Amina's pride 10

AMINA'S PRIDE

Episode 10

The prince suspects an ambitious man intends to rule all the cattle lands. The man comes from the Great Plain. I only have one person in mind…” Abdul trailed off.
Without Abdul completing his statement, Hazim had a feeling that their old enemy was involved in this evil plan.
“Idris?”
“Yes, and this is the reason I have come to you. We both know Tukur and Idris are one. If he intends to take over our land, he would start with the smaller ranches first and then come to mine.”
“What are you insinuating?” Hazim had a feeling his friend had come to share an important secret with him.
Abdul inhaled some air sharply and fixed his eyes on Hazim’s.
“I am attracted to Mallam Tukur’s daughter, but I don’t know if she is an honest woman. What if her father sent her here for revenge? What if she knows about Idris’ plan? She isn’t Kanuri like us. How can I trust her?”
Abdul noticed a smug on his friend’s face and it irritated him. Why did Hazim find his questions funny? Amina was his new wife, no doubt, but he would do away with her if she had any idea of what Idris planned.
“Do you wonder why I left to see Mohammed?” Hazim played with his fingers.
“Anyone can go to Mohammed for anything. He trades in alcohol, tobacco, women and information.” Abdul shook his head.
“Right from the moment I set eyes on Amina Tukur, I had a feeling you would find it hard to resist her beauty. She has a pure spirit and Allah’s grace is upon her. I rushed to meet Mohammed to see if he had any information about the damsel. I needed to be sure that she was the right woman for you. And we both know that Mohammed has friends everywhere. He knows a lot of matchmaking houses and I figured I could trust in his information.”
Abdul was surprised, he hadn’t thought about this.
“What did you find?” He couldn’t wait to hear it from Hazim.
“Amina eloped from Dafa for a reason. Her father intended to sell her off to Idris for twenty horses. He is desperate to own a ranch even at the expense of his daughter’s happiness. We both know how cruel Idris is to women. Amina decided to advertise herself with a popular matchmaker in Dafa.
She is a good woman. She has no evil intention. You can love her.” Hazim advised.
Abdul was touched by the story his friend had just shared. He suddenly felt bad that he had suspected the poor girl to be like her father. Amina had almost become a victim of her father’s greed, but she had escaped. She meant him no harm. She wasn’t evil. And he could love her.
“How can any sane man present his daughter to Idris?” Abdul scoffed. He tried to imagine what horrors would have befallen Amina if she had stayed back at Dafa.
“Idris is an old viper. I have a feeling he may want her back.” Hazim rubbed his stubbles gently.
Abdul swore under his breath, “I would never let anyone take Amina away from me. I would promise her my love and cherish her forever. Her entrance has helped me overcome my grief. I’d rather die than let that old fool take her.”
Hazim nodded in agreement, “you deserve a woman like Amina. Allah has sent a replacement for Fatma. Do not be afraid, whatever decision you take, I shall stand by you.”
Abdul gritted his teeth in annoyance as he imagined Idris riding towards Kanem Dazau for Amina. His blood boiled and his breathing increased.
“We shouldn’t relent in planning on how to get rid of Idris forever. He is coming for us, we have to prepare ourselves.”
These were Abdul’s last words before he stepped out of the room and into the night.
Hazim was glad that his friend had found love, but he was also burdened by something Mohammed had told him. Mallam Idris was more powerful than they thought. He had conquered seven Hausa lands and taken all of their animals and women. In no time, he would ride towards Kanem Dazau.
“May God save us all,” he prayed in a whisper.

Keerna had waited all night for the return of her friend, but she hadn’t set eyes on Nabila even after midnight. She had fallen asleep with a troubled mind. Keerna had seen when Nabila had put on the body covering; she had inquired from Nabila her whereabouts.
But Nabila had rudely answered, “go and worship your Shuwa mistress. Mind your business.”
Keerna felt bad that her friend was pushing her away. Nabila and Keerna had never kept secrets from her, but Nabila wasn’t being honest with her intentions. Keerna loved the new mistress and would serve her loyally; she hoped her friend would come to understand that some things weren’t meant to be.
Slowly, the dark clouds began their journey from the east, towards the west, to welcome the golden sun that loomed in the clouds. Dawn was creeping in fast, and morning would burst out like a secret. It was the bleating of the sheep that stirred Keerna from her sleep. It was time for her morning prayers and she wouldn’t relent in fellowshipping with Allah.
Keerna straightened on the wooden bed and rose to her feet. She noticed that the lamp was fast losing its light. She needed to get some oil for it. She grabbed the strands of her hair and gathered them into her scarf. She would bring oil for the lamp first, before kneeling to pray.
Keerna noticed that Nabila’s bed was empty. Where could she be? Nabila had never stayed out this late from the ranch.
“This is indeed strange. Could she have absconded from the ranch?” Keerna wondered.
She was about moving out of the room she shared with Nabila, when she heard a knock on the door. Keerna froze. The hairs on her neck arose.
“Open the door Keerna!” A still voice came in the cool wind.
Keerna rushed towards the door and listened carefully. There were stories of night demons, who could take the form of people. These demons could appear as one’s beloved or friend, and kidnap them to the deepest part of hell. She had to be sure that it was Nabila’s voice she had heard.

To be continued