I looked up at Inna, who was visibly distressed, and said, “Inna, why are you so upset? Let's just leave the house for him, isn't that the end of the matter?” She quickly covered her mouth, indicating the gravity of the situation, and said, “The matter is far from over. If it were just me he asked to leave, it would be easier. But for a young woman like you to be asked to leave her father's house because of him, it's a serious issue and a great dishonor. This will be talked about for generations, so instead of that, let me go and ask him to find you a suitable husband since he is your father and has that right.” I quickly responded, “No, Inna, it's better you let me go. I don't know what I did to Baba that he hates me and my happiness.” She sternly told me to be quiet and never speak ill of my father, no matter what he did. I replied, “But Inna, if I don't speak to Baba, what should I do? Isn't he the one who started this?” She quickly silenced me, and I started crying. She watched me cry until she got tired and began to console me, eventually joining me in crying until we both calmed down. I went to the courtyard to do the dishes and laundry when I heard Aunt Kaltume's voice in Mama's living room, indicating she had come to visit. They usually don't greet Inna unless she hears their voices and goes to greet them. If they leave without seeing her, she just assumes they have left. I washed my hands and went to greet Aunt Kaltume, who was one of Mama's fair daughters and had always been kind to me. I heard her saying, “Mama, let her daughter go and live her life. We will live ours here. You can't take a child from their mother; even if you do, they will return.” Mama replied, “I might let her have the others, but this one I will keep because if I let her go, she will become uncontrollable.” I greeted Aunt Kaltume and played with her baby, who looked at me as if she didn't recognize me. She said, “So you've grown up and stopped visiting people?” I smiled and said, “Auntie, it's not been long, just two months.” She extended both hands, indicating a playful threat, and said, “Two months is not long? Come and wash my children's dirty clothes.” I agreed and left. I never minded helping Aunt Kaltume because she was wise and stopped insulting my mother in front of me once she realized it hurt me. As I left the room, I heard her telling Mama, “He can't handle her, Mama. Let her go and live her life. We all love you.” Mama angrily replied, “Get lost, fool. All my children support my decision except you. If not for the circumstances of your birth, would you be here?” I returned to Inna to tell her about the conversations I overheard, including Baba's ultimatum to find a husband in three days or leave the house. Inna calmly asked if it was true, and I confirmed. She then called her mother, Hajiya Kubra, to ask for permission to return home. After explaining everything, her mother advised her to inform Mallam Yahaya first. Inna called him, explained the situation, and he said, “We won't leave the house over finding a husband. She should find one.” Inna told him the truth about my situation and the things Ado and Mama had said. He expressed his displeasure with such talk and told her to stop. That night, Jamilu, the son of Hajiya Hairan's co-wife, came to our room and greeted Inna, saying he was with Yaya. Inna asked who he was, and he explained. We understood that Baba Yahaya had sent his eldest son, Salisu, to propose to me. Salisu was one of the well-behaved children Baba often praised. He was in his final year studying business at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and managed all his father's affairs. We were overjoyed, and Inna told me to get ready as he was waiting. I put on my hijab and went out. He was standing at the gate, looking like a guest. I hesitated to approach him out of shyness. He smiled and said he was also nervous as he had never done this before. I smiled back and said, “Me neither.” He laughed and said, “So we are both new to this.” I agreed, and he said, “We are family. Even if Baba hadn't arranged this, we would still get along. Would we call it a forced marriage?” I replied, “No, it's because of our upbringing.” He thanked me for understanding and asked if he should tell Baba there was no problem. I smiled and said yes. He offered me money, but I refused, saying there was no need for that between us. He smiled softly before saying...