ƁATACCEN YANAYI
CHAPTER 15
Immediately yana sauke Laylah be tsaya koh ina ba sai gidan newspaper inda suka publishing the story about Laylah. Da saurin sa ya shiga rai a bace ya dinga tambayar a nuna masa who the journalist that published the article was.
“Labaran Mustapha?”. Ya kira sunan.
“Yes” wani mutum dan dogo, da ka gansa ka ga bafulatani ya ansa “How may I he…..”. Be qarasa maganar ba khalifa ya kai masa nushi a hanci.
“Waye kai?” Ya tambaya tare da kai masa wanin nushin “Who do you think you are to publish such article about my wife?”. Ya kuma kai masa wani punch “Tell me who are you?”. Khalifa pounced on the poor man like an injured lion. Haka yayi ta kai masa nushi har sai da hancin sa ya fara fidda jini, ya kai qasa amma still khalifa be rabu dashi ba ya bisa ya cigaba da kai masa duka. Da kyar security din publishing house din suka zo suka janye khalifa daga kan mutumin suka yi waje dashi. Manager din publishing house din har mota ya bi khalifa yana ba da haquri amma koh sauraron sa khalifan be yi ba ya ja mota ya wuce after threatening to close down the publishing house.
Straight be tsaya koh ina ba sai gida, ya wuce side dinsa ya fada bathroom. Shower ya shiga ya kunna ruwa ya tsaya motionless under the cold water. Zuciyar sa har zuwa lokacin be bar tafarfasa ba. Ya dan jima a bandaki kan ya fito ya sa kaya. Ya gama shiri kenan ya sauko qasa da niyyar shan iska a garden to help relive him of the stress he was going through sai ga Nawfal ya shigo gidan da wani uban speed. Koh tsayawa rufe qofar motar be yi ba ya shiga cikin gidan da hanzari yana kwalawa khalifa kira.
“Can you explain what this was?”. Ya fadi rai a bace yana shoving wayar sa to Khalifa’s face.
“It’s a video of me punching that stupid journalist”. Ya bashi ansa kamar it wasn’t a big deal.
“God! Khalifa ka fara hauka ne? Ever since Laylah got back into your life you’ve been acting so irrational. So hauka ne?”. Ya tambaya “You’re on the edge of losing your sanity over a lady”.
“You’ll talk about my wife with respect”. Khalifa yayi masa warning.
“What respect has a whore?”. Nawfal ya fadi cikin bacin rai sai dai gama furucin sa ke da wuya khalifa ya kai masa wani mugun punch a face.
“You’ll learn to talk about her with respect saboda wallahi dan ita ba abunda bazan yi ba, koh da kuwa dukan ka ne or throwing you to bars”. Ya fadi kan ya juya ya wuce dakinsa ya dau key din motar sa ya fita not minding at all to pick his phones. Yana fita shima Nawfal cikin bacin rai ya juya ya fita zuwa inda ya bar motar sa ya shiga and drove straight to the hospital. Shikam khalifa tuqi yike ba dun ya san Inda yike son zuwa ba. Ya dade yana tuqi kan yayi parking da ya kai wajen gari. Ya dade zaune kan motar sa ba irin tunanin baya yi kan daga baya ya koma cikin mota ya fara tuqi.The next morning Kiran Begum ne cewar tana son ganinsa ya tashe sa daga barci. Wanka kawai yayi ya shirya ba tare da yaci abinci ba ya wuce hospital din. Koh da ya isa a lokacin Al-Mubaraq yazo duba jikinta dan haka a corridor din ward din ya zauna shuru yana jiran fitowan Al-Mubaraq din kan ya shiga. Yana cikin wannan zaman ne Nawfal yazo, kallon juna kawai suka yi ba wanda yace komi. Khalifa ne ya fara dauke ido shikuma Nawfal ya wuce ya shiga room din. After about 30 minutes, Al-Mubaraq ya fito with Nawfal behind him. Dan gaisuwa suka yi sama sama kan Al-Mubaraq din ya wuce stating that he had a conference to attend in Calabar that morning dan haka private jet na nan na jiran sa. Har qasa Nawfal ya tafi raka sa shi kuma khalifa yayi ceasing opportunity din ya shiga room din Begum after saying a silent prayer. Koh da ya shiga tsayawa yayi shuru yana kallon mahaifiyar sa wadda kamar Kullum idanunta na kan newspaper except that at that time she wasn’t on the hospital bed anymore, zaune take a balcony din room din, in a comfortable chair which gave her maximum support, ga bisa dukkan alamu she had just finished breakfast kenan.
“Come sit”. Ta fadi cikin muryar ta me sanyi. Koh da ya zauna bata ce masa komi ba, maida hankalinta kawai tayi kan paper inda take karantawa. Dan murmushi tayi kan ta daga cup din chamomile tea inda ke gabanta ta dan yi sipping. “Intriguing”. Ta fadi tana ýar murmushi. Juya paper din tayi ta ije gaban khalifa.
“Billionaire turned hooligan”. Ta karanto masa headline din news din “This is like the 10th time you’re appearing in the newspaper this week, not that you struck a deal with any top company no. Ka zama dan ta’adda. Picking up fights with people… In public, getting married to a prostitute”. Ta dan ja numfashi kan ta cigaba “Ba irin tarbiyyan da na baka ba kenan khalifa. Tell me what the problem is”. Ta fadi tana dora feeble hands dinta kan nasa da ya dora kan table “And you’d love to explain the reason for punching your brother”.
“I’m sorry Begum, i’m so sorry for disappointing you”.
“You’re sorry?”. Ta tambaya “Anya ka tabbata you are kuwa? You’ve dragged our family’s name to mud”.
“I am. I can do anything to prove how so sorry I am. Na tsani ganin bacin ran ki, I can’t sleep knowing that you’re in this state because of me. Please Begum, let’s get back to being how we were”.
“Divorce that girl you call a wife”. Dago idanunsa yayi ya kalleta sai yaga ta fadi maganar hankalinta kwance, koh alamar damuwa babu. Daga cup din tea dinta tayi ta sake kaiwa baki “Divorce her and we’ll forget anything ever happened”. 1
“But….”.
