Buzuh Book 1 Compeleted

Description

Act I: The Palace Shadows

Nana fell back, trembling with fear and panic, and whispered, "Who is there? Who is here?" But there was only silence; no one spoke to her.

She turned on the lamp only to catch sight of Imam Hammad standing inside the room. She stepped back in terror, clamping a hand over her mouth to swallow a scream born of fright and shock.

"If you scream so that Asal hears you, you will have to explain to her what brought me into this room, and whatever punishment she decrees for you, you will undergo it—no matter how severe."

She gazed at him pitifully, her eyes wide with terror.

He walked slowly toward her, stopping right in front of her, fixing her with a stare that unhinged her even more as her body shivered uncontrollably.

"Who are you?" he demanded, pinning her with his eyes.

"I am nobody," she stammered, her body trembling with dread, wondering if he had lost his mind yesterday when she went to his private quarters.

"Tell me who you are! And with what purpose did you come to this house?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head at him, and said, "By Allah, I am nobody at all. Your wife is the one who brought me here."

"Did you know me somewhere before this?"

She lifted her head to look at him, slowly shaking her head as her eyes filled with tears.

"You stopped me from eating bananas; I ate them and fell ill. You stopped me from riding the camel; I rode it and fell off. When I see you, I feel things inside me I cannot comprehend—as though you are not human. The taste of your food feels just like a meal I used to eat somewhere I cannot remember, and if it is not the food you cook, nothing tastes right on my tongue. You wear my brand of perfume; you give me milk and black seed—something not everyone knows I drink. Tell me who you are, and where you knew me?" He spoke while moving even closer, raising his voice at her.

"I do not know you. I have never been to Agadez except this once, and I know nothing about you," she said, tears marching continuously down her face.

He let out a breath and said, "Even if someone sent you to play with my mind, fear Allah. The trials that have encircled my life are already enough for me. Do not let me catch you in any kind of falsehood."

She fell silent, lowering her head toward the floor.

"Nana, right?"

She nodded to him in fear.

"Forgive me for terrifying you. I do not want Asal to figure anything out; she would only despise you more." With that, he turned and left her room.

She hurried to find a spot to sit, catching her breath from the sheer intensity of her fright.

Act II: Tensions at the Family Home

Sagir took Yusra and went to Shukura's house to offer further condolences alongside Hajiya Amina, and to reassure Shukura's parents that they were not suspecting her of Yusra's disappearance, as she claimed.

They sat in the grand parlor. Hajiya Amina looked withered from trauma and anxiety. To the side sat Yusuf, Shukura's older brother, his face equally shadowed with stress.

After exchanging greetings, Hajiya Amina asked, "Sagir, is there still no news regarding Shukura's disappearance?"

"By Allah, Mami, none. I've patrolled the security offices, but there is nothing. Every day they just tell me to let the investigation continue. They couldn't even track where her phone is. I've completely lost touch with what kind of investigation this is."

Hajiya Amina said, "It is well. God is supreme; let us keep praying to Him. In shaa Allah, she will be rescued."

Alhaji Zailani emerged, dressed to go out. They greeted him respectfully, but he ignored the pleasantries and barked, "What is the status of Shukura's case? Is there still no news?"

"Yes, Daddy, but we are praying; in shaa Allah she will be found."

"Look, I am tired of this dilly-dallying! From my side, I am going to push for a tightened investigation, because I don't even trust you, Sagir. How can a girl vanish in broad daylight while heavily pregnant, and you or your wife are nowhere near accountability? Why weren't you the one to vanish instead?"

Hajiya Amina protested, "Haba, Alhaji! How could Sagir orchestrate Shukura's kidnapping, and where would he even take her?"

"Just keep quiet for me, woman! Anything is possible!" He finished his rant and stormed out.

Hajiya Amina sighed, "Please forgive him, Sagir. He is simply consumed by trauma and anxiety over Shukura's disappearance. By Allah, do not worry; she will be found by God's grace."

Yusra chimed in, "If my friend were here, perhaps she could have told you where Shukura is."

They all turned to look at Yusra. She added, "Yes, Nana! You remember her, don't you?" She asked, looking at Hajiya Amina.

Hajiya Amina nodded. But Sagir intervened, "Mami, let's leave. You know she isn't fully well."

Mami remarked, "Oh, poor thing. But she has a point—I know Nana. Where did you know her from?"

Yusra fell silent, not wanting people to say she lacked full mental stability, but ever since entering the house, she had smelled Nana's scent lingering in the air.

