Amina wakes up late, the sunlight streaming through her open window. She groans, rubbing her eyes as the events of the previous night come flooding back—the dream, Emeka's visit, the eerie whispers. But there's no time to dwell on it. Her mother's voice cuts through the quiet like a knife.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut5pm8qjSZ
"Amina! Are you still sleeping? Get up!"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmBYMWwZfp
Amina stumbles out of bed, her head still foggy. She opens her door to find her mother, **Mama Nkechi**, standing with her hands on her hips, her expression a mix of exasperation and disappointment.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYzRfD7CfC
"Look at this room!" Mama Nkechi exclaims, gesturing to the open window and the empty ice cream bowl on the desk. "You slept with the window open? Do you want thieves—or worse, spirits—to crawl in? And this bowl! Look at it!"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dZaB753zW
Amina follows her mother's gaze to the bowl, now swarming with ants. She winces. "I'm sorry, Mama. I forgot—"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSHyuu13NI
"Forgot? Eh? You're too old to be forgetting things, Amina. And look at the time! The sun is already high, and you're still in your nightclothes. Hurry up and get dressed. We're going to the market."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWg6jH0AJg
Amina hurries to wash up and change, pulling on a simple but elegant **dera**—a flowing, ankle-length dress with intricate embroidery along the neckline. She ties a matching headscarf loosely around her hair, the fabric bright and cheerful against her dark skin.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPatWTEU8b
When she steps into the living room, her father, **Papa Chukwuma**, is already dressed for work. He's wearing his usual outfit—a collared shirt tucked into neatly pressed trousers, his boots polished to a shine. He's sitting at the table, a notebook open in front of him as he calculates the household expenses.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88flU3le9f
"Good morning, Papa," Amina says, her voice soft.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ4cxPZ2Lg
Papa Chukwuma looks up and smiles. "Good morning, my daughter. You look... decent."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKUuNTMHzx
Mama Nkechi, who's now dressed in casual Nigerian wear—a colorful wrapper and a simple blouse—rolls her eyes. "Decent? Is that all you can say? Your daughter looks beautiful, and all you can say is 'decent'?"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ7U6sVz23
Papa Chukwuma chuckles, closing his notebook. "Fine, fine. She looks beautiful. But beauty won't pay the bills. Amina, have you thought about what we discussed? About Chief Emeka's son?"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7147GnS7Zs
Amina's smile falters. "Papa, not this again—"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeJW5onMBc
Mama Nkechi cuts in sharply. "Chukwuma, must you bring this up now? Can't you see we're trying to get ready?"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dZbP94ynO
Papa Chukwuma holds up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I just want what's best for her."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAf1GhKVhP
Papa Chukwuma stands, slipping his notebook into his pocket. He hands Mama Nkechi a wad of naira notes. "This should be enough for the market and the books. Don't forget to stop by the pharmacy and pick up medicine for my mother. She's complaining of a mild malaria again."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGVXdFnnHr
Mama Nkechi nods, tucking the money into her bag. "We'll take care of it. But why can't you drop us off at the market? It's on your way."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v4wZGQEpx
Papa Chukwuma shakes his head. "I'm picking up my friend, **Obinna**, today. We're doing field work, and it's in the opposite direction. You'll have to take a taxi."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTsP3DAp9Z
Mama Nkechi sighs but doesn't argue. She turns to Amina. "Let's go. The market won't wait for us."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3QiTwWlwJ
As they step outside, Papa Chukwuma mounts his motorcycle, the engine roaring to life. He glances back at Amina, his expression softening. "Take care of yourself, my daughter. And don't forget—education is important, but so is family."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVw47LaLcy
Amina nods, though her heart feels heavy. "Goodbye, Papa. I love you."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOBNg36iDf
He doesn't respond, but the way he looks at her tells her everything she needs to know. With a final wave, he rides off, the sound of the motorcycle fading into the distance.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHELKD5dkd1
***
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmBGxpUSQB
Mama Nkechi and Amina set off on foot, their bags slung over their shoulders. The morning sun is warm, the streets bustling with activity. Vendors call out to passersby, their stalls overflowing with fresh produce, colorful fabrics, and handmade goods.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulQ3Zf6EbE
As they walk, Mama Nkechi glances at Amina. "You know your father means well, even if he doesn't always say the right things."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp8G5sAeFM
Amina sighs. "I know, Mama. But I just... I want to focus on my studies. Is that so wrong?"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM74uefM1F
Mama Nkechi smiles, patting her daughter's arm. "No, it's not wrong. But remember, life is about balance. You can have both—education and family. Just give it time."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN071VyWsI
Amina nods, though her mind is still racing. As they approach the market, she can't shake the feeling that something is watching her, waiting. But for now, she pushes the thought aside, focusing on the day ahead.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgVBBJ6SLQ
The market is alive with noise and color, the air thick with the scent of spices, fresh produce, and sizzling street food. Mama Nkechi leads Amina through the bustling stalls, her eyes scanning for the best deals. They stop at a yam vendor, his table piled high with tubers of various sizes.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxX8H7IyPW
