THE BEGINNING OF A STORM

*ZAYD ARMAN*

*CHAPTER FOURTEEN 14*

*THE BEGINNING OF A STORM*

*JIDDAAH BARKUM*

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Motar ta tsaya a bakin Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Kaduna State medical University.

Tun kafin Raihana ta buɗe ƙofar motar… ta hango yadda wajen ya sauya gaba ɗaya.

Manyan banners masu ɗauke da tambarin Armaan Group da na jami’ar an rataye su a ko’ina.

A jikin wani babban banner an rubuta:

*WELCOME TO THE MEDICAL OUTREACH, RESEARCH PRESENTATION & COMMISSIONING OF THE ARMAAN GROUP MEDICAL SIMULATION LABORATORY.*

Dalibai cikin fararen lab coats na ta kai da kawo, wasu na ɗauke da files, wasu na shirya registration desk.

Ana ganin volunteers na Medical Students Association suna karɓar baƙi cikin fara’a.

A gefen hall kuma… an jera motocin manyan baƙi.

Maryam ta fito daga motar tana kallon wajen cikin mamaki,

“Subhanallah... wallahi kamar ba makarantar nan ba ce.”

Raihana ta yi murmushi,

“Gaskiya sun shirya sosai.”

Maryam ta kalli Raihana, sai ta ɗan yi dariya,

“Sai dai yau... ke ce tauraruwa.”

Raihana ta girgiza kai.

⸻

Suna shiga cikin faculty… sai wata matashiyar lecturer ta hango su daga nesa, da sauri ta ƙaraso,

“Raihana?”

“Yes, ma.”

Murmushi ya bayyana a fuskarta,

“Professor Ibrahim has been asking of you. Please follow me. Everyone is waiting.”

Nan take zuciyar Raihana ta sake bugawa.

Maryam ta matsa kusa da ita, ta danne hannunta,

“Relax. Za ki iya.”

Raihana ta yi murmushin ƙarfin hali,

“In Sha Allah.”

Suna isa gaban Dean’s Office… secretary ta yi saurin tashi,

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

Ta yi murmushi,

“They’re waiting.”

Ta tura musu ƙofar.

Office ɗin Dean… ya cika da manyan malamai.

Dean na Faculty, HOD na Internal Medicine, HOD na Surgery, wasu Professors.

Da Raihana ta shiga… kusan dukkansu suka ɗago suka kalle ta.

Dean ya yi murmushi,

“There she is. Our student representative.”

Raihana ta ƙarasa cikin ladabi, ta gaida su ɗaya bayan ɗaya,

“Ina kwana, sirs.”

“Lafiya lau,” suka amsa cikin fara’a.

Dean ya nuna mata kujera,

“Please, have a seat.”

Ta zauna cikin nutsuwa.

HOD na Internal Medicine ya yi murmushi,

“Miss Raihana... we’ve gone through your speech.”

Sai ya gyada kai approvingly,

“Excellent. Very professional.”

Professor Musa ya gyara gilashinsa,

“And remember... today... you’re not speaking only as Raihana. You’re speaking on behalf of every medical student in this institution.”

Raihana ta gyada kai,

“Yes, sir.”

Dean ya haɗa hannuwansa saman tebur,

“I know you’re nervous. That’s normal. But don’t let fear speak louder than your confidence.”

Ya yi murmushi,

“Mun zabeki ne sabida mun amince dake. And we know... you’ll make us proud.”

Kalaman suka sauka kai tsaye a zuciyar Raihana, ta ji wani irin ƙarfin gwiwa yana shigarta,

“Thank you very much, sir.”

Dean ya ɗauki wani programme booklet mai kyau, ya miƙa mata,

“This is the final programme.”

Ta karɓa, a hankali ta buɗe, idonta ya fara bin jadawalin.

Arrival of Guests, National Anthem, Opening Prayer, Welcome Address by the Dean, Student Representative Speech.

Sunanta yana rubuce ƙarƙashinsa, *Raihana Musa Maiturare.*

Ta haɗiye yawu, ta ci gaba da dubawa.

Research Presentation, Scholarship Announcement, Address by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Armaan Group, *Mr. Zayd Armaan.*

Sai kuma… Commissioning of the Armaan Group Medical Simulation Laboratory.

