YAN HARKA BOOK COMPELET 

The old man, with an anxious look, said, "Why shouldn't I give you the girl in marriage?"
Calmly, Ayya replied, "In marriage, Baba?"
The old man, Baba, said, "Yes, because he is the only one I would seek to give the girl to permanently."
"But Baba, which girl is this?"
Baba let out a sigh and said, "She is a well-mannered, respectful, and obedient girl. A calm girl, not troublesome at all. Wherever she is placed, she sits until told to stand. I care for this girl in my heart as if she were my own biological child. Every day, my worry is that I might die and leave her in this condition. She is in a difficult situation simply because Allah made her BLACK. I, however, am happy about it, though her skin color has kept her unmarried to this day. She grew up completely in the village and is now eighteen years old."
Ayya paused for a moment, looking at him, before asking, "Is she your daughter, Baba?"
The old man looked at the Chief (Sarki), who was also looking back at him with deep emotion. If it were anyone else, even at their old age, as long as they could speak and understand things, they would have quickly grabbed the huge amount of money laid out before them. However, this servant of Allah had been with the girl since she was six years old. The kind of thoughts parents lose sleep over—wishing to see their children find a good, worthy husband to care for them—that was exactly how the old man felt. Every thought in his mind was about her. He kept asking himself: Where? How? Who would treat Agaishat with respect and love for the rest of her life? He looked far and wide but found no one; he even approached his disciple, but the disciple threw dirt in his eyes (refused him). This made him turn entirely to Allah, begging Him to open a way from where he least expected, a way that would bring goodness to her.
The Chief said, "She is my wife's sister. Her name is AGAISHAT."
"Do you mean the white Tuareg woman (Buzuwa)?" Ayya asked.
The Chief replied, "Indeed, she is a Tuareg, but she is a black Tuareg."
Ayya turned her gaze to the old man, Baba, who was staring intently at them. Then she shifted her gaze to Wardugu, who was standing and watching her closely, waiting to hear what she would say. He knew his mother's character; he knew Ayya liked taking on responsibilities!
In a soft voice, she said, "Warduggggggggg..."
With a stern face, he replied, "No, no, no."
After that, he tightened his expression and looked at them.
She let out a sigh, looked down, and fell into thought. (Indeed, in Tubawa culture, a man is not forced into marriage, let alone Wardugu. Furthermore, when a man marries, his wife usually has to give birth to about three or four children before he takes a co-wife. If she doesn't conceive, years must pass before he takes another wife. This is an undisputed fact; that is the tradition of the town.) Ayya looked at them again. What should she do?
Slowly, she said, "Baba, this boy is the only child Allah gave me in this world. Furthermore, he hasn't been married for very long. I am not refusing, but if possible, I want you to give me the girl as my foster child, a trust. If Allah wills, she will eat what I eat and sleep where I sleep, no matter what it is like. My feet will be her feet (I will guide her everywhere) until Allah grants her a husband. I will do everything that is done for any daughter to send her to her husband's house, and I will follow up on her affairs in her matrimonial home for as long as I live."
The old man pondered her words for a long time. He had no doubt that Agaishat would be handed over if the Chief spoke. His worry was: Would Agaishat want to follow a strange face despite the hardship she was in? Home is home, after all. And would her mother willingly agree to be separated from her maiden daughter for no reason of marriage or blood relation—to just let her go with people she didn't know? Or would authority be used against her this time too, to snatch her CHILD?
Despite this, Baba looked toward the Chief.
The way Baba looked at him made him feel ashamed. He said, "What we will do is, we will take Baba along with all of you to the girl's mother and father. Whatever the situation turns out to be, going there in person is better than sending a message."
They agreed to this. Wardugu gently helped Baba stand up, and the Chief assisted him as they walked out, Baba limping slightly until they reached the vehicle. There, the soldier opened the door, and Wardugu gently lifted Baba and put him in the front seat. The Chief got in, and they all piled in. Walyn watched them, wondering what was happening. She was also staring at Ayya.
