KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

Amirah tugged at her veil, looking around the maids standing on the main ground with her. There are so many of them, she didn't bother trying to count or put number on them, she has better things to worry about than the amount of maids working in the Palace. The main ground is where maids meet for some urgent news, for a meeting or something like that. She kept glancing around like someone is about to latch out and grab her, the day could only get worst.

"Are you thinking about jumping off a cliff with that face? Because I'm going to severe all ties with you before it happens." She heard Aidah mumbled from beside her, also standing in a bored way like all the maids. Adda Nana must finish her makeup first before she comes, not bothering about the scorching sun burning their backs.

"I always knew that you hated me secretly but no, I'm jumping off no cliff." She rolled her eyes, she's been doing that a lot lately all because she's trying to hide her anxiousness. She never stopped sweating though, and the weather is making it worst for her.

"Very good. Now tell me what the heck is bothering you? What happened after you left for the kitchen?" She is concerned, Amirah could only be touched at that sign her friend always shows. It makes her more guilty each and every day about lying to her, she doesn't deserve a lying vile woman like her in her pious life. She has way too many problems that she don't want to add more people into.

"Nothing much. I just don't want Adda Nana to change my pose from the kitchen. You know how things are back at home now. With my sister's final exams coming up, Najla's slow process of growing teeth. I can't afford the diapers all the time which is the reason I ask you to google how to tie napkin. I feel like giving up, Aidah. I'm tired, I've worked enough." Unconsciously, her hand went to her chest to rub the spot that hurts all the time she thinks about giving up, she wants to but can't.

"I understand where you are going." She felt Aidah's hands around her, giving her the comfort that always comes with real friends, "But you can't give up so easily when you have gone a long way. Pray at night, Allah is always there for you, just ask." Like she always does, she gave her a gentle squeeze then moved away to stare ahead at Adda Nana who finally graced them with her presence.

If not for the fact that she is wearing different coloured uniform from them, everyone would've thought she was some elite in the state. Her brown maxi skirt and cream blouse makes her look different, much older like she is. Her makeup is caked to the brim, she is also a perfect makeup artist of her own or does she ask someone to do it for her? They have no idea but the woman is always perfect in her own way, if only she was nice and down to earth, everyone would've liked her a little.

"Hello, everyone! I know you have probably heard what this meeting is about." Her voice sleek, she makes it like that by not opening her mouth wide. But when she is mad, her voice is like a rat is pushed down her throat and she can't talk. It makes Amirah happy that the woman lacks something, riches, good voice, husband like her, and good body. Or the woman will claim to never know what defecating means, that is how great she feels.

"I told them everything." Came Mansura's voice from behind making Adda Nana's eyes to slit with underlying threat lying there. She knows not to cross the woman when she is serious, she never learns though.

"I didn't ask you, did I?" Adda Nana rose a perfectly brown sculpted brow before forcing a smile to her lips and turn to look around again like a principal searching for the criminal that he found the day before dodging classes.

"The youngest Prince is back! I am asked to select few maids for his Chamber and also rearrange the poses of everyone. The ones from East wing will come back to South, the ones from North will go back to West..." And she continued but Amirah's mind, attention and mental focus is not there after hearing that first sentence. It makes her head lure around with many unnecessary, unhealthy decisions.

"Aidah, Ameena, Lubabatu, Jihan and Mansura are going to be the youngest Prince's Chamber's maid for the year." She heard Adda Nana's voice that slit right through her chest and throat in many bad ways. How could she choose that for her of all poses in the palace?

What?! No, she is definitely hearing things for the moment. But that was proven wrong when she saw the other girls' faces breaking into a huge smile that hers her legs wobbling. Do people love him so much like that that they are elated at the thought of being his maid? But why didn't she feel okay with the thought of all those girls ogling at him? Why does it pinch her heart and traped her chest in some wicked narrow way with more pressure than she would've liked. She didn't like what she is feeling, who is she to stop it though?

Can she endure the sight of him being all single with the maids ogling and probably even seeing him half naked since he has the tendency of not wearing shirt all the time? That is not a sight she wants to see on daily basis, he'd make her go crazy if he does. So she will try getting Adda Nana to please consider and change that decision. She doesn't want to be anywhere near that man, not in this lifetime or the others to come. She is over with him, done and dusted for forever.

