Chapter 12: Chapter 12

"So what is it you wanted to tell me?"

Humaira fell silent and anxious, staring at the ceiling, then... To the floor. She didn't know how to start the conversation with Doctor Azeezah but she was sure of one thing. If there was ever a time to speak up,?That time is now.

"You travelled all the way from Zaria to Abuja just to talk to me. So please, say something. Tell me whatever happened in school. I'll help you through, the best I can."

"Okay... " Humaira took out a deep breath."It's not about school issue, it's about me ma. Ma,?I found out three days ago that I am pregnant.

"What? You're pregnant?" Doctor Azeezah cried,?digesting the words.

"Yes ma... " she reality,?tears father in her eyes.

"For who?"

''It happened about a month ago when my mum was still very sick.?A friend of my dad offering to help me with mum's surgery money only if I meet him at Nicon Hotel. It was late at night,?he drugs editor and raped me."

"What?! Who is he exactly? What's his name?!!"

"He's Alhaji Musa Adamu... "

"What? Musa is at it again? Subhanallah!!"

Humaira was astonished to know Doctor Azeezah knows him already. "Do you know him ma?"

"Subhanallah! Why don't you tell me about this earned,?Humaira! I would have gives you better advice or avoided you from going to that monster. Alhaji Musa tormented your mother! He betrayed your father, Humaira! You should have nothibg to do with a beast like him. Didn't you know?"

"My parents always took me to him, I thought he would be kind enough or help us still. I had no idea something like this would ever have happened. He raped me rice ma and didn't give me the money as promised."

"How much did he promise you?"

"One million naira."

"One what?! That greed pig would never of his to fall into anyone's hand except he takes from others. I can't believe you actually believed him. What were you expecting when he asked you into an hotel? You children of now a Days think you're smarter than you look. How old are you?"

"I'm 19 ma."

"Imagine,?just 19 years old and pregnant. Your future in on the line my dear. I want to let you know something today,?Humaira. Your mum's last words were 'my children... My children.'?I promised to care and cheeks both of you like my own. That was a promise I made to your mother and I won't rest until I fulfil it. Breaking promises is not my thing so... Hmmm... I'll advice we act fast on this issue before it gets out of hand. I don't mind family that Alhaji for your sake.

"What should we do ma, I'm confused." She retorted. "I went to meet him but he denied being responsible and threatened to kill me if I don't abort this pregnancy?"

"What? He don't mean it!" Her eyes sparked.

Doctor Azeezah was terrified at what Humaira just said. How can he say that you you when he planted it there?!" Then she suddenly calmed her voice. You know what? It's all your fault, Humaira. Despite what your mum had gone through, now this? I'm so disappointed in you, Humaira. I never expected this?You should have confident in me and told me about this incident long ago. I would have fight this case with you till the end. Even if you're pregnant with his child, I'll make sure he accepts it in front of the whole world! What did he think you are? A piece of trash?!?Don't worry, I'll inform a brother of mine in Justice Police station. He's the D.P.O. there." She quickly picked up her phone,scrolling through the contacts she saved.

"Yes, Here it is!!" She muttered with a glim of relieve on her face.

"Good Evening sir, It's Doctor Azeezah?Am I speaking with Mr. Aremu Awolowo sir?"

"Yes, its me on the call. Hope no problem, Doctor Azeezah?" He recognized her voice and number immediately. He was a friend of her late husband.

An issue came up with a daughter of mine and I'm hoping you could somehow, help us through."

擮kay, what is it about??

"A certain Alhaji Musa Adamu drugged and raped my daughter. This happened a month ago in Nicon Luxury Hotel after which he promised to help her with a million naira for her mother's surgery."

"Was there a contract signed to this?"

"No but_"

"Was there a third person to this? I mean?Did anyone witness the gripping and rapping?"

"No sir but there_?

"Okay, we'll need an evidence that this actually happened else, we might loose this case after dragging him to court. You know how prominent and well connect he is?"

"But that girl is pregnant right now and he's denying that fact and threatening to kill her as well.. Please, for the same of my late husband, help me sir. This girl is an orphan and she's under my care. I know you can do something.. "

"Okay, you havevto calm down Doctor Azeezah. Send me the number of the room they booked that day, the day, time and date in which both of them met at the hotel. I'll do all in my power to get justice for?your daughter. Perhaps, I've been trying to settle several cases about this same Alhaji Musa Adamu..."

"What? I can't believe it!!"

"Isn't he the director of COLFOLDS Company? The one in Garki!"

"Yes, He's the one. How do you know him so well? He's either defraud other business companies or doing what he's good at. But he's rich enough to bribe and buy the best lawyers in order to defend himself in court. He's just undefeatable. I pray God exposes him this time."

"Amin oo?

''I'll have to invest this issue personally and check the CCTV of that particular day. I promise to give you a call before tomorrow."

''Okay, thanks a lot Mr. Aremu. May God Almighty help us through this case."

"Amen! Okay bye now, I have to complete a task at hand so that I can work on your case, okay?"

"Okay sir. I'll message you the details immediately." She cuts the call and takes the details from Humaira.

'25th August, Friday night between 12:00 p.m to 6:00 a.m, in room 406.'

