On Monday, Humaira got back to school. Luckily, she only missed couple of tests. She met the lecturers and they agreed to a make-up test only for her. Because they knew she was the serious type.

Everything went well, Firdausi took care of Humaira but still planning about executing her friend as soon as possible.
'She must not give birth to that baby alive, I'll make sure of that!'
This has been her only mission since Humaira stepped in back into her life.

Firdausi got Humaira registered for antenatal care into a near by hospital. Everything was going on smoothly when Firdausi poisoned Humaira.

She specially prepared bread and tea for her that morning. It was just a month after Humaira started living there.
'It's time I stopped this witch from living! I can't keep up with this pretence for long. I'll end her life this morning.' Firdausi took out a portion of the secret powder into her cup tea.

She took a silver spoon from a cup and mixed the tea.
"Oh! I forgot to put sugar." She said to herself and added a spoonful of sugar.

"Ermmm... Let me taste it." She took one sip and then another, forgetting that she had already poisoned it.

"Subhanallah! I'm in soup! This girl has killed me!" She cried and ran immediately to Humaira. She was still sleeping and the noise woke her.

"What's it, Firdausi. It's just 7:00 a.m and today's weekend. Why the noise?"

"It's because of you, Humaira! You caused it!" She cried, unable to explain things in clearer terms.

"What did I do? I don't understand!"

"Auuuch!"

Firdausi held her stomach in a deep, sharp pain.

"Firdausi! What's wrong with you?!" Humaira rushed to her.

"Auuuch!!" She cried again. "My stomach!!!"

"Tell me...what's happening?!!" Humaira held her close. "Are you alright? What did you eat?"

Soon, she started coughing and suddenly passed out.

"Firdausi talk to me! Hey... God who am I going to call right now? What am I going to do?" She cried and managed to lift her up. She opened the door and quickly stopped a taxi

"Please help me sir! My friend is dying."

The young man rushed into the room and carried Firdausi into his car. Humaira too followed as he drove them to a nearby hospital.

The nurses took her into the emergency room and she was attended to immediately.

***

Later That Evening,

The doctor called Humaira into his office.

"Sit down madam." The doctor with clean, transparent glasses offered her a seat.

"How are you related to the patience ma."

"She's my friend. I mean... We're roommates."

"Okay,  that's good. So from the authopsy we carried, we found out that your friend, Firdausi was poisoned. Do you have any idea about what she ate?"

"No sir. I was sleeping when she came to me crying about something. I couldn't even understand."

"You really need to monitor what she takes madam, She almost died today for this. It's all in your hand, I trust you can take care of your friend yourself. From the result, she took tea this morning and the particles were found there."

"Subhanallah! How come?"

"I don't know if your roommate is sucidal but please, I'm not just asking you as a doctor but as human. Please, monitor what she eats. We also took her body test. She having high blood pressure at such a young age. I'll describe some drugs..."

"Okay doctor thank you."

"Firdausi here needs proper care. She'll have to stay in the hospital for at least 1-2 weeks for special care and treatments."

"But sir... We're students. I mean, well be starting our exams next week."

"This is about her life, Miss. I hope you understand me if you truly want to save your friend."

"Do you mean Firdausi might not be able to write the exams?"

"Yes, maybe. It's been you and her."

"Okay sir. Thanks for everything anyways."

Humaira muttered as the doctor scribbled something on a sheet of paper. Give this to the pharmacist. You'll get the drugs for your friend and meet her in her ward. She should be awake by now but... Please, don't disturb her or make her tense with anything for now. Especially the exam and B.P stuff.

"Okay sir. Thank you." She collected it and went to pharmacy, about three doors away from the consulting room.

The next day, Humaira went to meet Fredrick Daniel first. He was their course rep and would understand everything.

Firdausi won't be able to write exams Fred, she's admitted into Hikmah Hospital.

What?! You don't meannit. She was perfectly fine on Friday... What happened.

A lot happened but the doctor said she's also having high blood pressure and she need proper treatment and rest.

Okay, I understand. I'll have to explain to the lecturers in charge but I suggest we meet the H.O.D and explain to him directly. He might understand.

Really? That would be nice. So when are we going

Emm... After classes would be perfect. I don't think he's in office yet, it's too early.