Act III: The Stolen Phone

As for Nana, after the Fajr prayer, she lay awake turning thoughts over in her mind, wondering what her ultimate escape route could be. She felt that every day her circumstances were growing more tangled.

She picked up her phone to look at pictures of Muhsin. She missed him intensely, so much so that tears welled in her eyes. She resolved to seek permission from the Imam to visit home so she could check on him.

However, a sensation akin to sleep overcame her—or rather, what one might call sleep paralysis, which some attribute to a jinn pressing down on a person. She tried with all her might to rise, but she couldn't. She tried her best to pray, but failed.

She saw a human shadow enter the room, though she couldn't discern its gender—whether male or female. As the shadow approached, the phone was snatched right out of her hand, and the figure slipped away.

Startled with terror, she bolted awake, exhausted, panting, and darting her eyes around. She saw no one in the room. She felt around, but her phone was gone. Her heart plunged into horror. She lifted the mattress and tossed aside everything where she sat, but there was no phone to be found.

She jumped up with urgency, opening her clothes cabinet to see if it had fallen inside, but it was completely gone. She dashed outside to check for any sign of whoever had entered the wing, but spotted no one. Her panic spiked wildly due to the sheer mystery of who had stolen her phone.

Fearing Asal's wrath if she was late completing the cooking, she rushed into the kitchen.

She emerged feeling subdued, cleaning the parlor as Asal walked out. Just as Nana tried to slip past her, Asal greeted her, "Peace be upon this time."

"Peace be unto you. Oh, by the way, don't bother setting out food for Imam; he's been gone since dawn. They are holding a Sultanate council meeting."

Nana nodded. If that was the case, it wasn't him who had entered her room earlier. Could it have been Asal?

Quickly she started, "Um, Your Highness, I wanted to ask..." She trailed off, stopping herself before she altered the narrative.

Asal said, "I'm listening."

"Ah, never mind, it's nothing." Asal walked past her and went outside.

Nana's heart remained completely unsettled. She didn't know whose hands her phone was in, nor where the explosion would hit next, especially since the phone had no security lock. She didn't suspect the household staff, as they lacked authorization to enter that wing.

Act IV: The Council Clash

Everyone sat in lavish attire, holding discussions. The Sultan spoke: "I am delighted to announce that the Royal Gold Company is entering into an agreement with France regarding gold and uranium extraction. Therefore, I propose that we send Imam Hammad and Omar to review the treaty framework. Additionally, here at home, we have a meeting regarding how to boost our camel export trade to foreign nations. We need new strategies to expand their breeding and movement. I shall attend this meeting myself alongside Imam Asad and Zahradeen."

Maleek clapped his hands and burst out, "For God's sake, Jalaludeen, don't you feel any shame openly displaying your nepotism and selfishness right in front of everyone?"

Everyone lifted their heads to stare at Tafawa.

"You are sending your son to handle the Gold and Uranium treaty, while lumping our children into the camel trade?"

Abduou Matawalle intervened, "Tafawa, you need to watch what you are saying! You are speaking to the Sultan!"

"I am not speaking to you; I am talking to my brother," Tafawa snapped, cutting Matawalle off.

The Sultan smiled and said, "It is not what you suspect, Tafawa. Hammad is your son as well, and to me, all their positions are equal."

"They are not equal! Why didn't you send Zahradeen instead of him—a man who isn't even in full health?"

Imam Zahradeen spoke up: "Your Excellency Tafawa, Imam Hammad and I are one. If he goes to represent the palace in Agadez, there is nothing wrong with it."

"Shut up! Do you even have the audacity to chime in when I am speaking to your father? I am sick of this favoritism you keep showing! You constantly strive to push your son onto the Sultan's throne by force, despite him being unfit. He lacks psychological soundness and mental stability! Look at his fingers—he lacks his signet ring. And after years of marriage, he has no heir! How do you expect a blind man to lead those with sight? How can a man who cannot even stand on his own two feet represent a royal house like Agadez in commerce?"

With a sharp roar, Sardaunan Agadez thundered, "What kind of language is this you are using, Tafawa? Do not forget whom you are addressing! The palace has nothing to do with your personal enmity against the Sultan; we can have your turban stripped and punish you for this! Isn't Hammad your son too? He is married to your daughter, and he is your nephew! Shouldn't you be covering his faults if any exist? As for his ring, we will investigate it. Children are a gift from God; it is no excuse to deny him an opportunity. Whether he has a child or not, if God destines him to rule Agadez, by Allah, he will rule!"

