The following day in the evening, Humaira got discharged from the hospital. She looked strong and healthy, unlike the day before.

Finally, she was going to go back home. Everything about the hospital was good and clean but for some reasons, Humaira didn't like the smell that came from drugs and injections. The sight of blood too scares her a lot, that was one of the reasons she choose to become a lawyer.

Star brought her big Jeep to take Humaira back home. She was so excited that she came down first. When she got to Firdausi's door, she saw all her books and baggages outside the corridor, staring back at her.

An heavy stroke of headache ride through her head again.
"What's happening here? Why would Firdausi pack all my things outside or... Is she parking?" She asked herself as she knocked the door gently.

"Assalam'Alaikum..."

Only the noise of the evening cock that was tilling the soil for weeds and grains, replied her and the silence too slapped her face.

"Assalam'Alaikum!" She called a little louder. "Is anyone at home?!"

"Wa'alaikun Sallam." She finally replied.  

She looked so surprised as she saw Humaira.

"So you're at home." Humaira smiled. "But...why are you staring at me as if you've seen a ghost?"

"So you're still alive?"

"W..What? I don't get you."

"So you didn't die after I poisoned you? What are you exactly? A witch?"

"What are you saying?" She asked, trying to get in but Firdausi pushed her away.

The smile if Humaira's face faded gradually. It seems Firdausi was serious.

"What's wrong with you Firdausi? Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm alright! I'm totally fine and alright!!" She snarled at her face with so much anger.

"But... What did I do?" Tears clouded her eyes again.

"You've done a lot, Humaira! Just get out of my house! Get out of my house right now and never come back!"

"But I thought you've forgiven me for what happened two days ago. We're in good terms aren't we?" Her voice sounded so low and shaky.

"No, were not in good terms and we would never be! You and who are friends?! Ehn, Answer me?!!"

Tears was already pouring down Humaira's eyes. She just couldn't understand why. Why Firdausi always treat her like a piece of garbage. Why she won't ever be her friend, no matter what.

"Go to hell for all I care, Humaira! You've made my life so miserable. No matter how hard I try to take you out of the way, you just find a little excuse to come back!!"

"But, you..."

"Don't ever bother saying anything because nothing would convince me!" She carried Humaira's bag and pushed it to her chest as if she really wanted to spoil her pregnancy. She unconsciously fell down, hitting her butt to the ground like a bag of rice.

"I said get out of my compound you witch! I don't want to have anything to do with you, ever again! And don't come back!!"

It was taking long, Star decided to come and check what was happening when she met Humaira crying on the floor. Her old and already faded 'Ghana-must-go' tore, making Humaira's clothes scattered to the dusty ground.

"What's happening here?!" Star rushed to help her. "And who the hell are you?!" She asked Firdausi.

"I'm the one feeding and clothing that stupid pregnant thing! I'll advise you, don't bother helping her because she's nothing but a curse. She's just badluck and annoyance. Everything haven't been alright since her stay here and it's all her fault!!" She hissed.

"Why would you be treating a fellow human being like yourself as if she's worth nothing? You're the crazy one, if you don't know, better stick this into your memory. So... you're Firdausi?! The doctor told me everything... That she got poisoned. Now it's all clear to me." Star helped Humaira up and started packing her clothes inside the bag.

"It's all clear to me that you poisoned her out of hatred and jealousy. What kind of friend are you?! And you call yourself a Muslim. Do you even pray at all?"

"You can keep on blabbing whatever you like! And yes! Yes oooo!! I'm jealous!!! You're free to believe whatever! Just leave my compound already." She spited.

Star helped Humaira take her baggage to the boot. She was so pissed up and angry with what she just withnessed. This is too terrible, she couldn't watch any of it again. How humiliating?

She quickly ran to Humaira. "Come on, let's go." Star muttered as she held her arm.

"Umm... Before you go, let me just tell you something so you don't kill yourself with high blood pressure." It looked as if she was happy, breaking people's heart. Humaira and star turned back a bit as Firdausi walked closer, majestically.

"This isn't any of my fault, bestie. Infact, I'll say it all started with you. I've kept it away from you all these while but... I'll tell you everything today."

"What's it, Firdausi..." Humaira cried.

"It's been two years now, I was paid to be your friend and to put on those boring, silly acts as if it was real."

"What? I don't understand..."

"Alhaji Musa... Does that name ring a bell?" She laughed out wickedly. Humaira looked startled. She couldn't believe her eyes and ears.

