Heir Apparent: A Nigerian Story.

XLVI

"It's huge" Iman says immediately they open the palace gates. As we made our way down the 15mins drive through. 15mins by car to get to the palace after getting on palace grounds.

"But I don't see it".
"Seeing it might take a while"

I could tell she was so excited.

I park the car a little further away from the palace, it's better that way. The parking lot is always filled if you arrive anything after 8am. And the parking lot itself is enormous.

"It's gigantic and beautiful. The flowers"
I smile "Yeah, I think they spend millions on gardening alone. Queen Mina loved the flowers, she said it was the best part about the the palace".

She smiles.
"Amjad!"

I turn around and see Aadil and Halima.
"What are you doing here?" Aadil asks.

"I'm meeting Hafiz but that's an odd question. I shouldn't be here?"
He smiles embarrassed "No, it's just that I haven't seen you around" he looks at Iman.

"Huda, you're looking a little different today"
I shake my head "It's her twin sister, Iman"

They both look at me confused but smile.
"Welcome to Aleer city Iman, I'm Halima"
"It's nice to meet you both"

"So? Are you showing her around?" Halima asks.
I nod "I'm sure she's tired of doing nothing and staying home all day so I decided to give her a tour and maybe introducing her to a few people".

Halima smiles "Can you cook?"
"Yes, I can" Iman answers.

Halima smiles at me "Well, you know my late Uncle loved my cooking and Aunt Mina (Queen Mina) made me the Forewoman/Administrator of the Palace Kitchens, I'm in charge of meals and everything related to the kitchen and I've been desperately looking for someone to help me"

I nod turning to Iman "So what do you think?"
She looked so excited.
"Yes, I'd love to".

I smile "Perfect"
Halima links her arms with Iman's.
"I'll call you when I'm leaving" I inform her.

She nods before Halima drags her away.
Aadil just stood there looking at me like a creep.
"What now?"

"Doing sisters?"
I huff "Don't you have better things to do?"

He nods "I do but Nafisa is looking for you. She says her husband was killed by Queen mina and you couldn't come to pay your tribute".

I groan.
"I think you should go see her before seeing Hafiz, I'm sure he wouldn't mind waiting.

::

Sadiya was seated next to her, apparently consoling her.
It's been almost two weeks since Queen Mina was charged with treason and they're still yet to choose her fate but Abba says she'll be banished so I have no doubt in my mind that, that's what it would be.

"Amjad, you came to see me. How thoughtful" she says wiping away her fake tears.

"Yes, I had to come pay my respects"
She smiles "That's sweet. Now I know we have no bad blood. You were the only one who didn't come to see me I thought maybe you just didn't care about your grieving aunt. Being a Queen aside, we're still family. As my ex co-wife is your aunt"

I nod "Well, I'm busy. I should get going"

"Before you do, do you have something to say to me?"

I stare at her, what game is this woman trying to play now.
"No, I don't think so"

"You seem to be all over the place"
I smile "I'm sorry, I don't understand what it is you're saying"

"Do you know who they'll name Emperor next?" She asks seriously.
I was taken aback by her question.

I shake my head "I don't think I do. Do you? So I can get in his good graces" I joke.
She looked annoyed "I think you do"

"Amjad stop acting mysterious and tell us" Sadiya blurts out but turns her head away immediately.

"Like I said I'm busy and if you do find out please don't forget to share the information with me". I smile and walk out.

::

I was leaning on my car, conversing with Hafiz while I wait for Iman.

"So? You went too?" I ask him.
"Yup, kept crying. I honestly still don't understand how Uncle Mustapha married her".

"It's still baffles me too"
He smiles "So? What's with this new Iman relationship?"

"They're always on each other's throats and if I keep pick my wife's side she's going to hate Huda even more. This way the hatred will lessen"

"Are you sure?" He asks.
I shake my head "Of course I'm not, I barely know women".

He laughs "Women are seriously complicated. All Raudah does is mope around, at this point I'm not sure if there's something or she just wants attention"

"What do you have against her?"
He shakes his head "Nothing, it's just that she keeps pretending she's nice but she's not".

"Relationships are hardwork and marriages are traps"
He huffs "We have to come up with a new plan. I don't want my father in a cell for too long but I'm sure he can handle it".

"Come on, he was the General for so long, being in a cell is nothing to him".
"That's why I'm not too worried about it".

::

"Sorry I took too long, this place is huge and everywhere is so far" Iman says.

We're on our way home.
"It's fine, I understand"

She huffs "But are you sure nothing is missing at home?"
"Huh?"

"I mean, the people that trashed the house, did they take anything?"
"Yeah, just a phone"

"They trashed a house just for a smartphone?"
I smile "No, worse. An android"

"Yeah it's definitely worse"

I continue the drive quietly.
"Wait!" She speaks up after a few minutes, startling me.

"Yeah?"
"A black android?" She asks again.

I stare at her.
"Yeah"
She smiles "It's not stolen"

I was confused "Then where is it?"
"Well I found it in Huda's room when I was looking for her charger. It surprised me that she would have a phone like that. It was at that moment when I heard the door bell so I just put it in my jeans pocket and then that whole incident happened".

Honestly, I was dumbfounded "So—where—where is it now?"
"I saw it while folding my clothes yesterday, I wanted to give it to her this morning before we left but she was still sleeping so I left it in my room".

I smile "I need you to get it for me immediately we get home"
She smiles "Of course".

::