Allahu Akbar!
Allahu Akbar!!
Ash hadu-an llahilaha Ilallah!!!

The call for prayer of the Mu’azzin pierced the morning’s silence like an unnecessary alarm. Humaira hissed and turned as she stretched out of bed. Waking Zainab from sleep, she went into her bathroom to ablute so they would pray together. This is a usual routine for both sisters. The first person to wake up, wakes the other as well, so they pray together as one.

Later that morning, they were watching a Hausa drama on television when Zainab turned to her sister.

“Sis... I want to ask you something. And... I want you to be honest with me.”

“Okay... I’m listening.” Humaira replied her, munching on the bowl of dry Goldenmorn in front of her.

“I want to ask... What kind of life do you live in Zaria?”

“What do you mean by that Zee? I don’t get you.” She faced Zainab, more focused.

“Just yesterday, I saw a picture of you with one Alhaji Tanko on your former Instagram account I followed. I was shocked by what I saw.”

“And what did you see?” Humaira asked her with fear heating down her chest. Her life in Zaria is something she’d always wanted to keep secret, especially from Zainab.

Zainab moved closer to where Humaira was sitting.
“C..can I ask you a question?”

“Yes... Go on.”

“What work were you doing in Zaria that brought you so much money?”

Humaira went silent for a while. She’s never felt so speechless towards Zainab... A flashback of how Star introduced her to Alhaji Tanko vividly played through her mind.

“I just asked you a question, sis, answer me!” Noticing her silence, Zainab wore an irritated look at Humaira. “So... you think I wouldn’t find out? You think I wouldn’t know?”

“What? What are you even saying? I have no idea.” Humaira buffed out curtly, not knowing what to reply to her with.
Zainab raised her eyebrows as her lips poured out and stretched downwards. As if saying... I know you will deny it.

“What did you hear, Zainab? Look, you shouldn’t believe anything you hear from outside, okay?” She tried biting the idea while stuffing in more cereals into her mouth.

“You still what to cover up? I... I can’t believe you just told me this, Humaira! You of all people!!” she hissed and stood up from where she was sitting.

“It’s not true, Zainab. Please, believe me. Ummm..”

“Subhanallah! You’re such a liar! I mean... How can one be do slutty?! How much low self-esteem can you have?”

Tears gathered in Humaira’s eyes as she watched her younger sister criticize those hurtful words. She tried hard fighting down the hysteria that was boiling in her heart. The bowl of golden morn dropped from her grip, scattering on the floor.

“I learnt you sold your body for money, sis. So, stop using such cheap lies just to cover up all your mistakes!” Zainab clamoured.

Humaira’s heart burnt as she felt the lump raising in her throat. She placed the bowl of cereal from the floor to the table, already lost appetite.

“Why can’t you open up to your own sister? I think we used to be that close... I bet right now you’re missing your sugar daddies an_”

‘Twacck!’

A hot slap immediately struck Zainab, and she stopped talking.

“How dare you?! How dare you speak to me in this manner, Zainab! How dare you, ever?!” Humaira scoffed with tears in her eyes. She never believed her younger sister would ever face her with such hateful words.

Zainab held to her face, glaring at Humaira with a spiteful look. On her face was hatred and anger. Humaira never touched her. It took a lot living with that guilt and now, this?

Walking to the other corner of the room, Humaira clutched a hand first of her hair. Unable to hide the past.

“Well, yes. I was a whore, all for you.” She confessed to Zainab, noticing the tears that were pouring down her angry face. “I was a lying slut, all for you! To give you a better life, I divided myself for the first time in my life. I slaved my body all round just to break free from whatever curses that had been laid upon us. You wanted to be with me, right? Look at us now. Just look at how different our life is now... We could barely feed Zainab! You of all people know how hard I suffered and struggled just to give you a better life... And you dare call me names?”

Zainab felt bitter about it, but that didn’t stop the anger burning in her eyes.

