Chapter 73: Chapter 73

"You don't know your name?" He asked Hadee but he didn't answer.

"What's wrong with the boy?" He asked the gangs Abit they looked at him in the same confused manner.

"Who would we know? Are we his family?"

"I know you're not related but didn't he speak? Did he say anything since?" He asked.

"Yes, it seems he said Anty Zainab. Maybe he just don't want to speak." Mario uttered.

Alhaji Musa looked at him with a frown. 'What have I gotten myself into.. but anyways, I'll take him.' he thought.

"Okay, that would be all today guys, but?scorpion!"

He answered with a look.

"You seemed do stressed out already. I'd like to take Mario along with me."

"But why?"

"I'd need him to help me settle person issues. Don't worry, I'd pay for the trip. It's just if he's interested."

"Of course! Yes, I'm interested." Maria answered. "Why won't I ?"

"Okay, let's go already. He said

But where are we going?"

"Somewhere in Ekiti State."

"What?!"

"Yes. I'd like to keep him there and we'd have to leave right away else, they might start searching for the child. I would have to take him there to stay with someone. Al least, for the main time."

"Okay." Mario agreed and accepted to follow him.

He got into the car and they zoomed away into the free road while scorpion went black home. He couldn't stop himself from thinking about Zainab. He must have caused her so much pain. S part of him was bleeding. He couldn't understand why he was feeling so restless. Even after these years, he'd never expected to meet her again. Life is just so tricky.

Meanwhile, Humaira's car passed Alhaji Musa's car.

"Mama! Mama!!" Hadee called out to her Immediately his eyes caught her but she was off minded. She didn't know and the dark, tinited glasses where winded up so she didn't her his call.

"Shut up now would you?" Mario barked at him while Alhaji Musa looked at him in a way. As if he wanted to say... Just leave him alone.

Humaira was happy, she had a good discussion with the barrister that called her earlier so, they agreed she would start working with the firm the following week.

Its heart news! Humaira couldn't wait to tell Zainab about it. She played a music as she drove home. It was a cause for celebration indeed.

Destiny made it that they parted ways. Zainab entered Gwagwalada while Mario drove straight to Lokoja road.

Of course, they were heading to Ekiti.

***

Zainab was still wallowing herself in tears when Humaira got in.

"Assalam'Alaikum..." She greeted as she entered. Shocked, he couldn't fathom why Zainab was weeping and the big plaster on her head was pathetic.

"What's wrong, Zee?" Humaira threw her hand bag and rushed to where Zainab was seating.

"Why are you crying all alone? Who fid this to you and..." She looked around. Where's Hadee!"

Zainab burst into another series of tears her whole body was vibrating due to what had happened.

"How would I explain this to you sis, it's unexplainable." her lips were shivering, incoherently.

"What happened?" Humaira asked, with confusion all over her face. She couldn't even think clearly. What would move her strong little sister to become so pathetic? She thought.

"Come here," Humaira pulled her closer and gave her a soft hug.

Her heart too was trembling. She felt something was wrong

"Wipe away your tears, Zee. Everything would be alright." Humaira muttered. She unzipped her bag and took her hanky, wiping away Zainab's tears from her already hot face. Her eyes were terribly red, from the amount of tears it has already she'd. It's almost an hour since the incident.

"It's okay, Zee. Let me get you wate_"

"No sis!" Zainab held her back. Humaira turned to her again, sitting closer.

"Then what is it,Zee? What happened? Please, explain to me. You're making me more nervous by keeping quite. What happene_"

"We got attacked."

"W..what?!" Humaira couldn't believe what she just heard

"From where to where? By who tell me! How did it happene_"

It was just along Lugbe's road, Humaira. I saw the man that raped me.

"What?! How is that even possible?"

"I still remembered his face, Humaira. It was the same gang but they were only two of they. They carried gunf s and asked for Hadee. But I tried all my best, Humaira. They took him away."

Humaira staggered and unconsciously feel on the chair. She passed out.

