ZEEY YAR BARIKI BOOK COMPELET HAUSA NOVELS BY ZEEY KUMURYA 

He fell silent for a second time before continuing to speak. "The reason I am afraid to approach Neehal with this matter is because I feel as though she might not accept my offer of love."
Haneefah replied, "Ya Sadik, I have heard the matter you brought to me, and I am very happy about it. But the honest truth is that approaching Neehal with a proposal of love right now is an extremely difficult task, because she has still not recovered from the death of her former fiancé, Anwar."
Sadik said, "May Allah have mercy on him. It will certainly take time for her to heal from the pain of his death. May Allah have mercy on his soul and forgive him."
Haneefah said, "Amen. But do not worry, Ya Sadik. Leave everything in my hands; I will figure out how to approach her about it."
"How exactly?" Anwar—no, Sadik—asked her.
Haneefah replied, "Give me a little time. I know what I will do."
Sadik said, "Alright, thank you. I'll await your word."
With that, they said their goodbyes. Haneefah remained quiet, deeply pondering how she could get Neehal to accept Sadik's love. She thought about it for a long time before standing up and returning to the parlor.
Mommy was still sitting in the parlor. Haneefah sat close to her and said, "Mommy, do you know what?"
"Not until you tell me," Mommy replied, turning to look at her.
Haneefah said, "It's Ya Sadik. He told me that he loves Neehal."
A wide smile spread across Mommy’s face, and she said, "Oh, Masha Allah! May Allah bring goodness from it."
Haneefah added, "Amen. But Mommy, there is a problem."
"What kind of problem, Haneefah?"
"Mommy, it’s Neehal. I know she will never accept Ya Sadik's love because we spoke about this the other day. She told me that she will never entertain another man in the name of love again, ever since Anwar passed away."
Mommy remarked, "Nonsense! Is that how she intends to stay without ever getting married, or what does she mean? Women get married, their husbands pass away, and they remarry and live peacefully—let alone her, where he was merely her fiancé. It is just childishness that is affecting her."
Haneefah explained, "Well, Mommy, it's because she saw both Jameel and Anwar get killed. She claims she won't love anyone else so that they won't be killed too."
Mommy said, "That is no excuse at all. Life and death are entirely up to Allah. As for those who died, their designated lifespans had simply come to an end. May Allah have mercy on their souls. As for her, may Allah bring her a good husband so she can build her marriage."
Haneefah replied, "Amen."
The following evening, Neehal visited Haneefah’s house. While they were sitting in Haneefah’s bedroom, Neehal looked at her and said, "Besty, I haven't told you the news."
Haneefah asked, "What news?"
Neehal said, "My Yaya is about to get married."
Haneefah’s eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "Wow, what a nice story! So you mean Aunty Hamida is finally moving into the house?"
Neehal replied, "Hmmm. I am very happy that Yaya is getting married, but I've already started missing him."
Haneefah teased, "Stop that foolishness! It's not like you see him every day anyway."
Neehal insisted, "Even so, I will miss him over."
Haneefah joked, "Then you should follow him to his house. Since you and Aunty Hamida don't get along anyway, you two can just stay there and fight it out."
Neehal corrected her, "But he is not marrying her."
"What do you mean?" Haneefah asked in surprise.
"Exactly as Allah decreed. He is marrying an old girlfriend of his, Hafsat," Neehal answered.
Haneefah nodded and said, "May Allah have mercy. I swear I feel so sorry for Aunty Hamida, considering how much she loves Yaya. I never imagined he would marry anyone else."
Neehal agreed, "Me too, Besty. I was shocked, and Mama is quite troubled by it too."
Haneefah said, "May Allah bring goodness and spare our lives in good health to witness the grand celebrations."
Neehal said, "Amen to that."
Haneefah exhaled and added, "They really should have combined your wedding with Yaya's."
Neehal gave her a sharp look and countered, "They might as well combine it with yours instead. I actually heard Mama saying that the month chosen for his wedding seems to match yours."
Haneefah joked, "Then let’s combine all of us and have it together!"
Neehal pouted and said, "As for me, I have completely removed the idea of marriage from my plans. I am just going to focus entirely on my studies."
Haneefah argued, "Look at you talking. Even if you agree to sit around unmarried, Mama will never allow you to just sit in her house without a husband."
Neehal replied, "Well, is she going to marry me off without a groom? Don't I have to be the one to bring the husband to her first?"
Haneefah countered, "Finding a husband won't be difficult for you, given the massive crowd of suitors you have."
Neehal said, "Keep thinking that. I have entirely given up on the matter of romance in my life, let alone letting it lead to marriage."
Seeing how genuinely serious Neehal was, Haneefah could only stare open-mouthed at the marvel of God's work. However, she excused her friend's behavior because she knew Anwar was still deeply alive in Neehal's heart; that was why she felt she could never share her life with another man...

