The Crown And Her Shadows

chapter 14

A few days had passed since Iman’s discharge from the hospital. Umar had returned to Abuja, and Halima—Hally—had gone to her husband’s house. Iman’s car was delayed and was scheduled to arrive the following day. For now, she remained in her room, her meals brought to her, with Nurse Veronica tending to her daily vitals.

Though mostly confined, Iman had taken the opportunity to meet Aminu’s wife, Mami, whose warmth and kindness made the transition to Kano slightly easier.

"Okay, Iman, you’re well enough now, so you can start going to school," Nurse Veronica stated.

"Do I need your permission to go to school?" Iman asked, arching an eyebrow.

"No, ma," Veronica replied.

"Okay then. Bye, shoo—go," Iman waved her off, already moving to prepare herself.

She quickly showered and dressed in a black body-hugging outfit paired with a large white hoodie, perfect for the harmattan chill. She loosened her plaited hair, brushed and curled it, then added a beanie, leaving the rest of her hair flowing freely. A spritz of Coco Chanel perfume later, she sat on her bed, admiring her new green 13 Pro Max.

A knock at the door interrupted her.

"Come in," she called.

"Your car is here," Imran announced before quickly leaving.

Iman hurried downstairs to see it: a pristine 2022 G-Wagon, fresh off release. Her heart raced as she dialed Umar.

"Umar!" she exclaimed, screaming into the phone.

"What happened? Why so excited?" he asked, feigning oblivion.

"Thank you for the car! Oh my God, I have to call Billy!"

"Oh, that’s your fine friend," he smirked.

"Nooo, no, and noo! I know what you’re thinking—you won’t break her heart," she clarified, fully aware of Umar’s reputation as an Abuja boy and a notorious heartbreaker.

"Why now? She’s fine dragging the fine," he teased in his British-accented tone.

"No, bye then," she ended the call, turning to Aminu.

"Here are the keys," he said.

"Thank you," she replied coldly, then left.

As she entered the house again, Ahmad asked, "Iman, do you speak Hausa?"

"Yeah, but not much," she replied, walking away.

"Oh, school Monday, right?" he asked.

"Yeah… wait, today’s Saturday, right?" she clarified.

"Yeah. Okay then, bye," he shrugged.

Sitting on her hamuk, Iman began reading a Wattpad book titled With Souls, an Arabic work written by an African author. Mami knocked gently.

"Hi, can I come in?" she asked.

"Yeah," Iman replied.

"So I wanted to learn more about you. I heard you speak Arabic. What other languages do you know?" Mami asked, attempting a friendly conversation.

"Spanish, Hausa a little, Shuwa Arabic, Fulani, and Somali," Iman listed.

"Wow, that’s impressive. So, what will you wear on Monday?" Mami asked, attempting casual conversation.

"I don’t know. I’ll check," Iman replied.

"Okay, then. Dinner is served," Mami said.

"Can I have it here?" Iman asked.