<p> </p><p>I was folding my prayer mat carefully when I heard someone greeting. I turned around, intending to recognize the voice of the person greeting. “You’ve already entered?” I asked after responding to the greeting. She walked in, dressed in her Islamic school uniform, consisting of a white shirt, trousers, and a hijab.</p><p>She said, “You’re just staring at me instead of hurrying up; we’ll be late.”</p><p>I replied, “Even if we’re late, there’s still a queue.” I went to my room; since I had already bathed, I just picked up my neatly arranged school uniform on the bed and got dressed.</p><p>Amira asked, “Are Mama and the others not home?” I replied, “Yes, they’re not back yet, and Jamila has already left. It’s already time for Islamic school, but they’re not back.” I grabbed my books and Qur’an, and we headed out. I handed Amira my books to hold while I locked the door. I placed the key in the usual spot where Mama leaves it when I’m not home from school. If I’m going out, she asks me to leave it there.</p><p>Amira glanced towards Mami’s room and said, “They’re not going either, right?” I said, “It’s unlikely since she hasn’t even gone to her regular school today because she isn’t feeling well. You can greet her when we get back.”</p><p>When we arrived at the Islamic school, we found latecomers being disciplined with a cane. Amira started laughing because she knew I was terrified of getting flogged. I held my chest and said, “Today is trouble; we’re going to get caned, Amira.” Amira said, “Please, let’s go. It’s not my fault you delayed us.” I replied, “Amira, I’m scared.” She held my hand, and we approached.</p><p>When we got to the front, Ahmed, Amira’s elder brother and our group leader, was there. He said, “Please come, so I can discipline you before you go in. You’ve been consistently late these past few days.” I pleaded, “Please, Yaya Ahmed, forgive us.” He responded, “I swear, I’ll discipline you unless you think you’re special.” He continued, “You’re wasting my time. If you let everyone go first, I’ll thoroughly flog you.”</p><p>Someone next to him, Aliyu, said, “Ahmed, let them go now.” Ahmed replied, “No, Aliyu, they won’t go in until I cane them.”</p><p>Amira, being bold, approached Ahmed and extended her hand, daring him to flog her. He deliberately flogged her repeatedly, even as Aliyu and others tried to intervene. I became even more scared, begging him, as I wasn’t used to physical punishment. Amira saw I was delaying us and went forward to take the punishment on my behalf. Afterward, she consoled me as I cried, and we headed to our class.</p><p>At 6 p.m., we finished our session. Our class was upstairs, so on our way home, I heard someone angrily call my name. I turned to see Anty Mariya. My heart sank because I knew seeing her wasn’t good news. As expected, she began scolding me for leaving for school without waiting for Kamal. She accused me of doing so because they weren’t my siblings.</p><p>Amira interrupted, “Iman, let’s go.” She grabbed my hand, but Anty Mariya stopped her, warning her not to disrespect her or she’d regret it. Amira fearlessly responded, “You won’t dare touch me. Try it, and you’ll know better.” Anty Mariya continued cursing while others joined her, including Sa’a, who hit me. Amira retaliated, defending me. I stopped her to avoid being outnumbered.</p><p>Amira consoled me as we walked, saying, “Iman, can I ask you something?” I wiped my tears and nodded. She asked, “Is your father alive? If so, where is he?” I paused, then replied, “He’s alive and in Tudun Wada, Kaduna.”</p><p>She said, “Why don’t you go stay with him? It’d be better than enduring this hardship. Even if he’s poor, it’s better than staying here.” I hesitated before explaining that there was a strong reason preventing me from leaving. I assured her it wasn’t greed that kept me there. She apologized, saying she only wanted to understand why I stayed despite the mistreatment.</p><p>Afterward, she dropped me off at my house. Inside, I saw Anty Mariya and others already there, lying about what happened. They accused me of disrespect and Amira of insulting them. Haj Kulu, Mami’s mother, insulted me, vowing to confront Amira. I quietly went to my room, overwhelmed.</p><p>Later, I helped Mama in the kitchen as she prepared a bean dish for Baba to sell at the market. Mama was kind and patient, always encouraging us to stay out of trouble and embrace peace. I cherished her teachings, especially her emphasis on prayer and avoiding confrontations.</p><p>However, my night ended with more trouble. I went to greet Mami, only to be chased away by Haj Kulu, who called me names and accused me of ignoring their rules. Despite the hostility, I remained determined to rise above their pettiness.</p><p> </p>
