*Page 7-8*
Rufe sat there, leaning her head, her heart heavy and her eyes filled with tears.
Prince Adeel brought her a towel and helped her dry off. He tried to go ahead of her, but she was walking slowly like someone sick. Her heart was beating fast and Dodon’s words were still ringing in her ears.
She didn’t have the strength to even talk to anyone that day.
Maimakon looked at her quietly and said to herself that this girl would suffer a lot.
Rufe sat down and her mother asked her what the problem was.
She said she didn’t know and that her mother was the one who knew everything.
_"Why is this girl’s heart like this? It looks like she’s carrying a heavy burden."_
Her mother said to her, _"My child, don’t keep things to yourself. Since Ishka left, you haven’t been yourself. Even Aradun Allah’s words about that girl are still in my head."_
It was around 1pm. Before he left, Saketa quickly went to the toilet. When Hannunsa came out, she saw her brother sitting with his head down, not saying a word, because of what had happened earlier.
He said, _"She’s gone, and that boy Amman was also there. That’s why his heart isn’t at peace."_
His words made her even more upset.
She stood up and went to Uwar Soro’s side, crying like someone who had lost something.
She called out quickly, _"Ya Salam, Gaaji, what’s wrong with you? Isn’t there anyone who cares about me? Why did you leave me here alone?"_
Gaaji said, _"There’s nothing. I’m just here cleaning at Baffana’s house. I’m shining it and I look at myself in the mirror like Dodo Cab."_
Uwar Soro said, _"Just keep quiet and stop breaking my heart."_
Then Gaaji said, _"To be honest, I don’t feel like sitting here anymore. I’m even thinking of a way to leave this house."_
She started crying again.
Uwar Soro laughed a little and said, _"For me, from now on you’ll be staying with me and telling me everything. Don’t keep secrets from me again."_
_"I don’t want you going to other people’s houses. I’ve seen how people talk in Baffana’s house."_ Gaaji lowered her head in shame.
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*Page 8*
Uwar Soro held her hand and said, _"That’s it. Now come with me so I can wash you, and you’ll see that Dauda has already put water in the bath for you."_
Gaaji said she was too shy to bathe in front of people and that if she bathed, her body would become weak and she’d get sick.
Uwar Soro said, _"My daughter, don’t be shy. From now on you’ll have strength and courage."_
Uwar Soro said, _"Go and wash your face so you can eat. It’s almost Rana time and there’s food waiting for you."_
While Gaaji was bathing, she was thinking about everything that happened to her.
_"My God, I swear I’ll stay with this woman and serve her. May God reward her for the kindness she’s showing me."_
After she finished bathing, Uwar Soro washed her and combed her hair, reducing the pain a little. She wore her clothes and her face looked better, though her eyes were still red from crying and lack of sleep.
Later, some Fulani women came to look for Gaaji because all her things were with her. She told them to give the things to her.
That evening, Juma’s friends came to Juma’s house to meet Yareema. Mai Martaba and her friend Masallachin Fada were also there.
It was the same house where the girls usually gathered. Shamaki was sitting waiting for the other girls. Soon Nuru, Fada, and the rest came out, just as usual.
_"Barka Da Safiya Ranka ya dade."_ Prince Adeel greeted.
Mai Martaba said, _"Barka dai Yareema, I hope nothing has happe made you late."
