CAPTIVE

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER8

AUTHOR'SNOTE: I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. I've had a very busy weekend.

Thischapter is dedicated to @zaiababdullahillawal thank you so much Zee for thesupport.

Haniyya'sPOV

Iwalk down the street slowly. So many thoughts racing through my mind. I can'tbelieve my life has taken such a turn so fast. I stop my head from having anyflashbacks. The last thing I want is to start crying on the busy roads ofLagos. I look at the paper where Malam Abudu wrote down the address. I havenever even been to festac. I have no idea where that is, or how it looks butI'm determined to go there. That's my only choice. Right?

Imake my way towards the bus stop and stand there. I have never been on a bus orany public transport. I have never even entered a taxi. Baba never allowed meto. He was too protective. I stand with the bunch of people who are by the busstop. I notice curious eyes on me but I look away.

Thebus arrives after five uncomfortable minutes. People don't even wait for it tostop, before they get in. they all rush and fight into the bus.

YaSalaam

Howdo I even get into this bus? Luckily enough, the bus conductor notices me and stopsa man and allows me to enter. I muffle a thank you and get into the crowdedbus. It's hot and smells horribly. Some people in here need to be educated onthe use of deodorant. I try to use my scarf to cover my nose but that makes itworse because I feel like I'm going to faint from lack of air.

SoI sit still and try to get used to the smell.

Ihave a feeling it's going to be a long ride so I drift into different thoughtsto keep me occupied. I wonder what is going on at the moment. Oh yeah! Myjanaizah. I'm sure the news has reached everyone. Has Mubarak heard? How doeshe feel? I mentally scold myself for thinking about Mubarak. But I'm justcurios anyway. How Baba even plan to go ahead with this? What if someone seesme? What will happen then? Well, that will be his problem not mine. But knowingBaba as the good lawyer he is, he already has a plan.

Differentthoughts go through my head as I sit squished up in the bus. I try hard to stayawake, but slowly I drift into a peaceful sleep. The kind I haven't had in avery long time.

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UNKNOWNPOV (same person in the last chapter)

Itry to remain composed as I enter the Bilal household. It's filled to the brimwith different people. There are different voices all paying their respects tothe family. I make small talks with Hashim, but it's quite obvious his mind isfar away so I leave him alone and sit on my own.

Itry to not let guilt wash through me. The last thing I want is to start cryingin front of people I don't know. I silently pray for Haniyya. I pray forforgiveness. I pray to Allah to make me strong enough to overcome this loss. Idon't know how many more losses I can take. I am still numb from Ammi's deathand it has been SIX years. SIX freaking years!

Ican still remember her last words to me. I was on my way to school. I was goingto start WAEC that day. We had a long hearty prayer that morning. She told meto put all my faith in Allah and she knew I would pass In Sha Allah. She alwayssupported me in everything I did. Then I remembered I didn't have a pen. Sheplayfully slapped me on the arm and said;

"Haba Noor am! Your first day of WAECand you don't have a pen." Then she passed me her black and purple customisedpen. It had her signature on one side. "What will you do without me?"