing you up with Hajiya Sa'a's son. Thank goodness I didn't give a direct answer and said I had to consult you first. It turns out you already have someone you like! So who is he, and whose son is he?"

"Haba, Mama, who else could it be if not Yaya Mu'aisam? You know I've been on this matter for ages!" "You must have lost your mind, Rufaidah! I had no idea. What on earth would you want with that wretched boy who hates your mother and doesn't love her? I've never had trouble with Alh except because of him. So if you're dreaming, wake up, because I will never support such foolishness, I'm telling you! Think straight early on and find someone suitable, or else accept Anwar, the son of Hajiya Sa'a. Because whatever qualities are needed in a man that he doesn't have—he's handsome, first-class, and I bet when you see him, you'll realize he beats that good-for-nothing at everything. They have money, power—literally everything you know in life, God has given them."

The fact that she didn't answer her didn't mean she wouldn't grant it to them; she did it to preserve her dignity. "You are at an age where you can pick a completely different husband, but I swear, if you play around, I'll make Alh marry you off to Anwar even if you don't want him!" With that, she left the room because she didn't want Rufee to break her heart. God alone knew how much she loved Rufaidah, but she didn't feel that love would ever make her agree to let her marry some good-for-nothing like Mu'aisam.

Rufaidah sat frozen in disbelief, having never imagined a day would come when she would say she wanted something and Mama would say no. As far as she knew, whatever she wanted, Mama always provided, even if it didn't fully satisfy her. Maybe Mama is just joking, or perhaps she's simply out of sorts right now, because I noticed ever since what happened earlier, she hasn't fully recovered. And you, Rufee, why would you bring that up when you knew she wasn't in a balanced state of mind? Her heart kept arguing with her, and she convinced herself of that logic. So, she didn't worry too much and went back to her room to sleep.

Then the earlier incident between Hajiya Saudah and Meerah crossed her mind again. It baffled her deeply to see the sheer panic both of them had entered. Could it be that they actually know each other? "Nah, how on earth would Mama know such a wretched person when she has no connection to her whatsoever? Or could the girl really be a witch? If so, Yaya Mu'aisam was right—she should have eaten her first. But let me watch and see; I swear, if Mama doesn't come to her senses by tomorrow, I'll have Meerah arrested—no, not just her, but her wretched parents too!" With these thoughts swirling, sleep finally overtook her.

Meerah

Early in the morning, she finished her chores just like every other morning. She never left without lightening Aunty's workload first. Afterward, she sat down, waiting for Aunty to come out because she wanted to know how things went with Yaya—did he agree or not? Seeing time slipping away, she kept checking her phone's clock, and eventually, she decided to walk over to their room to check on them.

Right at the door, she bumped into Aunty. They smiled at each other as they stepped into the room. "I know you didn't sleep a wink, wondering whether Yaya agreed or not." "I swear, Aunty, I was so scared he'd refuse. You know how this husband of yours is—he requires tact." Laughing, Aunty said, "Indeed! Because I framed it just right, and he even gave transport money!"

"No, Aunty, seriously? Did you really tell him that? I didn't think he'd agree so easily." "Meerah, no matter how you think a man is, he is nothing in front of his wife—unless she doesn't know her own worth. When he returned, he saw me looking troubled and kept asking what was wrong. I told him nothing was wrong, but when I saw he was genuinely concerned, I said, 'Yaya, I made a foolish mistake, and now I'm regretting it without getting your input first. I'm scared because I don't know how you'll take it. You see, Ameerah is always sitting at home doing neither studies nor learning a trade—just wasting time. The day I went to my friend's house, I found her teaching children tailoring, and I wished Meerah could learn it too so it could benefit her future. So she's been going there daily in the morning and returning by 2 PM. Yesterday when you came back and didn't find her, she was there. I was scared to tell you because I didn't know how you'd take it, but please forgive me and don't make her stop going.'"

"He listened in silence before taking a long breath and saying, 'Hafisa, this is self-improvement; what's there to fuss over? I won't stop her, but don't you see the danger in her leaving so early and walking a long distance before finding transport? I don't want anything to happen to her the way it happened to Maryam.' 'Insha'Allah, Yaya, nothing but good will happen. Just pray for our success.' 'Alright then, may God help and provide what is sought.'"

"Did you hear how we talked? He even gave transport money!" Meerah hugged her tightly in joy and said, "Aunty, thank you so much. I'm so happy! Insha'Allah, nothing will go wrong. Let me go thank him right now—I was already dressed and just waiting for you." "Have a safe trip," Aunty told her as she stepped out.