"Don't worry Humaira, Almighty Allah is on our side, believe. It's high time to expose that monster to the public. I'll make sure he pays 50 million to the court and you girls would live a better life. I won't rest until I see you get your justice, Humaira.

Humaira paralyzed in tears on doctor Azeezah's shoulder. She was relieved that somehow, she would get the justice she deserves.

"It was all my fault.." Humaira couldn't help but to blame herself for whatever she's going through. Humaira thanked the doctor endlessly. Not knowing that Zainab was eavesdropping on their conversation.

***

Her head was swimming, she just had to leave for her room in tears.

"It was all my fault? Zainab couldn't help but to blame herself as well. Only if I didn't force Humaira that evening. It was as if Alhaji Musa used me to get what he wants. How can I face Humaira again? Its because of me she lose her maidenhood.. How could she bare all of these alone?" Zainab wondered, choking in her own tears.

Just then, Humaira entered and caught the view of Zainab in tears. She quickly rushed to help her up.

"What's wrong Zee?"

"I should be asking you that Humaira! What happened between you and Alhaji Musa? How long were you willing to suffer this alone, Humaira. You couldn't even tell me, your blood sister!"

'I'm so sorr_"

"I overheard your conversation with Doctor Azeezah. So you trust her over me now or what? How could you? How could you do this to me, Humaira! Acting like nothing ever happened?!"

Humaira felt do speechless looking at her beloved sister in this state. She didn't mean to put her through any if this.

"It isn't your fault Zee?I was trying to tell you but I was scared. I didn't mean to let you know like this, trust me. What others think of me doesn't matter, only you matter to me, Zee but I hate to show this side of myself to you and I also hate to see you like this." Humaira cried as both sisters held themselves into a soft, tight hug.

"I'm sorry for putting you through all of this, how would you live with a baby now. You haven't even accomplished your dream yet?

"Don't worry Zee, God is in control. Let's pray Doctor Azeezah would be able to defeat Alhaji Musa."

"It's all my fault?I promise never to go to him anymore." Zainab cried.

"It's not your fault, Zee. Just pray for me to get through this. I believe time would heal." Humaira console her sister.

***

Later That Evening.

Mr. Aremu called.

"Good evening Doctor Azeezah, I just came back from Nicon hotel. It's been a long day."

"Okay, what did you find sir?'' She smiled hopefully.

"Nothing, Doctor Azeezah. Nothing! The CCTV in that room was destroyed by one of the guests. The vision was blurry so I couldn't get his face but due to the record in the register, it was Alhaji Musa Adamu. He booked that same room twice but I'm afraid, this isn't enough evidence ma. And we might lose this case in court if driven further?

"What? But his name is there now... "

"I'm sorry, but this might be used against you in court, Doctor. I think we find an evidence more stronger. I'll work on this issue, madam?I wanted to inform you the result?from today's investigation."

"Okay, thank you Mr. Aremu. Thanks a lot for your help.營'm so grateful."

"You're welcome ma. I need to attend to some other work right now. I'll check back on you when I get anything related to this case."

"Okay sir. Good night."

"Goodnight."

'How possible? How would the CCTV be damaged within a month and no one ever notice? Could this be coincidence or what?' Doctor Azeezah thought.

We need to find the truth about all these. Perhaps, I think it's high time I face that Alhaji Musa, myself. Only if Binta was alive. She would have done the same for her girls if not more, I wouldn't do less. I need to stand up for Humaira and Zainab.' The doctor leaves her room to inform Humaira what the D.P.O just said.

***

The Following Day.

Doctor Azeezah and Humaira set for the Alhaji's house. It was a Saturday morning and it is sure that he would be at home with his lovely wife.

'It's time to expose him to the world' Doctor Azeezah thought.

It was a huge, white mansion, somewhere in 'Maitama'. Doctor Azeezah packed her car in front of his house and asked the gatekeeper if his 'Oga' was around

Meanwhile, Alhaji Musa was with his wife and one of their daughters in the garden just within their compound. Doctor Azeezah pressed the alarm and the gatekeeper came out.

"Yes!" The gatekeeper answered. "Who are you looking for?"

"Is your Oga around? Alhaji Musa.''

The gatekeeper who seem to be suffering from albinism closed his eyes under the burning sun. It was hot that afternoon so it took a while before he recognized them.

"Okay, give me a minute ma." He answered and went to meet Alhaji Adamu that some guests were asking for him outside.

"Guests?" Alhaji Musa was lost in thoughts, hoping he wouldn't be Humaira. She dare not visit his house after what he had told her the day before.

"I'm not expecting any guest and I don't have appointment with anyone either. Tell them to go away." He commanded.

"Tell them to come in." His wife ordered.

"Okay ma." The gatekeeper confusedly walked towards the gate and asked them in.

Alhaji Musa recognized them from afar. He couldn't remember Doctor Azeezah clearly because he only met her once, several years ago. He wouldn't believe that Humaira had the audacity to after he had threatened to kill her.

Anger and fury burn inside him as he tries to hide it because if the fear that his wife would find out the truth.

His engineer wife, hajia Almirah was smiling as they walked in. It has been long since she last saw Humaira but never never paid attention to the Sanni Ahmad's family. Not even now or ever. Humaira knew the kind of people the couple were too well.

***

Words and Translations

-襣? Boss.

-Maitama: A place (and urban area) named after someone wealthy and famous in Abuja.

***