“You don’t know your name?” He asked Hadee, who didn’t answer.

“What’s wrong with the boy?” He asked the gang. They looked at him in the same confused manner.

“Who would we know? Are we his family?”

“I know you’re not related, but didn’t he speak? Did he say anything since?” He asked.

“Yes, it seems he said to Aunty Zainab. Maybe he just doesn’t want to speak.” Mario uttered.

Alhaji Musa looked at him with a frown. ‘What have I gotten myself into... but anyway, I’ll take him.’ he thought.

“Okay, that would be all today guys, but scorpion!”

He answered with a look.

“You seemed so stressed out already. I’d like to take Mario along with me.”

“But why?”

“I’d need him to help me settle personal issues. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for the trip. It’s just as if he’s interested.”

“Of course! Yes, I’m interested.” Maria answered. “Why won’t I ?”

“Okay, let’s go already. He said.

But where are we going?”

“Somewhere in Ekiti State.”

“What?!”

“Yes. I’d like to keep him there and we’d have to leave right away else. They might start searching for the child. I would have to take him there to stay with someone. At least, for the crucial time.”

“Okay.” Mario agreed and agreed to follow him.
While Scorpion went black, he got into the car and sped away into the free road. He couldn’t stop himself from thinking about Zainab. He must have caused her so much pain. A part of him was bleeding. He couldn’t understand why he was feeling so restless. Even after these years, he’d never expected to meet her again. Life is just so tricky.

Meanwhile, Humaira’s car passed Alhaji Musa’s car.
“Mama! Mama!!” Hadee called out to her Immediately his eyes caught her, but she was off-minded. She didn’t know and the dark, tinted glasses were winded up so she didn’t hear his call.

“Shut up now, would you?” Mario barked at him while Alhaji Musa looked at him in a way. As if he wanted to say... Just leave him alone.

Humaira was happy. She had an excellent discussion with the barrister who called her earlier so; they agreed she would start working with the firm the following week.
It’s heart news! Humaira couldn’t wait to tell Zainab about it. She played music as she drove home. It was a cause for celebration indeed.
Destiny made it they parted ways. Zainab entered Gwagwalada while Mario drove straight to Lokoja Road.

Of course, they were heading to Ekiti.

***

Zainab was still wallowing in tears when Humaira got in.

“Assalam’Alaikum...” she greeted as she entered. Shocked, he couldn’t fathom why Zainab was weeping and the big plaster on her head was pathetic.

“What’s wrong, Zee?” Humaira threw her handbag and rushed to where Zainab was sitting.

“Why are you crying all alone? Who did this to you and...” She looked around. Where’s Hadee!"
Zainab burst into another series of tears. Her whole body was vibrating due to what had happened.

“How would I explain this to you, sis? It’s unexplainable.” her lips were shivering incoherently.

“What happened?” Humaira asked, with confusion all over her face. She couldn’t even think clearly. What would move her strong little sister to become so pathetic? She thought.

“Come here,” Humaira pulled her closer and gave her a soft hug.

Her heart, too, was trembling. She felt something was wrong.

“Wipe away your tears, Zee. Everything would be alright.” Humaira muttered. She unzipped her bag and took her hanky, wiping away Zainab’s tears from her already furious face. Her eyes were red, from the amount of tears it had already shed. It’s been almost an hour since the incident.

“It’s okay, Zee. Let me get you water_”

“No, sis!” Zainab held her back. Humaira turned to her again, sitting closer.

“Then what is it, Zee? What happened? Please, explain to me. You’re making me more nervous by keeping quiet. What happened_”

“We got attacked.”

“W..what?!” Humaira couldn’t believe what she just heard

“From where to where? By who? Tell me! How did it happen_”

It was just along Lugbe’s road, Humaira. I saw the man that raped me.

“What?! How is that even possible?”

“I still remembered his face, Humaira. It was the same gang, but there were only two of them. They carried guns and asked for Hadee. But I tried my best, Humaira. They took him away.” Zainab disclosed.

Humaira staggered and unconsciously fell on the chair. She passed out.

