Chapter 1
She covered her ears with both hands because she was tired of hearing the endless scolding from Buzu, the gatekeeper.
> "You this girl! If you've bewitched someone, wallahi it'll take a strong cure to fix it.
Didn't I tell you, Hajiya isn't around? Do you have no sense at all? Did a dog lick your brain? Such a stubborn little brat! And those glittering eyes of yours—just like some spoiled street girl's—how dare you stare at people like that? Shameless thing! You child of mischief!"
She slowly raised her head and looked at him as he kept insulting her. Her eyes filled up with tears, her small lips began to tremble, and her face changed completely.
He expected her to answer back because he knew how stubborn children of nowadays were—never quiet when corrected. He stared at her, waiting.
But instead of talking back, she began to move backwards. He thought she was leaving, but she only found a corner by the wall, crouched down, buried her face between her knees, and began to cry bitterly—so deeply that it pierced the heart.
He stood there watching her, a shadow of regret appearing on his face. Deep inside, he felt he had wronged her. Being a Muslim man, he should have understood the little girl who came wandering around the gate every day. He had chased her away countless times—worse than one would a stray dog—but she always came back the next day.
Quietly, he walked closer and squatted beside her.
> "Hey, that's enough crying. Look up and tell me, what's wrong? Why do you keep coming here to look for Hajiya?"
She lifted her head. Her face was stained with tears and mucus, and between sobs she said,
> "I came to see Hajiya because I heard she helps girls to get housemaid jobs and they get paid for it."
He stared at her for a while before asking,
> "Why are you the one looking for work, small boy like you? Don't you have elders at home?"
She shook her head.
> "No, there's no one. It's just me and my siblings, and they're sick. They're in the hospital. The doctor said they need surgery. I don't have money for it because there are many of them. So I want to find a job and save up so they can do the operation, so they won't die and leave me all alone."
She lowered her head again and started crying harder.
Now he finally understood why she was always coming to see Hajiya. He thought to himself, "Poor child. So young, yet burdened with such worries. But she has a good heart."
He held her hand gently.
> "Wipe your tears. That's enough now. I'll help you see Hajiya. Come on, sit here on the bench."
She stood up and followed him. They sat together for a while in silence before he spoke again:
> "Stop crying, okay? Remember, Allah is the protector of those who have no one. Even if you're all alone, just believe in Him—He'll be your guardian. Keep praying. Your siblings will recover, and you'll play with them again."
She smiled faintly, touched by his kind words.
He reached for his small metal kettle where he was boiling tea. He had two small cups he always used. She watched him curiously, fascinated by the shiny kettle and the steam rising from it.
He poured the tea into one cup and handed it to her. She held it carefully with both hands—it had been since yesterday that she last had anything in her stomach. He poured himself the second cup and began to sip it while telling her old folk tales.
She hardly understood what he was saying. The taste of the sweet tea completely captured her attention. Slowly, she sipped and sipped until she finished it. He refilled her cup again and again until she had drunk three times.
Finally, he teased her, laughing:
> "By Allah, you're such a glutton! You've finished all my tea. When Hajiya gives you a job, you'll have to repay me for my tea, eh?"
She giggled softly, surprised that he kept calling her a boy—though she was clearly wearing a dress. He wasn't blind; surely he could see that she was a girl.
Evening came and Hajiya still hadn't returned. When it was time for Zuhr prayer, he opened the small gate and let them in. He fetched some water for ablution, and after praying together, they sat quietly on the prayer mat. He rolled his prayer beads while she drifted into deep thought.
When Asr time came, they prayed again. Before they could finish, they heard the sound of a car—Hajiya was back.
Her heart filled with joy. Finally, Allah had answered her prayer—she would meet Hajiya today.
The gatekeeper quickly ended the prayer, stood up, and hurried to open the gate. A luxurious car drove in. Hajiya parked and got out gracefully. He closed the gate and followed behind her, praising her as usual.
The girl couldn't stop smiling, excitement overflowing. She remained seated on the mat, waiting for him to talk to Hajiya about her.
He opened the car door for Hajiya. She stepped out—an elegant woman with a full figure, clearly well cared for. Her complexion was fair, with the telltale glow of skin cream. She wore an expensive blue lace outfit decorated with shiny stones, and it fit her perfectly. She removed her scarf stylishly, revealing diamond earrings, rings, and a matching necklace. Her makeup was light but beautiful—sparkling eyes, a sharp nose, and red lipstick glowing under the sun.
With respect, the gatekeeper greeted her:
> "Welcome back, Hajjaju Makkatu!"
She frowned slightly, her face showing fatigue.
> "Thank you, Aku, my man of heat. Did anyone come looking for me while I was away?"
She spoke as she opened the back door of her car—because she wasn't alone; she had brought along some girls from the village.