***

As we all know, Zainab is a 10 year old in J.S.S 1. She didn't try particularly in her education, especially now that she knew what was living inside of her - a deadly virus that doesn't have a cure. HIV or AIDS, what difference does it makes anyway? It's no use taking medications or seeking advice from anyone. Her death is already close anyways, and she could feel it.

All Zainab would do is to cry all night. It started affecting her performance in school. Although, she didn’t try particularly hard, but what she started doing in school was just  to all her classes and paid no attention.

Being smart, it meant Zainab got good grades with minimal effort but now, things changed.

On the other hand, Zainab had a great group of friends too: kids she grew up with, that she had known nearly all her life. They would hang out every then but since Zainab had been promoted from basic 5 to J.S.S 1, she really has no friends like such. Except for Idris that would always sit by her side and cheer her up during break time.

Meanwhile, others would hang out during weekend, have pool parties and go to eat and play with each other, for food. Zainab thought they were way cooler than she and Idris actually was. It was  heart breaking but despite the fact that Idris was the headmaster's son, he didn't have much friends like that. It was more comfortable for him to sit and chat with Zainab.

***
Zainab's P.O.V

'Ever since I moved in with the Bala's,  just before write my entrance examination and got into high school, and everything changed. Overnight, I have no friends, was in a new street where everyone was different and was living in a cramped apartment with my mother, my sister and two cousins. I remember feeling really messed up inside: I think I was too much in shock to be upset about it at first.

Distractions

While trying to adapt to my new surroundings, I also started secondary school. It turns out that living alone, with my sister was paradise compared to living with my new family. A family that doesn't even consider me their own. I'm only staying here because of Humaira. I don't want to cause her more troubles and worries. Perhaps, she's been through a lot. And it's all my fault she's in that position today. I just wish things would get better. But for her sake, I'll stay with the Bala's until she graduates. It would all be over by then. It's been nine months now but it's already looking like I've known them even since I was born. And right now, I just want to breakfree...'

Zainab has been very popular since primary school. She was too till now but ever since she heard about her virsus, she has stopped being the Zainab everyone knew her to be.

Soon, she started underperforming across the board: one thing Zainab was sure of was that, if she wasn’t failing, I was barely passing. She tried so hard, but it just wasn’t working. Zainab studied a lot, but then she got to the exam, and would get so nervous, she felt like her mind would go blank.
'All that effort, and she failed anyway. So what was the point? Zainab is ashamed to admit it to the world and she slowly and gradually gave up, and turned to the only thing I knew hadn’t changed: her Qur'an.

All Zainab did, every day after school, was reciting the holy book. Sometimes, it made her comfortable, feeling better while other times. She breaks down in uncontrollable tears and stop thinking. The Quran was the only gift her mum had left for her. And luckily enough, she had brought it along with her.  The Quran was her only real companion, and you know what? It never let her down.

Going through a tough time

Sometimes around four months into school, Zainab realized something: everything and everyone sucked. She was angry all the time, and when she wasn’t angry, she was sad. Later on, as an adolescent, Zainab would recognize my symptoms as depression. But at the time, she didn’t know any better. Zainab thought everyone else was either rude or stupid, and she wanted no part of them.

One day at school, Zainab took one of Idris's story books to school. Some other kids saw her with it and they started talking about how they loved storybooks and all that.

Later, the two of them asked her if they could borrow the storybook and return it the next day. Zainab being the nice girl she was, and hoping to make friends, she obliged them. The following day, Zainab asked Aaliyah, one of the girls but she said it was Sadiyyah that took it home. Meanwhile, Sadiyyah claimed to always forget it at home.

A few weeks later, Zainab asked them for the story back, and they said, “Sure, we would bring it tomorrow!” But they never ended up returning it, and dodged her at school after that. Zainab stopped disturbing them, hoping that they would return the story someday.

One faithful day, Zainab, Idris and their dad just came back from school.

Zainab ran to her room in tears. It happened that she failed two of her tests and she was punished for getting Zero.
She went to put water into her small tiny, kettle perform Zuhr prayer.

"Zainab! Come out here!" He called in anger.

Zainab quickly left her prayer to answer him. What have I done wrong again?" She asked herself as she knelt in front of him.

He brought out turn pieces of the storybook. That same one that she borrowed Aaliyah and Sadiyyah.

"And who tore this book?!" He asked. Zainab's eyes trembled in fear. Not knowing what to say or how to reply him.

"I... I- I borrowed Aaliyah and Sadiyyah in my c..class." she swallowed.

"What? Who gave you the right to carry any book out of this house?! Ehn! Answer me!!"

"I'm s-sorry sir."

"I saw this in the school's dust bin. It was Idris's name that drew my attention to it and now, most if the pages are already missing! What a waste?!"

"They promised to return it back but they didn't. It's all my fault sir, please forgive me."

"Shut up idiot! So you wanted to show off! Or you've become Mother Christmas or what?! You waste my money and books anyhow you like?!"

"No sir. It was a mistake."

"Oh really?" He smirked ridiculously. "Dan Allah! Ibrahim, get me my cane there!" He ordered and in less than a minute, Ibrahim brought it out. It was a very thick electric wire.

