JARABABBEN NAMIJI Complete Document Written By Oum Aphnan
Description
Upon entering the room, she roused her father from his Quranic recitation. She bid him farewell and moved aside to tend to the food.
I’m still seated on his aged Moroccan cushion, now engrossed in reading the Qur’an, while he occupies the doorway, sipping his drink.
She distanced herself from his side, arranging her garments and spreading a worn sheet over them, then commenced her prayer.
After completing her gesture, she sat and donned a straight coat, distinct from her father’s attire.
This ritual had been ongoing for a while before he extended his hand to pray audibly. In response, she lifted her hand, echoing “Amen” until their hands connected, and hers brushed his.
With her resolute determination, she attended to the meal, guiding her father’s position.
“Daddy’s hair, daddy’s a garbage man.”
“Well, hello, Mairamuu… But I wish to discuss something with you about this household. Namely, God’s protection against the necessity of involving banks, and his counsel to safeguard yourself. Mairamuu, God has tested us with this man as my master. So, we must be prepared. Mairamuu, I want you to avoid interactions with the type of women who come to this house. They are unsavory, and mingling with them is unwise. Thus, I instruct you to reside in your room rather than the common area of the house. When you return, do you sleep? Until we attain our rights from the house’s proprietors. Do you comprehend me?”
Jinjina shook her head, remaining silent.
“Incorporate a little blessing; bring the bowl of food and serve it.”
She placed it before him, evoking immense satisfaction. Despite her own inner turmoil, memories of their boss’s gaze and actions swirled in her mind, leaving her dispirited. To prevent herself from consuming it, she packed the food, her appetite waning.
Finally, she disposed of the waste and stood up.
“Are you satiated now?”
“Yes, I’m full, though the food’s taste is disagreeable, and it emits an unpleasant odor.”
“Patience, Mairo. Here’s a cup of coffee with sugar. Drink it.”
“No, Dad, I’ll have it later.”
All the customary phrases they exchanged culminated in their evening prayers, and she stifled a yawn.
By then, it was past nine o’clock.
Father approached the room’s entrance, knocking lightly.
“Who is it, Father, coming out so late today?”
She answered from within, “Mairo, I’ll call you. Let’s head to bed.”
He opened the door before summoning Mairo. Gigi stirred and blinked sleepily.
He surveyed the room before announcing, “Mairamuu, your father is here to spend the night.”
She awakened, gripping her blankets tightly.
“Father, I shall join you. I’ll spend the night with you.”
“Have we ever done such a thing? Have you said your greetings to Anna? You’ll come and leave. Whatever you do to me…”
She glanced at the child’s father.
“Mairo’s father spoke to the landlord, and he agreed to let you stay until the month’s end when the salary arrives. You’ll rent the house. But until then, Mairo will stay with me, along with her belongings.”
“Thank God he relented. You’ve assisted us greatly. May God bless you with paradise,” he said, moving towards the prayer mat.
She smiled, taking Mairo’s hand and responding with a heartfelt “Amen.”
******
Regardless of her father’s tidying efforts, Mairo’s heart remained heavy. Eventually, she succumbed to sleep, exhausted.
In the middle of the night, she muttered to her husband, already lost in London in her dreams, unsure of her actions.
******
At dawn, her father arose, while Mairo prayed before starting her tasks. Despite the prohibition on touching the food, she planned to bathe, following which her father would teach her cooking when he returned.
She shook her head and questioned, “If I bathe now, will you instruct us?”
“Yes, Hana, come, and I’ll demonstrate how to operate the bathroom.”
The worker paused, explaining how to manage hot water, flushing, drinking water, and the washing machine.
“Chief, what’s this vessel for, then?”
She chuckled, “No, Mairo, that’s a toilet. There’s a sit-down toilet and a squat toilet. This one’s for sitting, but it’s shared by many people. I don’t recommend using it. Flush before you use it, then squat, or call me for the potty if you need it, it’s cleaner that way.”
She elaborated on everything before leaving, heading outside to bathe.
****
Clusters of woven clothes belonging to Yagutsatsen were stacked haphazardly, their purpose a mystery.
A dress tied around her midsection, securing it snugly.
She giggled and momentarily forgot Dangwali’s bundle of basil leaves. She combed her hair and tucked it behind her ear.
And so, with a smile, she emerged, clutching her policewoman doll.
“Dad, what are you doing?”
“Wow, you’re a pretty young man. How about stealing a husband?”
She laughed, her hand covering her face playfully.
“What should I do now?”
“Come, Mairo, I’ve finished cooking. Just some tasks remain. But let’s get the mop and clean the rooms.”
Her expression dimmed before she responded, “Alright, I’ll do it.”
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