Dean ya lura da kallon da take yi, ya yi murmushi,

“Mr. Zayd Armaan is known for professionalism. He doesn’t attend events he doesn’t believe in. So today... his presence alone is a great honour to this institution.”

Professor Musa ya ƙara da cewa,

“And don’t be intimidated. Just be yourself. Deliver your speech exactly the way you’ve rehearsed it.”

Raihana ta gyada kai,

“In Sha Allah, sir.”

Dean ya miƙe tsaye,

“Excellent. I think it’s time.”

Ya kalli HOD,

“Let’s proceed to the hall.”

Dukkansu suka miƙe.

Maryam da ke zaune a gefe ta kalli Raihana, ta yi mata alamar thumbs up, ta yi murmushi,

“See? I told you.”

Raihana ta sauke numfashi a hankali, ta gyara veil ɗinta, ta riƙe programme booklet ɗin da ƙarfi, sannan… ta bi bayan Dean da sauran Professors zuwa babban hall…

Ba tare da ta sani ba… a cikin mintuna kaɗan… za ta sake haɗuwa da mutumin da taɓa haɗuwa da shi a wani incident.

Amma wannan karon… ba a matsayin baƙo ba, sai a matsayin Chief Executive Officer na Armaan Group.

Babban university Auditorium ɗin ya canza kamanni gaba ɗaya.

Hall ɗin mai ɗaukar sama da mutum ɗari biyar ya cika maƙil.

Lecturers cikin academic gowns, Consultants daga Asibitin Koyarwa, Medical Doctors, Students cikin fararen lab coats, Journalists, Photographers, da manyan baƙi daga sassa daban-daban.

A tsakiyar stage kuwa… an kafa wata babbar LED Screen mai nuna tambarin ARMAAN GROUP tare da tambarin jami’ar.

A gefe kuma… an jera bouquets na fresh flowers da suka ƙara wa wajen armashi.

Maryam ta zubawa wajen ido tana kallon hall ɗin, ta matso kusa da Raihana,

“Subhanallah... wallahi kamar conference na ƙasa.”

Raihana ta yi murmushi kaɗan, amma… hannunta har yanzu ɗan rawa yake.

Maryam ta lura, ta riƙe hannunta,

“Ki daina tunani. Kawai ki yi abin da kika saba.”

Raihana ta sauke numfashi,

“In Sha Allah.”

A backstage… MC na ta duba agogo lokaci zuwa lokaci.

Event Coordinator ya ƙaraso da sauri, ya dubi Dean,

“Sir... we’ve just received a call.”

Dean ya ɗago kai,

“Yes?”

“Armaan Group convoy has entered the school premises.”

Nan take… hall ɗin ya shiga wani irin motsi.

Wasu students suka miƙe suna leƙen ƙofa, photographers suka gyara cameras ɗinsu, journalists suka matsa zuwa entrance.

Dean ya gyara gown ɗinsa, ya kalli sauran Professors,

“Let’s receive them.”

Nan take… Dean, HODs, Consultants, da sauran manyan baƙi… suka nufi babban entrance.

A waje kuwa… an riga an share hanya, security na jami’a da na Armaan Group sun tsaya cikin tsari.

Sai aka fara jin ƙar motoci.

Da farko… pilot vehicle, sai security SUVs guda biyu, sannan… wata baƙar Rolls-Royce Phantom mai sheƙi ta shigo a hankali.

Bayanta kuma… Range Rover Autobiography, Mercedes S-Class, da wasu motocin executive.

Duk suka tsaya cikin tsari.

Driver ya fito da sauri, ya zagayo, ya buɗe ƙofar baya.

Na ɗan daƙiƙu… babu wanda ya fito, kamar kowa ya riƙe numfashinsa.

Sai… wata ƙafa cikin baƙar polished shoe ta taka ƙasa, daga nan… Zayd Armaan ya fito.

Sanye yake cikin impeccably tailored charcoal grey suit, farar shirt mai tsananin tsafta, dark burgundy tie, agogo mai tsada a hannunsa.

Babu murmushi, babu wani motsin da bai dace ba, kasaitarsa kaɗai ta isa ta sa mutane su yi shiru.