The entire assembly fell dead silent.

Sardauna turned back to the Sultan respectfully and said, "I beg your pardon, my leader, for raising my voice before the King."

Hammad looked closely at the Sultan and said, "I beg your permission to step out for a moment." With a nod from the Sultan, Hammad stood up and left.

The Sultan's heart felt as though it had caught fire from the pain of his brother's insults directed at his son.

Act V: The Breaking Point

Imam Hammad returned straight home, his heart burning with anguish over Tafawa's words. He headed toward the guest wing to isolate himself, only to find Mahmoudu waiting inside.

Without a word, Hammad sat down with eyes blazing red. Mahmoudu shifted closer, noticing his bloodshot eyes, and asked, "Imam, are you alright?"

Hammad remained silent at first, then said, "Mahmoudu, I want to ask the Sultan to remove me from anything related to this governance. I don't want it."

Mahmoudu widened his eyes. "Why? You know that is impossible. You have attained the rank of Imam, and you know what that means."

"Have me replaced! Since there are others who want it. I want to distance myself from this house, find peace, and live my life freely where no one can pester or suffocate me. In this house, I feel like I'm walking on fire. For nothing at all, I was publicly insulted and called a fool! Tafawa degraded me simply because the Sultan asked me to represent the palace in France? By Allah, one day they will look for me and find nothing!"

Mahmoudu thought to himself, (Last time you ran away, you dragged me into disaster.) Aloud, he pleaded, "Please have patience. Wherever you go, you won't be able to stay; you'll just end up coming back. Please be patient."

Hammad gave Mahmoudu no reply and closed his eyes.

Act VI: Political Machinations and Resignation

Meanwhile, a grand lady sat fuming as if she would burst, glaring with bitter frustration at the young man before her.

"Zahradeen, what kind of spineless man are you with no self-respect? I just heard that you told the Sultan to send Hammad as representative because you and he are the same. Whose father's house are you running? An effort is being made to secure your freedom, yet you talk nonsense! The Sultan is blatantly showing favoritism between you two, yet you act as if he put you under a spell! Well, I am no spellbound fool. I didn't fight tooth and nail for you to become Imam just for you to miss out on becoming the Sultan of Agadez! I will not sit by and watch your foolishness waste my hard work, I'm telling you!"

Zahradeen remained silent, saying nothing. He truly didn't see the Sultan's actions as preferential treatment toward Hammad; he simply believed the Sultan gave him special care due to his health struggles with blood pressure and the absence of a mother.

Arguments flared on regarding the France trip. When council sessions resumed, opinions were split. Some supported sending Hammad due to his merit, diligence, and superiority over the other Imams in knowledge, social interaction, and language proficiency. Others backed Tafawa's stance that Hammad could not represent Agadez until they probed his missing ring, evaluated his mental health, and reviewed medical reports from his years in France. These criteria were designed to drag out time so the conference date would pass unfulfilled.

Realizing the hall was about to erupt into chaos, Imam Hammad cleared his throat. Speaking respectfully, he said, "I am deeply grateful for this opportunity offered to me, but the peace and tranquility of Agadez come before everything else. I beg for your forgiveness; I will not be able to undertake this representative journey due to my ongoing health condition. Illness can seize me anywhere. Therefore, Tafawa is right—I need rest."

Sardauna roared, "You do not have the authority to decide that!"

"Your Grace Sardauna, Tafawa spoke the truth. I do not deserve all these positions. I am stepping down from the Imamate as well to seek my health."

"We know you are unwell, but you are on medication. An ailment should not stop you from working."

"A mental illness! A madman cannot represent sane people. I beg your pardon."

With that, he walked out, his eyes burning red and his body beginning to tremble.

The hall fell dead silent in shock.

Sardauna snapped at Tafawa, "Look at what you've caused!"

"I didn't lie! Didn't he just admit his son is mad?" Tafawa retorted, glaring at the Sultan.

Act VII: Homecoming and Rising Suspicion

Darkness swam before Hammad's eyes from intense rage and emotional trauma. The man who had been a father to him had just hurled those harsh words in front of everyone.

He had long shown him animosity, but it had never been so overt until he became Imam—especially following his return from abroad, where he was forced to stay for two years due to illness while everyone was barred from visiting him.

