UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 41: Her True Colours

Zainab went to her room with a lot of thoughts clouding in her mind.

‘What happened to Mrs. Bala? She was so kind to me since this while but... Why did she suddenly change? It was all a mistake... Hopes she understands. And her looks. Oh Allah, please save me from this punishment and help Humaira wherever she is. It’s past 4 months now, and she hasn’t checked on me. Not even once. Not even a phone call, at least. I’ll tell Mr. Abdullahi to call her tomorrow. I know she’s can’t just abandon me like this... It’s not fair, seriously.’

Zainab whispered some payers into her palms before going to bed. Somehow, she hoped to join this beautiful family and maybe one-day, every one of them would love and accept her. But for now, she won’t tell Mr. Abdullahi about it. It’s going to be their little secret.

***

The next day came, as if it would not come after all. It was a Saturday morning. Zainab woke up, swept, mopped, washed the plates, and prepared breakfast as usual. She was already getting used to this lifestyle.

She set the dining table as everyone woke up to eat. It was noodles, fried egg, bread and tea. Everyone’s favorite.

That morning, Mr. Abdullahi noticed something odd on the table... Especially the frown on Idris’ face. While others were smiling. Something was fishy. He could just find out.

“Hope no problem, Idris. Do someone offend you?” Mr. Abdullahi asked, turning to Idris that was sitting right beside him.

“No dad. It’s nothing,” he replied, trying to avoid more trouble for his new sister and best friend.

Zainab placed three slices of bread on his plate and quietly left. Although she wasn’t happy seeing him that way. She hoped he would eat his food and forget all about her. All about yesterday or the day before. At least he should stop defending her for once. All these thoughts played in her mind, but she walked past him emotionlessly. As if he meant nothing.

Well, Zainab didn’t join the table. Because she doesn’t use to.

“Zainab, why don’t you join us today, ehn?” Mr. Abdullahi started.

“No sir, I’ll just eat in my room.”

Amina couldn’t help but to wonder why he asked her to join them for breakfast? Of course, she had already told her from the beginning never to join them on the dining table so, she wouldn’t.

After serving breakfast, she went to her room to eat her own share. It was a tiny portion, actually. Just like the remanent of it all. Ibrahim and Isah always complained that Zainab serves them little food, so Amina warned her to increase the portion of their food and reduce her own if possible.

This was for sure. This life wouldn’t last forever. Perhaps a lot of things had changed since Zainab started living with the Bala’s. She had to cut her hair; she had to eat alone in her room and she had to study even harder. As it is, whenever Mr. Abdullahi wasn’t around, she shows her other side, but whenever he’s around, she acts normal.

****

Good thing Zainab and Idris wrote their common entrance examinations and came out with flying colors.

Zainab Ahmad Sanni took the overall first position in the whole Gwagwalada Area Council. Even though she took the entrance examinations at basic five, she scored credibly. Her school honoured her as the best student of the year as they promoted her to J.S.S 1. They announced her name on the radio and television. Despite all the house chores Amina gives her at home, Zainab still scored high. Idris, too, did well. He was one of the five best students in the school.

Mr. Abdullahi was so excited that he celebrated it for both of them. So, he organized a small family party. Most of the teachers attended and his close family friends attended.

Earlier that day, Mr. Abdullahi bought three new gowns for Zainab. He was so excited. It was his first gift for her. Zainab too was happy, but the way Amina looked at her killed the joy immediately.

“Try it on... I can’t wait to see you in it!” Mr. Abdullahi begged. She has no choice but to do it.

And when she came out... She looked so beautiful in it that Amina wanted to collect it from her and burnt it into ashes, but her husband would definitely ask if she was crazy. He would know their little secret.

‘Well, he won’t be here to protect her forever. I’ll burn it soon enough... And there’ll be no going back.’ she thought with a wicked smirk.

“So what about Idris’s own?” Amina asked jealously.

“He has clothes now. I thought I bought him ten new clothes recently. He should use one of those?”

“So your son should use his already used clothes while an outsider should wear something new now, ko?”

It was as if Mr. Abdullahi didn’t hear his wife well. She just said that with so much hatred and wickedness. As if she didn’t care about Zainab at all. Too bad, he was just noticing.

“Why are you self-centered, Amina? Aren’t you happy seeing Zainab in a new dress? All she wears are rags and you know it. You promised to buy her new clothes, didn’t you?”

“What are you insinuating now, Abdullahi? That we care for Zainab the more because she wears rags?”

“I have clothes mummy... I haven’t even worn them. And there’s no need to argue..” Idris cuts in but she shushed I’m almost immediately.

“Shut up Idris! When two elderly people are talking, don’t interfere, okay?” She stopped him.

“I’m not in the mood for any drama this morning, Amina. Get a good cloth for Idris and he’ll be fine.” Abdullahi hissed and walked away, leaving the kids to wonder what their argument was really about. It’s been 16 years since their marriage and this was their first argument so far.

***

Back To The Party.

One thing was obvious. That Zainab wasn’t thrilled. But Idris was trying to cheer her up. He apologized for telling his dad the truth from the first time. And he agreed he caused all the drama going on in his family recently, but he promised to end it for her as soon as possible.

“And how can you do that?” Zainab asked him.

He couldn’t help but to smile.
“Well, if you believe I can. Then I will, definitely.”
‘Because I like to see you happy.’ he said in his mind. And as if she heard him, she blushed and uttered,

‘Me too.’ in her mind.

*****

Should Amina's little secret get exposed?

Or

Should Something bigger happen?

I wouldn't know? I think I need your idea.

...What do you think is going to happen in their party? Can't wait? Me too!🤭😂🤭😂

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