To Meerah's surprise, as soon as she stepped out of the house, she found the Manager's car parked right in front. She definitely recognized the car, but she pretended not to see him and kept walking. By the time she reached the main road and was about to flag down a motorcycle, he pulled up right in front of her. Turning away, she kept walking, but he quickly got out of the car and blocked her path.

"Haba, Ameerah, how do you want me to deal with my own heart? You flatly refuse to give me a chance to get close to you. Forgive me if I'm pressuring you, but I swear it's the fault of my heart—I love you! Please get in so I can drop you off wherever you're going, and we can finish our talk in the car." Seeing that he would keep following her if she didn't get in, she simply complied. He opened the car door for her, she got in, and he walked around and climbed into the driver's seat.

Once they were on the move, he asked, "Where are we headed?" "As if you didn't know where I was going, yet you insisted on picking me up." Smiling, he said, "Well, forgive me, I wouldn't mind driving around this town like this forever anyway. So if you won't tell me, I'll just keep driving you around." "What about your work?" "Uhm, I'll just call and tell them today Madam barred me from stepping out." Before she could stop it, a smile slipped out, revealing her teeth. "Look at you! You're beautiful when you scowl, but what do you think you look like when you smile?" Eager to deflect the topic, she said, "Take me to the neighborhood where you saw me the other day." He looked at her, wanting more explanation, but she turned her face away because, as God is her witness, she didn't like his habit of chasing multiple women—she had no plan for polygamy in her life; whatever God destined for her was enough.

He drove her right up to the estate gate. Despite his insistence on driving inside, she managed to get him to park outside. In her mind, she thought, Good thing he doesn't know my status in this house. Before she could finish her thought, she heard him ask, "What do you even come to do in this house?" Looking at him quickly, she pushed open the car door and said, "A maid." With that, she slammed the door shut without even looking back, knocked for the gatekeeper to let her in, and rushed inside as if she might trip.

In the courtyard, she found Mu'aisam reading a newspaper. She hurried her steps because she didn't want him to see her, but just as she was about to slip past, she heard the impact of his voice landing on her: "Hey, come here..."

MABARACIYA Story and writing by FIDDAUSI SANI (damsel feedorh) Chapter 19

She turned back with a silent prayer to God hoping he wasn't addressing her. It seemed likely, as his attention was locked entirely on the newspaper he was reading; you wouldn't even think he had spoken. Maybe I misheard. He didn't even look at me, her heart told her, so she resumed her walking until she slipped into the wing where she worked.

Her action didn't sit well with him at all. If there was one thing he detested, it was speaking to someone, having them hear him, and completely ignoring him. That was one trait of the girl he had noticed—every time you spoke to her or asked her a question, she acted as though she hadn't heard you. "Well, I'm going to teach her some manners," he muttered, returning to what he was doing.

She entered the parlor with a greeting, but as usual, she found no one inside, so she simply began her chores. While she was cleaning, Hajiya Saudah walked out of Abba's room and stopped dead in her tracks, staring at her. Abba's voice prompted her to answer quickly in a trembling tone: "Saudah, did you also see what I saw?"

In a shaky voice, she asked, "What is it?" He pointed at Meerah and said, "I know you too must have seen the resemblance." "No, I didn't see anything. Resemblance to who do you see in her?" "I swear, Hajiya, the moment I saw her, I thought of the Barrister. If I didn't know he died leaving no offspring and no relatives, I would have said without a doubt that this one is of their blood."

"Oh, Alh! It's just your eyes playing tricks on you. How could this one become their blood when Rufaidah said she found her wandering the streets begging, which is why she helped her? Even you know this one doesn't look like someone from a wealthy background." "That's true as well, but honestly, I saw the resemblance. Leave me out of it—I know that even if Hajiya Ammi saw this one, she'd say they look alike."

Furious, she snapped, "Well, even if they look alike, I didn't ask anyone else to meddle in my household affairs! Even if they didn't look alike, you'd probably claim they do since you said it first. You know how mischievous you are, but I won't tell lies just to please someone. Besides, I swear, this maid of mine belongs to me, and no one has the right to interfere in my business concerning her."

He fell silent and listened. A woman acting like a possessed person—what is even worth arguing about here, especially when no one said they were taking the girl anywhere else? Knowing that if he spoke up, they might start throwing tantrums right in front of Meerah, he simply said, "Well then, just have breakfast prepared early for me, I'm telling you—by 10 I'm stepping out..."