"Humaira! Humaira!!" Zainab rushed to her in tears. The tread that wouldn't stop running. She rushed to get water from the kitchen and sprinkled it on her face.

It took a while before she woke up into reality.

She couldn't believe her Hadee was taken. What did they probably want from a young and innocent child. "Who do you think might be behind this?" Humaira asked in a low, hoarsed voice.

"I think it's Alhaji Musa behind this. He was the one that sent them the other day and he's the only monster capable of bringing so much pain."

"I'll get my son back Zee! I think I'll have to face him again." She muttered under her breath.

"But Humaira. You have to be careful with him. You know how wise and cunny the man could be. Please, be careful. Your safety is what matters to me right now."

"And you'd help catch his things as well right?"

Humaira looked at the picture of Hadee hanged at the wall. Tears gathered and still flowing out of her eyes. Although, she had anger in her. She'd already gone through a lot to give Hadee a good and happy life. She just wouldn't forgive Alhaji Musa for any of these. Maybe it was time for him to pay for his misdeeds. Maybe it was was time for him to get his punishment.

****

Alhaji Musa bought a lot of sweets and chocolates for him. He gave Hadee all the snacks he could possibly get along the road side but Hadee couldn't eat. Despite he the fact that he was a child that loves stuffs like this, what he wanted that very moment was his mother. Only his mother Humaira could satisfy him and make him happy.

All he did was to cry and sleep.whenever they got to a check point, Alhaji Musa bribed the officers with lots of cash and they'd just say tie words.

"Safe journey."

Mario was a very fast driver. They got there about couple minutes past 4:00 pm.

It was a village called Oke-ijebu. A remote area with not more than one thousand residents. Most of them there were farmers; only God knows how he got to know the couple. They were old and childless. The elderly man, Sheyi was about 65 years old while his wife, Desola was about 59 years old. When they got there, Hadee was already sleeping so Mario crazy carried him our of the car.

"Welcome, Alhaji."

"Thank you, Mr. Sheyi. Here is the the boy."

"Oh, okay. Come inside." He suggested

"We won't be staying so long so we can get back to Abuja before midnight."

"Okay, I understand. Just come in first and have a rest."?Sheyi urged as they fooled him in.

It was a small house. Just a room self containe where the old couple managed but they live a beautiful life.

Mrs. Sheyi, collected Hadee from Mario and took him inside. She laid him on the bed carefully with so much love. He's a child she would give anything for years before but now, it's not too late.

I would like him to stay her for a while. At least until he completes his secondary school. He deepened his hand into his left pocket and brought out a big boundle of #1,000 cash.

Take this. I'd send you more as time goes. Id send #50,000 to your account monthly just for his well being. Please, that boy is my son, help me take care of him.

"Okay Alhaji, there's no problem. We'd take care of him as if he's our own blood but what's his name?"

"Umm... I haven't given him one. You guys can call him whatever you wish."

A smile lightened up Mr. Sheyi's face as he heard that. "It's a big pleasure to take care of a child and name him something our hear wishes. We'll name him Mayowa."

"Madalla! That's good. What does that mean?"

"It's means a joy giver." She muttered.

"Well, I think our job here is done." He said, facing Mario.

"But why don't you wait and eat?"

"No... I really have a lot of work to cover." Alhaji Musa answered them and got up.

"Okay, we'd like to give you some food stuff. Just to show our appreciation."?Sheyi signalled his wife to go and get them into his car.

"There's really no need for all of that." Alhaji muttered.

"There's need sir." Mario unintentionally cuts into their conversation. "I'll need it."

The elderly men couldn't help but to laugh at him young mind. Whatever.. they walked out of the building as Mario helped Desola pack the foodstuff into the car.

"Okay, I would call you from time to time and place, don't hesitate to call me if anything happens."

"Okay, Alhaji. Thank you sir." Sheyi and his wife, Desola waved them goodbye as they drove away.

***

Words and Translations

-Secondary school: Highschool

-Madalla!: Excellent!

-Mayowa: Joy Giver

***