<p>Hanna, who had been overcome with intense sorrow, couldn’t hold back her tears as she clung to Hannan, sobbing uncontrollably. It took a great effort from the women present to pull her away from her father’s bed. They took her inside, but Hanna couldn’t stop crying; her tears wouldn’t come anymore, but the pain in her heart felt like a heavy stone. She silently retreated to her room, laid down, and sank into the depths of her despair, looking for solace only Allah could provide.</p><p>She remembered Haisam’s advice on the last day he escorted them to the station. Hanna reached into her bag, found her prayer beads, and began reciting various supplications. She withdrew from conversation, responding only to greetings with a blank stare. Visitors came to console her, but she merely observed them in silence, unable to cry despite her yearning for release. At night, she’d step out briefly, then return at dawn to perform ablution and pray.</p><p>Hanna refused food and water, and despite numerous attempts by her stepmother Iya Abu and others to make her eat, she resisted. After several days, Iya Abu lost patience and confronted Hanna early in the morning. Banging on Hanna’s door, she demanded, “Hanna, enough of this! I’ve cared for you for two weeks with my own money. The only thing your father left behind is a donkey in the barn. I’ve started selling cassava in the market to provide for myself. From now on, fend for yourself! Don’t expect me to save you any food.”</p><p>Hanna, shocked by the outburst, lowered her head and replied softly, “I understand.” From that day, Hanna endured hunger and relied only on water. Desperate, she visited her father’s brother, Malam Uba, to ask if he could provide her with one meal a day. Malam Uba dismissed her request and proposed an alternative: she should marry Alhaji Bilya, a wealthy man in the town. “He’ll provide for you abundantly,” he said.</p><p>Hanna was disheartened. She knew Alhaji Bilya was an elderly man with multiple wives and nearly thirty children, some of whom were her age. Worse, he suffered from a disfiguring disease that left his hands and mouth visibly affected. It was clear to Hanna that her uncle wasn’t acting in her best interest. Yet, she remained silent as he pressured her, finally responding, “Baba, I respect your advice, but I cannot marry someone in such a condition.”</p><p>Malam Uba grew angry, calling her ungrateful and dismissing her. Left with no support, Hanna decided to seek employment. She approached a local government official who had promised to help her secure a teaching job. Unfortunately, she was told that the local schools were already fully staffed, and her job application had been denied. To make matters worse, her exam results from secondary school were withheld due to suspicions of irregularities, delaying any further opportunities.</p><p>Disheartened, Hanna visited Iya Salmai, a close family friend. Iya Salmai welcomed her warmly and, noticing her frail state, offered her food. Hanna, overwhelmed by hunger and gratitude, shared her struggles with Iya Salmai. The older woman, moved by Hanna’s plight, promised to share meals with her whenever possible. From that day forward, Hanna depended on Iya Salmai’s kindness.</p><p>Hanna’s condition worsened as she struggled with malnutrition and constant worry. She grew thinner and weaker, with dark circles under her eyes. When the mourning period for her father ended, the village chief summoned the family to distribute Malam Habu’s inheritance.</p><p>Gathered in the family courtyard, the chief began to address the matter, with Hanna sitting quietly on the sidelines, accompanied by Iya Salmai.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
