Humaira decided to call Zainab just to hear her voice. She failed Mr. Abdullahi's number. He sighed as he saw her call.
'Why would this she be calling by this time of the night. It's already 9:00 pm.' He thought. Humaira called again then he picked up.

"Assalam 'Alaikum sir."

"Hello!" His voice sounded harsh, somehow.

"Good evening sir. Please is Zainab there? I really need to speak to her."

"Yes but ummm... She's gone to bed already. I guess she's asleep by now."

"Okay sir."

"You're writing your exams right?"

"Yes sir. I just wanted to hear her voice but... I'll call tomorrow."

"Good luck with you exams my dear. I'll be expecting your call. Study well, okay?"

"Okay sir, bye."

He cut the call without even saying bye.

'What's wrong with him?' Humaira thought. He replied my salama with hello and he didn't even say goodbye. I just hope all is well.'

Just then, Firdausi brought the food.

A smile beaned through Humaira's face as she collected the plate of Tuwo from her new roommate.

"Thank you." She squealed delightfully and closed her books.

Ermmm... Water." Humaira remainded Firdausi.

Oh, just a minute please. She smiled and went to the kitchen

'Yes! Thank goodness nothing is going to spoil my plan today. After dinner, I'll be going out. Shell die alone in this house...' Firdausi smirked in the thoughts with pleasure.

She took a bottle water to her and they started eating.

"Awwwch!" Firdausi grumbled holding the side of her head. As if it was a ball that would fall anything soon.

"What's it again? Are you alright?"

"No, not really. I've been having this serious headache since morning and I don't know what to do."

"Why didn't you tell me. Instead, you'll be picking stupid fights that won't lead you anywhere." Humaira muttered in concern.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"What about your drugs. Have you finished using them?"

Yes, I've completed the dosage, but I'm still feeling so weak.

"And you're saying I shouldn't worry? What kind of friend are you?"

Humaira quirked an eyebrow asking her that. Then she nodded her head with a smile.

"I'll accompany you to the pharmacy tonight."

"No, don't worry. I don't want to stress you."

"Who is stressing who?" Humaira hissed, leaking the plate.

Don't worry, I've already told you that I'll be fine. I'll go to the pharmacist to take new medications. You can stay at home to read and relax. Perhaps, you're heavily pregnant and I don't want to stress you any further.

"Whatever..." Humaira hissed and drank the water. Then she took her plate to the kitchen and washed her hands.

Subhanallah! I'm feeling so sleepy. Humaira yawned and stretched like a lazy kitten. I guess I'll be going to bed early... But I've not even read half of this textbook.

"You've studied the past questions now, that's enough." Firdausi joked.

"It's good but not good enough still Humaira smiled and sat on the chair again."

Firdausi just finished eating. She wore her black long hijab and took her pause.

"Okay dearie. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, be careful."

"Bye." She muttered and went out.

"Bye." Humaira muttered and closed the door. She opened her book to check the last topic she was studying with suddenly, something struck her from within.

Her smile dropped immediately as she wondered what might be happening to her.

"Auuuch!" She screamed out. The book fell off her hand immediately.

"Auuuch!!" She grabbed her stomach in pain. It's just seven months and one week. What exactly is happening.

The pain cane as if something was biting her from within. Humaira tried to walk out but she couldn't. Her hand managed to reach her phone. She scrolled through her phone, trying to get her doctor's number. She failed doctor Ibrahim's number but it was switched off. It must be the back network. She failed it again but it replied... The number you failed is switched off. Please try again later.
Then her phone wrote battery low.
She cried and staggered in pain.

Then she remembered Doctor April, Firdausi's doctor at Hikmah Specialist Hospital. She dailed his number. It was ringing but he didn't pick. She was about to sail it the second time when her phone suddenly switched off.

Audhubillahi Mina shaytani Rajim!" She cried, knowing that Firdausi might not come anytime soon.

The pain stuck her so much that she started coughing. She struggled to reach for the door but she suddenly passed out.

***

At The Bala's House

Mr. Abdullahi knocked on Zainab's door. She had locked it from within.

"Assalam 'Alaikum. Zainab are you in there?"

He knocked for a couple of time before she finally opened.

Zainab went straight to sit on her bed. She looked so sad and out of colour. It's evident that she must have been crying for long. Her beautiful eyes, where read and swollen.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why did you hide this from me sir?" She asked, her voice still shaky as another series of tears lingered down her face.

"I wanted to tell you but.... Something stopped me. You need to fight this alone, Zainab. It's your fight. I don't think I have the money to spend on any Antiretroviral therapy or drugs..."

"Is that why you hide this from me? When my sister came here, did you receive her-"

"No... No I didn't." He interrupted.

"Why?! Why didn't you tell her that I'm sick, so that she can talk me out of here. You didn't tell me too?! I'm sorry to say this sir, but now, I've realised who you really are. A devil in disguise! Your wife is even better than you sir, I just realized that today!"

He looked bitter. A part of him wanted to apologize. Because he know, he had offended her so much...
He tried to say something not nothing came out.

"I'm don't regret bringing you here, Zainab, and I don't regret my actions towards you as well. You'll live here and do whatever I say or ask you. Perhaps, you have no choice. If you leave here, you leave on your own risk and if you want to stay, you're free."

"So it's true you don't really care about me? She asked. It's evident, I don't need your words or explanations. How did I get this?! Tell me?!" She faced him.

"The doctor said it's probably through the rape accident that happened to you. I'll advise you keep this to yourself else, you'll become a laughing stock not only within our society, but anywhere you go. People with HIV are considered as dead, Zainab."

"Why don't you get me medications sir. If you have any amount of love for me in my heart. Why did you decide to kill me even before death visits me? Why?!"

"You might still be living, Humaira but to me, you're dead. It's so unfortunate that I didn't know this part of you too before I brought you in. But you can still stay in my house. That's what I can do to help." He muttered and dropped the HIV letter on her bed.

"If you like yourself, don't tell Humaira." He warned and left.

Zainab took the paper and went through it. She broke down again in tears....