Ya gyara cufflink ɗinsa cikin nutsuwa.

Dean ya ƙaraso yana murmushi,

“Welcome to Kaduna State medical University, Mr. Armaan.”

Zayd ya miƙa hannu,

“Thank you, Professor. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Suka yi musabaha.

Sauran HODs suka gaisa da shi ɗaya bayan ɗaya.

A dai-dai lokacin… ƙofar motar ta sake buɗewa, Suhaila ta fito.

Sanye take cikin elegant powder-blue abaya, ta nada veil ɗinta cikin tsari ya yi mata matuƙar kyau.

Ta yi murmushi tana gaishe da Dean,

“Good morning, sir.”

Dean ya yi murmushi,

“You’re welcome. We’re honoured to have you.”

Ta amsa cikin ladabi,

“Thank you.”

A gefe… wasu students suka fara raɗa-raɗi,

“Shi ne Zayd Armaan? Wallahi ya fi yadda ake ganinsa a TV. Wai shekaru nawa yake? inaga fa wannan matar sa ce Kaii amma kuma suna dan kamanni. Kai... CEO kenan.”

Wani ya ce a hankali.

Amma… Zayd ko kallonsu bai yi ba, ya ci gaba da tafiya cikin natsuwa tare da Dean.

⸻

A cikin hall… MC ya gyara microphone,

“Ladies and gentlemen... our distinguished guests have arrived. May I kindly request everyone... to please rise.”

Nan take… hall gaba ɗaya ya miƙe tsaye.

Ko Raihana da ke backstage… ta ji muryar MC, ta ɗan lumshe idanunta, zuciyarta ta sake bugawa.

Maryam ta leƙo ta cikin labulen stage, ta dawo da sauri, ta rada mata,

“Raihana... CEO ɗin ya iso.”

Raihana ta gyada kai kawai, ba ta san dalili ba… amma zuciyarta ta ce mata ta ɗaga kai ta kalla.

A hankali… ta ɗan matsa bakin labulen, ta ɗaga idanunta.

Lokaci guda… idonta ya sauka kan mutumin da yake shigowa cikin hall tare da Dean.

Tall, elegant, calm, powerful.

Daƙiƙa guda… numfashinta ya tsaya,

“Shi…. ne!!” ta furta a zuciyarta,

“Mutumin convoys...”

Shi kuma… Zayd yana tafiya cikin natsuwarsa, bai ma san cewa wasu idanun daga bayan labulen stage suna kallonsa cikin mamaki ba.

A yau… ƙaddara ta sake haɗa hanyoyinsu.

Amma wannan karon… ba a kan titi da guards ba, sai a ƙarƙashin fitilun babban auditorium, inda dubban idanu ke kallonsu… kuma babu wanda ya san cewa wannan ita ce farkon labarin da zai canza rayuwarsu baki ɗaya.

Da zarar Zayd da tawagarsa suka zauna a reserved front row… MC ta gyara microphone, ta yi murmushi mai cike da ƙwarewa,

“Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Distinguished guests… ladies and gentlemen... on behalf of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Kaduna State medical University, I warmly welcome you all to today’s Medical Outreach, Research Presentation, Scholarship Announcement and the official commissioning of the Armaan Group Medical Simulation Laboratory.”

Hall ɗin ya amsa da tafi.

Ta ci gaba,

“To begin this auspicious occasion, may I respectfully invite everyone to remain standing for the National Anthem.”

Nan take… kowa ya miƙe tsaye, National Anthem ya fara tashi cikin nutsuwa.

Bayan an gama… aka yi opening prayer.

Sai MC ta dawo bakin microphone,

“Thank you, everyone. Please be seated.”

Kowa ya zauna.

Dean ya miƙe cikin kasaitar malami, ya ƙarasa podium, ya fara da godiya ga Allah, sannan ya yi maraba da manyan baƙi.

Ya yaba wa Armaan Group bisa gudunmawar da suka bayar wajen inganta ilimin likitanci,

“…Medical education is no longer complete with theory alone. Our students deserve world-class practical exposure. And today... Armaan Group has made that dream a reality.”

