<p>Slowly, Goggo Hajara began to feel a chilling sensation seep through her body, as if a cold breeze was coursing through her bones. It felt like she was under a spell, unable to take her eyes off the baby’s gaze. Her vision began to blur, and she felt an invisible force choking her neck. Without warning, her mouth opened involuntarily, and the spell she had cast on the infant boy began to reverse, emerging from her stomach and exiting through her mouth. A green smoke spiraled out of her mouth and into the baby boy, who sneezed violently before letting out a loud cry.</p><p>Startled, Goggo Hajara stumbled backward and collapsed into a chair, her eyes fixed on the baby girl, who had fallen asleep.</p><p>“Goggo, why is he crying nonstop? Do you think his stomach hurts?” Safeenat asked, almost in tears as she tried to calm the boy.</p><p>Goggo Hajara’s face darkened with anger. Snapping, she said, “What do you expect me to do? When I had my children, who helped me care for them? Handle your business yourself.” She handed the baby boy to Safeenat and stormed off.</p><p>Safeenat’s heart sank, but she eventually managed to calm the boy and put him to sleep. She laid him beside his twin sister and went to her room to retrieve her phone. When she returned, she froze at the sight of a snake coiled tightly around the baby girl. A terrified scream escaped her lips, coinciding with the snake’s sudden disappearance.</p><p>Rushing to her children, Safeenat picked them up and carried them to her room, her heart racing. It took her a long time to regain her composure before she started calling family members to share the news of the birth. She even called Daddy, who promised to send his younger sister, Habiba, to the house.</p><p>Soon, Habiba arrived, bringing her belongings, signaling she intended to stay for a while. Overjoyed, Safeenat welcomed her warmly.</p><p>After boiling water in a large pot, Habiba said, “Safeenat, you must be extra vigilant with these babies, especially the boy. He seems fragile.”</p><p>“In sha Allah, I will, Gwaggo Habiba. I’ve noticed he cries more. It was difficult to put him to sleep,” Safeenat replied.</p><p>“Hmm, it’s the sleep of hardship. May Allah protect him.”</p><p>“Ameen,” Safeenat answered, unaware of Habiba’s hidden meaning.</p><p>Once the water boiled, she bathed the twins. The boy cried as soon as he was placed in the water, wailing loudly, but the girl remained asleep, as still as if lifeless, even after her bath. Habiba watched with a mysterious smile, a deep joy welling in her heart. She had never been blessed with children of her own.</p><p>Afterward, Safeenat bathed and dressed herself, but Habiba suddenly noticed Safeenat’s skin had turned red. Alarmed, Habiba grabbed her hand as she reached for a bottle of lotion. “Wait, let me check it first,” she said, inspecting the lotion. Without a word, she stormed into Goggo Hajara’s room without knocking.</p><p>Standing before her, Habiba declared, “Greetings to the queen of evil. Your dark heart hasn’t changed a bit, has it? I’ve uncovered your schemes. I know the harm you tried to inflict on Safeenat through this lotion, but let me warn you—these twins are beyond your power.”</p><p>Goggo Hajara sat up sharply, her body weak from earlier events. Smiling wickedly, she said, “Have you forgotten who I am, Habiba? You’ll see.”</p><p>“I’ll see nothing but goodness,” Habiba retorted, laughing. “Your tricks won’t work on me. If you doubt it, try me.”</p><p>Goggo Hajara’s fury intensified. Habiba was her greatest adversary, always disrupting her plans. Just then, a loud knock on the door broke her train of thought. She glared at Habiba with resentment as the latter left without another word.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>SAKEENATU</p><p>After finishing work, Sakeenatu stepped outside to find a tricycle to take her to Safeenat’s house. Suddenly, her husband, Abbas, called.</p><p>“Mamuh said you didn’t leave anything for her to eat today. What’s the reason?” he demanded without greeting her.</p><p>Annoyed but holding her temper, Sakeenatu replied, “I hired a housemaid, and before I left, I instructed her to prepare something for Mamuh.”</p><p>“A maid? You expect a maid to care for my mother? I’m giving you ten minutes to cook her something she likes,” Abbas snapped before hanging up.</p><p>Fuming but resigned, she directed the tricycle driver to take her home. Entering the house, she found Mamuh lounging on the couch with her legs crossed, a scowl on her face.</p><p>“Good evening, Mamuh,” Sakeenatu greeted nervously.</p><p>“When you’re done wandering aimlessly, head to the kitchen and cook me rice and beans,” Mamuh ordered.</p><p>Fighting tears, Sakeenatu went to the kitchen and began cooking. Once done, she served the food. Mamuh ate with her hands, letting the oil drip as she smirked with satisfaction.</p><p>Tired and uneasy, Sakeenatu headed to her room and took a shower. As the water flowed, she felt an inexplicable change in her body, a strange sensation that only her husband’s presence usually evoked. Her limbs grew heavy, and she became drowsy. She felt as though invisible hands were caressing her, but she couldn’t open her eyes to confirm whether it was real or not.</p><p>After ten minutes, she snapped back to reality. Shaken, she cleaned herself, dressed, and went to the dining table. She found rice and chicken soup prepared by the maid. Wondering why Mamuh had chosen rice and beans over this delicious meal, she ate and then called Safeenat to inform her she was coming.</p><p>Upon arriving at Safeenat’s house, she found the place bustling with visitors, mostly Bashir’s relatives. She greeted everyone politely but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched. Glancing around, she noticed Habiba staring intently at her.</p><p>“Who’s that staring at me?” she whispered to Safeenat.</p><p>“That’s Daddy’s sister. Didn’t you recognize her?” Safeenat replied, handing her the baby boy before giving her the girl.</p><p>Sakeenatu froze as a chill ran through her body. The baby girl, who had been sleeping when handed to her, suddenly opened her eyes and stared at her. Before she could process her shock, the baby gave her an eerie smile.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
