Heir Apparent: A Nigerian Story.

XLIX

Hafiz's POV.

I was on my way to go see Alhaji Aliyu when I met Uncle Salis and Muhibba.

She smirks "Hafiz, it's been a while"
I nod "Where have you been hiding?"

She looks at me a bit frightened "What do you mean hiding?"
"Yeah, since Najib's death, is there something you're keeping from us?"

"Don't say stupid things, I have no reason to hide from you"

"What are you accusing my daughter of?" Uncle Salis asks looking annoyed.
"I just asked a question, she was the one that got defensive"

He shakes his head "You and Amjad just keep finding new ways to push my buttons".
"Amjad pushes everyone's buttons but forgive me if I was being disrespectful"

He smiles, cockily "Of course, now that your father is in a cell there's no one to stand with you. Except of course you think Alhaji Hammad will protect you like he protects his son and daughter-in-law"

I say nothing.
If I disrespect him and he reports me things won't be funny.

"Of course, you must be on edge stepping down as the advisor, with a new Emperor being named"
"Where did you hear that?"

I smile smugly "I have my ways, if you'll excuse me I have somewhere I have to be" I walk away.

::

"Hafiz" Alhaji Aliyu says surprised "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

I smile "I needed to talk to you"
"Ah of course, I'm not someone people check up on"

"I'm sorry if I sounded rude"
He shakes his head smiling from ear to ear "No, there's no need apologizing. It's better than lying. Come on, sit"

I sit on a couch.
He gets up from his seat by his table and sits across me on an arm chair.

"So how's the wife? I haven't seen you both since the wedding"
I smile and nod "She's okay, I'll do my best to come visit more often"

He shakes his head "No need to pressure yourself, I get it. These are hard times".

"Indeed" I agree.
"So? What brings you by? I can guess but I'd let you say it yourself".

"Thank you. I'm sure you're aware of my father's situation and the meeting"
He nods "I was present at said meeting"

"Yes, I want to get my father out of the cell, I know you practically control the military and all security"

He shakes his head laughing "Come on, I was only the Royal Armourer. I have no control over the military".

Technically he does and he's controlled by Alhaji Hammad and things were awkward the last time I decided to come meet Alhaji Aliyu personally, to put in a good word for me but I can't say that directly.

"Of course not" I smile.
"Unfortunately I cannot do anything for you. Your father has neither confessed nor denied the claims and he refused to get a lawyer so there's nothing you or anyone else can do about it"

I huff, then I need to convince him to get a lawyer.
"Can I see him?"

"I'm sorry, he has denied all visits. He said he has relayed his final message to you and has nothing else to say".

I shake my head "But it's urgent"
"Unfortunately that's your father's wish" he say with finality.

There's something amiss and I really don't like it.

::

I huff, getting comfortable on Nura's living room couch, so comfy.

He and I have known each other since middle school. We attended the same schools so we're close. Unfortunately for his father who is a Naval officer and wanted his son to continue the business, Nura decided to become a Surgeon. Normally a parent should be happy but in Aleer Kingdom, lineage matters a great deal.

He comes back in with a bottle of water and throws it at me, unfortunately I couldn't catch it instead it lands heavily on my abdomen.

"Couldn't catch a bottle of water?"

I huff "I'm a mess"
"You don't need to tell me, I'm looking at ya"

I sit up "What am I supposed to do?"
"They won't let you see him?"

I nod and groan "They're cornering me"
"How?"

"Alhaji Hammad, he and my father planned something and unless I get Amjad involved I won't get things done"
He hisses "That self absorbed haughty rascal".

Yeah, Nura and Amjad don't really get along. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Amjad is proud but not as proud as people who don't know him think. At first glance he's an overbearing asshole but when you get to know him you realize he just avoids anything that would stress him, if it doesn't concern him he doesn't involve himself and just because we're friends doesn't mean he'll befriend you, as far as he's concerned you're still a stranger. It's not like I'm defending him, that's just facts but he's still kinda arrogant.

He huffs "But it seems like he's your only ticket to getting shit done"
I nod, annoyed "I know"

"But why don't you want to involve him? If his father knows something he could tell him so why are you avoiding the inevitable? You know you don't have a choice"

Yeah I realized I was avoiding him too.
"Is it because of Huda?"

I shake my head "I don't think so"
"Then why—" I cut him off.
"Although she's always around him, like glue. Like partners solving a case. She tells him everything and they go around everywhere together like—it's frustrating. I don't take Raudah anywhere until I have to, is he trying to shove it in people's faces that he's now a married man?"

Nura chuckles "Obviously there's bad blood. Look you know I don't like him, not even a little let's be honest, Amjad was never one for marriage so I doubt he was excited about marrying Huda too but like you said things in the palace are a mess and sticking together is better. That way he's keeping an eye on her, you never know who the enemy is"

I nod "So when are you getting married?"
He huff annoyed "That's what you got out of what I said?"

I laugh "I'm worried for you, there's never food in your house"
"Whatever".

::