He sped off, driving fast until he was completely out of town. Then he pulled the car over and parked by the roadside. He got out from the driver's seat, moved to the back seat, lay down, and closed his eyes.

He had barely fallen asleep when he suddenly jolted awake, terrified. His body began to shake, his breathing became heavy and difficult, and the veins in his neck bulged out as if he were being strangled. Sweat poured from his body. With great effort he inhaled deeply, then sat up and pulled his knees together. All of a sudden, his eyes changed.

His ringing phone snapped him back to reality. He looked at the screen — it was his father calling. He closed his eyes, frustrated with his life. He alone was the cause of his family’s unhappiness.

Truly, he thought it might be necessary for him to leave the country and go somewhere no one knew him. Even if his life ended here, he would still say Alhamdulillah.

He didn’t pick up the call until it stopped ringing.

He got out of the car, climbed onto the hood, and sat staring at the trees and the sky.

He stayed like that for a long time, deep in thought, before finally getting down and—

••••••••••

As for Jalila, when she entered the house she found her grandmother sitting and knitting. When Goggo saw her, she said:

“Jalila, you’re back?”

Jalila walked in with a gloomy face and said, “Goggo, I’m hungry.”

Goggo replied, “Hurry up, change your clothes and eat before they call you from inside. I’m only sitting here but my mind is with you.”

She changed, wore a long gown, handed Goggo ten naira, then picked up her food and began to eat. Pity filled Goggo’s heart — she knew Jalila would never spend the twenty naira. She was used to hunger and hardship.

She had barely begun eating when Safeena walked in without greeting.

“You, come — Mumy wants you.”

Jalila ignored her and continued eating. Safeena said, “Madam, am I not talking to you?”

Jalila replied, “Madam, go and learn how to greet first.”

Safeena scoffed, “Is that what you’ll say to Mumy?”

Jalila’s appetite vanished. She got up and walked past her. Safeena turned and headed inside.

Jalila gently pushed the door open after greeting. She found Dady sitting in the living room with Yasmin. They were watching TV and eating ice cream.

He answered her greeting but kept looking at her. When Mumy walked in from behind, he shifted his gaze.

Mumy sat close to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Abban Yasmeen, my shoulder is really hurting,” she said.

He looked at her with concern. “What happened? Should we go to the hospital? How did it start? Did you fall?”

She glanced at Jalila, and he understood immediately. He stood up in anger and gestured for Jalila to come closer.

As she approached, trying to explain, a loud slap landed across her face. Even I, the narrator, was shocked.

He shouted, “What is your job in this house?”