“No, no but’s son. Divorce her, ka rubuta mata cheque that’ll shut her up kudin take bi dama ai. I’ll get you some other nice girl, we’ll put everything that has ever happened behind us. I’ll shut the press, i’ll clear all the mess. Don’t you trust your mother again?”. Ta tambaye sa “Duk duniya ba wanda ya kaini son ka khalifa, ba wanda ya kaini son ganin progress dinka. That girl isn’t the one for you”.How do you know that?”. +
“A ina ka taba ji a history din family dinmu anyi haka? Kana so ka bata mana zuria’a. Ba yadda zaa yi karuwa ta haifa mun jikoki. I’ll never accept her, neither will I ever accept kids that were begotten from her”. Miqewa kawai yayi ya fara tafia. “Stop! Ina zaka?”.
“It was a mistake coming”. Ya fadi.
“Kana fita dakin nan you’ll forget you have a mother and the Al-Haydar fortune will cease to be yours, Nawfal will take over. Sannan there’s no way my grandson will be raised by a prostitute. The choice is yours”. 1
“Gwara na ci qasa da na yarda da conditions dinki Begum. All my life I’ve lived the way you wanted me. Kin taba tambaya na me nike so? Everything has been your decision, the colour of suit I wear to a function, my education, my marriage, where I’ll live with my family. I’ve been a pawn for too long, why do you have to dictate every little thing about my life Begum? Kin taba tambaya na koh i’m happy with all the decisions you make for me? No! But I’ve always done everything you ask of me”. Ya fadi yana share hawayen da ya fara gangarowa daga idanunsa “Amma yau i’ll make one thing clear to you i’m sick and tired of you making decisions for me, I’m sick and tired of being a puppet. And yes I’ll chose zahra over everything in this world, everything Begum. Dukiya kuma is my birthright, you have no right to deprive me of it and Fadeel kuma is my son, I won’t let him be a new pawn in your little puppet show. Allah qara sauki”. Ya fadi kan yayi slamming door ya wuce, fitar sa yayi daidai da dawowar Nawfal. Bangaje sa kawai yayi ya wuce yana share tears inda suka zubo face dinsa. 1
Yana shiga mota sai ga call daga Tariq with a new information on the stolen funds. “We’ll have to be in Lagos latest tomorrow morning sir”. Ya masa bayani.
“Meet me in my house, the farmhouse”. Ya fadi kan ya kashe wayar sa. Isar sa farmhouse din ke da wuya shima Tariq ya iso. Dama already yana da spare kaya a gidan so ba tare da bata lokaci ba Tariq ya hada masa kayan da zasu masa kwanan uku zuwa one week suka kama hanya. Amma kan su wuce airport yace a kai shi wajen Laylah ya ganta tukun.
“When will you return?”. Ta tambaya ba tare da ta Kalle sa ba. Zaune suke a garden din gidan Yasmeenah as she listened to khalifa calmly explain to her why he suddenly had to travel to lagos.
“Habibty… I’ll be back before you know it”. Ya fadi yana riqo hannayenta a cikin nasa “And kan na dawo ina so ki hada komi da komi naki, we’ll leave as soon as i’m back”. Ya fadi yana dan murmushi to hide his sadness.
“Ina zamu?”. Ta tambaya.Ban sani ba”. Ya bata ansa “we’ll go somewhere quiet and peaceful and it’ll be just you, I and Fadeel”. +
“Just us?”. Ta tambaya tana ýar murmushi.
“Just us habibty”. Ya fadi yana hada kansa da nata in such a way that even their noses touched. Runtse idanunsa yayi, hawayen da yike ta riqewa ya dan fara saukowa a hankula “I love you… more than life itself”.
“I love you too”. Ta fadi tana share masa hawayen da suka sauko da idanunsa “To the square of infinity”.
“Take care”. Ya fadi bayan ya miqe. “And remember to pack, kin ji?”.
“You take care too”. Ta fadi tana hugging dinsa kamar baza ta sake sa ba. Sun dade a haka kan ya wuce ita kuma ta shiga cikin gida duk babu abunda ke mata dadi.
Exactly 3 days bayan tafiyar khalifa, Laylah ta sama invite daga Begum Sahar. It was an early Thursday morning when she received the call that Sahar Al-Haydar wished to have a talk with her over dinner. Sosai Laylah tayi mamaki akan yadda zaa yi ace Begum na kiranta bayan the woman loathed her so much but nevertheless ta shirya tsaf ita da Hayfah suka je hospital din. As usual suka sama ýan media cike da harabar asibitin, ana jiran updates on health din Sahar Al-Haydar. Nawfal ta sama yana addressing press din, yana basu update on the progress Begum has been making. Tare da shi suka hauro sama bayan sun gaisa. Ta dan jima a bakin qofar kan Nawfal yayi encouraging dinta ta shiga. Da Bismillah ta buda qofar ta shiga. Zaune ta sama matar a dan table for 2 inda ke dakin, as usual tana sanye da blue hospital wear and her long wavy hair was tied in a loose bun. Idanunta looking exhausted but that did nothing to hide her sheer beauty.
“Come sit with me”. Begum ta fadi a hankula ba tare da ta daga idanunta daga kan rubutun da take yi ba. “Nawfal habibi get the butler and leave us”. Cikin kankanin lokaci butler din wanda bature ne ya shigo dakin, yana tura dan food trolley wanda cike yike da different variety of dishes. Takardun da ke gabanta nurse da ke kula da ita ta dauke kan butler din ya fara jera kayan abincin yayi serving dinsu kan tayi dismissing din sa.
“Bismillah”. Ta fadi kan ta dau cutlery dinta ta fara cin abinci. Laylah gaba daya hankalinta baya kan abincin da ke gabanta, hasalima bata da appetite din cin abinci. In ba tunanin dalilin da zai sa Begum ta kira ta ba, ba abunda take yi. Kusan minti talatin da fara cin abinci Begum tayi breaking silence inda ya cika room din.
“Leave my son”. Ta fadi cutting on a steak.
Dagowa tayi ta kalli Begum wadda hankali kwance ta fadi maganar ta. Laylah rasa answer inda zata ba ta tayi, a zuciyar ta tana ta nazarin how a mother can be that cruel towards her child. Burin kowace uwa taga farin cikin danta koh diyar ta amma Begum for her selfish interests ta zabi taga baqin cikin nata dan, wanda shi daya tal Allah ya bata a duniya. +
“I know why you married my son”. Ta sake fadi “Dan kudi. And I’m very sure baki bar khalifa na a haka ba, sai da kika hada masa da asiri because my son has never defied me, ban taba ce masa ga abunda nike so ba ya tsallake yayi abunda ransa ke so. Kina nema ki shiga tsakanina da da na, kina nema ki tarwatsa tarbiyyar da na masa, ki gurbata mana zuria. Before we go anywhere with this leave my son”.
