After watching Muiz disappear into the crowd, Alex stood still for a moment, her heart still fluttering. When she finally entered the canteen, she froze at the sound of harsh words cutting through the air.
"You barren woman! You should have been thrown out of your husband's house!"
Alex gasped, startled by the venom in the voice. Her eyes darted toward Clara — her sister stood motionless, face pale, shock and hidden pain flickering behind her calm expression.
~~~
Earlier That Day ~~ At Clara's Canteen
"Mama Tamadu, you mean that village girl your mother-in-law brought is already pregnant?" Clara asked, her voice low with disbelief.
"Yes!" Mama Tamadu cried. "Can you imagine that? He told me he would only marry her to please his mother — that once she returned to the village, he'd send the girl away!" Her voice cracked as tears welled up in her reddened eyes.
"I just left the house after hearing the news, Clara. How could he do this to me? After everything?"
Clara's heart clenched. "Oh no… Mama Tamadu, I hope it's not true that the baby—"
"It's his!" Mama Tamadu sobbed. "After seven children, Clara! Seven! What else does this man want that I haven't given him? I've been obedient, patient — I even tried to make peace with his family who despise me! I nearly died giving birth to our last child. When he had nothing, I stood by him. And now, now that life is finally better, his mother decides to destroy my happiness!"
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as Clara gently drew her into a hug. "Don't cry, Mama Tamadu. He isn't worth your pain."
They stayed like that — two women bound by shared strength — until the canteen door swung open.
An elderly woman entered. Thinking it was a customer, Clara motioned for one of her workers to attend to her. But instead, the woman stormed straight to their table and, without warning, slapped Mama Tamadu across the face.
"You shameless woman! So this is where you came to hide?" the woman shouted. "You left the house knowing that Leana is pregnant! Who's going to feed your children now?"
Clara stood immediately, her eyes wide in disbelief. "Madam, why would you slap her like that? Can't you see she's already broken?"
The old woman turned to her with disdain. "I wasn't talking to you, young lady!"
"I understand it's not my business," Clara replied evenly, struggling to remain calm, "but I don't think this is the right place for such behavior."
The woman's eyes narrowed cruelly. "You don't understand a thing, you barren woman! You should have been thrown out of your husband's house long ago!"
A gasp escaped Alex, who had just stepped inside and caught the words. Clara flinched as if struck, her breath catching in her throat. She'd worked so hard to accept her reality, to make peace with her childlessness — but hearing it spat at her so cruelly reopened every old wound.
"Mother! How could you say that to my friend?" cried Mama Tamadu, her voice shaking with fury and pain.
She stood, grabbed her mother-in-law by the wrist, and dragged her outside, turning back to cast Clara an apologetic glance before leaving the canteen, her own face swollen and tear-streaked.
~~~
Alex hurried toward her sister. "Big sis, how could you tolerate those words from that old woman?"
Clara didn't speak at first. Her eyes were glossy with unshed tears, her jaw trembling slightly. "Alex," she said finally, her voice low and tired, "you learn to endure things when life has already beaten you enough."
They closed the canteen early that evening. On the way home, Clara recounted everything that had happened before Alex's arrival.
"I think Mama Tamadu should just divorce that man," Alex said bluntly.
Clara sighed. "It's not that easy. She doesn't look ready to leave. But if I were in her shoes…" Her voice hardened. "I would definitely walk away."
~~~
When they got home, both sisters took their baths and settled down for dinner.
"Tom won't be coming home tonight," Clara said casually as she arranged the plates.
"Oh, that means the big spicy chicken will be mine, right?" Alex teased with a mischievous grin. "After your husband, you love me most, right?"
Clara laughed. "Yes, my lovely little sister shall have the biggest piece," she said dramatically, placing the chicken on Alex's plate. Both of them burst into laughter, the tension of the day melting away.
As they cleared the table, Alex hesitated before asking shyly, "Uh… sis, before you go to bed, can I save Muiz's number on your phone, please?" She blinked and pouted playfully.
Clara arched a brow, smiling knowingly. "Oh, so you've got his number now?"
She handed over the phone. "Alex, I won't tell you not to fall in love, but remember — don't be easily swayed by sweet words. Men can deceive with their tongues faster than lightning strikes."
Alex giggled. "Yes, sis. I understand. Good night."
"Good night, sweetheart. Sleep tight," Clara said softly, watching her sister yawn and head to her room — a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the ache in her heart.