Maysam completely moved into Murad’s section of the house. She only went to Fulani’s side to sleep.
With the help of her maids, she handled everything. Murad was even surprised at her, because now she had learned how to do everything — from spreading the bed no matter how big it was, cleaning rooms, washing, even properly cleaning the toilet like an adult.
They drank water together at iftar and broke their fast together. After Taraweeh prayer, she would return and keep him company. In short, they had grown quite close.
Although his “Sweetbaby” was still firmly attached to his heart, he now often pulled Maysam close because she resembled her so much. Even her mannerisms and playful behavior were exactly the same. Sometimes he would forget that it was Maysam in front of him — he would feel as though he was with Sweetbaby.
That was why he stopped all harshness toward her. Even Mahmud teased him about it. Almost everywhere Murad went, Maysam went with him. If he visited friends, he would leave her in the car, turn on a game for her, and give her something to keep her busy.
As for fasting — at first she struggled, but she got used to it. In her village, she hadn’t really fasted much before because Murza wouldn’t allow her. According to their village custom, a girl only starts fasting after menstruation or after marriage. But whenever Malam Musa was around, he would ensure she fasted.
Days passed quickly, and before they knew it, they were already five days into Ramadan.
After Asr prayer, Murad went to greet Fulani. After chatting briefly, she looked at him and said:
“Why have you been quiet until now?”
He raised his head, confusion clear on his face. “What happened?”
Fulani clicked her tongue. “You mean you don’t know what I’m talking about?”
Playfully he replied, “How would I know?”
She said, “So the matter of taking sugar (sucre) to your in-laws’ house is a secret to you? In this town, when Ramadan begins, every young man or married man makes sure to take sugar to his in-laws.”
He nodded. “Alright. By tomorrow I’ll have it sent to them.”
She quickly interrupted him. “You should take it yourself. It’s part of the tradition and shows respect.”
At that, his face tightened. “Momy, you know I don’t like traveling to another town by car because I’m afraid that…”
She raised her hand. “Don’t start. Allah is the Protector. If you want, don’t tell anyone except your father. Inform Waziri and the guards only in the morning before you leave.”
“In sha Allah, nothing will happen to you except goodness. Don’t worry. Allah is with you — and we will support you with prayers.”
“Alright, Momy. May Allah go before us.”
“Ameen,” she replied.
As he was leaving, she added, “Don’t forget, Maysam has two homes — here and there.”
He widened his eyes. “Here too?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“But Momy, I thought you already have enough sugar. What will you do with more?”
She laughed. “It’s tradition. And I also have my own gifts to send. Before you leave tomorrow, send someone to collect them.”
He smiled. “Okay, Momy. If it’s sugar, you’ll have plenty.”
---
He called Mahmud and asked to meet him. Within five minutes, Mahmud arrived. Murad explained everything.
Mahmud said, “That’s how it’s done. I’ll contact someone now and by tonight it will be delivered. How many bags should we order?”
Murad replied, “Tell him to bring 50. I’ll give Momy 25 and take 25 there. What do you think?”
Mahmud laughed. “That’s fine. Once delivered, it will be shared among relatives and friends anyway.”
They placed the order.
After Isha prayer, the sugar bags were delivered to Murad’s section and stacked there.
Maysam stood by the window watching in amazement. At first she was curious — then slightly frightened by the sight of so many bags.
---
Later, Murad went to inform his father. His father was very happy and prayed for him. He instructed that in the morning 20 sacks of rice and 20 sacks of macaroni be taken from storage.
Murad thanked him as though he had been personally gifted.
---
When he returned, he found Maysam reciting Qur’an. Since Ramadan began, she spent most of her time in recitation. If he was around, they read together. They had even stopped watching TV except for religious lectures.
He sat listening to her melodious voice, even closing his eyes in peace.
When she finished, she asked, “Yaya, are those sugars going to be given as charity?”
Without opening his eyes, he replied, “They’re for your father. I’ll take them tomorrow.”
Suddenly she climbed onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Please, I want to go.”
He shook his head “no.”
She began pleading sweetly.
When he opened his eyes and looked into hers, his heart raced. He quickly closed them again. “Fine. Get ready and we’ll go. But if you’re not ready early, I’ll leave without you.”
She nodded happily and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Yaya!”
He hugged her back. “You’re really Momy’s daughter.”
They continued reciting until he escorted her back to Fulani’s section.
That night after suhoor, Maysam refused to sleep, afraid he might leave without her.
---
Meanwhile, when Madina heard about the trip, she was heartbroken. She had run out of time to sabotage them as usual, and Waziri had turned against her. She paced her room in frustration, biting her lips and snapping her fingers.
Waziri himself wasn’t bothered. They were simply waiting for the herbalist (Boka) to complete his task. He didn’t even escort them.
---
As promised, Fulani contributed her gifts: five pieces each of atampa, shadda, and yadinna for Malam Musa and Murza. She also sent 20 wrappers to be distributed among village women. Murad thanked her repeatedly.