They drove straight to the entrance of Algabiitt's house.
...................... .................
"Anna (Mother), please be patient, do you hear? Stop worrying, okay Anna?" Agaishat said, handing her some local bread (gurasa) that had been brought as charity to the house of mourning.
Anna closed her eyes and did not accept it. She opened them and looked at her children again. This death that occurred had not made Algabiitt change his ways. He was forcing Agaishat to use makeup and cosmetics, determined to find her a husband just like her sisters, as if his only worry was to get her married. The girl couldn't even walk past without him hurling insults at her. He banned the mourning gathering, leaving only her siblings gathered around her. As for his new bride, if one man came today, she would claim he was her brother; if another came tomorrow, she'd say he was her younger brother. She turned the house into a playground for her lovers without any fear, because the master of the house had given her full permission...
In a choked voice, Anna said, "I don't want him to kill any of you for me."
Mariama turned around, her face red and on the verge of tears, saying, "Then follow us and let's leave this house for him! Why won't you follow us so we can leave? You know that you are the only thing keeping us here."
Distressed, Anna said, "Whenever you mention these two things to me—my true origin and leaving Algabiit—let me tell you today how I feel! I feel as if my breath will stop if I hear that I should leave where Algabiit is, unless it is by his own will. I feel like I will fall into destruction; I feel like my world is him, and without where he is, I don't exist! A certain darkness covers my eyes, and my head feels heavy. When I force myself, I try to remember who I am. I fall into deep distress and dizziness spins around me whenever the issue of my relatives is brought up. This is my burden."
They stared at her in silence. Agaishat (the Black one) had her head on Gaishat's lap, Mariama was sitting beside them, and Fatimata was leaning against the wall, facing them. Dejected, Fatimata said, "What is wrong with you, Anna? This is not love."
Mariama looked at her and said, "What love? Even if it existed in the past, he has killed it himself by now. What is wrong with our Anna?"
Gaishat opened her mouth to speak when suddenly Algabiit barged heavily into the room, ducking slightly because of his height.
He went straight to Anna, his lips trembling, and said, "They might as well take you away along with your cursed daughter! No one will arrest me, I have done nothing!"
She quickly stood up, holding her chest. "Your cursed daughter" kept echoing in her mind. Who was that? What happened? Who was going to take them away?
Before she could ask, he bent down, grabbed the Black girl (Agaishat) by her hair, and pulled her up. Gathering his saliva, which reeked of local herbs/tobacco, he spat it on her face and said, "Go to that useless old man you spend the day with, along with the soldiers. Just know that they will only arrest your mother."
Anna yanked her away forcefully and quickly rushed out to the parlor to see what was happening. All her children followed her, while Algabiit hid, peeping and listening to what was being said.
Anna looked at the visitors. They greeted her in the Tuareg language (Buzanci). Ayya looked at Wardugu, who was inspecting everyone in the room, and said, "I don't even know which language we can use to converse with her; it seems she only understands Buzanci."
Anna, standing there, understood everything that was said in a language she couldn't name, and it wasn't the language she spoke with the doctor at the hospital either.
Before she could speak, palace guards announced the entry of the Chief into his in-laws' parlor. It was Baba Tsoho who usually translated between them because Baba didn't understand everything, but the Chief could converse with the Tubawa people.
Ever since he entered, Anna lowered her head out of respect for her son-in-law. The Chief also looked uncomfortable, while Gaishat stared at him, wondering what brought him there.
Clearing his throat, the Chief said, "Anna, I hope you know Baba Tsoho, the one Agaishat visits. He is like a father to her."
From where he was hiding, Algabiit raised his voice angrily and said, "How could she forget her lover, the father of her daughter? I always knew your secrets would catch up with you, you hypocrite. Today, the truth will come out."
With a peculiar look, Wardugu turned his gaze toward where the voice came from. Who is speaking so disrespectfully? that was what Wardugu asked himself. Wardugu understood the Tuareg language; in fact, not just Tuareg—Wardugu was the type of person with a sharp mind for picking up languages that weren't his own. He understood many languages, which allowed him to comprehend what was being said, including the insults Algabiit was hurling from the inner room.
