UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 9: Where Is The Money?

Unable to tell what had happened. Unable to figure of what the 'beast of man' had done to her. Unable to report to anyone, the police or her sister. Even for the second time, she had no proof. Anyone she tells this to would definitely call her one name… STUPID!

Yes! She was stupid indeed. Getting home, Zainab was already worried. Humaira that left last night just came back 12:30 p.m in the afternoon.

"What happened, sister? Why did you stay so long and... Where is the Money?" Zainab questioned her sister, wondering why she looked so lifeless and weak.

Zainab grabbed her hand and led her to seat on an old, torn mat. It was one of the most valuable things in their house.

"Sis! Is everything alright?"

"I'm so sorry Zainab. I'm sorry I couldn't bring the money back with me. I'm sorry for being a useless sister to you… I'm sorry for disappointing you again." Humaira muttered as tears steamed down her weary, swollen eyes.

Zainab felt so emotional and immediately held her elder sister in a soft hug.

"What happened Humaira… What aren't you telling me?" Zainab consoled too, with uncontrollable tears gathering in her eyes. "Please stop crying, I'll always be proud of you no matter what."

"It started with mum's death, now this… How can I drop out so early, it's just my first year. Why am I so unlucky? What would I do now?'' She cried even harder.

Zainab held her face and wiped way Humaira's tears with the edge of her faded wrapper. As she was already crying too.

"Don't worry sister Humaira, everything would be fine, I promise.  There's always a solution to everything problem. There would definitely be a solution to ours."

"Really?" She asked sniffing her nose.

"Yes, this isn't the first problem we're facing so how can you give up so easily? How can you be so weak? Don't forget, we're in this together, sis. We would always be together."

"What hopes did you have left, Zainab or… Don't you have any advise for me this time?" She stopped weeping for a moment, searching Zainab's eye for answers.

"Have you forgotten what God said in Suratul Bakarah? Quran 2:117 ….

Badii'u s-samawaati wal-ardi wa iza qadaa amra, fainna maa yaquulu lahu kun fayya kun.

(God Almighty praised Himself by saying; He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth, whenever he decides a thing. He only says to it, "Be" and it is.)

"So why are you worried when everything in this world is predestined by the Creator of all.
You must accept in good and bad, no matter when or how long. Where is your faith sister?"

Humaira went silent for a while, digging on what her eight years old sister had just said.

"I've never been so humiliated in my life, Zee. Not like today… And I find out that I'm so weak and helpless and alone."

Zainab held Humaira hands again.
"Then don't panic because you have Allah. And with Him, you will become better again.. Only with Him, you'll get help and be strong again. You'll become weak only if you keep breaking down like this."

Then, she paused for a while and sighed heavily. "Where ever mum is now, I'm sure that she would be protecting us. Luck would soon be ours very soon, Insha Allah. Perhaps, I'm thinking we should get involved in prayers and fasting. What do you think?"

"Yes, that's a good idea, Zee. You're very brave even during this time."

"This time would surely come to pass. I've never knew that that good-for-nothing Alhaji Musa is just a wolf in sheep's clothing. Allah would give us justice no matter what."

"Amin!" Humaira muttered, finally feeling better with Zainab's soothing words. They were like water, quenching the fire in her soul.

"We have no one left except Allah and each other."

"Yes.. Wait!" Zainab jerked. "What about doctor Azeezah? Can't we meet her and discuss these issues at hand?"

"Yes, that's true. But I didn't hear from her since mum's death. And she didn't visit us too. How come I never thought about this?"

"Well, I guess you're the beauty and I'm the brains." Zainab joked.

Humairah got a smile. It was a precious smile, that Zainab cherished so much. Always seeing Humaira happy is Zainab's wish. Making her successful is her dream.

Now that things seem to be more difficult, they have to be by each other's side like never before.

It didn't take two seconds before Humaira's smiled faded away. She was going through hell and it is this stage in her life that she needed an helper or a Guardian-Angel that would lighten her way. A comforter that would support her through.

'I really need to visit Doctor Azeezah today and explain things to her. I would meet her this Evening, when she comes for her Night Shift.' Humaira concluded. Her heart and mind, finally being at rest.

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Author's Note

Word Count: 957

Pheeeeeew! I finally wrote this... So! Do you think Doctor Azeezah would be as kind as she seem to be or the opposite. If you were in Humaira's state, would you tell your mom's friend all that happened? Move to the next chappie to see what decision Humaira made.

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Well, its the third day and I've not gotten any reply yet. Come on guys! Let's talk, let's rant!! Ugh!!!

😒😒😒

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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.