“Why Begum, why?”. Laylah ta tambaya hawayen da ya cika mata idanu suna saukowa a hankula kan kumatun ta. 2
“Malama drop the act, na san ire iren ku”. Ta fadi tana wa nurse dinta signal. Wani dan folder ta miqo mata kan tace mata ta fita ta bar su. “Here it is, hundred million”. Ta fadi tana miqa mata cheque daya “ki fita rayuwar khalifa, kan ya dawo you’ll disappear from his life, ni na san yadda zan rarrashe sa. Leave Nigeria for some time, just disappear from my son’s life”. 1
“What! Is that how cheap the almighty khalifa Al-Haydar is? Just a hundred million?”.
“Ke ban son rainin hankali”.
“You’ll talk to me calmly ’cause you’re the one who needs a favour”. Laylah ta fadi mata tana kallon ta cikin ido. Sun dade suna kallon juna ba me koh kyafta ido a cikin su. Begum mamaki take wai har wannan ýar yarinyar da ba diyar kowa ba ta isa ta daga mata murya.
“Fine”. Ta fadi kan ta dau pen ta fara rubuta sabon cheque “Two hundred million. Now get out!”.
“Tsk Tsk! It’s a pity really”. Laylah ta fadi tana miqewa “The famous Begum Sahar Al-Haydar who is always attending fundraisers and donating to charity organisations could stoop so low. A lot of people out there literally worship and sing your praises day in day out, if and only if they’ll know what a selfish, lowly and conceited human being you are. Sabo da wani selfish interest dinki kin zabi baqin cikin dan ki. Ahir da irin ki, da uwa irin ki gwara maraici”. Hada cheques din biyu tayi ta yayyaga tayi kaca kaca da su kan ta watsa su Jikin Begum. “I’ve just lost the respect I used to have for you”. 3
“Ba abunda zanyi da kudin ki, koh da duka dukiyar ki zaki kwashe ki ban, son da nike wa dan ki so ne na tsakani da Allah. When I met your son, na hadu dashi ne as a nobody. To me he was Abdulmalik, khalifa Al-Haydar’s driver. A haka na samu kaina da son sa, halayen sa na kirki, how very compassionate he is towards others made me fall for him. And my love and respect for him doubled when he stood by me, accepted me for who I was, despite my so many flaws, how he’s ready to go to any extreme for me, how he doesn’t judge my present based on my past. Abdulmalik is nothing like you are, are you sure you’re even his mother”. Kalamin ta na karshe ya mugun batawa Begum rai, idanunta da dama tuni sun rikida sun zama jajir ta daga ta kalli Laylah dasu tana da ka mata wani tsawa.
“Ke! Ban kira ki kizo ki ci mun zarafi ba. Khalifa is my son, duk duniya ba wanda nike so kamar sa kuma ba wanda ya isa ya raba mu”.
“Ban auri dan ki dan na raba ki da shi ba, na aure sa ne to complete my deen, to be the mother of his son, to love him unconditionally with no expectations, to straighten my deen and bring myself close to subhanahu wata’alah and it is pure, natural and unadulterated, the love I have for him. Fisabilillah nike son khalifa. I’ll leave your son amma fa ki san *We can only fight against destiny but never can we change it* if I’m part of your son’s destiny, no matter how far I go from him, the God I serve will find a way to bring us both together again, koh ba jima koh ba dade”. Ta fadi kan ta juya ta wuce “And yes Begum, always remember that karma is a bitch”. Tayi slamming qofa ta wuce, leaving her bag. 3
Begum kam jikinta gaba daya ya gama mutuwa. Tunda Laylah ta fita ta barta take ta nazari, maganganun Laylah suna ta mata yawo a kai.
‘Da uwa irin ki gwara maraici’
‘Are you sure you’re even his mother?’
‘We can only fight against destiny buy never can we change it’.
Zufa sosai ya fara keto mata. Wani ihu ta kwala kan ta sa hannu ta ja table cloth inda ke gabanta gaba daya kayan abincin da ke kan table din suka zube qasa, China plates suka farfashe har wani ya yanke mata hannu amma saboda tsananin tafarfasan da zuciyar ta ke yi bata ji zafin cut din ba.
“Da na ne, wallahi da na ne”. Ta dinga fadi tana kuka sosai “Kuma duk duniya ba me son khalifa kamar yadda nike son sa, ba me raba ni dashi. He’s my son”. Doctor ne da nurses uku suka rugo dakin da gudu. Kan gado aka maida ta aka maida mata da oxygen respirator. Heart monitor doctor din ya duba yaga how rapid her heart was beating. Da kyar dai aka yi calming dinta, aka bata wani alluran da zai Kwantar da hankalin ta kan suka fita aka barta da nurse inda ke kula da ita. 3
Tafia take amma mind dinta na kan conversation dinta da Begum. Sai tunani take ta yi, no matter how much she loves khalifa dole ta haqura dashi tunda Uwar sa ba son ta take ba, kuma tunda zaman su tare matsaloli kawai zai ta kawo masa tsakanin sa da mahaifiyar sa sannan ita duk duniya ba abunda take so kamar taga khalifa cikin farin ciki kuma ta san ba yadda zaa yi ya sama farin ciki da yardar mahaifiyar sa muddin yana tare da ita.
“Watch where you’re going woman”. Muryar mutumin da ta bangaje ya yanke mata tunanin da take yi.
“I’m sor…”. Bata karashe maganar ba ta kalli fuskar mutumin wanda ba dogo bane ba, sannan ya na da dan jiki ga tumbi baza kuma a kira sa mummuna ba haka ma baza a kira sa kyakyawa ba, yana dai tsakatsaki. Kamar Kullum sanye yike da suit, hannunsa riqe da briefcase, idanunsa kuma sanye da dark shades. Da alama yana cikin sauri ne. Tabbas koh daga barci ta tashi ta san wannan fuska ta Al-Mubaraq Bala. Mrs Al-Haydar?”. Ya tambaya da alama be gane ta ba. Hakan ya sa ta jin dadi cikin zuci. “I’m Al-Mubaraq, i’m like an uncle to your hubby. Too bad he hasn’t introduced us”. Ya fadi yana miqa mata hannunsa wanda ta qi shaking.
