Chapter 23: Chapter 23

"No! It's not what I'm thinking." Khair said aloud. Kelechi walked out of the toilet. She looked so tried. The water she sprinkled over her face was dripping on her cloth so, she wiped it away with her towel.

"Is everything alright?" Zayda asked, forming concern.

"Yes, I'm just tired." She replied her sincerely.

Instead of reading, she lied her back on the bed and started sleeping.

'Maybe nothing was wrong with the poor girl. But this gossipers are already Ms ready to firm and spread news. Someone can not vomit in peace again.' Humaira thought, concentrating on the handout she was holding. Soon, it was time for Magrub. She went to pray and asked God to lead the way.

****

On the other hand, Zainab was doing well with the Bala's. Although Me. Abdullahi introduced Zainab as their new sister, but only Idris accept her as one.

It's been four days since Zainab had started longing with them but, they haven't had the opportunity to speak with her. Ibrahim and Isah were care-free. Even though they had to sacrifice their study room for Zainab, they paid I attention towards her.

Yes, the three of them usually sleep together in the same room. Before Zainab's arrival, the both of them had turned the guest room into their personal study room where they work their homeworks and do other things.

But Zainab's arrival ruined everything. And for some reasons, they feel it wasn't right for they father to bring a stranger into their house. So, they hopes she leaves soon, if possible.

Especially Ibrahim. He really needed his privacy right now because he was preparing to write his mock exam. Isah too was preparing for his junior WAEC that he's going to write early next year. While Idris was processing a transfer into secondary school next year but he still haven't written his common entrance exam.

Perhaps, Idris and Zainab recognize each other because they attended the same school. But they weren't in the same class - Zainab was in Basic 5 while Idris was in Basic 6. They weren't that close so they didn't talk to each other that much.

***

The Following Morning.

It was Sunday morning. Mrs. Bala knocked on Zainab's door, but she pulled it open because it wasn't locked.

"Good morning, ma." Zainab greeted as she saw her. She'd probably woken her up.

"Morning my dear, how was your night?"

"It was fine ma, Alhamdulillah."

"So, I came to check on you this morning. I wonder if you do any house chores?"

"Yes ma. I'm good at it. Anything at all."

"Fine. It's good to know. At least, I'll have a helper as well." She smiled.

You'll have to join me in kitchen this evening. Immediately after school. And the lundary, you'll do the wash all the clothes in the backyard tomorrow after school. Okay?"

"Okay ma." Zainab replied. Wondering what kind of woman she truly is.

"So, I wanted to ask you something actually. I mean.. I overheard you and Humaira yesterday. And I was confused. Please tell me. Who's Alhaji Musa?"

Zainab smile. Reading the look on Amina's face made her understand how much she wanted to know about their issue. She wouldn't help them after all. All she wanted was to get the full story, and Zainab wouldn't expose her sister.

"So tell me. Who is he? Your uncle?"

"Yes. He's an uncle. "

"So what did he do? How did he hurt your sister?"

"He's done a lot ma. He didn't take responsibility after our parent's death. He insulted Humaira severally ma, it's just a long story."

"Okay, I understand. Maybe he would accept you guys again, right. Every family has it's down side. You just have to be patient and push on. Don't worry, I pray he would come around."

Zainab just wore a fake smoke as if she agreed.

"Good thing, you and Idris would be schooling together."

"Yes ma. I'm excited as well." Zainab smiled.

"Don't be too excited. She said, looking at her differently. You're just opportuned to live in the same house that's why. Always put in mind that Idris better than you in every aspect. So, don't paint any mental picture of you being so close. Just be close to him, not too close.

"Okay ma." Zainab replied her. Trying to digest what she just heard, even if she didn't understand Mrs. Bala's words properly.

"Hope your school uniform is still looking good?"

"Yes ma. It's kind of old but it's still manageable."

"Then you should manage it then. I'll see you new uniforms next term. Okay?"

"Okay ma."

"So, that would be all for now."

"But ma..." Zainab called her back

"Yes, what's it?"

"Emmm... I need to plait my hair or change the hairstyle at least. It's been a while."

"Oh that. Who usually plaits for you?"

"Doctor Azeezah takes me along to the saloon every weekend."

"Hmmm.. you've been fortunate, indeed. What about before you start living with her?"

"My elder sister use to help me." She remembered with a smile.

"I can't stress myself to do all that work. Plaiting hair these days isn't easy. Especially as a student. I guess you'll have to cut it off."

"But ma, it's forbidden in Islam."

"I said you should cut your hair, not your head o. What's bad about that?" She laughed as she noticed from her words that Zainab was bold and confident.

"You don't know anything. When I was your age, I was still shaving my hair. I started plaiting hair after I gained admission into university, just like your sister. It's not as if your hair won't grow again now. Just a few years, at least. Till you've completed secondary school."

" A girl should be dressed as a girl and a boy should be treated as one." Zainab suggested. "But ma, What if Humaira ask me why. What would I tell her?"

"Tell her you need to study well, that's why. Please, focusing your studies so you'll become successful too. Plaiting hair would only distract you, ehn."

"But ma..."

"No more but.. we already have enough jist for today." She consluded and stands up. About to leave, she turns back again. "Lest I forget, make sure you respect my son's. They're still the owner of this house anyways."

She smiled. "Yes of course."Zainab smiled too.

***

It was Monday morning. Humaira didn't sleep throughout the night. She'd been studying her every words and their definitions. Kelechi too slept with her legs hurried in a cold bucket of what. It's as if she wasn't feeling fine but Humaira guessed it was malaria.

All the students were prepared for their papers. The were asked to form a long queue outside the examination hall and was thoroughly searched before entering. Some might have hidden the answers inside their undies while others, under their wigs. Despite the fact that all the students are aware of the punishment if examination malpractices, some would still copied notes on their laps and palms that morning. You get expelled and you'll never get the chance to school within the state again.

It was just 8:00 am. Humaira caught up with Firdausi. Immediately, flash backs from Saturday evening came flashing through her memory. The wore part of it was that, Firdausi didn't do as if she knows her. She just pretended and walked pass her.

It didn't freak Humaira out, but she wondered what kind of human being she had been dealing with. She wasn't just mean, she was wicked as well.

'You betrayed me and you're expecting me to beg you? It would never happen. I'll just have to forget about you and that devilish soul that decieved me. They've all decieved me.'

The thought with her before it finally got to her turn. The woman incharge scanned her through with her large eyeballs.

"Hands up!" She commanded and Humaira did as she was told.

She touched her body swiftly and asked if she was holding an expo.

"No ma, I'm well prepared for this exam." Humaira muttered convincingly.

"You girls with long hijabs are the worse. Just get in!" The woman hissed, not caring if Humaira was actually hurt or not.

"Next!"

An invigilator directed her to sit somewhere. Just a step away from Firdausi.

They were invigilators all around, watching the students. Finally, they were asked to start. It was an hour exam that almost lasted for two hours. Long and tiring. They wrote two papers that day. And all Humaira could do was to read, and to study harder. Just to come out with flying colors by the end of the day. She was determined but something brought her down.

Memories.

The memories of all that had happened. And for no reason, she find herself heart broken. It was just months she net Mubby. She was never interested in him, even for once but why does it hurt like this? She thought of Mubby, and Firdausi.

***

Words and Translations

- Magrub: Prayer offered after sunset. Between 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm.

- WAEC - West African Examination Council.

***

Please note...

Ibrahim is 15 years old and he's in S.S 2. Isah, 13 years and he's in J.S 3 while Idris is 11 and he's in Basic 6.

So, as promised. Here comes another chapter for today.

***