She looked up and he said, “What are you thinking about again?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
He frowned slightly. “I’ve been happy all day that we’ll meet today, but you… it’s like your mind is not with me.”
Jalila lowered her gaze. “Uncle, wallahi it’s not like that.”
He asked, “Then what is it?”
She started smiling shyly, still looking down.
He said, “Smiling?”
She said, “No.”
He insisted, “Tell me the truth.”
She lowered her head further, playing with her fingers.
He said, “Ahh, I understand. It must be because I’m your teacher, that’s why you’re shy around me. I swear I’ll ask them to change your service place to somewhere closer to your house so I’ll be coming to the house. That way you’ll stop being shy.”
She looked up immediately. “No, please don’t.”
He asked, “You don’t want me to change it?”
She replied softly, “Yes.”
Lowering his voice, he asked, “You prefer to see me every day?”
Shyness gripped her because that was exactly what she meant.
She didn’t even realize the car had arrived until the horn sounded.
She looked at the car, then at him. “Uncle, I’ll go now.”
She said it quickly and walked off.
He turned and watched her until she opened the car door.
Safeena had seen them from afar and frowned.
As Jalila entered the car, she glanced at Sagir who was still staring at them until the car drove off.
Safeena turned to her immediately.
“I told you! You keep doing nonsense at school. Now what will you say? Should I report you to the woman?”
Jalila replied calmly, “You can say whatever you like. It’s not like you saw us in a room together. And besides, he’s someone’s husband-to-be, not mine.”
Safeena hissed angrily. “Wallahi you’ll explain everything to Mumy. What were you doing in school?”
Jalila ignored her and played with little Yasmeen.
When they got home, Safeena rushed straight to Mumy with gossip.
Mumy said, “Enough. Why are you disturbing me? She only exchanged a few words at school. So what?”
Safeena said, “Mumy?”
Mumy snapped, “I don’t like gossip. Don’t bring Jalila’s issues here again. Isn’t she your elder sister?”
Safeena froze, shocked. Elder sister? What does Mumy mean by that?
Meanwhile, Jalila changed her clothes slowly, waiting for Mumy to come in and shout or insult her, yet no one came.
Goggo came out of the bathroom and sat down tiredly. “Jalila, you’re back?”
“Yes, Goggo. You were in the bathroom.”
“My stomach has been hurting since yesterday. I think something we ate upset my system.”
With concern, Jalila asked, “Should I get medicine for you?”
“No, don’t worry.”
Jalila still went out quickly with the little money Mumy gave her earlier.
She bought medicine and on the way back she bought some fried yam.
When she returned home, Daddy was just parking.
She greeted him politely.
He handed her a nylon bag. “Take this.”
She asked, “Should I take it inside?”
“No, it’s for you.”
“For me?” she repeated in shock.
He said nothing and walked inside.
Her confusion grew. She opened the bag—inside was a long gown, scarf, makeup items, and perfume.
She looked at Daddy again, completely confused.
Inside the room, she showed Goggo the medicine and the items.
Goggo asked, “Where did these come from?”
“Daddy gave them to me.”
Goggo fell silent. She knew the man better than anyone. Since the day Jalila was born, the only thing he ever gave her was newborn clothes. After that—nothing.
They always gave Safeena good clothes while Jalila wore leftovers.
Why this sudden change?
Jalila noticed Goggo’s worry. “Should I return it?”
“No, Jalila… I’m just surprised.”
Jalila sighed. “Goggo, I’m confused. They don’t let me do chores anymore.
Yesterday Mumy said she gave my measurements to a tailor to sew me new outfits.
Even Inna is suddenly nice to me.
And now Daddy is giving me gifts.
I don’t understand what’s happening.”
Goggo hid her concern and said, “Maybe they realized how good you’ve been to them.”
“Really?”
“Yes, maybe.”
They prepared the yam and were eating when someone brought proper lunch for them—freshly cooked and well-prepared.
Strange kindness continued.
Mumy replaced all Jalila’s old clothes.
She told her to come inside often and watch TV.
Everything they needed was brought to their door before they even asked.
Goggo still couldn’t understand this transformation.
But Jalila’s heart remained calm—she was lost in her growing love for Sagir.
Every night she told Goggo stories about him.
Sagir, too, had only one wish—to be with her.
---
Friday arrived.
Mumy sent Jalila to accompany her to the salon to wash their hair.
On their way home, Mumy suddenly held Jalila’s hand. “Jalila!”
Jalila turned.
“Forgive us for how we treated you before. We were wrong. We showed favoritism and denied you your rights. We made you feel like a maid instead of a daughter.”
Her voice softened.
“Forgive us, Jalila.”
Jalila’s heart melted. “It’s okay, Mumy. I’m not angry. Forgive Goggo instead. As for me, I’m your daughter. Whatever you tell me to do is my duty.”
Mumy whispered in her heart, Daughter?
But aloud, she said, “Thank you, Jalila. I’ll apologize to Goggo too. Please carry yourself in this house like the eldest. Don’t let anyone think you’re not my child. You and Safeena are the same to me.”
Jalila nodded. “Thank you, Mumy.”
They arrived home happily.
Later, Goggo went to see Daddy.
She confronted him directly.
“What is happening? Why the sudden change toward Jalila? I know you. You never change your behavior unless something is behind it. And you told me that yourself.”
Daddy acted confused.
Goggo warned him sharply, “If you ever harm my granddaughter, I will never forgive you.”
She left without waiting for his response.
---
More kindness continued.
Mumy dressed Jalila beautifully one afternoon with a fine material and perfume.
Soon, Taura and his wife (Ummy) arrived for an important visit.
Ummy immediately admired Jalila’s calmness and beauty.
After serving them drinks sweetly and respectfully, conversations began.
Ummy and Inna discussed marriage arrangements—a contract was even signed.
They agreed no one should force marriage on Jalila and she must complete her education.
They only needed to wait for the right time.
---
Meanwhile…
Ummy later confided in her son Sagir about her worries.
He reassured her that nothing was wrong.
He was excited to eventually see the girl chosen for his elder brother Hassan.
Back to Jalila
She finished her exams, and her love with Sagir grew stronger.
Zarah, her friend, confessed she kissed her boyfriend and regretted it deeply.
Jalila advised her with maturity and warned her about lust disguised as love.
While they were talking, Sagir sent for Jalila.
Zarah teased her that everyone already knew about their relationship.
Jalila, shy and dramatic, went to meet Sagir.
He teased her for being embarrassed that people knew.
---
At home… Abba told Ummy it was time to inform Hassan about the marriage plans.
Ummy was scared his mental condition might worsen.
But Abba insisted—it was time.
He went upstairs to Hassan’s room.
Inside, he began the difficult conversation:
“Hassan… what do you think about marriage?”
Hassan frowned. “Marriage? Marriage for someone sick?”
Abba replied, “Forget sickness. You know very well that—”
(…story continues…)
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