**Asabe:** Abu, wake up! Hey Asabe, what kind of call is this? You woke me up from my sleep and scared me. I thought something bad happened.

**Abu:** I'm sorry, my dear. The old women bothered me yesterday, and I dreamt that *Aunty Aysha Garkuwa* came to wake me up. After I went back to sleep, she woke me up again. It was so annoying that I felt like dying.

**Asabe** (laughing): Oh, Asabe, you're so silly. Is that why you came out so early?

**Abu:** Well, I told Inna (mother) that I wouldn't sell her goods today. As for the cat, I caught the stray and tied it up.

**Asabe:** (wide-eyed) Why did you tie it up? What if it dies?

**Abu:** That's not why I'm here. Get up so we can continue from where we left off. I want to learn so I can buy a phone and start talking to my Aunty. Then you can rest easy.

**Asabe:** But who will buy you a phone?

**Abu:** Adamu, of course. You know he said he likes me, but I refused. Now, since he’s wealthy and lives in the city, I'll go to his house and ask for his number. I'll bring it to you to call him for me, and when he speaks, I'll tell him I like him. He'll buy me a phone and help me get to the city. If he doesn't, I'll make sure everyone knows I humbled myself for him.

**Asabe:** But you know it's degrading to tell a man you like him just to get something.

**Abu:** To you city folks, it's degrading. To me, it’s nothing. Besides, isn't he the one who said he likes me? No one said he degraded himself. If I say I like him, it's degrading? Whatever it is, if it's about getting to the city, I'll do it even if the whole town thinks less of me.

**Asabe:** Anyway, let's do what brought you here. Today, you’ll finish telling me the story. I'll be here all day until nightfall.

**Abu:** I'm sorry, but I just woke up. I haven’t even bathed or eaten. Go help Inna with her chores and sell her goods. If you want me to continue the story, come back later.

**Asabe:** My dear friend, you won't do what I asked, will you? I won’t continue the story if you don’t.

(She knelt, pleading and even crying): Please forgive me. I'll go and finish everything.

**Abu:** Alright, get up and go now. See you later.

(Asabe ran out quickly and headed home, calling out to her mother from afar): Inna, prepare everything before I arrive.

Inna had already prepared everything. As Asabe entered, she went straight to where things were kept.

**Inna:** You’re going without bathing today?

**Asabe:** (responding) Yes, Inna, I’ve stopped bathing and dressing up until Adamu returns.

**Inna:** Are you sure you haven’t encountered something unusual? You’ve changed suddenly. Who's Adamu today?

**Asabe:** That’s none of your business. Just pray for me.

**Inna:** Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into? May God give you health.

**Asabe:** (leaving while laughing and making faces at her mother)

**Inna:** What a strange girl. May God grant you success.

Asabe didn’t stop until she reached her usual spot to sell her goods. When she arrived, Isa, who always waited for her, approached laughing. She frowned.

**Isa:** Is everything alright? Did I do something wrong? You’re not even smiling today.

**Asabe:** Get out of my business. I don’t like you anymore. I like Adamu now.

**Isa:** Do you know what you're saying?

**Asabe:** Yes, I know. I’m not crazy. If you're truly honorable, leave me alone. I don’t want to see you anymore.

She packed her things and moved to another spot. Isa just watched her.

She went to another place and spotted someone getting out of a car, talking on the phone. She quickly approached him.

**Asabe:** Excuse me, do you know Aysha Garkuwa?

**Man:** (looking surprised) Which Aysha?

**Asabe:** (answering confidently) The one on the phone.

**Man:** (still looking surprised) Are you alright?

**Asabe:** We are in the same line of work. I’m talking about the same person. (She continued talking, even making faces, which she was used to doing.)

The man raised his hand.