UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 62: Along Life 2

After Subhi prayer, Humaira stepped out of one of my Bala's house, ready to go back to Zaria.

"Why don't you stay a little longer?"

"I'll need to study for my upcoming tests, dearie. Just be a good girl, you'll be fine. I just missed Abuja anyways. I'm studying the environmental." Humaira smiled as she walked outside the compound.

"Isn't it a bit cold outside? You should rest a inside a little before going." Zainab advised.

"Okay, fine then. I'll join you in a bit."

Humaira smiled as she sensed a change in the sky in the east due to the snow covered roads becoming brighter. As I walked south along the road, I turned my head east and saw that dawn had broke. The sky in the opposite direction was still dark, but in the east, a mixture of yellow and orange on the horizon beneath a dark neon blue ocean of night that had begun to evaporate. Against the tri-colored rainbow sky, trees, powerlines, and the roofs of houses were like shadows.

About twenty minutes later, Humaira went back inside to prepare. She took her bath and swept the room.

Ibrahim and Isah served sliced bread, hot tea and fried egg to the sister in their room. They made short, awkward laughs as they entered.

"How's your stay with us, Sister Humaira?"

"Fine, Alhamdulillah."

"Alhamdulillah..." They snickered as they walked out.

"And what's that all about?" Humaira asked Zainab.

"Whatever... Don't mind them." Zainab rolled her eyes and took a slice of bread. Butter was spread on the bread... 'What a treatment?' Humaira took a bite. Wow! Delicious.

Zainab smirked at her sister's awkward remarks.

After breakfast, she accompanied her to the garage again before leaving.

"Listen here Zainab." Humaira called.

"Don't think for once that I don't love you or I've stopped caring about you. I'm not sure about when next I'll come back here but I want to promise you something. I'll get a job and I'll probably take you away from the Bala's when next I come. And... Whether they treat you well or not, you have to be patient and endure it all. You're no longer a baby you know that right?"

"Yes, I know."

"Good. I'm proud of you."

"It's alright Humaira. Don't worry about me. I'll do well. Make sure you study hard and become a barrister soon. I can't wait!"

"Me too." Humaira smiled and gave Zainab a tight hug. The bus was about to leave. Zainab waved her sister good bye before leaving.

***

Hours Later...

The sunrise had become even more beautiful as the sun peeked over the horizon. The sky had now become pink like a sea of cotton candy, with the light of the sun coloring the clouds above with a pinkish hue. As the sun slowly ascended, the sky in the west became a deep neon blue as the light reached further out. By the time she reached school, pink had become a pale yellow mixed with blue.

Overall, this was one of the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen.

It was almost evening when Humaira got back to Zaria. She decided to stay with Cherish again but she met her door closed.

Knock! knock!! knock!!!

Humaira bang the door over and over again before she finally came out.

"Cherish! So you've been inside all these while?"