Humaira became dumbfounded as her heart thumped within her poor chest. Tears lingered down her face, not knowing what to say or do…
"You know him?"

"Yes. He's been caring for me for long. To me, he's more like a guardian angel. At least, ever since my parent's death. Alhaji Musa took me in and promised to sponsor me throughout university if I'm able to take you out of the picture."

"What?!"

"Yes, I've been paid to monitor and report your every movement here in school but... since you got raped. He paid me to help you terminate this pregnancy, since you wouldn't do it."

"Subhanallah! Firdausi..  how can you be so heartless?! After all I've done and how nice have treated you!"

Firdausi rolled her eyes and hissed. "Did you pay me? Mteeeew! You better stop crying else, you'll die of depression. I would have stabbed you myself but I don't want blood on my hands. I had to do this cleverly. And Mubashir." She giggled to herself.
"I never even loved him. All I wanted was to separate you two... Based on Alhaji Musa instructions. So as you see, I'm not the devil here."

Humaira grabbed Firdausi's neck in anger, wanting to strungle her to death.
"I hate you so much Firdausi! I hate you!" She cried, choking in her own tears.

Star stopped her from hurting Firdausi.

"Don't worry Humaira, Let's just leave." She muttered as she dragged her out of the compound.

"Hahahahaaa! Mteeeew!" She hissed. "Stupid girl. You're lucky I didn't really mean to kill you! The only reason is because you're also an orphan else?" She rolled her eyes at them as they got into the vehicle and drove away.

"Mteeeew! Whatever! I'll just tell the Alhaji that she lose the baby and... I need a direct entry to study abroad as promised." She danced as she walked back inside her apartment.

***

It was a silent drive throughout... Star had a lot to ask but she couldn't say a thing. Humaira looked so broke. Asking her any questions now would hurt her even more. I think she needs time to heal.

Humaira had a lot to tell Star but she didn't say anything. She had gone through a lot already. Even though the other day, she caught Firdausi adding something into her soup. She thought it was just an ingredient so she eat it willingly. So it was poison... How could she? And she don't even feel remorse for any of her actions.

Just then, they swerve to the left she drove to a big Black gate, it opened by itself. Star zoomed in and parked in the garage. There was another jeep in the garage.

"Wait, Who's house is this, Star?"

She looked at me with sudden amazement.

"Come in girlie, we're home now..." Star interlocked Humaira's arm with her's and dragged Humaira in.

"What?! Y... you mean y...ou live here?" She asked as her eyes exrayed the totally awesome mansion.

"Yes, this is one out of my dad's hundred houses and he gifted me this a long time ago."

She explained as she carried my luggage from the boot. She placed her finger on a pad just by the door side. It scanned and took her fingerprints, making the door open automatically.

"Subhanallah!" I muttered. "You mean you live alone?"

"Yes, Just come in..."

And after the first room,  there was another. The door too was locked and
there was something like a pad behind the door, like the other. Humaira wondered if all the doors were computerized. She placed her thumb on it and it scanned her fingerprint. The door opened automatically as they both entered. She felt goose bumps crawling all over her skin. Humaira couldn't figure out the reason why but she went shivering at a corner.

"Come in Humaira, Why are you standing there?"

"I'm scared, I can't live here." Her lips babbled. She had never entered a mansion like this. It looked like a palace or paradise..

"What? Are you alright?!" She walked to Humaira, holding her hands tight.

"Why are you cold? Are you sick?"

Just then, Humaira's vision turned blurry. Almost falling, she held her head in pain. Star carried her into one of the rooms and laid her on the bed.

Humaira wasn't so sure if she passed out or not.

Star quickly sprinkled water on her face and she swiftly catch a breath. Just then, her stomach grumbled.

Star ran into the kitchen. It took a while before she brought a plate of jollof rice and chicken, with a bowl of warm water.

She gently wiped Humaira's  forehead and feet with a soft towel, she fed her like a baby as well. Although Humaira couldn't eat much, she had a good sleep.

***

A WEEK LATER...

It was after dinner when Star decided to pop out the question that was bothering her.

"Tell me about yourself, Humaira. Who impregnated you and who is Alhaji Musa?"

An awkward silence reigned between them for a while. Humaira didn't know how to start but for some reasons, she feels Star need to know a bit from her story.