“Good day Al-Mubaraq. I’ve heard quite alot about you from khalifa”. Wani irin dariya yayi mata wanda ya qara bata mata ran ta wanda dama can yana ta tafarfasa. “Are you here to see Sahar Al-Haydar?”. Ta tambaya.
“Oh no no, I need to see someone. I’m in a hurry Mrs Al-Haydar. It was nice bumping into you”. Dan murmushin yaqe ta masa kan kowa ya kama hanyar sa. Inda ta baro Hayfah a garden din Asibitin ta same ta sai call take ta making. Tana hango Laylah ta miqe amma koh da Laylah ta isa gun sai samun wuri tayi ta zauna. Dogon ijiyar zuciya ta sauke kan ta sa hannenta biyu ta rufe fuskar ta, duk duniya ta rasa me ke mata dadi. Sun kai 10 minutes zaune a wajen shuru, Laylah tana can duniyar tunani, call inda ya shigo wayar ta ne ya fiddo ta daga dogon nazarin da take.
“Ya kike?” Ta tambaya bayan sun gama gaisawa “How’s Mahmoud and the kids?”. Ta sake tambayar Auta. “Ni? Lafia lau nike”.
“Amma sai naji muryar ki kamar you’ve been crying”. Auta ta tambaya.
“No, not at all”.
“How’s things with your inlaws”.
“Great! I just had dinner with Begum. Everyone’s nice, they treat me well”.
“Are you sure?”.
“I have no reason to lie”. Ta fadi tana dan in’ina “I’ll have to hang up now. Zamuyi magana anjima”. Ta fadi kan ta katse wayar. Tana kashe wayar ta dora hannunta kan goshinta tana salati.
“Let’s go ma’am. Dare nayi”. Hayfah ta fadi kan ta kamo hannunta.
“Wait! Na mance suspender dina”. Ta fadi bayan ta miqe zata sa wayar ta a jaka taga ba jakan. “Hayfah ki jira ni a mota, i’ll be right back”.
“No, kije mota sai naje na dauka miki”.
“Aah, ai baza a bari kije ba, your name is not on her visitors list”. Laylah ta fadi “Bazan dade ba kin ji”. Ta fadi kan ta koma gaban ta sai bugu yike ta yi.
Koh da ta hau sama sai samu tayi wajen yayi shuru sosai and it was looking extremely unusual. Tun a hanya ta fara having wani irin feeling da taga hefty bodyguards hudu da suke gadin corridor din special ward inda Begum take sun sauko qasa, sun tsaya daga foot din stairs din. Sai dai bata ce komi ba ta wuce su ta hauro. Tana isa kuma bakin qofar sai taji kamar muryar Begum tana magana da wani, hakan ya sa ta dan zauna a waje shuru dan ta ba su privacy, tunanin ta in wanda ke ciki ya fito koh ta fito sai ta shiga ta dau jakar ta ta wuce. Zama tayi kan wani armchair inda ke corridor din amma sai ta sama kanta da rashin iya zaman kawai sai ta miqe ta koma zuwa glass wall inda ke corridor din ta tsaya shuru tana admiring night view din hospital din, wuta ne ta koh ina harabar asibitin sai shining yike, mutum bazai ce dare ne ba.Hayaniyar da ta fara ji daga cikin dakin ya sa ta zama alert. Koh da ta matso kusa da qofar sai ji tayi hayaniyar ya qaru kuma qofar dakin an rufe daga ciki. From all indications, it seemed nothing was right in the room dan haka without second thoughts Laylah ta sa hannu ta cikin gashin ta ta ciro daya daga cikin pins inda ta sa ta kama hair dinta tayi using dinsa to unlock the door, dabara wanda ta koya tun tana yarinya. +
“Kamar yadda na kashe Mohammed Mumtaz, kema yau ranar mutuwar ki yayi. And guess what Sahar? Ina kashe ki my next target will be the son you love with all your heart. I’ll give him a very slow and painful death and at last! I’ll be the king of the Al-Haydar empire. I’ve waited 30 years for that day when I’ll attain the throne to the empire kuma na dauke rayuka da yawa in my quest for the throne”. Wata dariyar mugunta Al-Mubaraq ya saki kan ya cigaba da jawabinsa. 2
“Wataran Zulaikha Al-Haydar overheard my plans, ta rantse sai ta fadiwa Mumtaz. You know what happened Begum? I strangled her in her sleep, her husband Muhammad Fadoul didn’t die in a natural accident, I caused his accident. He was Mumtaz’s lawyer at that time kuma shi mutum ne mai kaifin tunani, ina ganin ya fara dago ni nayi gaba dashi. It’s okay, yours will be quick, the poison will kill you in just 10 minutes Sahar. Rest in peace”.
Laylah kam without much hesitation ta fada dakin the minute the door got unlocked sai dai duk abunda Al-Mubaraq ya fadi a kan kunne ta ne, ji tayi kamar ta saki wani ihu. Salatin da ta yi ne ya sa Al-Mubaraq ya juyo ya kalleta ya saki wata ýar dariya.
“Now who do we have here if not the new Mrs Al-Haydar”. Laylah kam jikinta already ya dau rawa, a sace ta fara dailing din number din khalifa sai da wani kamu da Al-Mubaraq yayi wa gashin ta ya sa wayar ya fadi a qasa. “Cikin abu biyu zaki zaba daya; in kashe ki tare da surukar ki koh mu hada kai, in aure ki after I become the new king of Al-Haydar empire. Kina da kyau, kina da komi da nake so a Jikin mace, and I know you were a prostitute”. Kwacewa Laylah tayi ta sakin masa wani wawan mari a fuska.
