UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 65: Consequences

***

Two weeks later...

Firdausi got discharged. She was finally hale and healthy. "So I don't have issues with my school right?"

"Ermmm... The truth is that I and Fred actually met the H.O. D on your behalf and he said..."

"He said what?!" She asked impatiently.

"He said you'll have to repeat another year.."

"What I can't believe this!"

"I'm sorry Firdausi... There's nothing he could do."

"Why don't you tell me this earlier, Humaira?! Why?!"

"Your body wasn't settled then, Firdausi. Your blood pressure had risen and the doctor advised I don't tell you things like this. Things that would make you worried even more..."

"What are you even talking about? Humaira! Which doctor would tell you not to tell me about school and you'll accept just like that?! Are you just being foolish or you're just so wicked?!"

"Humaira... Please, stop it already." Humaira begged. The last thing she ever wanted was another fight between then and she's just getting better after being discharged. All she wanted for Firdausi was peace of mind...

"Stop what?! When you were impressed, what did I do?! Ehen, tell me?!! Despite the fact that we had an argument, I ran after every lecturer, begging them to help my friend because you couldn't attend classes and write her tests. I did all that for you and even lied but what did you do? Nothing?! You can't even help me convince the H.O.D  that I was sick. You're now using the doctor's words as an excuse? Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I'm so sorry, Firdausi. I didn't want to give you more problems that was why."

"Okay, I just hope you're satisfied! I'm just so furious that you made me miss one year." Her voice shivered in remorseful frustratn. "It's all your fault, Humaira!"  Her eyes clouded in tears as she angrily ran out of the house.

"Firdausi Firdausi!!" Humaira called after her but she didn't even turn back.

"Which kind of trouble is this again?" She thought as she went back to seat inside.
"I hope she doesn't hurt herself anyways. Only God knows why she took poison the other day. I didn't ask her because I don't want to cause trouble for her or make her think otherwise. But now, I'm finding it difficult to even understand her. Oh Allah, help me through all of these. Humaira prayed in her mind."

***

Meanwhile, when Amina came back from her business trip in Benue, she became even more harse and cruel towards Zainab.

Oneday, she sent her to market to buy foodstuff and the purse she carried dropped from the bag. Zainab didn't know the bag she carried had a hole underneath it. Not until she got to the market then she noticed the purse wasn't even in the bag. She searched everywhere that day, searching the hook and croonies of the market but she couldn't find the purse. She cried so bad because she didn't even have transport back home. And the distance between to the market was about two hours walk. She did the walking that day and when she finally got Home, she realised the purse fell within the compound. Amina beat her blue-black for being so careless.

"Please ma, I'll go to the market again if you want." Zainab pleaded.

"Just shut up you idiot! You can't do anything straight! You're just useless!!"

"It was a mistake ma. Wallahi! I didn't know that the bag wasn't good at the first place."

"You wouldn't know! How would you ever know when you yourself are a mistake. Everything about you is a mistake Zainab She wiped her again. Zainab fell to the ground.
Amina held her by the side of her shirt.

"I'm sorry ma, it was a mistake."

Placing her hand on Amina's hand, she jerked away.

Zainab was bleeding. She didn't know there was a knife that had cut her as she fell.

"What?! See this witch o you want to affect me with HIV, abi?!"

Zainab looked confused at what she just heard.

"But ma, I'm not having HIV." She muttered.

Amina quickly rushed to the sinc to wash her stained hands with soap and water.

"You're having the virus idiot!" She scrubbed her hands very well and dried it with a towel. She disposed it immediately with so much disgust.

"Didn't my husband explained it to you?"

"No... He didn't tell me anything

"No wonder you're acting this way. You were diagnosed two months ago. Well, he must have kept it from you for some reasons but I won't. The truth must be faced today, Zainab. You're HIV positive."

"Now, clean this place and make sure you cover that injury else, you'll get all of us infected with your virus and your curse."

She hissed and left for her room. Amina entered the bathroom immediately to take a shower. Seeing Zainab blood strains was so terrifying to her, she couldn't handle it.

She wrapped the clothes into a small leather bag and disposed it off into the dustbin.

"That girl is such a devil! I'm sure she placed a knife there just to get the cut and spread her virus. Audhubillah! Oh Allah, save me and my family from that little witch. She knows yet she's pretending. Mteeeew!!!"

Zainab cried over it. It was terrible and unbelievable. How did I get infected Why didn't he tell me? He lied to me that it was just a small fever then and I believed. She washed her hands in the sink and cried painfully.

She also washed the knife before keeping it in the shelf. It looked like her life was going to end.
'It's true that I'm cursed. How do I get myself out of this? How come dad never told me...' She cried uncontrollably.

***

Words and Translations

-Sannu: Sorry

-Benue: A state in Nigeria. (The food basket of the nation.)

***

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 leave your comments.