Samhiya’s mother emerged from the hut with a comb. She sat next to Saba and called her daughter over. If you still want your hair braided, get your big bum over here, she said.

If my bum is big, said Samhiya, what do you say about Saba’s?

The mother leapt to her feet and slapped her daughter on her behind.

Ouch. Mamma, stop it, said the city girl.

As Samhiya made her way to the hut, she limped, steadying herself with one hand on the wall. Saba did not understand. The slap wasn’t that hard for her to be in pain like that.

Saba, can you call the midwife, Samhiya’s mother said.

Samhiya paused and turned towards her mother. No, she said. No. No midwife for me, please. It’s nothing. It’s my foot, I twisted it on my way to the forest with Saba this morning. Isn’t that true, Saba?

Saba didn’t say anything.

Saba? Isn’t that true?

Saba nodded. Yes, she said to her friend’s mother. I urged Samhiya to be careful. But, as you know, your daughter is a risk-taker.

Okay, okay, said Samhiya, rolling her eyes at Saba. Let’s say I learnt a lesson, wise girl.

Saba thought of Hagos. He had become more than the guilt she carried. Everything she did, she did for two. She spoke for two. She studied and dreamt for two. Asked questions for two. Her eyes were his, as were all her other senses. And now, as she looked at Samhiya, Saba wanted to fill the absence of passion in his life in a pragmatic way, in the same way she fetched water to quench his thirst, brought him food from the aid centre and spinach from the wild to feed his hunger. Just as she filled the role of a best friend as well as a sister, she imagined it possible that he could make love through her.

Saba sneaked in after Samhiya as her friend retreated into the hut. She stood by the door and watched Samhiya undress, and then, pulling down the back of her underwear, stroked the curves of her behind.

Let me help you, said Saba.

Samhiya turned and silently stared at Saba. She then hid her mouth behind her hand and smiled.

Saba closed the door.

Saba arrived at their hut from Samhiya’s breathless and woke Hagos up from his sleep. Hagos sat up and rubbed his eyes. Saba held him – if he could only breathe in the smell of Samhiya’s skin on hers, feel the pubic hair her tongue had touched for him, and see the shape of Samhiya’s vagina reflected in her eyes. Hagos, though, closed his eyes and laid his head on Saba’s thighs.

THE BLOOD

Saba walked to the furthest part of the open field, and once she crouched between the long, thick grass, she took off her dress. Back home, whenever they visited her uncle, who was a politician turned bandit, he would call her and Hagos to his room, and ask them to take off their tops.