KWANAN TURAKA COMPLETE BY ZAHRA SURBAJO.txt

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When Jauro left the house, all the trouble and calamity returned to Maimunatu. Inna stood up, exhausted and angry.

“So you’re pretending you’re too tired now, eh? I swear you will not lie down here acting like a lifeless corpse. Just yesterday you ate the food he brought you, and you finished it. So you’ve eaten for yesterday and today. Useless girl, daughter of a jungle animal! Come and serve the food!”

She shouted so loudly that Maimunatu felt like her head would split open.

It was corn swallow with fresh okra soup. Inna pushed all the cooking utensils toward her and spread a mat for herself under the tree where there was shade.

Maimunatu herself could not even tell how she managed to cook. She did everything with great difficulty. No one helped her, not even to fan the fire. Sick as she was, the work dragged on painfully because she lacked strength and energy. This only fueled Inna’s anger even more and made Maimunatu wish she had gone with the livestock instead—herding was far better than this suffering in the kitchen.

As she sat grinding ingredients for the soup on the stone, she heard a greeting. Weakly, she lifted her head to respond. It was a young girl—Zubaida—and the boy beside her, Saddam. Maimunatu could not take her eyes off the boy’s face; he strongly resembled her Ibrahim.

The boy also looked at her for a moment before turning away. What surprised Maimunatu was the harsh glare Zubaida threw at her before they walked toward Inna, who was milking cows. Confused, Maimunatu returned to her work. She barely knew Zubaida—only distant glances, nothing more. They rarely met, since their visits to the grazing area were occasional. Even when they did come, months could pass without a single conversation, unless strange herders passed through their forest.

“Welcome, Zubaida and Saddam,” Inna Laulo said warmly, with kindness and cheerfulness that made Maimunatu, despite her dizziness, steal a glance at her.

They sat on the edge of the mat. The boy greeted Inna first, then Zubaida spoke.

“Daada sent me to tell you that some visitors from Gombe have come. They are regular buyers of livestock from Baba. This time, however, Baba traveled south with all the animals. So she said I should tell you that she knows you have the kind they like. They’ll come early tomorrow before the animals are taken out to inspect them.”

Inna Furera was overjoyed. In her heart, she felt once again that there was no one she loved more than Daada. She had long planned to sell some animals—to free herself and erase any trace that might expose her lack of ownership—but she preferred selling far away where the price would be higher.

“May Allah reward her, may Allah reward Daada. I’m truly happy. May Allah bring them safely.”

“Ameen. And she also said I should tell you that Himu will come to see Gaje so they can meet again.”

Inna Furera practically danced with joy. She paced around, unsure what gift to give Zubaida. Even after they left, her mouth would not close from smiling.

When Maimunatu heard this, she could not tell what she was feeling.

“Ibrahim will come to see Gaje…”

So that was why she hadn’t seen him? What did it mean?

Her work slowed even more. Inna’s muttering soon turned into slaps.

“You wicked girl! Don’t you like working? Is this how you do it?”

In the afternoon, Inna hurried to prepare Gaje. She rubbed her body with milk and henna, like a bride. She made her wash her thick hair thoroughly, parted it neatly, and braided it beautifully. All these preparations were for Ibrahim—to impress him.

Maimunatu watched silently. Her heart, however, could not rest. She was troubled by thoughts of what would happen when he came.

While Maimunatu was praying on her small mat, Gaje was busy applying makeup. She checked herself endlessly in the mirror, turning again and again, humming Fulani songs in joy. She wanted everything to be perfect so Ibrahim would be captivated.

Laulo entered the room.

“Himu has arrived. Inna said a mat should be spread for him.”

Gaje’s eyes shone with happiness. She had loved Himu for a long time—ever since Inna told her he was the husband chosen for her. She had ignored all other suitors because of him.

“Bring the mat and spread it outside,” she ordered Maimunatu sharply.

Maimunatu obeyed. She had no choice.

As Gaje walked with a practiced graceful style they had rehearsed, Ibrahim stood leaning against a wooden post, watching her approach. She shyly lowered her head when she noticed his gaze, her heart swelling with joy.

But Ibrahim swallowed bitter saliva. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to remain firm and obey Daada. His heart felt like it would burst with frustration. What did Daada see in Gaje? Why was she blind to the many things he saw in Maimunatu?

When he opened his eyes, he saw Maimunatu following behind Gaje with the mat. His gaze fixed completely on her. Firelight illuminated the area clearly.

“Welcome,” Gaje said softly, lowering her eyes.

“You’re welcome,” he replied coldly, deliberately avoiding Maimunatu.

“Spread the mat—don’t leave people standing. Or are you just standing there like a lifeless witch?”

Ibrahim raised his hand sharply.

“Stop that. Isn’t she a human being like you? Don’t you know Allah honored mankind? If this is your character, then you’ll never see me here again.”

The words deeply hurt Gaje and filled her heart with jealousy toward Maimunatu. But she endured.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he took the mat from Maimunatu himself. He knew they were trying to humiliate her and show she was nothing. But instead, their actions only lowered Gaje and Inna in his eyes and deepened his compassion and love for Maimunatu.