“Kana da saurin mantuwa! Yes I was a prostitute but do you know who led me onto that path? You Al-Mubaraq, you!”. Ta fadi tana kuka “8 years ago, wata yarinya ýar kauye tazo office dinka neman aiki, ka hanata aiki. Kace zaka bada on one condition idan ta baka goro, idan ta bari ka yi lalata da ita. Taqi yet one thing led to the other, out of desperation I came back to you, na yarda da condition dinka but what happened a karshe? Ka wulakanta ni, ka jife ni da naira dari biyar ka kore ni kamar wata dabba. Out of helplessness na tsinci kaina dumu dumu cikin karuwanci. Ina ma ka rufa mun asiri, ina ma baka nemi kayi zina da ni ba. Things would never have been this way, da baa ganni ana daga yatsa ana nuna ni ba, da baa dinga bada misalai na banza dani ba, da Uwar mijina ta anshe ni da hannu bibbiyu. Har yanzu kana da bakin cewa you’ll make me your wife. You’re wrong to thing I’ll join in doing evil”. Ta fadi tana kallonsa cikin ido tana kuka. 1
“Ke an fadi miki kece mace na farko na fara lalatawa rayuwa, koh an fadi miki wannan kukan da kike yi shi zai sa nayi feeling guilty. You’re wrong to think that way. Zaki mutu kema yau ashe”. Ya fadi yana dariya “It’s sad! You won’t live to see me slowly kill khalifa Al-Haydar and ascend his throne as the king of Al-Haydar empire and it’s sad how I won’t get to enjoy the luscious body of yours before sending you off to the land of the dead”.▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
Ta sauke yaran kenan a school ta dawo gida tana ýan gyare gyaren ta kamar yadda ta saba sai ga Mahmoud ya fito cikin shirin sa tsaf zai wuce aiki. A safiyar ranar yana da lecture na safe. +
“Masha Allah” ya fadi da yaji irin kamshin da gidan ke ta faman yi “wannan kamshi haka ai sai ya hanani zuwa aiki ince ni a gida zan zauna yau”. Qarasawa tayi inda yike ta fara gyara masa hular Zanna Bukar inda ke kansa.
“Har ka fito… wallahi yau ka matukar yin kyau. Har gayun yau ya fi na jiya, Anya zan iya bari ka tafi makaranta kuwa yau, kar ka je students su ta Kalle mun kai, I think blue is your colour”. Ta fadi tana dariya.
“Karki damu Hidayah, ai ni naki ne ke daya”.
“Mamansu Kauthar kuma fa? Bazata dawo ba yaya?”. Ýan yatsun sa biyu ya hada ya dan bugi bakin ta.
“Ba nace ki daina dago mun zancen ta ba kuma sannan ba nace a sama mun wani sunan da ya dace dani ba?”.
“Afuwan mai gidana. Insha Allah zan kula” ta fadi tana riqo hannunsa “Muje ka karya kan ka fita koh”.
“Yaran fa?”.
“Tab! An sun jima a school”. Dadi sosai yaji, irin kular da yaransa suke samu har zuwa shi kansa basu taba samun irin sa ba a lokacin da yike tare da zainaba. Hasalima Kullum hukumar makaranta tana qorafi akan yadda yaran ke zuwa latti, kuma Kullum unorganised, koh ba suyi kitso ba koh kuma baa goge uniform nasu ba. Makaranta kam dama mafi yawanci in yana da morning lectures sai ya riga su barin gida dan baa kai su da wuri. Amma tun sanda Auta ta shigo gidan a matsayin matar sa komi ya sanja, kula sosai take basu, ga yadda take tarairayar sa, da ka gansa ka san yanzu Mahmoud ya sama kwanciyar hankali. Ýan uwansa kowa sai sa mata albarka ake haka ma abokan sa.
“Allah ya miki albarka” ya fadi yana placing dan kiss a saman goshinta bayan ya gama cin abinci ya miqe zai wuce. Har bakin mota ta raka sa riqe da jakar sa, tana ta masa addua. “Yawwa kan na mance, saman drawer dun bedroom akwai kudi na ije, sai ki shiga market yau koh kiyi shopping din komawa makaranta”.
“Nagode sosai ya… mijina. Allah ya qara budi”. Ta fadi fuskar ta cike da fara’a “Amma kuma…”.
“Amma kuma me Hidayah?”.
“Zancen baby Isma’il”.
“Ai na fadi miki zan maida shi gidan Daadan sa tunda zaki koma school”.
“Aah wai zancen da na maka akan in ta fi dashi, in ya so sai na sama nanny”.
“Toh ke kya hada karatu da dawainiyar yaro? Ehh”.
“Toh ai semester daya ya rage mun kuma nace zan sama nanny, gashi yaro ya saba dani ban son muna raba masa hankali, yau yi na nan gobe yi na can”. Ta fadi tana dan tabe baki.
“Toh toh naji, amma yanzu i’m late. We’ll discuss about that when i’m back okay, ki kula mun da kanki”. Ya fadi yana shafa lallausar kumatunta.
“Kai ma haka”. Ta fadi kan ta manna masa kiss a kumatu ta rufe masa door din mota, sai da taga fitar sa daga harabar gidan kan ta koma ciki dubo baby Isma’il koh ya tashi ta shirya sa.
Tunda ya isa Lagos ba abunda yike in ba aiki ba, once in a while sparing a few minutes to speak to Laylah and Fadeel. Kamar yadda yayi a daren sa na farko a Lagos, ranar ma kwana yayi a office yana going through reports, kadan da kadan yana warware komi da komi, every transaction da property na khalif airlines and group of companies yana going through details din.Mamu signed a cheque of 680million?”. Ya tambaya no one in particular as he assessed a transaction “Kuma kwanan nan. Yaushe Mamu ya fara signing fitan kudi ba tare da na sani ba?”. Abun ya matukar daure masa kai amma dai sai yayi highlighting transaction din, saboda ya san akwai abun dubawa a wajen dan an cire kudin ba tare da anyi stating property inda aka siya dashi ba koh abunda aka yi dashi. About 30 minutes later sai ga call ya shigo daga daya daga cikin managers din businesses dinsa da ke qasar waje. +
“Yes Mr Shuraim, how may I help you?”. Ya tambaya mutumin wanda asalin balaraben Saudi Arabia ne.
“Sir it’s about that deal, I couldn’t get through to Al-Mubaraq so I thought I could just directly contact you”.
“What deal khalid?”.
“Sir the one you sent Al-Mubaraq to carry out. The sale of the Saharan Castle”.