“Zainab, how dare you look me in the eye and call me a whore?! I’ve always treated you like a daughter, a sister and a friend... But today, despite our age differences, you dare face me to call me slutty?!”
Like a pit of boiling water, Humaira’s eyes poured out more tears. It was painful.... Even though the ugly business lasted for just six months with Alhaji Tanko, it looked as if she had been a prostitute throughout her life. She did it was just for the sake of the ones she loved the most; Zainab and Hadee.

Humaira remembered when she hawked food and worked as a labourer in a construction company. When life was too difficult for her to bear, she just had to break free from the curse of humiliation and poverty.
Breaking down into painful tears, Humaira sat down in the chair, burying her face in her palms as she cried the more.

Zainab wiped away her tears, thinking about what they’ve been through. But that wasn’t enough reason to go into prostitution.
‘Who would have imagined?’

“Well, yes, I was a whore.” Humaira stood up and faced Zainab.
“I looked around helplessly and had to hawk my body to an elderly man. No father, no mother... No relative... No one to run to except that stupid Alhaji Musa that you pushed me to. Although I was raped, I still had to do that just for you. Do you know how painful it is? Do you know what trauma I’ve been through all these years? Unfortunately, you had to go through the same pain despite all my efforts. Being a prostitute isn’t an experience I’d like to discuss or a memory is like to remember! I can’t be intimate without thinking of the past, yet... I can’t sleep properly because I still have nightmares.”

“Nightmares?” Zainab turned to her, confused.

“Yes, nightmares! Mum’s soul isn’t at peace, Zee! She shows up now and then, telling me to protect you. I tried my best and did all in my power to give you and Hadee a better life... So you won’t go through the difficulties I’ve been through. I turned into a bird of sacrifice, so you wouldn’t make the same mistakes I made. God gave me an autistic child! I had to get the money for this therapy even though I didn’t get a roof over my head. I’ve gone through hell Zainab, you don’t expect me to tell you every detail when all I want is to make you successful like other children out there! And today... Where’s Hadee? It’s all your fault he was being kidnapped last month. It’s all you fault!”

“What? How is that my fault?!” Zainab frowned again.

“Yes! If only you had fought harder with that so called Mario! Maybe Hadee wouldn’t have been kidnapped. Maybe if I didn’t plan for that God damn stupid birthday party, my son wouldn’t have faced such a thing!”

“Ugh!” A sigh of air whooshed through Zainab. She couldn’t believe what Humaira was saying. Painful tears clouded in her eyes as her lips shivered at the false accusation.

“You know what sis, you are worse compared to Alhaji Musa and the Bala’s! I hate you so much already, but... Thank you for opening up to me.”

“Shut up Zainab! You don’t talk to me like that. Not after what you’ve done misplacing my son.” Humaira blasted. “You’re just like Alhaji Musa, your father!”

“What?! So you knew all this while, and you never told me.” More tears poured down Zainab’s swollen eyes. Her lips trembled and words didn’t come. It shocked Zainab to the bones.

Humaira felt hurt by the look on Zainab’s face. She’d never seen her baby sister feeling so much pain. Humaira wanted to console her, but she couldn’t find the words.

“Humaira, I thought you were the best sister in the world. You’re my only family. I thought you were my mother, sister and friend, but no... I’m wrong. You have fooled all along me, but you know what? To hell with you and whatever you think of me! From now on, I’m no longer your sister... I’m going to leave you alone, Humaira. Don’t come looking for me. I hope you find happiness.” Zainab denounced and ran out of the house, slamming the door to her sister’s face.

“Where are you going? Zainab! Zainab!!” Humaira went after her, but she was already out of the compound.

Humaira sat by the doorstep, breaking down in tears.
“God please, forgive me for all the trauma and pains my waywardness has caused on my innocent sister. I’m so helpless right now. Please have mercy on me. I pray you can...”

***

Words and Translations

-Allahu Akbar!
Allahu Akbar!!
Ash hadu-an llahilaha Ilallah!!!

God is Great!
God is Great!!
I testify that none is Worthy of Worship Except God!!!

-Ahzan: The call to prayer.

-Mu'azzin: The person calling for prayer.

-Goldenmorn: Cereals