The Chief just shook his head. He knew exactly who Algabiit was, and he knew that his own past assistance had enabled Algabiit's bad behavior in the town. But no matter, he would take action before ordering them to be completely evicted.
Anna, unable to make eye contact with him, nodded. How could she fail to recognize an honorable man? Even just for his old age, this man should be respected, yet Algabiit was throwing insults at him? She believed that Baba Tsoho was old enough to have fathered even Algabiit, let alone her.
As for the Black girl, the moment she spotted Baba Tsoho, she went and huddled close to him, quietly asking him questions, looking for gossip. He placed his hand on her head, tapping it gently with a smile. In his heart, he thought, If you leave... my joy, my smile, will go with you.
The Chief continued, saying, "These people you see—this woman is the mother of this servant of Allah. She traveled all the way from the town where you took Fatimata when she was sick. She came to Agadez, and from there, they took the road to this town looking for Baba Sofo. He had given her son medicine for a cough when he was a child, on the promise that if he got well, she would reward him with whatever she could afford. Then they were separated, and Allah did not decree their paths to cross again. Since then, she has been searching for him because she is a person who keeps her promises. The matter weighed heavily on her heart until today, by Allah's decree."
He paused for a breath and continued, "You see, they are influential people, not just in Niger but even abroad. They brought incredible wealth for Baba Sofo, but surprisingly, Baba said he no longer cares for worldly things; he has forgiven the debt. His only worry is AGAISHAT."
Anna looked up quickly and said, "AGAISHAT?"
The Chief said, "Exactly. Baba asked for a favor..." The Chief explained everything that transpired between Baba, Wardugu, and them to Anna, who sat looking down, surrounded by her other children, while the Black girl clung to Baba Sofo.
The Black girl quickly looked up at Anna and the Chief, then turned her gaze back to Baba Sofo.
Baba Tsoho cleared his throat and said, "Affection and worry have robbed me of peace of mind, Anna of Agaishat. I know I have no right to make decisions over her because I did not father her, nor am I a close biological relative. In this world, I have only two prayers: that Allah allows me to end my life in peace and grant me Paradise, and my wish that Allah shows me the day she becomes a person of full standing, finds peace of mind, and is treated as a human being. Anna, how will that happen to Agaishat? In this small settlement, we are barely few enough to count on our fingers. Right here, I even begged the local Imam to marry her, but he refused, saying he couldn't. Even my own disciple rejected my request. Days come and go, Agaishat is growing, and we are only getting weaker. If she leaves this place, where will she go? What will she eat? How will she survive? Only Allah knows the unseen. As for me, as someone she visits and regards as a father, I advise her, I warn her, and I show her reality based on what Allah has permitted me to know. Mother of children, I will not force you, nor will I make you take a burden that will weigh heavily on your heart. But I want you to think about the future and the past of this matter. If possible, give Agaishat to this woman to foster with a clean heart. Think positively, believe it is for the best, and follow it with prayers. I believe that even if they were bad people, Allah would put the love of the girl in her heart, and evil would turn into good."
Wardugu frowned and looked at Ayya, who was sitting and watching them. In the Tubawa language, he said, "Ayya, this girl, this is her mother. And I think she might be illegitimate, which is why that man over there is insulting her so much! Ayya, why are they trying so hard to get rid of the girl? Ayya..."
"Wardugu, that's enough," Ayya said, widening her eyes at him. In a stern voice, she asked, "Haven't you noticed what is happening?"
Suddenly, to their surprise, Anna's voice rang out in the Tubawa language: "She is not illegitimate. That man you see hiding in the room is her father. He despises her simply because she came into this world with BLACK SKIN."
They all looked at her in astonishment. Ayya stood up, walked closer to her, took her hand, and asked, "Are you a Tubawa woman?"
Anna closed her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. She gently shook Ayya's hand and said, "I don't know. I don't know what I am."
