They walked gracefully, each with a bag in hand and wearing long hijabs that reached the ground. Their composed demeanor and their faces clearly reflected that they had been well-raised. One of them shook her head and said, "Honestly, I'm not going today. I only go to watch if there's a series I like, and today there's nothing interesting, so I'll just stay home."

The taller, fairer one with a bit of weight replied, "I'm definitely going because MBC Bollywood advertised 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' yesterday, so I'm going to watch it."

The first one pursed her lips and said, "But *Mimi*, it's at night. You know your father won't let you go out."

Mimi responded, "You know it's Saturday, and he goes to the main mosque to attend a lecture. Once he leaves, I'll go. They usually take an hour, so I'll be back by the time they finish."

The first girl pursed her lips again and asked, "So, isn't *Mas'ud* coming today?"

Mimi let out a long sigh and said, "I'm glad you ruined my mood by mentioning his name."

With surprise, the first girl asked, "Mimi, isn't Mas'ud the one whose parents brought his proposal to your house, and your parents accepted it? They even agreed that he would bring your bridal gifts and dowry at the start of Ramadan. But you don't want to talk about him?"

With a frown and pouting her lower lip, which was very pink, Mimi said, "Who told you I would agree to marry him? I don't like him at all."

The first girl was even more surprised and said, "You don't like him, yet you let the elders discuss it?"

Casually, Mimi replied, "Yes, because he's been pestering me, and I don't have anyone else to rely on right now. Plus, he has something I want in a man."

Shaking her head in disbelief, the first girl asked, "Mimi, what's wrong with you? What does he have that you want? Aren't you dealing with him for the sake of Allah?"

With a smile that made her chubby cheeks more prominent, Mimi said, "He's just not my type, *Asma'u*. The only good thing about him is that he can take a bath properly."

Asma'u shook her head and said, "So, you're treating him like your bank?"

Laughing and showing her white teeth, Mimi said, "Something like that."

With concern, Asma'u said, "May Allah guide you." With a mischievous laugh, Mimi said, "Ameen."

As they arrived at their homes, Mimi said, "I guess I'll see you in the morning since you don't even have a phone for us to chat on WhatsApp."

Asma'u smiled and replied, "And don't forget, you using that fancy phone is without your father's knowledge, and the day he finds out, you'll be in trouble."

Mimi laughed and said, "He'll never find out. By then, I'll be married and gone."

Asma'u laughed and shook her head, saying, "Mimi, is this how you've become?"

Mimi rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, come on! Are we supposed to live life without progress? You also want to get married, don't you?"

Asma'u shook her head and went inside her house. Mimi also went inside, removed her hijab, and greeted quietly. The courtyard was empty except for her mother, who was sitting by the stove, stirring a pot of soup. With a frown, Mimi asked, "Mama, are we having soup again today?"

Her mother turned to look at her, shook her head, ignored her, and continued what she was doing. Mimi quickly went to her room, ducked before entering, and put down her school bag. She pulled up her skirt to wrap it around her chest and went outside to fetch water. Her mother looked at her and said in a childlike voice, "Don't you dare fetch water, *Uwa*. Don't take my water, do you hear me?"