50: Meeting The King

Yesterday was a bad experience for both of them, he kept dreaming about his mother and Fareeda knowing so well there was no way she could help him, she stayed by his side until dawn. He kept apologizing to her to the point that she had to show him how annoyed she was, knowing so well that if it was him, he would have to do more than what she did to him. He was the one that bathed Muhaseen because she told him that she didn't know what the royalties wanted them to look and smelled like.

They got ready together, and father was eager as well as nervous to meet his father today. The legendary king Muhammad Haladu. From what Mujaheed told her about his family, she knew that his father would accept her and her daughter, but she was still nervous. She wondered how they would communicate. If it was okay for her to speak French to him because she knew how traditional the royal palaces could be and this place the most acceptable and respect language among the elders is Fulani.

“Mujaheed, will you teach me how to greet him in Fulani? I don’t know if it’s respectful for me to greet him in French, don’t you think?” They were having breakfast and Muhaseen was cradled on his laps as they ate from the same plate.

He chuckled at the nervous expression she had on her face and shook his head, “Daada might have been sick for so long, but he’s my ever-loving father, Fareeda. If he understands Hausa, you can speak it to him and I can assure you he wouldn’t complain that you don't understand Fulani or French, he's very understanding.” She still had that uneasy look on her face and Mujaheed chuckled, “Come on, Fareeda. I mean it, he’ll love you. And I mean, look at this pretty baby you gave me, who wouldn’t love her mother?”

She chuckled but still, that restlessness hadn’t left her a bit. “You know, it was said that Fulani’s hardly ever accept a different tribe apart from theirs. If not for Daada, what about Kulthum? Will she accept me as well? And the other royal members?”

“I assure you everyone will love you, most especially Kulthum! And if Yumma was still alive, she’d have been head over hills for you. Be confident like you’ve always been, my darling. You’ve got the crown Prince on the tip of your fingers, you can abduct me if you want, they’d have to love you even if they don’t want to.”

That made her threw her head back and laughed. Mujaheed always had a way of making her feel better even when she didn’t want to. “I'd believe you then. But in case they don’t approve of me, I'll make sure to abduct and leave no traces behind, agreed?”

He chuckled and nodded his head, “Agreed.” He put the spoonful into her mouth while she glared at him before she forcefully chewed on the food.

“But how do you trust their food again? I wanted to ask Nafisa to taste it first when she brought this.” He laughed and shook his head, but still, he understood her fear.

“Since that time, no one cooks for us expect Nafisa’s mother, she’s the only one we can trust. And up till now, she’s the only one that cooks for Daada and make sure Nafisa takes it to him, I might not be in the palace anymore, but I took care of things even while I'm aware. Baffah is here to do everything I want him to, that’s after he found me.” He chuckled at the memory; he could give himself the award of being a strong head.

“So Baffah found you left to Nigeria?” She asked, and he nodded his head.

“They searched for me for two years, well, he searched for me because Daada fell sick after I left and all his attempts to look for me proved futile. Baffah had never given up on his search until he found me, he came down to Taraba himself, but I told him that I wasn’t coming back, because then, even though I wasn’t sure about it myself, I was in love with you. I thought that staying in your house and refusing to open the gate for you every day will stop you from coming out late at night.” He threw his head back and laughed, “But you were so stubborn to oblige.”

She smiled softly, feeling as her heart got swarmed with emotions. “I’m sorry and thank you.”

He waved his hand dismissively at her, “I didn’t do it for you, I did it for my frail heart that has acted to a feeling for the first time after Yumma died. Of course, he didn’t tell me that Daada was sick, and he sent down his son which was my friend to Taraba to take care of me. He bought a house for me, gave me a car, and reactivated the gold cold so I could be able to use it in Nigeria, but even after that, I refused to stop being the gateman he hated me being. It was fun, I learnt about life, and I found love there.”

Her eyes filled with tears at his words, she had never thought he had this warm heart. All her life she thought she was undeserving of love, but everyday this man kept showing her that she deserved love in all its shades and colors and all she wanted to do now was cry. “How can you be this amazing, Mujaheed?” She asked with tears already on her cheeks.

He smiled and cleared them with his thumb. “It’s because I love you, Fareeda. You’re the only one I've ever loved in my life, and I'll forever love you.”

She smiled genuinely at him, “Then how did you decide to come back home after five years?”

“Because things are getting out of control here and I'm the only one that can set them right. For the first time, that day I told you we’re coming back here, Baffah told me that Daada had been sick for those five years and I knew I couldn't stay any longer in Nigeria, I had to come back home.”

She palmed her face and broke into tears, “I’m sorry for doubting you, Mujaheed.”

He pulled her to himself and smiled while she rested her head on his chest. “I would’ve done the same to see a gateman spending the way I did, but I was just so overwhelmed with joy that I couldn’t think straight. What you did isn’t wrong in any way, Fareeda, okay?”

“Are you sure?” She asked, lifting her face up to stare at his face.

