Kano State, Nigeria.
2018.

Clasped in a pair of denim jean trousers, white v-neck short sleeved shirt and runners is Imad Sunusi Lamido. Just a day left for him in Nigeria before he will fly to Chicago to get his master's in business administration. He wants to go and visit his girlfriend one more time then leave. She is the woman he wishes to marry and everyone around the palace knows that so as soon as he finishes his MBA, they are going to get married and that is not a matter to be discussed about again.

He got into his new obsidian 2018 Volkswagen Jetta a gift given to him by his dad when he finished secondary school. He feels like he was too old to be in secondary school at the age of nineteen and with his physical appearance, it made it worst. He is tall, almost as tall as his older brothers and has those big biceps and not to talk about his muscular chest that makes him bulky. He likes competing with his immediate brother Yazid when it comes to gyming hence his unwieldy shape.

There are students older than him but he is still bigger than them in all sense of way so his father blackmailed him that if he finishes highschool with good grade, he will get a car and go to his dream school so he tried his best. And now he got his first car though he won't be there to really use it till after two years, when he has his MBA in his hands. Well, it is better than having nothing and he will also be coming back home for breaks.

He got into his car and put on the aviator sunglasses that has distinct teardrop shape and metal frame. Swerving the car to life, he roared past the Royal gates with two cars following him in tow. He don't mind them in the slightest bit since they won't stop him from doing anything he wants, that is cool by him. All he needs to do is ask them to stay a little distant away from him so it won't be too obvious that someone important is passing by. It annoys his girlfriend sometimes though.

The thought of her brought a gentle smile to his lips and he blare the music in the car to sink away the thoughts but it did nothing. The song was soft and melodic so he played a blasted one 'Jogodo by Tekno' and tap the steering wheel to the beats. He doesn't want to think about her while he drives, he might hit someone's car and cause trouble on his last day in Nigeria so he drove smoothly to her house.

Shortly after he parked, he removed his phone and gave her a call. She picked up immediately, another thing he likes about her. Whenever her phone is close by, she picks it without wasting time like girls do nowadays. They think that letting the phone ring for sometime is called class when it only wastes the other person's time and even annoys some other. Well, his girl isn't like that and that is all that matters.

Some of his friends think he is stupid for sending his Wards off to her house when they won't be getting married for another the two years. He don't see anything stupid in that, he just wants to mark his territory and stop any other man from taking what is his. Two years and now is no different so there is nothing loco in what he did. They think so because they want him to go outside the country thinking he will get some other woman who is finer than his fiancée.

There is no one finer than her because she has it all. From the looks, to the attitude and how soft she is, just what he wants. He knows he is really harsh most of the times. While she is calm, he is anything but calm so who is better than her? She makes him calm down with just the thought of her so any other woman is just not for him. Even if there is, he doesn't want her, he only wants his love.

He saw her coming out from the small gate of their house. Yes, they are not rich and not anywhere near that. Some of his friends in the elite also think about why he will get married to someone so low underneath them. He would only smile and say his brother also married a maid so what is the problem in marrying someone that is not an elite. The elites are all pain and they want nothing but title when his fiancée didn't even know who he was when he talked to her.

He enjoyed playing with her asking if she knows about the Royal prince in the school but she will only roll her eyes and ask him to stop talking about some Royal prince they have no problem with. And when he told her he was the one, her reaction was priceless and till now, he tease her about it. He even has the photo framed, he readied his phone before telling her then captured her shocked reaction that looks hilarious to him and cute.

She came out wearing mustard light dress with ruched waistband and cross over details on the bust. The dress has started fading a little but seeing that she likes it, he will definitely ask his sister to get her something like that. He took her picture from his car and knew she's seen the flash, she won't care though. Her head is wrapped in cream veil that is yawing white and she has her favorite pair of cream slippers which he got for her when they went touring the market.

"Assalamu Alaikum." She got into the car and smiled widely at him then checked him out as usual.

Amirah Ibrahim Adam, the girl that took his heart without effort. He never thought he will fall in love too early in his life. He thought he was going to enjoy all life has to offer and the lavishness of being the youngest prince. Attention follows him like moth to flames but he can't use that opportunity for himself. He could get any girl he wants but he only wants, Amirah.

"Wa'alaikum assalam. You look beautiful as usual." He complimented with a cheeky grin marring his face. That grin is meant only for her and no one else.

"You look exquisite as usual too. Can't believe you will be leaving soon." She pouted her pink lips at him and made puppy dog eyes which entranced him.

"I also don't want to go but you can always come with me." He wiggled his brows to take away the sad tension trying to take away the air.

"You know it's not possible when I have a year ahead of me. You go and enjoy but study hard and make me proud." She smiled, her beautiful smile that never seize to take his breath away whenever he sees it. She is just too beautiful and her young baby face is just something he can't describe.

How mushy he becomes whenever he is with her. His sister, Falak told him he was just like his brothers, always cold. He told her he won't be like them but he couldn't stop himself when he is always mingling with them most of the time. He hardly talks when it is not needed, he doesn't smile without big reason to. He is only mushy with his sister, mother and fiancée then that is it. He's been trying to change though, it is close to impossible.

"Don't worry about that. I'm going to be the valedictorian InshaAllah. Now, where do you want to go?" He asked, placing his hands back on the steering wheel to be at her service.

"Where we first went on our first date." She beamed thinking about the ice cream flavours they mixed and gave it a weird combination though it was amazing.

"Always at your service, mi'lady." And he started driving to the ice cream parlour to spend their last day till some months again. Maybe nine months or ten, he hopes less though.

•~•~•

"What's up, bro?" Imad asked into the phone as he changed his clothes from the ones he went to school with to a new set of sweats so he can hit the gym.

