Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Clouds rose against the sky like a smoke from a volcano. There was thunder rumblings in a distance. The air was heavy and thick. Humaira clinged to her skin as she became nervous. Tears gathered in her eyes as she observed the place.

"Where on Earth am I?" She looked around.

All the sky was dark, lingered with a bit of red. So was the soil. She was alone in an old rusty field... But there was no rainfall. The wind tossed the dry plants about, rattling them all against the wind.

"Humaira..."

Someone called her name in the sweet, gentle voice of her dead mother.

She turned back. The ghost stood in the graveyard, wrapped up all in white veil from head to toe. Her skin looked so dark and rusty which made Binta's ghost looked even more scary as the edge of her clothes flowing in the rush of the wind.

"Mother..." Humaira cried slowly. A drop of tear from her eyes lingered down her chin.

"Humaira... You've disgraced me."

"I'm sorry mum..." She managed to say. Her mouth immediately felt dump and dry. "Forgive me."she started trembling as if she's would pee in her pants.

"It me, your mother." Binta smiled.

Humaira knew that smile, she wears it anytime she wronged her and it's a sign that she has forgiven her.

Humaira gently faced her mother but the place was windy so she covered her face a little.

Humaira smiled back too.

"I lived a good life Humaira but my bad deeds are weighing my good deeds down that's why I'm delayed. I'll be finally have peace when the both of you live a good life, Humaira."

"But why mother?..."

"Go! Save your sister and make me happy."

"But I'm imprisoned mother, how do I get out of here?"

She smiled again and slowly faded into the thin air.

"Mother! Mother!!" Humaira called but her mother was gone. She flung herself backward onto the ground where she had been standing, pressing her bones into the earth above where hers lay. Humaira dug her fingers into the dirt and held on tight, tighter. Voices rose up through the ground.

The voices of the dead, full of decay, of worms, choked with rot. Humaira felt their words in her bones.

"Go!" She heard again. "Go and save your sister!"

It was as if her mother's voice was echoing in the wind.

They spoke of a storm, and wind and rain washed over her thin body, soaking her all over. They spoke of betrayal, the death of love, and her mouth ran red with blood, thick and salty.

They whispered of vengeance, and her legs ached from the chase, and the howls of the hunted echoed in her ears.

They told Humaira of falling beneath the ground, and dreaming the graves that covered them. 'Save your sister!'

Humaira opened her eyes to small room of the prison, and the setting sunray.

"Hey up! Get up!!" The police officer walked towards her.

He unlocked the iron door and unlocked her handcuff.

"You're released."

Humaira looked at him in total confusion.

"Who released me?"

Behind the police stood Melvin. I smiled joyously as tears streamed down my faced.

"Aren't you going to give me a hug at least?"

Humaira threw her weak body over Melvin, giving him a tight hug.

"Thank you so much Mel? You saved me... I can't believe this. How did you manage?"

"I haven't been at rest Humaira. Knowing that a pregnant girl is suffering for something I caused. I had to find the money by all means. Now, let's go."

***

Melvin took her to his cousin's place to spend the night.

"Thanks a lot for everything Mel, I'm so speechless right now. I mean... I can't thank you enough."

"No, I haven't done anything. I should be the one apologizing. It's all my fault you've been there all these while."

"Cherish, make sure you treat her the way you'll treat me, okay?" He told his cousin, watching them.

"Okay." The girl replied with a smile and went to prepare breakfast for Humaira.

(Cherish is Melvin's distant cousin but she school in ABU too. She's a commercial students studying economics but she stays off campus.)

"What's wrong, Hummy? You haven't smiled properly since we left the orison. Hope all is well?"

"No. She nodded,not wanting to disturb Melvin with her own problems. He has done more than enough for her so far. What else could she ask?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes...it's just school."

"Emm... There's something I did and I wanted to tell you but I want it to be a surprise for you."

"What's it Melvin?" She turned to him. "Tell me."

"Weeks ago when I resumed work with Mrs. Bridget, a lady walked into our store. She asked of you."

"What a lady?"

