Chapter 1

It's another beautiful morning or maybe not

Kalthum turned and stretched in her bed as she welcomed the shining sun into her room with her eyes tightly close. She heaved in a long breath and a smile graced herlips when she felt the nice heat of the sun on her face.

" Finally, it's another monday " she yawned hungrily followed by the growling sound of her stomach. Yesterday she had to go to bed with an empty stomach since there wasn't food at home. She never allows their lack of money to affect her even a bit. Kalthum would always stand strong and smile it off.

She got out of her cracking sound bed. The bed ought to have been changed years ago but what option does she have when they don't even have moneyto complete their 3 daily meals the way they like. It has always been hard for their mother ever since their dad died with no family support .   

Kalthum isn't classify as a rich girl even when their father was alive but atleast they never missed any meal of the day and things were kind of normal back then without complaints or everyday nagging.

She went out of her room to greet her mother who was already prepared for work. She teach in a government school down their area. The pay isn't good enough but they are surviving. Especially now that it's hard to get a job.

" Good morning mom"

Her mother Suwayba forced a smile" morning dear" she zipped up her hand bag." how was your night? "

" it was ok" kalthum replied curtly. She couldn't help the Hunger so she asked " uhm mom what do we have in the kitchen?I swear my stomach has been growling for food since I woke up " she expected to be nagged at but was surprised at her mother's response.

Suwayba heaved a sigh " My dear, I cooked some rice when I woke up. It's there in the kitchen. Make sure you leave some for your sister " her mother apprehended

" I'll mom. " she was over the moon. Aleast she will have something to put in her stomach before going to school

" anyways, when your sister wakes up tell her not to forget the message I left for her "

"OK mom" she nodded " I'll tell her "

" Good. I'll be on my way "

" I can help you with your bag" kalthum offered

" No, I can do it myself. " Suwayba declined and left the house.

j

There wasn't any close relationship between Suwayba and kalthum. Kalthum had always been a daddy's girl. His demise was so hard on her.

She never expected him to leave so soon. She always remember his last words" Take care of the family when I'm gone " he had whispered.

She doesn't understand why her dad would say that to her. She is the youngest. Why didn't he say that to her senior sister, Basma?

She remembered shrugging what her father told her, she believes that he only said so because he just felt like saying it. It was the heat of the moment, she always classify it as that .

She decided to end all thoughts and tend to her growling stomach. The rice wasn't that much but atleast enough to stop the growling. She drank some water after she was done and went straight to wake her sister.

On her way she heard her sister shouting at someone on the phone

" you can't do this to me "

Who could she be talking to? Kalthum wondered

" How can you dump me like that as if I didn't mean anything to you. Remember how I always do everything to satisfy you"

Everywhere was quiet again. It seems the other person was saying something

" just get off my phone! " kalthum heard her sister yelled

" ahhhhhhhjhnjhhh! I hate him !I hate him" her sister kept yelling in her room.

Kalthum decided to just barge in, she was worried for her .

" Basma? Is everything alright? " she asked with eyes wide upon seeing the stateher sister was in.

Basma stared a her with puffy eyes " he dumped me" she sobbed.

Kalthum ran to hug her tight " who is he? Who are you talking about? " she was confused.

" The man I was going out with " she said and wiped her tears.

Kalthum furrowed her brows, she never knew her sister was going out with someone. They always told each other things, then why didn't she tell her?

" Did he tell you his reason for dumping you on the phone? "

" No" Basma wiped her tears " I don't even know why I'm crying over him. Don't mind me "

" are you sure? "

" yes" she flashed her thirty two " believe me "

Kalthum heaved a sigh and shrugged " OK then since you say so"

" so.... What brought you here anyways? " Basma asked as she took a towel from her hanger. It was as if she isn't the one crying just now.

Kalthum realised that she had something to tell her sister

" I almost forgot. Mom said I should remind you about the message she left for you"

With furrowed brows " and what is the message?"

" how would I know " she shrugged " she didn't tell me"

" message? What message? I really don't remem...... Oh! I've totally forgotten "

" I can see now you remember "

" wallahi . I don't know how I almost forgot " she said with a slight hit of her head

" if I may ask what could this message be? " Kalthum asked skeptically. She wonders why her sister has that happy smile on her face. The smile has so much meaning to it.

