AUREN GATA HAUSA NOVELS BY RUQAYYA MUHD ABOKI

The Innocent Bond

She was lying flat on her back on the living room couch, her eyes glued to the TV screen as she watched cartoons on MBC 3. Her entire attention was captured by the show. One look at her peaceful, carefree expression and you could tell she didn't have a single worry in the world. She couldn’t be older than 12 years old. She watched the screen in absolute bliss, completely oblivious to the people walking in and out of the living room.
Suddenly, a hard slap landed on her back. She spun around quickly, her eyes locking onto the culprit. Yazeenat let out a loud shriek, jumped up from the couch, and bolted after him. He was laughing hysterically, running for his life as she yelled, "Ya Yazeed! Wallahi, you better stop and let me hit you back! Wallahi, I must get my revenge!"
He turned around mid-sprint, made a mocking face at her, and ran even faster, colliding right into Mami, who was walking down the stairs. Yazeed quickly hid behind Mami's back, still laughing.
Mami looked at them, exasperated. "Mercy, what is wrong with you two? Don't you ever get tired of these endless, ridiculous fights?"
Laughing, Yazeed let go of Mami and sprinted upstairs. The moment he reached the landing near his room, he yelled, "Yazeenat!"
She took off up the stairs after him, shouting, "Wallahi, Mami, tell him to stop so I can hit him back!"
Mami called after them, "That is strictly between you and your brother!"
Yazeenat burst into a dramatic, spoiled tantrum, crying as she reached the top of the stairs. "Wallahi, Ya Yazeed, stop right there! Allah, I am going to get my revenge!"
He made another face at her from his doorway. "I'm the winner!"
She charged forward. "You can't escape from me!"
Just as she neared the door, he mocked her one last time and slammed the door shut, locking it with a loud click. Yazeenat collapsed against the door, banging her fists on it. "Wallahi, I am going to report you to Daddy! Wallahi, I won't take this! You better open this door right now before I get you into trouble with Daddy!"
Yazeed quickly unlocked and opened the door. Yazeenat threw herself at him, hitting him repeatedly all over his chest and arms while he just stood there laughing. When she finally ran out of breath, she stopped, panting heavily like someone who had just run a marathon. She jumped up in celebration. "Yee! I got my revenge!"
But a second later, she began shaking her hands and pouting dramatically. Yazeed gently took her hands, sat her down beside him, and pulled his own ears in apology. "I'm so sorry, my little princess sister." He mimicked her hand-shaking gesture.
Yazeenat burst out laughing, made a funny face at him, and bolted out of the room, giggling. Yazeed laughed too, chasing after her and calling out, "Yazeenat!"
Yazeenat ran downstairs and threw herself into Mami's arms, laughing. Mami shook her head. "You two genuinely never tire of jumping around. Look at you, you've completely weighed me down."
Yazeed ran into the room, collapsed onto a nearby seat, and panted heavily. Mami looked at him sternly. "You are grown, Yazeed, but you still act like you don't know it. At 18 years old, it's time to sober up and settle down. Instead, every single day you behave like a toddler. Besides, you're about to leave for university soon—at least leave me in peace."
Yazeed slid closer to Mami, adopting a whiny, spoiled tone. "Haba Mami, I am still a child!"
Yazeenat looked at him and burst into laughter. "Mami, did you hear him? He claims he’s still a child, but look at him—he’s already growing facial hair!"
Mami burst into laughter. Yazeed groaned, "Mami, do you see this? You're letting her disrespect me."
Mami raised her hands. "Oh, I am not getting involved between you two. Anyone who steps between you always ends up looking foolish."
Yazeed rested his head on Mami's shoulder. "Seriously though, Mami, I don’t want to be separated from my sister. Please, Mami, tell Daddy that I’ve changed my mind about going to Istanbul. Please."
Yazeenat instantly chimed in, pleading, "Please, Mami! You see, I don't want to be separated from my brother either. Please tell Daddy to let him stay here."
Mami stood up, dismissing them. "You two are just an alliance of troublemakers. Save it for when your father returns. You can confront him together and tell him yourself."
The moment Mami left, Yazeed rested his chin in his hands, looking deeply depressed. Yazeenat walked over to him. "Ya Yazeed, are you angry with Mami? I am angry with her too since she made you upset."
He pulled her into a hug, smiling softly. "Did you forget? They say it is a sin to be angry with your parents."
Her eyes went wide with sudden panic. "Oh no! Does that mean I’m going to hell?"
Yazeed burst out laughing. Seeing him laugh at her expense, she glared at him, shoved him away, and stood up, pouting aggressively. "Fine! We are fighting again! And now, I am actually going to tell Daddy to take you away to Istanbul!" She ran out of the room.
The moment she left, a heavy weight settled in his chest. Every time his departure to Istanbul was mentioned, his heart ached. He couldn't wrap his mind around leaving Yazeenat behind; he loved his younger sister beyond measure. He forced himself up and walked outside. In the distance, he saw her playing.
"Buddy!" he called out loudly.
She spun around, twisted her mouth in a rude grimace, and went right back to what she was doing. He walked over to her, knelt on the ground in front of her, and pulled his ears, bowing his head. "I'm so sorry, my little sister."
She looked at him, made another face, and snapped, "From today on, you are not my brother anymore. Ya Tahir is my brother now!"
Instantly, Yazeed's expression darkened. He stood up and walked away without a word. He couldn't explain it, but whenever she chose Tahir over him, a burning jealousy and irritation consumed him. Why should she look at Tahir that way? He was her real blood brother—she didn't have any other brother besides him.

