Chapter 4: Chapter 4
10:01 p.m
Humaira dropped from the taxi and hands the driver #500 note. She was scared and frightened about all of these?Meeting a married man in an hotel, alone. Hopefully, he doesn't harm her in anyway. She closed her eyes and made a silent prayer.
"Astagfirullahi ladzi laa ghaffara illahuwa, walla ghafurra illahuwa,?walla tawwaba illahuwa."
(I seek forgiveness from Allah whom there is no forgiver except Him; no one is forgiving except Him; and no one accepts repentance except Him).
Just the, she saw him buying suya (spicy meat skewer) opposite the road. He sighed her to wait, then he crossed over.
"Humairah baby, Aisha kenan!" He wanted to touch her face but she flinched. "So you came alone, right?"
(Alhaji Musa has,been calling her Aisha ever since she was a baby. It was like a pet name he gave her.)
"Yes Alhaji, good evening sir." She greeted, looking down. "I only came here for the money sir."
Alhaji Musa noticed her shyness and laughed noisily. He always wanted to have her like he had been doing to other girls; mostly prostitutes. And now was his only chance.
"Okay, let's go in then?To get the money." He leads her through the gates as they walked into the presidential suit.
It was said that Nicon Luxury, Abuja is one of the top 5 hotels in the whole of West Africa. To other girls, it would be a dream or an achievement but to Humaira, it was Hell! All she needed was the money and nothing else. She wondered why he wouldn't just hand it to her somewhere else, but she followed him. Shivering into the room he booked earlier that day.
ROOM 168.
Immediately her eyes struck the number at the door, it reminded her if her dying mother, and everything single second counts.
"Come in." Alhaji ordered with a gently smile.
She just bowed her head and entered.
The room was like paradise... The one she'd never seen. It was extremely decorated with lights and gold but it still meant nothing to poor Humaira.
She felt a torment in her mind and body and tried to stop him.
"Now we're here. Please sir,爃and me the money so I can save my mother immediately?You might be having years but my mother is only having hours." She cried, still standing beside the door.
Even when she spoke with so much courage, her tiny voice sounded so faint and shaky.
"Hahahahaaaaa!" Alhaji Musa laughed at her nervousness. "We haven't even entered yet and you want the money?"
He placed his hand and pulled her to sit on the large, master-sized bed. It felt so soft and cozy.
"Don't worry my dear, I'll take care of you tonight. You've been through enough already and I promise to help you. I know you've been avoiding me?Perhaps, Why did you send immature Zee to my office instead of coming yourself?"
"I was busy with something?
"What is more important to you than me? Nothing! Don't worry, just lie back and calm down. You're the reason why I booked here you know? Just for you, only for you?" He joked stupidly. "Interested in Suya?" He offered.
"No? She muttered.
Humaira sat at the edge of the bed, looking speechless and frustrated. She wasn't comfortable with his presence and words in that room, alone. It is as if she couldn't breath.
Definitely, they're lies. She knew he never cared for her and her family. He betrayed her father after all, but she didn't say anything about it. Humaira knew that getting him angry could make him change his mind and that wouldn't go well. So she kept shut, staring quietly like a shy cat.
He walked to the wardrobe and brought out a black, shiny suitcase.
"So? Here it is, baby doll." He placed the suitcase in front of her and opened it.
"One million naira for you!"
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Author's Note
Words Count: 783
How did you think the story is going? What do you think of Humaira S. Ahmad??If you were in her shoes, would you do the same?
If you read this... Leave a comment no matter how little. Let's have an interesting chapter...
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Words and Translations
-kenan : Mine or My
-suya: Spicy meat skewer, usually wrapped in newspapers or brown envelopes, sold along the streets in Nigeria, but, only at night.
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