"Forgive me sir. I won't do it again." Zainab started crying, begging him on her kneels but be whipped her mercilessly.

Although, Idris felt guilty.
'It was my storybook anyways what does it takes from dad if my storybook get missing or not?' Idris thought.

Later, Zainab went into her room. Bruised and bleeding. He asked her to clean up the mess again so nobody would get affected. Isah and Ibrahim hissed ad called her a messed up freak! No one loved her in the house except for Idris that still cared but he was helpless in cases like this.

Later that evening, Idris came into her room. He met Zainab lying lifelessly on the bed. Her eyes ran out of tears to shed, it's transparent that she must have been crying for hours.

"What's happening to you?" Idris asked. "Aren't you studying? Our second term exams is coming soon."

"Just leave me alone, Idris. And get out of my room." I muttered in a low, heartbroken voice.

"Y..you're actually sending me out of your room?" Idris looked flaggabasted. "I'm only here to help you, Zee. Have you looked at the mirror recently? You look soanorexic!"

"I thought my presence would cheer you up. But I see you're not even ready to talk to me. Let alone share your problems with me. I just hope all of these isn't hurting. And if it is, why don't you tell your sister. As our class teacher would say - 'Heaven help those who help themselves,' Zee. I use to understand you so much before but now, I don't know who you are." He stood up from the bed in disappointment and left.

Idris wanted to hear from her, and help me get better in whatever way he can but Zainab was too adamant. She wouldn't give him a chance to. After he left, she locked the door and switched off the lights. Suddenly, Zainab felt so terrible and so retarded that she took a tiny razor blade and forced her skin to cry instead. Blood started flowing through her pierced, dark skin. It feels like the entire universe runs through her vains and she just need to let it out.

For some awkward reasons, Zainab wanted to talk about her mental health to Idris but... She's scared she would be judged. The people around her aren't supportive and understanding. Perhaps, Mr. Abdullahi haven't been taking her to the hospital to visit any doctor or to see the specialist incharge. He have never bought her the antiretroviral drugs let alone take her for any checkups or therapy. Zainab is scared others would find out and it would define her. She don't want people to pity her, especially Idris. She gate people to know and she hate herself even more.
'How can I become a medical doctor now? I might even die before attaining adulthood.' she muttered. Zainab swept silently. She felt so depressed and unwanted. She couldn't catch a sleep throughout the night.

***

The following morning.

Mr. Abdullahi took his son very early. He left Zainab to treak to school. Idris cried to his father that he was being unfair but Mr. Abdullahi scolded him instead. "Say another word there and you'll get the punishment!" He hissed.
'Why does he even care?' He thought within his mind, starting to freak out as he drove abruptly across the road.

Later that day, Zainab's English teacher noticed that she was struggling. She told Mr. Abdullahi that Zainab would have to go to the after-school classes twice a week, for the kids who needed help in their studies.
"No, there's no need for that!" Mr. Abdullahi answered the teacher.

"But..  s..sir?"

"You  don't know Zainab the way I do. I know what she needs and what she doesn't. And perhaps, I don't have any money to waste!"

"But sir..."

"That girl knows what she's doing. She just don't want to concentrate because she feels tired of school. She's just being a lazy child, I'll have to talk some sense into her!"

"But that's not what I'm trying to say here. What I'm saying is... She needs extra lessons. Something like revision that would remind her about what she had learnt in class. Zainab is a bright child. I feel she's going through lots of pressure and-"

"Pressure you say?" Mr. Abdullahi laughed out loud. That girl is just so lazy. She doesn't do anything at home. All she does it to easy and sleep! And now you're saying she's under pressure?!" He joked. Maybe I should demote her back to primary 6. She skipped the class anyway, so it's no news going back. That way she would know what she's doing and maybe concentrate better in class."

"That's a wrong idea sir. Demoting Zainab would make her worse."

So, stop complaining, Miss. He rolled his eyes at the young teacher. I've been teaching in this school for over 15 years now. And as an educationalist, I know what exactly to do." He put on his usual smirk and walked away.

"How annoying!" The English teacher hissed at him in her mind and walked into the next class.

Thinking about how to move on in life. That was where Zainab met Habeebah Adebayo. He was a funny and beautiful girl... About a year older than Zainab but they were in the same class. Habeebah as a quite girl, like Zainab, even though her dad was a popular Minister and a big Alhaji. Although, the two girls have been on the same class for months, they've never talked to each other.

When habeebah saw Zainab staring at her English textbook for minutes, she came over to her seat to gist. She reflexively pulled it away, but habeebah just smiled, pulled out her own English textbook and told her.

"Let's read together."

***

Author's Note:

Word Count: 2,225

Wow! It's been a long day! I can't believe we're actually getting closer to the end of this story but pheeew! There's still a lot to cover.

At 10, Zainab is going through mental health stigmatization. Do you think she would ever get out of it? Because definitely, it would affect her life. Who do you think is to blame through all of this? Alhaji Musa or Mr. Abdullahi Bala?

***

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.