<p>One morning, Daddy picked up his phone and calmly dialed a number. When the call connected, he said, “Assalamu Alaikum.” On the other end, Dr. Sadiq responded, “Wa Alaikumussalam, Alhaji. How are you?”</p><p>“I’m fine, doctor. I just wanted to ask if you could come and check on Dolly. She hasn’t eaten anything since yesterday.”</p><p>“Okay, Alhaji. I’ll be there shortly,” Dr. Sadiq replied.</p><p>“Alright, see you soon,” Daddy concluded, ending the call. He set the phone down beside him, picked up the spoon, and resumed eating his meal. Not long after, Jelly approached him, holding Dolly tightly, her face filled with concern.</p><p>“Daddy, please eat,” Jelly said, pouting.</p><p>“No, Daddy. I won’t eat until Dolly does,” she insisted.</p><p>“Honey, didn’t you hear? The doctor is coming to check on Dolly. Now, you need to eat your food before he arrives, okay?” Daddy coaxed her gently. Finally, she opened her small mouth, and he fed her a spoonful. Slowly, she began chewing reluctantly, her lips still in a pout.</p><p>Daddy continued encouraging her until she finished her food. Once they were both done, Daddy stood up, took Jelly’s hand, and they went upstairs to their luxurious bedroom. The room was adorned with a massive bed covered in a pristine white sheet, a spacious wardrobe for their clothes, and elegant furnishings.</p><p>Once inside, Daddy let go of Jelly’s hand and headed toward the bathroom. “Let me take a quick shower, my baby. You stay here, and when the doctor arrives, give him Dolly so he can check her before I return,” he said. Jelly climbed onto the large bed and watched as her father disappeared into the bathroom.</p><p>About 10 minutes later, Dr. Sadiq arrived. Hearing him enter, Jelly ran to him, holding Dolly out and saying, “Uncle, please check her! She hasn’t eaten anything at all,” her voice trembling as if she were about to cry.</p><p>Dr. Sadiq was momentarily stunned, captivated by the little girl’s radiant face. He stood motionless, staring at her until her voice broke through his thoughts.</p><p>“Uncle!” she said louder, her small hands still holding Dolly toward him.</p><p>“Oh, sorry,” Dr. Sadiq said, regaining his composure and taking Dolly from her. He began examining the doll.</p><p>Just then, Daddy emerged from the bathroom. “Dr. Sadiq, you’re here already?”</p><p>“Yes, I am,” Dr. Sadiq replied, quickly focusing on Dolly while stealing glances at Jelly, who had now run back to sit with her father.</p><p>“Daddy, I don’t want Uncle to give Dolly an injection,” Jelly said as she hugged her father tightly.</p><p>“Don’t worry, my baby,” Daddy reassured her. “Let Uncle check her first, and then we’ll see what to do.” He stroked her hair, calming her as they sat together on the sofa.</p><p>Dr. Sadiq finished examining Dolly. “Alhaji, it seems Dolly’s issue might be with her heart. But don’t worry; I’ll prescribe some medication. With proper care, she’ll be fine,” he explained.</p><p>Daddy stood up and said, “My baby, stay here with Uncle while I get ready for the office. Don’t worry about Dolly; she’ll be fine.” Jelly nodded obediently, resting her head on her father’s lap.</p><p>Dr. Sadiq asked, “Alhaji, are you heading out?”</p><p>“Yes, to the office,” Daddy replied.</p><p>“Alright, let’s go together. I’ll stop by the pharmacy to get the medication for Dolly and bring it back later today,” Dr. Sadiq said.</p><p>“Great idea,” Daddy agreed. He turned to Jelly, saying, “Take care of Dolly, my dear. Uncle will be back soon with the medicine.”</p><p>“Okay, Daddy. Bye, Uncle!” Jelly said with a smile.</p><p>Daddy and Dr. Sadiq left the house, each heading to their respective destinations, while Jelly stayed behind, cuddling Dolly.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>KATSINA</p><p>The next day was no different from the last two, with Mum and the rest of the family engulfed in sorrow over Rimsha’s disappearance. The grief was evident on Mum’s face as she had visibly lost weight from worry.</p><p>As usual, they were seated in the courtyard, silent and lost in thought, like mourners awaiting news of a tragic event. Jehan sat a little apart from them on a small chair, holding her phone. She was about to post Rimsha’s picture on her Facebook page when she remembered Mum’s warning from the previous day:</p><p>“Jehan, you know Alhaji Shitu strictly warned us against involving the police, right?”</p><p>This memory stopped Jehan in her tracks. She glanced at Mum and hesitated. “Mum, I want to post Rimsha’s picture online, hoping someone might have seen her,” Jehan said with concern.</p><p>Mum’s eyes widened in shock. “Don’t you dare expose us, Jehan! Are you tired of living in peace?”</p><p>Quickly, Goggo chimed in, “Jehan, don’t make that mistake. Delete all your old social media accounts and create a new one. And don’t post your face anywhere; you know how recognizable it is in this country.”</p><p>Reluctantly, Jehan deleted the post she was drafting, sighing deeply as she rested her head in her hands, lost in thought about her missing sister.</p><p>“Jehan, get up and fetch water from Sadiq’s house so we can cook. There’s no money in the house today,” Goggo said.</p><p>Jehan raised her head, her face a mix of disbelief and irritation. “Wait, are you dreaming, Goggo? You expect me to fetch water?” she asked in English.</p><p>Before Goggo could respond, Mum intervened, “Fine, Jehan. If you won’t go, I’ll do it myself.” Mum got up, picked up a black plastic bucket, and started heading to the door.</p><p>Jehan quickly stood up and grabbed the bucket from her. “Are you serious, Mum? You were actually going to fetch water yourself? Fine, let me go and withdraw money instead. We’ll buy water,” Jehan said, exasperated.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
