AFTER 168 HOURS [BOOK 2,168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 23: A Dispute

Allahu Akbar!
Allahu Akbar!!
Ash hadu-an llahilaha Ilallah!!!

The call for prayer of the Mu’azzin pierced the morning’s silence like an unnecessary alarm. Humaira hissed and turned as she stretched out of bed. Waking Zainab from sleep, she went into her bathroom to ablute so they would pray together. This is a usual routine for both sisters. The first person to wake up, wakes the other as well, so they pray together as one.

Later that morning, they were watching a Hausa drama on television when Zainab turned to her sister.

“Sis... I want to ask you something. And... I want you to be honest with me.”

“Okay... I’m listening.” Humaira replied her, munching on the bowl of dry Goldenmorn in front of her.

“I want to ask... What kind of life do you live in Zaria?”

“What do you mean by that Zee? I don’t get you.” She faced Zainab, more focused.

“Just yesterday, I saw a picture of you with one Alhaji Tanko on your former Instagram account I followed. I was shocked by what I saw.”

“And what did you see?” Humaira asked her with fear heating down her chest. Her life in Zaria is something she’d always wanted to keep secret, especially from Zainab.

Zainab moved closer to where Humaira was sitting.
“C..can I ask you a question?”

“Yes... Go on.”

“What work were you doing in Zaria that brought you so much money?”

Humaira went silent for a while. She’s never felt so speechless towards Zainab... A flashback of how Star introduced her to Alhaji Tanko vividly played through her mind.

“I just asked you a question, sis, answer me!” Noticing her silence, Zainab wore an irritated look at Humaira. “So... you think I wouldn’t find out? You think I wouldn’t know?”

“What? What are you even saying? I have no idea.” Humaira buffed out curtly, not knowing what to reply to her with.
Zainab raised her eyebrows as her lips poured out and stretched downwards. As if saying... I know you will deny it.

“What did you hear, Zainab? Look, you shouldn’t believe anything you hear from outside, okay?” She tried biting the idea while stuffing in more cereals into her mouth.

“You still what to cover up? I... I can’t believe you just told me this, Humaira! You of all people!!” she hissed and stood up from where she was sitting.

“It’s not true, Zainab. Please, believe me. Ummm..”

“Subhanallah! You’re such a liar! I mean... How can one be do slutty?! How much low self-esteem can you have?”

Tears gathered in Humaira’s eyes as she watched her younger sister criticize those hurtful words. She tried hard fighting down the hysteria that was boiling in her heart. The bowl of golden morn dropped from her grip, scattering on the floor.

“I learnt you sold your body for money, sis. So, stop using such cheap lies just to cover up all your mistakes!” Zainab clamoured.

Humaira’s heart burnt as she felt the lump raising in her throat. She placed the bowl of cereal from the floor to the table, already lost appetite.

“Why can’t you open up to your own sister? I think we used to be that close... I bet right now you’re missing your sugar daddies an_”

‘Twacck!’

A hot slap immediately struck Zainab, and she stopped talking.

“How dare you?! How dare you speak to me in this manner, Zainab! How dare you, ever?!” Humaira scoffed with tears in her eyes. She never believed her younger sister would ever face her with such hateful words.