"How much for this one?" Mama Nkechi asks, holding up a large yam.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpPRbOjeQ2
The vendor, a middle-aged man with a weathered face, squints at her. "₦1,500. Very fresh, very good."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaYI7SkTC1
Mama Nkechi scoffs, placing the yam back on the table. "₦1,500? Are you trying to rob me? This yam is not even that big. I'll give you ₦800."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMevsXKKIC
The vendor shakes his head, his expression indignant. "₦800? Mama, this yam is big enough to feed your whole family for a week! ₦1,200, final price."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeKRDcvMVO
Mama Nkechi folds her arms, her lips pursed. "₦1,000, and I'll buy two. Take it or leave it."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7etSFE73ph
The vendor hesitates, then sighs dramatically. "Ah, Mama, you're killing me. But because it's you, I'll take it. ₦1,000 for two."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEStiXKAmR
Mama Nkechi smiles triumphantly, handing over the money. "Thank you. Next time, don't try to overcharge me."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g7h1iANIH
As Mama Nkechi inspects the yams, Amina feels a strange sensation, like someone is watching her. She turns and locks eyes with an old man standing a few feet away. His gaze is intense, almost piercing, and before she can look away, he starts walking toward her.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusENVLeagC
Amina's heart races. She tries to step back, but the crowd is too dense. The old man reaches her in moments, his hand gripping her wrist with surprising strength.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPh07IbG3A
"Don't scream," he says, his voice low and urgent. "I'm here to help. I know what you see, and it will get worse if we don't fix it."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShjnqi39SL
Amina's breath catches in her throat. "What are you talking about?"
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjpaYJ0Fsq
The old man doesn't answer. Instead, he pulls a talisman from his pocket—a small, intricately carved ankh with the Eye of Osiris etched into the back. He presses it into her hand.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoaAEKsYIC
"This will help," he says. "But it will cost you. ₦2,000."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwknZsPSksC
Amina shakes her head, clutching the talisman. "I can't. That money is for my books."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4KNgc5tLS
The old man's eyes narrow. "₦1,000, then. But don't waste my time."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlui6QVmbSz
Amina hesitates, but the old man's gaze is unrelenting, his eyes boring into hers until she feels a chill run down her spine. Reluctantly, she pulls out the money and hands it to him.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9zi3yZUbv
The old man pockets the cash, his expression grim. "Don't lose it," he warns. "If the gods send me to you again, I'll charge extra."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YbbTAWQdn
Before Amina can respond, he melts into the crowd, disappearing as quickly as he appeared.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLNzRHUrkA
Amina stares at the talisman in her hand, her mind racing. Just then, she feels another pair of eyes on her. She looks up and sees her—Mami Wata. The spirit is standing a few feet away, her body draped in a flowing white robe that covers her hair like a veil. Her beauty is otherworldly, her smile both enchanting and terrifying.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnC00fx1qS
"That won't save you for long," Mami Wata says, her voice a melodic whisper. Then, just as suddenly as she appeared, she vanishes into the crowd.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HFcjEXTmJ
Amina is still staring at the spot where Mami Wata stood when her mother's voice snaps her back to reality.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDmbTKnk6H
"Amina! Are you daydreaming again? A whole you?" Mama Nkechi shakes her head, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Abeg, let's go home. I've already bought everything while you were standing there like a statue."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXep7c2jMc
Amina forces a smile, slipping the talisman into her pocket. "Sorry, Mama. Let's go."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbRt39ZA6R
Back at home, Mama Nkechi and Amina prepare lunch together—a pot of fragrant **jollof rice**, the aroma of tomatoes, peppers, and spices filling the kitchen. As they cook, Mama Nkechi shares stories from her youth, her voice warm and nostalgic.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheVy5mMl9t
"You know, your father didn't marry me for my looks alone," she says, stirring the pot. "He was betrothed to another woman, but when he tasted my cooking, he canceled the wedding and married me instead."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ouO3Zpl0K
Amina laughs, though her mind is still on the talisman and the old man's warning. "Mama, you're exaggerating."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRQzJs89qg
Mama Nkechi shakes her head, her expression serious. "I'm not. A woman must know how to cook if she wants to keep her husband. And you, my daughter, need to learn. One day, you'll have a family of your own."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBLYf8xm0p
Amina nods, though the thought makes her uneasy. She focuses on the task at hand, chopping vegetables and stirring the pot as her mother instructs.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRVCd1xIp7
After lunch, Mama Nkechi packs a dish of jollof rice, a thermos of tea, a bottle of water, and a few malaria pills into a basket. "Take this to your grandmother," she says, handing the basket to Amina. "And don't dawdle. She's expecting you."
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTp5DuEkjF
Amina nods, slinging the basket over her arm. As she steps outside, she glances at the talisman in her pocket, her heart pounding. She knows the old man's warning was real, but she can't shake the feeling that something is still watching her.
ns216.73.216.109da2
