Around half-past two, the night had deepened, and darkness enveloped everything. The only sounds were the cries of small insects and the rustling of dry leaves blown by the wind from time to time. At a time when most people were fast asleep, I lay there wide awake, my eyes as if they had been fried, showing no signs of sleep due to the dryness and pain in my heart. It was only now that I realized that a peaceful mind and calmness, combined with fewer worries, lead to sweet and blissful sleep. Slowly, I got up from the mat I was lying on and moved towards the window. I opened it, and a cold breeze hit my face. I looked out into the large courtyard, where I couldn't make out anything because of the darkness. I lifted my head and gazed at the stars, which adorned the sky, held up by the will and power of the Almighty. I sighed, comparing my life to this dark night, filled with darkness and fear. At that moment, the Hausa saying echoed in my mind: "The bitter kola must be chewed inside." However, the advancement of our times has shown us the importance of our health. Despite the progress, it didn't stop me from being forced to chew the bitter kola against my will, which is harmful. It became like poison to me, causing an illness that I still struggle with, an illness that was hidden until it surfaced and became a stigma that people identified me with. Likewise, the wisdom of the Hausa that says, "A woman's illness is for women to bear," found a place in the mouths of many women. But in my view, a woman's illness is hers alone. Maybe in my life, God did not destined me to be among those whose woman's illness becomes a shared burden. No matter how much I tried to swallow my saliva, I couldn't because my mouth was dry, and my heart burned with such intensity that my breath came out in huffs. Slowly, I muttered, "What is left? Since the world is filled with chaos and challenges, everyone looks out for themselves, and your money is your dignity. Certainly! The situation has reached its limit, and I've resolved to confront those who have wronged me. Since there is no room for leniency, I must expose the secret, even if it means breaking family ties. I will see if they can endure chewing the bitter kola as they made me do, then move on and find a way to better my life." ***** In the late afternoon, a young woman, barely eighteen, sat in the large courtyard, diligently picking beans to grind and add to the soup she was making. Lying on her lap was a three-and-a-half-year-old girl, sucking her thumb and playing with her navel with one hand. If you looked at the little girl once, you would look again, wondering which tribe she belonged to. She was very dark, plump, with a prominent forehead, but her thick eyebrows overshadowed her forehead. She had large white eyes with brown irises instead of black, a small mouth, and red lips as if she had applied lipstick. The most surprising feature was her long, straight, jet-black hair, unlike the curly hair typical of black people, more like Arabian hair, neatly braided into two braids that reached her back. Her nose wasn't particularly prominent because her cheeks overshadowed it. "Hey Mariya, won't you put down that plump little girl and focus on finishing your work? You've taken a child and placed her on your lap. Don't you feel any weight? I know you're not breastfeeding her." Mariya thought to herself, "That's absurd. How can a cow struggle with its own calf?" Out loud, she said, "I'm almost done, Iya." "Then put her down to play with the other kids. This little woman is always on your lap. You should have another child to keep her company, but you refuse to have more children. Try to have another one. Maybe God will give you one with a bit more beauty, because this one is just too unattractive. But then again, she inherited this darkness and ugliness from your family. The Fulani are naturally very dark like the first sinners." Mariya bowed her head in silence, feeling the sting of those words but unable to do anything about it. She forced a smile and said, "Iya, this granddaughter of yours will surprise you. When she grows up, she will bring you a wealthy suitor who will take you to Mecca." Iya spat out her chewing stick and said, "With that darkness and ugliness? Men are crazy about fair women. Who would want to marry an ugly girl? Even those eyes of hers are enough to scare anyone away, looking like a witch's eyes, big and bulging like coal pits." The little girl lay back on her mother's lap, turning her face away. Mariya patted her head and said, "Ummina, get up so I can finish cooking. I don't want your siblings to come back and find that I haven't finished preparing the meal. Go and play with Auwwalu." The girl shrugged her shoulders, pouting her small mouth, and adjusted her position, putting her hand back in her mouth. A greeting from someone entering made them both respond in unison. But Mariya was greatly startled when she heard the voice of the person who greeted. She jumped up in surprise, as it was a young man holding a small bag in his hand.