He planted a soft kiss on her forehead and smiled, “I’m very sure. Now, are you ready to meet the king himself?” He asked and she vehemently nodded her head. They stood up together and she stared at her reflection on the mirror as he dropped her veil over her head before he carried Muhaseen into his arms.

“Won’t you give her to me now? They’d think I’m making their prince work too much.” She requested, and he chuckled before he shook his head and wrapped his had around her shoulders.

“You might be the Queen one day, so I'll be just like Daada used to be with Yumma. I'll show them the kind of love I have for you, you’re my wife, so no one deserves my compassion like you. Don’t you ever think about what the people in this palace will think, okay?” She smiled at him, impressed by his bravado and his wish to show the world how much he loved her, it always fluttered her heart.

Wherever they passed, the servants went to their knees and greeted him. Fareeda kept smiling at them because she had never imagined herself into this situation for her to give herself a solution of how she should act. Even though a huge part of the palace had been renovated, there was still the ambience of it being an old and one of the most powerful palaces in Cameroon. The building, the aura that came off the royal designs, everything thrilled her heart and at some point sent a shiver down her spine.

They reached the king’s chamber and there the guards welcomed them with opened arms. Fareeda was aware of the unknowing look everyone kept flashing at her since they walked out of Yumma’s chamber, but she acted nonchalantly about it. She was used to looks of people and this wouldn’t bother her. At least here no one knew her past nor would anyone be able to use it against her. With his hand holding hers, they walked into the master bedroom and the nurse immediately walked out after she had extended her greetings toward him.

Mujaheed handed her Muhaseen before he helped Daada sat upright with his back supported by the pillow. He was flashing Fareeda an unknown look and she had her eyes fixed on the lush royal carpet spread all over the room while her hands carefully held Muhaseen on her shoulders. With a smile, Mujaheed collected her and went over to where Daada was flashing him a confused look.

“Extend your hands, Daada. Are they germs free? Because you’re going to hold the crown prince’s first and most beautiful daughter. Your first granddaughter because the first was a boy, Kulthum’s Hamid. Here,” he was aware of the tears that accumulated in his eyes but Mujaheed acted as if he hadn't seen them because he wanted this to be something to rejoice over not to cry over. “She’s my daughter, Daada, her name is Muhaseen.” The tears fell down immediately when he placed her down on his arms and Fareeda looked up, watching as tears amalgamated with a smile on his lips.

“I can’t believe this, Mujaheed. I can’t believe I'm holding your daughter in my arms. Muhaseen, she's so cute, Masha Allah.” Even though they were speaking in Fulani, Fareeda knew he was admiring her cuteness and telling Mujaheed how happy he was, because that could be read directly from his face.

“Yes, Daada. And over there, is her mother. Her name is Fareeda. She’s the daughter of the man I told you I worked for; do you remember?” He asked him while their eyes turned over to Fareeda.

“How could I forget that generous man, Mujaheed? You told me he took care of you and he did that for the sake of Allah because he has no idea who you are. Come over, Fareeda.” He said with a soft tone and Mujaheed smiled.

“Elle ne comprend pas Fulani, Daada. (She doesn’t understand Fulani, Daada.)” he spoke to him in French and Daada smiled before he nodded his head.

“Je suis désolée, je croyais que vous compreniez Fulani. Veins voir la femme qui a donné naissanceà ce joli bébé. (Come over here, I want to see the woman that gave birth to this cute baby.)” Fareeda chuckled lightly because she had seen humor, love and understanding in his eyes. He didn't have to say it outwardly that he had accepted her as his son’s wife, she could see that from his eyes already.

She walked over to the bed and sat down on the chair the nurse just stood up from. She smiled at him and greeted, “Bonjour, voter paresse. J’ espére u’on t’a rencontré en Bonne santé? (Good morning, your highness. I hope we’ve met you in good health?)”

Daada flashed her a fatherly smile and nodded his head. “Je me send beaucoup mien depuis qu’il est revenu (I’ve feeling much better since he came back),” he turned his eyes to Mujaheed with fatherly love drooling all over and Fareeda didn’t have to ask to know that these two share a special bond. Maybe that was the reason he got really furious whenever she fought with Alhaji in his presence because he felt that she had gotten a chance to live with his father and was taking it for granted. “Et apple-moi Daada, je sues ton pére aussi (And call me Daada, I'm your father as well.”

She smiled before she nodded her head, watching the way Muhaseen was playing on him. “D’accord, Daada. Je te souhaite un prompt rétablissement. (Okay, Daada. I wish you quick recovery.)” Mujaheed fed Daada himself, while together they played with Muhaseen and nothing could've been more therapeutic than watching the two men together with her.

“I’ll call Kulthum now, I haven’t told her you were back yesterday, because the moment the nurse induced me, I fell asleep.” Daada said as he asked Fareeda to hand him his phone which the nurse used to keep with her so that whenever someone called, she would hand it to him.

