Getting out of Mrs. Bala's room, Zainab caught Idris by the door. He must have listened to all their conversations. The stoped her immediately she closed the door behind her.

"Don't go anywhere, Zee. Let me make amendments, please." His eyes begged hers.

"Leave me alone, Idris."
Tears were still flowing from her eyes but she hissed and entered her room.

It's as if she was cursed truly... Nothing ever works no matter how good she tries to satisfy this woman. It's now clear that she hated her. And Mr. Abdullahi, Where is he?

***

Idris banged the door open and went straight to his mother.

"Mum! Tell her to stay! It's all my fault Ibrahim and Isah got punished that day and you know it!!"

"Don't worry, my love. I know you're under her spell but we'll be free immediately she leaves this house, Idris." She held his arm gently. "Just go to your room and relax."

"What?!" He flinched his hands immediately as if her touch had effect on him. "If she leaves, I'll leave too mother... Zainab can't suffer for my own wrong doings!"

"What are you saying Idris... That girl is a nobody. You shouldn't even fight for her or argue. I'm your mother Idris, I know what's right and what's wrong for you. You're too young and perhaps, what is she to you anyway?"

"She's my best friend and only sister mum.. why would you tell her that?! If you don't care about her, don't you care about me too?"

"You see what I'm saying? She's not even worth to be your friend. You're under her influence, I see, but everything would be over soon. I promise."

Idris was tired of hearing her words. It seems she'd made up her mind after all. He couldn't even convince her. What would he do? He was just twelve.

He left her room and walked straight into his room, almost in tears.
All on his mind was, 'If she goes, who would I study with?'

It's obvious that they shared the same thing in common, but his mum made things even worse for the both of them. If she loves him genuinely, why wouldn't she reason with him? Even for once?

Isah was studying a book on machinery while Ibrahim was arranging his wardrobe.

Idris went to meet Isah directly. "Please, go and beg mummy to let Zainab stay. You know she's our sister after all. Even if you don't like her, just help me beg mum on her behalf. Please." Idris pleased.

Isah that was looking away, finally faced him.
"My hands are tied here, Idris. If you truly want to save her. Go and beg mum and dad yourself. I'm not the head of the family. Don't bother me with this anymore, please."

Meanwhile, Ibrahim was pretending as if he didn't even hear them.
"What about you? What do you have to say brother?" Idris faced him, looking so bittered.

"Why are you so interested in saving Zainab? She wasn't part of our family before until now. You know what? I agree with mum. I think she's bad luck. Just leave her and concertate on your studies, ehn?"

"Is that all? Is that all you have to say, Ibrahim?" Idris hissed.

'Yes, Idris. You're still 12. You wouldn't understand. I know you're stubborn but obey mum."

"Fine then. I'll just have to wait for dad." He muttered to myself frustratedly and went to sit on his bed.

'It was all my fault. Zainab would have to leave tomorrow and he won't be able to save her.'
He kept on blaming himself, despite knowing well that it was all his brother's fault.

****

And that same minute, Zainab locked the door of her small room and kept on sobbing.

'Humaira, where are you?... Please take me out of here... I can't take this any longer. I don't mind stopping school. I'll go and stay in our house alone and survive through labouring. I'll do whatever work I can because this is too much.' She cried her eyes out.

Amina prepared dinner but only Ibrahim and Isah joined the table. Zainab and Idris were in their room weeping about all of this... Blaming themselves still. Well, Amina was happy. Finally that little witch was going to leave their lives and they would be one big and happy family once again.

After dinner, Amina kept on waiting. It was 9:00 pm and he wasn't back home yet. She dialed his number and it was switched off. She dialed it over and over again, maybe it would finally go through but it didn't.

This made Amina even more worried. She wanted to call his friends to ask about her husband's were about but asking them might cause another drama. She decided to keep the secret within herself and hope he comes home the next day.

Mr. Abdullahi didn't come home that day. Only God knows where he went but one thing for sure. Where ever he went to clear his head, he'll definitely come back home with a good solution.

****

The Following Morning...

When Zainab woke up that morning, she didn't expect it to be a momentous day.

Of course, she was going to leave the Bala's family, that was sure. As on most mornings, sleep released her gradually a half hour before daylight. It's been so stressful lately. Trouble here, trouble there. Maybe the best thing was to go to her mother's house after all. Humaira would meet her there and her life would be normal again.
Why did Amina hate her again? She couldn't even remember. Because of one stupid mistake her sons made and they blamed her.

Last night, Zainab thought about it over and over again. How good her life would be instead if living in this helly place .

'How funny, Idris and his dad still loved her. It turns out that Amina was a hellcat after all.' she smiled to herself as she thought about these. She slowly yawned and stretched, knowing it was her last day in the house.

'Finally, I would gain my own freedom. Able eat whatever, and live however I wanted. Staying away from them doesn't mean I won't be able to find happiness.' she thought as she stood up from bed.

Normally, she had responsibilities and chores to attend to. Even though it was her last day, those chores shouldn't be left behind, undone. It's going to be over soon anyways. She laid in bed long enough to remember what day of the week if was. Saturday- wash day. But she wasn't going to wash today, she's going to leave.

It was just after Subhi. Zainab quickly made her bed, l swept the rooms. She hastily arranged her bags. She suddenly felt thirsty so she made her way into the kitchen, moving as quite as possible, not to awaken the others.

This was usually the only time when the house is so quiet well, she would miss Idris so much but, she had to see him before leaving. Just then, she heard a knock on the door.

"It was too early. Who would that be?" Zainab thought as she went to the livingroom. She met Idris there coming out if his room and their gaze met.

"Assalamualaikum."She greeted as usual but he looking at her.

The knock on the door cane again.
"Who could that be?" She asked him but he kept on staring. It's as if he wanted to say something but he didn't know how.

Zainab walked towards the door but Idris stopped her. "Let me check." He finally uttered. He opened the door generally and it was his father.

He looked so cold and tired. Only God knows where he spent the night. "Where are you coming from sir?".
Zainab asked as she left him inside.

He didn't drink but he was acting a bit wried and intoxicated. Mr. Abdullahi sat on the sofa to rest a bit.

"I'm fine, where's your mother?"

"She's inside."

"Fine, call her for me. I need to have an open discussion with all of you."

Idris went to call his mum from her room while Zainab went to get Mr. Abdullahi a cup of water to drink.

"Hope all is well sir. I thought you were at home? Where did you spend the night?" Zainab asked him in concern.

Just then, Amina came out of her room. Her husband was about to drink the water when she quickly grabbed the cup and threw it away.

It mug cup fell down, breaking into million pieces on the floor. The three of them turned to look at Amina in surprised. Wondering why she would do that but Zainab suddenly felt dizzy.

"My head... My head." She held her head in pain.

"Zainab! Is everything alright?"

"I don't know... I'm so weak." She muttered gently and fell to the ground.

"Zainab!"

"Zainab!!"

****

Well, what do you think about this chapter? What was Amina scared of and why did Zainab suddenly passed out?

It's all a mystery. To unveil, let's check the next chapter.

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