He stepped into the parlor where Nana was busy with chores. She paused, remembering Asal telling her he wouldn't return until later. She watched him storm straight into his master bedroom, curled her lip, and went back to work—though her heart wondered what had thrown him into such a furious uproar. Though she had no deep connection to his world, he was a man of few words yet naturally cheerful.

Asal walked out of the bathroom and found him lying on the bed. Looking at him, she asked, "Amour, why are you back? Is everything alright?"

Asal's voice only infuriated him further, reminding him of her father's public humiliation. He ignored her completely.

She walked over to the vanity, answered a ringing phone, placed it down, and turned back to him. "The Sultan is summoning you to his quarters right now."

He gave her no answer. She walked up, sat beside him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He sat up furiously, shoved Asal's hand away, stormed out, and completely left the suite.

She stood frozen in shock, wondering what on earth was wrong with him.

Act VIII: Jamila's Mystery Illness

In deep anxiety, Mama stared at Jamila, who had wasted away into an unrecognizable, frail skeleton with a massive shock of unruly hair.

"Jamila, I truly cannot understand you anymore! Look how you've withered. You must prepare yourself so we can visit traditional healers or find out if witches have seized you, because you are suffering and refusing health!"

"No witches have seized me," Jamila muttered.

"Then if not witches, what kind of sickness is this? You've completely abandoned your trading business!"

"Leave me alone, I will heal," Jamila snapped, exhausted by Mama's nagging.

While they spoke, Yaya Atine arrived. Mama welcomed her warmly.

"You are out and about this evening?" Mama asked.

"By Allah, yes. I noticed I hadn't checked in for a couple of days, so I thought I'd drop by. Is Isan out?"

"Yes, he went out."

"And who is this?" Yaya Atine asked, looking at Jamila.

With distress, Mama replied, "She is unwell. I've tried everything to get her to see a healer, but she refuses. Hospital treatments failed, and her condition keeps worsening daily."

"What on earth is ailing her like this?"

Mama sighed, "There she is—constant fever, no appetite, refuses to go out. Western medicine failed, and she refuses traditional remedies."

Yaya Atine stared hard at Jamila until Jamila grew annoyed and stormed out of the room. Yaya Atine uttered a heavy "Mhmm" and shifted the conversation.

Shortly after, she bade Mama farewell and left. Coincidentally, she ran into Baba at the end of the street, so she sat down to chat with him along the path.

"So, Jamila is unwell?" Baba asked.

"Yes, by Allah, they are struggling; no one can figure out what's wrong with her."

"Indeed. Truly, you people ought to dig deeper into investigations, because you beget a child, but you don't beget their character."

Uncomprehending, Baba asked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean nothing specific, lest people say I said it. I only say: dig deeper into investigations. Safe journey!" She walked off, leaving him standing there pondering her cryptic words.

Act IX: Father and Son Confrontation

With fierce anger, the Sultan glared at Imam Hammad, longing to strike him across the face to vent his fury.

"So now you've finally seen fit to answer my summons?"

Hammad shook his head. "Forgive me. My body was acting up, which is why I couldn't come out immediately."

The Sultan softened his tone slightly and asked, "Did something happen after your departure?" Hammad shook his head.

Soothingly, the Sultan said, "Hammad, victories are not won by breaking down and surrendering at the first hurdle. And Tafawa Maleeka did not lie—I want you to inherit the Sultanate throne simply because I have a dream and a wish for you to correct the mistakes I made in the past. I do not wish for you to become Sultan out of selfishness; whether you achieve greatness in this world or not, I pray for your success in the Hereafter. You have knowledge, you have wealth, and you have status. What you need is authority to execute certain things. You are the only one for whom my throne is meant, and you are far more steadfast and principled than the others. Your visions for Agadez will transform many lives, unlike the others who only care about the crown itself without facing the challenges. Please, have patience, endure, and do not throw sand in my eyes. It is your very excellence that has made my council members resent you, nothing else."

Imam Hammad let out a long breath. "Abie, I have heard all your explanations. But please forgive me; I have already broken. The insults hurled at me are too harsh and ugly; they pierce my heart deeply."

"I know. But I do not need you to dispute what I bring; you only need to obey me. Besides, the council has already ruled on Tafawa for what he did."

Hammad looked at the Sultan. "I hope they didn't pass a harsh sentence on him. I don't want the relationship between us to sour further—I am married to his daughter. At the very least, he is a father figure to me, and Asal is my sister-wife."

The Sultan shook his head. "Do not worry, the ruling will not affect bloodlines and relationships. Go and rest."