“What!” Ya fadi da karfi “Mamu is selling the Saharan Castle?”. Ya tambaya. Saharan Castle yana daya daga cikin manyan investments din khalifa wanda suke Saudi Arabia, hotel ne babba wanda in ana lissafo manyan hotels masu tsada a Saudi sai an sako sa. Shuru yayi yana sauraron bayanin da khalid Shuraim ke ta koro masa regarding Karyar da Al-Mubaraq ya tafi Saudi yayi masa har ya fara cinikin siyar masa da kadaran sa sannan ya anshi kudade masu magudan yawa a hannun Khalid Shuraim. A bisa yadda khalifa ya gane situation din, Al-Mubaraq ya yi wannan dabarar ne dan yayi trapping din Mr Shuraim, yadda koh da zancen ya fito, he’ll be the one held accountable for the damage.
Cikin harshen larabci ya juya yana ta ba Mr Shuraim haquri sannan yayi assuring dinsa da cewa nan ba da jimawa ba zai zo Saudi Arabia din to access everything himself. Ba tare da wani bata lokaci ba khalifa ya kira attorney dinsa ya fadi masa cewar he wants to file a lawsuit.
“Tariq!”. Ya kwala masa kira. Tariq wanda ke wani table cikin spacious office din Al-Haydar shima yana going through some files ya dago da sauri ya qaraso “Tell the pilot to get the jet ready, we leave for Abuja in 30 minutes. Ka shirya komi. Ban son waste of time”. Ya fadi yana wucewa wani adjoining room, wanda dakin hutu ne. Bathroom din dakin ya shiga immediately ya watsa ruwa kan ya fito ya dau duffel bag dinsa ya ciro abubuwan da yike buqata. Shiryawa yayi tsaf cikin wani pure white shirt me v-neck da gray Sweatpant. 30 minutes be cika ba Tariq ya dawo ya dau jakar sa ya ce masa everything is set. Tunda suka shiga jet din har suka sauka khalifa be bar nazari ba, tunani yike tayi akan abunda zai sa Al-Mubaraq, mutumin da ya dauka tamkar uba zai masa haka. Sosai khalifa yike ganin qima da darajar Al-Mubaraq dan tun yana yaro mutumin ke nuna masa tsananin so da kulawa har zuwa lokacin da mahaifin sa ya rasu Al-Mubaraq has always been there to give him support. Baya daukar mataki regarding business sai yayi consulting dinsa, He has always looked upon the man as a role model and a guide.
“To Yasmeenah’s”. Ya fadi wa driver sanda suka shiga mota bayan isan su Abuja. Motoci uku aka zo taran sa da su, shi da Tariq suka shiga daya sai securities a sauran motoci biyu, mota daya na gaban nasu, daya na baya. Cikin irin tashin hankali da baqin cikin da yike ciki, ya san ba inda zashi ya sama kwanciyar hankali in ba wajen matar sa ba tunda yanzu har me Kwantar masa da hankalin a da fushi take da shi. Tunanin Laylah kawai yayi yaji wani sanyi a zuciyar sa. Shafa lallausar gashin da ke kan sa yayi kan ya dan lumshe ido ya dora kan sa a headrest din kujerar motar, burin sa yaga abar son sa.
Koh da suka isa gidan Yasmeenah aka buda masu harabar gidan suka shiga, shi daya ya shiga cikin gidan masu aiki suna masa maraba. Yana shiga ciki ya sama Yasmeenah tana sa turare a gidan. Sallama ya mata ya sama waje ya zauna. Girkin da tayi for dinner ta wuce ta sake reheating kan ta fara shirya masa a table.
“Kace you’re from a trip. Bismillah”. Tayi inviting dinsa zuwa table din. Be musa ba ya miqe zuwa dining inda ke kitchen dama yunwar yike ji. Chicken mustard soup ta fara serving dinsa tace tace ya fara ci kan ta gama reheating main dish din. +
“Wow! This is nice Yasmeenah, really nice”. Ya fadi, sai santi yike gaba daya ya mance abunda ma ya kawo sa gidan.
Murmushi tayi, fighting the mad urge to ruffle the mop of dark hair which laid on his head “I’ll pack some for you ka tafi dashi”.
“I’d appreciate that a lot”. Shuru suka yi, ba me cewa kowa komi sai qarar cutlery dinsa as they hit the expensive China plates kawai ake ji. Sosai ya ci abincin, ya dade be ci abinci kamar yadda ya ci ranar ba. Yasmeenah kam murna ta yi sosai ganin yadda ya ci abincin sosai har yana praising girkinta.
“Alhamdulillah” ya fadi bayan ya ije glass inda ya gama shan ruwa daga ciki “thanks for the meal”.
“Thank God dear”. Ta fadi masa tana murmushi.
“Ermm Laylah fa? Haven’t seen her around”.
“Ohhh she’s at the hospital”. Ta fadi masa tana clearing table din.
“Hospital?” Ya tambaya “Bata da lafia ne?”.
“Didn’t she tell you? She was invited over for dinner, by your mother”.
“Begum invited her!”. Yayi exclaiming. Right there and then ya san something was amiss. He knew his mother was up to some of her cunning tricks.
“You call her Begum?”. Yasmeenah ta fadi tana mamaki.
“Yes”. Ya ansa yana daga wayar sa “Yasmeenah it was nice talking to you and thanks for the dinner. I’ll have to run now, zan duba ta a hospital din”. Ya fadi yana barin kitchen din cikin hanzari.
“Wa faqqanallahu laka (May God guide and protect you)”. Ta fadi tana bin sa a baya, har bakin qofa ta rakosa taga wucewar sa kan ta dawo ciki abubuwa da yawa running on her mind. A duk lokacin da taga khalifa Al-Haydar sai ya tuno mata da shi, sai ya tabo mata wani tsohon miki, sai ya tuno mata da wani chapter na rayuwar ta wanda she has tried so hard to get over.
‘Ko yana da rai ko babu oho’. Ta fadi a zuci tana hawa stairs.
kamar yadda suka taho, haka suka koma khalifa na zaune a gidan baya tare da Tariq, sauran motocin suna biye dasu. Wayar sa da ke ringing ya kalla yaga attorney din sa ne ke kira. Sun dan jima suna magana kan wani call ya fara shiga wayar sa, da kamar bazai daga wayar ba amma da yaga kiran Laylah ne ke shiga sai yayi cutting call din attorney dinsa bayan ya ce masa zai kirasa after picking her call. Sai dai koh da ya daga call din nata be ji ta fara magana ba sai yayi assuming tayi dailing number din by mistake ne. Har zai kashe sai ya fara jin magana daga background.