---
Maysam was overjoyed — she would see Malam Musa again.
After an hour and a half drive, they arrived.
Malam Musa had no idea they were coming. He was at his gate when he saw the convoy of cars and children running excitedly behind them. He quickly recognized the vehicles and stood waiting.
The guards stepped out first, adjusting themselves. Mahmud came out, then Murad. Mahmud signaled Murad to greet properly. Murad gave him a “don’t be silly” look.
Mahmud knelt to greet Malam Musa. Murad started to kneel too, but Malam stopped him and embraced him warmly.
As they turned to enter, someone hugged him from behind — it was Maysam. He embraced her happily. She felt as though she might faint from joy.
They entered and sat on new mats she brought from inside, smiling brightly.
Soon Murza arrived. When she saw Maysam, she was stunned. She had believed Maysam was cast out. Instead, she looked radiant and unrecognizable from before.
The gifts were distributed like at a wedding ceremony. Villagers lined up to receive rice, macaroni, sugar, and fabrics.
Murtala (remember him?) appeared too — worn out from hardship, now with two wives and three children. When he saw Maysam laughing beside Murad, tears filled his eyes. In his heart he said, “So Maysam is now a married woman… I still love you, Maysam.”
He left regretfully.
Even after distribution, there was plenty left.
After Zuhr prayer, they began their return and arrived safely before Asr.
---
Days passed quickly. Only ten days of Ramadan remained.
Murad took Maysam on another serious shopping trip — buying atampa, lace, abayas, and more. She thanked him repeatedly until he grew tired of responding.
---
Three or four days before Eid, while sitting with Fulani, she suddenly asked:
“Murad, why haven’t I seen Maysam’s Eid clothes? Eid is near.”
Murad scratched his head. “Momy, I just took her shopping last week. I bought everything!”
Fulani replied, “That was your idea — not her Eid outfit.”
He nodded.
Fulani said, “Take her again so she can choose for herself.”
Maysam quietly said, “Momy, it’s fine. I can use one of the ones I already have.”
Fulani refused.
So Murad took her out again. He specifically stopped at a shop selling undergarments, shoes, and handbags — the only things he hadn’t bought before.
He paid without even looking properly. The guards loaded everything into the car.
Later he told her, “There. I’ve bought your Eid things.”
Then he left because Mahmud kept calling him.
Her maids carried the bags into her room in Murad’s section.
After they left, she began checking the items. She burst into laughter, arranged them neatly, and placed them where they belonged
And just like that, the month of Ramadan began…
Maysam completely moved into Murad’s section of the house. She only went to Fulani’s side to sleep.
With the help of her maids, she handled everything. Murad was even surprised at her, because now she had learned how to do everything — from spreading the bed no matter how big it was, cleaning rooms, washing, even properly cleaning the toilet like an adult.
They drank water together at iftar and broke their fast together. After Taraweeh prayer, she would return and keep him company. In short, they had grown quite close.
Although his “Sweetbaby” was still firmly attached to his heart, he now often pulled Maysam close because she resembled her so much. Even her mannerisms and playful behavior were exactly the same. Sometimes he would forget that it was Maysam in front of him — he would feel as though he was with Sweetbaby.
That was why he stopped all harshness toward her. Even Mahmud teased him about it. Almost everywhere Murad went, Maysam went with him. If he visited friends, he would leave her in the car, turn on a game for her, and give her something to keep her busy.
As for fasting — at first she struggled, but she got used to it. In her village, she hadn’t really fasted much before because Murza wouldn’t allow her. According to their village custom, a girl only starts fasting after menstruation or after marriage. But whenever Malam Musa was around, he would ensure she fasted.
Days passed quickly, and before they knew it, they were already five days into Ramadan.
After Asr prayer, Murad went to greet Fulani. After chatting briefly, she looked at him and said:
“Why have you been quiet until now?”
He raised his head, confusion clear on his face. “What happened?”
Fulani clicked her tongue. “You mean you don’t know what I’m talking about?”
Playfully he replied, “How would I know?”
She said, “So the matter of taking sugar (sucre) to your in-laws’ house is a secret to you? In this town, when Ramadan begins, every young man or married man makes sure to take sugar to his in-laws.”
He nodded. “Alright. By tomorrow I’ll have it sent to them.”
She quickly interrupted him. “You should take it yourself. It’s part of the tradition and shows respect.”
At that, his face tightened. “Momy, you know I don’t like traveling to another town by car because I’m afraid that…”
She raised her hand. “Don’t start. Allah is the Protector. If you want, don’t tell anyone except your father. Inform Waziri and the guards only in the morning before you leave.”
“In sha Allah, nothing will happen to you except goodness. Don’t worry. Allah is with you — and we will support you with prayers.”
“Alright, Momy. May Allah go before us.”
“Ameen,” she replied.
As he was leaving, she added, “Don’t forget, Maysam has two homes — here and there.”
He widened his eyes. “Here too?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“But Momy, I thought you already have enough sugar. What will you do with more?”
