UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 21: A New Start

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Eventually, like always, numbness came. It worked its way up through her limbs, a sweet coolness working its way through her burning body. It started in her toes and feet, the furthest and therefore already dullest part of her. Its icy fingers massaged their way up her ankles and calves next, pausing at her knees to work through the weakness there.

Humaira poured an amount of lukewarm water from the old, rusty bucket in front of her. Shivering, a bit, because of the early morning harmattan that took over the place like a dangerous king. She rubbed her traditionally made soap and sponge on her naked body.

It was just 7:00 a.m, another day for the usual morning lecture. It’s just the second week since she came back from Abuja. Humaira has already accepted what fate left her with. Luckily, Doctor Ibrahim promised to give her free treatment (Antenatal care).

Like the icy feel of harmattan, rumors about Humaira being pregnant had faded. It wasn’t news anymore, everyone already knew and perhaps, forgotten.

Humaira wasn’t concerned about the chilly feeling the weather had sent to her body that morning. All in her mind was getting into the lecture room before the clock strikes eight. She had studied all night for it. Humaira rushed out of the bathroom while others were still asleep. She put on a simple black abayyah and wrapped her head with a white veil... The one Doctor Azeezah gifted her.
Unlike other girls in college, Humaira wasn’t a fashionista. She wasn’t like other girls that would spend hours on makeup and dressing. Humaira wished to live a luxurious life before, but the pregnancy turn her life into an extra dimension.

An eighteen-year-old girl with a perfectly matured body, glowing with womanhood, beauty and intelligence. Humaira got to class just in time. Firdausi was already seated while the lecturer was about to enter when Humaira got in.

It was Professor Awwal Garba Maitafsir, a.k.a Professor Abracadabra. Another lecturer that takes no shit. Only a hardworking student fears him while the lazy ones see him as no big deal. They prefer failing his course than going through hell and still get an ‘F’ at the end of the day.

One thing is that Professor Garba is actually very brilliant and well experienced. In fact, He’s one of the few lecturers in A.B.U that graduated with a first-class and was employed based on his excellent results. But, he finds it so hard to transmit that knowledge into his students. Maybe he wasn’t born to be an educationalist.

He’s highly paid, always looking well dressed in his Shadda ( Hausa native attire). Most student complaints about him because he doesn’t go straight to the point. I mean... He’s a no syllabus lecturer. He just says whatever is at mind even if it’s not relevant to their line of study or concentration. That is why students call him ‘THE ABRACADABRA’. This is because he will just come in and do the abracadabra and in the end, he would leave you more confused than you ever was.

He locked the door himself and walked to the front of the class.

“Tear a sheet of paper!” He started with both hands crossed at his back.
“Write your name and matriculation number, your date of birth. And.... The last but not the least, the reason you came to A.B.U to study law.
Yes! You all submit in 30 seconds.... 29, 28, 27, 26...”

It was a class of about 700 students. Most students seated at the back couldn’t even get the question. Some where confused while others were still whispering... ‘What is question number 1?’

One thing was sure, he would never repeat the questions even if Jesus comes back from heaven.

Luckily for Humaira and Firdausi, our usual front seaters, they submitted there sheets in front of him while others at the back were still struggling to get to the front. It caused a lot of silent commotion, fat students running like primary school kids. Well, that is what it looks like being in A.B.U.

“3...2...1...Over!” He sent the other students away. And If not seated immediately, he’ll subtract 10 marks each from their upcoming exams. They quickly rushed to their seats at once.

Well, all his students know ‘The Abracadabra’s Rule’, so abide by or not bothering attending his class at all.

“Silence!’’ He ordered, and the class was as silent as graveyard.

Most of you don’t know why you came to school. Your parents sent you away, far away from home, just to ease themselves from having hypertension and so you should learn to one day become an advocate or a bartender, but no! You either end up getting pregnant or getting wasted! Spending your school fees on drugs and weed! I just pity you... Especially those monkeys hanging outside.

The entire class turned to glace at the windows and doors, to see the latest comers.

Of course, it’s a minus for them. Minus 10! Well, I’m not here to waste my time on those vagabonds.

“In our ext class, we shall look into INHERITANCE. You guys should research and study the topic, inheritance.” Then he looked at Fred, a skinny-looking guy from Birom, a tribe in Jos, Nigeria.

“Fredrick Daniel!” He called the course rep representative, who rushed towards him like someone from the army.

“Take this after me.” He ordered and walked out of the class.

Meanwhile, Doctor Azeezah was preparing to leave for Canada with Zainab the next day. She had already packed all their baggage and was taking dinner when something unexpected happened.

Paaaw!

It was a gunshot from outside...

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I just thought updating today would be another bombshell surprise. Well, I hope it was, even though its a short chapter as well.
Please, leave a sentence before going to get next chapter. This is just a wish.... Please😥😥😥

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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 leave your comments.