“Cikin abu biyu zaki zaba daya; in kashe ki tare da surukar ki koh mu hada kai, in aure ki after I become the new king of Al-Haydar empire. Kina da kyau, kina da komi da nake so a Jikin mace, and I know you were a prostitute”.
“Mamu?”. Ya tambaya kansa a daure. Tariq Juyawa yayi zai yi magana khalifa ya ce masa yayi shuru, kan ya sa wayar a speaker. Maganar da Al-Mubaraq din yayi ne ya fara dawo masa.
‘In kashe ki tare da surukar ki.’
‘….After I become the new king of Al-Haydar empire’.
“Stop the car, stop the Goddamn car!”. Motar na tsayawa fita yayi daga inda yike ya wuce gaba yace wa driver din ya sauko “Get down all of you” ya fadi yana ansan key din motar. Sauran motocin biyu suma tsayawa suka yi “Tariq get Nawfal, to the hospital this minute!”. Ya ja motar ya wuce har zuwa lokacin he kept the call connected duk abunda Al-Mubaraq ke fadi akan kunnen sa. Can kuma muryar Laylah din yaji ta fara magana.Koh da ya bar hospital din gida ya wuce, dama gidan wasn’t too far from the hospital. A da kan yayi aure, he lived together with Begum a Al-Haydar mansion amma after auransa da Saima, he moved out into an apartment wanda shima cikin Al-Haydar estate din yike. Qaton estate ne wanda ba abunda babu a ciki. Apartments ne masu uban yawa wanda ba kowa ke iya affording renting dinsu ba sai wanda suka ci suka kishi. Daga can bayan estate din kuma, a wani secluded area inda ya ba sauran apartments din tazara Al-Haydar mansion is located, gida ne qato haddade, wanda daga gani ka san ba karamin kudi aka kashewa gidan ba. Hanyar shigar sa ma daban da na sauran apartments inda ke estate din, gun is extremely quiet and serene. Duk wani abu na more rayuwa akwai shi cikin Al-Haydar mansion. +
Yana pulling over a driveway din gidan ya fito daga posh ride dinsa ya wuce. Key dinsa ya ciro daga pocket din wandon sa ya buda gidan ya shiga. As usual, everywhere was dark and silent. Kunna wutan yayi kan yayi proceeding to the sparkling clean kitchen din gidan dun shan ruwa. The dining was empty, he didn’t expect her to cook for him afterall, infact baya tunanin ma ta iya wani irin girkin kirki, she didn’t strike him as the type to cook. Tun bayan auran su wata biyu kenan, they had been living as mere housemates, magana ma sai taga dama take masa, in kuma ya mata ba dole ta ansa shi ba. Yana gama shan ruwa bedroom dinsa ya wuce ya watsa ruwa a sa kayan sa na zaman gida kan ya fito ya wuce kitchen. Pasta ya fara dafawa dan ya san tun safe da wuya in ta ci abinci, dan koh da ya duba sink, mug na tea kawai ya samu a ciki. In no time ya gama dafa pasta din with veggies and some cheese. Oranges ya ciro daga fridge yayi peeling kan yayi blending to make some orange juice, her favourite. Yana gama komi ya wuce dakin ta dan fadi mata ta fito ta ci abinci amma koh da yaje yayi ta knocking sai yaji shuru, she didn’t answer kawai sai yayi assuming maybe she was taking a shower. Dakinsa ya wuce kan a few minutes after ya dawo door dinta ya sake knocking da ya kuma jin shuru sai hankalinsa ya fara tashi, a hankula ya taba qofar sai yaji qofar a bude, pushing door din yayi till it was fully open and for the first time he walked into her room. Shuru be same ta a dakin ba gashi yana ta kiran sunanta shuru kuma phone nata, car key and wallet we’re all lying on her vanity table bare yace maybe ta fita ne. Tsaya yayi shuru koh zai ji motsi daga bathroom but still shuru without hesitation ya bude qofar bathroom din and there she laid, almost lifeless. She was in nothing but a short towel draped over her chest to her knees. Da gudu ya qarasa inda take ya durqusa gabanta yana kiran sunanta.Ohh my God Saima”. Ya fadi kan yayi heaving a sigh of relief da yaga chest dinta na sama yayi qasa alamar she was still breathing amma it seemed she was still passed out. Kallon kanta yayi that was half immersed in the bathtub filled to brim with water, ruwan har ya fara sanja colour saboda blood dinta. Jawo ta yayi a hankula yayi laying dinta flat akan tile din bathroom din. First thing inda yazo masa mind yayi. Bending yayi till his breathe was fanning her face, ya runtse idanu kan ya dora bakin sa akan nata yana hura mata iska. After about 2 minutes sai gashi ta buda idanunta, zaro idanu tayi shima ya zaro nasa kan yayi sauri ya miqe daga jikinta. +
“What were you doing?” Ta tambaya “Where you taking advantage of me”. 1
“No stupid! I was giving you a mouth to mouth resuscitation”. Cute lips dinta yaga sun dan forming “O” kan tayi yunqurin miqewa amma sai taji kan ta ya mata wani gum. “Wait! I’ve got you”. Tunda ya daga ta in his arms be sauke ta koh ina ba sai kan lush queen sized bed inda ke bedroom dinta. Bathroom din ya koma ya dauko first aid box kan yazo ya zauna gefen bed din. “This might sting”. Ya fadi kan ya dan yi dabbing wool inda was laced with spirit. A hankula ya dinga goge mata wound inda ke forehead dinta yana hura iska a hankula. Yana gamawa ya goge wanda ke elbow dinta, noticing yadda ta dinga wincing yayi hakan ya sa yayi inspecting hannunta.
“It’s sprained”. Ya fadi yana kallon ta.
“Hurts like hell”. Ta fadi resisting the urge to cry.
“How did you fall down?”.
“I slipped, some of my shower gel poured on the tile and I accidentally stepped on it and slipped. Thank God you came at the right time”.
“Awwwwnnn” Yayi cooing “You poor thing. Now let’s get your bone back in place”. Ya fadi yana riqo hannun amma sai yaga kamar kuka zata yi “Okay relax, close your eyes and breathe in” Yadda ya ce tayi haka tayi “Good, now breathe out and imagine you in your favourite travel destination”.
Idanunta a rufe tayi ýar murmushi, it was the first time she was smiling wholeheartedly tun auran su, and it was the first time he was sitting very close to her. Ya Allah! She was beautiful, infact no word in the dictionary did justice to her kind of beauty.
