<p>Here’s the English translation of your text:</p><hr><p>I was sleeping when I heard my aunt's phone ringing. Half asleep, I crawled to pick it up and saw an unfamiliar number. At first, I refused to answer, but the caller persisted, so I put the phone to my ear.</p><p>I greeted the caller in a drowsy voice, but then I heard a breathy sigh in my ear, sending a chill through my body. A soft voice responded, “Did I wake you up from your sleep?”</p><p>I remained silent, not bothering to reply. In my mind, I thought, <i>This old man is too persistent.</i></p><p>Noticing my silence, he continued, “Forgive me, my queen. I know I must be disturbing you, but ever since I saw you, you've taken over my thoughts. I can't even sleep because I'm thinking about you. I knew I wouldn’t be able to rest properly if I didn’t hear your voice.”</p><p>With an irritated tone, I replied, “Well, you've heard my voice now. So what?”</p><p>He chuckled softly, and I could hear it through the phone. “Niimatullah, the queen of sass! Please, calm down and reduce that sharp tongue of yours. If you don’t, I’ll have to come to our bedroom, and you’ll have to explain yourself.”</p><p>I frowned and rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see me. <i>God forbid I ever enter an old man’s bedroom!</i> I said, “I already told you—I will marry a young man, not an old one.”</p><p>He laughed again. “Your sharp tongue is really amusing, Niimatullah.”</p><p>Annoyed, I hung up the call. Meanwhile, he lay on his bed, tossing and turning, completely consumed by thoughts of me. His desire for me overwhelmed him so much that he even developed a stomach ache. His wife, who never cared about his needs, only saw him as a source of money, but she ignored all his other rights as a husband.</p><p>The next morning, I told my aunt what had happened, and she smiled. “So, what decision have you made about his love for you?”</p><p>I frowned. “I swear, I don’t like him, Aunt. Haven’t you seen his beard? It’s all white and bushy.”</p><p>She laughed so hard she nearly fell over. “What’s wrong with his white beard, Niimatullah? As long as there’s peace and stability, nothing else should matter. Just pray that Allah chooses what’s best for you.”</p><p>I stood up to get ready for school. Just as I reached for my bag, my aunt’s phone rang again. When I checked, it was the same number from last night. I immediately tossed the phone aside.</p><p>My aunt noticed and gently asked, “Why did you throw my phone away, Niimatullah?”</p><p>I pouted. “That annoying old man is calling again. Please talk to him and tell him to leave me alone. I’m not getting married now. I need to grow up first.”</p><p>She looked at me and sighed. “What more growth do you need, Niimatullah? You’re already a young woman.”</p><p>I crossed my arms. “No, Aunt, I haven’t grown up yet. I can’t even cook properly.”</p><p>She sighed again. “You’re still childish, Niimatullah. May Allah grant you wisdom.”</p><p>I refused to say <i>Ameen</i> because I knew she was talking about marrying me off to that old man. She handed me ten naira, and I took my lunch flask, but I was restless all day at school. My mind was clouded with thoughts of marriage, and I couldn’t concentrate.</p><p>That evening, he came to our house again and even entered our yard to greet my aunt. He found me pouring water all over myself, soaking my clothes. He stared at me and couldn’t take his eyes off me. My aunt noticed and said, “Niimatullah, don’t you see your guest?”</p><p> </p>