Gripping Ayya's hand tightly and looking into her eyes, she said, "I don't know if it's just because I understand your language, but I feel I can sacrifice my daughter to you. Will you take care of my girl honestly?"
Ayya felt her heart skip a beat; this woman carried a profound mystery. Ayya shook her hands in return, looked at her, and said, "For as long as I live."
Algabiit, who was inside, widened his eyes in panic. He was in deep trouble. How did Anna remember that language? But what he had done to her made her forget even her own name! Because before he brought her to this settlement, he made sure she could speak his language, wear their clothes, and adopt their habits. He retreated further into the room, his body trembling slightly.
Anna closed her eyes and said, "Thank you."
Wardugu, standing there, looked at them. English? Did she just speak English?
He hadn't fully stepped into the room, but now he walked all the way in. His entrance made all the young girls stare at him in surprise. The Black girl shrank back in fear against Baba Tsoho, her body going cold as she tried to understand who they were talking about taking away. Where to? She wasn't going anywhere! She wouldn't follow people she didn't know and had never seen before just to be killed. How could she leave her siblings, her mother, and Baba Sofo? Who would bring him water? Who would buy him kola nuts and grind them for him? Who would teach her how to read? Who would tell her that she, too, was a human being despite being black, and that this was how Allah wanted to see her?
Coming closer, Wardugu bent down slightly, looked at Anna, and asked, "Do you speak English?"
Anna looked up at him and nodded. In her mind, she repeated: English? What language is that? Isn't it the same kind of language spoken by the doctor?
With surprise, Wardugu asked, "How did you learn English? Where did you learn it? Who taught you? What town did you come from?"
Anna's head began to throb, and she quickly held it. Her voice started to shake as she said, "I... I... I don't know!" She burst into tears, hugging her arms. Gaishat quickly rushed over and hugged her mother, also crying. Were they going to be separated from their sister? She knew how deeply her mother felt about the abuse Agaishat faced, and how their father was forcing her to use bleaching creams so he could profit off her too. Anna was looking for anyone to marry her off to so she could find peace; she preferred her to marry anyone rather than fall into the kind of life Fatimata or anyone else had faced.
Anna cried until she could cry no more, and they consoled her before she wiped her tears. She beckoned to the Black girl, while her siblings and mother continued to weep.
Slowly, the girl walked toward Anna.
As she walked over, everyone focused their eyes on her. Wardugu stared intently at her, thinking to himself, Yes, she is indeed very black, with prominent lips and a rough appearance. In a village life like this, they would definitely discriminate against her because it is a place full of prejudices.
He turned his gaze away, his heart softening at the mother's situation. Surely, there was a deep mystery surrounding her. At first, he wanted to disrupt the whole plan so they could leave without Ayya picking up extra baggage. But seeing how the woman spoke his language flawlessly as if it were her own, and how she used English perfectly too, yet claimed she didn't even know the names of the languages—all while falling into distress when pressed with questions—made him back down. Quietly, he muttered, "I will find out who you people are!"
Anna took her hand and sat her down very close. She lifted her face—an act of intimacy she had never shown her daughter before because she wanted to but was always filled with fear and shame.
In a weak voice, she said, "Agaishat, I love you."
Agaishat quickly looked closer at her.
Anna smiled at her and said, "Very much. I love you, and I want you to have a change of life. I don't want you to end up like this, in the darkness of this life."
Gaishat said, "Anna, Anna."
Anna looked at her and said, "What is it, Gaishat? Should I not separate you from your sister? I know we are in a state of mourning and confusion, but you all know the life we live better than anyone. If these people leave without her, I believe he won't let her be, since he has set his mind on it. Who will he marry her off to? Where will she end up? If she is forced to go somewhere else, even if she tries to escape, the harsh desert might kill her on the way."
