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Hajia Almirah was smiling as they walked in. It has been long since she last saw Humaira but it's evident that she's never never paid attention to the Sanni Ahmad's family. Not even now or ever. Humaira knew the kind of people the couple were too well.

Alhaji Musa freeze when his eyes met Humaira's but covered it up with laughter.

"Assalam'alaikum to you all." Doctor Azeezah and Humaira greeted.

"Wa'alaikum sallam Warrahmatullah." Hajia Almirah answered with a welcoming smile and offered them chairs to sit.

"It's been a while, Humaira. How is studies?"

"Fine ma." She muttered, her eyes staring at the ground.

"What a pleasant visit... For what reason do we owe this special guests?" Alhaji asked. Pretending to know nothing.

"Well... I came on the behalf of Humaira... She's like a daughter to me. The thing is... She's pregnant for you Alhaji Musa and despite the fact that you raped her, you're denying to be responsible for it. I Wa_"

"I understand...you don't need to explain." Hajia Almirah tittered. It followed by an awkward laughter that Alhaji and his daughter joined as well. Humaira and doctor Azeezah only stared confusedly. They couldn't figure out what was making the Musa Adamu family laugh so hard. They suddenly stopped and Hajia Almirah wire a stern look.

"So you couldn't make up a better lie other than this!"

"Hmm... It's not like that ma.." Humaira tried to explain but his wife squished her up.

"Imagine? At your age, you're not even ashamed to come into my house and say this to my face! Do you know what it means to make a family? Do you have idea what it takes to own all of this... Let me tell you something. I can beat my chest anywhere and anytime that my husband can never do such thin_"

Doctor Azeezah wanted to talk but Hajia Almirah stopped her.

"Look here little liar! I've been happily married with my darling husband for more than twenty years now and trust me, I know him better than the marks on my palm." She paused for a while and gave a disgusting look at Humaira from head to toe.
"What am I even saying? It's a waste of time explaining this to you. You'll definitely not understand, you've not even completed your first year in college!"

"I swear to God Almighty. He drugged me and rap_" Humaira's shaky voice sounded.

"Just shut up and let me speak!" She demanded.

It was as if she got answers the way Humaira wanted to explain herself but Alhaji kept quiet, wearing a surprised face as if he was totally innocent.

"I thought you came here for something better. I let you in today out of pity! Kassali!!"

''Yes ma'am!" The gatekeeper rushed to where they were.

"Take these two out of here and never let them in, ever again!"

"Calm down dearie, you're being _" Alhaji was trying to play the role of a responsible family man.

"Don't worry, I got this hubby." She cut in her husband's lovely speech.

"Now I see... You're just like your mum. There was a time when she wanted to ruin my marriage. If not for God Almighty that took her away. Now you as well wants to come into the picture? Let me tell you, you don't fit anywhere, in here! I've worked so hard for years to build a family, this strong. It took a lot of tears and sweat to be here today... Something you never have never will. Something you'll never accomplish in all your life. Humaira or whatever you're called. Go and meet the stupid boyfriend that impregnated you! This isn't an orphanage or where you can just dump your bastard child. Now, leave and never come back!!"

Doctor Azeezah felt bittered by her words and wonder what kind of mother she actually was.

"With due respect Hajia, you're just like your husband and you deserve him. We aren't here to take anything from you, or destroy your family or argue with you either... No! Humaira came here just to get settled. Your husband here has molested her in every way. And I know you have every reason to throw up the sponge but you need t_"

"Don't persuade me Mrs, we don't know each other, do we? Neither are we family! So why do you think we owe this girl in anyway? She's just a prostitute and you're supporting her! Please, just take your leave, we already have enough in our family... We don't need more!" Alhaji Musa's wife hissed without regrets.

Doctor Azeezah didn't even think twice before grabbing Humaira's arm.

"Let's go."

Humaira felt like stabbing Alhaji Musa just that minute. She so much hated the wicked crooked smile he was wearing but she held her anger in with the respect she had for her mother's friend.

Humaira knew one thing for sure... Doctor Azeezah would do whatever it takes to get her justice. The doctor as well wanted to inform him about the case but she knew talking to them would be as useless as talking to dead bodies.

Doctor Azeezah and Humaira walked out of the compound, each step filling Humaira's eyes with passion of hate and revenge.

Kassali, the gatekeeper waved them goodbye with his sympathetic look and locked the gate beside him, going back into his room.

Hajia Almirah felt angered by what just happened but her husband held her hands together into his.

