He spotted his security guard, Musa, busily tidying the compound while humming and dancing to his own tune. Ahmad stood watching, amused. It was funny seeing someone working alone while singing and dancing at the same time. A slight smile appeared on Ahmad’s lips as he shook his head and turned back inside.

Just as he was about to leave, he changed his mind and called Musa. The guard quickly responded, rushing over.

“Where's Peter? I haven’t seen him cleaning inside, and there's no food.”

Musa replied, “Oga, Peter went to the market. He left your food in the kitchen, saying he was in a hurry.”

Musa hesitated before adding, “Oga, I really think you should hire a maid—someone to cook and clean for you since I’m busy handling the compound.”

Ahmad frowned. “It’s called a compound, not ‘Campun,’ Musa. And I don’t need a maid. I don’t want a woman near me. I despise anything that could make me interact with a woman.”

Musa’s eyes widened in shock. “Oga! Women are the beauty of life. Every man's peace lies with a woman!”

Ahmad scoffed. “Oh, really? Maybe for fools. I’d rather eat food made by a man than one made by a woman. Never mention the word ‘woman’ to me again. If you do, consider yourself fired.”

Musa quickly apologized. “Understood, Oga! I swear, I meant a male cook, not a woman! Except for your mother, of course.”

Ahmad sneered and walked away with his usual arrogance. He checked the food Peter had left but wasn’t satisfied. So, he prepared his own breakfast—healthy tea and some light dishes. After eating, he picked up his car keys and headed out, this time driving a gray Benz.

---

The next morning, Aamna took a bath and dressed neatly in a simple blouse and trousers—washed and scrubbed clean by hand. She wore an overcoat and wrapped a scarf around her head. None of her family members paid her any attention, let alone offered her food. Not that it mattered—lately, they barely acknowledged her existence. Even when she greeted them, they refused to respond.

Without another word, she bid them farewell and left.

Her stepmother scoffed. “That useless girl! She knows our only wish is to see them married, yet she refuses to bring home a suitor. It's disgraceful! Imagine—a younger sister marrying before her elder one! She's wasting away in this house. At 24, she’s already too old. Even though we live in the city, we still uphold our traditions of early marriage. But Aamna? She has shamed us!”

She continued, “Her stepfather has only one dream—to see them married. A woman's honor is in her husband's home. But no matter, Aamna will suffer until she learns her lesson. I will make her life miserable until she finds a husband. She will no longer enjoy staying in this house.”

Meanwhile, her younger sister, Zuhra, had already dressed up and enjoyed a delicious breakfast before heading off to secondary school. Everyone showered her with love and attention since she was about to enter senior class.