C9 NINE

That night I made up mind to run away from this hell hole called house to save my dear life and my unborn child. I looked for a nylon bag to put atleast two cloths, hijab and slippers inside.

I kept contemplating whether I should run or stay.

I was done putting my clothes and was ready to run away when I checked the time and it was around 9:00pm so I decided to stay and leave around 11:00pm,I know my 11 he will be deep asleep

11:00PM

I peeped through the door to see if he was in his room or parlour,the living room was dark and empty. I tiptoed outside with my slippers in my armpit till I reach the gate.

I opened the gate gently and was about to start running when I heard Aliyu shouting from inside

"Who is that?"

I stood there thinking of where to hide, but there isn't any close place to hide, and if I should run he will definitely see me.

I just stood there not making any movement, I kept praying to my Lord not to let him see me, because if he should find me trying to escape, he will not only beat the hell out of me he will also skin me alive.

I saw him coming to the direction I was standing,luckily for me he walked pass me without noticing me because the place is dark, thanks to his car which was shielding me from his sight.

When he didn't see anyone he went back inside and locked the gate.I stayed there for some minutes till I made sure he was gone

I was about to run when I felt someone a grip my hands from the back.

I turned slowly hoping it wasn't what I was sure it was.

It was aliyu,he gave me a dangerous look which meant you are in trouble today.

"Were you trying to escape?, so you think you can run away?"

I couldn't even open my mouth talkmore of answering him,he started dragging me inside the house and I kept dragging myself from him trying to free myself from his grip.

I knew I was no way stronger than him but I still didn't give up.

We were about to enter the gate when my legs hits a stone and I fell on the ground at the same time aliyu's phone rang.

He checked the caller ID then picked the call,he was lost in the phone call forgetting I was there

I kept thinking of what next to do in order to escape and the only thing I thought of is to hit him

Yeah I'm not that heartless but that's the only way out for me,I just saw myself picking a stone and hit him on the head,I started running as fast as I could till my legs couldn't carry me anymore thank God I was already far away from the house.

I sat down to have some rest before I continued my journey.

I didn't know where to go neither do I know anybody in Bauchi and who was I to go back to my father's house, so I decided to sleep on the street maybe in the morning I will find someone to help me, alas I should call my uncle, but then he has been through a lot for me, I didn't want to add to his trouble.

I spread one of my wrapper and used my nylon bag as a pillow.

I was about to sleep when I heard someone saying

"let's take her inside that bush first"

I stood up immediately only to see two hefty men standing on my head, I started running very fast and the two men kept following me, it was dark but I kept running for my life.

I saw an uncompleted building and entered panting heavily, the men came inside looking for me and they almost found me, it was only God that saved me.

When they didn't see me they left the building, I stayed there for some minutes and when I was sure they were gone, I also left the building.

I found a safer place to sleep before the sun rise, I couldn't sleep through out the night.

Morning

Around 7:30am I saw several cars passing by the road and nonof them was willing to help me,I was at the point of giving up when a car stopped and i told the person inside the car I need her help,which she agreed to help me willingly.

We went to her house, she showed me a room, to bath before I ate my breakfast.

When I was done, she called me to the dinning room.

She asked of my name, where I hailed from, why I ranaway from home

I told her every single thing that happened right from the day my parents told me about the marriage to the day Alee said I'm going to abort my baby.

She couldn't believe people like Aliyu really exists, she said I could stay in her house.

"I'm fa'iza and I live here with my husband, children and my husband's brother"

"You can stay here for the mean time before we think of what to do next, because your case isn't something to let go"

"Do you still love your husband and want to live with him?"she asked me.

"How will I want to continue living with that demon?I want my divorce paper but I know my parents won't accept me into their house"I said crying.

"We need to file for divorce in the court because I know he won't divorce you willingly, and don't worry you can keep staying here before you reconcile with your parent"

I was very happy I have found a home and a place I could live peacefully without anyone showing me hatred.

Around 4 pm her husband came back from work, at that time I was in the room. She called my name I picked up my hijab and went to the living room to meet her

I greeted her husband which he answered as if he was forced to answer.

"Is she the girl you are taking about?"

"Yes"

"She's not living in this house"

"At least you should pity the poor girl" Fa'iza contested.

"My problem with you is you trust people easily, how sure are you she isn't lying?

How sure are you she isn't here to harm us?

You don't know this type of people, they are not people you should trust.

She might be here to steal or cause commotion between us, honestly I don't even trust her" It was obvious he didn't like me. I was already in tears.

He's is right!they shouldn't trust me, I might me here to harm them,the way this life have turned I wonder how she managed to trust me and is willing to let me stay in her house without even knowing my background

"I just finished telling you her story and she have no where to go, she seriously need our help"

"I said she's not staying here, Period!but if you feel or think you're the husband or you're the head of the house then do what ever you want"With that he left the parlour.

Aunty faixa stood there like a statue shocked by her husband's reaction towards me.

I walked to her

"Aunty faixa don't worry,I will leave and look for another place to live.

You really helped me and may Allah reward you abundantly,

I pray we will meet again" I said tears threatening to fall from my eyes like always.

"Noo Indo, you aren't going anywhere, I will talk to him again"

"No aunty, don't worry about me,I don't want to cause any problem between you and your husband, if I do I will keep living with the guilt through out my life.

Beside I have some relatives outside bauchi,so I will just go there" I said that just to make her let me leave.

I walked to the room I was living in and packed my belongings and then came downstairs to the living room to tell her goodbye, she gave me five thousand naira to take care of myself and also told me to take care of my unborn baby.

After I left the house I didn't know any place to go..I just kept walking on the road, lost in my thoughts not knowing I was in the middle of the road when I heard a car honking very loud,I was very terrified which made me passed out.

I woke Up the next morning only to find myself on the hospital bed with a lady and a man which I guess was her husband.

"Alhamdulillah she's awake" said the woman

"How are you feeling"

"Much better, Alhamdulillah. What happened..why am I in the hospital?" I quizzed.

"You fainted yesterday, we really wanted to call your family but we couldn't find your phone. Thank God you are awake now,

so do you have any of your relatives number" Came the man's voice

"No" I said and I felt I could trust them and I really needed help so I decided to tell them my story,After I was done narrating my story the man looked at his wife.

"I think we should help her"

She didn't agree at first but after much persuasion from her husband she finally agreed.

I was discharged after some hours and we went to their house where I hope to start a new life.