‘You’re one lucky dude Nawfal’. Ya fadi a zuci yana murmushi. Maybe, just maybe it was the start of a chemistry.
“Brazil!”.
“You like Brazil? Me too”. Ya fadi mata yana murmushi even though she couldn’t see him “Now imagine you sitting under an umbrella in Copacabana beach, sipping some expensive cocktail drink, a Sidney Sheldon novel resting on your legs…..”.
“Hmmmm heaven”. Ta fadi Jikin ta na relaxing.
“Perfect! You can open your eye”. Eye to eye suka yi bayan ta buda ido taga ya daga mata gira yana murmushi.
“What?”.
“Done”.
Done like done?”. +
“Yes”. Ya fadi with a shrug.
“Oh my God Nawfal! You’re a genius, thank you thank you”. Ta fadi tana hugging dinsa. Closet dinta ya wuce ya ciro mata wani simple dress ya ije kan gado kan yace mata zai je yayi reheating mata dinner ya dawo. Dakinsa ya fara wucewa ya sanja kaya kan ya dawo yayi reheating abincin ya jera akan food trolley ya ja har zuwa bedroom dinta amma sai ya same ta gaban vanity table dinta bata sanja kaya ba, har zuwa lokacin dan towel ke jikinta. Juyowa tayi ta kallesa cikin wani fuskar tausayi, her eyes communicated everything to him dan haka matsowa yayi ya jawo rigar ya taya ta changing into the dress a hankula. Suna gama haka ya riqo hannunta zuwa bakin gado, serving dinta yayi ta fara cin abincin a hankula. Tana gamawa ya miqe ya hada kayan zai wuce da su “Thank you” yaji tace masa, murmushi kawai ya mata yayi nodding kansa ya wuce. Sai da ya wanke komi da komi kan ya dawo to bade her goodnight.
“Do you mind watching a movie?”. Ta tambaya. Abun ya mugun daure masa kai but how could he say no to her. Da sauri yace mata yes kan ya koma to get them soda and popcorn. Half way into movie din ne, lokacin Saima ta riga ta fara barci sai ga call din Tariq.
“What! I’m on my way”. Ya fadi yana miqewa cikin hanzari, careful not to wake his sleeping wife.
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Khalifa kam yana isa hospital din da gudu ya ruga sama, ana masa magana koh tsayawa ya ansa be yi ba ya ruga, duk wanda ya tsaya masa a hanya ya bangaje sa ya wuce. Koh da ya kai bakin stairs din, his mind was far off somewhere else to notice that security inda were supposed to guard his mother were standing there inside of su tsaya bakin qofar dakin ta. Yana isa without second thoughts yayi kicking door din dakin Begum open.
“Well, well, well… The party’s getting more fun”. Al-Mubaraq ya fadi da yaga khalifa “Son, weren’t you supposed to be in Lagos?”.
“I’m not your son!”. Khalifa ya fadi yana spitting on Al-Mubaraq’s face. “A father will never do this to his son. You’ve been stealing from me?”. Ya fadi kamar zai yi kuka “Ma na maka Mamu? Me na taba maka a rayuwa to deserve this?”.
“I have been together with Mumtaz for 35 years! Tun kana ciki, kawai sai a dare daya yayi naming dinka successor dinsa? Not sparing anything for me? Hard work dina kenan ya tafi a banza… inaaa”. Kallon mamaki sosai yayi wa Al-Mubaraq “I’ve killed many people in this quest for your wealth dan haka kar ka yi tunanin your pity face will make me have a change of heart”.
“I was just telling your mother and wife about my escapades. How I hired a hooker to poison your father’s drink. That client of yours that committed suicide 3 years ago” sai da yayi dariya sosai kan ya cigaba “Ba suicide bane, he got a hint of what I was up to dan haka na bisa har office dinsa na kashe shi and made it look like he committed suicide and you know what khalifa? That’s what I’m going to do right now. Thank God I have more than enough poison to finish you wretched souls off, i’ll kill you and she will be held accountable”. Ya fadi yana nuna Laylah wadda ke gefe tana kuka.
“Touch a strand of hair from her body and I’ll kill you wallah”.Ha ha ha ha ha… you can only kill me if you’re alive child. By then ka dade da mutuwa”. +
“Leave my wife and mother out of this. Face me like a man”. Ya fadi yana kai masa nushi. Goge jinin da ya fito daga bakin sa yayi sakamakon punch inda khalifa ya kai masa kan ya sa hannu shima ya maida martani. Da duka might dinsa ya kaiwa khalifa nushi kan ya hau kansa ya dinga kai masa duka. Ihun Laylah ne ya sa ya dago daga kan khalifa yayo kan ta. Da sauri ya cafko ta da yaga tana yunqurin fita. Qofar ya rufe kan ya wurgar da ita can gefe kan ta ya bugu da edge din dan karamin fridge inda ke dakin. Kwalban da ke hannunsa ya jijjiga kan ya zaro wani dan syringe daga breastpocket din suit dinsa. Ganin haka ya sa kukan Begum ya qaru tana rokar sa.
“Al-Mubaraq please we can’t sort this out. Don’t kill my son please, duk duniya shi daya gareni, dan Allah karka kashe mun da na. He’ll transfer half the wealth to you”.
“Half? Kina hauka ne Begum? Why should I settle for half when I can get all, kuma ba yadda zaa yi na bar ku, kun san sirrina da yawa. You all will have to die”. Yana fadin haka ya fara kokarin zugo poison din daga Kwalban zuwa syringe din amma sai yaji an tunkude sa da karfi har sai da ya kusa fadi. Kallon Kwalban da ya fadi a qasa ya fashe yayi zuciyar sa ta fara tafarfasa, poison inda yafi shekara uku yana nema ya siya sannan bayan ya siya yayi ijiyar ta tsawon shekara daya. Kallon khalifa yayi kawai ya kai masa wani nushi.
“Ni zaka bata wa aiki”. Ya qara kai masa wani nushin da ya kusa kaisa qasa. Revolver inda ke cikin inner pocket din suit dinsa ya ciro yayi aiming. In a split second kawai qarar trigger din ya cika koh ina. Wani ihu Laylah ta saki tana kiran sunan khalifa amma inaaa kan ta ce wani abu Al-Mubaraq ya qara harbi kuma.