Basma who was trying to pull off her clothes paused to answer her little sister   

"of course I'll tell you"

" yay! " she squealed happily. She didn't expect this "I'm all ears" she sat on the bed.

" Do you remember the popular Aminu Dantata family that you know? The same one living in that GRA close to your friend's house"

" yes " kalthum nodded. Her sister have always been a fan of that family. She have always wishedto be a friend to one of the Dantata's daughters. That will never be possible because rumours has it that they are snobbish.

" That is where mom sent me to, can you imagine! " she said like it was the most important place in the whole wide world.

" so? Is that why you're this hyper?" Kalthum couldn't help but say

Basma scoffed " why do you say it like that? Like it doesn't worth my happiness "

" of course I know you've always wanted to go into that mansion. It's not as if they are some God or something. You always put them on high pedestal after all you've learnt about them being snobbish"

" excuse you young lady! Are you jealous because mom sent me there not you? "

Kalthum knew it would lead to an argument or whatsoever. Its not as if she was jealous, what she is annoyedwith is how high her sister talks about that family upon all the rumours.

Quite alright it's not as ifKalthum is a fan ofrumors , she herself had witness this snobbish act from one of the children. It happens to her friend who lives close to the Dantata's house.

" I'm sorry if you felt that I was jealouls. Wallahi I'm not,I'm only trying to prevent you from their rude ways. I don't like it when any of my family are being downgraded " she explained herself.

Basma smile at her sister "you shouldn't worry about that sis. I know how to handle myself "

she went forward to pull her cheeks

" hey stop it. It's painful " Kalthum swats her hand and rub the area her sister pulled.

" sorry"

Kalthum only glares at her playfully " you haven't told me what the message is all about? "

" You remember mom's friend, Umm kamal? "

"yes" she nodded " what's up with her? "

" She works for the Dantata family. She works there from Monday to Wednesday but will soon retire. "

" what does she do for them? "

" she does the dishes. Anyways as I was saying, mom asked me to take that clothes over there to her since she wouldn't be at her own house till on Thursday."

" oh"

" yes oh. Now You can See that I have a tangible reason for going there and you have nothing to worry about. I can handle all snobbish act. Don't forget I'm your big sister " she added with a smile.

Kalthum playfully rolled her eyes " gerrout DanAllah"

" ke kika sani. Is there anything eatable in the kitchen ?" she asked as she wrapped the towel around her body.

" yeah. Their is rice in the kitchen "

" ok"

" I might be gone for school before you get out of the bathroom "

" OK no problem. Wish you all the best and also greet your boyfriends fo....... "

Kalthum didn't wait to hear more as she banged the door with a loud sound. That's her sister for you. She has always been the social one amongst them.

***

" Aunty Suwayba, the principal called for a meeting. Come let's go" another teacher from another class came to inform her .

" what is it about? "

" I don't know " the woman shrugged

Teachers are being called for meeting by their principal who claims that she has important news to share with them. This has put the teachers in the dark. They could not stop wondering what this important gathering was for.

Chattering amongst them never stops. They shared their own maybes on what this meeting is all about .

The moment the principal walked in, all chattering stops. They all greeted her.

" Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for this unannouncedmeeting"

" so.. I'm sure we all know about this delay of salary payment. It isn't my wish for it to be delayed. Some of you haven't even received your last month payment but I assure you that it will be paid by the end of this month "

The staff concerned thanked her

" but unfortunately, today as I entered into the office I got this message from the government. This message states that we the staff of this school and also all government school in this state will now be receiving half of the salary which we normally use to earn before. "

Alot of "ah" eh" innalillahi" " jesus" and so many other exclamation went round . They never expect it and here they have been complaining about the salary being too small!.

" but why ma? " a staff asked

" They didn't state their reasons but they assured us that it will only be for a short period of time. I'm so sorry that we have to bear with them. If any of you cannot cope with this changes, I'll understand if you decide to look for better jobs out there.Thanks for your time " She finished and left the room.

Suwayba couldn't believe her ears. How will she cope with her two daughter's school fees? not even only that, they also have bills to pay. This is becoming too much for her. Her mind was already made up. She now knows which step to take whether it hurts anyone or not she doesn't care.