Ya juya ya kalli Zayd,

“Mr. Zayd Armaan... on behalf of this institution, we sincerely appreciate your commitment to education and healthcare.”

Hall ɗin ya sake kaurewa da tafi.

Zayd ya ɗan sunkuyar da kansa cikin ladabi, ba tare da ya nuna wata alamar girman kai ba.

Dean ya gama jawabinsa, ya koma ya zauna.

Sai MC ta sake matsowa gaba, ta yi murmushi,

“Our next programme...” ta ɗan dakata,

”…is the Student Representative Address.”

Nan take… bugun zuciyar Raihana ya ƙaru.

Maryam ta matsa kusa da ita, ta riƙe hannunta, ta yi murmushi,

“Zaki iya. Ki manta da mutanen da ke hall. Ki yi kamar kina magana da ni kaɗai.”

Raihana ta yi dariya kaɗan, duk da tsoron da take ji… maganar Maryam ta ɗan kwantar mata da hankali.

MC ta ci gaba,

“Ladies and gentlemen... kindly welcome one of our brightest medical students... an outstanding academic, a student leader, and today’s Student Representative...”

Ta ɗan yi murmushi,

“Raihana Musa Maiturare.”

Hall ɗin ya kaure da tafi.

Dean ya yi mata alamar ta fito.

Raihana ta lumshe idanunta na daƙiƙa guda,

“Bismillah...” ta furta a hankali, sannan… ta fito.

Tafiyarta cike take da nutsuwa, abayar emerald green ɗinta tana bin motsinta cikin ƙayatarwa, veil ɗinta ya sauko cikin tsari.

Ba ta sa kayan da za su ɗauke hankali ba, sai dai… mutuncinta da kwarjininta ne suka sa idanu suka bi ta.

A front row… Suhaila ta kalleta, ta ɗan matso kusa da Zayd, ta rada masa,

“She’s beautiful.”

Zayd bai amsa ba, sai kawai ya ɗaga idanunsa, ya kalle ta.

Na wasu daƙiƙu… kamar zuciyarsa ta tsaya, ba wai saboda kyawunta ba, a’a, sai saboda irin nutsuwar da ke tattare da ita, da yadda take tafiya ba tare da nuna girman kai ko neman a yaba mata ba.

Ta isa bakin podium, ta gyara microphone, ta ɗan kalli hall ɗin.

Mutane sama da ɗari biyar ne ke kallonta, ta ji bugun zuciyarta.

Sai ta tuna da kalaman Umma,

“Confidence ba yana nufin rashin tsoro ba ne...”

Ta sauke numfashi, murmushi mai sauƙi ya bayyana a fuskarta, sannan cikin lafiyayyar Turanci mai tsafta ta fara…

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Distinguished guests... our respected Dean... honourable professors... representatives of Armaan Group... fellow students... ladies and gentlemen... good morning.”

Hall ɗin ya yi tsit, kowa ya maida hankalinsa kanta.

Har Zayd… ba tare da ya sani ba… ya jingina da kujerarsa kaɗan, idanunsa suka tsaya a kanta, ba tare da ya ƙyafta ba…

Raihana ta gyara microphone a hankali, ta yi murmushi kaɗan,

“Today is not just another academic gathering. Today is a reminder that medicine is more than science... it is compassion... it is sacrifice... and above all, it is service to humanity.”

Dean ya gyara zamansa, HOD ya haɗe hannayensa yana sauraro.

Raihana ta ci gaba,

“Many people believe that poverty limits dreams.”

Ta ɗan dakata, sannan ta ɗora cikin ƙarfin murya,

“I stand here today believing that discipline, knowledge and opportunity can change a life.”

Hall ya yi shiru, har waɗanda ke ta waya suka ɗago kai.

Ta ci gaba,

“A child born in a small community... can become a renowned surgeon. A girl who once struggled to buy textbooks... can become the doctor who saves thousands of lives. All it takes... is one opportunity.”

Tafi ya fara tashi, ta jira suka yi shiru, sannan ta ci gaba,

“Today’s programme has been carefully designed to impact both our university and our community.”

Ta ɗaga idanu ta kalli manyan baƙi,

“By the grace of Allah... we shall conduct a free medical screening for members of the public. We shall launch health awareness campaigns focusing on maternal health, hypertension, diabetes and preventive medicine. Outstanding medical research by our students will be presented today... to encourage innovation and scientific excellence.”

