AFTER 168 HOURS [BOOK 2,168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 8: Freedom

"Subhanallah! Ya hakuri Humaira, ban sanmi bah. Wallahi we didn't know it would end up like this." Mr. Abdullahi begged. His wife, Amina was just so pissed up. She couldn't beg, yet she couldn't swallow the bitterness in her mouth. She just felt like stabbing the two sisters to death. She regretted not poisoning Zainab then.

"What would she do? It's not as if we killed someone... Humaira is just so ungrateful. After taking care of Zainab for 6 years, so this is how you pay us? C'mon honey, let's go." Amina hissed as they walked outside.

"No... Officer! Please don't take them away. They're innocent." Ibrahim and Isah begged.

"Don't worry Ibrahim,your dad and I would be back home before you know it. Just take care of yourselves for me." Amina consulted her sons as she wore a cunning stare at the two girls.
Idris just folded his arms and followed them outside.
Mr. And Mrs. Bala were taken into the police van as Ibrahim and Isah took the car key and immediately followed them to the police station.

"Why didn't tell me Zainab? How long were you willing to pile up all that fear and anger in you? Why didn't you tell me about your sickness too? Don't you care about me at all, Zee?" Humaira asked, looking so emotional. Her eyes eyer filled with years again as usual.

"I'm so sorry sis. But you shouldn't have don't that. I mean, I hold no grudges against Mr. And Mrs. Bala. They're like my parents. They used to love me but now, you've put them in so much pain and hardship. They would never forgive me... They'll hate me the mor-"

"No Zainab, they wouldn't dare. I'll make sure they spend their complete term imprisonment. They won't stay there for long I promise you. All I want is to see you happy... And teach them a lesson. I want them to know that what they did wasn't right, Humaira. Nobody would be able to hurt us anymore." Humaira gave Zainab a hug and asked her to go and get her luggage out.

Idris helped her carry some of her bags outside. But Zainab didn't even look at him.

"Zainab... There's something I really need to tell you." He muttered to her, dryly.

She looked away, not wanting to listen to whatever he has to say.

"I know I could be stupid sometimes but. I'm really sorry. I'm so sorry sir taking advantage of you the other day...but my feelings for you are true."

She rolled her eyes at him and carried the last bag into the boot of Humaira's Jeep.

"Come on sis, let's go." Zainab muttered. She seemed so pissed up with everything about him

"But try and listen to Idris first. You guys are friends, right?... You have no idea how much he has sacrificed, Zainab."

"What do you mean, sis!"

"It was Idris that saved you today. He gathered all the evidence and told me about everything you went through, Zainab. Idris loves you so dearly, he even exposed his own parents. Don't you know how painful it is? Can you even imagine what he's going through right now..."

Zainab stared at him pitifully as their eyes met. "So you are responsible for putting your parents through all these pain? God would definitely judge you, Idris!"

"Zainab!" Humaira cuts in. "What are you saying?"

"Let me finish sis!" Zainab stopped Humaira, rudly and turned back to Idris. "And what are your reasons? To impress me?"

She clapped her hands at him. "Congratulations looser! You're such an heartless human being, you disgust me." Tears flowed down her eyes as she talked. Idris too was heartbroken.
Come on sis, let's leave this place." Zainab muttered as Humaira welled to him.

"Don't worry, everything would be okay... I'll make sure of that. I'll talk some sense into her, she'll come and apologize when she calls down and.... Your parents. I'll make sure they're safe okay?" She assured.

"Okay, Humaira. Thank you." He muttered to her as she got into the car and turn on the engine. She drove into the main Street as Idris watch them leave.

***

Humaira drove to the police station to settle the Bala's case.

They were sentenced to six months imprisonment by the Abuja mobile court. The prosecutor, Barrister Edward E. Eze, along side Humaira had earlier informed the court on that day, so Mr. and Mrs. Bala were arrested by the ministerial task force while taken out if their compund.

***

Later at the police station...

When they charged was read to them, they pleaded guilty and begged for leniency, promising not to do it again.

Barrister Edwards, the prosecutor urged the court to try the couple summarily under section 157 of the criminal procedure code. The magistrate, Magistrate Aminu Muhammad sentenced Mr. Abdullahi and his wife, Amina to six months imprisonment with a fine of #20,000.

After the departure. The arrest of the Bala's sparked off things in their house as they wind up in prison. This was a new beginning in Zainab's life. It marked as a new chapter in the life of both sisters and now, they were totally free from all the worries, hunting them. They would live happily together without worrying about tomorrow. Humaira drove back home and showed Zainab her new house. Zainab looked puzzled. She didn't even know about the house.

"Don't worry, Zee. I'll spoil you for being my sister." She joked. "C'mon, let me show you your new room."

"My what?!" She jerked at her sister's words.

"Come, let's go in." Humaira muttered while going in.

Everything about the house looked executive. Even the plasma tv was as wide as the windows.

"Subhanallah! This house of only three of us?"

"Yes Zee. Away from troubles from the outside world. Now, were going to make a little celebration. Celebration to better life and freedom." Humaira smiled. She was so happy that finally Zainab is back with her and those that have done evil to her are suffering for it. At least, it won't be like her own case. It's believable that, some people in this life are just unpunishable. Someone like Alhaji Musa. Only God Almighty would be able to punish such people. And maybe God brought him into her life as a blessing afterall.

She has a son now, and he has never met a monster yet. She wouldn't let them meet no matter what.but for se reasons, Humaira felt a little bit scared and threatened. If Alhaji Musa knows she's still alive.
'Well, he wouldn't dare! Else, I'll see he rots in jail!' Humaira muttered to herself.

***

Words and Translations

-Ya hakuri, ban sanmi bah: I'm sorry, I didn't know.