Agaishat burst into tears, her body shaking as she said, "Anna no, no Anna! Don't give me away like this, Anna. You are the only ones I know, Anna. Don't separate me from you. Don't do this to me, Anna. Let me stay and see you until I die. Let me stay and see my Baba Sofo, bringing him water while he teaches me. I don't care if father keeps beating me, it's nothing, Anna. As long as I can see you, see my siblings, and see Baba Sofo, that's enough for me, Anna. Don't separate me from the only things I have in this world—which is you all..."
So people, has she been taken away?
CAMEL CAMEL CAMEL SHE IS BLACK CAMEL CAMEL CAMEL
By SAJIDA
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
KAINUWA WRITERS ASSOCIATION

Chapter 17

Anna’s heart broke completely. Tears streamed down her face, and her voice trembled as she said, "Agaishat, please be patient and follow them. They are not bad people."
Agaishat widened her eyes and asked, "Are you sure they are not bad people? Are you sure they are good people?"
Anna's body went weak, and she lowered her head. Gaishat, who was also crying, leaned in, touched Agaishat's hand, and said, "Agaishat..."
Anna looked up and said, "I am not certain of their character. I won't say they are good people, nor will I say the opposite. Agaishat, I carried you, nurtured you, and gave birth to you. Since you hear me telling you to go, then just go... You won't understand the weight of my words until the day Allah blesses you with your own child. The love between us allows me to tell you to go, so trust that I have left everything in Allah's hands. Whether you are here or elsewhere, He is the one who created you. Whatever life you face, He has ordained it. I cannot prevent it or cause it; I can only take my complaints to Him, seeking comfort."
Agaishat closed her eyes. It wasn't even about following them; that man who accompanied them, who had been standing since they arrived without showing a single look of softness or pity—he was the one she feared. If they were killers, she felt he would be the one to slaughter people, because he looked exceptionally dangerous.
Algabiit, pacing around the inner room, wondered: Is she really leaving just like that? Was he not going to be given any money for her departure? Even if she wasn't his biological daughter, he was the one feeding her since birth. He deserved to be consulted and paid! However, seeing how Wardugu stepped out of the vehicle and headed toward them, he began to wet himself with fear. He couldn't bring himself to step out in front of that imposing man to do anything. But if she agrees to give the Black girl away just like that, she will realize how foolish she is!
Watching through her tears, the Black girl wept bitterly. With her parents still alive, yet without a marriage or blood relation, she was being sent away. She kept looking back at Anna, who had quickly run into the bathroom, locked the door, and burst into deep crying. She was placed inside a vehicle the likes of which she had never seen, let alone sat in. She felt the woman take her hand and rub it gently to comfort her. She watched Baba Sofo until he too was helped into the car, after Wardugu snapped at Walyn, who was hesitating to enter, complaining about the Black girl's scent. Wardugu got in, started the engine, and they drove away. She watched as they left their neighborhood, with local children running behind the large vehicle, shouting happily and waving until it vanished from sight. They stopped by Baba Sofo's door and let him down. Agaishat grew more distressed seeing that they were truly leaving Baba Sofo behind. He stood waving at her, his eyes dim with tears, though he was happier about her leaving than staying in that town.
Thus, they took to the road without resting or drinking water from the town, heading back toward Agadez.
She wept, calling out, "Anna, Sofo! Anna, Sofo!"
Walyn scoffed, pulled out her earphones, and put them in her ears. Wardugu, sitting in the front, closed his eyes, thinking she would get tired and quiet down, but Agaishat only cried louder. Ayya comforted her and apologized in the Tubawa language, unaware that the girl understood a bit of Hausa, while she herself didn't speak Tuareg.
Turning around, Wardugu spoke in the Tuareg language: "Shut your mouth right now before I pull over and give you a beating. Shhh, keep that mouth quiet or I'll pluck it out for you."
Terrified, Agaishat swallowed her cries, widening her eyes as she looked at them one by one, letting out shaky breaths. Ayya spoke to her, gesturing for her to be patient and stop crying. Slowly, Agaishat calmed her breathing and gripped Ayya's hand, looking at her; she was the only one in whom she sensed a touch of gentleness.