Dean ya yi murmushi cikin gamsuwa da alfahari.

Ta ci gaba,

“Scholarship opportunities will also be announced... to support brilliant students whose dreams deserve a chance.”

Sai ta ɗan tsaya, numfashinta ya fita a hankali, ta yi murmushi,

“And perhaps... one of the greatest highlights of today... is the official commissioning of our state-of-the-art Medical Simulation Laboratory...”

Ta juya kaɗan tana nuna sabon ginin da ke bayan glass,

”…a facility proudly sponsored and fully funded by Armaan Group of Companies.”

Nan take… idanun kowa suka koma kan ɓangaren da Zayd yake zaune, shi ma ya ɗago kansa sosai.

Ba wai saboda an ambaci kamfaninsa ba, sai saboda yadda yarinyar ta gabatar da komai, ba yabo fiye da kima ba, ba raini ba, professional, exactly irin yadda mahaifinsa yake son a gabatar da kamfaninsu.

Raihana ta ci gaba,

“On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine... and the entire university community... we sincerely appreciate Armaan Group for believing that investing in education is investing in the future of humanity.”

Ta ɗan sunkuyar da kanta cikin girmamawa,

“To every student seated here today... never allow your circumstances to define your destination. Knowledge remains the greatest wealth... and integrity remains the greatest legacy.”

Ta yi murmushi,

“Thank you for listening. May Allah bless you all. Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.”

Na daƙiƙa biyu… hall ɗin ya yi tsit tamkar babu kowa, sai kuma… TAFIIIIIIII!

Hall gaba ɗaya ya kaure da tafawa, wasu suka miƙe tsaye, Dean ya fara tafa hannu, HOD ya biyo baya, Professors ma suka miƙe, har baƙin da suka fito daga wasu jami’o’i suna gyada kai cikin gamsuwa.

Maryam ta dafe kirjinta,

“Alhamdulillah... Ray ta yi abin da ya dace.”

A gefen VIP kuwa… Suhaila ta yi murmushi ta juya ta kalli Zayd,

“Yaya... I think she’s brilliant.”

Zayd bai ce komai ba, idanunsa kawai suna kan Raihana, sai kuma ya sauke idanunsa ƙasa.

Dean ya yi murmushi mai cike da alfahari, ya ɗan gyara microphone ɗin da ke gabansa, sai ya ɗaga idanunsa ya kalli baƙin da suka cika hall ɗin,

“Ladies and Gentlemen... please, let’s give another round of applause to Miss Raihana Musa.”

Hall ɗin ya sake kaure da tafawa.

Raihana ta yi ɗan sunkuyar da kanta, sannan ta koma kujerarta, numfashinta na fita a hankali, har yanzu bugun zuciyarta bai dawo daidai ba.

Maryam kuwa… ta kasa zama, ta na ta tafa hannu tana murmushi,

“Allah Ya ƙara ɗaukaka...” ta furta a hankali.

Dean ya ci gaba,

“And now... it is my singular honour... to invite a young man whose name has become synonymous with excellence... a visionary leader... a philanthropist... and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Armaan Group of companies...”

Ya ɗan dakata, hall ɗin ya yi tsit,

“Please join me in welcoming... Mr. Zayd Armaan.”

Tafiiiiiiii!

Hall gaba ɗaya ya girgiza da tafawa, wasu ɗalibai suka miƙe tsaye, malamai ma suka yi murmushi, ana jin wasu suna raɗaɗi,

“Shi ne fa... ashe haka yake a zahiri? He’s even younger than I expected.”

Suhaila ta yi murmushi tana kallon ɗan’uwanta,

“Go, Akhii.”

Imraan ya taɓa kafaɗarsa a hankali,

“Your stage.”

Zayd… ya miƙe cikin natsuwa, dogon suit ɗinsa ya ƙara fito da kwarjininsa, ba sauri yake yi ba, ba kuma wani salon nuna isa ba, kawai yana tafiya da irin nutsuwar da ta zama alamarsa.

Duk inda ya wuce… idanu suna binsa.

