SECOND CHANCE

17

STAR BABY

Amaanee was astonished with the way Seety is living her life freely and with so much fun. She never imagined a girl will think about living such a life for fun. She thought everyone joined the job for family sake but she had been proven wrong. "Seems like I have a lot to learn." she thought.

The room was quiet after Seety concluded her story. Seety pinched the girl next to her saying "You are up Miss Star baby".

The lady referred to as star baby was short, chubby and dark in completion with big round eyes.

" My real name is Nabeelah but use Star baby for my job. I grew in a family that were well educated both sides. My mother is a Quranic and Ahadeeth memorizer, so was my father he was a great scholar in our town Gombe, I was able to memorise the Holy Quran at the age of 10 years. He died of diabetes and hypertension, when I was 12-years old leaving behind five of us." She pulled a pillow and laid down.

" First five months after our father's death, his friends and relatives assisted a lot. Some even promised to sponsor our studies but all that were bunch of unfulfilled promises as they soon forgot us.  I'm the second born, my elder sister was in S.S.2 then and was about writing W.A.E.C, N.E.C.O and JAMB, mum gathered what she had and paid for all of that. Mother had a diploma in Arabic and was able to secure an employment with the state government since Mu'allim (my father) was alive. Her salary per month was 25,000naira which we survive with. One day, my mother and my younger brother fall sick and my mum's salary had not been paid. Everything weren't encouraging and responsibilities are increasing, I went secretly and met our uncle and begged him to help but he refused claiming my father had not assisted him with nothing while he was alive and that he is saving his money for his children when he dies. I left disappointed and tried the rest of my father's siblings but none was ready to assist, in fact the last person I met suggested he make love to me in exchange for the money and I refused." She took a deep breath and sat up having a frown on her face.

" My sister was in the university then and I  didn't want to bother her with all the problems, actually she never cared about any of us. I went to our neighbours seeking for assistance but none was willing to assist. At same week my mother's salary was stopped because a verification was conducted but she was not present. The last option I had was father's best buddy a wealthy man. I met him at his office and he said that will not be a problem and that I should meet him at home to collect the money, for assurance he gave me half of what I implored. I left happily and went to his house later in the day for the rest of the amount as agreed, he wasn't around but I met his wife Hajiya Lantana. I explained to her what we discussed with Alhaji, she gave me twice of what I was expecting and that made me jump into her arms crying and thanking her endlessly. She laughed, patting my back saying it's nothing." She paused heaving a deep breath and a mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"I hurriedly rushed back to the hospital and paid for the bills and few days later my mother was discharged. I used the remaining amount and bought food stuffs. I even sent  some amount to my sister for up keep but she never cared to appreciate." Star baby munched some popcorn then continued;

"Days later Hajiya Lantana came home to greet my mother, she came with a lot of gifts including a new phone which she said was mine. My mother refused the idea of me having a phone saying I was only in SS1 but Hajiya Lantana made her see the need for the phone and that they will both put heads together to make sure I maintain my dignity. With that agreement I started using the phone having only two contacts in it; my mum's and Hajiya Lantan's number. Hajiya Lantana called me one day and and told me to download WhatsApp on my phone, I obliged and the two of us started communicating there. The strangest things started happening between the two of us, things like; sharing our nudes, watching porn videos and masturbating on video call. I still can't remember how it started but when I wanted to back out, Hajiya Lantana threatened never to give me a dime again and will show my mother my naked pictures. I tried convincing her that it's wrong and Allah will punish us and that I'm not being fair to my mum after all the good upbringing she did but that women manipulated my innocence and made me give in to her command. Those nasty things continued and one day she invited me to her house and we made love. She gave me what ever I asked, took care of my family including my sister that's in school. My mother never knew what we did but all her life, she never failed to advice us on importance of guarding our chastity no matter the cost and I felt that since I'm not with a man that's not much of a big deal. We planned it in a way that my mother will not be suspicious of any of us. Whenever Hajiya bought food stuffs, she will lie and claim Alhaji sent the money and Mum will spend the whole night praying for his safety and ours." She placed her head on Seety's shoulder and continued;

"By the time I concluded my secondary school, Hajiya secured an admission for me at AL HIKMA University because her husband had been transferred to Illorin and she went along with him. The following year my mother dead and left me with my 3 brothers who were taken to our uncle's house while my sister was in her final year and was planning to get married. At the same year, I caught Hajiya with another woman in a hotel, she even insulted me for bargeing in without invitation. I disconnected all ties with her instantly and she seemed not to care. I seek transfer to Gombe State University, even though it wasn't easy and the money I had was not much but I wanted to be close to my siblings who were sent packing by our uncle and sister. I heard about Jakadiya at a saloon and I investigated more and I got her phone number. That month I was very broke and needed money to pay my siblings school fees. My sister was happily married and after all the money I spent for her schooling she warned us never to set foot in her house claiming she don't want anything that has to do with us. Jakadiya gave me the required amount without giving me my first job. I rented an apartment for us and the rest is now history. I'm planning to leave this disgusting life the moment I get a job, I'm in my final year already. I come here for jobs and travel back to my siblings the moment I'm done. My daily prayer is seeking Allah's forgiveness and mercy for I know I'm a sinner at all levels but I need the job that's the fastest way I could get money."