But can she ever forget the man that gave her the most beautiful thing on earth? That is question for another day, she needs to focus on what to do with her life at this moment. She wish she can just leave this job now, she's done enough and is time to take away her mattress and leave. Maybe this was a sign telling her to immediately drop everything and focus of her own self. She will have to look for another job, this will be too suffocating.

See the way destiny is playing it's cards with her. And she thought she's finished enduring them all, she thought she was strong enough to tackle any problem for her sister and Najla, guess she is dead wrong again. Oh God, how can she do this? Even in disguise, she doesn't think she can do it, she is not as strong as everyone portray her to be, she isn't. Not close, nor near, she is zilch. That is it.

"Can you please change mine to the West wing? Please Adda Nana." Amirah moved forward without even thinking about the consequences of stopping Adda Nana mid sentence.

"I am not going to change any pose for anyone, it has already been planned way before he comes back. Now get your pretty legs back and start with welcoming him at four in the afternoon." And she knew her fate was decided right from there. Nothing she does will change Adda Nana's mind after this, absolutely nothing would.

With a heavy sigh, her group of girls took her away with them as if staying there for a moment longer will make Adda Nana change their poses, if only she would do that to her. She wished she never asked her to change it so that she can swap with someone else after a few days. There are more than fifty maids willing to swap with her even for a few hours, she will use that to her advantage.

Now that she blew her cover about not wanting to be a maid there, Adda Nana will be more than determined to make her stay there and work. It's like she dug her grave with her bare hands, she won't ever leave that Chamber except when she retires. Which is going to be a whole year from then, she can't stay there for a year, no.

"Why are you not excited? I can't wait to see the youngest Prince wallah. He's been away for a long time, I bet he is more handsome now." Lubabatu grinned widely, adding some skips to her steps in excitement.

"I need to retouch my uniform, who knows whether I'm going to catch his attention like her Highness Fikriyah." Mansura whispered, looking down at the little creases on her uniform. She looks okay, that is if she was willing to listen to any body.

"You guys should keep your horses. Don't try acting unprofessionally or you find yourselves back in your villages. You are going there to work, not compare yourself with some other Princess. Remove your head from fairytale, you are old enough to know it's not real." Aidah rolled her eyes at them, they could only huff knowing she is right.

"We could at least try." Lubabatu is not ready to give up, nor was Mansura.

"Yup, I totally agree with you. We could give a try by acting all innocent and devoted. At least, we are going to love him unlike his first despicable wife." Again, Amirah felt the insult run deep through her like it does all the time someone says any blasphemy about her. It makes her feel more terrible, formidable than she already felt.

"It's already time, five minutes before they arrive so let's go." Aidah countered, not wanting to poke her nose in their little gossip and end up hearing it from Adda Nana. None could be trusted in that quarters except for Ameena who hardly opens her mouth to talk to other people. She's like that girl since the first time she saw her entering the quarters looking frightened.

"Already? I need to adjust some things." Mansura continue to grunt but Aidah paid no heed, only took Amirah's hand and continue to trudge to the youngest Prince's Chamber by the other wing. She also can't wait to see the Prince even if she is acting all nonchalant about it.

Amirah is in her own little world of what to dos. She knew there are no much things she could do, she is already trapped in her own web. All she can do now is pray that she never let herself slip or he never pay much attention to her to see who it is. If he is still the person she knows, then she will be safe and sound in that Chamber. He won't bother wanting to see who she is, he will just pass up.

She could pretend to be sick and send someone on her behalf sometimes, she won't be there all the time. It will be too much for her to bear, so with that thought, she let her shoulders slump. If she hasn't made the mistake of asking Adda Nana for a favour, she will be on her tail now all the time.

Soon, they found themselves outside the Chamber, where she once was. Where she consummated her marriage in, where she spent the most beautiful night of her life, where she spent in her man's arms and where she experienced love. Well, that was all before because now, she needs to work there as just a maid, nothing more, nothing else. If only wishes were horses, she would've wished for a lot at that moment.

