Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Finally, it was sunrise. Zainab sat up from the mat where she slept. She curled her body in a "S" shape for a while and then sit up, wrapping her arms around her knees. She then sits up again, lost in thought.

Zainab stared at her palms she couldn't believe she was plundered by such ingrate. And for a while, she felt so lost and empty and suddenly burst into tears. Uncontrollable tears.

'It's all my fault now, Doctor Azeezah is dead. Maybe we were cursed or Something. Maybe Humaira is right?We're so unfortunate.' She walked to the doorstep and watched the compound. What came was memories. She remembered when she was very much younger, when her mum was still alive. When they first came to that village, they wanted to start afresh. To begin a new life, away from the evil family members that wanted to destroy the mother-daughter relationship. Her late mother, Hajia Binta started renting the room self container before she bought it (the land and house) from the landlord.

Although, the building was a small one, it felt like heaven to her, but not now. Not anymore.

Just today, she has lost another family. A woman that stood in place of her mother?Who knows what would happen tomorrow?' Zainab thought of everything. Everything that remained her of being happy. She sighed a passenger and retired her attention to where she wanted to go.. Doctor Azeezah's place. She walked out of her compound doing the 5 minutes talk. Getting there, she met the gate wide open.

Zainab entered the wide compound through the gate, she could sense the crowd of people inside the living room.

"It's just hours after I left here, maybe its our neighbors.' She thought and entered.

When she got in she was surprised to see Zayd and Zaytoon, Doctor Azeezah's children.

How come? How did they know about this?' Zainab pondered, hoping she'd come earlier.

She greeted everyone including Me. Aremu whom was sitting between Zayd and Zaytoon. Zaytoon rolled her eyes at Zainab as she entered. She couldn't help but to wonder why her mother agreed to bring Zainab along, taking Zainab as her own but see what happens. Zainab looked away from Zaytoon's stare, that was still lingering in her clouded mind. She looked away, wondering what her offence might be, even though it was their first meeting.

***

Walking under the house burning sun, it was as if Zainab was going through hell. She begged some passers-by to lend them her phone. She really needs to call her sister, Humaira who is in university but no one helped her. Walking along the busy street, a car horn to stop Zainab but she she was lost in thoughts. She didn't even notice. It's a good thing Zaytoon said her piece of mind. Its even better she left that family for good. Only if her parents were alive, none of these would have happened today.

"Zainab!" The man called. He is Mr. Abdullahi Bala, the headmaster of her school. Mr. Abdullahi is well known to be hardworking and kind hearted.

"Zainab!!" He grabbed her by the shoulder but she flinched to his touch, waking from her daydream.

"Are you alright?"

She looked so confused. As if she didn't recognize him or something.

"What's wrong Zainab? Why are you crying on the road like this? And... What are you doing all alone? Where are you going?"

"Good afternoon sir." She greeted.

"Are you alright? Talk to me, please."

"I'm fine sir. I mean... I'll be fine." She muttered and inconsiously broke into tears. It was uncontrollable, no matter how she tries to hide her feelings, she couldn't stop herself.

His eyes caught the fresh open wound on her right shoulder. It was quite deep. Mr. Abdullahi couldn't help but to but to wonder what the poor girl must be going through.

"Come on, come into my car. I'll take you home."

"No, don't worry sure. I'll be fine." She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

"It's already 12:00p.m, have you eaten?" He asked with so much concern.

Zainab nodded, telling she hadn't eaten.

"Let's go to my house and relax for a while. My wife would prepare something delicious for you." He persuaded.

Finally, she agreed and entered his car.

Mr. Abdullahi is a very nice man that knows Zainab Ahmad Sanni very well. He knows her too well and wes transferred from Government Secondary School, Kuje to Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada. Kuje is just a neighboring town to Gwagwalada, and also a local government area in Abuja.

