Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum. Eid Mubarak alaina wa alaikum.✨🎊

****

Five days after, she found herself in a plane that will land at the Aminu Kano international airport.

When she stepped out and did her clearance, rays of the sun above shone on her face, as if welcoming her back to her motherland.

It's been a very long time. Longest time of being captive before she finally found herself free by fighting the hard way. And then after the freedom, she decided to move back to Nigeria. She was held captive even though she committed no crime. Well, the crime was falling in love.

When did that turned to a crime? She guessed no one have that answer. But in her own case, falling in love made someone she held dearest, caught her and hid her somewhere for more than seven years. Yes.

She couldn't believe all that happened. She couldn't even imagine how many people would act when they see her. Despite being hurt, she wasn't back to retaliate. She's just back to take what's hers.

She took a cab and drove to a hotel. She would be changing hotel weekly so that no one could trace her until her mission's accomplished.

She won't even visit her home. It will cause a tumult and that means her mission will fail.

In contrast to her sigh, she heard the car stop. She checked the time in her phone and dialed someone's number. As expected, she was blocked.

****

"You found a new place and ditched us right?" Mimi complained through the phone.

"Oh wifey, I missed you too." Sadiqu chuckled from the other side.

"When did I mentioned missing you?" She raised her brow.

"All the fuss was to make me understand that you missed me. How're you all?"

"Fine." She answered shortly. She heard some sound coming from her door. Mimi asked Asnah to go and check who was it.

"You should stop sending the kids to get the door, you never know who's it. Go, we will talk later." Mimi groaned. Without another word, she cut the call and went to see the door.

When she reached the door, she met Asnah staring at the wide opened door. Mimi pulled Asnah to her side and checked who was it.

"How can I help you?" Mimi asked the face covered woman.

"I'm looking for help." Mimi narrowed her eyes. No one was to be trusted this days.

"I want to use your rest room." The woman added. Mimi felt all the hairs on her skin rising. She doesn't know why or what's happening to her. Something strange. The voice sounded familiar. And then, she felt like trusting the woman and letting her in.

"Mummy don't allow her." Yusrah said from behind. Asnah nodded in agreement. The duo grew up like twins.

"I am sorry miss or Mrs." Thence, she slammed the door back and jammed it with locks. Even when she went back inside, her heart was racing. She knew that voice. It felt like she knew the woman for all her life.

Who's she?

Mimi shook her head and waited for the feeling to dissipate into the air. But it never did. It lingered on her heart as if that was it's residence.

Why?

******

In thoughts.

That was the situation all the kingmakers were since when Makama told them what happened. They kept asking who the man was but Makama said he couldn't say since he's blind.

It made them all to visit the old room and began to scavenge through the items. They brought out different write-ups and read them. They even brought the palace-family-tree.

"Base on all these, we all know king Muhammad Isma'il was killed and his family nowhere to be seen. This is an issue to be investigated." One of the kingmakers talked.

"That's true." One agreed.

"And from all indications, sorcery was involved because the older kingsmen didn't say a word about it." Another remarked.

"The shoe which is a heritage of this kingdom is missing too! And whoever presents it, is really a heir! So the question mark is here."

"This question mark is clear if only you realise! The Queen's name was Ridwanatu, she was a slave. I think we should go to the slaves' chamber and call Zaiye; the oldest slave. She may have something to say."

"You're right!" A slave was called and sent to Zaiye. They said it was a private meeting they wanted to have with her. And if she tells the truth, they would make sure she becomes a freed slave.

Minutes after, Zaiye came in leaping.

"Zaiye we want you to tell us what happened!" Zaiye shivered. She didn't need to know the remaining conditions. She just started talking and narrating everything. Including the day she and other slaves plot to kill Ridwanatu and then later changed their minds. However, they helped her escape.

"Allahu Akbar! We must find this stranger." One commented.

"This should not go beyond this four walls!" One threatened her. Zaiye nodded and left.

******

Sadiqu was sitting, eating lunch and video calling Mimi when his other phone rang. He wanted to ignore it because the caller was Leek. He wanted to pick it because he was certain it was Makama that wanted to see him.

"Pick the call." Mimi said in a dare tone. Sadiqu smiled and out the phone in speaker. He just stared at Mimi until when he heard Leek's voice saying he was wanted in the palace.

"Thank you." He cut the call and turned his attention to his jealous wife behind the screen.

"I will be right back." Mimi blew a kiss and the screen went off.

Sadiqu got ready and drove to the kingdom after he made sure he wore the rings and since it was cold, he tied the turban material on his head. Sadiqu care freely went inside the kingdom.

Meanwhile the kingmakers have brought out the portrait of king Muhammad Isma'il and hung it in the guests' parlor. It was an art work perfectly sketched. The hem of the king's turban had some stones and holes. That was also well drawn in the portrait.

"The stranger has arrived!" Someone announced and Sadiqu was lead in.

More than ten pairs of eyes were on him, taking in his physical features. From his facials to his attire.

They first spotted the ring. Then the turban.

"Sannunka dan samari. Weldone young man!" One man greeted. Soon enough, the kingmakers came in.

Sadiqu's heart crawled to his throat.

"Calm down my love. Good news? Prince Abdallah was arrested earlier today!" He heard Xurannah whispering to him.

"Thanks for being there." He whispered back.

"You know this is not a place to joke. Tell us your story." Sadiqu swallowed a lump and started narrating from beginning to end but omitting the part that he knew he was related to the kingdom.

"Who gave you those rings on your fingers?" One dark man barked.

"My father."

"Shi baban naka waye ubansa? (Who's your father's father)?"  Another queried.

"His father was a bricklayer and a farmer."

"Who is his mother?"

"People say she's a street woman because she had no family." They all exchanged looks.

"What's her name?"

"Ridwanatu."

There was a minute silence before one stood up and brought king's Muhammad Isma'il's portrait to Sadiqu's lap.

"Kasan wannan? Do you know this?" Sadiqu shook his head.

"The rings you're wearing are his! Look what's this by your neck?" Sadiqu arched his brow. The man yanked off the material from Sadiqu's face and then dropped it by surprise. He then picked it and hurried to Makama's chamber. Makama could detect if it was king Muhammad Isma'il's.

"Retain him!" Before Sadiqu could say a word, some men held him and removed the rings from his hands then followed the other man.

Sadiqu's hands were tied before he was carried to Makama's chamber for further interrogation.

One of the princes an immediate brother to Yarima Abdallah, followed their back.

****

I realised short chapter is more sweet.
And yes, I've finished writing the book. All you have to do is give me my votes and I give you your update.😜🙂