Page 3: The Threat of Departure

Lost in a maze of frustrating thoughts, Yazeed went straight to his bedroom. Around Maghrib, after the men returned from the mosque, Daddy walked into the house. Yazeenat instantly leaped into his arms, giggling. He patted her head affectionately. "My sweet daughter." She gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek, and he carried her into the center of the living room before setting her down.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she looked at Yazeed and made a mocking face. "Daddy loves me more!"
Yazeed ignored her entirely, stepping forward to greet his father. "Welcome home, Daddy."
Mami took Daddy’s briefcase to the bedroom and returned to find them already bustling around the dining table, serving food. She smiled. "Wow, it looks like I’m being completely sidelined tonight."
Daddy smiled back. "I came home starving today, and you know I hate eating out."
Mami pulled out a chair, sat down to serve her own plate, and then looked at Yazeed and Yazeenat. "So, what caused the fight between you two today?"
Yazeenat pouted. "Because I told him that he isn’t my brother anymore, and that Ya Tahir is my brother now."
Yazeed shot her a vicious, burning glare. Daddy and Mami laughed. "No one is stepping in to fix this for you. You two will just have to resolve it yourselves."
Yazeenat jerked her shoulder stubbornly. "Well, I am officially at war with him."
"Ah, the king of grudges is at it again," Daddy joked, looking at Yazeed. "Well, this war is going to have to end quickly, because you are leaving the day after tomorrow."
Instantly, the color drained from Yazeed’s face. Yazeenat’s eyes welled with tears. She dropped her fork, moved over to Daddy, and grabbed his hand. "Please, Daddy, cancel this trip. Please, Dad."
Daddy looked at Mami and shook his head gently. He took Yazeenat’s hand in his. "Daughter, don’t you want your brother to get a great education? Don't you want him to become like Sunusi Lamido? I remember you saying how much you admire Sunusi Lamido because of how well he speaks."
She nodded slowly, wiping away a tear. "Yes, Daddy."
"Exactly, daughter. So wouldn't you want your brother to become just like him?"
Yazeed stood up abruptly, tears streaming down his face, and walked out of the dining room. Yazeenat burst into loud sobbing. "You see, Mami? See, Daddy? Daddy made my brother cry! And you, Mami, you made him angry earlier! I am done with both of you!" She turned and ran frantically toward Yazeed's room.
Daddy sighed, shaking his head. Mami looked at him worriedly. "Alhaji, the attachment between these children is too intense. Once Yazeed leaves, we are going to have a massive crisis on our hands with Yazeenat's tantrums."
Daddy took a sip of his juice. "No matter how deep their attachment is, they must be separated. Because no matter how long it takes, Yazeenat will eventually get married and leave Yazeed anyway."
"That is true," Mami sighed.
Inside the bedroom, Yazeenat threw herself into Yazeed's arms, and they wept together. Slowly, Yazeenat reached up and began wiping the tears from his face. "My brother, please stop crying. I don't care about Daddy anyway."
Yazeed smiled through his tears, holding her even tighter. "So, am I your brother now, or is it Tahir?"
She looked up, still sniffing. "You are my brother. You are my everything."
They both laughed, and he held her close. In his entire world, there was no one he loved more than his sister, Yazeenat. She was his only sibling—Mami and Daddy had only managed to have the two of them. This was why the mere mention of Istanbul felt like a physical blow; he couldn't bear the thought of being away from her. Wrapped in each other's arms, sleep eventually overtook them.