He is happily married with three boys, Idris, Ibrahim and Isah which are 15, 13 and 11 years old, respectively. Mrs. Amina too was a nice woman. She works with First bank at Gwagwalada branch, Abuja. She's an hardworking woman and a disciplinarian also.

Mr. Abdullahi wanted to start the car when he remembered that.. Zainab had an elder sister.

"What about your sister?" He brought up.

"She schooling in A.B.U Zaria."

"Do you have her number?"

"Yes, it's 07014576211." She recalled.

"Okay, Good." Mr. Abdullahi took the number on his phone and dialed it.

Meanwhile, Humaira was just getting ready to enter the lecture hall. There was to be another test that afternoon when the call entered. It was an unknown number but she picked it.

"Hello."

"Hello, am I speaking with Humaira Sanni Ahmad, please?"

"Yes, you are. Who am I speaking with?"

"It's Me. Abdullahi, Zainab's school headmaster."

"Okay sir. Hope no problem?"

"I just met her on the road just now and I was think you need to speak with her. Zainab is in a critical condition right now, she's been through a lot." He hands Zainab his phone to have a word with her sister.

Humaira felt anxious.. She couldn't help but to wonder what was wrong with her precious little sister. Maybe the dream wasn't just a dream after all... Maybe it was a warning.

"Hello Zee! What's wrong?"

Tears lingered down Zainab's face again. She was so sad and all she needed was Humaira's presence and comfort.

"Doctor Azeezah is dead..."

"What? Inna lillahi wainna Ilaihi Ragi'un!"

"Yes...She died last night. A gang of rubbers attacked us and I was also beaten and raped. Now, Zaytoon and Zayd threw me out. They blame me for their mother's death. I need you right now Humaira, I don't know what to do."

"Just calm down, Zee. Everything would be sought out, trust me. You've been my strength these past few years.... Please don't break down now Zee. But why didn't you call me earlier? I thought you would have been in Canada by now."

"No. I'm in so much pain right now, Humaira. When are you coming?"

"We're about to start our exams Zee. Coming home now would be a but difficukt but, I promise to visit you soon.

There's nothing at home and there's nothing on me Humaira. Hope you understand.

She let out a deep sigh.

"Yes, I do. You know what? I'll come home during weekend. I can't leave you in this state, despite my tight schedules, I also need to see you. So where are you now?"

"I'm with Mr. Abdullahi Bala. He's a very nice man and he's my headmaster."

"Okay then. Would you stay with him for the main time? Tomorrow is Thursday, I'll be back Friday Evening. I'll definitely come to check on you."

"Okay then, I'll be waiting."

***

After the call, Humaira's hear stopped, literally. She felt a deep pain from inside of her.

'Why Zainab of all people? Why would anyone hurt her precious baby sister? The only one left for her to protect.'

It turns out that Zayd was a bigger fool than she'd ever imagined. Well, Humaira didn't have a deep connection with Dr. Azeezah's children but she always thought Zayd was wise and mature enough. He should have understood. Especially now that they need help the most.

Thinking about it brought Humaira another headache. After the test, She decided to study in the library for a bit, but the truth is, she wasn't really herself. Almost she felt was ears swimming and her heart, stirring up her soul from her very weak body. Since the day her mother left this world, everything has been going from bad to worse?

Humaira was lost in thought as she walked out of the exam hall. Tears filled up her saggy eyes not thinking about the stupid test she didn't even prepare for. Its no doubt that she'll fail anyways. Why the worry? The test was the least of her problem that very minute. All in her mind was Zainab, her little sister.

'It's all my fault. Zainab lost her virginity even before puberty. How do I face her after all of these? I'm such a disappointment, I know. I must find a way to make things better for Zainab. At least, she shouldn't suffer like me.'

"Hey!" Someone touched her from behind and she flinched.

***

Word & Meaning

* Inna lillahi wainna Ilaihi Ragi'un- From God we come from and to He is our final return.

***