UNDER 168 HOURS [BOOK 1, 168 HOURS SERIES]

Chapter 28: Zainab's New Life

𝚆𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝙸𝚛𝚘𝚔𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚋𝚢 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐.
~𝙽𝚒𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚗

***

Mrs. Amina, Mr. Abdullahi's wife was a very good and kind hearted hearted woman. She loved Zainab instantly fter her husband introduced her ad she told their sons to take Zainab as a sister, not a guest.

As soon as Mr. Abdullahi entered, she had ordered Ibrahim, Isah and Idris to clean the guest room for Zainab.

"Serve her lunch. I'll have to shower." Mr. Abdulahi said before going inside, leaving Zainab, alone with his wife.

Amina quickly served a plate of coconut rice and fried fish.

"Thanks so much ma. Im truly grateful." Zainab beamed with a small smile.

You're welcome my dear. Feel at home and... Take a warm shower after lunch. I'll be in my room in case you need anything." She muttered before leaving for her room. Zainab only bowed.

Meanwhile, Abdullahi had just had a shower. He put on a simple, white jalabiyya and was about to leave for the mosque for Asr prayer when Amina walked in.

"Oh, you're going out?" Her full eyesbalks exrayed him romantically.

It's apparent that, she still admits her husband even after 16 years of their marriage.

"Yes, its almost time for Asr." Even though Amina was an understanding wife, Abdullahi knew he had a long explanation to do but he didn't know where to start from.

Amina gently wrapped her hands around his body. A smile find its way to her lios as as read the words in her husband's eyes.

"Okay, Fine. Just tell me about her, hubby. Where did you get that girl from?"

"She's one of my students. I met her doing hopelessly on the street and decided to bring her home. The thing is, she's an orphan and her mother died a month ago."

"What? Don't she have any family members of something? I mean, she's too young to be roaming on the street all by herself."

"Yes, she had an elder sister in college. Her name is Humaira. We called her today and said she'll be coming by weekend. I really want to protect that young girl as much as possible, wifey. The thing is, Zainab was raped. And I wonder how her life would be if she's not properly taken care of."

"Hmm... How can people be so wicked?! Maybe if her motger was alive, this wouldn't have happened."

"Yes, maybe."

"Only God know what's happening in Nigeria these days? How can one be so heartless to rape a ten year old."

"She's actually going to clock nine next month. Zainab is just eight?"

"Subhanallah! And she's having a matured body already?"

"Yes. She's just like that. I really need to get going, okay? We'll discuss better when I come back."

"Okay, don't worry. I'll take care of her, Go for Asr. I don't want to delay you any further."

"Alright Amy, I'll be back soon." He said and left for the mosque. Ibrahim and his younger ones too followed their dad.

Although, the three boys stared at her with an awkward look, she paid no attention to any of them because of the state she was in, just that moment. She didn't even notice their presence till they left for masjid with their dad.

Zainab wax lost in thought. She was grateful to find help again but, she couldn't help her heart from hurting.

'Dr. Azeezah died protecting me, now I've joined another family. I don't to cause anyone any more pain. Only if Humaira was here, maybe all of these wouldnt have happened. I only want to stay with my sister and no one else. I'm scared of causing more troubles or anyone again. If I hurt this family, I would never be able to forgive myself.' She cried in her mind as her eyes were blinded with tears.

Amina walked to the dinning and met  Zainab crying silently, deep in thought. Her beautiful oblong face was dripping in tears and her hands were shivering. She was just staring at the food in front of her, Zainab barely touched it, she couldn't even eat.

Amina sat in front of Zainab, without Zainab even knowing. She gently placed her hand on the poor girls shoulder, as if she was trying to sympathize with her.

"Forget about the past now and try to eat something." Amina said in a low, calm voice as it woke Zainab from her hurtful imaginations. She shook a bit and quietly wiped away her tears.

***

Minutes Later.

Zainab was only able to eat a very small portion of the food in front of her. Amina took the rest to the kitchen and took Zainab to her new room.

Even though it wasn't as wide as the one she stayed in last two days, she loved how adorable and portable her new room looked. The floor was tiles beautifully and the wall was painted in plain white.

In it laid a mid-sized bed that was played on the bare floor but it was still manageable. Beside it stood a long, wooden cupboard. Its doors were wide open so, it was clear that the cupboard was empty.

At the left corner of the room were a large plastic table and chairs and a prayer mat beside it.

"You can arrange your clothes in this cupboard Father main time. I mean, you'll need a wardrobe soon enough."

"I didn't bring any lugage ma." Zainab reported.

A flash of what Zaytoon sending her out of the house played through her mind once more.

"I'll try and get you some clothes from the market, okay?"

"Okay ma. Thank you." Zainab said while sitting on the bed.

"You should perhaps, take shower, pray and sleep. You should rest for the rest of today."

"Okay ma." Zainab replied again, looking at her headmaster's wife with a small smile and a 'can-i-be-left-alone-now?' look. Okay, ill be in my room then. Bye." She said and leftovers room.

***

Words & Translations

- Masjid: mosque

- Subhanallah: Glory be to God

***

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.