*********** ABUJA ***********

Hameedah’s Mommy was pacing up and down her parlor in a state of extreme anger and distress. Her friend, Hajiya Saratu, who was sitting in the parlor, watched her in astonishment and asked, "Suwaiba, is everything alright? I watched you storm out of the room and start marching up and down like someone on a military parade."
Mommy drew a long breath and exhaled in sheer fury, saying, "How can anything be alright, Saratu? That hypocritical, wretched woman has orchestrated her usual wicked schemes."
Hajiya Saratu asked, "Who exactly?"
Mommy walked over to the sofa where Hajiya Saratu was sitting and sat down beside her, speaking with immense bitterness. "Just now, the General called me. He said we needed to discuss something. I gave him my full attention, assuming it was a productive, prosperous matter. But the moment he opened his mouth, he said, 'Suwaiba, we need to speak regarding these children, Ameen and Hameedah.' I adjusted my seating happily, expecting him to say they were setting a date for the wedding. Instead, I heard his voice saying the exact opposite! He said he called Ameen and spoke to him about marriage, telling him to present a wife, and Ameen openly stated that he does not want Hameedah—that he loves someone else! He told me they have already gone to the girl's family home to discuss it. Next week, they are taking the pride price to hold their engagement and set the wedding date."
Hajiya Saratu unleashed a massive string of expletives and added, "Yes, indeed! You have every right to call her a wicked schemer. Because without a doubt, this is entirely the work of that wife of his, who carries herself as if she is superior to everyone else."
Mommy said, "I knew something went wrong, because that woman despises both me and my children. But I swear to God, this time she will not succeed! I will show her who I truly am; she will find out exactly who Suwaiba is. I was so furious with the General that I hung up the phone on him while he was trying to give me some sermon about how a person's spouse is destined from the grave and everything is up to Allah. I didn't even bother listening to the rest of it."
Hajiya Saratu asked, "So what is the plan now?"
Mommy replied, "I know exactly what to do. If this marriage between Ameen and Hameedah doesn't happen, I swear to God, it will only be because I am no longer breathing. But before I do what needs to be done, let me first call that hypocrite and humiliate her."
Mommy finished her statement, stood up, went into her room, and grabbed her phone. Her body was trembling with rage as she searched for Mama’s number and dialed it.
Mama was at the hospital, preparing to head home since it was already late afternoon, when Hameedah's Mommy’s call came through. Without thinking twice, she answered it, completely unaware that the General had already called the woman to discuss the matter.
