Bauchi, Nigeria.

Sadiqu arrived an hour after noon. He kept shifting from offices to offices to make sure things were alright before he started working. He lodged a hotel near to his new place of work for the time being.

Coming out of bathroom with a robe on him, he sat on the hotel room and drew the treasure box sitting a metre away from him. He opened it and picked the shoes.

Should he put the shoes and go? No. He would take one step at a time. He shuffled the box and brought out three silver rings which they found inside the other day. There was also a material perhaps it was the late king used as his turban. Then the shoes.

Sadiqu wore the rings and put everything back. He dressed up and took a cab to the king's palace. The distance wasn't long but there was a holdup thus, they spent longer time before reaching the palace.

When he dropped by the gate, it was fuller than he imagined. Sadiqu didn't know how he should act. He just mustered some courage and went in praying that he won't meet any of the princes. He wanted to make his way directly to Makama's chamber without anyone seeing him. He wanted to casually greet other kingmakers like he was a random man. But how would that be possible?

Maleekah was his resort.

Sadiqu dialed her number and as though she was waiting, she picked the call.

"I am by the entrance of your chamber." He said shortly and cut the call. His eyes wandered around, appreciating the beauty of the palace. He couldn't imagine that some day it will be all under him. Sadiqu felt something touched his heart. He would like to call it fear but... He wasn't scared.

He was afraid his personality will change. He knew how money and power consumes the heart and brain of a human. He's afraid the same would happen to him. Based on such thoughts, he felt like he doesn't like that throne anymore. But with his dreams and hope, he wanted nothing but the throne.

Sadiqu silently prayed for guidance.

"Salam!" Maleekah said from behind him. Sadiqu took some few seconds digesting the words he would say before he turned around.

"Wa'alaikumus salam Leek. I hope you're fine and... How're you faring?" Leek smiled.

"Alhamdulillah. You're welcome." She grinned and took his hand in hers. Sadiqu looked at their entwined hands and shook his head.

"Please." She said. He knew she was pleading with him not to let her go.

"It's not right." He peeled his hands away. For the first time, he saw a different shades of light in her eyes.

"I am sorry." He added hoping it will ease the tension.

"It's alright." And she opened the door of a parlour. Sadiqu took a seat and she took another. They properly exchanged greetings.

"The king is dead. Have you found the treasure yet? You could be the next king you know?" Sadiqu smiled at her sarcasm. One minute she behaves like she wanted him to be the king, the next minute she acts like he was the causative agent of her granduncle's death.

Sadiqu has given up on trying to understand Leek's attitude.

"I didn't find it yet. I've given up. I just came to greet you and the kingmakers." Leek made a scowl.

"You what?" She asked surprised. All her plans were to get Sadiqu back once he becomes the king. Why would he ruin those plans?

"Let me be your guide to their chamber then, if you say so." Sadiqu hiked up, on hearing that. That's what he wanted. She had fallen for the trap and that's it. Right on cue. Things were just going the way he wanted them. By God's grace, he will win.

"I will like to tell you something when we come back." Sadiqu nodded.

The kingmakers chamber was adorned traditionallu by the entrance. It was a total local building. Sadiqu wondered why it looked like that. Maybe it was meant to make sure the tradition's kept intact. Sadiqu and Maleekah walked in, in silence.

They first stopped by a smaller building, a bit modern. Sadiqu looked at her.

"That's Makama's chamber. You get in while I wait here. You know he's blind and I hate his temper." Sadiqu nodded and entered. None of the slaves asked him because they had earlier seen him with Maleekah. One of them blew a music instrument and two slaves came out to lead Sadiqu to Makama's room. They greeted Sadiqu like he was a king himself before they stopped by the door of the room.

Sadiqu heaved a breath and made a salam. The oldest kingmaker's (Makama) cracky voice answered him. Sadiqu smiled and rubbed his beard.