"I'm so sorry dear, it's all my fault. I caused this long ago by helping Sanni Ahmad into business. Now, I have to suffer by carrying his responsibilities on my head, for the rest of my life.

"My husband, I warned you, didn't I?" wife stopped him and begged not to blame himself unnecessarily. Then she continued.
"How stupid can Humaira be? I'm sure she's like that because she asked good parenthood and proper home training. She's just a chip off the old block that finds way to repeat the past. Now, I've lost appitite in this..." she throw her apple on the plate out of frustration.

"Take me inside." She told Alhaji Musa as he held her hand and helped her into the house in a very romantic way. Fareedah, their daughter who has been watching all the drama picked the plate of leftovers and entered as well.

Meanwhile, doctor Azeezah and Humaira drove away. Humaira was already in tears. Her heart was burning so was her hopes of everything getting back on him. She wasn't interested in becoming in second wife. What she wanted a better life.
'If only he could accept the baby, then she might not be bothered by baring a bastard child. As it is... Baring a child out of wedlock feels like a curse.' She thought.

"Don't worry Humaira, wipe away your tears. I'm here with you, I'll never leave you no matter what." Doctor Azeezah sounded so promising.

"But what about the case? Isn't there any hope of winning in court? Are we still going to fight against him?" Humaira asked, interestedly.

"Mr. Aremu said there's no evidence left." Doctor Azeezah muttered and left out a deep sigh.
"In cases like this, we leave it to Allah to take charge. I would take care of your baby, Humaira. And sponsor your education. I'm sure the 'Judge of All' would do justice. You must not relent, Humaira. You must be strong for your younger sister and your unborn child. I'm a doctor, abd a good mother. I wouldn't advise you to risk taking abortions becomes a lot comes with it. Worse than even fighting alone." The doctor took a deep sign before taking a sharp swerve into the next street.

"I remember... That man did horrible things to your mother. She didn't heed my advice and had to dance to his tune only because she wanted to protect her family. It was just like today when I advised your mum then to stay away from that evil man but she said he was a good person. I told her then, that Musa is just a leopard. No matter what happens, his character would never change. Now, you fell into that same hole because you were too scared to confident in me. Well, what would I say? What happened has happened, its all past. I want you to start a new beginning. You're a strong girl, Humaira. You have to believe in yourself." The doctor assured.

"I know there's a reason for everything and there's also a reason for this as well. I can't say if it would be good or bad but it'll depends on you. You've taken a wrong decision but only you can make it right. Don't let anything or anyone pull you down. Okay?" Doctor Azeezah encouraged.

"Okay ma..." Humaira sniffled quietly. "I'll try."

"That's good. I'll suggest you go back to school and face your studies. I'll send you stuff as much as possible and visit you from time to time if need be. Just be a good girl and study hard. There's light at the end of the tunnel, always remember that." She said as her eyes focused on the road. She took a final turn into her compound and they got back home.

"Okay ma. Thanks a lot for everything." Humaira muttered as she came down from the car.

Zainab welcomed them back home and Humaira went to lock herself in the room. She couldn't sleep throughout that night... She thought about forgetting everything. What she wants now is to live a new life, and start afresh. Nothing would hold her down. Not even this pregnancy.

'I would care for my baby to be a better person than both of his parents...' She promised herself as a single tears rolled down her sad face. She wept silently that night until sleep clouded her swollen eyes.

The next morning, Humaira went back to school with another twenty thousand naira as pocket money. Her aim was to become successful by whatever means possible.

***
Words and Translations

-Assalam: Peace

-Assalam 'Alaikum: Peace be upon you.
(Used as a greeting between Muslims.)

-Islam: The religion of peace or The true way to God

-Muslim: A true believer of God, or someone who practices Islam.

-Wa'alaikum Sallam: Peace be upon you too. (Used to answer the greeting)

-Subhanallah: Glory be Unto God. (Used when something good or bad happens, instead of saying yaay! Awwch! etc.)

-Astagfirullah: Pardon me of forgive me, God.
(Used when you've done or said something wrong.)

-Alhamdulillah: All praise be to God.
Used when something good happens, instead of OMG! Lol, etc.)

-Insha Allah: If God Wills. (Used instead of I swear, shit! Fuck! etc.)

-Masha Allah: How God Wants it. (Also used when you're happy about something especially from someone.)

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Author's Note:

Word Count: 1,662

So I broke the rule today. I've written 1,662 words so far!

What!!😂😂😂

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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 also leave your comments.