Okay then, I'll meet you later so we can go together.

Do you have her medical bills or hospital reports here with you? It's going to prove that she's currently admitted to the hospital.

Okay, all her medical reports are here in my purse.

Good, we'll go after this lecturer. Hopefully she'll get permission from him or something.

Thanks a lot Fred. Humaira smiled and went back to her desk. The next lecturer gave a short test before doing his revision.

After his class, Fred and Humaira left for the H. O. D's office. Luckily he was around but he had some guests. They had to wait outside till his meeting with them was over. It almost took an hour before the guests left.

"Finally, Humaira and Fred went in."

"Good afternoon sir." They chorused

"Afternoon... I thought I told Bello not to allow anyone in. No more visitors for today, please go out. It's ten minutes past my lunch time."

"We won't take long sir, just a minute." Fred pleaded.

"You can come back on an hour time. I'm famished right now." He answered in a harsh, bossy tone and stood up from his seat.

"Please sir... We won't take a minute." Humaira begged.

"Okay, fine." He went back to his executive chair. "I'm all ears."

"A student won't be able to write her exams this semester sir. She was admitted into Hikmah Specialist Hospital and the doctor said she won't be discharged until at least, after two weeks."

"Where are her medical reports?" He asked. Humaira quickly placed it before him.

He red bulgy eyes, scrolled through everything.

"Okay, nice but I don't think I can help you guys because she'll be repeating another year. There's nothing I can do, my hands are tied."

"H.O.D, please help my friend. She don't miss classes and she's a very serious student sir. Only you can help her, please." Humaira knelt down and begged.

"There's nothing I can do young lady. You guys are just wasting my time. He hissed Even if she's my own daughter, she'll have to wait an extra year. I wish her quick recovery. Only if she can make it to the exams. You can take your leave please. I'm so hungry."

Fred held Humaira as they left his office.

They heard his hissed and mumbled something under his breath as they walked out. 'Something like Children of now adays...'

It's evident that the man was saying that because of her pregnancy. It's already seven months already and she's struggling to study along with the stress no matter what. The man looked at them disgustingly as they walked out but Humaira was a bit disappointed. Not because if her pregnancy but for the fact that he could help Firdausi. She thought he would have helped if he wanted to, his daughter won't even beg if she was hospitalized. Humaira knew that for sure, but she left there almost in tears.

"What would I do now? Should I tell her already? This would definitely break her heart. I'm so confused."

"I don't know what the doctor said but I think you need to tell her so shell know at least. Tell her about the Blood pressure and the exams... I've also tried my best. If the H.O.D can say this, then imagine what the lecturers would say?"

"You've tried a lot for me Fred, thank you."

"You're welcome. I'll be on my way now." He turned to her once more.
Take care of yourself and extend my greetings to your friend.

"Okay, she'll hear." Humaira muttered and took a tricycle home.

She took a shower, ate and prayed before preparing lunch for Firdausi. Humaira paid her friend a visit. She was still sleeping when Humaira walked in.

"Hello girlie... how are you feeling now?"

"Fine, Alhamdulillah. It's just a bit of headache and dizziness."

"Eyah, Sannu. She greeted and placed the baggage she brought at a corner."

"Are you hungry or tasty?"

"Yes... What did you bring?"

"Kunnu and kosai. Hot water in a flask and... I also bought these on my way coming.

She brought out two big tins of cereal, and one big tin of Milo, bournvita and Dano milk.

"Wow! This is a lot, thank you."

"No, I should be the one thanking you right now, dear." She dragged her chair closer to her.

"Help me prepare tea, I'm tasty." She said, her voice sounding so dry in its hoarseness.

Okay. Humaira took out the flash and gently made the tea and placing it on the shelf  behind her bed.

Humaira helped her sit up as she gently handed her the cup of tea. She sip it carefully as her lips becomes wetter, she also felt better.

I can't wait to get well Humaira. I can't miss my exams for anything.

Humaira looked at her, thinking if whether to tell her or not.

***

Words and Translations

-Sannu: Sorry

-Eyah: A word used to represent sorry.
Just a typical Nigerian word

-Kunnu: Pap. (A Nigerian liquid food made from millet or corn)

-kosai: Bean cake (A Nigerian form made from grounded fried beans.)

***

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.