Mujaheed turned to her with a smile, “He’s going to call Kulthum so that she knows I'm back.” He was excited, she could see that from his eyes. She pitied him, having to go away from his family that he loved and cherished so much. How must it have felt? How did he come to live the life he had never imagined living and he lived so perfectly, blended so well.

They watched with keen eyes, as Daada dialed Kulthum's number and put the phone on speaker, “Hello, Daada!” She drawled excitedly and he smiled lovingly at her. She always made him feel better, there were times when she would call him to cry her eyes out whenever she missed Mujaheed and Yumma and there were days when he was the one that cried for him and she would be his strength “Kulthum, guess what I have for you today?” He asked with a smile on his lips and she excitedly grin, they could all hear the smile that escaped her lips.

“What would be the most exciting news now? That you’re finally healthy and might be coming over to visit me.” She said excitedly and Daada chuckled lovingly.

“No, guess another thing that will make you so happy.” He said and they both looked at him, waiting to hear her reply and even though Fareeda couldn’t hear what they were saying, she could understand a few.

“Hamma Mujaheed?” She asked with a weak voice, she didn’t want this to not be true, she might not have her hopes raised high, but this will be everything for her if it turned out to be true.

“You guessed right, Kulthum am!” Mujaheed said excitedly and in a second, she screamed at the same time burst into tears.

“Daada! Is that his voice I'm hearing? Daada please make this become true! Ya Allah!” She was crying so hard and all their eyes filled with tears at both joy and agony in her tone.

“I'm the one, Kulthum, It’s me. How have you been?” He asked with tears accumulating in his eyes and they all waited to hear her reaction because she was the most dramatic person they had ever seen.

“How can you ask how I've been? Hamma Mujaheed how can you do that to us?! Daada, stop talking to him, don’t even act as if you’ve known him. I won’t talk to him either, I'll be coming tomorrow to see how you’re doing, Daada, okay? I love you, Daada, hang on there before I arrive tomorrow, don’t talk to him.” She was crying bitterly, and she immediately ended the call. Both Mujaheed and Daada cried with laughter on their lips.

Daada turned to Fareeda with a sad smile on his lips, “Elle a toujours été aussi dramatique. Toutes ces belles paroles sont pour lui, je suis sûr qu’elle viendra le voir. Que je t’aime, c’est aussi pour lui, n’est-ce pas, Mujaheed? (She has always been this dramatic. All these sweet words are for him, I’m sure she’s coming over to see him. That I love you is for him as well, aren’t I right, Mujaheed?)”

“J’ai hâte de la rencontrer, elle est belle. Et Mujaheed dit qu’elle a mon âge. (I can’t wait to meet her, I’m sure she’s lovely. And Mujaheed said she’s my age.)” That was how their conversation lightly turned to Kulthum and they ended up telling her all about Kulthum, their childhood and what she used to be. She loved Daada immediately, because he was the most amazing king she had ever seen in her life.

It was when the nurse came and told them that he needed his afternoon rest until they left him and Muhaseen had to cry terribly when they were leaving him. They were about to leave the chamber when Fareeda saw a lady coming toward them in fast strides and she fell onto Mujaheed’s chest, giggling happily.

“Hamma Mujaheed! I just heard you’re back and when I went to your chamber they told me you’re here. I’ve missed you so much, Hamma Mujaheed!” She was talking in a voice that spoke how much she had missed him even though Fareeda couldn’t understand what she was saying.

Mujaheed peeled her from his body and stared at her face, “Mairamou, what are you doing?” He asked, and Fareeda might not hear what he had said, but she knew he called her Mairamou and she was aware of him saying that Mairamou used to be in love with him. And Fareeda knew when a lady was in love because she used to be in love as well.

Mairamou didn't even notice her, “Hamma Mujaheed, I'm just glad you’re back. Didn’t you miss me?” Tears pooled the brink of her eyes and Mujaheed shook his head.

“Why are you crying then? Why don’t you greet my wife? Here, I have a baby as well, her name is Muhaseen. Kulthum is coming back tomorrow.” All this revelation was too much for her heart and she weakly turned to look at Fareeda that had Muhaseen cradled on her chest while she stared at them with nothing but sheer jealousy in her eyes.

“Your wife? You got married?” She asked, unsure of what she had seen even though the baby she was holding was enough evidence.

Mujaheed was aware of the look Fareeda was flashing at them and he knew she was even more confused because she couldn’t understand what they were talking about. So, when he was about to speak again, he spoke in French. “Ne lei parle pas Fulani, Elle ne comprend pas ça. Je me sis marié avec Elle, tu ne vois pas Notre bébé? (Don’t speak Fulani to her, she doesn’t understand that. I got married to her, can’t you see our baby?)” he smiled widely as she collected Muhaseen from a stupefied Fareeda’s hold and handed her to Mairamou, which Fareeda was so sure it was the only will of Allah that kept Muhaseen in those weak arms.