UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 81: Still Determined

As early as 6:00am, Humaira has gone out to join the set of labourers working on the construction site. Two other elderly women joined her. They worked actively, it's no news that they've been used to the work already. Everyone was busy doing their own part of the job, just to get paid. Carrying a block is #20. Carrying 50 blocks is #1,000.

'Hopefully, this one would pay out.' Humaira thought. 'At least, it's better than people owing me depts that they would never pay.'

She placed a scarf on her head and jacked the block, placing it on her head as gently as possible so it won't break... Else, it's #200 deducted from her wage.

Although, the blocks were elephant-weight heavy, Humaira carried the block one after the order as fast as she coukd while the other women carried two at once.

Everything was moving smoothly until when the owner of the construction came in with his big, black Range-Rover. Humaira was carrying the block to the other side where it's needed when suddenly, she heard the sharp horn of his car. As if she was off minded or something. She mistakenly fell to the ground and the block broke immediately.

"What's wrong with you, lazy woman! This is the second time you're breaking block and it's not even afternoon yet! What is wrong with you? Are you crazy?!!"

Humaira managed to stand up as her legs shivered. The other two women came to help her up as tears gathered in her eyes. It looks as she was too weak to stand up as her bone twisted the way she fell down. Humaira was apparently in pain, but she tried to mutter up boldness to hide her tears and fears. The construction owner came out of his air-conditioned car, asking what really happened.

"Don't mind this crazy woman sir. She's been carrying the blocks one after the other yet, she's very slow at it!" He spat to Humaira one again before facing the wealthy looking chief.
"I apologise on her behalf sir."

"No... What you did was wrong. You should shout on her no matter what. Engineer Isreal, Always keep in mind that the people working here are humans, not machine. How many blocks have she carried do far? I mean... How much is it?"

"She's just carried 50 blocks but she broke 2, that's 400 minus #1000. Her payment not is #600 except if she carries 20 more blocks to balance it all."

"Okay, don't worry. I'll pay her for today." The wealth chief walked towards Humaira and handed her #3,000 from his pocket.

"Take, go home and rest. You'll continue again tomorrow." He sounded so kind and gentle.

"Thank you sir. Humaira fell to his feet in gratitude. I'm truly grateful sir! God bless you."

"Hey! Bring that money!" Engineer Isreal commanded but the chief asked him to leave her alone. That day, Humaira went home happily with #3,000.

Humaira was so excited that she showed Star the money and have her all the gist. Even though she managed to get home with those shaky legs, she was happy she got paid double what she had expected.

"God bless that chief wherever he is.
Star prayed. At least he put a smile on my friend's face." She joked.

"Wallahi, at least, I'll be able to add this to Hadee's therapy payment." Humaira smiled. Wanting to stand up again, she felt the heaviness on her legs.

Sit, I'll get hot water from the kitchen and Rob to help you stretch your legs. You must have really stressed yourself today o.

I tell you. All my body is just so weak. Especially my head and neck.

Or maybe I should give you a massage after stretching your legs for you. Star suggested.

"Yes. That would be fine." Humaira smiled.

"It's just your first day carrying blocks and you're already suffering from rheumatic and arthritic pains. Hope this work would last for you

"There's nothing to worry about dear. Other women I met said I would get used to it gradually. So you see... There's nothing to worry about."

Okay o. If you say so. Star went to the kitchen to boil the water and stretched Humaira's body, putting a menthylated balm all over her body and giving her a sweet, lovely massage untill she finally fell asleep.

'Naughty girl. How I wish she won't have to do this horrible job tomorrow again...' Star thought as she cleaned the place and left her alone to sleep.

***

The next day, Humaira went to work in the construction site again with so much enthusiasm this time. Everyday, she went to the site to carry blocks, fetch water and do other labouring works just to get paid.

One day, Humaira came home from the site, wallowing herself in tears and so much pain.

"What's it again this time? Who beat you? Did they sack you?" Star welcomed her with about a hundred questions at once but Humaira couldn't answer. She just kept crying.

Star went to get her a cup of cold water to calm down her nerves. "What's it, Humaira? Talk to me..." Star pleaded.

"There's nothing to say, Star. I've been heartbroken and cheated several times but today is worse. In fact, I'm no longer doing this labouring work ever gain. I'm just so fed up right now.

"What happened exactly? Tell me."

Imagine after carrying 50 blocks, they told me that I've broken 5 and to pay for those 5 blocks... I won't collect my payment of #1,000 or I would have to carry 50 more blocks. Can you imagine? Apart from that the stupid bricklayers were asking me out. They seized my purse from me today, saying I must follow them home else, they won't hand it back to me. Can you imagine? Those illiterates are comparing themselves to me. If not for the conditions I'm facing right now. They even tried touching me but I beat them up." She retorted, ending up shedding more tears again.

"Eyah... Sorry my dear." Star moved closer to her and placed her hand on her friend's shoulder in comfort. "You see. All these minor jobs don't pay. I'll suggest you join me you can sleep whenever you want and eat whatever you want. You would be able to treat Hadee without anything affecting your education. You can also take care of your younger sister, Zainab that only God knows what she's going through in other people's house. Just get prepared and I'll take you out tonight. You'll earn more than what you ever expected, Humaira." Star persuaded.

"Really?"

"Yes! Don't even think about it, Humaira. Just go inside and take a shower. I'll link you with a very big Alhaji and all your hardship and difficulties would come to an end. I promise."

Humaira stared at star with tears, welling up in her eyes. This would bring a big shame and disappointment upon her upbringing. She couldn't help but to remember the struggles her mum had gone through for her and Zainab after their father's death. Life haven't been a bed of roses for her but instead, a bed of thorns. Severally, Humaira has been hurt and insulted. She had faced death timelessly and don't even know what tomorrow might bring but one thing she want for sure is a better tomorrow for Hadee and Zainab.  Think about what to do exactly, Humaira had hide herself for so long, avoiding all of these but it seems she had no other option afterall....