They journeyed across the Sahara until they left the desert tracks and hit the paved road. Agaishat didn't blink, staring at the road with eyes full of fear and wonder. She marveled at whether the trees were running, because the speed of the car made it look like the plants were running with all their might.
Walyn, feeling cramped and breathing heavily, began to retch as if she was about to vomit. Ayya looked at her with surprise. Truly, Walyn has no shame. After spraying herself with so much perfume and scoffing, she is now pretending to vomit just because of the smell of the girl they picked up. She shook her head and ignored her.
Sitting there, Wardugu thought to himself: Walyn doesn't want peace. If Ayya is fine with it, then I don't care!
They didn't reach the town until around ten o'clock at night. Agadez wasn't a vastly different city, so it was quiet, with only young men and women walking, driving cars, or riding motorcycles, doing their usual nightly rounds—some heading to clubs, some to restaurants, and others just strolling to catch the night breeze and chat.
Agaishat looked left and right, staring with the utter bewilderment of a villager. Her body remained tense, and she leaned into Ayya, who held her hand tighter to make her relax. They were driven straight to the Chief's palace. The car entered the compound, and Ayya and the others got out. Walyn let out a sigh of relief, glad to be rid of the nuisance.
As the driver turned the car around, Wardugu said, "Stop."
The soldier stopped. Wardugu turned to Walyn and said, "Get down and sleep at Ayya's place."
Walyn quickly stopped brushing off her clothes, widened her eyes, and said, "What... what did you say?"
Wardugu gave her a stern look that warned her not to test him.
Walyn said, "But Wardugu, what do you mean I should stay at Ayya's place when my husband is with you, my luggage is with you, and everything I have is with you? How can you separate me from yourself and make me breathe the same air as this ugly, monster-looking girl?"
Frowning, he thought, Monster-looking? Where does she even know what monsters look like? Aloud, he simply said, "That is what I choose."
Walyn said, "Wardugu, don't do this to me. What did I do to you? Don't discipline me like this!"
Wardugu looked at the soldier and said, "Let's walk."
The soldier said nothing, stepped out with his rifle, and watched the unfolding drama. Wardugu also got out, locked the car, and began walking alongside the soldier. The soldier looked back at the car parked by the roadside with Wardugu's wife inside. The distance between the palace and the military hotel was significant. Furthermore, approaching that area past ten at night meant a strict shoot-on-sight order for the soldiers, unless one was in an official vehicle or possessed the daily changing clearance code. He quickly kept pace with Wardugu, walking briskly until they left the palace grounds and hit the road. (A friend once said, "Sisi, did you think you could handle Wardugu?" Haha!)
Walyn let out a scream the moment she realized Wardugu had abandoned her in the car and walked away on foot. Is Wardugu humiliating her like this? Well, she certainly wouldn't go into the house of that mother of his, nor stay with that blood-reeking girl! She would rather sleep in the car! She huddled in the vehicle, refusing to turn on her phone light out of fear that something might notice her in the deep dark night, as the wild dogs began their eerie, baby-like crying.
"My friend, honestly, what kind of clumsy woman are you? This girl you brought along—do you even know her origin?"
Ayya smiled, looking at her close friend, the Chief's senior wife. She replied, "Her mother speaks the Tubawa language."
Anna, the Chief's wife, held her head and said, "Just because she speaks Tubawa, so what? Just because she speaks your language, you go and carry her daughter away? You said you took her from their house."
Ayya said, "Understand this, my friend. There is a mystery surrounding the mother and the girl. Just because of her skin color, she faces constant discrimination. The mother suddenly speaks our language, yet claims she doesn't even know the name of the language. I only did this to fulfill the promise made to that poor old man. Didn't you see how old he is, yet he carries her burden so deeply?"
Anna, the Chief's wife, rested her hand—heavy with gold rings—against her head, looked at her, and said, "If you notice, this bleaching trend has become widespread. In the villages, they hate black skin out of ignorance. In the cities, they avoid dark-skinned women due to high ambitions, and they do it cleverly. Occasionally, you see a man choose a dark woman, but they always pray for a fair-skinned child, even if she turns out to be useless. What if she ruins them?"
