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Aslam stood outside Mami's door for a moment, taking a deep breath before gently knocking. When he heard her soft "Come in," he pushed the door open.
Mami was on her prayer carpet, her Quran on its stand, in front of her. Aslam approached her quietly, as she set her reading glasses aside.
"Mami," he began, "Are you alright?"
She nodded slightly.
"I wanted to let you know that I will have Nabil return whatever's left of the money and then Abdulrahman and I have agreed to cover the remaining balance."
Hajja Fanne sighed, shaking her head slightly. "That's unnecessary."
Aslam's jaw tightened, "Baba needs to know that things are under control."
She stared at him for a while before finally saying. "You didn't have to beat him up like that. He's your brother, Muhammad. Violence doesn't solve anything."
Aslam lowered his head slightly, feeling the guilt. "Mami, he made you go through all that and apart from what he did, he was still talking back at me. I lost my temper."
Hajja Fanne sighed deeply, her eyes filled with sadness. "I know you're trying to make things better amma that was extreme. Ka ringa controlling temper dinka, dan Allah -put more effort into controlling your temper, please."
Aslam nodded, swallowing hard. "In shaa Allah. I'll see if I can talk to him tomorrow, properly. And I'll speak to Baba too. But for now, please let Baba know that everything is being taken care of."
"Toh, zan gaya mishi - Alright, I will let him know." She answered.
"Where is Nabil?" Aslam asked.
"Yasmine's room. She said his face is bruised and swollen ta mishi cold therapy. I haven't seen him." Mami replied.
"I think you should check on him please" Aslam held her hand.
"Not now," She shook her head. "I have to show him how angry I am. Yasmine is there."
He nodded. "I'll talk to him tomorrow. You need to get some rest."
Mami simply nodded.
Aslam sat there for a moment longer, then announced. "We're leaving now."
"Toh. Allah ya muku albarka- May God bless you two."
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Aslam walked out, the carpets covering the marble floors of the hallway silenced his footsteps. As he approached the living room, he could hear the murmurs of the occupants. He paused just outside the entrance, recognizing Amna's voice. She was speaking in a low tone.
"This is how he acts whenever he loses his temper?" She asked almost inaudibly.
Aslam's jaw tightened. The frustration and exhaustion from the day were taking their toll. He had hoped that they could leave without further tension, but it seemed that wasn't going to be the case. He cleared his throat.
Both Amna and Yasmine looked up, startled. Amna's posture went stiff, her eyes darting away from his as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn't. Yasmine, seated beside her, tried to smile.
"Aslam... uhmmm," Yasmine began, her voice hesitant, but she trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Aslam gave a brief nod, his gaze shifted to Amna, who was avoiding his eyes, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her veil. He could feel the tension between them but he wasn't in the mood for a confrontation, not here, not now.