Page 4: The Hidden Secret

Once they finished dinner, Mami and Daddy retired to their bedroom. Noting the absolute silence in the house, Mami called the housemaid. "Go to Yazeed's room, carry Yazeenat out, and tuck her into her own bed."
The maid went upstairs and found them sound asleep. With great effort, she carefully untangled Yazeenat from Yazeed's tight grip and carried her to her room. Mami went into Yazeenat's room, recited a protective prayer over her, and closed the door. She then checked on Yazeed, knowing how unsettled his heart was, before returning to her own bedroom.
She found Daddy sitting upright on the bed, clearly lost in deep, heavy thought. Mami sat beside him. "Alhaji, is everything alright?"
He looked up at her, his eyes clouded with anxiety. "Everything is fine, Hajiya. I’m just thinking about the intense attachment between these children. It is truly starting to terrify me. I don’t want to break the sacred promise I made to my late brother."
Mami placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know. Their attachment is terrifyingly deep. I honestly don't know how I will manage Yazeenat once Yazeed leaves for his studies. The love they have for each other is immense."
Alhaji sighed deeply. "I cannot break the oath I swore to my brother. I will never tell either of them that they are not biological siblings—especially Yazeenat, who is still far too young to understand the complexities of life. I believe that once Yazeed leaves, she will eventually grow out of it and forget this intensity. He is older and aware, so he won't forget, but it doesn't matter because Baba has already promised Yazeenat to Tahir in marriage."
Mami grimaced. "Alhaji, to be completely honest with you, I absolutely detest this family arrangement. I don't like this cousin-marriage at all, but it seems our hands are tied."
"What choice do we have?" Alhaji replied heavily. "It was Safana’s father’s dying wish. We must obey his command, whether we like it or not."
They spent the night restless and overwhelmed with worry, particularly Mami, who could clearly foresee that the emotional fallout of separating Yazeed and Yazeenat was going to be a massive catastrophe.

Page 5: The Farewell Journey

Early the next morning, Mami had Yazeed and Yazeenat get dressed because they were traveling to Safana today so Yazeed could bid farewell to the extended family. Yazeed’s face was completely set in a scowl; he was clearly in a horrible mood.
Yazeenat was dressed in a beautiful long gown patterned with tiny red flowers, looking exceptionally lovely. Yazeed took countless photos of her. Once they were fully ready, they ate breakfast. Mami escorted them to the car, giving them one final stern warning about their constant bickering.
The siblings sat in the backseat, and the driver took off. The entire way, Yazeenat chatted endlessly, but Yazeed's mind was completely elsewhere; he could only think about his flight tomorrow morning.
The moment they entered the town, they began running into various relatives. The driver pulled up in front of a massive family compound. They opened the doors and stepped out, Yazeed holding Yazeenat's hand in a tight, unyielding grip. They encountered numerous relatives in the courtyard before heading straight to the quarters of the family patriarch, Baban Safana (the grandfather). They knelt respectfully on the floor to greet him.
They spent the rest of the day touring the village, greeting various extended family members, and Yazeed bade them all goodbye. Around 5:00 PM, they began their journey back to Kaduna. By Maghrib, they were still on the road. Exhausted, Yazeenat laid her head on Yazeed's lap and fell asleep.
Yazeed stared down at her face. A wild, desperate urge filled his heart—he wished he could just pack her into his suitcase and take her to Istanbul with him tomorrow. They finally arrived home at 9:00 PM. The moment the car parked, Yazeed lifted her up in his arms, carried her straight to her bedroom, laid her gently on the bed, and walked over to his own room.
He lay down and closed his eyes, but tears instantly spilled down his face. Eight years away was an eternity. He was going to miss home terribly. Amidst his tears, exhaustion took over, and he fell asleep. His flight was scheduled for 7:30 AM the next morning.
At dawn, right after returning from the mosque, Daddy instructed Yazeed to take his bath and ensure he was fully packed and ready before 6:00 AM. The house servants had already arranged all his luggage. The parents deliberately avoided waking Yazeenat up from her sleep.
Once Yazeed was fully dressed, Mami brought him breakfast and sat with him until he finished every last bite. Daddy ordered the luggage to be loaded into the car. Taking his son's hand, Daddy said softly, "Son, it's time to go."
Tears streamed down Yazeed's face. "Daddy, can't I see my little buddy one last time before I leave?" He turned to Mami, who was also weeping. "Please, Mami, wake my sister up so we can say goodbye."
Before Daddy could stop him, Yazeed bolted down the hallway and ran into Yazeenat's room. She was still fast asleep. He approached her bed and whispered softly, "Bye, little sis. I'm going to miss you."
He turned and sprinted out of the room, wiping his tears, bypassing his parents entirely as he rushed out of the house. Mami and Daddy hurried after him. Mami caught him in a tight embrace, sobbing. "I'm going to miss you too, my son. Please take care of yourself, okay?" She quickly let him go and ran back inside, completely overwhelmed by her tears.
With bloodshot eyes, Daddy held Yazeed's hand, placed him in the car, and climbed in beside him. The driver pulled out of the courtyard, leaving the house behind. Yazeed collapsed against his father's shoulder, weeping uncontrollably all the way to the airport. At 7:30 AM, his flight took off, leaving Daddy to return home alone, heavy with the absence of his son.

