She sat on the low stool, adding wood to the fire she had started. A young girl emerged from a room and approached her mother just as the water on the fire began to boil. She knelt down and said,

"Umma, well done with your work."

Umma smiled, opened the lid of the container in front of her, and started mixing the bean flour she had prepared. Then she said,

"Thank you, Inteesar."

"Umma, let me help you fry the bean cakes."

"No, leave it. I know you're about to go to Hajiya Fatima's house, right?"

"Yes, Umma. Every morning if she doesn't see me, she starts looking for me, wondering why I haven't shown up yet."

Umma smiled and said, "I know, she often sends someone over if it's past ten o'clock and you haven't come. Tell her I send my greetings."

"Okay," she said, standing up.

"I should go now since I've finished my chores and you won't let me fry the bean cakes."

She got up calmly and made her way out of the house. She found her father in the living room, reading the Qur'an. She knelt down to greet him, and he responded with a smile.

"Abba, I'm going to Hajiya's house."

He nodded and said, "Greet her for me. May Allah protect you and bring you back safely."

She stood up and said, "Okay, Abba, insha Allah." She exited the house, reciting the prayer for leaving the house.

Since Hajiya Fatima's house was not far, just down the street, she walked there calmly and arrived at the large house. She knocked on the gate, and Mallam Ibrahim, the gatekeeper, came to open the small door for her. She knelt respectfully to greet him.

"Good morning, Baba."

The elderly man smiled and said, "I knew it was you who came in just now. Did you wake up well, Inteesar?"

"Yes, Baba."

She went straight into the house. She gently pushed open the living room door, greeting as she entered, not expecting to see anyone there. She headed directly to Hajiya Fatima's living room, still greeting. Hearing noise from the kitchen, she made her way there. Hajiya Fatima, who was washing some dishes, looked at Inteesar and smiled.

"I was just thinking about you, my dear. I see you were on your way."

Inteesar smiled and knelt down to greet Hajiya Fatima.

"Good morning, Mummy."

"Good morning, Inteesar. How are your parents?"

"They're well. They send their greetings."

"Please extend my greetings to them as well."

Inteesar stood up and looked at Mufida, who was peeling potatoes.

"Mufida, did you wake up well?"

"Yes, I did, Inteesar. Please come help me peel these potatoes. I'm so tired."

Mummy looked at her and scolded, "What work did you do to be tired?"

"Mummy, I even cut myself with the knife, didn't you see?"

Mummy gave a short laugh. "You'd cut yourself without letting anyone know or making a fuss?"

Mufida made a face and said, "Oh, Inteesar, please come help me finish. I need to go put spirit and plaster on this cut."

Without waiting for Mummy's response, she dropped the knife and hurried out. Mummy shook her head and said,

"You just don't like working. Even when I force you, you still don't get much done. You take a long time to finish even one task."

Inteesar took the knife and started peeling the potatoes. In no time, she finished, washed them, added some salt, and fried them. She also fried some eggs and made some spiced tea. She looked at Mummy with a smile and said,

"Mummy, don't worry. I'll finish everything."

"May Allah bless you. I'll go take a bath."

She left, and Inteesar continued working alone. In a short time, she finished, put the food in a flask, and set the table. She cleaned the kitchen and the utensils they had used. Just then, Mufida entered the kitchen, smiling.

"Well done, Inteesar."

Inteesar smiled without saying anything, and Mufida continued,

"Let me tell you the truth, I didn't cut myself. You know I don't like working. You should get used to doing work because you're a woman. One day, you'll get married and have children and become a mother."

Inteesar laughed and said, "Insha Allah, the husband I marry won't have the same principles as my Daddy. Daddy doesn't like hiring help to cook. It's just Mummy and us who do the cooking. Haven't you noticed that there are house helps here, but they don't enter the kitchen? That's his rule; he doesn't eat food cooked by help. The husband I marry will not have the same rule."

Inteesar laughed and said, "May Allah guide you."

They both left the kitchen just as Daddy and Mummy were sitting at the dining table. Inteesar knelt down to greet Daddy respectfully.

"Daddy, good morning."

Smiling, he responded, "Good morning, Inteesar. How is everything?"

She smiled and knelt down, bowing her head. Mummy also smiled, feeling deep affection for the girl, loving her dearly. She stood up and went to sit on the chairs in the living room.

Just then, Daddy's phone started ringing. He looked at the screen and smiled, saying, "It's Muhammad Muhdeen calling."

Instantly, Inteesar's heart skipped a beat hearing Muhdeen's name. She thought to herself, "I hope he's not coming back. I'm in trouble if he is." Daddy answered the call.