Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Ring! Ring!! Ring!!!

Ring! Ring!! Ring!!!

The vibration of her old Nokia phone brought her back into reality.

It was Doctor Azeezah, calling.

She quickly wiped away her tears and picked up the call.

Doctor Azeezah is a very close friend of their mum's who happens to work at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Abuja. For the past six months, She's been using half of her salary for Hajia Binta's treatment and she's also been very supportive to the girls.

"Assalam Alaikum, ma."

"Humaira, where have you been?! I tired calling you through out the midnight but you weren't picking up?!"

"What's the matter ma, is everything alright? Hope all is well?" Humaira's voice tensed up a little.

"You need to calm down... It's bad news Humaira. Just come here immediately."

"Please tell me ma! What happened to my mother?!"

"We did all we could but I'm sorry..." Her voice sounded very calm and cracky. "We've lost Hajia Binta..."

Humaira's heart stopped beating for a moment..

"Tell me its a lie, Doctor Azeezah. Tell me it's impossible!" Immeasurable tears poured down her swollen eyes. "She still had hours left, didn't she?"

"Only Allah Subuhanahu Wa Ta'allah could predict time, not doctors..."

Humaira unconsciously cuts and call and ran out of the hotel like a mad woman.

In grief and heartbreak, she stopped a taxi and flew back to gwagwalada, to the direction of the hospital. The sensitive driver sped up when he saw Humaira's state but it was already late. She knew nothing would save her mother now! If not for that stupid Alhaji, she would have been beside her mother through out the night.

Even after he used her body for a million, she couldn't save her mother. Everything now is useless. She cried, baring the torturing pain in her heart, body and mind.

As soon as she came down from the taxi, she noticed she wasn't having any penny on her. And because of the shocked condition she was in... She must have forgotten the money in the hotel.

Luckily, the taxi driver was a very kind man, he driver told her to forget about the payment. When she went into the ward, she didn't meet her mum there was her body was packed into the morgue. Seeing Hajia Binta's body was so heart smashing for her, unbearable. Humaira cried bitterly over her mother's dead body, knowing she already failed.

"Is this God's will? That I lost my mother and her virginity on the same day?' She thought within herself.

"Innalillahi Wa'inna illahi Rajihun."

(We surely belong to Allah, And to Him we shall return.)

***

It was a very painful experience for both girls. Since the death of their dad, Hajia Binta has been their hope and role model. Their dream and wishes was to become great in the nearest future and to car for their mother who sacrificed almost all for their well being. Now, everything is in vain, vanity upon vanity.

Zainab went back to school, even if it was just days after her mother's death. She didn't let it weigh her down, unlike other children her age. They would spend forty days at home before raising school. Always look for an excuse to skip classes and avoid their frustrating teachers... But not Zainab Sanni Ahmad.

Even though she attended a a public primary and now secondary school; Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada Abuja. She was transferred from primary 5 to J.S.S. 1 because she was even doing better than the J.S.S 3 students. And it was just the second term when this happened.

Zainab is known for her brightness, respect, intelligence and selflessness within and outside her school compound. She was the kind of student that other students hope she falls sick just to miss classes and fail exams, but she always excelled. Every student were envious of her, even her teacher; but she disappointed them all. Always backing the 105 students in her class and even doing better than those empty-brain-prefects that were as well, jealous of her in every way.

Zainab represents the school already and during their last speech and price giving day, the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada, Hon. Adamu Mustapha Danze and the Minister of Education in Nigeria, Mallam Adamu Adamu promised to sponsor the best 5 students after their SSCE into any university of their choice. And since last year, Zainab has been working towards it.

168 Hours Later,

Humaira went back to Nicon Hotel, complaining she left a bag of one million naira in the hotel room but she wasn't able to get in because she wasn't with the keys and she wasn't looking like someone that can ever own ten thousand of her own.

Nobody recognized her, definitely, there was more than a thousand and one guests that visit there on daily bases. Humaira felt terrified of losing the money just like that. Unable to face Alhaji Musa again, after what happened between them. She thought timelessly about what to do next鈥?As it is, she should be in school next weekend, back to campus and she only have seven thousand nails in her safe.

How foolish she was! If only she could take back time. For the past few days, Zainab had noticed the change in her sister's attitude. She's always moody and easily distracted. And anytime she brings up the topic about what happened in the hotel, or what was in her mind鈥?She just keeps mute.

Humaira wouldn't want to disturb her eight year old sister with this burden. It was torturous already, and she hope to bury it inside of her as long as possible... Maybe forever.