Page 6: The Aftermath & The Leap in Time

Around 8:00 AM, Yazeenat finally woke up. She went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, performed her prayers, and stepped out of her room with a bright smile. Finding the living room completely empty, she sprinted straight to Yazeed's room.
"Ya Yazeed!" she yelled, bursting through the door.
The room was completely stripped and empty. Tears immediately filled her eyes. She checked the bathroom—empty. Panic seized her. She ran through the house crying at the top of her lungs, "Ya Yazeed! Where are you?" She searched every single corner, but he was nowhere to be found.
She ran frantically into Mami's bedroom and found her sitting on the bed. "Mami, where is Ya Yazeed?" she wailed.
Mami quickly got off the bed and pulled Yazeenat into a tight hug, trying to soothe her. Yazeenat violently wrenched herself free, screaming through her tears, "Mami! Where is my Ya Yazeed? Where did he go?"
With tears shining in her own eyes, Mami whispered, "He left."
Yazeenat let out a bloodcurdling shriek. "Mami, you let him leave? He didn't even say goodbye to me! Oh God, Ya Yazeed, please come back!"
Mami rushed forward and gathered her tightly in her arms. "That's enough, that's enough, it's okay."
"Why, Mami?" Yazeenat sobbed, her voice trembling violently. "Why didn't Ya Yazeed say goodbye to me? Why did he just leave?"
Mami gently held her face and wiped her tears away. "That's enough crying. You two will be talking on the phone all the time."
Yazeenat shook her head violently, her heart completely shattered. "Ya Yazeed doesn't love me anymore, Mami! That's why he left without saying goodbye! I hate him too! I don't love him anymore, Mami!"
Mami quickly placed her hand over the girl's mouth, shaking her head. "Don't say that. He is your brother, and he loves you immensely." Yazeenat buried her face in her mother's chest and sobbed. She refused to eat a single thing the entire day, completely consumed by a bitter, repetitive thought: Ya Yazeed left me without a farewell. It took hours of intense pleading from both Daddy and Mami before she finally swallowed a few tiny bites of food.
Meanwhile, the moment Yazeed touched down in Istanbul, he immediately called Daddy's number. His very first words were, "Daddy, where is Yazeenat?"
Daddy sighed softly. "She's right here, she has been crying non-stop."
Tears immediately flooded Yazeed's face. Unable to speak further, he hung up the phone, threw himself onto his bed, and wept bitterly over the painful separation from his only sister.