Looking from the bulky looking oak door that seems to weigh a ton, to the plants sitting beside the door stretching to the end. She's loved everything about the Palace, even with the small backyard he forced his father to help him make when they got married those years ago, when they were happy, always wanting to be with each other.

He told her about his obsession for a backyard ever since he saw the one in his sister's Chamber, he has been preoccupied with it for the longest time. He even sneaked in one time and saw what will forever haunt him, his sister and her husband making out in a heated manner. Imad never went there again, he didn't even know what took him there in the first place.

And just like Adda Nana had said, ten minutes later, the youngest Prince's presence could be sensed from miles away. If the sirens and convoys is anything to go by, then she knows she is going to face the past she wished she could bury inside of her forever. She is going to see him after three long years of life, so many long hours, longs days, weeks and months.

It felt like eternity already, she doesn't want to relive those nightmares which she definitely is going to seeing all the time. She is getting face to face to that nightmare of hers. Again, if only wishes were horses. Maybe she can't do this, maybe she is just trying to act brave when she is dying in tremor inside of her. She is moaning and wailing inside of her, the cries of anguish squeezing her intestines. If only she could scream it out to the world to hear and feel how it is choking her.

And just like that, her husband walked out in some amazing set of clothing. She thought she would see that young teenager that always smiles in her presence, his face will light up just by the sight of her. The young boy that grins all the time when he hears her name being called out.

But instead, she is seeing a man in all his glory. The powder white slacks he is wearing, followed by jet black button up shirt, leaving three buttons open in a rebel way. Showing the deep warm java skin underneath, the black colour accentuated his dark skin. He has a round quirky circular shaped sunglasses shielding his eyes from the glaring sun illuminating his face.

He has also changed.

He looks older than he was the last time she was with him. He has grown a little more taller, more browny, powerful and knockout. And dare she say, he looks drop dead gorgeous. Does she even have the right to look at him? Probably not!

"Ya Allah, I will totally marry this man and be his maid all over." Lubabatu mumbled in her ear seeing that she is closer to her, she won't hear the end of it. She hopes she doesn't push her to the wall and she does something she might regret.

"Shut up." She grumbled, moving her eyes back to look at the man who once looked at her like she was the only woman on earth. Like there is nothing more precious than her on earth.

She literally heard her chest breaking after she saw the sight of another woman coming out from the car same as Imad. Since they are still far away from them, because of the hallway stopping the car from walking deeper to the door where they stood. The door to his side is directly looking at the Chamber, he started trudging in but her attention is on the person behind him.

Usayma, the Afghanistan she's met once in Chicago whom she thought she would be best friends with. She don't get why she was there with Imad, no one talked about him getting married or engaged. Then she don't get what is Usayma doing with Imad in a foreign country while looking every inch beautiful like always. From head to toe, she looks way too perfect than she will ever be, she knows that.

From her dressing sense, she is wearing a penny coloured overall and tawny long sleeve body hug. Her hair is wrapped in brown veil around her head, her feet in brown sandals while she held on a satchel bag. She could see the peek of brown hair in the veil, which makes her envious of how flawless she looked. Like she took her time to grow up well and perfect.

She looks older now, no more baby face unlike her. She knows she is Imad's mate but when she last met her, she looks younger than her age. Well, all she needs to do now is find out what she is doing with Imad in Nigeria, in Kano, in the palace and in his Chamber. He wouldn't bring any woman or friend to his Chamber, would he?

The both of them entered the Chamber, Imad already inside before she followed quick behind. That reminded her on what had happened some years back, she doesn't want to recall. He wouldn't have let her follow him though, he would've opened the door for her and put his arms around her lower back. He was so gentle with her then, but now, she could see that the gentleness is gone, far from their reach.

He didn't even glance at where they stood, so they followed inside behind them like they are supposed to.

That is how her life turned into, absolute frightening dream.

....
Sup?!

How have you been my loves? The book is getting more interesting huh? Buttttttttt, I can't see much comments *pout* why is that? Without those comments, I don't feel motivated honestly that is why I don't update frequently.

RQ; Would you rather be gifted a dog or a cat? I like them both, you?

Aishatu.
Xoxo...