"Listen here, you hypocrite, you deceitful saboteur! So you've displayed your usual treacherous character and stopped your son from marrying my daughter? Because I know Ameen would never just wake up and say he doesn't want Hameedah. Who knows, you probably even used your Fulani sorcery on him to make him refuse her!"
These were the exact words Mama heard the moment she pressed the phone to her ear. A small, subtle smile appeared on her face. Speaking with her usual poise, dignity, and calm, she responded, "Am I really that powerful, Suwaiba? To stop Ameen from doing something and have him actually comply? Therefore, go ahead and do whatever you feel you must do about it."
Like a madwoman, Mommy shrieked, "I swear to God, you will see exactly what I will do! You will find out what kind of person you are dealing with in Suwaiba!" She finished her words while aggressively pounding her chest.
Mama scoffed, and as she began to pull the phone away from her ear, she heard Mommy yell, "And I know exactly why you did this! Because for a long time now, I've noticed how desperately you want to give Ameen to that scrawny girl whose own family couldn't even keep a hold of!"
Mama initially thought of firing back an answer, but then she simply hung up the phone; she had absolutely no time for the woman's drama. Hearing Mama cut the call only infuriated Mommy further. She erupted into a frenzy of rage, screaming profanities and throwing tantrums like someone freshly possessed by spirits. Hajiya Saratu sat right beside her, fueling her anger even more.
Close to Maghrib, Hameedah returned home from work, looking profoundly exhausted as though she had been doing heavy manual labor. She tossed her bag and veil onto a sofa, sat down, and groaned, "Whew, Mommy, I am so tired."
In a cold, detached tone, Mommy muttered, "Welcome."
Hameedah looked at her mother. From the sharp tone of her voice, she immediately recognized that things were not right. Surprised, she asked, "Mommy, what happened? I see you look deeply upset."
Mommy said, "There is a problem, Daughter. A massive problem, in fact."
Slightly panicked, Hameedah asked, "What happened, Mommy? You're making me anxious."
Mommy sighed, "Hmmm, just leave it, Hameedah. It's that woman, Fatima, the General's wife..." Mommy proceeded to narrate the entire sequence of events to Hameedah.
Hameedah let out a piercing shriek, jumping to her feet in utter devastation. "Wallahi, Mommy, this cannot happen! How can I spend years waiting for him, only to be told now that he won't marry me?" She finished her words as she burst into tears.
Mommy stood up and approached Hameedah. She placed her hands on her shoulders, speaking in a soothing, comforting voice, "Wipe your tears, Daughter. As long as I am alive, nothing will stop your marriage to Ameen. Set your mind at ease."
Weeping, Hameedah pleaded, "Mommy, for God's sake, figure something out. I swear I cannot live without Ya Ameen."
Mommy guided her to sit back on the sofa and reassured her, "Let your heart be as still as cloth soaked in water. Assure yourself right now that your marriage to Ameen is as good as signed and delivered."

