Shock and confusion washed over her as Jalila looked at her. Inna said, “Make sure you clean the house well, and burn plenty of incense. The guest I'm expecting is very important to us.

Make sure you finish everything before the time.”

She turned and walked out. Jalila looked again at the cooking ingredients, then at the kitchen clock — 6:40 a.m. Tears welled up in her eyes. How could she possibly do all this heavy cooking plus all the house chores alone?

She suddenly heard, “What are you doing? I haven’t heard you start.”

She peeked out and saw Inna sitting restlessly in the living room near the kitchen.

Jalila opened the fridge and brought out the ingredients Mummy said she would use to make offal pepper soup with fried yam and plantain.

Today, there was nothing to say about Jalila’s exhaustion — anyone looking at her would pity her. Since she entered SS1, she had been handed the full responsibility of cooking in the house. She used to cook with Mummy, not knowing it was training. Once she got to SS1, she only stayed in the kitchen receiving instructions — “Do this, do that.”

Now, when it came to food, drinks, or snacks, there was nothing she couldn’t make.

She began working like someone possessed. Anyone who saw her would pity her.

---

[SECOND PART]

Slowly, Ummy pushed the bedroom door open. She found him lying on the floor on his prayer mat, asleep. She was always disturbed whenever she found him sleeping on the floor at night. If he slept at night, he would never sleep on the bed — only during the day would he lie on the bed.

She quietly approached, picked up his small bedsheet, and covered him. Sadly, she turned to leave.

As soon as she closed the door, he opened his eyes. He had been awake since she entered. His eyes changed color; he closed them again out of deep sorrow for his mother.

He sat up, climbed onto the bed, curled up tightly, and hot tears streamed from his eyes.

Ummy went downstairs to the kitchen, where Ameera and Aina’u were cooking breakfast.

She said, “This messy food—we’re tired of waiting for it. It’s not as if you’re cooking a feast.”

Ameera replied, “Ummy, you insisted we cook during weekends. So whatever we prepare, just bear with us.”

Ummy said, “I’ve noticed you don’t like cooking. From now on, you will cook every Saturday and Sunday morning.”

Ameera responded, “Alright, Ummy. Then we’ll be cooking Indomie only.”

Aina laughed, “Ameera! You’ll serve Indomie to Abba?”

Ummy walked to the sitting room smiling and called Aunty Nana.

They exchanged greetings.

Ummy said, “We’re here with Aina’u, on holiday.”

Aunty Nana laughed, “It’s good she came. Ameera is enjoying the most right now.”

After some talk, Aunty Nana asked, “How is Hassan’s health?”

Ummy replied, “That’s why I called.”

Ummy paused, then asked, “What do you think about marrying him off?”

Aunty Nana said, “Marry him? What kind of talk is that, Hafsa? Who do you think will marry him? Don’t push your luck too far.”

Ummy was shocked. “I don’t understand. Why are you talking like he is insane or permanently sick or physically disabled?”

Aunty Nana replied, “I’m only telling you the truth. I’m certain Hassan has a mental problem. Don’t go and marry him to someone’s daughter only for him to harm her.”