As the night deepened, Yara stirred in her sleep, a strange dizziness washing over her. It felt like a humming and vibrating force passing through her body. She tried to fight it, tried to get to her feet, but couldn't move.
Then she was suddenly in a prosperous city.
People bustled past her on the streets, all sharply dressed and moving with purpose, ready for work. Their eyes glanced at her as they walked by, scanning her with curiosity.
Yara jolted awake.
Her heart pounded. She breathed heavily, forehead damp with sweat. Wiping it with her hands, she slouched her shoulders.
"Awwww, what is it again this time? Am I going to live in a city soon?" she whispered to herself.
Her eyes fluttered, and she fell back asleep.
In the early morning, Yara woke again, unable to sleep any longer. She got out of bed, prepared herself, and sat down to have breakfast. From across the sitting room, Zera called out.
She was dressed in a velvet long dress, adorned with pearls, her face carefully done up with fresh makeup. Holding a pen in one hand and her book in the other, she lifted her eyes and pointed toward the paper lying on the table.
"Collect all those debts today," Zera said, then looked back at her book.
"I will do that, Mother," Yara replied, leaning over to pick up the paper.
She paused, then looked at Zera again and lowered her eyes.
"Mother... may I have some money to buy personal things?" she asked, glancing from Zera to the floor. Her hands nervously clutched the paper.
Zera looked up and forced a smile.
"Aren't the profits you make at the shop enough for you, or do you still need more?"
"No... I sell at the price you give me," Yara answered quietly, eyes furrowing as she stared at the floor, then darted her gaze side to side.
Zera's tone sharpened. "Go collect those debts."
Yara fidgeted, then walked out of the sitting room, pausing briefly at the front door. She circled around the house to slightly push her bedroom window open. The clouds looked thick.
"I have to begin saving. This dream could mean anything right now," she muttered to herself.
As she returned, she overheard Egen speaking to Zera inside.
"How much do you need?" Zera asked calmly.
"About 5,000 shillings," Egen replied confidently.
"Do something useful, boy," Zera added.
Egen exited and ran into Yara near the front door. He scanned her from head to toe and walked past her without a word. Yara followed behind, her mind still on the dream.
A few meters from the house, she flagged down a cart to ride to work. Egen, still chatting with a few neighbors, glanced at her and smirked.
"Always begging for money for regular things... but can't do anything useful," he muttered under his breath.
At the shop, Yara set up the display and called over one of the messenger boys who helped unload goods when merchants delivered.
"Go to this shop and tell them Zera sent you to collect the pending payment," Yara instructed, handing him the receipt and enough money for transport.
The shop was about a mile away, so it took the boy several minutes to arrive. Upon reaching, he asked to see the shop owner and respectfully handed over the receipt, bowing before stepping back.
"Demanding money at this time of the month?" the man scoffed, chuckling. He looked the boy over and asked, "Have you eaten? You look pale."
The boy insisted he was fine, but the shopkeeper continued with personal questions. Finally, the boy asked whether he should wait or if he should leave with a date for the payment.
The man side eyed him and widened his gaze.
"You're a bold one," he said, pushing the receipt into his drawer. "We'll send the money later."
He leaned back and laced his fingers together.
The boy exited the shop and flagged a cart back to Yara.
Meanwhile, at school, Zayun was informed that Egen was waiting for him in the visitors' area.
He closed his eyes briefly and exhaled. Then, rising from his seat, he walked toward the visitor's section.
When his eyes met Egen's, a soft smile formed on his face, his eyebrows relaxing.
"How are you, bro? When are you coming back to school?" Zayun asked, hugging him.
"I am fine, I missed you. " Egen replied, half laughing as they embraced.
Then, his tone shifted. "I have some bad news before we talk more."
Zayun pulled back slightly. "Why? What happened? Is everyone okay at home?"
Egen hesitated, glancing away.
"It's about our mom..." he said quietly.
Zayun's expression hardened momentarily before he caught himself. "What about her? Is she sick?"
"Our mom is in a critical condition right now. " Egen said, his voice unsteady, eyes tearful. "We were scared to tell you earlier... You love her so much, we thought you'd break."
Zayun's body tensed. "What? Oh my God... What happened to her?" Tears welled up quickly.
Egen extended his arms again, holding Zayun tightly.
"She was out for a walk... she was robbed and got seriously injured. She made it to the hospital with severe injuries."
Zayun eyes welled up with tears. Just then, a student rushed in and said the head priest urgently needed Zayun.
He wiped his face, blew his nose, and let Egen help him to his feet.
"I'll report back to school soon. I have to visit the next monastery and inform the priests too so they can pray for her to heal." Egen said softly, gazing at Zayun.
"Thanks for coming, Tell mom I love her. Reach well," Zayun replied, voice shaky.
Egen walked away, stepping through the school gate, taking deep breaths.
"I hope mom recovers soon," he muttered, rubbing his arm.
Then he paused, tilting his head thoughtfully.
"Why didn't Zayun ask if Yara knew about mom's condition?" he murmured, eyes drifting toward the sky.