A young girl of seventeen years, at first glance, it's clear she was raised in the countryside. She was dressed in a long gown made of Holland wax fabric, sewn in a modern style that fit her perfectly. Instead of tying her headscarf properly, she covered her hair and looped the ends around her neck. Her face was plain without any makeup, which made the displeasure on her face quite evident. She felt oppressed living in the city; her mother had forbidden her from using even powder. In her view, she was of an age where she should be wearing makeup and socializing with boys like her friends back in the village. All this was to pressure her into pursuing the Western education she detested, in addition to the Islamic education her grandmother forced on her, let alone the Christian education.
She clicked her tongue in annoyance as she reached her mother's guest sitting room to call Anti Asma'u, as her mother had instructed. But what did she see? She stopped in her tracks, seeing Anti Asma'u sitting with Yaya Ma'aruf beside her, engaged in a quiet conversation.
She widened her eyes, seeing Yaya Ma'aruf smiling broadly, showing all his teeth. She noticed the lack of distance between the two lovers, and their closeness was inappropriate.
"Wow! Such shamelessness in the city," she muttered under her breath. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped, seeing Yaya Ma'aruf holding Anti Asma'u's hand. Quickly, she covered her mouth and further hid behind the thick curtain in the sitting room that concealed her presence; they hadn't noticed her at all.
Surprisingly, Anti Asma'u didn't seem bothered, instead laughing and almost falling into his arms.
She suddenly emerged from her hiding place.
"Innalillahi!" she exclaimed loudly, placing her hands on her head. They looked at her in shock, not having heard her approach. Ma'aruf clicked his tongue in annoyance. He couldn't stand the girl, thinking she had no common sense. Meanwhile, she had already started backing away to leave, but as if he anticipated her move, he quickly got up and grabbed her.
She closed her eyes. "Oh no, I'm in trouble! Please, Yaya Ma'aruf, have mer—"
"Shh!" He silenced her by placing two fingers on his lips. He glared at her, his face stern, while Anti Asma'u stood up quickly, adjusting her scarf nervously. She feared Yaya Ma'aruf greatly, as he never involved himself in her affairs. She much preferred Yaya Rufa'i, with whom she shared a closer bond.
As he knelt in front of her, she became even more nervous. One look at his face, and she quickly turned her gaze to Anti Asma'u, who was hastily leaving the sitting room, clearly embarrassed by Bintu's interruption.
When he grabbed her ear forcefully, she let out a small cry, her legs trembling as she closed her eyes in pain.
"Please, have mercy, Yaya. I promise I won't do it again."
"How long have you been eavesdropping?"
She immediately started crying, hopping slightly but he didn't let go. With difficulty, she shook her head and replied in a tearful voice. "I wasn't eavesdropping, Mami sent me to call Anti Asma'u, honestly..."
She didn't finish before he slapped her mouth after letting go of her ear.
