Chapter 41: Chapter 41

"Dad! Did you threatened her? All Zainab wanted was to leave this house, what have you said to make her stay?!"

"It would be better if you can man up and face your own business for once Idris. Leave Zainab alone, Idris! Don't you think she knows what she's doing?!"

"You're a wicked father! I never thought you'll stoop so low! I'll tell Humaira about you myself!"

"Do that and I'll stop sponsoring you in school. Your mum would be coming tomorrow anyways, I'm sure she'll handle you better... Don't say anything Idris. Be warned." He said a controlling manner and walked away.

Tears gathered in his sad eyes. The one who he wanted to protect doesn't even want to get protected. It's all his dad's fault.?

'I hate you dad! Why would you do this to someone you once called your daughter. Or maybe you don't deserve to be called her father in the first instance. So this is your true colour, I won't run away from home this time, I'll stay to change it.'?Idris thought and sighed with irritation and fraustration before going into his room.

'Maybe dad warned her but anyways, what would he have said? I don't seems to understand anything. I'll have to fine out what's behind her change of mind in order to tell Humaira. I'm just so worried about Zainab, she don't deserve a life like this. She's been through enough already...'

***

Minutes later...

Ibrahim and Isah called Idris to take?their lunch for them. The two plates was filled with rice and beans, the stew had two big chicken laps on it and fried plantain by the side.

"And who are these for?"

Idris asked puzzled about what he's seeing.

"For Zainab and her sister, Humaira."

"What? But why the sudden change between you two. What do you mean?" Isah asked.

"As I remember, you two wanted Zainab out of this house. Why don't you plan something evil as you usually do? Or is this food poisoned?"

"It's not poisoned, Idris. We've changed our minds perhaps, Zainab is our sister. Why would we want her dead?" Ibrahim replied him cunningly

"Just do as you're asked and don't complain. I had a lot to do." He washed his hands in the sink and left.

Isah blushed and followed Ibrahim in the same manner.營dris watched as they walked out.

"I feel so stupid already. It's as if everyone has a plan in this game and I'm the only one left behind." Idris said to himself and took placed their on a very big try before taking it to their room.

Humaira was already dressed. The two sisters performed ablusion and pray salatul Asr.?After the salama, Idris knocked on the door. It's a proper way to knock on the lady's door before entering. Even when Humaira wasn't there, he knocks on Zainab's door in the same manner.

Zainab went to open the door and she was surprised with what was happening.

"What's this?"

"Your lunch." He smiled, trying to play along too.

"But... I thou-" she stammered in confusion.

"Don't just stand there, Zee. Collect the tray from the gentleman and place it on the mat here let's eat. I'm a bit famished, you know.." she said and smiled to Idris positively.

Idris smiled back at her and placed it on the mat, himself.

"Don't worry Zainab. Just come and sit."

"What's your name?" Humaira asked

"I'm Idris, a friend of Zainab."

Humaira laughed with the he said it.

"Are you interested in my sister? I see you two are quite close."

Idris smiled and folded his lips as if he was trying not to talk in front of Zainab.

"Emm.. I'll be back with water." He shyly muttered and left.

Zainab was confused with everything that was happening and Humaira was just laughing. She likes Idris so much, he's just so smart and funny.

"What's so funny sis?" Zainab frowned,placing their food opposite them. And when she opened the plates, she was surprised to see how much they served her. The aroma filled the room, Humaira just wanted to eat.

"This is too much... I can't even eat quarter of it."

"Hmmm... Yummy! Humaira jerked to it. Wow! Is this how you eat everyday? You're really enjoying!"

I don't eat this much sis." Zainab muttered coldly.

"You surely do. What am I even saying? You definitely do. If you don't eat this much then why did they serve you this much today?" Humaira looked at her. Don't say it's because of be because that would be ridiculous.

Just then, Idris came with two bottles of water. He placed each bottle before the girls. Zainab didn't even look at him. As if she was pissed up or something.

Idris watched their mood and smiled to Humaira before going. It was awkward. He just hoped she says something.

"What's wrong, Zainab? You're acting strange."

Humaira stood up from where she was sitting and came closer.

"Talk to me, Zee. I see the coldness in your eyes. What saddens you this much that you're keeping away from me..." Tears clouded Humaira's eyes as she asked.

"I'm fine sis. I can handle it alone."

"Isit about the past? Are you still having those nightmares you told me about?"

"No, it's not that..."

"Then what is it Zee, you're making me restless. Is anyone telling you something or what's happening? Tell me Zainab, I need to know! What is it?"

Tears poured down Zainab's eyes.

"I just miss you. I miss you so much sis. You didn't even call me."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't able to because-"

then she paused a while and remember med. She wasn't supposed to tell Zainab about the arrest and all of that. All she wanted to know is that Zainab is fine and that she would be fine.

"Because of what sis?"

"Because of studies... I'm so occupied in school Zainab. And I hope you understand that."

"Are you hiding something from me sis?"?Zainab questioned suspiciously.

"And why would I ever hide anything from you, Zainab? Why would I lie?" She swallowed.

"I just need to know that you're safe with this people. They're a family, you need one."

"But you're my family, Humaira. You're the only one I have... Why won't we live together the way we supposed to? The way we used to?"

Humaira cupped Zainab's small face in her palms.

"But you're happy living here, aren't you?"

Zainab swallowed hard. She shouldn't tell Humaira about what she's been going through. She'll take whatever it takes to live with this family. Maybe it was her fate afterall. Maybe she was just being childish crying to be with Humaira.

"Yes... I'm happy living here. I just miss you."

"Awwwwn...?Come here darling." Humaira?gives her sister a warm hug, placing her head on her chest the way a mother would.

The both of them were already crying, for the love they had for each other.

"I know you miss me Zee, the truth is I miss you even more. I'll make a promise to you right now.... I'm going to make it in life Zainab. I'll get a job and give you a good life, Zainab. But please, stay with this family and be happy. I'm sure you won't think about me if you're living a good life."

"I'll think about you even if I'm in paradise, Humaira. Now I realize I've been crying over nothing like a baby. I'm so immature..." She muttered and chocked in her own tears, hugging her big sister again.

Humaira wiped away her tears and stared at her little sister.

"Just study hard and be the good girl you are. We'll be together very soon and nothing would stop us."

"Yes." Zainab smiled. Then her stomach grumbled. I think I'm hungry too.

Humaira smiled and carried the plate in her hands. Take this, Zainab. I'll feed you.

Humaira place a spoon to Zainab but she ends up blushing.

"I'm not a baby, Humaira. I can feed myself."

"No matter how old your are, you're like a baby to me... Just take this." Humaira persuaded with a smile and Zainab tilted forward to eat it.

This was how they used to eat few months ago before their mothers death. Now, everything seemed different. So different that it almost looks impossible to do or believe.

The girls were happily in tears and laughter.

Meanwhile Idris was watching them from behind. He was shocked in tears too... Just a turn and he saw his father.

The girls are happy now, just let them be. I don't want to hear any news about you interfering in their matter. Is that clear?" He rolled his eyes at him and walked away.

Idris wiped away his tears and muttered to himself...

'Whatever dad, it's not still right. You should be pretending to be good when you're actually evil. I know some day, very soon. All your secrets would be exposed and Zainab would leave this house for good. I'll keep quite for now, not forever.'

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