Because unexpected late night updates hit the hardest🫢

Enjoy and my comments abeg!!!!

Amir Qasim returned home after his little shopping moment with an excited Nusaiba, and a grumpy Ibrahim whose pockets now has a dent in it. He had things that he needed to take care of at the palace, and at long last, promised Nusaiba that he will be back for the dinner which she plans on preparing just for him as agreed upon. It was not until after Isha prayers that Amir Qasim stepped out of his chambers, and then started making his way towards the parking lot.

However, midway, his steps were halted when a familiar figured appeared in front of him, making his brows to draw in. "Jakadiya," He called out, "What is going on?" She never comes to him for no reason at all. Of course, there are instances where their paths crosses each other and as such, she just extends her greeting and goes about her day.

At that moment though, it was obvious to Amir Qasim that it was no coincidence she showed up then of all times. There has to be a reason—it was obvious from her stances and the determined look he saw on her face before she bowed her head in respect.

Jakadiya lifted her head, so her gaze held his, "Giwa wants to see you." She announced.

"Now?" He glanced at the time on his watch, surprised by the out of the blue call. Usually, his mother does not allow anyone into her place after Isha, a personal thing she has about obsessing over her privacy—and that includes her own children. So, why would she seek him out now of all times?

Jakadiya nodded, "Yes. She requests your presence now." He could tell from the woman's tone that there must be a serious and valid reason for the call.

So, he let out a slight sigh, then nodded. "Alright." He turned around, changing his direction now to the Queen's chamber, telling himself that he will be able to make it to Nusaiba's house in time still. His conversation with his mother never lasts long—especially not during night time. At most, five minutes so he thought it would be alright. And considering his place is not far from his mother's, he found himself walking into her chambers soon after. Jakadiya came to a halt by the door, so only he alone advanced to the place.

The moment he stepped foot in her chambers, he was welcomed by the heavy scent of bakhoor familiar to she alone—courtesy of her Maiduguri lineage. It was one of the things he loved about her—especially this particular scent that instantly reminds him of the homey feeling of being around her.

Amir Qasim's gaze fell on her figure that was seated in her living room on the carpet, with a variety of food set up in front of her. His brows drew in, wondering what could be the occasion because she is never this extravagant for no reason. The other Queens, sure, but not she. She has a certain limit to the things that she does.

Regardless of the questions running through his mind, he made his presence known with the salaam he uttered, which gained her attention as she answered back. Then, her lips curled into a small smile, "Amir Qasim, you are here," She stated, then waved her hand over. "Yalla, come here."

His own expression mirrored hers, his smile slight, "Barka da dare, Mama." He greeted as he crouched low in front of her.

Giwa offered him a warm smile, then gestured for him to sit down. "Barka dai, Qasim." She then gestured to the spot beside her. "Come, let's eat together. Nasan kayi azumi yau kaima. It is the time for you to eat more." Of all her children, she would not say he is most religious one, but he is the one that does the Mondays and Thursdays fast with her, and that day being Monday, she was sure he fasted. And she was right, he did.

And he already had a little food to break the fast earlier on, just as she had predicted. He has this bad habit of eating little after breaking the fast, and only later on after Isha does he actually eat—hence why she prepared a feast at that very moment—amongst other reasons anyways.

Amir Qasim folded his lips in for a second, contemplating on how to turn her down since he already has prior engagements.

"Mama..." He started, but before he could advance further with his words, her own came.

"What would you like to eat first?" She asked, picking up a plate already and then opening the first food flask, revealing the first food in sight, Saffron infused Cous cous with roasted vegetables, and it was obvious from her actions that she would not take a 'no' for an answer. So, he swallowed down a lump, and then settled down beside her—making a decision to eat a little here, but leaving enough space to eat later on when he gets to Nusaiba's house later.

And that was how he found himself with a plateful of the cous cous, grilled lamb chops with pomegranate glaze, and samosas—that being the least amount of food she would allow him to have on his plate. For desserts, there was mango and passion fruit sorbet, and date and honey parfait, which he spared neither a glance. Not even the rose and pomegranate juice sparked his interest—he was much rather thinking about the chill and refreshing zobo he would get at Malam Tukur's house later. After all, nothing beats the traditional.

Amir Qasim, usually a slow eater, was pretty quick with his meals that day. Not to mention, he kept on checking the time on his watch, clearly having an earlier appointment that much Giwa knew. When he had cleared his plate, he made a move to get up.

"Mama, I have an appointment that I need to head out for," He said, trying to excuse himself.

Giwa, unfazed by his hastiness and apparent want to get to his place of interest calmly supped her juice, now filled to the brim with the food. "Amir Qasim," She called out calmly, as she placed the crystal goblet aside, her gaze on the object.

Amir Qasim swallowed down another lump, a breath escaping his lips for he could tell from her tone that she wanted to discuss something serious—and he does not quite have an option here. So, he retreated back to sit down, though his mind was entirely elsewhere. "Yes, Mama?" He fixed his gaze on her. "Is there something wrong?"

Giwa's voice came, its calmless matching her composure as she slowly flicked her gaze to meet his. "Do you know what you lack in contrast to a common man?" She suddenly asked, her gaze and expression serious.

His brows drew in, lips tugged into a slight frown given the suddenness of such question. But, she did not give him a chance to answer, not that she intended to get one from him in the first place.

"Freedom to do as you please." She answered her own question, her gaze unwavering from his. "From everyone else's perspective, as the Prince, you have everything and can do as you please. But, you, you know otherwise, do you not?"

Amir Qasim could not understand where this conversation is coming from, and where it is intended to head to exactly. Giwa has always stayed out of his acts—whatever he chooses to do, she never says a thing unless it brings harm to his position which she guards oh so closely. Why is she suddenly bringing up such a serious topic?

