You know that kind of story that just makes you shake your head because the characters feel so real? That is exactly how I felt when I started reading RIQON KAKA by Ahmad. It is one of those books that takes you straight into a small neighborhood where everyone knows everyone’s business. The story centers on a young girl named Rukayya and her grandmother, whom everyone just calls Kaka. If you have ever lived in a house where a grandmother overprotects her grandchild to the point where the child becomes a total handful, then you will understand what is going on here. Rukayya is not just a regular kid; she is an orphan, and that is why Kaka treats her like she is made of glass. But the problem is, Rukayya is not glass at all. She is more like a little firecracker.
The book starts with a scene that tells you everything you need to know about their relationship. Rukayya is busy picking up dirty rags and scraps of cloth from a rubbish heap. She wants to use them to make dolls. Most kids would be told to get away from the dirt, but Kaka is just standing there waiting for her. When Kaka tells her it is time to go, Rukayya doesn't even look up. She just says, "Kiyi gaba Kaka idan na gama tsintar kyallayen zan same ki." In English, that means, "Go ahead, Grandma, once I finish picking these rags, I'll catch up with you." Imagine a small girl talking to her elder like that! But Kaka doesn't get angry. She just waits because she is afraid the neighborhood boys will bully her granddaughter. This is where the drama starts because the whole town knows that if you touch Rukayya, you have to deal with Kaka’s mouth. And trust me, Kaka has a very sharp tongue.
Then we have Abubakar, or Habu as they sometimes call him. He is the one trying to hold the house together. He is a relative who lives with them, and he is the only one who sees that Rukayya is becoming a spoiled brat. He works hard, he prays, and he tries to bring some discipline to the house, but Kaka makes it impossible. Every time he tries to correct the girl, Kaka starts a huge fight with him. It’s honestly exhausting just reading about it because you can feel Abubakar’s frustration. He is trying to do the right thing, but he is stuck between a stubborn old woman and a child who knows she can get away with anything. If you want to see more stories like this, you can download Hausa novels and see how different authors handle this kind of family tension.
The real trouble begins one morning when Abubakar decides that Rukayya needs to start helping out with chores. He wakes her up early and tells her to go and fetch water from the public tap. Kaka immediately starts complaining. She thinks it is too cold and that the girl shouldn't be working on an empty stomach. But Abubakar stands his ground. He tells her that he also works hard and that being an orphan doesn't mean she should be lazy. He even says something really heavy to Kaka about how she will eventually die and leave the girl behind, so she needs to learn how to survive. Kaka gets so mad she throws a pot lid at him! It is a mess. You can really feel the tension in the house. It's the kind of family drama that makes best Hausa novels so addictive to read.
So, Rukayya goes to the water tap with her small bucket. Now, you have to picture this: there is a long line of older girls waiting for water. Rukayya just walks up and tries to skip the line. She doesn't care about the rules because she thinks she is special. The other girls, especially one named Jamila, are not having it. They start calling her names and telling her to go to the back of the line. Instead of being quiet, Rukayya starts insulting them back. She has so much "gara" (attitude) for a little girl. One of the girls says something about her grandmother, and that is when things get physical. Rukayya doesn't just argue; she fights like a wild animal. She actually bites Jamila! It was such a crazy scene. Jamila is much older and bigger, but Rukayya is just fearless and mean.
While the fight is happening, someone runs to tell Kaka. Of course, Kaka doesn't ask what happened; she just starts shouting insults from a distance. She says, "Wacce 'yar... take bugar min jika? 'Yar gidan uban wace ce a garin nan?" Which basically means, "Which daughter of... is hitting my granddaughter? Whose father's daughter is that in this town?" She is ready to fight the whole neighborhood for a girl who was actually the one who started the trouble. This is the part of the book where you start to feel bad for the neighbors. Imagine trying to fetch water and ending up in a legal battle or a screaming match with an old woman because a little girl bit you.
Abubakar eventually hears the noise and comes outside. When he sees what Rukayya has done, he finally loses his temper. He doesn't care that Kaka is there watching. He grabs Rukayya and gives her a real beating right there. He wants her to understand that she cannot go around biting people and being disrespectful. Rukayya is screaming, Kaka is screaming, and the whole street is watching. It is a total disaster. Abubakar is so fed up that he tells Kaka if she doesn't stop her noise, he will carry her back into the house by force. You can tell he has reached his limit. This is the kind of raw emotion you find when you read Hausa novels online. The writers really know how to show the struggle of trying to raise a child in a difficult environment.
After the fight, things in the house get even worse. Abubakar tries to be nice by buying breakfast—koko and kosai (porridge and bean cakes)—for everyone. But Kaka is so angry at him for beating her "precious" granddaughter that she ignores the food. She is doing a "silent treatment" but with a lot of grumbling. While they are busy being angry in the room, the goats in the compound get into the food. Abubakar comes out of the shower to find the goats licking up the porridge and chewing on the plastic bags. It is such a sad and funny moment at the same time. He just stands there looking at the mess, feeling like his life is falling apart. He says something really touching: "Ina ma ni Allah Ya dauka ya bar iyayena..." He is basically saying he wishes God had taken him instead of his parents so he wouldn't have to deal with all this heartach.
The way Ahmad writes this story makes you feel every bit of Abubakar’s pain. He is a good man trying to do his best, but he feels like a stranger in his own home. He tells Kaka that since she let the goats eat the breakfast, he isn't going to spend another kobo on food for them that day. Kaka, being as stubborn as ever, shouts back that he isn't the one who provides for them anyway, and that God will provide. It’s that classic back-and-forth that you see in many families where pride gets in the way of common sense. You really start to wonder what will happen to Rukayya as she grows up. Will she change, or will Kaka's overprotection ruin her life forever?
This novel is a great look at how much damage "too much love" can do. Kaka thinks she is being kind to Rukayya because the girl has no parents, but she is actually making her a person that no one likes. And Abubakar is caught in the middle, trying to be the father figure but being treated like an enemy. It is a really emotional story that keeps you turning the pages because you want to see if they will ever find peace in that house. If you enjoy stories that feel like they are happening right next door to you, then you should definitely check out more on Taskar Novels. They have so many books that talk about real life, family problems, and love.
Anyway, I don't want to spoil the whole thing for you, but you should really read it for yourself. The drama between Kaka and Abubakar is just beginning, and Rukayya's attitude is only going to lead to more trouble as she gets older. You can find RIQON KAKA and many other amazing stories on Taskar Novels. It is the best place to get your fix of drama and neighborhood stories. Go and check it out!
