<p>Mami laughed even harder. The young man, on the other hand, scanned Ikraam from head to toe—she was wearing an old, slightly faded, but clean outfit with a tilted cap and bathroom slippers. He shook his head and looked away, putting the bags into the car.</p><p>As he turned back to Mami, he accidentally bumped into Ikraam, who yelped, “Ouch! Can’t you see, boy?” while rubbing her forehead.</p><p>He was about to respond when she pushed past him, peeking inside the car. She then burst out laughing and said, “This is nothing like Uncle Bala’s car. His seats are all torn, and his car doesn’t smell nice. Do people spray perfume in cars?”</p><p>Mami, still laughing, got into the car. “Now go home, Ikraam.”</p><p>Ikraam started running but then turned back. Mami called her over and handed her a thousand-naira note with a smile. “Go straight home, alright?”</p><p>Ikraam grinned, nodded, and ran off.</p><p>Mami watched her go, shaking her head with amusement. She smiled and said, “Let’s go, son.”</p><p>As they drove off, her son glanced at her through the mirror and asked, “Where did you find that girl, Mami?”</p><p>Mami laughed. “She followed me from the market. I don’t even know her.”</p><p>He didn’t say anything else and focused on driving.</p><hr><p>By around 5 PM, Ikraam arrived home, carrying the pumpkin her mother had sent her to buy. She paused at the entrance, lifting the curtain over the doorway, and peeked inside.</p><p>She locked eyes with her mother, Ammi, who was sitting by the fireplace, dishing out tuwo.</p><p>“You’re in big trouble, young lady,” Ammi said sternly. “I swear, unless God himself separates us, you won’t escape punishment today.”</p><p>Ikraam screamed dramatically and threw herself to the ground, rolling and kicking. “Oh, my God! Somebody help me!”</p><p>The neighborhood vendor, sitting nearby, shook his head and yelled, “You brat! You’ve stopped acting crazy for a while, and now you’re back at it?”</p><p>Ikraam jumped up without looking at him and sprinted away, knowing he might get up and smack her. She ran to a neighbor’s house and collapsed in front of their doorway, continuing her dramatic cries.</p><p>Mama Altine peered outside and sighed. “Oh, so you’re back at it again, Ikraam? Get up and go home, you troublemaker.”</p><p>At that moment, Baba Mai Nama, the butcher, walked by. “Who hit you, Rabi’a?” he asked.</p><p>Through her fake tears, she sniffled, “Ammi did.”</p><p>Baba Mai Nama grabbed her hand and scolded, “Aisha, what did the girl do this time?”</p><p>Mama Altine interjected, “I swear, Baba, no one touched her. She’s just being dramatic again.”</p><p>Still holding her hand, Baba Mai Nama walked her home, calling out at the entrance. Ammi appeared, adjusting her scarf.</p><p>“Good evening, Baba,” she greeted.</p><p>Baba Mai Nama ignored the greeting and got straight to the point. “Aisha, what did this girl do to you?”</p><p>Ammi sighed. “She left for the market at 2 PM and only returned just now. When I tried to scold her, she ran off screaming.”</p><p>Baba Mai Nama shook his head. “She’s just a child, Aisha. Have patience with her.”</p><p>“Alright, Baba. Thank you.”</p><p>He turned to Ikraam. “Go inside and behave yourself.”</p><p>Ikraam nodded and quickly slipped past Ammi into the house, knowing she wouldn’t dare hit her in front of Baba Mai Nama.</p>