***********

Neehal was in the kitchen preparing dinner when Mama returned home. She rushed out of the kitchen and hugged her, saying, "Welcome, sweet Mom."
Mama smiled and said, "Thank you, Daughter. How is the house?"
Neehal replied, "Alhamdulillah, just dealing with work exhaustion," she concluded in a classic pampered pout.
Mama noted, "Welcome. What are we cooking? I can smell the aroma spreading absolutely everywhere."
Neehal smiled roguishly, "You'll have to come and eat to find out."
Mama smiled and headed upstairs as the call for Maghrib prayer began to sound...

Chapter 13

Neehal returned to the kitchen to continue her work. After the Maghrib prayer, Mama was sitting in her room on the prayer mat reciting her supplications when her phone rang. She checked it and saw it was Hameedah’s Mommy calling again. She hissed in annoyance and set the phone back down. She already knew Hameedah’s Mommy would act wilder than this upon learning that Ameen would not marry Hameedah. Mommy tried calling repeatedly, but Mama flatly refused to answer.
This rejection only provoked Mommy further. She continued her tirade, calling various relatives one after the other to spread the news of what was happening. Meanwhile, Hameedah tried calling Ameen’s line repeatedly, but he wouldn't answer either, which devastated her further and caused her to break down in bitter weeping.
Mama was sitting in Dad’s parlor while he enjoyed some fruits. Looking at her with a warm smile on his face, Dad remarked, "You look like you have something on your mind, Doctor."
Mama replied, "It's nothing at all, Hubby. Even if there is anything, it's simply regarding Ameen's wedding preparations. When are you taking the pride price?"
Dad said, "On Sunday, Insha Allah."
Mama said, "May Allah bring us to it."
Dad asked, "Where is Daughter?"
Mama answered, "She's over there resting. She claimed she was thoroughly exhausted today."
Dad said, "Let me call her on the phone; I missed her today."
Neehal was lying on her plush bed, deep in reflection about her life, when her phone beside her began to vibrate. She let out a heavy sigh, wiping away the tears that were tracing down her face. She sat up, biting her lip as her heart ached with grief. Checking the phone, she saw Dad was the one calling. With a sluggish body, she answered it and held it to her ear.
Dad asked, "Daughter, were you sleeping?"
Neehal replied, "No, I am just lying down."
Dad said, "I haven't seen you since morning, and I came back only to find silence from your end. Aren't you coming over for our usual chat tonight?"
Neehal smiled, filled with warmth and immense affection for her father. "I will come, My Dad. I'm on my way."
Dad said, "Wonderful, my blessed daughter. See you when you arrive."
Neehal set the phone down after he ended the call, releasing a long sigh. She missed Anwar terribly. Especially whenever she was left entirely alone, she could do nothing but think of him. She offered a silent prayer for his soul, then stood up with a heavy heart and walked toward Dad’s section.
She offered a greeting as she entered the parlor. Mama looked at her and answered. Moving closer to Dad, she sat beside him and said, "Abbunah, good evening."
Dad patted her cheek affectionately and said, "Welcome, Daughter. Your mother mentioned you were exhausted today, yet I dragged you out, right?"
Neehal smiled, "No, Dad, it's fine. I've rested."
Dad asked, "So, how is your work? I hope there are no issues?"
Neehal said, "None, Dad."
Dad noted, "Masha Allah."
Neehal looked at Mama and said, "Mama, I would love to go to Anwar's Ammi's house tomorrow to pay my respects to her."
Mama said, "May Allah spare our lives to see it."
Dad joked, "In fact, I should drive you there myself. From there, you can accompany me to my courtship visit, at..." He finished his statement by winking playfully at Neehal.
Neehal smiled and asked, "To that beautiful, kind woman's place in the neighborhood we always visit?"
Dad laughed, "Yes, exactly her! You know she cooks exceptionally well, and I've missed her food."
