<p> </p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Mummy looked at Aamna and said that the amount ranged from fifty thousand and above. Aamna opened her mouth in surprise and asked, “So if I fall sick today and you’re discharged tomorrow, will you give me fifty thousand?”</p><p>Ahmad laughed and said, “Listen to this thief.”</p><p>Mummy looked at Aamna and nodded in agreement. Aamna smiled and said, “Alhamdulillah, I accept. Let me go home and prepare to take care of the sick.”</p><p>Mummy wished her well, closing her eyes because she could barely talk. She had really suffered.</p><p>Aamna hurried home without eating and told her mother everything. Her mother scoffed and said, “Well, since you refused to get married, you better continue looking for money since that’s what you care about.”</p><p>Her father also clicked his tongue and said, “All you know is making money. Safe travels. Besides, Zuhra’s wedding drained us financially.”</p><p>Aamna packed her things in a small suitcase, took a bath, performed her Isha prayer, and left for the hospital, walking like a man because she had sworn never to sit idly.</p><p>Upon arrival, she found Ahmad had stocked up on food, drinks, and all necessary items. He looked at Aamna with disgust, giving her a condescending stare.</p><p>Aamna stared back, scoffed, and started singing, “A spoiled brat… A spoiled brat, even in his own house.”</p><p>Ahmad looked at her angrily, unable to respond properly but still clicked his tongue and said, “Useless beggar thief.”</p><p>Aamna smirked and replied, “Yes, I’ve heard. Whether rich or poor, it's all by God's will.”</p><p>“You are very stupid,” Ahmad snapped. “Did I talk to you? Was I asking for your opinion? Keep that stinking mouth shut and mind your business.”</p><p>He said it so loudly that Mummy woke up, holding her head. She had been listening to everything they were saying.</p><p>She sighed and said, “Son, change my hospital tomorrow. This place has mosquitoes, and there's no AC.”</p><p>Ahmad, speaking like a street boy, responded, “Confirmed, Mum. May you live long, be strong, and die in AC.”</p><p>Mummy chuckled weakly and said, “Ameen.”</p><p>She turned to Aamna and said, “Take this card and buy the remaining medicine. The money is in my bag.”</p><p>As Aamna unzipped the bag to take the card and money, Ahmad snatched the bag, took out the card, pulled out some money from his pocket, and threw it at Aamna, saying, “Go.”</p><p>Aamna, smiling in frustration, picked up the money and left.</p><p>At the pharmacy, she handed the card to a young man who told her the medicine cost three thousand two hundred naira.</p><p>The cashier rudely said, “No change, madam. Go find change yourself.”</p><p>Aamna opened her mouth in shock at his rudeness.</p><p>“Hey, be careful how you talk to me! I’m like your sister!”</p><p>“What can you do?” he retorted.</p><p>Slap!</p><p>Aamna smacked him across the face.</p><p>“Come outside, let's fight! You clearly have no manners.”</p><p>People around intervened to separate them. Aamna left and bought the medicine from another chemist near the hospital, grumbling:</p><p>“Who told them I’m afraid of fighting a man? I can grab a man, wrestle him, and defeat him easily. I’m a village girl, and I still have the strength of eating millet tuwo in me.”</p><p>She continued ranting until she entered Mummy’s hospital room.</p><p>“I can stab a man if I have to,” she kept saying. “A real village girl like me will break a bottle and attack anyone!”</p><p>Ahmad stared at her in shock, amazed at how fearless she was.</p><p>Clicking his tongue, he focused back on his phone.</p><p>But Aamna had already forgotten that she was in a hospital, continuing her rant:</p><p>“All men are rascals! Just because he’s rich and handsome, does that mean we’re not beautiful too? So what if we’re poor? Death comes for everyone, no matter how big your house or how tall your gate is. The angel of death will climb over and take your soul. People should take life easy.”</p><p>Just then, Ahmad slammed the table loudly, making her jump in fright.</p><p>“Shut up! You're yelling while there’s a sick person here. I swear, I’ll deal with you. I’ll hand you your certificate myself. Watch your words!”</p><p>Aamna muttered to herself, “This guy is also crazy.”</p><p>Mummy tried everything to make Ahmad go home, but he refused. He sat stubbornly, watching over her.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p> </p><p> </p>
