CHAPTER FOUR

The sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the village of Ama. Zilayefa and her siblings made their way home, exhausted but fulfilled after a day of hard work in the village head's field.

They entered their small hut, Zilayefa began preparing lunch, the aroma of dried fish and yams filled the air. Zilayefa's stomach growled in anticipation as she began to prepare lunch for herself and her siblings.

"Today was a good day," said Ryan, the eldest of the quadruplets, as he sat down on the mat. "We got paid well." All his brothers nodded in agreement.

"Yes, we did," replied Zilayefa, smiling. "And we need to make sure we use the money wisely."

After lunch, the siblings sat together, discussing their plans for the evening. Zilayefa reminded them that they needed to go to the post office to send a letter to their mother.

"We must tell her about Father's passing," said Zilayefa, her voice filled with determination. "And ask her to come back to us."

The siblings nodded in agreement, their faces set with resolve. They quickly got ready, making their way to the post office as the sun began to set.

At the post office, they met the postman, a kind old man with a bald head. He listened attentively as Zilayefa explained their situation, his eyes filled with compassion.

"Don't worry, my children," he said, patting Zilayefa's hand. "I will write the letter for you, and it will be delivered to the palace of Ralston in three days."

Zilayefa's heart swelled with joy as the postman wrote the letter. She imagined her mother's face lighting up with joy and then looking gloomy with sadness as she received the letter, and her heart ached with longingand pain.

As they waited for the postman to finish writing the letter, Zilayefa's mind began to wander. She thought about her father, and how much she missed him. She thought about her mother, and how much she wanted to see her again.

The postman's voice brought her back to reality. "Here is the letter," he said, handing her a piece of parchment sealed with wax. He gave her the letter to see, she took it and looked at it even though she can not read, she gave him back the letter " this letter will arrive at Ralston in three days time" the postman said to them.

Zilayefa took the letter, her heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you, sir," she said, smiling. "We really appreciate your help."

The postman smiled, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "You're welcome, my child," he said. "I hope your mother returns soon."

As they left the post office, the siblings felt a sense of hope that they had not felt in weeks. They walked home in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Zilayefa's mind wandered to Mr. Stevenson, the village head's son. She had seen him earlier that day, and her heart had skipped a beat. He was tall and handsome, with piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her.

She fantasized about marrying him, about the life they would build together. She imagined her siblings going to school, becoming great men and women. She imagined her mother returning home, a smile on her face.

As she walked, Zilayefa felt a sense of determination wash over her. She would do whatever it took to make her dreams a reality, to give her family the life they deserved.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the village. Zilayefa and her siblings quickened their pace, eager to get home and rest.

As they approached their hut, Zilayefa's mind turned to the tasks ahead. She would have to wake up early the next morning to start her chores. She would have to make sure her siblings were fed and taken care of.

But for now, she just wanted to rest. She wanted to close her eyes and dream of a better life, a life where her family was happy and prosperous.

The siblings entered their small hut, exhausted but hopeful. They knew that tomorrow would bring its own set of challenges, but they were ready to face them head-on.

As they settled in each corner of the small hut for the night, Zilayefa's thoughts turned to her mother. She wondered what she was doing at that moment, whether she was thinking of them.

She smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that her mother loved her, and that she would do everything in her power to come back to them.

With that thought, Zilayefa drifted off to sleep, her heart filled with hope and determination.