Neehal laughed, glancing at Mama. Mama simply shrugged and pouted. She was entirely used to Dad and Neehal’s playful banter; they treated her almost like a grandmother, teasing her whenever they were in high spirits. Sometimes she chose to play along, and other times she simply met them with silence. Tonight, she joined in, which significantly lightened the heavy sorrow Neehal was carrying, as Dad was inherently full of humor. It was around 10:30 PM when Mama escorted Neehal back to their section.
While putting on his sleepwear after stepping out of the shower, Dad said, "Doctor, I haven't told you how things went with Suwaiba regarding Ameen's matter."
Mama asked, "How did it go?"
Dad said, "She didn't even let me finish speaking before she hung up the phone on me. Right after I concluded the Maghrib prayers, I received a call from our elder brother in Abuja. I answered, we exchanged greetings, and he told me he heard a rumor from Suwaiba. I told him I was actually planning to call him regarding the matter. The day after tomorrow, Insha Allah, I will travel down to Abuja personally."
Mama said, "May Allah set it right and avert any chaos."
Dad said, "Amen."
Mama purposefully hid the fact that Hameedah’s Mommy had called her to hurl insults, wanting to avoid provoking trouble; she knew Dad had a short fuse when it came to disrespect and would immediately call her back in anger.
As Neehal stepped out of the bathroom, she noticed her phone ringing. She answered it quickly upon seeing it was her older brother.
"Hello, Yaya!" Neehal exclaimed.
"Is that how you say hello over the phone?" he replied in his smooth, remarkably calm voice.
Neehal apologized, "Sorry, it's just the excitement of you calling me, Yaya."
Ameen asked, "Haven't you slept yet?"
Neehal said, "Uhm."
"What kept you up?"
"I was at Dad's section chatting. I just got back and I'm about to sleep."
Ameen said, "That's good."
In a playful, spoiled tone, Neehal teased, "Yaya, where is Aunty Hafsat?"
He asked, "Who is that?"
Neehal laughed, "Your Aunty Hafsat, of course!"
Deliberately playing it cool, he replied, "Oh, she's perfectly fine."
Neehal said, "Give her my highest regards, please."
He said, "Insha Allah. Bye."
Neehal said, "Good night."
With that, they ended the call. Neehal changed into her soft, white pajamas, dimmed the bedroom lights, and lay down. She brought up Anwar’s photos on her phone and began scrolling through them. Due to the deep physical exhaustion wearing down her body, she didn't realize when sleep finally drifted her away.
The following day was Tuesday. Neehal had the day off from work. After the Asr prayer, she emerged fully dressed to head out. She went to Mama’s room to say goodbye.
Mama said, "You're already dressed and Haneefah isn't even here yet."
Neehal noted, "Yaya Faruq is in town, you know! That's why seeing her these days requires filling out a formal request form."
Mama smiled, "No wonder I haven't heard a peep from her for two days. Are you heading out all by yourself then?"
Neehal said, "No, I'll drive by her place, pick her up, and we'll go together."
Mama cautioned, "Alright, but do not stay out late. You see, you'll be the one driving, and I absolutely do not like you driving on major highways at night."
Neehal promised, "Insha Allah, Mama, we won't stay long."
Mama reminded her, "May Allah protect you. Don't forget your prayers before leaving the house and when getting into the car."
Neehal said, "I won't forget, Mama."
Mama added, "Good. See you when you return, and take the parcel along. Give them my regards."
Neehal replied, "Alright," and left the room.
They arrived safely at Anwar's family home, and Ammi received them with her characteristic warmth. While they were sitting in the parlor after greeting Ammi, Najwa—Anwar's younger sister—walked in carrying a tray. She placed it before Neehal and Haneefah, saying, "Aunty Neehal, please have some water."
Neehal smiled, "Thank you so much."
They struck up a conversation with Najma and Ammi. After a while, Haneefah looked at Ammi and asked, "By the way, Ammi, what is the status regarding the people who killed Anwar? Have they been identified?"
Ammi sighed, "Up until today, it's complete silence. There is no news, and nobody knows who they are."
Haneefah said, "May Allah expose them swiftly."
They all chorused, "Amen." Before Maghrib, they bade them farewell and departed.

