There was a tree with a very wide shade. People were sitting beneath it, and from all indications they were enjoying the cool breeze blowing from the tree. Most of the people sitting there were elderly men. Calmly and gracefully, I walked past them. People usually describe my walk as proud and composed. When I reached close to the tree, I greeted them, and they all replied to me in unison. I nodded my head and passed on.

“Such a blessed girl, she has good upbringing. May Allah bless her and all our descendants,” that was what they were saying.

“Ameen, O Allah,” I said in response, because it was not the first time I had heard such words from people. I continued my walk until I reached the gate of our house.

“RUMAINA!”

I suddenly stopped upon hearing that call. Without doubt, I knew it was those useless boys from our neighborhood. I just bowed my head and entered the house.

One of them said, “Sadiku, see how your girl refused to even turn back today so we could see that beautiful face of hers.”

The one called Sadiku replied, “Wallahi I wished I could see her face, it would have helped me sleep well tonight.”

Sadiku then turned to his friend, Lawan, and said, “Honestly, my girl scares me. One day I went out at night and saw her on the road. Wallahi, the way she looked at me, I felt my heart drop. Her beauty is too much, it’s like she’s a spirit.”

Lawan laughed and said, “Didn’t I tell you? Her beauty is excessive. Sometimes I even think about it, but Allah created human beings, and Allah alone creates His servants however He wills. If you marry her and keep her in your house, you won’t even dare to peep outside.”

They continued mocking and joking among themselves.

After greeting, I entered the house and met Mama sitting on a low chair. She answered my greeting. I went closer and greeted her properly.

“Welcome home, Mama.”

“Welcome, RUMAINA. How was school?”

“It was fine, Mama.”

I sat beside her and removed my hijab. Mama looked at me attentively.

“RUMAINA, go and bring your food and eat. You’ve stayed too long without eating, and you didn’t eat anything proper before going out.”

I stood up and went to the kitchen beside Mama’s room, brought my food, and sat down to eat.

“Mama, today our teacher said I should not come back unless I bring my school fees. I’m owing three months, and this month is almost ending.”

Mama sighed and said, “That’s true. We have tried. Let your father come back and I’ll remind him. I know he hasn’t forgotten.”

I nodded and started eating.

I barely ate anything. I covered the remaining food and returned to my room. I removed my uniform, wore home clothes, brought my Qur’anic school bag, sat on the mat, and started revising as usual.

Even though I wasn’t attending Western school at the moment, it didn’t stop me from revising what I could.

I heard Baba’s greeting and dropped my book. I went to him, held his hand, and greeted him.

“Welcome back, Baba.”

“Thank you, my daughter.”

He put his hand in his pocket and brought out four dates and gave them to me. I collected them gratefully. He prayed for me, “May Allah bless you.”

“Ameen,” I replied and returned to my room.

Mama quickly spread a mat for Baba. He sat down and she welcomed him properly. She served him food, and as he ate, they chatted.