UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 2: Still the Start

I want to dedicate this special chapter to amazing readers like...
madasore : The first person to read, vote and comment at the same time. Thanks for supporting me!❤❤❤

humayrahzuya : My inspiration for writing this book, my lil sis!😘😘😘

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The sun was about to set like it does on everything other day. The sky's face clouded with fine orange colour, like every other evening. Zainab got home and met Humaira who was in the kitchen making Kunnu (Pap) and Kosai (Bean Cake). It was meant for their mother whom had been admitted for over 6 months in University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. A place at one of the local government areas in Abuja, where she was referred to.

"Assalam Alaikum sis," Zainab greeted as she entered their very tiny apartment.

It was a room, self contain. As it was, their uncles and aunts had already sold the mansion they spent their early years in, to an hotel in Maitama. Passing that same road had always being nothing but sad memories of the past to their minds, especially Humaira whom was already thirteen, at the time. Zainab was only three so she couldn't remember much unlike Humaira would.

Hajia Binta; their mother, took the little cash left in her bank account and sold all she had in her shop in order to rent a house somewhere in the local government area, gwagwalada.

"Wa'alaikum salaam." Humaira answered, pouring the hot pap into an old flask. Famished, Zainab took off her hijab and walked directly into the kitchen to take a cup of water.

"So how was it, Zee. Did he give you anything this time?"

"Yes, just #1000 for transportation and here I am..." She handed her sister the change of #245. "He promised to give the money."

"Whoa! Really?!" Humaira's eyes brightened with so much excitement. "Alhamdulillah."

"Yes, but he said you should visit him at Nicon Luxury Hotel this evening by 10:00 p.m and alone to collect it."

"Alone?" Her smile dropped right away.

"Yes sis, Alone."

"How can you just say this Zee! Don't you know what that old cargo is capable -" but Zainab cut in...

"Yes, I don't know what but who cares? Just go and get the money so we can save mummy!" Zainab stared back without hesitation."This is literally our only chance. No manna would come from heaven. Do this for mummy and me, please..." Zainab gazed back into her sister's lovely eyes, passionately.

"Zee! I guess you still don't know what Alhaji Musa is capable of. What I am saying is, you're just eight... you wouldn't understand!" She grabbed her sister's tiny shoulders abruptly as they shared an intense eye contact. "You'll never understand!"

"I agree that I'm only eight but trust me, I'm not a baby anymore! What are you scared of, Sis?! Tell me... What are you hiding? It's not as if he would eat you raw or something! Subhanallah! How do I make you understand that this is our only chance, Humaira?"

(It's true that Zainab is only eight but at times, she acts as their mother, herself. She has a body of a twelve years old and a brain of a middle aged woman. Sometimes, she even commands Humaira.)

"This isn't a chance Zee, it's a trap! Why are we meeting in a very private place so late, and alone!" Humaira swallowed. "How I wish you'll see things from my own perspective but no! You're too young to understand any of these!"

Zainab's eyes flashed with disappointment as she watched her sister pack the food into a large, plastic basket. It was broken by the side but they managed.

"You must go Humaira, this isn't a request. It's an order! If you truly love me, please do this. Do whatever it takes to save mother..." She broke down in tears, again.

Humaira gently cupped her sister's tiny face into her palms.

"You're who I cherish most in this world, Zainab. And I hate to see you like this but..." Her eyes too started watering as her mind was filled with emotions.

"No buts! Just do it! He promised to give the money only if you go. So, please... Go!" Zainab cried, looking into her sister's teary eyes with so much plea and persuasion.

"Okay, if it's the only way out..." Humaira faked a smile and Zainab threw her a very tight hug.

Why Humaira decided to go was because... That was the only option left to save their mother. They had no family member or family friend to run to get help except Alhaji Musa. What was in Humaira's head was just to save her dying mother before 168 hours.

"Thank you! Thank you sis! I know you'll never fail me!!" She yipped with so much joy and tears. "I know you'll do whatever it takes to save mummy!"

"I need to visit mommy now," Humaira said, gently placing a black poly bag of fruits inside the basket.

"Mother... She had gone through a lot already. Now, its time to serve her."

"Yes sis, but should I follow you? To stay with mum of course, since tomorrow is Saturday."

"No don't worry, I'll do better, alone. We'll visit her together tomorrow afternoon. Just take care of the house. I'll need to leave now so I can easily get a taxi to Area 11. Hopefully, mum would get her surgery done tomorrow."

"I pray so too," Zainab said, finally bading her sister good night.

"See you tomorrow then. Bye!"

"Bye-bye sis!"

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A/N:

Word Count: 966.
Sorry this chapter was a bit shorter, but I promise to update a longer chapter soon.

Actually, I live in ABJ (Abuja) as well but not Gwags o... Some people will ask, what is Gwags again? JJC, it's Gwagwalada.

* Me: Laughing with Abuja Girls Mentality...

In fact, I was born and raised there so I decided to share important rural+urban areas in Abuja with you. If you want a full address, just leave a comment below and I'll tell you all you need to know.
Only for those wey won brag ...😂😂😂

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Words and Translations

-Kunnu : Pap

- Kosai : Bean Cake

-#: means Naira (#) Nigerian Currency.

Area 11: Places in Abuja, the central capital of Nigeria are divided into Local Government Areas (L.G.A), Areas and Zones. There are 6 area councils (Which comprises the rural areas) and the Areas and Zones (Which comprises the urban areas) in Abuja.

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Enjoy reading  and please, don't forget to press the tiny orange star ★ at the end of each chapter to notify me you've actually read it… So! What are we waiting for! Get ready for this story of family, adventure, mystery and plot twists.