After Subhi prayer, Humaira stepped out of one of my Bala's house, ready to go back to Zaria.

"Why don't you stay a little longer?"

"I'll need to study for my upcoming tests, dearie. Just be a good girl, you'll be fine. I just missed Abuja anyways. I'm studying the environmental." Humaira smiled as she walked outside the compound.

"Isn't it a bit cold outside? You should rest a inside a little before going." Zainab advised.

"Okay, fine then. I'll join you in a bit."

Humaira smiled as she sensed a change in the sky in the east due to the snow covered roads becoming brighter. As I walked south along the road, I turned my head east and saw that dawn had broke. The sky in the opposite direction was still dark, but in the east, a mixture of yellow and orange on the horizon beneath a dark neon blue ocean of night that had begun to evaporate. Against the tri-colored rainbow sky, trees, powerlines, and the roofs of houses were like shadows.

About twenty minutes later, Humaira went back inside to prepare. She took her bath and swept the room.

Ibrahim and Isah served sliced bread, hot tea and fried egg to the sister in their room. They made short, awkward laughs as they entered.

"How's your stay with us, Sister Humaira?"

"Fine, Alhamdulillah."

"Alhamdulillah..." They snickered as they walked out.

"And what's that all about?" Humaira asked Zainab.

"Whatever... Don't mind them." Zainab rolled her eyes and took a slice of bread. Butter was spread on the bread... 'What a treatment?' Humaira took a bite. Wow! Delicious.

Zainab smirked at her sister's awkward remarks.

After breakfast, she accompanied her to the garage again before leaving.

"Listen here Zainab." Humaira called.

"Don't think for once that I don't love you or I've stopped caring about you. I'm not sure about when next I'll come back here but I want to promise you something. I'll get a job and I'll probably take you away from the Bala's when next I come. And... Whether they treat you well or not, you have to be patient and endure it all. You're no longer a baby you know that right?"

"Yes, I know."

"Good. I'm proud of you."

"It's alright Humaira. Don't worry about me. I'll do well. Make sure you study hard and become a barrister soon. I can't wait!"

"Me too." Humaira smiled and gave Zainab a tight hug. The bus was about to leave. Zainab waved her sister good bye before leaving.

***

Hours Later...

The sunrise had become even more beautiful as the sun peeked over the horizon. The sky had now become pink like a sea of cotton candy, with the light of the sun coloring the clouds above with a pinkish hue. As the sun slowly ascended, the sky in the west became a deep neon blue as the light reached further out. By the time she reached school, pink had become a pale yellow mixed with blue.

Overall, this was one of the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen.

It was almost evening when Humaira got back to Zaria. She decided to stay with Cherish again but she met her door closed.

Knock! knock!! knock!!!

Humaira bang the door over and over again before she finally came out.

"Cherish! So you've been inside all these while?"

Yes, sorry I was busy with something she yarned and stretched like a lazy cat.

"So you're back welcome. She smiled but... Melvin didn't tell me you'll be coming today now. I mean...." She moved closer and whispered. "I'm having a guest."

"Don't worry cherish. It's only for tonight, I won't disturb you at all."

"It's as if you don't get... My boyfriend is around."she smiled and noticed the sudden disappointment on Humaira's face.

"It's not as if I'm chasing you o. You can come over to sleep here anytime, any day, but you'll have to call me first. Ehn?"

"Okay, I understand." She mumbled. "What about my bags?"

"Okay, just a minute please." Humaira waited outside as Cherish went in to carry out three big bags.

"He just came, I can't tell him to go away because I'm sure he'll want to spend the night here."So where would you go?"

"Yes. I'll go and stay with a friend. She stays in the other street, I'm sure she'll be at home."

"Okay then," Cherished smiled and waved her good-bye. Humaira carried her bag, nothing was left in her purse, she would have taking Keke(tricycle) but she trecked it instead. It wasn't far. It was just a 15 minutes walk.

Finally, she got to Firdausi's house. She pushed her gate that's usually open but it was locked.

Knock! knock!! knock!!!

She knocked on the gate but the whole place was silent.

"Assalam 'Alaikum! Anyone home?!"

"Wa'alaikun Sallam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!" Firdausi answered from inside and rushed out to see who it is.

"Just a minute please!" She answered as she unlocked the gate.

"Humaira! Subhanallah! So it you." She helped Humaira drop her baggage and gave her a tight hug. Humaira felt surprised.

'What? She welcomed me? It's been a while...'

"How are you? How was the journey?" She asked but Humaira was confused on what to say.

"Come inside please, you must me very tired."Firdausi dragged to of her bags inside while Humaira followed her with the other smaller one.

"Sit down please and let me get something for you to eat."

"No, Firdausi. I'm not hungry." Humaira muttered.

What? You're not hungry? Don't tell me that now, or is it because of the way I treated you the last time? She held Humaira's hands in a sad pitable manner.

"I'm sorry sorry now, please forgive me. Everything I did was out of selfishness and jealousy. You should know me by now... I mean, I wasn't happy staying with Mubashir and I thought. How would I lose a true friend like you, Humaira over a relationship that isn't even working."

"So where's Mubashir now?"

"We broke up."

"You guys broke up? When, How, I mean... Why?"

Firdausi knelt before Humaira in a remorseful way. Tears gathered in her eyes as she looked down. It was as if she couldn't face Humaira for all the wrong she's done and the pains she's caused.

"It's a long story dearie, but we broke up about a month ago. I tried to look for you to apologize. I went to the hostel and everywhere before I finally got to meet Melvin and discuss issues with him."

Tears if regret streamed down her pretty face.

"I'm so sorry for all the hurtful words I've said to you Humaira.  I was so stupid then... I envied you so much that I took him away from you. I can't live with this guilt inside of me. Can we let the last be in the past and continue our friendship?" She placed her hands on Humaira's.

"I'm sorry Humaira. I don't know if it's even possible but please forgive me. Let's be sisters again. Only God knows I've been so lonely without you. Just forgive me." She cried.

Humaira held her up and gave her a soft hug. She started crying with her too.

"I wasn't angry with you for anything Firdausi. I hold no grudges against you whatsoever. Let's be friends again..." She smiled in the tears as Firdausi wiped away her face too.

"Okay, lemme get the food ready for you. Just a minute, please."

Then she went to the kitchen and took a clean, flat ceramic plate.

She placed it somewhere close to the pot and put the white rice she cooked for her.

Immediately, there was a mean, evil look on her face.

Firdausi's thoughts...

'Good thing the idiot believed me. I'll have to complete my task with Alhaji Musa and poison her right away. She'll die with the baby inside if her and I'll get my full payment. How can one be so foolish to forgive an enermy in an instant! Mteeeew!!' She hissed and brought out a tiny bottle.

In it was a poisonous powder, only God knows where she got it from.

***

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 leave your comments.