Zahra was in a deep sleep when Sameer came in and asked Rukayya to check on her because their boss had called about an issue.
Rukayya entered Zahra's room and saw her still sleeping, with Sameer's phone beside her. She picked up the phone, noticed it was on airplane mode, and chuckled, saying, “Good girl, you know what you're doing. Stay firm with your husband. Other women have their eyes on him, but you're doing the right thing, honestly.”
She quickly took the phone off airplane mode and rushed outside, saying, “Here, Sameer. She's just sleeping.”
Sameer took the phone, checked it, and saw it was fine. He sighed and muttered, “They just want to confuse me. I don't even know what to do anymore.”
Rukayya heard him and stayed quiet, feeling annoyed with him because of an earlier argument. Sameer walked out, trying to make a phone call.
Just then, Hajiya Makwarari came out of her room carrying some large mats. She said, “Rakiya, come and spread these in the veranda before people start arriving.”
Rukayya frowned and said, "Please stop calling me that. My name is Rukayya. Why do people keep giving me nicknames?" She stood up and took the mats from Hajiya.
Hajiya replied, “It's your name, whether you like it or not. Now, go to the farm and bring some sorghum from Alhaji Baba. I need to prepare medicine for that girl so she can start using it today. We don't want to risk her health.”
After setting the mats, Rukayya went to Hajiya inside the living room, where they were organizing items for the guests. Hajiya opened a container with spicy chicken and said, “Let me taste one and see if it smells good.”
Hajiya added, “Close that. There’s more in the kitchen. Take some snacks too, but first, go to the market to collect a package. Take Sadiya with you, and be quick. You know Sameer won't give you his car, and Aliyu is using the one we came with.”
In less than 30 minutes, they returned with the package. Zahra was still asleep, even though guests had started arriving. Most of the visitors were close family members.
In the kitchen, Hajiya gave Mommy the sorghum to grind. After Mommy prepared it, she brought it to Hajiya, who took it to Zahra's room.
"Where is Mahmud's wife?" Hajiya asked.
"She's still sleeping," someone replied. Hajiya gently woke Zahra and said, “Wake up, my dear. Here is some medicine for your illness, God willing.”
Zahra sat up, watching Hajiya as she placed the container near her.
"Open it so I can explain how to use it," Hajiya said. Zahra opened it and saw the ground sorghum.
Hajiya explained, “Listen carefully. Take one-fourth of a teaspoon and mix it with boiling hot water in a cup. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then strain and drink it. Do this every day until it finishes. God willing, it will help clean your body and regulate your period. There's no need to think of extreme solutions.”
Zahra smiled and said, “Insha’Allah, I will do it. Thank you very much. May God bless you.”
"Amen. May God give you good health," Hajiya replied. “Be patient with your husband. Women are always watching. If you stay focused, your marriage will last. Don't let anyone show off to you about your husband. Respect his family, especially his grandmother. Just yesterday, some of his relatives came to see the newborn and stayed here. Sameer told me they would leave today. You know how sudden trips can be, but it's not far.”
Zahra just listened, not fully understanding everything but paying attention to Hajiya's advice.