Eight Years Later

Years rolled by, and time moved forward relentlessly.
We return to the household eight years later. Mami called out loudly to Yazeenat from her bedroom. Yazeenat quickly emerged, looking breathtakingly beautiful in a tailored matching top and skirt. She carried an elegant handbag that perfectly matched her outfit, paired with stunning, high-fashion high-heeled shoes.
"Mami, I’m right here! I was just finishing getting ready," Yazeenat said, walking into the room.
Mami shook her head. "Your vanity is getting entirely out of hand. Just yesterday you insisted you needed to leave early for lectures today, yet you’ve spent over an hour obsessing over your makeup and outfit."
Yazeenat looped her arms around her mother from behind, hugging her tightly. "Oh, Mami, but look, I’m fully ready now! I won't even stop for breakfast."
"Absolutely not! You are not leaving this house without eating breakfast."
Yazeenat sat on the sofa, holding her mother's hand pleadingly. "Please, just let me go, Mami. I promise I’ll grab a snack at the university."
"Oh, listen to Miss Fancy Lifestyle and her snacks," Mami joked.
Yazeenat smiled, grabbed her bag, and ran out the door, throwing a quick "Bye-bye!" over her shoulder. Mami laughed. "Yazeenat and her dramatic antics."
Yazeenat unlocked her car, hopped in, and drove out of the estate. Heading straight toward her university campus, she turned up an Akon song on the stereo, nodding her head and tapping along to the rhythm. She parked inside the campus parking lot and walked over to where her friends were gathered.
Sitting down, she asked, "Wait, don't tell me the lecture hasn't started yet?"
Fadila, sitting next to her, rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Are you kidding? We've been waiting for that ridiculous lecturer since 7:00 AM, and he still hasn't shown up."
Yazeenat laughed. "See? That's exactly why I took my sweet time getting dressed properly, because I know exactly how he operates."
Fadila stood up suddenly. "Guys, move! Look, he's finally coming." The group immediately stood up, hurried behind her, and entered their department.
They finally finished their classes around 2:00 PM. Breaking her usual habit, Yazeenat didn't stay behind to gossip with her friends. She hopped straight into her car and took off. Suddenly, her phone began to ring. Her long, elegant fingers reached into her bag to answer it. A massive, radiant smile lit up her face the moment she pressed the phone to her ear.
"Ya Tahir!" she cheered.
From the other end, Tahir replied, "I'm currently at your house, just waiting for you."
Yazeenat let out a loud squeal of pure joy. "I'm on my way right now! Please, Ya Tahir, don't leave before I get there!" She cut the call and pressed down on the gas pedal.
She pulled into the house compound, parked, and ran inside so fast she almost tripped over her own feet. Walking into the living room, she saw two men standing with their backs turned to her. She couldn't immediately identify them.
"Ya Tahir!" she called out happily.
Both men turned around at the exact same time. Yazeenat let out a piercing shriek. "Ya Yazeed!"
She ran forward and threw herself into his arms in a massive hug. But a split second later, she suddenly pulled away violently, her expression hardening into a cold, angry pout. Mami and Daddy, who were walking down the stairs, burst into laughter.
Yazeenat marched over to her parents, complaining loudly. "I am not happy about his return at all! Nobody bothered to tell me he was coming back today!" She turned and ran up to her bedroom in a huff.
Yazeed smiled softly. "Yazeenat, the undisputed queen of drama."
Mami sighed. "See, Alhaji? I told you we should have warned her, but you insisted on making it a surprise!"
Yazeed quickly hurried up to her bedroom. He found her sitting on her couch, intentionally turning her back to him the moment he entered. "I am so sorry, little sis," Yazeed pleaded. "Wallahi, it was Daddy's idea to make it a surprise."
Tahir walked into the bedroom, laughing at the scene. Yazeenat stood up as if to storm out, but then she paused, a brilliant smile breaking across her face as she looked at Yazeed. "Yaya... you've changed so much."
He took her hand gently. "Let’s go downstairs to the living room." Tahir followed right behind them as they headed downstairs and took their seats.
Yazeenat turned to Mami. "Mami, my brother has grown so big! He's a total giant now."
Mami and Daddy laughed. Daddy smiled at her. "So, he isn't allowed to comment on how much you've grown, but you can comment on him? Don't forget, he is eight years older than you."
Yazeenat pouted. "Well, I am officially a big girl now, right, Yaya?"
Yazeed smiled warmly. "That's exactly how it is. My sister is a big girl now."
The family laughed together. Then Mami chimed in, looking at Yazeenat playfully. "Well, look at how you're obsessing over Yazeed. You completely ignored Tahir the moment you walked in, even though he's the one you were screaming for."
Yazeenat’s eyes went wide as she suddenly remembered Tahir's presence. She walked over to him, holding her ears in a playful, apologetic gesture, looking as if she were about to cry. "I'm so sorry, big bro."
Tahir turned his face away, feigning offense. "I am not accepting your apology."
Watching this interaction, a sudden, inexplicable rage flared inside Yazeed. He felt a deep urge to jump up and choke Tahir. He couldn't understand why, but just seeing Yazeenat and Tahir interacting and talking playfully made his blood boil.
Yazeenat shrugged her shoulders and turned to her father. "Daddy, look at him! He refuses to forgive me!"
Daddy chuckled. "That's between the two of you."
Mami stood up. "Alright, let's go to the dining table and eat. I made Yazeed's absolute favorite dishes today."
Yazeed stood up immediately and walked ahead toward the dining room without waiting for anyone. Tahir gently took Yazeenat’s hand. "Alright, I forgive you, my buddy." They walked side-by-side toward the dining table, entirely unaware of Yazeed's burning, watchful eyes tracking their locked hands.