After 2 Weeks

Dad and his delegation successfully delivered Ameen’s bride price to Hafsat’s family home, where the wedding date was formally set for four months down the line. Rumors and gossip spread rapidly through Dad’s extended family. Some asserted that Ameen had wickedly deceived Hameedah; others claimed he was only marrying Hafsat for her father’s immense wealth. Conversely, some argued it was for the best that he wasn't marrying Hameedah, as they were a terrible match anyway.
Hameedah’s Mommy was practically driven mad by the development. Despite the pride price being delivered, she continued to soothe Hameedah, fiercely insisting that as long as she was drawing breath, Ameen would have no other wife but her. Meanwhile, Neehal, Haneefah, and Neehal’s other cousins were overjoyed about their brother’s formal betrothal.
Next week, Neehal and her peers were scheduled to resume university. She was in her room ironing her hijabs when Mama walked in. "Neehal, we have guests coming to the house today."
Neehal asked, "Who is it, Mama?"
Mama replied, "Ameen mentioned that Hafsat is coming over to pay her respects to me. Leave that ironing, come along, and let’s prepare some refreshments for them."
Thrilled, Neehal exclaimed, "Right away, Mama! So we have very important guests today."
Mama urged, "Hurry up so time doesn't slip away."
Neehal threw herself into the task, meticulously preparing an array of diverse snacks and treats alongside her cousins Dije and others who assisted her. Once they completed the work and she showed the spread to Mama, Mama smirked and noted, "My word, Neehal! If I had been the one to assign you this chore, I know you would have wept and thrown a tantrum before doing it. Yet, because it’s Ameen's fiancée coming, you haven't shown a single trace of exhaustion." Neehal simply offered a shy smile. Mama instructed, "Go take a shower before they arrive. Dije and the others will arrange the food on the dining table." Neehal agreed, "Alright."
Hafsat was the only daughter of her father, an incredibly wealthy tycoon. Hafsat had loved Ameen passionately, with an intensity that knew no boundaries, but Ameen had consistently shown absolute disinterest in her. In the past, she used to visit Mama’s house repeatedly back when they lived in Abuja just to pay her respects and curry favor. Eventually, realizing Ameen genuinely harbored no affection for her, she backed off and left him alone—though not because her love for him had faded.
Now, they arrived at the house in a magnificent, luxury vehicle. Her personal driver was upfront steering the car, while she and her close friend, Fadeela, sat comfortably in the back. Once he parked the car, the driver stepped out quickly and opened the door for her. With an air of absolute majesty and pride, she stepped out, surveying the vast courtyard. Despite her father being substantially wealthier than Dad, there was nothing her own family home could display that would outclass the sheer beauty, elegance, and design of Ameen's family house, save for it being larger in size.
Walking with measured, elegant strides, she made her way forward with her friend following closely behind. One of the domestic staff guided them toward Mama’s private section. Hafsat was experiencing immense joy during this visit to Ameen's family home because she was arriving formally as a future daughter-in-law, a stark contrast to the past when she came as a desperate suitor seeking acceptance.
Fadeelah turned to her and remarked, "Hafsy, I've noticed you are wearing a very special, profound expression of joy today, as if today is your actual wedding day."
Hafsat widened her radiant smile and said, "Hmmm, Fadeelah, you see, this visit to Ameen's house is different—I am coming as a daughter-in-law. It's completely unlike the old days when I came with a begging bowl."
Fadeelah noted, "Honestly, you love Ameen far too much."
Hafsat replied, "Trying to quantify the amount of love I have for Ameen is a complete waste of words, given the massive, overwhelming volume of it occupying my heart."
Fadeelah asked, "But why didn't he wait until he returned from Lagos so you could visit while he is physically present?"
Hafsat explained, "I was simply too impatient; I desperately wanted to come and greet his Mum. Even when he suggested I wait until his return, I insisted that I simply had to come right away..."
Her words were suddenly cut short as Zulai opened the door. Zulai welcomed them, saying, "Welcome, please come inside." Fadeelah responded warmly, but Hafsat merely offered a slight, haughty expression and swept past her into the house. Zulai showed them to a seating area and then headed upstairs to inform Mama of their arrival.
Hafsat began stealing glances around the parlor, profoundly impressed and captivated by its exquisite beauty, layout, and the gentle, premium fragrance wafting through the atmosphere.
Upstairs, Mama sent Neehal down to escort the guests up. Neehal came down bursting with genuine excitement to finally welcome her future sister-in-law. The moment she began descending the staircase, Hafsat locked her eyes onto her, her heart suddenly dropping heavily. She immediately recognized her as the exact Neehal whom Ameen spoke about constantly; in fact, she...