“Humaira! Humaira!!” Zainab rushed to her in tears. The tread that wouldn’t stop running. She rushed to get water from the kitchen and sprinkled it on her face.

It took a while before she woke up to reality.

She couldn’t believe her Hadee was taken. What did they probably want from a young and innocent child? “Who do you think might be behind this?” Humaira asked in a low, hoarse voice.

“I think it’s Alhaji Musa behind this. He was the one that sent them the other day, and he’s the only monster capable of bringing so much pain.” She clarified.

“I’ll get my son back, Zee! I think I’ll have to face him again.” Humaira promised under her breath.

“But Humaira. Be careful with him. You know how wise and cunny the man could be. Please, be careful. Your safety matters to me right now.”

“And you’d help catch his things as well, right?”

Humaira looked at the picture of Hadee hanging on the wall. Tears gathered and still flowing out of her eyes. Although, she had anger in her. She’d already gone through a lot to give Hadee a good and happy life. She just wouldn’t forgive Alhaji Musa for any of these. Maybe it was time for him to pay for his misdeeds. Maybe it was time for him to get his punishment.

****

Alhaji Musa bought a lot of sweets and chocolates for him. He gave Hadee all the snacks he could get along the roadside, but Hadee couldn’t eat. Even though was a child that held stuff like this, what he wanted at that very moment was his mother. Only his mother, Humaira, could satisfy him and make him happy.

All he did was to cry and sleep. Whenever they got to a checkpoint, Alhaji Musa bribed the officers with lots of cash and they’d just say two words.

“Safe journey.”

Mario was a quick driver. They got there about a couple minutes past 4:00 pm.

It was a village called Oke-ijebu. A remote area with not over one thousand residents. Most of them there were farmers; only God knows how he got to know the couple. They were old and childless. The elderly man, Sheyi was about 65 years old while his wife, Desola was about 59 years old. When they got there, Hadee was already sleeping, so Mario crazily carried him out of the car.

“Welcome, Alhaji.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sheyi. Here is the boy.”

“Oh, okay. Come inside.” He suggested.

“We won’t be staying so long so we can get back to Abuja before midnight.”

“Okay, I understand. Just come in first and have a rest.” Sheyi urged as they fooled him in.
It was a small house. Just a room self-contained where the old couple managed, but they live a beautiful life.

Mrs. Sheyi collected Hadee from Mario and took him inside. She laid him on the bed carefully with so much love. He’s a child she would give anything for years before, but now it’s not too late.

I would like him to stay here for a while. At least until he completes his secondary school. He deepened his hand into his left pocket and brought out a big bundle of #1,000 cash.
Take this. I’ll send you more as time goes on. sendings #50,000 to your account monthly just for his well-being. Please, that boy is my son, help me take care of him.

“Okay Alhaji, there’s no problem. We’d take care of him as if he’s our blood, but what’s his name?”

“Umm... I haven’t given him one. You guys can call him whatever you wish.”

A smile lightened up Mr. Sheyi’s face as he heard that. “It’s a big pleasure to take care of a child and name him something our heart wishes. We’ll name him Mayowa.”

“Madalla! That’s good. What does that mean?”

“It means a joy giver.” She muttered.

“Well, I think our job here is done.” He said, facing Mario.

“But why don’t you wait and eat?”

“No... I have a lot of work to cover.” Alhaji Musa answered them and got up.

“Okay, we’d like to give you some foodstuff. Just to show our appreciation.” Sheyi signaled his wife to get them into his car.

“There’s no need for all of that,” Alhaji muttered.

“There’s need, sir.” Mario unintentionally cuts into their conversation. “I’ll need it.”

The elderly man couldn’t help but laugh at his young mind. Whatever.. they walked out of the building as Mario helped Desola pack the foodstuff into the car.

“Okay, I would call you from time to time and place, call me if anything happens.”

“Okay, Alhaji. Thank you, sir.” Sheyi and his wife, Desola waved them goodbye as they drove away.

***

Words and Translations

-Secondary school: Highschool

-Madalla!: Excellent!

-Mayowa: Joy Giver