The headache was severe when Maanal arrived in Abuja that day, and AA also had to be put on a drip because he was feeling extremely weak. They couldn't even finish giving him enough fluids at night—it took nearly three bags. Fawzan had to stay with him overnight on Abah's orders. Oum wanted to speak but remained silent because she was the one who had brought Maanal to AA's section that night. However, she understood that Abah's insistence on bringing Maanal was to impose some condition on AA—perhaps he was displeased that she had taken Maanal to her section before they arrived.
After they left AA's section, Abah spoke to her privately, but he made it clear that he was sleepy and asked her to leave him for God's sake. He was very exhausted, so *fuuu*—she left the section. When he glanced back to see her walking away, he shook his head openly and muttered, *"Fateema, your daughter has really gotten to you. If this is anger, it's a shame—soon, I'll discipline Ajwaad in this house."* Then he went into the toilet, smiling...
___________★
The Elder Brother's heart was restless as he headed to Oum's section. It was past ten at night, and Maanal still hadn't returned to her section. As for AA, his condition had improved somewhat, and they had removed some excess fluid from him. Seeing that she wasn't in the living room, he went to her bedroom. He greeted her, and she responded, giving him permission to enter. When he did, he found her sitting with a deeply troubled expression, which made his own face fall. Despite knowing the difficult situation Auta was in, he couldn't ignore her distress.
*"Oum, are you not feeling well?"*
He spoke with deep concern as he sat close to her. She just looked at him with teary eyes—any attempt to smile or ease her sorrow failed. A few tears even gathered in her eyes. The Elder Brother grew even more troubled.
Holding her hand, he gently shook her head. *"Look, calm down—it's nothing serious."*
*"Come on, Oum, you know I can't accept that. Just look at how visibly upset you are. For God's sake, even if it's about Auta's illness, don’t torment yourself like this. Everything will pass as if nothing happened, God willing. Right now, he’s even sleeping—they removed his drip so he could rest. His body isn’t in pain anymore, and seeing him sleep, I thank God there’s no more worry like yesterday and today. Now, I came about Maanal—is she really going to sleep there tonight? Is her body even strong enough?"*
Oum’s frustration became even more evident on her face. She said, *"About that—your brother has really upset me, Fadeel. He said I can’t go back there now, not until after prayer when he teaches Ajwaad a lesson. What lesson does that boy even need after all he's already learned? Forget the pain and suffering he endured in past years—just look at how much he's changed recently. Everyone lives according to their circumstances and destiny, but your brother refuses to understand that. He doesn’t understand that Ajwaad has deep emotions. The importance Maanal holds for him—I never thought he’d have to openly say something for it to be accepted. Does he want me to lose my child because of his stubbornness?"* Her voice trembled as if she was about to burst into tears.
The Elder Brother, now even more disturbed, shook his head at her, his own eyes glistening. *"For God’s sake, Oum, calm yourself. I’ll go talk to him now. Or call Baba or Abba—let them handle him..."*