2. Story Analysis & Analytics

Character Development & Expanded Profiles

• Ya Sadik: A newly introduced suitor seeking to pursue Neehal. He is highly respectful, self-aware of Neehal's fragile emotional state, and chooses to route his intentions through her best friend, Haneefah, and family structures rather than catching her off-guard.
• Neehal: Her character arc deepens into profound grief and trauma. We learn she has lost two consecutive partners to violent deaths (Jameel and her recent fiancé, Anwar). This has induced a deep psychological fear of romance, leading her to believe she carries a curse or that any man she loves will be killed. She masks this heavy grief with dynamic professional output and family banter, but weeps bitterly when left alone.
• Suwaiba (Hameedah’s Mommy): The primary antagonist introduced in this segment. Based in Abuja, she is incredibly volatile, highly superstitious (accusing Mama of using "Fulani sorcery"), classist, and intensely protective of her daughter Hameedah’s marital prospects. She displays zero respect for patriarchal or marital boundaries, hanging up on the General and aggressively calling family members to form a faction.
• Hameedah: Ameen’s cousin who has spent nearly ten years waiting to marry him. She is completely broken by his rejection, collapsing into a state of emotional codependency where she claims she cannot live without him.

• Hafsat: Ameen's newly confirmed fiancée. She is the pampered, only daughter of an elite billionaire tycoon. While deeply infatuated with Ameen, she harbors a distinct undercurrent of upper-class superiority, offering haughty expressions to the domestic staff (Zulai) and carrying herself with immense pride, though she is highly respectful of Mama.

  Structural Shift & Plot Escalation

  The narrative splits into two massive parallel conflicts:

1. The Domestic Grief/Romance Plot: Focuses on Neehal's emotional stagnation, Sadik's hidden intentions, and the introducing tension between Neehal and Hafsat. Hafsat's immediate spike in anxiety upon seeing Neehal suggests a latent jealousy regarding the deep, intense bond Ameen shares with his younger sister.

2. The Elite Family Feud Plot: Focuses on the fallout of breaking traditional cousin-marriage expectations within Hausa-Fulani aristocracy. The tension between the Kaduna/Kano household (The General and Mama) and the Abuja household (Suwaiba) highlights structural family politics.

   Cultural & Socio-Linguistic Context

• "Fulani Sorcery" (Siddabarun Fulani): Reflects tribal tropes and intra-ethnic biases often explored in contemporary Hausa literature, used here by Suwaiba to explain away her daughter's organic rejection.
• "Cousin-Marriage Expectations": Hameedah waiting for ten years implies an informal family arrangement common in traditional settings, which Ameen breaks by choosing Hafsat.

• The Proverb (Zaman Tsumma Cikin Ruwa): Mommy telling Hameedah to rest her heart "like cloth soaked in water" is an idiomatic expression for absolute certainty and stillness.

  3. Summary of the Progressing Story

  In this section, Ya Sadik approaches Haneefah to express his love for Neehal. Haneefah and her Mommy discuss the proposal but acknowledge a massive obstacle: Neehal has sworn off romance entirely because both of her past partners, Jameel and Anwar, were tragically murdered, leaving her terrified that any future partner will suffer the same fate. Later, Neehal visits Haneefah and reveals that Ameen is rejecting their cousin Hameedah to marry his wealthy ex-girlfriend, Hafsat. Neehal reaffirms that she is focusing strictly on her studies and abandoning marriage.
  In Abuja, an explosive conflict erupts. The General informs his relative, Suwaiba (Hameedah's Mommy), that Ameen’s pride price is being sent to Hafsat's family. Furious, Suwaiba launches into a wild rage, hanging up on the General, calling relatives to complain, and placing an abusive call to Mama, accusing her of using magic to sway Ameen. Suwaiba promises her devastated daughter, Hameedah, that she will stop Ameen's new marriage at all costs.
  Two weeks later, the pride price is successfully paid, setting Ameen's wedding for four months away. Hafsat visits Mama's house to pay her respects, arriving in luxury and displaying a proud, haughty demeanor. Neehal enthusiastically prepares refreshments and goes downstairs to welcome her. The segment ends on a tense cliffhanger as Hafsat stares at Neehal with a sudden drop in her heart, intensely aware that Neehal is the girl Ameen speaks of constantly.