"What about the money? Didn't he give it to you?"

"Yes, he did鈥?But I forgot it there, hearing the news about mum's death. I never expected this to happen. I thought mum had 168 hours but she only lasted for two days."

"How stupid! Why didn't you go back later that day? Have you even gone back to check at all?"

"Yes, but the guards throw me out. As in鈥?I don't fit into that world but no one believes me. I shouldnt have taken the drink he offered... I never thought he would stoop so low. I only went there for mummy's sake... I was so blind to see the devil before me. And today, they thought I was lying, or begging鈥? I'm so confused, Zee!" Humaira, held her sister's hands in confusion.

"What? That's not fair! You should have taken me with you or perhaps, told me about this earlier. How long聽 were you planning to hide this from me, sis? What if I didn't ask?鈥? She cried.

"I can't even think straight anymore. First, I lose mother, now the money鈥?

"You really made a mistake sis, If I were in your shoes, I would have never left such an amount of money. Never, ever. Even if the world was crumbling. Finally, we got free money and puff! It disappeared into the thin air!"

"I'll have to resume school next weekend and I have nothing on me鈥?

"Don't worry sis, I every problem has a solution."

Humaira's eyes immediately searched her sister's for answers.

"What is it? Please tell me鈥?

Zainab sat down to think for a moment.

"I suggest you go back to Alhaji Musa. You can visit him in office since today's Monday. I think somehow, he should report back to them for the missing suitcase. It's one million naira we're talking about here o, its not chicken change."

"Wow! I never thought of that! How could you be so intelligent?!" Humaira jokes and gave her sister a hug.聽

"Thanks a lot, Zee! I'll have to prepare and go to his office immediately! It never occurred to me, no one would ever reject Alhaji. Only if he accepts to come with me."

"He definitely would, sis. Since he wanted you to have the money鈥?

"Okay鈥? Humaira muttered and went into the bathroom to take her bath.

Facing him about the rape case was frustrating but she had no choice. One million naira would literally pay her tuition fee till she graduates from college and improve their standard of living.

Only One. Million .Naira.

It's just a common thing that the rich gets rich and the poor gets poorer... How unfortunate?

***

Getting to his office, Miss Lydia stopped Humaira.

She knows her but pretends to be very serious today.

"Yes, excuse me young lady? How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Alhaji Musa, the executive director of this company. Good morning ma." She noticed she haven't greeted her yet.

"Do you have an appointment with him?"

"No, I just want to see him briefly. I wouldn't cause any havoc, I promise. Just help me this time ma." She knelt down, her eyes filled with tears.

"Hey! Get up miss鈥?This is an office, please! I would have help you but the truth is, you can't see Alhaji right now. I mean, He's really busy. I suggest you leave and come back later if you can."

Miss Lydia begged because of her two months salaries that was deducted. She didn't get herself in any of their matter, ever again.

"He's in, right?" Humaira asked wiping away her tears. "I'll wait. I don't mind how long鈥?I have time."

"If Alhaji Musa meets you here, it would be double Pa lava on my head o! Please, leave now." Miss Lydia聽 ordered.

"My mum died and I have no money to go back to school with鈥?Please ma, for the sake of God Almighty, Understand me." Humaira begged once again.

Miss Lydia wanted to push her out or parharps call the security guards to throw her out but she felt her pain.

"Okay, you can wait for him if you insist." She finally agreed.

The guilt wouldn't leave her if she let an innocent teenage suffer like this. Even if her salary is at stake. She can't imagine what the poor girl might be going through. How unfortunate some people are鈥?

***

A/N

How did you think the story is going? What do you think of Miss Lydia. If you were in her shoes, would you do the same?

And...

I'm crazzzzzy for you guyzzzzzz! Just ztarted thiz ztory two dayz a ago and 70 read? Chai! There iz God ooo!!

You made me feel so blezzed and zpecial, A heartful "Thank You!!!"

XOXO

***

Words and Translations

-Allah Subuhanahu Wa Ta'allah: God, Almighty.

-Gwagwalada: A local government area in Abuja, the central of Nigeria.

Naira :Nigerian Note or Current (#)...

J. S. S. 3: Junior Secondary School, 3. Middle school, 8th Grade.

Innalillahi Wa'inna illahi Rajihun: We surely belong to Allah, And to Him we shall return.

S.S.C.E: Secondary School Certificate Examination. An Exam done or written in high school before entering college or university.

Mallam: An Islamic scholar.

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