Regardless, he still answered her. "I do, Mama." Of course he does. He hated these responsibilities he is saddled with that constricted his every move.

"And you know the implications of when you decide to go beyond those set boundaries?" She asked once again, her tone though calm, scared Amir Qasim a bit because her calmness is never a good thing. If she has something on her mind, he would much rather she comes out and yell it out if she has to—but she never does. And that is way worse.

His heart pounded behind his ribcage, fearing the worst. "I do." He answered nonetheless.

Giwa nodded to herself, then she leaned back against the couch behind her, her words flowing out with ease. "Forget that girl you have in your mind." She stated, without so much as sparing him a glance. "Put an end to that foolish feeling of yours."

Her words sparked something in him. "Mama--"

"I will not repeat myself, Qasim," She turned her head around to meet his gaze once again with her determined ones. "I am saying this for your own sake. Leave her."

Amir Qasim's eyes flicked close, as he could feel anger brewing in him, similar to the one he felt when his father declared his marriage with the Princess of Kubi Caliphate and left him with no other choice—here his mother is, making the same decision. His hand reached out to massage his temples, a throbbing ache growing. "Mama, please don't." He pleaded in a soft voice, not wanting to have any sort of disagreements with her. Exhaling, he met her gaze. "Let us not do this."

"Qasim, do not push me to my limits."

"And neither should you, and Baba." He did not raise his voice—it was soft, almost like a plea. This time around, he would plea with them if he has to. But, his words were more than a plea, it was also a promise of what might occur shall that happen. "You want me to marry the Princess, I agreed. But Mama," He gritted his teeth. "Do not ask me to leave my woman."

Giwa's gaze was unrelenting, and unfazed by his indirect threats as well. She knows her son is stubborn, and if he wants to go the extra mile when provoked, he would. But, so would she. He can do whatever he wants later on, but she will remove the thorn in his path. "You know I do not agree with the Princess from Kubi Caliphate," She stated, "But at this point I would much rather have her, than this girl you are chasing around. You are marrying that Princess, there is no way around that. But whoever you would bring afterwards, should not be a weak girl from a common family."

"Mama--"

"Bring any other woman of influence," She cut him off, her tone final, and determined. "Bring someone worthy, someone of status, and I will back you up." If she has to bring countless women to him till he finds the one he wants, so be it. Then, she added. "But, leave this very girl, she is unbefitting of the role." She is unbefitting of being Fulani, she wanted to add, but to even say such words with her mouth feels like a taboo. So, she did not.

Amir Qasim's hand fisted by his side, and he could feel his blood boiling. He knows his mother would not give up on whatever she sets her mind to, and she seemingly has her mind set on this but he does not want to stay and listen—knowing neither of them would get what they want. So, in an attempt to put an end to the damage before it could go far, his lips formed a grim line, and then he found himself saying in a calm tone.

"I will get going now. I have prior appointments." With that said, he did not wait for her response as he pushed himself to get on his feet.

But, he only took a couple of steps forward when her voice came, calm, but warning with an underlying promise. "Do not push me to my limits, Qasim," She warned. "I will resort to any means possible, kaima ka sani. I will eliminate the problem in your way." She does not make empty threats, he ought to know that at this point. And her words then, they were not empty threats in any way.

But, he ignored the words, then pushed himself further. However, before he could make it out of that very living room they are both in, the piercing sound of his phone ringing came, cracking the tensed and electrifying silence and tension between them. He stopped, pulled out the phone and upon seeing the caller ID, brought the phone to his ears.

The words that came from the other end, he could remember those words—they were engraved in his mind till eternity. The vivid emotion that overcame him in that very moment—the cold feeling as though an ice bucket was dumped on him, and the life was drained out of him—he remembered everything.

The moment those words registered in his mind, all that followed was a blaring, ringing sound. He then turned around slowly, his gaze meeting that of his mother's that was still seated in her earlier position, her expression calm as her gaze held his—but he could see the glint in her eyes, he knows that emotion on her well enough. She knows.

They stared at each other—the tension electrifying and brewing into other emotions. In Amir Qasim's mind, the information only played on repeat.

"There was just a fire in Malam Tukur's house and by the looks of it, there are no survivors."  

Giwa then stood up, and then in calm strides, made her way over to him just as his hand dropped by his side, the phone slipping out of his hand and with a sick crack, landed on the floor. Unbothered by the action, she came to stand in front of him, then reached her hands out to dust away the nonexistent dirt on his shoulders, her eyes set on the action.

"Amir Qasim," She started, her voice low. "You are my son, and I will never allow anything that will stand in your way," She flicked her gaze to meet his now torn ones, then patted his shoulder. "I will get rid of all the obstacles. I have warned you already." Her voice dropped to a whisper when she added. "Let us not make things a bloody mess any further from now on."

With that said, she turned around, and walked out of the living room, leaving him alone there, frozen in his spot.

Cold, torn, and shattered.

****

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNN

E don happen finally!! Giwa has made her move and just like that...bye bye Fulani nuccytm you will not be missed. Kashhhh gone too soon🥲

Moving onnnnnnnn I'm sorry to Team Fulani but you knew this was coming sooner or later🙂 it's time to say goodbye to her.

Me the one that pains me seff is that Ibrahim is now gone as well😭😭 I'll miss him the most. I enjoyed writing his scenes😭

Sha anyways with this we reached the end of the first phase of the story. Now sit back, relax, get your snack and let's start to real drama. This is where shit gets real🫠

Toh guys it's late and I really need to sleep to have a good night! And my comments abeg I come Dey beg again🙏

Stay safe and single as always, na mumu Dey love,

Love, Jannah Mia❤️