Ya isa gaban Dean, su ka yi musabaha,

“Welcome, Mr. Armaan.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

Ya karɓi microphone, na wasu daƙiƙu… bai yi magana ba, ya kalli hall ɗin gaba ɗaya, sai ya fara cikin muryarsa mai nutsuwa,

“Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Distinguished Vice Chancellor... members of the Senate... respected Professors... medical practitioners... dear students... and our honoured guests... assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Good morning.”

“Standing before brilliant minds like yours... is both an honour and a responsibility.”

Ya ɗan yi shiru,

“The world today... needs more than doctors. It needs compassionate healers. It needs researchers. It needs innovators. It needs leaders with integrity.”

Hall ya yi tsit, kowa na sauraronsa.

Ya ci gaba,

“My late father... often reminded me that... ‘success means very little... if it cannot improve another person’s life.’”

Ya sauke numfashi,

“That lesson... built Armaan Group. It is also the reason... why we continue investing in education. Because classrooms produce dreams... and dreams build nations.”

Tafi ya sake tashi, ya jira aka yi shiru, sannan ya ci gaba,

“I’m pleased to officially commission... the Armaan Medical Simulation Laboratory. A place where future doctors... will learn... practice... and prepare to save lives.”

Ya ɗan yi murmushi,

“And this... is only the beginning.”

Hall ya sake yin tafi.

Dean ya yi murmushi cikin gamsuwa.

Zayd ya juya ya kalli ɗaliban,

“I have listened carefully... to the speech delivered a few moments ago... by your student representative.”

Nan take… idanun Raihana suka ɗago, ba ta yi tsammanin zai ambace ta ba.

Zayd ya ci gaba,

“I must say... I was impressed.”

Ba yabo mai yawa ba, kalma uku kacal, amma sun fito daga bakin mutum irin Zayd Armaan.

Dean ya yi murmushi, HOD ya gyada kai.

Raihana kuwa… ta ji zuciyarta ta buga, ta sauke idanunta.

Zayd ya ci gaba,

“Talent deserves recognition. And excellence deserves encouragement. Saboda haka... Armaan Group... has approved... five fully-funded international scholarships... for outstanding medical students.”

Hall ɗin ya cika da ihu, wasu ɗalibai suka kasa zama.

Maryam ta dafe baki,

“Subhanallah...”

Dean ya ɗaga hannu,

“Please... please...”

Hall ya ɗan lafa.

Dean ya buɗe envelope da aka kawo masa,

“The recipient... of today’s Leadership Excellence Award...” ya ɗan yi murmushi,

“… Raihana Musa Maiturare.”

Hall ya sake girgiza, tafi ya mamaye ko’ina.

Maryam ta miƙe tsaye tana dariyar farin ciki,

“Rayy!”

Raihana ta dafe kirjinta, kamar ba ita aka kira ba.

HOD ya yi mata alama,

“Go ahead.”

A hankali ta miƙe, ta gyara mayafinta, ta nufi stage.

Kowane mataki da take takawa… zuciyarta na bugawa.

Da ta iso gaban Zayd… sai ta ɗaga kanta, idanunsu suka sake haɗuwa.

A wannan karon… ta tabbatar, shi ne mutumin convoys.

Amma Zayd… ko ƙwayar mamaki babu a fuskarsa, professional, calm.

Ya karɓi certificate daga hannun Dean, sannan ya miƙa mata,

“Congratulations... Miss Raihana Musa.”

Raihana ta karɓa da hannaye biyu, ta yi murmushi cikin ladabi,

“Thank you very much, sir.”

Na ɗan daƙiƙa… hannayensu suka taɓa juna yayin karɓar certificate ɗin.

Photographers suka fara ɗaukar hotuna, flash, flash, flash.

Hall ɗin ya sake kaure da tafi.

Dean ya yi murmushi,

“Picture... please.”

Su biyun suka tsaya gefen juna domin ɗaukar hoton hukuma, Suhaila ma ta ciro wayarta tayi musu hotuna tana murmushi.

Ba su san cewa… wannan ƙaramin hoto da aka ɗauka a ranar… shi ne zai zama farkon wani sabon babi da kaddara ta riga ta rubuta Musu

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