"Yes. She said you're friends and course mates. Emm... What's her name again? Fir-dausi. Yes, Firdausi."

"You mean Firdausi came to look for me? Why would she."

"She said she learnt her lesson and she wanted to apologize to you for everything. She asked for your whereabouts and I told her everything because I felt you girls were besties."

"But why Mel? We aren't friends anymore!"

"I'm so sorry about that Humaira. I didn't even know. She told me that she would meet your course rep and lecturers to discussed things with them so, I think everything would be alright if you get to school right now. All I wanted was the best for you and she didn't seem hurtful or wicked. She begged me not to tell you about this until you get out somehow. Infact, she help me with part of the money I used to bail you out."

"What?! I can't believe this! I and that girl don't talk anymore! You should have told me first!"

"I'm sorry Humaira. I didn't know your fight with her was up to this, I wouldn't have answered her at all." He looked sad."I just wanted to make up for my mistakes... And I failed."

"No, don't worry Mel. You did what you thought was right and you tried. Good thing, I can resume school again but... I'll have to go home first."

"Home again? Why?"

"My junior sister... I miss her so much. I have a feeling she's going through a lot. I need to check her at least."

"Okay, fine than. But you really need to resume school too. You guys must have started test for the first semester."

"Yes. I know. I'll just go tomorrow and comeback next tomorrow. I'll be fine."

"You just like stress." He smirked. "Whatever... How old is your pregnancy now?"

"It's six months and three weeks old. It'll be exactly seven months next weekend. I feel it's a boy."

Melvin ends up in laughter. She joins him too.

"What's so funny, Mel?" She felt a bit annoyed. As if he was laughing at her for what she just said.

"How do you know?" He asked.

"I just know, Mel. I'm it's mother you know."

"Okay, let me examine you." He held her wrist to check her veins bit she jerked away.

"Fake doctor... just go away and leave me alone." She joked.

After the meal, Melvin handed Humaira #5,000 notes.

"Take this."

"What for?"

"Your transport fare to Abuja. Aren't you going to see your sister again or do you have any cash you?"

"I would get that myself Mel, don't worry."

"I'll worry o. Why won't I worry... Is it your worry?" He joked and she smiled at him.

"Like seriously, you've done a lot for me. How can I thank you?"

"You don't have to thank me, Humaira. I'm just doing my own bit. Perhaps, what are friends for? All I want is your happiness and I'm going to stand by you no matter what."

Humaira looked so confused.

"What are you even saying Melvin?"

"I'm saying let's be friends. I want to be like a brother to you. I want to be able to care for you whenever you're in need. I've learnt a lot from you Humaira and I've already learnt my mistakes. Sometimes, friendships are easily kept than relationships."

"Yes. Yes it's true Mel. And I'm glad you realised that." She smiled at him for a while.

"We're friends Mel. And we'll always be. Thanks a lot for the transport fare anyways. I'm so grateful." She gave him a side hug, then she jerked away. As if she remembers something, Humaira took her phone and dailed a number.

"Assalam'Alaikum Mr. Abdullahi, good evening sir."

"Who am I speaking with? He questioned not sure of the number."

"It's me, Humaira. Zainab's elder sister. How's work and family sir?"

"Ohh... How are you my dear?" He replied, perplexed.

"Fine sir, Alhamdulillah studies is going on smoothly. How about Zainab, is she there?"

"No, I'm in my office right now and she's in class."

"Okay sir. I wanted to let you know that I'll be coming to check on her soon."

"Okay, that would be when?"

"Tomorrow Insha Allah..."

"Okay, no problem then. I'll inform her and I'll be expecting you."

"Okay sir. Jazakillahu khayr for all the love and care. May Allah reward you abundantly."

"Amin. You're free to visit us anytime my dear. You're also like a daughter to me."

"Thank you sir. Extend my greetings to your wife and family sir."

"Okay, they'll hear. Bye."

"Bye bye sir."

He cuts the call in annoyance.

"Subhanallah! Humaira is coming tomorrow?" He angrily hissed as a small grin finds its way to his lips...

***