She laughed. “It’s tradition. And I also have my own gifts to send. Before you leave tomorrow, send someone to collect them.”
He smiled. “Okay, Momy. If it’s sugar, you’ll have plenty.”
---
He called Mahmud and asked to meet him. Within five minutes, Mahmud arrived. Murad explained everything.
Mahmud said, “That’s how it’s done. I’ll contact someone now and by tonight it will be delivered. How many bags should we order?”
Murad replied, “Tell him to bring 50. I’ll give Momy 25 and take 25 there. What do you think?”
Mahmud laughed. “That’s fine. Once delivered, it will be shared among relatives and friends anyway.”
They placed the order.
After Isha prayer, the sugar bags were delivered to Murad’s section and stacked there.
Maysam stood by the window watching in amazement. At first she was curious — then slightly frightened by the sight of so many bags.
---
Later, Murad went to inform his father. His father was very happy and prayed for him. He instructed that in the morning 20 sacks of rice and 20 sacks of macaroni be taken from storage.
Murad thanked him as though he had been personally gifted.
---
When he returned, he found Maysam reciting Qur’an. Since Ramadan began, she spent most of her time in recitation. If he was around, they read together. They had even stopped watching TV except for religious lectures.
He sat listening to her melodious voice, even closing his eyes in peace.
When she finished, she asked, “Yaya, are those sugars going to be given as charity?”
Without opening his eyes, he replied, “They’re for your father. I’ll take them tomorrow.”
Suddenly she climbed onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Please, I want to go.”
He shook his head “no.”
She began pleading sweetly.
When he opened his eyes and looked into hers, his heart raced. He quickly closed them again. “Fine. Get ready and we’ll go. But if you’re not ready early, I’ll leave without you.”
She nodded happily and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Yaya!”
He hugged her back. “You’re really Momy’s daughter.”
They continued reciting until he escorted her back to Fulani’s section.
That night after suhoor, Maysam refused to sleep, afraid he might leave without her.
---
Meanwhile, when Madina heard about the trip, she was heartbroken. She had run out of time to sabotage them as usual, and Waziri had turned against her. She paced her room in frustration, biting her lips and snapping her fingers.
Waziri himself wasn’t bothered. They were simply waiting for the herbalist (Boka) to complete his task. He didn’t even escort them.
---
As promised, Fulani contributed her gifts: five pieces each of atampa, shadda, and yadinna for Malam Musa and Murza. She also sent 20 wrappers to be distributed among village women. Murad thanked her repeatedly.
---
Maysam was overjoyed — she would see Malam Musa again.
After an hour and a half drive, they arrived.
Malam Musa had no idea they were coming. He was at his gate when he saw the convoy of cars and children running excitedly behind them. He quickly recognized the vehicles and stood waiting.
The guards stepped out first, adjusting themselves. Mahmud came out, then Murad. Mahmud signaled Murad to greet properly. Murad gave him a “don’t be silly” look.
Mahmud knelt to greet Malam Musa. Murad started to kneel too, but Malam stopped him and embraced him warmly.
As they turned to enter, someone hugged him from behind — it was Maysam. He embraced her happily. She felt as though she might faint from joy.
They entered and sat on new mats she brought from inside, smiling brightly.
Soon Murza arrived. When she saw Maysam, she was stunned. She had believed Maysam was cast out. Instead, she looked radiant and unrecognizable from before.
The gifts were distributed like at a wedding ceremony. Villagers lined up to receive rice, macaroni, sugar, and fabrics.
Murtala (remember him?) appeared too — worn out from hardship, now with two wives and three children. When he saw Maysam laughing beside Murad, tears filled his eyes. In his heart he said, “So Maysam is now a married woman… I still love you, Maysam.”
He left regretfully.
Even after distribution, there was plenty left.
After Zuhr prayer, they began their return and arrived safely before Asr.
---
Days passed quickly. Only ten days of Ramadan remained.
Murad took Maysam on another serious shopping trip — buying atampa, lace, abayas, and more. She thanked him repeatedly until he grew tired of responding.
---
Three or four days before Eid, while sitting with Fulani, she suddenly asked:
“Murad, why haven’t I seen Maysam’s Eid clothes? Eid is near.”
Murad scratched his head. “Momy, I just took her shopping last week. I bought everything!”
Fulani replied, “That was your idea — not her Eid outfit.”
He nodded.
Fulani said, “Take her again so she can choose for herself.”
Maysam quietly said, “Momy, it’s fine. I can use one of the ones I already have.”
Fulani refused.
So Murad took her out again. He specifically stopped at a shop selling undergarments, shoes, and handbags — the only things he hadn’t bought before.
He paid without even looking properly. The guards loaded everything into the car.
Later he told her, “There. I’ve bought your Eid things.”
Then he left because Mahmud kept calling him.
Her maids carried the bags into her room in Murad’s section.
After they left, she began checking the items. She burst into laughter, arranged them neatly, and placed them where they belonged