Jabir Usman Talba is his best friend and they've known each other right from diapers. There is no secret between them and him being part of the Royals only make their relationship stronger. Usman Talba is an important man in Kano State as he has all lawyers underneath him and it is only through him that they could get to see the King. That is what his position is all about, the 'Talba.'

It's been two weeks and he still is trying to get used to going to some other place just to gym. He does that after class everyday then sleep for the rest of the night. He wanted to start going there in the morning but he is no morning person so he stopped trying and settle on going there in the afternoon. His best friend just called him in the middle of changing so he placed the phone on the bed and put it on speaker to listen to him.

He didn't like the dorm rooms so he opt for a one room apartment, a living room attached to a small dining table then medium sized kitchen. He can live with that instead of those dorm rooms without bathrooms, he can't take the risk of using general bathroom. And not to forget that he is not a fan of too many unknown people.

"Bad news, man." He heard the concern in his voice making his heart jolt. What could be bad to trigger that emotion in his friend's tone?

"What is it?!" He is now impatient, already dressed in his sweats and took the phone in his hand then sat down on the bed.

"Amirah..." Was the only word he whispered and trailed off.

"What happened to her? Is she alright? Whats wrong with her?!Answer me, dammit!" He angrily gnashed through his teeth in anger and also the concern marring his voice. He is afraid of something worse happening to his fiancée while he is away.

"I'll just send you a picture." Then Jabir hung up and quickly sent the picture forwarded to a group chat on WhatsApp which Imad is not part of. He hates getting into those meaningless groups and is only part of a family one.

A picture was sent to him and he was quick to open it. From the looks of it, Jabir screenshot it from the group as the description used when the photo is sent is also shown. It's said 'The youngest Prince's fiancée getting cozy' then laughing emoji at the end. There are so many comments sent by the group members, all of them saying blasphemies against her. His heart lurched when he saw the photo at the top, he didn't want to see what his heart is telling him.

Up in the photo, Amirah is hugged by a boy in their set. Since he is graduated, she is still in her last year and the boy is her classmate. His heart constricted because even though he doesn't want to believe she is getting 'cozy' as it is quoted, she is. It is not those brief hugs which he still is against but those ones that you find comfort and warmth in. It is more like they are cuddling up with each other but they are only standing not lying down.

He threw his Samsung knowing fully well that it is going to break and become useless but he could care less at that moment. How could she do that to him? She's attempted hugging him once but he stopped her and told her it could happen when they get married and she never tried doing that again.

Sitting there for a long time, he finally stood up and made his way out to the gym to take off some steam. He won't wallow in self pity without asking her what happened. She might have been blackmailed to do that so they can hurt him. He has enemies even without talking to anyone. Sometimes people just hate you for something they themselves don't know just for the sake of it. They just hate that you have everything when you don't. They are not content with what they have and will keep looking into other people's business.

When he came back, he called her countless times in the surprisingly not damaged phone. She didn't pick the calls. He kept the phone beside him thinking she was not close to it and will call him back but no. Days passed by and she still hasn't called and he didn't stop calling her everyday. He did it once in class and was warned by the professor. After three weeks, he stopped because the phone was now switched off.

"You are very stupid, Imad. You know that?!" Falak said into the laptop looking at her brother with disapproving eyes and he flinched. She's never looked so mad at him like she is at that moment.

"I know. I will start listening and won't fail again just don't go lecturing me now." He helplessly whimpered into the laptop taking in the bags underneath his eyes in the laptop.

He hasn't been sleeping and neither could he stop thinking about the photo and Amirah's weird behaviour. Jabir told him she didn't want to come out and see him when he went to her home so Imad gave up whole. He can't go around chasing her when she is clearly avoiding him. He will do that when he gets back home, maybe she needed space.

"Let me call Statue for you." She glared at the phone and he saw yelling out 'Statue' into the house while he laughed.

He didn't want to but hearing her yell out the name around their Chamber and heard him grunting out I'm coming is just too funny. How can you call your own husband Statue?! Well, he is no less than a breathing statue but still. He is their number one fan! He's always shipped them right from the start and when they got married, he couldn't be any happier. They are the perfect match for each other.

"What?!" He heard Shaddad ask before seeing him sitting beside his dishevelled wife but he still looks mesmerized.

She is in her pajamas and her hair is flying all around the place. She hasn't even taken a bath since it's Sunday, they don't have work. Her stomach is starting to bulge a little so maybe that is why Shaddad is always attentive to her calls.

"He's failed his test and his lecturer said he doesn't concentrate in class." She explained then point at the laptop where Imad is looking anywhere but at them.

Shaddad looks helpless not knowing what to do and she only glared at him then rolled her eyes and face Imad. He doesn't even act like the big brother he is and scold his little brother.

"I don't want to hear that again, are you hearing me? And about Amirah, you should talk to her." Her voice softened when she saw the look of heartbreak in his eyes. The boy is in love for real.

"She isn't picking my calls. Can you do me a favour and go to her house please?" He inclined his head with puppy dog eyes making him look like a male version of her.

"I will try. Just study hard or you will have one more year before marrying her and we don't want that." She scolded again then hang up after they exchanged last pleasantries.

*****
Yoyoyoyo!
Where are you night owls?! Anyways, here's an update and do you know why I'm writing this chapter for Imad? Because I'm writing a sequel for this book💃 excited? You should be because Imad and Amirah are going to squeeze your heads! THE HEARTS REAWAKENING will be my next book inshaAllah. Juma'at Mubarak✨
RQ; Would you rather be the president's wife or a billionaire's wife? Ah, billionaire's wife o. I won't bother trying to feed the whole country. You?

Aishatu.