<p>The journey was calm as she walked outside, her big eyes landing on Khalid playing near their house. She approached him and said, “A good boy like you, what got you into a fight with Auta? You even took money from her hand!”</p><p>“Aunty Fanan, she was teasing me first, so I went to hit her, and she ran away. Her money fell on the ground, so I picked it up,” Khalid replied while handing the money to her.</p><p>She took it and smiled, saying, “I know Auta loves teasing people. Next time, if it happens again, go home and tell Mama, okay?”</p><p>“Okay, Aunty Fanan,” Khalid replied.</p><p>Fanan then headed to the market to buy the ingredients Mama had sent her to get. After completing her shopping, as she was about to pay, someone covered her eyes with their hands. She laughed and said, “Please, open my eyes. Do you think I wouldn’t recognize who you are?”</p><p>The person behind her laughed and said, “Hahaha! Bestie, I thought you wouldn’t figure it out.” Fanan turned around and saw Amira. Smiling, she asked, “How is Mama?”</p><p>“Everyone is fine, Amira,” Fanan replied. “Did you go to the hospital today?”</p><p>“Yes, I went,” Amira said. “Why didn’t you come today? Even the in-charge asked about you, and I told him you weren’t feeling well.”</p><p>Fanan sighed and said, “I was so tired today that I slept a lot. I thought I’d leave it until tomorrow.”</p><p>“Oh, really? You’ve rested, Bestie. You look fresh!” Amira teased, making them both laugh as they walked and chatted.</p><p>Fanan and Amira had been best friends since childhood. They grew up together, went to the same school, and lived in the same neighborhood.</p><p>When they got home, they entered with greetings. Amira greeted Mama, who responded warmly, asking about her family. Amira then asked, “Mama, where is Auta? The troublemaker?”</p><p>Mama laughed and said, “She’s in her room, doing makeup.” Amira chuckled and said, “Well, today her makeup must be something extraordinary!”</p><p>Fanan joked, “Mama, your Auta is something else.” Mama smiled and said, “You two will explain yourselves.”</p><p>Fanan handed over the groceries and explained what happened between Khalid and Auta. Mama shook her head and said, “May Allah guide Auta.” Both girls responded with, “Ameen.”</p><p>Later, in the room, Amira started telling Fanan about her day at the hospital. Sitting on the bed, they continued chatting. Amira suddenly said, “I haven’t seen Yaya Usman today.”</p><p>“Me neither,” Fanan replied. “Maybe he hasn’t returned from work yet, especially since he sometimes comes home with Baba.”</p><p>Fanan removed her hijab and changed into lighter clothes because of the heat. Amira teased her, “Bestie, you amaze me. You can’t seem to stay comfortable in proper clothes.”</p><p>Fanan laughed and said, “Honestly, it bothers me so much. If the clothes are heavy, I can’t stand them.”</p><p>“Well, Bestie, your future husband will have to get used to it,” Amira joked playfully. They laughed together.</p><p>Mama called from the kitchen, asking Fanan to come and collect their food. Fanan went out, wrapped in a cloth around her chest. Mama looked at her and said, “Are you okay, Fanan? Why don’t you like wearing proper clothes?”</p><p>In a playful tone, Fanan replied, “Mama, I’m still young. Don’t call me an adult yet!” Mama just shook her head, saying, “May Allah protect you, my Auta.”</p><p>After eating, Auta came in with a pack of pure water. Amira looked up, ready to speak, but jumped in surprise, exclaiming, “Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un! What kind of makeup is this, Auta?”</p><p>Fanan turned to look and almost ran away. Auta’s makeup made her look almost unrecognizable. Laughing, Fanan said, “Auta, please stop doing this kind of makeup. You’re crossing the line between human and something else!”</p><p>Amira, laughing uncontrollably, added, “Auta, do you think this is beautiful?”</p><p>Auta, upset, left the room in tears. Amira teased, “Maybe I should add more lipstick, too!”</p><p>Fanan glared at her jokingly and said, “If I didn’t know Auta was part of this family, I would’ve sworn she was an alien!” They burst into laughter again.</p><p>Later, Baba came home with Yaya Usman. They greeted him, but Baba joked, “I won’t respond to your greetings because you teased my precious Auta so much that she ran to complain!”</p><p>They all laughed, including Yaya Usman, who said, “Honestly, today’s event shook me!”</p><p>Baba, still chuckling, turned to Amira and asked about her family. She answered respectfully, and Baba encouraged her to continue her good work at the hospital.</p><p>Afterward, Amira bid them farewell and went home. Mama, busy in the kitchen, bid her goodbye warmly. Fanan walked her to the gate, as their houses were close by.</p><p>Returning home, Fanan joined Yaya Usman and Baba in the sitting room, chatting with love and laughter.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