Ayya crossed one leg over the other, set down the apple she had bitten into, and said, "Not everywhere. I don't dispute your words, but it's not the case everywhere. Any woman you see being looked down upon or treated poorly, I assure you, she brought it upon herself. No matter how unattractive a woman is deemed, if she knows how to bathe, care for her body, dress according to her features, and backs it up with prayer, she will stand out. Furthermore, a dark-skinned woman possesses a unique grace. She has resilience in every aspect and a captivating beauty. If a dark-skinned woman flashes a well-formed smile, you will see a unique radiance in her. My friend, you will be surprised by this trust of mine, by Allah's grace."
The Chief's wife smiled, shaking her head. "Whatever you say. You are defending black skin because your own daughter has a beautiful dark complexion. I swear, if I had a daughter like yours, I would love it because your dark skin is beautiful. Wardugu inherited that smooth, Ethiopian-like skin from his fair-skinned father and dark mother. Have you seen how beautiful their skin is? But this girl... you saw how she cried when told to bathe, and you humored her and let her sleep like that? Are you sure you can refine her?"
Ayya said, "Just watch..."
The soldier kept walking, though he was incredibly exhausted. He watched Wardugu taking long, deliberate strides into the darkness of the town as they headed toward the hotel. They didn't arrive until nearly midnight. As they approached, Wardugu walked straight toward the entrance where an unauthorized entry usually meant drawing gunfire...
Wardugu turned to look at him, smiled, and asked, "Are you afraid to die, Sergeant?"
The Sergeant scratched his head, looking at Wardugu. Wardugu added, "Death will find you even on your bed, Sergeant. Isn't it better to face it?"
The Sergeant widened his eyes, staring at him.
Wardugu stepped closer, patted his shoulder, smiled, and said, "Let's go..."
They pushed past the checkpoint, the Sergeant trembling with fear. To his surprise, Wardugu opened a small wire-mesh gate and slipped through. The Sergeant followed, looking around, only to realize they had bypassed the dangerous perimeter of the hotel and safely reached the inner compound.
He let out a massive sigh of relief as he followed Wardugu. Wardugu slowed his pace and lowered his voice, saying, "I don't want a bullet to kill me either, Sergeant. I want to die in peace. If I had a choice, I'd want to die while praying, and on a Friday. But today is Saturday; should we just foolishly welcome death? If it were Friday, maybe..."
He smiled slightly and walked ahead, leaving the Sergeant standing there with a smile of his own. When his boss decides to joke, he plays with life itself!
She woke up early from her sleep but refused to move. The previous night, after being placed on the bed, she had waited until they left, crawled down to the cold white tiles, wrapped herself in her traditional indigo wrap (turkudi), and watched the ceiling fan spin until she fell asleep. Now awake, she wanted to stand up but was paralyzed by fear, staring in absolute wonder at the fan. What is this? How does it keep running without stopping? It had been turned on in front of her, and since it started spinning, she hadn't seen it stop. She feared it might fall and kill her.
Ayya opened the door and entered with a greeting.
Startled, the Black girl sat up against the wall, watching Ayya intently.
Ayya stood still, observing her. She realized the girl had slept on the cold floor and clearly hadn't performed her morning prayer.
Bending down near her, Ayya watched as she pulled her wrap closely around herself. In a gentle voice, she asked, "Have you prayed?"
Agaishat just stared, not understanding a word of the Tubawa language.
Using her intuition, Ayya took Agaishat's hand, helped her up, and led her to the bathroom. Inside, Ayya picked up a metal kettle, filled it with warm water, and showed her where to squat, knowing she wouldn't understand a modern toilet yet. She gestured for her to perform ablution and pray, pointing out that the sun was rising.
Agaishat nodded. Once Ayya left, she relieved herself where she was shown, washed, and performed her ablution, enjoying the warmth of the water. Coming out, she saw a prayer mat. Finding herself alone, she stood up, commenced her prayer, and performed it calmly, just as Baba Tsoho had taught her.
