UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 36: I'm Unable

After exams, Humaira decided to stay in Zaria. To get a job and sponsor herself. Going home would cause more problems. Zainab would want to stay with her, she would get used to her affections again.

I would try and earn a living. I don't mind begging. But getting outta of school without completing it is meaningless.

When school closed for the semester, all the girls staying in the hostel went home. Everywhere was dry and empty, Humaira had to look for somewhere to stay at least.

***

The street was hot and busy. She had to keep her baggage in a mosque and come back for it later.

With all of these, Humaira most times get bored and lost in her thoughts. She would go to bed crying, she would wake up crying. Roaming the helpless streets, she would stare at the passerbys walking and the rich, driving in their cars... Hoping it's all a lie, or maybe, someone would come and change her life story. She used to think Mubby was that person, but now she knows he's not.
But with time, Humaira had already forgotten about her breakup with Mubby and Firdausi's betrayal.

She knew home was calling her but she didn't want to got home. The main reason was that- nothing was with her and her bank account was dry. Again, her turion fee was increased to double it's normal amount, #100,000.

Going home again would put both her, Zainab and her unborn child in trouble. There life would be at risk again. And who knows... Alhaji Musa might be at it again. All she wanted was to leave her formal life and start afresh. Even if the past still hurts, she wants to build a beautiful present.

***

Finally, she settled by a market side to rest. Opposite a it was a shopping complex, with a board boldly written 'Vacancy' on it.

She could do anything at all just to save up. Humaira took a rest by the roadside before she decided to go in.

"Good afternoon ma." She greeted the shopkeeper she met.

She was a tiny, fair Calabar woman but she looked educated.

"Afternoon my dear, how are you?" She answered with a smile.

"Fine ma. Please, how to I apply for the vacancy, here?"

"Just meet my madam inside." She pointed."She'll explain things to you better."

"Okay, thank you." She smiled and walked towards the inner office. There was a huge looking woman inside. She was well dressed her office was well furnished. She wore a naive attire of expensive lace and beautifully tied gele.

Humaira gently knocked on her office door before entering.
"Good afternoon ma."

"Afternoon my dear, come in." She offered.

"I came for the vacancy ma."

"Okay, sit down."

"So, What's your qualification?"

"It's O' level ma, but I'm doing a degree program at A.B.U"

"Okay, that's nice." She smiled and looked at Humaira's face. "What course?"

"Law"

"Wow! That beautiful. I really wish to help you but... There's no longer vacancy here. A friend of mine brought two of her children earlier today and I've already given her a go ahead. I needed only two people. A second sales girl and a janitor."

"Okay ma, but please. Help me out." Humaira pleaded. "I need to go money for my turion fee? It's just 3 weeks left for me..."

"I'm sorry, my dear. I really wish I can help you but I can't hire three people for now."

"Okay ma."

"No problem. I'll get back to you if anything comes up. Give me your contact." The woman requested and Humaira did as she was told.

"Thanks a lot man, I'm truly grateful."

"You're welcome." She smiled, as Humaira took her leave.

Trying other restaurants and shopping complex, they either said there no vacancy or someone already came. Humaira had to sleep in the mosque at night. She would have to wait till after Isha' every day to get into the mosque. Sometimes, the mosque keeper would help her with change. That was what she fed on. Life was difficult for Humaira. And as everyday can, she struggled to be alive.

In no time, it was already obvious that Humaira was pregnant. She wanted to sell her phone but she had faith that the first women she went to would call her back, one day. Although, her phone was already old and broken, she's been managing it like that. It's an outdated mobile phone but someone might still offer to buy it. Someone as crazy and as respirate as her. It might just cost a couple of naira to buy it.

It was just a week left before resumption again. Humaira met someone who offered to pay #3,000 for her phone. She was excited about it, even though it was little. At least, it would last her another week. Eating like a bird and living like a rat wasn't fitting after all.

Just then, a call came in.

"Hello. Please am I speaking to one Humaira Sanni Ahmad please?"

The guy, that wanted to buy the phone handed to it back to her quickly.

"Yes ma, it's me."

"My friend's daughter won't had an accident so, she won't be able to work anymore. Are you still available?"

***