February 28

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MAY, 2020.
WUSE 11, ABUJA.

"Yaya Aabaan! Good morning and Eid Mubarak! And oh, you look dashing as always!" Nana enveloped him in a hug the moment he stepped into the parlor.

"Eid Mubarak, Nana." He smiled and returned the embrace before releasing her.

"Now leave him alone, Nana. Aabaan, my dear, come and eat something quickly before your father joins us."

"Good morning, Ammi. I will have my breakfast when we're back, In Sha Allah." He offered her a tight-lipped smile. She was about to protest when Alhaji Maheer descended the stairs.

"All set?" He directed the question to Aabaan, stretching his hands to his wife to adjust the cufflinks on his dress.

"Yes, Abbi." Aabaan nodded.

"Good. We may leave now." Alhaji Maheer spoke in his usual authoritative tone. The women wished them safety, and they departed.

"Thanks to you, Corona! I won't be attending Eid this year." Nana lamented before storming off to her room.

"May Allah guide you." Her mother smiled with a shake of her head.

---

GARKI.
ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Jaiyana couldn't fathom why they were spending Eid at Aunty B's house. Their mother had announced it at breakfast. Nevertheless, she had made up her mind not to go to that woman's house.

"Can you tell me why you aren't ready yet?" Safna asked, deadpan.

"Because I'm staying back."

"What do you mean?"

"I won't be going with you."

"And why on earth not?"

"Because I prefer to stay alone and do something beneficial for myself rather than go to a place where I'm regarded as worthless and all I receive are insults," Jaiyana quietly stated, carefully watching her mother's face for a reaction. To her surprise, her mother's expression remained indifferent, with a hint of hurt that vanished in a heartbeat. Apparently, she misjudged.

"You are welcome to stay alone then, just like the lonely witch you are," her mother spat out after what felt like an eternity. Her sisters winced at their mother's words, but the one addressed as the witch seemed unfazed. Instead, she flashed a wide smile before replying.

"With great pleasure," she said, and with that, she disappeared from the parlor as if she was never there.

---

UNKNOWN RESIDENCE.

In the outskirts of town, a green duplex stood among a few other houses, surrounded by quiet and serenity.

Two large, black-clothed men stood on either side of the house, guns strapped to their necks. The screech of a white-tinted Honda filled the air as it carelessly parked around the house.

A fair, average woman stepped out of the car. The bodyguards, recognizing her, greeted her and cleared the way for her to enter.

"This woman sabi Ahh!" one of them commented.

"Don't you think that's why the boss won't let her go?" the other replied.

"Right! After all, he had to bow down to her before she accepted him. Only she could bring the almighty man to his knees."