After finishing, she sat down, buried her head in her knees, and wept. How did Anna wake up today? How are my siblings? How is Baba Sofo? Who will bring him water? Who will grind his kola nuts?
The door opened again. This time, it was the Chief's wife, a Tuareg maid, and Ayya.
Ayya looked at the Chief's wife and said, "I want her to be told to bathe and get ready. We are leaving for our town because Wardugu said we are catching the one o'clock flight."
The Chief's wife smiled, still amazed by her friend's willingness to take on such a burden when they couldn't even speak the same language. She turned to the maid and firmly told her what to say to Agaishat. From where she sat, Agaishat watched them, understanding the Tuareg language perfectly.
Before the maid could speak, Agaishat looked at Ayya and said frantically, "Where are we going again? Please don't take me anywhere else, okay? Let me stay here instead." She crawled slightly toward them.
The maid quickly blocked her, saying in Tuareg, "Stay right there! Do you know where you are? You are in Agadez, inside the Agadez Palace, standing before the Chief's senior wife! Step back and obey her orders."
Agaishat shrank back, terrified. The Chief's wife? Back in her village, even the wealthiest commoner wouldn't dare disrespect the Chief's family, let alone the royalty of Agadez.
With her head lowered, she said, "I will take the bath."
Ayya walked over, placed her hands on her shoulders, and asked her friend, "What did she say to her? She looks frightened. Don't terrify my girl."
Anna chuckled at the Black girl's demeanor and explained the exchange to Ayya.
Ayya frowned and scolded the maid, "Go away if you can't be gentle! If she is a queen to you, she is just my friend to me. I don't like how you are treating this girl. Have you forgotten she is a human being too?"
Anna grimaced and said, "Look, let me go check if the clothes you requested have arrived. Honestly, I don't have the patience for this struggle." Ayya watched as Anna and her maid walked out.
Ayya sat the Black girl on the edge of the bed. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
When the call was answered, she said, "Where are you?"
He replied, "I'm with Aghali, discussing some matters."
"Leave that and come right now to the quarters where I am staying. I am inside waiting for you."
"Alright," he replied, standing up and telling Aghali, "I'll be right back."

Summary  Text

• The Proposal and Hardship: An elderly man (Baba Tsoho) deeply cares for an 18-year-old village girl named Agaishat, who has been under his guidance since she was six. Because she is dark-skinned (Bak'a), she faces severe discrimination and has been unable to find a husband. Fearing he might die and leave her helpless, Baba Tsoho begs a visiting woman (Ayya) to take her in.
• The Cultural Dilemma & Resolution: Ayya hesitates to force her only son, Wardugu, into a sudden marriage due to their strict cultural norms regarding polygamy. Instead, she offers to take Agaishat in as a foster child and a sacred trust (Amana), promising to provide for her and eventually marry her off properly. The local Chief (Sarki) steps in to facilitate the transition by arranging a meeting with Agaishat's parents.
• The Family Mystery: When they arrive at Agaishat's home, her abusive father (Algabiit) insults the family and tries to force Agaishat to bleach her skin for financial gain. Agaishat's mother (Anna) is trapped in a state of psychological trauma and memory loss regarding her true identity, yet she shockingly reveals that she can speak both the Tubawa language and fluent English. Recognizing a strange connection, Anna willingly hands Agaishat over to Ayya to save her from a dark future.
• The Journey to Agadez: Agaishat is separated from her family and Baba Tsoho, weeping bitterly as she is driven away to the palace in Agadez. Wardugu exhibits a strict, no-nonsense attitude, dealing firmly with his complaints-driven wife (Walyn) by forcing her to stay in the car while he handles military logistics.
• A New Beginning: The story concludes in the Agadez palace. Despite the classist attitudes of the Chief's wife and maids, Ayya fiercely defends Agaishat’s humanity and unique beauty. Ayya prepares to fly back to her hometown with the terrified but compliant girl, calling upon her son to finalize their departure.