The sisters had fun the entire day. They discussed a lot of things and joked together. There's nothing as unique as this bond; Star, Theodora, and Gift couldn't chat with Humaira so much but they loved how cute they were together. Although they weren't happy that Humaira would be leaving soon, Star felt sad about the whole thing but she didn't bother opening up to Humaira.

'She would leave anyways so why would I stop her?' A voice in Star's mind cried.

Meanwhile, Humaira has been building up a duplex on her mother's land. She'd demolished that other old cracky house and made a three-bedroom duplex just for Hadee, Zainab, and herself. Her plan is that; They would live there together as one big family. Until maybe, she finally gets married or so.

So far, the duplex has already been completed but it hasn't been finished yet. It would take at least, another extra two weeks to complete the furnishing, settings, and all the arrangements.

Humaira, somehow noticed that Star was avoiding her. She didn't eat well, she just lied that she wasn't feeling well but Humaira knew why. Star went to bed early that day... She wasn't happy, so she locked herself in the room and cried to sleep. Although she had Gift and Theodora with her, They weren't as cheerful and good as Humaira. She would miss everything about her, even Hadee.
She wanted to ask her to stay but she didn't know how to.

After gisting, Zainab and Humaira went to bed. Then Humaira decided to bring up a topic. Something that had been bothering her early that day- since Star's wried act.

Star that used to be a very joyful and hearty person didn't even smile. So... She needed to do something about it somehow.

"Zainab, I won't be following you to Abuja tomorrow."

"What?!" Zainab turned to her in confusion. "But why? We've planned to finally go to Abuja together and leave happily there. Why the sudden change of plans?"

I'm sorry sis. I still have a lot of unfinished tasks I need to take care if before going. Perhaps, those engineers are not through with the furnishing. I don't know if you may go back to the Bala's. At least, to pack all your luggage.

"But I don't want to go there. I only want to stay with you, here..." Zainab murmured.

"Don't worry Zee, just give me a couple of days. I'll come and pick you up immediately after I get to Abuja, okay? Just manage with them a little bit."

"Okay... If you say so. It's not like I have any choice though. I'll do whatever you want." Zainab smiled and hugged her loving elder sister before going to bed.

Humaira switched off the table lamp and thought about how tomorrow would be.

The next morning, Star didn't leave her room. She just started indoors with her eyes looking all red and swollen as if she'd cried throughout the night.

Humaira took Zainab to the motor park and gave her some cash to use for the main time. After baring Zainab goodbye, Humaira came back home; to Stars house.

Star was surprised that Humaira didn't follow her sister back to Abuja.

"What's wrong, Hummy? I thought you guys were going together." Star retorted.

"No, not yet. I stayed because of you." Humaira answered with a big bright smile as Star replied to her in the same manner. At least, for the main time, she had Humaira all to herself.

Days Later

In The Bala's House.

Zainab was preparing breakfast when Ibrahim called her, handing her a pile of clothes to press.

"Okay." She replied in a flat tone, collected it, and took it to the press table, just somewhere at the corner of the house.

After spreading the piece of cloth, she plugged the electric iron into the socket and started pressing his clothes one after the other; as carefully as possible.

Ibrahim and Isah had already graduated from high school. Ibrahim was in his final year studying Computer engineering while Isha was a 200-level student studying Civil Engineering. Idris wrote the same exams with Zainab; meaning, they've all graduated from high school. However, Idris is hoping to study medicine and surgery to become a medical doctor, just like Zainab.

Lost in thoughts, pressing the clothes smoothly and gently, Amina shouted from the room.

"Zainab!"

"Na'am!" She answered.

"What's burning?"

"Subhanallah!" She held her chest and ran to the kitchen. Zainab couldn't help but wonder why she didn't even notice. She turned off the gas immediately and checked the coconut, fried rice that she was cooking.

"Zainab! What is burning again?!!" Amina stormed out of her room.
"Lala taciyar yarinya!" She hissed as Zainab rushed to the place looking so confused.

"I'm so sorry..." She muttered, bowing her head to the ground.

"You've burnt someone's clothes again? What's wrong with you Zainab? You can't do anything without making mistakes.

"Rashin Sanni shiyaba na kunna kayan..." Zainab tried to explain as she unplugged the iron and immediately took it off Ibrahim's clothes.

The iron had burnt the breast pocket of the shirt and a side of its sleeve.

"I'm so sorry ma. I must have forgotten. It was a mistake."

"That's what you're used to so I'm not surprised as you, yourself must be a mistake." Amina rolled her eyes at her as she held Ibrahim's shirt, almost welling up in tears already.

"Who's shirt is it?"

"It's for Ibrahim." She answered her, swallowing tears-mixed saliva over and over again.

Just then, Ibrahim came out of the bathroom. He heard their discussions so he came out to check for himself.

"What happened here and why aren't you in--" his eyes caught the gray-looking packing shirt he just bought about a month ago.

"Waiyo Allah Na!" He clamored. "How dare you burn my shirt? It's the shirt I was planning to wear and you stupidly burnt it. You burnt my shirt?!" He stormed at her as she shivered.

Amina just left both of them, she was arranging some office documents in her room.

"You're simply useless! Just give me my clothes!" He grabbed his shirt from her in anger and pushed her away.

Out of balance, Zainab staggered and hit her head to the wall. Everything in the Bala's house was tiring. She couldn't wait to leave already...

As she started crying her head a he'd already, as if she hadn't gone through enough already.

"Serve breakfast madam, I'm already late for school." Isah jerked at her as he passed.

Idris that was studying a microbiology textbook in his room overheard everything. He was already tired of their attitude towards her but he can't change them no matter what. In life, Some people would love you no matter what, and some would hate you no matter what. It's clear that they don't love her and they can't show any compassion or affection toward her.

Idris who is now a grown, handsome-looking teenager closed the book and went to the kitchen. He met Zainab standing by the worktop, using a big stainless spoon to put the half-burnt, coconut-fried rice into the plates. Her hands were shaky like that of a convulsing child. Idris stood a while at the door of the kitchen. He arched his, perfect, thick eyebrows and watched her.

To him, it was annoying and frustrating. Why would she keep on dancing to the tune of people who care less about her? Instead of telling her sister and voicing out. She'd rather keep quiet and suffer silently in pain.

Immediately she noticed that he was there, she wiped away her tears and stopped weeping. Trying to act as if it was nothing...

For no reason, he rolled his eyes at her but she concentrated on the food, her hand shivering as she took one more spoon.

He walked towards her and gently placed his hand on hers. Her hand jerked to his touch. It's evident that despite all the years of staying together. Zainab doesn't feel free with Idris. She just couldn't understand why. Maybe it's because they weren't blood-related.

"Just leave the spoon." He muttered.

She moved a step away as Idris shared the food accordingly, leaving only the burnt part in the pot. He poured a cup of water into the pot and covered it, placing it in the sink for washing - later.

He was about to walk out but he couldn't just hold all of it to himself. With a burning heart, he went close to her. She stared at her, close enough but Zainab looked away, feeling her heart racing as well.

"What happened this morning?"

"Nothing." She stuttered, wiping a strand of tear that was lingering down her face.

"Really?" He walked to her.
"Is it nothing?" An amount of air whoshed out of his breath.

***

Words and Translations

-Lala taciyar yarinya!: Stupid girl!

-Rashin Sanni shiyaba na kunna kayan...: I don't know, it was a mistake.

-Waiyooo Allah Na: Oh My God!