Upon arriving at their street, Usman patted his friend Nura's shoulder, who was driving, and said, "Nuru, stop here. No need to go all the way inside the house; I'll get off here."

Nura turned his head, gave Usman a once-over, then smiled and said, "Usman, honestly, your brother Hamma Umar amazes me the way he keeps you at home like a woman! Look at how you're acting, all wide-eyed because you know he's in the compound attending to patients."

Usman, already opening the car door, shot Nura a glare and said, "Don't just sit there, madman. You're the one who's gone mad over a girl. Just come back at night, and I'll go with you. You know Hamma Farouq will be looking for me to give me my medicine."

Nura just laughed and drove off, while Usman, sneaking and tiptoeing, entered the compound. His eyes were focused on some huts made with modern design, with their tops covered in grass, resembling traditional Fulani huts. The courtyard was filled with beautiful flowers and lights all around. In one of the huts, which looked like a recreational spot, was a fair-skinned young man with an impressive presence, resembling an Arab—Dr. Umar Farouq. He was seated among about eight people, apparently attending to patients.

Seeing this, Usman quickly and quietly slipped into the house, heading straight for the living room where Nenne was. He greeted cheerfully as he entered, a bit out of breath and with wide eyes. Nenne came out of the bedroom with a smile and asked, "Usman, where have you been, looking all wide-eyed?"

He chuckled, sitting down beside Ummul, who was watching him closely, along with Ya Adam and Ya Sadik. Ummul teased, "Did the big bad wolf chase you, Usman?"

Usman, taking a deep breath, said, "Nenne, did Hamma Umar come looking for me?"

Ya Adam, teasingly, replied, "Yes, he was here on three legs searching for you."

Usman widened his eyes a bit more and said, "Well, I didn't go anywhere special! I just accompanied my friend Nuru to see his girlfriend, and now I know Hamma Umar will say I went out without taking my medicine."

Nenne laughed, assuring him, "No, Usman, he didn't come."

Usman laughed in relief and asked Ummul, "What did you cook for us? I'm starving."

Ya Sadik chimed in, "You'll have to ask her to cook something for you, maybe even noodles, because you know you're not allowed to eat vegetable soup."

Usman pouted and tried to change the topic, saying, "Ummul, just bring me today's food. It won't hurt me."

Nenne looked at him seriously and said, "Usman, you have to follow the doctors' orders for your health."

He pouted more and said, "I'm tired of all these rules. I can't eat anything green! Please, Nenne, just for today?"

Nenne felt a pang of sympathy for Usman, considering his illness and how young he was.

Usman, still smiling, turned to Ya Adam and said, "Ya Adam, do you know what Nuru does when we visit his girlfriend?"

Ya Adam smiled and said, "How would I know? Just tell me."

Ummul jumped in eagerly, "Usman, what does he do?"

Usman took Ummul's hand with a mischievous grin and said, "Go bring me food, and I'll tell you the story."

"Alright," she said, quickly heading to the kitchen. She hurriedly put some food on a plate and brought it back to the living room, placing it in front of him. Eager to hear the story, she said, "Here's your food. Now tell us the story."