God forbid!” Baba Ibrahim quickly replied.

Baba Inu smirked. “You? You, a man with just one wife, beating your chest among men? Real men stand their ground.”

Baba Ibrahim shook his head. “Yaya, this path you’ve taken will ruin you. You’re drowning yourself in these herbal concoctions. The whole town now knows you. These medicines you keep drinking without order — most of them are made by people with no knowledge. Even we, the hospital doctors, can’t give medicine without proper examination.”

He sighed and continued, “If only you saved the money you waste on these herbs, maybe you could support your children’s schooling. Some don’t even attend the Qur’anic school anymore. Every day you waste money on small bottles that promise nothing.”

Baba Inu glared at him. “Are you done, my father? If not, continue.”

“I’m done,” Baba Ibrahim said with frustration.

“Then go inside and give me space. No wonder you look like an election box today, standing there to scold me. Iro, I’m beginning to fear you. If you had the power, you’d probably stop me from having children altogether — because envy fills your heart! God didn’t bless you with many fruitful children like me,” Baba Inu barked.

Baba Ibrahim snapped, “You’re right! If I had the power, I’d burn all your wives so everyone can rest. You only know how to make babies, not how to raise them.”

Startled, Baba Inu clutched his chest, staring at him. “Iro, your tongue will destroy you. Go deal with your four children — I’ve only just begun!”

Seeing Baba Inu wasn’t bothered, the herbalist poked his head out and added,

> “That’s why, Baba, we always pray for protection from people who hate to see others succeed in their trade.”

Annoyed, Baba Ibrahim stormed inside the house.

Then Baba Saleh appeared, dragging a large sack of his own herbal medicines. On seeing the car, he frowned and began singing mockingly:

> “No matter the old man’s anger,

He’ll end up defeated.

I’m the true shade in this town —

Let the jealous ones see my greatness.”

He accidentally dragged his sack against the bench where Baba Inu sat. The bench tipped, and Baba Inu fell hard to the ground.

Pretending surprise, Baba Saleh exclaimed, “Ah! Yaya, you were here? What a coincidence!” and tried to help him up.

But Baba Inu slapped his hand away in anger. “No one’s jealousy will destroy me! I, Inusa, will live long like the date palm! I’ll outlive my enemies. Herbalist, here’s ₦5,000 — mix me everything you have with water!”

He hadn’t planned to buy that much, but he wanted to spite Baba Saleh. Baba Saleh hissed, glared, and walked off toward his old car.

Just then, Inna came out angrily, holding Laraba by the hand. After greeting the herbalist, she turned to Baba Inu.

“