I hope to see you at my place, Hajj Ali said, through the judge’s megaphone. I will sell milk and meat at affordable prices, God willing.

THE FIRST VIRGINITY TEST

It was early evening. The oil lamp wasn’t outside the hut and Saba turned her torch off and waited behind the wall of Nasnet’s kitchen until she was free. After what seemed a long time a man scurried out and away.

It’s me, said Saba.

Nasnet opened the door and embraced Saba in the way she always did when they met, as if human warmth could be siphoned off like petrol. Nasnet pulled Saba to her bed and sat beside her.

I am happy you are here.

Saba smiled.

Your smile without the dimples on your cheeks is a false one, said Nasnet.

No one had noticed this about her before. But Saba didn’t tell this to Nasnet.

There was a knock on the door.

Not now, Nasnet said from her bed. I am going to sleep.

Another knock.

Nasnet shuffled to the door and spoke through it: I said not now. Come tomorrow evening.

I want you now, said a man in a gruff voice.

It’s Tedros, Nasnet said to Saba in a whisper. Come, hide.

Saba didn’t move.

Nasnet grabbed her by the arm. Saba, you might think you know Tedros, but you have no idea what he is capable of when drunk. Here, go here, please. I will try to get rid of him.

With Saba under her bed, Nasnet walked back to the door. Please, come tomorrow, sweetheart, I am tired now, she said. What would a tired woman do for you?

Open, now. Or I’ll break this door.

Okay, calm down, I am opening it, said Nasnet. Be gentle, okay, sweetheart.

From under the bed, Saba watched Tedros’s Italian-made leather shoes, covered in dust, as he came into the hut and inched close to her face.

No, Tedros. You don’t have to be aggressive to have a good time.

Shush, he said. Put this in your mouth. It will shut you up.

Tedros groaned. He dropped his shirt on the ground in front of Saba. The bed over her head creaked.

When he left, Saba staggered out from underneath her hiding place and took Nasnet into her arms. She hugged her. Nasnet was warm, her hair dishevelled. One of her earrings had popped off her ear. On her collarbone, Saba noticed a white trail, like a snake slithering at a languid pace to Nasnet’s heart. Saba reached with her hands and fixed Nasnet’s hair. She wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead. Scooped off the white snake by its tail. Wetting a towel with water from a jerrycan, she cleaned Nasnet’s face.

Thank you, Saba, shokor.

Saba asked Nasnet to stand as she changed the bed linen that she had washed and ironed with the charcoal iron days earlier.

It’s ready, said Saba. Come, sit.

Nasnet lay on her chest and stretched her arms, sinking deeper into the mattress. Saba sat by her side. Nasnet pulled back when Saba touched her shoulder.