“I had gone through a lot, Star. My dad died after being poisoned by his family members. My mum had to take us away since his family took back all his properties. Years later, she became sick... I had only 168 hours to save my mum, but things were becoming difficult so I went to the only person I that offered help, Alhaji Musa."

"Who's this Alhaji Musa?"

He was my dad's close friend but after my dad's death, he seem to be worse than the devil himself. Despite the fact that he owed my dad, he offered to help my mum with her surgery only of I meet him in an hotel. Unknowingly, he had wicked plans. He drugged and tapped me then. And still he didn't give me one naira. I might be sounding so foolish right now but, Alhaji Musa is as cunning as a tortoise. He rejected this pregnancy and now..." She cried. "He wants to kill me. What would I do now? How would I hide or escape from all of these?"

Star placed her and on Humaira's shoulder. Don't cry too much my dear,
You've really gone through a lot… I saw that in your eyes since the first time we met.”

"I'm so lonely in this world, Star. I only have God and my little sister, Zainab by my side. I have nothing to my name, Star.” Humaira wept.

"But what about college? How did you get this far?"

"It's through the grace of God." Humaira muttered, remembering what she had gone through with Mrs. Bridget. 'Thank God I took a loan for Mrs Bridget then to pay my last tution fee? How would I get my next tution fee now?'

“Don’t worry about anything, you’ll be fine." Star woke her from the thought.
"Just have some sleep.” She said gently and brightened her beautiful round face with a smile.

She gently laid back.

"Wait. I have a question for you too." Humaira called her back.

"Yes, what's it?"

"Why do you stay alone anyways? Don't you feel scared or lonely sometimes?"

"Me... Why would I feel scared or lonely? Nah-nah-nah... Not in my dictionary."

"Well, Ever since I was born... My life's genre has been a humor. What would make me think horror?!"

"Hmmm..." I looked around again.

"So how often do you visit your parents or do they visit you?"

"No... not at all. Mum came here only once since I got admission. I visit them sometimes during holidays..."

"Are you the only child of your parents?"

"No, I have seven elder brothers scattered around the world. As it is, I'm the last born and the only princess in the family. That's why they named me Star, Abike, Abiola. Well, I'm also from Lagos state but I've never been there."

"Seriously?! Why don't you ask your dad or probably visit there during an holidays with all your brothers... It would be so much fun! What do you think?"

"Yes, maybe." She stopped at stared at her for a while. "Ermmm... I want to ask, How old is you pregnancy now?"

"It's going to be exactly right months tomorrow." Humaira replied, gulping down the chilled bottle of orange juice.

"Oh really, Great! I'm so happy for you. I'm thinking, What about the checkup you talked about? When are you visiting the hospital?" Star was so worried and concerned. Humaira could tell from her voice.

"Well, I don't know yet... Maybe very soon."

"What if I drop you off on Monday? I'm so concerned about your baby and your safty..."

"Oh Thank you!" Humaira happily gave her a hug. You're surely a life saver but...

"But what?"

"I'm thinking about the money..."

"Don't worry about that." She opened her purse and handed Humaira #10,000.

"Take these."

"What?! Oh God! This is too much!"

"No... It's nothing. I'm dad's girl remember?" She blushed at me.

"It's not right... I can't take it." Humaira insisted, feeling guilty over nothing.

"If you don't, I won't come to this house for one week."

"No, you can't do that? This is your house and I can't imagine staying here alone for just one day."

"Aren't we best friends already? I helped you here, can't you help me as well?" She smiled so lovingly and Humaira smiled back.

"Okay, I'll accept it. I'm so grateful, Star."

"No, It's nothing... I'll gladly do anything for you and I wish we'll be like this forever."

She answered a "me too" in her mind and hugged her again.

***

Words and Translations

-Ghana-must-go: A typical type of sack used in Nigeria by travelers.

-Jollof rice: Nigerian rice concortion. Usually tasty and delicious.

***

Author's Note:

Word Count: 2, 562 words.

So I broke the rule today. I wrote over 2,500 words. Let's just call it umm... A surprise update.😂😂😂
Just in a happy mood, didn't know I've even written this much. Pheew!😅

So... What did you think about this chapter? A happy one for Humaira right? What about Zainab? Let's check on her too.

Dedicated to the most amazing people on wattpad! _tayyib_01JerubelKeziahJosephEchewisiMaimunaAbdallahWuraola23MarvieBelAphro_dite112

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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.