Page 7: Seeds of Jealousy

At the table, Daddy looked at his son proudly. "Son, Istanbul clearly treated you well. Look at how incredibly handsome you've become. Or perhaps you've secretly brought us back a beautiful Turkish bride?"
The spoon in Yazeenat’s hand clattered against her plate. She froze, her eyes snapping directly to Yazeed's face, her head shaking in a subtle, frantic 'no' gesture.
Yazeed smiled softly, catching her reaction. "Oh, come on, Daddy. Why would I marry a woman from Istanbul? My future wife is right back home in Safana."
Mami looked up, surprised. "Safana? Who on earth is left for you to marry in Safana?"
Tahir took a sip of his juice and interjected, "Mami, I assume he means someone within the extended family. After all, Sadiya is the only eligible girl left unmarried in Safana right now."
Instantly, the smile wiped clean from Yazeenat’s face. Daddy smiled warmly. "Honestly, son, that is an excellent idea."
Yazeed forced a fake, empty smile, while Yazeenat abruptly stood up from the table and marched out of the room, heading straight upstairs. Her heart burned with an intense, raging irritation toward her brother.
What on earth is happening to me? Yazeenat thought frantically as she entered her room. Why am I feeling this insane jealousy over my own brother? Could it be... could it be that I am actually in love with him? Oh my God, I am ruined! How can an older brother and a younger sister fall in love? This is insane!
Downstairs, Tahir stood up from the table to follow her upstairs to her room. Yazeed’s eyes tracked Tahir's movements, and a sharp, bitter hiss escaped his lips. Mami and Daddy exchanged a deeply worried look; the very nightmare they had spent eight years trying to prevent was unfolding right before their eyes.

Page 8: Brother vs. Cousin

Tahir walked into her bedroom and found her sitting down, her head buried in her hands in deep distress. He took a seat beside her. "Buddy?"
She snapped her head up to look at him, but inside, a sudden wave of irritation toward him washed over her. Forcing a tight, fake smile, she whispered, "Ya Tahir."
He smiled warmly, taking her hand and pulling her up to her feet. "Where are we going, Yaya?" she asked softly.
"You're going to escort me out, because I need to head back home now."
She pouted, adopting a whiny tone. "Oh, come on, Ya Tahir! Why must you leave so early? Can't you stay until after Maghrib prayer?"
He shook his head gently. "No, I have some urgent matters to take care of at home."
She rolled her lips. "Fine, let's go."
Holding hands, they walked down to the living room. Tahir turned to Mami. "Mami, Daddy, I’m heading home now."
Daddy looked up. "I thought you were spending the night here with us?"
Tahir shook his head. "No, Daddy, I can't tonight."
Mami smiled. "Alright, give our warmest regards to your mother."
Yazeed sat nearby, his face completely hardened into a scowl. He looked away, aggressively sipping his juice to control his temper.
"Well, I’m leaving for Safana next," Tahir announced.
Yazeed stood up abruptly, his eyes laser-focused on Tahir's hand, which was still firmly wrapped around Yazeenat's. Walking past them aggressively, Yazeed muttered, "Let’s go."
The two of them escorted Tahir out to his car, and even during the walk, Tahir did not let go of Yazeenat’s hand. Yazeed let out another loud, aggressive hiss. Tahir and Yazeenat both turned to look at him.
"What's wrong with you?" Tahir asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yazeed shook his head coldly. "Nothing." He then directed a terrifying, lethal glare straight at Yazeenat. She quickly averted her eyes, pouting at him defiantly.
Tahir climbed into his car. "Alright, we'll see you guys when you come to visit Mummy in Safana." He looked at Yazeenat and waved. "Bye, buddy, we'll talk on the phone later."
Yazeenat smiled radiantly and waved back until his car drove out of the estate gates. The moment the car disappeared, Yazeed violently yanked her hand away from the gate. She spun around in shock. "What is your problem, Yaya?"
He scoffed bitterly, turning away. "It's completely obvious to the entire world by now that you are hopelessly in love with Tahir." He stormed back into the house.
Yazeenat ran frantically behind him into the living room, desperate to plead her innocence. They sat down together, and Mami groaned, "And here we go again. Goodbye to our peace and quiet."
In a spoiled, whiny tone, Yazeenat cried, "Mami! Can you believe him? He’s literally claiming that I am in love with Ya Tahir just because I waved goodbye to him!"
Yazeed snapped, "Mami, any blind person who looks at this girl can see she is entirely infatuated with Tahir!"
Instantly, Yazeenat’s eyes flooded with tears. "Wallahi, I do not love him! Daddy, tell him..."

