Heir Apparent: A Nigerian Story.

III

They had a 10mins break right after languages.
"it's exhausting to learn languages I might never speak" Masoud complains.

They were in a huge class with only 4tables and chairs, everyone in his seat.
"Tell me about it, I'm 11years and I can speak too much of French already. A friend told me they are only taught three languages"

"And we're taught 8?" Huda asks horridly.
Najib nudges her "I know"
"I read a history book back home and our parents were taught 5only and they only had 12classes"

All three children gasp "So why do we have that many?" Huda asks, the slowest among them.
The two boys are older than she is and Raudah is obsessed with books because she started reading very young.

The door opens and Bella walks in with the usual scowl on her face.
They all sit appropriately, like they're taught.
"Now I'm going to give an oral quiz based on what you've learnt yesterday. I'll ask each person a question"

They nod "Okay" Huda answers.

"Good. Najib why is the republic called The Veir Republic?"
He stands "Because Vier means Four in French".

"Masoud, then why is it four and not another number?"
"It's because there are four kingdoms in the republic"

"Huda what are the names of these kingdoms?"
"Banjul, Ulan Bator, Durban and Bandar"

"Raudah what are the capitals?"
"For Ulan Bator it's Moroni, for Bandar it's Serti, For Banjul it's Addis and for Durban it's Jada."

"Let me correct you all. Najib you cannot start a question with because, Masoud you cannot just call it the republic like everyone else does, you have to call it The Veir Republic in full, Huda when you're listing the kingdoms you have to say it in full. If it's Banjul then you should say Banjul Kingdom and lastly Raudah, you are supposed to list the capital accordingly, if Huda starts with Banjul then you start with its capital, okay?"

They all nod.
"Now, get your notebooks and write down what I'm about to tell you".

::

14 Years Later.

He shoots it in the basket and scores for the 13th time in a row.
He jumps "Let's see you beat that"

Masoud laughs "Najib you play too much"
"Don't want to fail infront of the girls, do you?" Najib asks looking over at Huda and Raudah who were knitting as they attentively watched the match.

"Of course I don't"
"Then shoot" he taps him on the back and runs over to join the girls.

He was nervous, yes they've spent 14years of their lives together, that's even more time than he spent with his siblings and parents but the fact that he liked one of them makes it difficult for him, very difficult to do things without caring about the outcome.

He shoots the first one and it gets in, then the second, third, fourth fifth and ninth but unfortunately couldn't land the tenth one.
Najib and Huda run over while Raudah walks.

"Don't worry, you were impressive" she says tapping him on the back.
"My boi!" Najib shouts putting his arms around his shoulder encouragingly.

Najib was the one who took risks and gives everything a shot even when he doubts himself, he's playful and not to mention the fact that he's annoying but also carries the most emotional baggage so they understand that his hyper personality is his way of dealing with things.

Raudah smiles "You let him beat you? Are you for real?"
Huda shakes her head "Don't make him feel worse, let's go before Bella comes out and scolds me for running" she walks hurriedly pulling Raudah along with her.

Masoud huffs "I really wanted to impress her but she didn't acknowledge it"
"Don't worry about her, Raudah would have found something to criticize about it either way, after all these years together I'd think you'd know that"

"Let's go, I need a bath"

::

They huff walking inside the cafeteria.
"What is that girl doing again?" Najib asks as he and Masoud stare at Huda.

She was talking to Rasheeda and Sadiq. They were both Vassal's too but they hated the four because they're royalty and the two aren't.

"Sometimes I think she's annoyingly nice"
Masoud huffs "No, she's just emotionally weaker than us all. When we leave this place it'll be more difficult for her".

Huda had a twin sister Imani. They were separated from birth because she had the mark and her sister didn't and because of that fact her sister despised her. She always finds a way to make her feel less of herself and not good enough, her brother on the other hand is only interested in the army, that's all he cares about. He's a General.

"I don't like that she gets along with those two. I feel like they're using her for something" he huffs and walks to their table.

"Huda let's go" he says strictly.
She raises her head looking at him confused "Okay, I was talking to them while waiting for Raudah"

"Shall we?" He asks again.
She nods and starts walking with him "They're not as bad as you think"

"They hate us because we're royalty and because they think we feel we're better than they are"
She shakes her head "You do"

"I know"
She nudges him "You're annoying"
Masoud grabs her by the shoulder "Don't. Go. Talk. To. Them. First" he says word for word.

"O K"

They around their table.
"How long do you think we'll be here for?" Najib asks.

"Honestly I'd rather stay here than go back home. My sister and I are always arguing and she always wins and honestly I hate it. I want to stay with you"
"You better pray nobody heard you say the last part if not Bella will ruin you" he jokes "But home is hell for me too. My brother feels I stole his right to be king" Masoud adds.

Najib says nothing. He knows how bad his situation is. Out of his father's 6 children the unaccepted one he had was the one who had the Genus Rosa, when they talk about hate they all know his condition is a lot worse than than theirs.

Huda noticed his frown "Since we have only 3 classes tomorrow, what should we do? Go into the city?" She asks giddily.
"I was thinking of sleeping in" Masoud admits.

"Me too" Najib agrees.
She huffs "I have a feeling things won't last"

"Huh?"
"I feel all this will end really soon and you three have become more like family than even my legitimate family. Yes being treated like a princess is all great but being here with you guys and the fact that the people here don't worship or think very highly of us is refreshing. I can get along with the maid well without thinking my parents would call me and scold me for it"

Masoud looks at Najib "Is she really guilt tripping us into going with her?"
He nods "I feel like we have no choice"

She smiles "I'll plan everything".

::