Humaira's Pov
She stormed in, her face twisted with rage, the force of her presence sucking the air out of the room. The sharp clack of her heels against the tiled floor sent a jolt through me, but I didn't move.
"How dare you make another meal for yourself?" she spat, her voice laced with venom. Her eyes burned with disdain, flicking between me and the plate in front of me as if I had committed an unspeakable crime.
My fingers tightened around the spoon, my appetite vanishing under the weight of her fury.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" she demanded, stepping closer, her words slicing through the air like a blade.
My heart pounded as she stepped closer, her anger suffocating the air between us. I wanted to speak, to defend myself, but my voice was trapped in my throat.
"It seems you're forgetting your place in this house," she continued, stepping closer. Her presence felt suffocating, like all the air had been sucked out of the room. She hurled insult after insult, her words sharp and cruel, but my mind blurred them together. I could barely process them.
Hot tears welled in my eyes before I even realized I was crying. I looked down, willing them not to fall, but it was useless. My vision blurred, and my hands trembled in my lap. I couldn't even muster the courage to defend myself.
Ya Hanifa let out a scoff, shaking her head in disgust. Then, just as suddenly as she had barged in, she stormed out, leaving the door wide open.
I sat there in silence, my appetite completely gone. The food that had tasted so good just moments ago now felt like a heavy weight in my stomach. I swallowed hard, pushing the plate aside.
Fear still lingered in my chest, my mind racing with unspoken questions. Why did she hate me so much? What had I done to deserve this?
For the first time since I arrived, I felt truly alone.
---
Moments later, still in shock, I remained frozen on my bed, my mind replaying the scene over and over. Hanifa's harsh words echoed in my ears, her glare still vivid in my memory. My fingers gripped the edge of the mattress as I struggled to push back the lump forming in my throat. No matter how much I told myself that I shouldn't care, that she was just being cruel for the sake of it, the sting of humiliation refused to fade.
The door creaked open gently, and I turned my head just enough to see Teni step inside. Her eyes were filled with sympathy, her expression soft with concern. She hesitated for a moment, as if gauging whether I wanted company, then stepped closer and lowered herself onto the edge of the bed.
"I'm so sorry about that, Humaira," she said gently, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please don't take it to heart. That's just how she is—harsh and quick to anger. She's not like her elder sister at all."
I let out a shaky breath, my hands still clenched in my lap. "I wasn't expecting that," I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended.
I wiped my damp cheeks but said nothing. My food sat untouched beside me. The hunger I had felt earlier was completely gone.
Teni sighed. "Honestly, since she came back, the whole house has been on edge. She's having marital issues, that's why she's here with us. But instead of finding peace, she takes out her frustration on everyone over the smallest things." She shook her head. "It's been difficult for all of us."
She patted my back lightly. "Don't let it get to you, okay? Just stay out of her way as much as you can. Now, come on—Hajiya is calling you."
I took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay."
Teni gave me an encouraging smile before standing up and heading for the door. As she left, I sat there for a moment longer, trying to gather myself before facing the rest of the day.
As I stood up, I knew one thing—this house was not going to be easy. Then I headed out of the room.
Aunty Fatima and Professor Bello were seated at the dining table, eating breakfast. I greeted them, unsure of their reaction, especially after Ya Hanifa had already shown hers. They both replied without any expression.
"Teni told me you helped in making breakfast," Aunty Fatima said.
"Yes, Aunty," I replied nervously.
She then asked "Why didn't you join us in eating the masa you helped prepare?" I stammered out of nervousness before managing to explain myself. Afterward, I went ahead and apologized to them and Ya Hanifa, but she didn't even acknowledge me.
Professor Bello spoke up, his voice calm. "Don't worry, it's not a problem."
Aunty Fatima gave me a reassuring look. "Remember what I told you, see this place as your home. Don't let small quarrels bother you."
Relieved, I murmured, "Thank you."
As I made my way back to my room, Professor Bello called me. "Humaira, check the center table in the living room," he said.
Curious, I hurried over—and my breath caught when I saw it. An iPhone.
For a moment, I just stared. Then, realization hit, and my fear melted into excitement. I didn't even know when I jumped up, shouting in disbelief.
"Thank you so much, sir! Thank you, Aunty!" My voice was filled with joy. It had been so long since I held a phone like this.
Professor Bello smiled. "You're welcome. Also, make sure to prepare you will be going out to register for JAMB exam.
A fresh wave of happiness washed over me. Everything was slowly falling into place.
This was more than I had ever expected
Hurriedly, I headed to my room, eager to use my new iPhone. It was an iPhone 15, and I wondered how much it must have cost.
I connected it to charge, feeling a thrill of excitement as the screen flickered to life.
As I waited for it to charge, I started searching for my SIM card. I had totally forgotten where I had kept it, as it had been a long time since I last used it. After some searching, I found it in a tiny zippered pocket at the back of my bag and gently inserted it into my phone.
Excitement filled me, making me momentarily forget my earlier issue with Ya Hanifa. I felt like I was reconnecting with the world, and the thought sent a shiver down my spine.
Later on, I called Ummah; she was really happy for me. We chatted for a bit, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
Next, I reached out to my childhood friend, Aisha. We hadn't been in contact for a while, only communicating through Ummah's phone once in a while. I had missed her laughter, her stories, and her infectious enthusiasm.
"Hello," I said, trying to sound casual despite my excitement.
"Humaira, is this you?" she asked, her voice eager.
I chuckled and replied, "Yes."
Aisha squealed, and I couldn't help but laugh. We chatted for a while, reminiscing about old times and sharing stories about our lives. I told her I was back in Abuja and that I would be living and schooling here too.
"I'm beyond thrilled!" Aisha exclaimed. "You're going to university here? That means we'll get to hang out like old times!"
I grinned, feeling happy. "Exactly! I'm really excited. It's a new chapter for me."
Her voice was filled with warmth. "I've missed you so much, Humaira. I'm glad we'll get to spend more time together now." She couldn't contain her excitement either.
We chatted for a while and promised to see each other soon and I hung up, feeling more connected to my life here.
As I looked around my room, I felt a sense of belonging. This was my new home, and I was ready to make the most of it.
---
A few weeks later, Professor Bello and his family traveled to Zaria for a wedding, leaving me alone in the house with the maids. With my upcoming JAMB exam, I had all the time I needed to focus on studying. The house felt like a sanctuary, free from Ya Hanifa's constant hostility. For the first time since arriving, I could move around without the weight of her disapproving glances. It felt like heaven.
I embraced the newfound freedom, doing as I pleased without hesitation. Even the maids noticed the change. During one of my chats with Nana, she teasingly pointed out my fear of Ya Hanifa.
"You should see how relaxed you are now," she laughed. "Before, you walked around like you were stepping on eggshells."
I chuckled, then, feeling comfortable, I shared bits of my life story—how I ended up in this house, how different my life used to be. Nana listened intently, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Wow," she said, shaking her head. "Life is so unpredictable. Who would believe you once came from a wealthy home?"
Before I could respond, the sound of the gate opening interrupted our conversation. I frowned, glancing at Nana.
"Are they back already?" I asked, surprised.
Nana shook her head. "I don't think so."
Curious, we stepped outside. Standing by the gate was a young man—tall, confident, and strikingly handsome. There was an effortless charm about him, something magnetic.
"It's Nuhu, Alhaji's son," Nana whispered.
I blinked. "I thought he was supposed to come back on Wednesday?"
"Maybe there was a change of plans," she murmured.
I swallowed, suddenly aware of how unprepared I was to meet him.