"May you live long Sir. I came to offer condolences to you. May he rest in peace..." Sadiqu went on and in before the blind old man. When he reached a stop, the old man kept quiet. That made Sadiqu scared.

"I hope I didn't hurt you, your grace. I'm sorry if I have uttered something harsh. It's out of my will." Still, Makama was quiet.

Sadiqu watched as Makama's lips trembled continuously.

"I just remembered my friend. I just remembered him. By Allah I perceived the scent of his perfume. Salam alaikum to you son." He extended his hands. Sadiqu smiled. Yes, the box was smelling strong and  nice and undoubtedly his hands may contained the scent.

Sadiqu extended his hands for a shake too. When their hands came in contact, the man stopped to feel Sadiqu's hand.

"What's your real name son? Even the feel of your ring reminds me of Sarki Isma'il Sadiqal Wa'ad." Sadiqu almost laughed of joy.

"I am known by Sadiqu. But my real name is Isma'il."

"You feel like home. Home is where," before he finished Sadiqu picked the sentence.

"Home is where peace reigns. Your home, your life." The man was confused and surprised.

"Where are you from son?"

"From Kano sir!"

"What's your father's name?"

"Mamman."

"What are the colour of the rubies on your ring son?" The old man asked with fear overlapping his heart.

"Green and red." The old man gasped. Was king Isma'il reincarnated? Everything was going accordingly.

"Why are you asking Sir?" Sadiqu asked.

"I made the king's rings. I knew how I placed everything and how I soldered every angle. I guess you've to bring me the maker of this ring. I have to ask him why he did them the way I used to do mine." There was a lapse between every sentence uttered by Makama. Sadiqu noticed that, that was common to everyone of them.

"I am sorry to say, I don't know him too. All I know is my grandmother gave my father and he gave me before his death." Everyone would know it was a lie if not because Sadiqu said it in a brave tone.

"May his soul rest in peace."

"Ameen."

"What's your grand your grandmother's name?" Before Sadiqu could answer, he heard some background shuffles.

"Don't say her real name!" He heard Xurannah's voice. It has been a long time since he heard from her.

"Why Xurannah?" Sadiqu bellowed and it fell on Makama's ears.

"Xurannah? Where in this world did you know her? She's king Isma'il's jinn friend." Makama remarked.

"You ruined everything my love. He heard it. Now just tell him her name I hope everything turns good though. By the way prince Abdallah is on his way to this chamber. I just saw him, hasten to leave my love." Sadiqu nodded.

"Ridwanatu was my grandmother's name." Sadiqu gave the answer to the former question.

"Permit me to go Sir, I'm needed out." Sadiqu said, his intestines twisting. He feared that man. Yarima Abdallah.

"He's zone out. Quickly leave." Sadiqu stood up and went out of the chamber as fast as he could. He didn't see Maleekah either so it became easier for him to leave. He had done something enough. At least he's dropped some facts for Makama to ponder on.

Sadiqu quickly left the palace and took a cab to his hotel.

But one thing was, he would do anything for the throne.

*****

Oxford streets,

London.

It was midnight but like every other day, her eyes were dry. Over the years, she had been battling with insomnia. She could hardly sleep due to a lot of things on her plate.

She sighed as she felt her heart throbbing. Yes, she lost her peace of mind years ago. Stepping down off the bed, she went to her drawer and pulled an envelope. She fished out two photographs and carressed them dearly. They had the images of the loves of her life.

'Why am I still here? Not making any move?' She asked herself and dropped the photographs.

She heard her phone bleep, she picked it up. It was her alarm. She logged in to her media accounts where she saved some important pictures.

Most importantly, picture of him.

Sadiqu.

She smiled. It's time to see him again. It's time to pay him a visit. She doesn't care about whatever rift her presence would cause. She just had to do it. Once and for all.

With that, she crawled back to the bed. Soon enough, sleep easily took her away. Easier than she thought.

****
Howassit?

Who's she????

Iftaar Mubarak to you in advance.

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