Story Summary

Auren Gado (Hereditary Marriage) takes a dramatic, high-stakes leap eight years into the future, exploring the messy psychological fallout of a hidden family secret.

• The Childhood Separation: The story begins with the blissful but hyper-attached childhood of Yazeed (18) and Yazeenat (12). Their intense emotional bond and absolute refusal to be separated terrify their parents, Mami and Alhaji. To secure his future, Daddy forces a weeping Yazeed to leave for an 8-year university degree in Istanbul, deliberately concealing his departure from Yazeenat to avoid a catastrophic tantrum.
• The Forbidden Secret: While the children believe they are biological siblings, the parents harbor a massive secret: Yazeed and Yazeenat are not biological brother and sister. Alhaji swore a sacred oath to his deceased brother (Safana's father) to raise one of them as his own and never reveal the truth. Crucially, the late brother’s dying wish dictates that Yazeenat must marry her cousin, Tahir.

• The 8-Year Leap & Internal Chaos: Eight years later, Yazeed returns from Istanbul as a grown, deeply handsome man, while Yazeenat has grown into a stunning university student. The childhood bond instantly morphs into dangerous, confusing romantic tension. Yazeenat is plagued by intense guilt and panic, believing she is committing a sin by feeling wild jealousy over her "brother." Meanwhile, Yazeed is consumed by an uncontrollable, aggressive rage whenever he sees Yazeenat holding hands with her promised fiancé, Tahir.

  Character & Setting Description

  The Settings

• The Kaduna Mansion: The family's primary luxury estate. It is characterized by upscale modern living, an indoor staircase, flat-screen entertainment systems, separate private wings for the children, and an attached dining room where intense family confrontations take place.

• Safana Village/Town: The ancestral home of the extended family patriarch (Baban Safana). It is a traditional northern town where extended family structures dominate, and ancient marital pacts are strictly preserved.

  Key Characters

• Yazeed (The "Brother"): Now 26 years old. Having spent eight years studying in Istanbul, he returns physically transformed—tall, masculine, and exceptionally handsome. He possesses a volatile temper and a deep possessiveness over Yazeenat, which manifests as immediate, aggressive jealousy toward Tahir.
• Yazeenat (The "Sister"): Now 20 years old. A beautiful, fashionable university student who loves makeup, high heels, and luxury perfumes. While she retains her spoiled, dramatic personality, she is currently going through intense psychological torment as she realizes her feelings for Yazeed are no longer sisterly.
• Tahir (The Cousin/Fiancé): Yazeenat’s cousin from Safana. A handsome, calm, and traditional young man who has been promised Yazeenat's hand in marriage since childhood by the family elders. He is completely oblivious to the non-biological nature of Yazeed and Yazeenat's relationship and treats Yazeenat with open affection.
• Alhaji & Mami (The Parents): The keepers of the secret. Alhaji is a man of deep honor who refuses to break a deathbed promise to his late brother, despite seeing the romantic disaster brewing. Mami is practical but highly anxious, deeply regretting the traditional family arrangement (Auren Zumunci) that forces Yazeenat onto Tahir.