SHE IS MINE (REWRITING)

Chapter2

Minal
I slowly got out of bed, my joints creaking in protest. I shouldn't be experiencing this at my young age, but what can I do? A wise man once said, "You have to work hard before you achieve something good." I made my way to the kitchen, where Umma was already preparing breakfast. "Good morning, Umma," I greeted, settling into the wooden chair beside her.

She looked up, her eyes red from lack of sleep. She was sorting beans for akara, and I joined  I worked in silence alongside Umma, trying to shake off the tiredness.

"Islam, Islam!" Umma yelled, calling out to my sister, who walked into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. "Take this for the grinding," she  exclaim , handing her 50 naira.

Ina kwana, Umma," Islam greeted, taking the money and picking up the rubber.

I stood up, and walked outside to sweep the house. After my father's passing, our lives fell apart. Relatives who once promised support turned their backs on us. We were left with nothing ,no money, no food, no hope. Umma tried to make ends meet, but it is  never enough. Islam's school fees were piling up, and I know I have to do something.

That's when I made the difficult decision to start working as a maid. I am only 22, but I know it is the only way to support my family. I remembered my first day, scrubbing floors and washing dishes for a family who barely acknowledged my presence. But I didn't care; I am doing it for Umma and Islam.
"I worked tirelessly, day in and day out, my hands raw and my body exhausted. But every time I saw Umma's smile or Islam's bright eyes, I know it is all worth it. We are barely scraping by, but we are together, and that's all that mattered. Islam's school fees were paid, and Umma's medical bills were covered. We are living, not thriving.

After finishing my chores, I took the bucket to fetch some water from the tap in our small compound to take my bath. After my bath, I settled on the edge of the mattress, noticing my phone ringing for the third time. It is the stranger who has given me a lift that day I have even forgotten his name.

I pressed the answer button on my baby Nokia phone and picked up the call. "Assalamu alaikum," I mumbled.

Wa'alaikumu salam," the stranger's voice exclaimed. "Good morning, Minal. I hope I'm not disturbing you. My name is Abdulrahim, by the way. We met on Wednesday when I gave you a lift."

I scrunch up my brows, trying to remember. "Oh, what did you want again?" I questioned.

"Nothing, I just called to greet you," he exclaimed in a calm voice. "And I thought, if you don't mind, I'd like to visit you at your house. Can  you give me the location?"

"No," I answered, quickly ending the call. I rubbed some Vaseline on my skin and got dressed in my atamfa skirt and blouse, then covered up with my pink jalbab. I grabbed my phone and walked out of the room, where Umma has already finished preparing the pap, I took some pap and bid her farewell, heading out to start my day.

I walked, I find  a keke that took me directly to the house where I worked. I got out and approached the gate, but a white Mercedes with tinted windows honked behind me. I stepped aside, letting the gate man open the gate, and the car glided in.

"Ina kwana , Inna Lami," I greeted, picking up the dishes to wash them.

Lafiya qlau , Minal. How are you doing?" she questioned, smiling.

"I'm fine," I answered, beginning to wash the dishes while struggling with a severe headache.

After finishing the dishes, I put on a pot to cook tuwo with egusi soup, which is  what they wanted to eat. Hauwa , sa'a step sister the rude and spoiled brat, appeared out of nowhere. "I want to eat Indomie, and I want to eat now!" she demanded, stamping her foot.

I pretended not to hear her and continued with my tasks, but she snapped in front of me, pointing a finger in my face. "I'm talking to you, miss!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in annoyance.

"Can you talk like a normal person?" I glared at her, my patience wearing thin. "And stop barking orders at me!"

Her face turned red with indignation. "This is my father's house, and I'll have you know that you're just a maid! All you need to do is obey my orders!"

Inna Lami intervened, trying to diffuse the situation. "Hauwa  please calm down. Minal will get it done."

She shot Inna Lami a withering glare before storming off and leaving the kitchen in a huff.

"Please, Minal, get her Indomie done," Inna Lami exclaimed , and I shake  my head without replying, continuing to blend the pepper and onions together.

Something is missing here... which is the egusi... and it won't be enough." I looked at Inna Lami  "I don't think this egusi will be enough.

She  nodded in agreement. "You should tell them, Minal. Go talk to Hajiya. I'm sure she's awake and in the living room by now.

"Luckily, Sa'adatu walked into the kitchen  how far meeno

'Thank God you came, Sa'a! I don't think this egusi will be enough. Can you please tell Hajiya?'

She nodded her head and later returned with a debit card, instructing me to withdraw my transport money. Then, Mommy said you  should buy 5k of egusi. I nodded and turned off the gas.

She  insisted on escorting me to the market, and we went by keke. After I finished shopping, I prayed and decided to head back home.

A car blocked my path, and I recognized Abdul's car. He rolled down his window and look up  with a soft smile, 'Allah is great! We meet again!'

I roll my eyes what do you want again mr.

He chuckled and offered to give me a ride, just like last time. He opened the car door, looking at me with a pleading expression. I have no choice but to get in...

Chapter 2 !!!
Please feel free to tell me my mistakes

Ummita❤️