Hammad bowed respectfully, expressed his gratitude, and stepped out.

Once he left, the Sultan sat alone, his heart choked with anxiety, wondering how on earth Tafawa had discovered the truth about Hammad's condition. He wondered if Asal had told him, but even Asal did not know about Hammad's mental lapses—she only knew he suffered from physical illness, bodily changes, tremors, and spasms.

Act X: The Oath of Vengeance

Tafawa paced back and forth in his parlor, his chest heavy with bitter resentment as he recalled how some of the Sultan's council members had discredited him when he exposed Hammad's mental instability.

He scoffed angrily, "You want to play games with me? I will prove to the entire world that your son is mad! He will throw a public fit for the whole world to witness and testify to! The throne you are trying to shove him onto shall become forever forbidden to him. Power is not something you are born holding just because you say so! Last time we sat and watched as you were hoisted up while telling us we weren't worthy. This time, the crown must leave your house..."

(BUZU BOOK 1 COMPLETED BY AYSHACOOL)

Summary

Set against the backdrop of royal intrigue, hidden identities, and psychological turmoil, Buzu Book 1 follows Imam Hammad, a deeply principled yet medically fragile royal heir whose elevation to power sparks intense political and familial warfare.

The story opens with Nana, a mysterious young woman who has arrived at the palace under strange circumstances, experiencing intense déjà vu, amnesia, and unexplained visceral reactions around Hammad—who himself is haunted by fragmented memories and strange familiarity toward her. Meanwhile, hidden plots thicken: family rivalries boil over in the royal council led by the ambitious Tafawa Maleeka, who bitterly opposes Hammad's succession by publicly weaponizing Hammad's private health struggles and mental vulnerability against the Sultan.

Parallel subplots track tension surrounding missing persons (such as the disappearance of the pregnant Shukura, dragging characters like Sagir and Yusra into suspicion) and mysterious afflictions striking side characters like Jamila. As political betrayals peak, public humiliation drives Imam Hammad to reject the throne and step down, while Tafawa vows to tear down the royal dynasty once and for all.

Description

• Genre: Hausa Royal Drama / Romance / Psychological Mystery
• Setting: Agadez / Traditional Royal Palaces and Family Households
• Protagonists: Imam Hammad (the troubled royal heir) & Nana (the mysterious newcomer with lost memories)
• Antagonists / Conflict Drivers: Tafawa Maleeka (ambitious council member driven by malice and family rivalry)
• Core Themes: Power struggles, hidden identities, mental health stigma, family loyalty vs. betrayal, and fateful connections across time.

Analytics

• Character Arc Dynamics: Imam Hammad shifts from a reluctant, overburdened intellectual seeking peace to a broken figure publicly humiliated, leading to his ultimate abdication. Nana evolves from a terrified captive of circumstance to a central enigma whose forgotten past holds the key to Hammad's sanity and the royal household's secrets.
• Pacing & Tension: Alternates between intimate, atmospheric character encounters (the night meetings, psychological paralysis) and high-stakes political showdowns in the Sultan's council chamber.
• Thematic Motif: The contrast between public status and private suffering (the mental health battles of Hammad versus the ruthless political ambitions of Tafawa).

Comments

• Strengths: AyshaCool excels at building palpable emotional tension, psychological claustrophobia (such as Nana's sleep paralysis and Hammad's panic triggers), and high-drama dialogue within traditional African royal courts.
• Narrative Depth: The intertwining of multiple subplots (Shukura's disappearance, Jamila's mysterious illness, and the main royal succession crisis) creates a rich, expansive storytelling canvas.
• Conclusion of Book 1: The cliffhanger ending leaves the power dynamics radically altered, setting up an intense conflict for subsequent books as Tafawa prepares open warfare against the Sultan's bloodline.

Conclusions

• The Fall of Succession: The traditional monarchy in Agadez faces internal decay not merely from external threats, but from bitter factionalism, weaponized medical stigma, and parental pressure.
• Unresolved Mysteries: Core questions remain concerning Nana's true identity, her past connection to Hammad, the theft of her phone, and the dark truth behind Jamila and Shukura's fates—all pointing toward deep secrets waiting to be uncovered in the next installment.

Keywords

• Imam Hammad
• Nana
• Agadez
• Sultanate
• Tafawa Maleeka
• Royal Politics
• Hausa Fiction
• AyshaCool
• Buzu Book 1
• Psychological Mystery

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