<p>Balarabe said, “I hope you don’t sell food.”</p><p>Mero replied, “Of course, we do! We sell fried bean cakes (awara) and porridge (koko). My mom even took my old scarf to strain the porridge. Sometimes, she even used her inner skirt for the same purpose.”</p><p>Schola exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, such embarrassment! I need to hide my face!”</p><p>Goje interjected, “Mero, don’t you have younger siblings?”</p><p>Mero asked, “What did you say? Speak louder!”</p><p>With a raised voice, Goje repeated, “Don’t you have younger siblings?”</p><p>Mero replied, “It’s just me and my younger brother in the village. He’s such a useless fool. Honestly, if any girl ever falls for my brother Muneer, she’ll regret it!”</p><p>Azima said, “Let’s go. It’s time for school. You need to focus on learning religious studies and stop with all this nonsense talk!”</p><p>“Please don’t leave!” Muler pleaded. “We’re enjoying ourselves so much that we feel like hugging you!”</p><p>Mero laughed, “Oh, too bad you can’t see me!”</p><p>Goje exclaimed, “Really?!”</p><p>“Yes, really,” Mero replied. “If you did, you’d feel like you were receiving trays of chicken!”</p><p>Goje clutched his head and said, “I bet it’s true.” He then started conversing with the other men.</p><p>Hanif, observing them from a distance, was filled with disgust. “Honestly, you people don’t even know what enjoyment is.”</p><p>Goje retorted, “You’re just new here. You haven’t stayed long enough to understand. Leave us to enjoy ourselves!”</p><p>Hanif simply said, “Good luck,” and walked away.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Later that night, Mero returned to her secret spot near Hanif’s room. She greeted him with, “What are you eating?”</p><p>“Meat,” Hanif replied.</p><p>“Oh, wealthy people! May Allah increase your wealth,” Mero quipped.</p><p>“Ameen,” Hanif responded. “I’d share, but there’s no way to send it to you.”</p><p>Mero suggested, “Just slice some pieces and push them through the crack in the wall. I’ll manage.”</p><p>Hanif complied, cutting small portions and passing them through the wall. Mero quickly grabbed and devoured them like a swarm of ants.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Meanwhile, Naila, clutching her stomach, approached Spark, who was lounging upstairs. “Oh, my stomach! I feel like I’m dying!”</p><p>Alarmed, Spark carried her to the car and drove her to the hospital.</p><p>After some time, the doctor informed Spark, “Your wife had a miscarriage. The pregnancy was about four weeks along.”</p><p>Spark sighed with relief. “As long as my wife is fine, that’s all that matters. I can always make another baby!”</p><p>The doctor smiled. “She’s fine, but she’ll need to rest and recover.”</p><p>At home, Naila took a warm bath and changed into a fitted brown lace gown. She called her friends and family, cheerfully announcing her miscarriage as though she had achieved something significant.</p><p>When Spark overheard her, he remarked sarcastically, “You’re happier about losing the pregnancy than some people are about having children!”</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Elsewhere, Iman was slowly recovering under Annoor’s care. He helped her walk, teasing her with, “Where’s the nickname you gave me? You’ve stopped calling me that!”</p><p>Iman laughed, saying, “You’re now the master of the house! I can’t compete with you anymore!”</p><p>Annoor smiled, “Still, I won’t stop calling you my love!”</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Nabeel, on the other hand, was busy caring for his young wife, Hidaya, who had not stopped talking since their wedding night. Her non-stop chatter amused him, though he wished she would give him some peace at times.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
