UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 8: Once Beaten, Twice Shy

09: 59 p.m

Wednesday Evening,

Humaira met him packed his huge black, Toyota highlander behind the hotel. She had been waiting for him about a minute ago, so they could go in together.

He pointed to her, indicating she should come into his jeep, so he took her inside. He was wearing an expensive looking dansiki (native wear) with a black, shiny shoe to match. Humaira was in her usual flowing gown and veil, wrapped around her body. He took her into a room he had booked for earlier that day and asked her to wait a bit, so he would discuss with the hotel manager personally on the issue. And she agreed.

***

30 Minutes Later

Humaira was surprised to see that he came in with the same briefcase.

"So… Here it is!" He said happily, handling her the briefcase.

"Thank you sir, I'm really grateful." She jumped over it.

"I'm glad they kept this for me. The manager was a really nice man. He said he's has been trying my number but it wasn't reachable. They were going to return it back to me anyways and here it is. It's a good thing you came back to tell me about the missing money else? How would I have known?"
Alhaji Musa then paused for a while.

"I'm feeling pressed, Humaira, wait for me. I'll be back in a minute." He walked into the toilet.

"Okay sir." Humaira answered and smiled at the money. 'Finally! The money is in my hands again. One. Million. Naira!'

Humaira's eyes caught the wall clock. It was just 10:45 p.m. There was still time and she hoped to get home before midnight.

Just then, she walked to the window to get the view of how beautiful the city is. And for a moment, she imagined if only both her parents still alive, how fortunate would she have been? She wouldn't have gone through any of these… Just maybe Alhaji Musa would treat her better now that they have nobody. She couldn't help but to think about how nice and concerned the Alhaji was, just now.

Just then, a hand swiped through her face, blocking her nose with an hanky filled with glue. And she unconsciously inhaled it.

***

9:30 a.m.

The Following Morning,

A view just before sunrise, resembles like a sunset. But the difference is vast, as it is fills with a hope of rays. From blue to yellow, from yellow to black, and from black to blue again. The beautiful sky cleared as it was morning.

Silent quivers escaped from her breath as the ray of the early morning sunlight brought her back to life. When Humaira opened her eyes, her mind absolutely went blank.

In a huge surprise, she noticed where we was… On the bed in the hotel room.

Her breath wasn't very clear as her whole body aches. A sharp pain strokes through her whole body as she felt wetness in between her legs... She felt used again! And this time, she was left alone. Humaira knows Alhaji Musa had done something again. Slowly and sadly, she managed to walk into the toilet to clean up herself.

As she stepped out, a voice whispered in her head… "The Money."

Her weak eyes widened in fear of loosing it twice. She searched the whole room but the black suitcase was nowhere to be found.

"What happened? How could this be possible?!" Her face once again stared around in confusion, lifelessly.
It was just then she realized, Alhaji Musa had raped her again, leaving her with zero naira.

Confuse and broken, Humaira cried for hours before going back home. She had spent all on her. She had tried everything possible but failed. Now, it's no doubt that, she would have to drop out.

***

About Humaira

She's actually wiser than she seems and looks but sometimes, she acts stupid. Always believe that that luck finds her on every situation e.g , how she easily gets jobs, free lifts from strangers, help from friends and most of all, admission into ABU, Zaria.

To her, all these ends when Alhaji Musa drugged and ravished her… She's been misfortunate ever since then. It's like a curse that would never wash away. She blames herself for everything.

***

Author's Note

Word Count: 805

Hello Universe!

So... I was thinking about what genre actually fits this story the most. Teen fiction or Spiritual. I know its mixed but... C'mon share what you think.
I'm happy today! You can expect another chapter... I said expect o! Ehen!!

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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! Continue reading this story of family, adventure, mystery and plot twists and also, don't forget to comment.