"Thank you for wasting my money, Hina, on that nonesense, May God bless you abundantly," Zari said. Hina placed her hands on Zari's shoulder.
"Lucky you, bitch! If I don't waste your money, who would?" Hina replied with a smirk.
---
"I think that stall over there is where they sell scorpions," Zari said, glancing around. "When I come here with Ophelia, it's usually in this area."
They walked toward another section of the market. "We turn left here," Zari added, pointing toward a tent.
An older man in worn-out clothes sat inside. When he saw them, he stood up, revealing a collection of aquatic animals—octopus, fish, and other strange sea creatures.
"Welcome, girls! What would you like?" he asked with a friendly smile.
"Do you have scorpions?" Hina asked, her eyes scanning the tent with curiosity.
"Yes. What type? Are these for science experiments?" the man inquired.
"Exactly," she answered.
"Alright," he said, disappearing into the tent for a moment.
"Bring the one that stings the most—that's the one we want," Hina called after him.
Then, with a mischievous grin, she added, "And do you sell cow poop?"
The man raised an eyebrow. "No, but there's a barn over there. You can ask the owner—I'm not sure if he sells it or gives it for free. It's just past the fruit tent, on the right toward the corner. You'll see a blonde guy; that's him."
Hina grinned as she looked at the directions the man had given them. "A barn, huh? Perfect."
They walked a few stalls over, the smell of fruit and sizzling street food fading behind them. Soon, a low, wooden structure came into view—painted a faded red, with hay spilling from cracks in the walls. The faint sounds of cows munching drifted through the air.
Zari raised an eyebrow. "This is… the barn?"
"Yep," Hina said, practically bouncing with excitement. "This is where the magic happens." She wrinkled her nose at the strong earthy smell but didn't care. "Unforgettable effect, remember?"
A blonde man appeared from the side, wiping his hands on a rag. He looked amused as the girls approached.
"We're looking for… um… some cow poop," Hina said casually, as if ordering snacks.
The man blinked, then chuckled. "You mean the stuff in the stalls? Sure, take what you need. Be careful, though—they're fresh."
Zari groaned, pinching her nose. "Hina, seriously… this is disgusting."
Hina just smirked, plucking a small pile from the edge of the stall. "Disgusting? No… this is art."
...
"How are we supposed to get in a cab with this disgusting thing?" Zari asked, wrinkling her nose, as she eyed the cow poop in disgust..
" Let's see… they'll probably just ask for double because of the stench. It's not that difficult," Hina replied, tugging the offending item as they shuffled it outside the market. Passersby and street vendors shot them awkward, judgmental looks.
"If it weren't for the fact that it'll look good on her grave, I wouldn't be doing this… ugh, disgusting!" Zari said holding her nose as she fought hard not to vomit
Soon, they reached the main junction where taxis lined up, waiting for customers.
"Hello, you going?" one driver called. He nodded toward them, stepping out of his car to open the boot. "Let me quickly open the boot," he added.
As they approached, the stench hit him like a wall. He recoiled immediately. "Nu-uh," he said, shaking his head in disgust.
"We'll pay double, don't worry," Hina assured him as she almost laughed at his expression.
The man eyed the pile warily. "Hmm… what's in it? It better not dirty my boot," he muttered. One by one, they loaded the items into the trunk while he stood there, face twisted, pinching his nose.
Finally, he slammed the boot shut. With a grimace, he unlocked the doors, and they slid inside,
"Sizzle Lining cemetery " Hina said as soon as they slide in, and the the car pulled away as the city buzzed around them..
***
Soon the cab pulled up at the cemetery. They paid the driver, then moved to the boot to retrieve their… prized cargo.
"Hopefully it's not the same guards that chased us away last time," Zari muttered, eyeing the entrance. "If he tries anything… this cow poop is going straight on him."
Hina stifled a laugh, clutching the bundle tighter. "Unforgettable effect, remember?"
**
Both girls made their way through the cemetery, dragging the goods behind them. Rows of graves stretched on, most belonging to Hina's grandparents and other relatives — it was their family cemetery, silent and forgotten.
They stopped in front of a headstone bearing the faded picture of a young woman. Despite how old the photo was, you could still make out her beauty: brown hair twisted into a messy bun, warm sun‑kissed skin, grey almond‑shaped eyes, full lips, and a straight pointed nose. She posed like a model, smiling softly at the camera. One look at Hina and anyone would know — she was a direct replica of this woman.
The stone read:
Maria Magita
1980 – 2008
Hina's jaw tightened, Her mother's name stared back at her
" you disgust me Maria, " she says as she tears the lid of the dung open pouring it every where on the grave, " I wanted this on ur grave but
Reaching here I realize its not worth it, I will just pour it on the grave, this is the last time am doing this, ur not worth visiting Maria shame that I wasted money on this for your sake " dropping everything she turned to her friend
" Zari I regret coming here, let's just go home I swear the ritual of always pouring scorpions on her grave is done she isn't worth all this. "
Zari just stood there, staring at her friend — not with disgust, but with a deep, aching pity.
Despite Hina's harsh words, Zari could feel the pain trembling inside her, the sadness buried under all that anger.
Hina had suffered more than anyone Zari knew.
Yes, Zari was an orphan herself and had gone through a lot… but Hina's wounds were deeper, older, heavier.
She remembered the stories — how parents warned their children not to play with Hina because of her mother's sins.
How a little girl who needed love and stability was abandoned for a crime she never committed.
It was cruel. Painful. Unfair.
Zari stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Hina from behind.
Hina tried to pull away, but Zari held her, whispering softly:
"I love you, Hina. I'm here for you. Always."
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she held her friend tighter.