Drink it immediately and give the cup back to me. I swear I can’t sit idle. Since I have filled my house with girls like you, I must find medicine to make you attractive so suitors can take you away and leave me in peace. Girls are a curse to raise, but I won’t complain—your mothers will. I married four wives, so who would say I am unfortunate?”

The girls all lowered their heads, deeply uncomfortable. None of them was above eighteen years, yet his bitterness allowed them no peace.

Hafsa took one sip and felt a terrible bitterness shoot through her head. She quickly pulled the cup away, fear written all over her face. Angrily, he asked:

“Will you drink it and return the cup, or not?”

Fearfully she replied:

“Baba, this medicine is very bitter. Yesterday when I drank it, it gave me diarrhea.”

Before Baba could respond, Malika boldly spoke:

“Baba, even I had stomach pains from the medicine last night. Taking unprescribed medicine can be dangerous. Bitter medicines, when not given by doctors, can damage the liver or kidneys…”

He raised his hand sharply, cutting her off.

“Whether bitter or poisonous, you must drink it! I will marry all of you off by force if I must. Every one of you should be in her husband’s house by now. Six daughters and no son! May Allah grant me a male child—even a useless one is better than a girl!”

Mama Talatu gently intervened:

“Haba Malam, please stop. Every child has their destiny. Even a woman can be more compassionate and helpful than a man…”

He stood up furiously, pointed at her, and shouted:

“You! Don’t ever try to teach me what is right!”

One by one, the girls drank the medicine. When Arfat took a sip, she almost vomited and rushed out to throw up. Baba yelled insults at her and threatened severe punishment if she vomited again. She forced herself to drink the rest, clenching her teeth.

Before he could speak again, cries were heard from the entrance:

“She stained herself!”

Aisha entered crying. Mama Talatu asked gently what had happened, but Baba shouted:

“What are you crying for?!”

Aisha explained tearfully that her classmates mocked her because she had stained herself during menstruation. Baba dismissed her pain harshly.

Mama Bilki emerged, angry and bitter, accusing Aisha of disgrace. Eventually, it was revealed that Aisha had tied a cloth around her waist to hide the stain.