I thought the car was empty, but when I got close I saw there was no one inside, only the car window was down.

As I was turning, I felt someone bump into me. I quickly looked up to see who I had bumped into — he was tall, with a neatly trimmed beard, light in complexion, and very handsome.

The world around me went quiet and the only thing I heard was the sound of the car keys he had dropped.

Right now I feel like a little chick. He was looking at me with a face full of anger, but also there was a softness in it.

I’m not saying he was handsome, but his shyness and the way he lowered his gaze was Sunnah and beautiful.

What made me look away wasn’t that he was handsome, but the fear in his eyes.

It was the same kind of fear I saw yesterday when I was standing watching.

The difference between yesterday and today is that today the fear and anxiety will be mine.

One time I heard that if someone drops something they don’t have the right to pick it up.

And I didn’t even know I was holding it until now.

*"He wants to get into his car, let me give him his way, Ataa"*

Nana said while holding my hands.

I came back to a world full of dust and noise.

The man quickly took off his jacket and stayed in just a t-shirt because I had touched him a little earlier when my mother pulled me to get into the car.

Inside, full of confusion, he opened the boot and took out the jacket to wear.

He sat in the front seat wiping his hands with tissue because he was in a hurry to wipe where I had touched him.

Right now I understand, all the neighbors were watching.

I wanted to get into his car but I couldn’t even talk to him.

Maybe he has problems or he just hates the sound of women’s voices getting into his car.

I didn’t even look at the car properly, but now I noticed the number plate — it says *ZAKI* written on it.

But this car is not like the other one, not in color or anything.

*"Are you crying again?"*

I asked the little boy while pointing at Fuskarta’s face.

Then I put my hand out to wipe her and answered her in Hausa, sticking out my tongue like a troublemaker.

*"I’m scared"*

Lukma laughed, and I laughed too, then stuck out my tongue again like I was going to beat him up.

Then the call to prayer started and we went home.

Today too the girl is always the one who washes her face.

After that I went to pray.

My mother didn’t talk to me directly about prayer, she just prays when it’s time.

Lukman, Nana sent me to the market to buy sugar and bread.

I also asked Nana for some money, and from the change I got I bought fish suya for her.

I was eating, smiling, because I really love her for the sake of Allah — He gave me a friend like her.

Sometimes when I want to go somewhere, I go out with her.