Summary

The narrative revolves around Ameerah (Meerah), a young woman working as a maid in a wealthy household while trying to conceal her true identity and motives, navigating complex tensions. Ammi warns Ameerah to be cautious because the household's head (Alh) doesn't allow outsiders to mingle freely, and the residents dislike staff associating with outsiders. Back at work, Meerah is confronted by Larai about being summoned by Hajiya Rufaidah. When Meerah enters the parlor, she faces a hostile group of women led by Rufaidah, who berates and slaps her, accusing her of being a lazy beggar or a witch. Hajiya Saudah (Rufaidah's mother) descends the stairs, catches sight of Meerah, and is suddenly thrown into visible shock and terror, whispering the name "Maryam," which momentarily relieves Meerah as she realizes Saudah mistook her for someone from her past. Mu'aisam (the young master) steps in with cold indifference, defuses the immediate tension, and tells Meerah she can leave, frustrating Rufaidah and the other women who suspect Meerah of witchcraft.

Later, Meerah returns home to her family, where her brother-in-law Yaya Labaran and Aunty discuss her well-being. Aunty skillfully handles Yaya Labaran to secure his continued permission for Meerah to leave the house daily under the guise of learning tailoring. Meanwhile, Rufaidah confronts her mother, Hajiya Saudah, about marriage plans and her desire to marry Mu'aisam, but Saudah vehemently rejects the idea, pushing her toward Anwar instead. The following morning, Meerah encounters the estate Manager, who intercepts her and offers a ride, which she reluctantly accepts before abruptly ditching him at the estate gate. Upon entering the house to resume her chores, Meerah is once again noticed by both Abba and Hajiya Saudah, who whisper about an uncanny resemblance between Meerah and a deceased individual named "Barrister," while Saudah defensively insists on maintaining absolute control over her maid.

Description

A dramatic and culturally rich contemporary Hausa domestic drama set within an affluent, multi-generational household. The story expertly weaves themes of class disparity, hidden identities, family politics, jealousy, and subtle romance. It portrays the stark contrast between the humble struggles of characters like Meerah and Aunty, and the insulated, high-status lives of wealthy antagonists like Hajiya Saudah and Rufaidah. Emotional beats—ranging from physical abuse and psychological shock to quiet manipulation and forbidden affection—drive the plot forward, keeping the atmosphere thick with suspense and unresolved secrets.

Analytics

• Pacing & Narrative Structure: The excerpt utilizes a dual-setting structure (the humble home of Meerah/Aunty versus the opulent estate of Alh/Saudah) to build social contrast and suspense. Flashbacks and character reactions (especially Saudah's visceral shock) serve as literary devices foreshadowing a deeper, blood-related connection between Meerah and the wealthy family.
• Character Dynamics & Conflict:
  • Meerah vs. Rufaidah/Saudah: A classic clash of class and hidden identity, where Meerah's quiet resilience counters the arrogant hostility of her employers.
  • Mu'aisam's Role: Acts as a neutral or protective buffer against his family's toxicity, though his motivations remain layered and calculating.
  • Aunty & Yaya Labaran: Represents the working-class domestic support system, utilizing tactical diplomacy to protect Meerah's freedom.
• Thematic Motifs: Jealousy (kishi), mistaken identity, ancestral resemblance, and the vulnerability of impoverished youths seeking labor in elite households.

Comments

• The sudden terror displayed by Hajiya Saudah upon seeing Meerah is a major turning point, confirming that Meerah bears a striking resemblance to someone named Maryam or a deceased Barrister from the family's past.
• Mu'aisam's indifferent yet pragmatic handling of his family's paranoia highlights his emotional detachment from them, while still inadvertently protecting Meerah.
• Aunty proves to be a brilliant strategist, successfully outmaneuvering Yaya Labaran's suspicions with clever emotional framing.

Conclusions

The events of these chapters solidify the premise that Meerah is not just a random beggar picked up off the street, but someone intrinsically linked to the dark past or bloodline of the household—likely tied to the mysterious "Maryam" or "Barrister." As Hajiya Saudah struggles to regain her composure and suppress her panic, and as the family dynamic frays over marriage and status, Meerah's continued presence in the estate is rapidly becoming a ticking time bomb that threatens to unearth buried family secrets.

Keywords

• Ameerah (Meerah)
• Hajiya Saudah
• Rufaidah
• Mu'aisam
• Aunty (Nafisa)
• Yaya Labaran
• Maryam
• Barrister
• Mabaraciya
• Domestic Drama
• Hidden Identity

Table: List of People (Characters)

Additional Tables and Lists

Key Locations and Settings

Thematic Elements and Plot Drivers

Chapter-by-Chapter Plot Sequence