Imaan is just your typical girl next door, living a simple life with her family. One afternoon, her mom, Umma, was calling out to her because she needed her to run an errand. You know how African moms are, they don't want you staying out late, and Umma was already worried because it was getting towards evening. Imaan was busy getting ready, and even though she wasn't doing heavy makeup, she wanted to look decent. When she finally stepped out, she was in a hurry because she didn't want her dad, Abba, to come home and find her missing. That is usually how trouble starts in most houses! She was rushing down the road, trying to find a ride, when everything almost took a dark turn. Out of nowhere, a big car almost ran her over. It was so close that she could have been badly hurt. Before she could even catch her breath, these royal guards, the dogarai, jumped out and started shouting at her. One of them was really mean. In the book, he screamed at her: "Where is this crazy girl from? You are walking without looking at the road!" (translated from Hausa). It was so unfair because they were the ones driving like they owned the street.
While the guard was busy yelling, another one told her that the "Oga" wanted to speak with her. Imaan is not the type to be pushed around, so she told them she wasn't going anywhere. But you know how these things go, she was actually scared inside, even though she was acting tough. When she eventually went to the car, the glass rolled down, and her heart probably skipped a beat. Inside the car was a man who looked like an Arab prince. He was very fair, very handsome, with jet-black hair. This was Prince Shureim. He didn't say much because he is the silent, moody type. He just asked if she was okay, and when she said yes, he told her she could go. No apology, no nothing. He even tried to give her a bundle of money through his servant, but Imaan refused it. She didn't want his money; she just wanted to get home. If you want to download Hausa novels that have this kind of tension between a rich guy and a simple girl, this one is a great choice.
Prince Shureim is not just anyone. He is the son of the King, and he just came back from Malaysia where he finished his studies. He is the kind of guy who doesn't talk to people much. He is very quiet, what we call "miskili" in Hausa. The only person he really laughs and jokes with is his father, the King. He has a sister named Nafeesat, and their parents really love them. But Shureim has this aura around him that makes people stay away. He is rich, powerful, and very proud. After the incident with Imaan, he couldn't stop thinking about her. It was strange for him because usually, girls are the ones chasing him, trying to get his attention. But here was this small girl who looked at his money and told him to take it back. It really hit his ego. He is used to people bowing down, not talking back to him. You can find more stories like this on Taskar Novels if you enjoy royal dramas.
When Imaan got home, she told her mom everything. She was still shaking from the near-accident. She told Umma how the Prince's people didn't even apologize but just tried to throw money at her. Umma was actually proud of her. She told Imaan that she did the right thing by not taking the money because her dignity is more important than any amount of cash. It shows how well Imaan was raised. She is the second child in a family of four. Her older brother, Habeeb, lives in Abuja with his wife and kids. Then there is Imaan, followed by Maryam and the last born, Khaleed. They are a close family, and you can feel the love in their house. This is the kind of vibe Anty Maimounath brings into the story, making you care about the characters and their everyday lives.
On the other side of town, things were different in the palace. Shureim went straight to his room and just laid on his bed. He was confused. Why was he thinking about that girl? He tried to shake it off, but her face kept coming to his mind. His mom, the Queen, noticed that he wasn't himself. She went to his room to check on him because he didn't even stop by her place when he came back. He tried to lie and say he just had a headache, but a mother always knows. Later that night, his father, the King, called him for a talk. The King wants him to get married. He told Shureim that it’s time to find a girl so they can see their grandchildren. Shureim tried to argue that he just got back and he’s still young, but the King wasn't having it. This is where the real pressure starts. For those looking for the best Hausa novels with palace drama, this part of the story is very interesting.
The next morning, Imaan was at the bus stop waiting for a tricycle (Keke Napep) to go to school. She was in her school uniform and a long hijab, looking very simple and modest. She wasn't expecting to see him again so soon. But suddenly, a convoy of cars stopped right in front of her. It was the Prince again. When their eyes met, Imaan quickly looked away. She was thinking to herself about how this guy is always in a car and how proud he is just because he is the King's son. She didn't realize she was staring at him until the cars drove off. She felt a bit embarrassed, wondering if he saw her looking at him. It’s that classic "enemies to lovers" feeling where they keep bumping into each other and there’s all this unspoken energy between them.
One of the most intense moments in the book is when Shureim finally confronts Imaan about her attitude. He really couldn't understand why she was being so difficult. He said to her: "People don't argue with me or challenge me. Who are you to be acting proud when someone gives you something?" (translated from Hausa). This quote shows exactly how Shureim thinks. He believes his status means everyone should just say yes to him. But Imaan is different. She told him that she didn't ask for anything, so it wasn't a must for her to accept it. She just turned around and walked away because she was worried about getting home before her dad. She has a life, she has rules at home, and she isn't going to break them just because a Prince is talking to her. You can read many Hausa novels online that show this kind of strong female lead.
The story is really about these two different worlds colliding. You have the royal life with all the money and the rules, and then you have Imaan’s simple, honest life. Anty Maimounath does a good job of showing how Shureim starts to change. He begins to realize that not everything can be bought with money. He is used to a world where his word is law, but Imaan is teaching him a lesson without even trying. Every time they meet, there is some kind of spark, even if they are just arguing. It makes you wonder how they will eventually fall in love, especially with the King already pushing for a marriage. Will the King accept a commoner like Imaan? Or does he have someone else in mind for his son? There is so much drama waiting to happen in the coming chapters.
I really like how the author describes the feelings of the characters. When Shureim is alone, you can see he is actually a bit lonely despite all the luxury. His "miskilanci" is like a shield he uses to protect himself. And Imaan, she is just so brave. She isn't intimidated by the cars or the guards. She stands her ground. This book is perfect if you want something that feels real but also has that fairy-tale touch. The way they keep meeting at the bus stop or on the road makes it feel like destiny is trying to tell them something. I was smiling while reading the part where Shureim was debating with himself about whether he actually liked her or not. He called her a "small girl with too much attitude," but we all know that usually means he’s caught the love bug!
If you want to follow the rest of Imaan and Prince Shureim's journey, you should definitely check out the full story. It gets even more exciting as the plot moves forward and more secrets come out. You can find this novel and many other amazing stories on Taskar Novels. It’s the best place to find your favorite books and keep up with new releases from great authors. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on the drama in this one!
