Married To A Captain

Chapter 31

Trust.

Trusting someone who keeps playing games can be nearly impossible. There is always the fear of enduring the same pain, and that's Fatima's predicament at this moment. She was lost because Muhammad's sudden change seemed too good to be true, or maybe she was just being too paranoid. Well, let's not blame her. He brought it upon himself, and he can fix it.

After he left their chamber, he went to a smaller building in the palace where the meeting was to be held. He muttered his Salam and entered the place, where he found some of his uncles, two to be exact, the kingmakers,and also someone he never thought he would see again. Maybe he did expect him to be there.

"Nice to finally see you, brother," he said, looking directly into Aliyu's eyes. Aliyu gave him a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. There were a lot of unspoken words. The problem was whether Muhammad was willing to listen. That he doubted much.

He settled on a couch before they started talking. His uncle, Mai Martaba's younger brother, began.

"We all know the reason we gathered here. Following the king's decision to make his eldest son his heir, it has been concluded that we need to crown him as soon as possible. But there is also his youngest son, Aliyu, who also expresses his desire for the throne. However, we all know the criteria for this decision. The heir, Yerima Muhammad Ibrahim Waziri, will be crowned as king. Allah ya basa ikon sauqe haqqi da zaa daura masa."

His uncle's smile fell as the announcement was made. The discussion continued with the date of the crowning set for the next four days. They closed the meeting with a prayer. Muhammad waited for them to leave, leaving only him and Aliyu in the room.

Aliyu tried to strike up a conversation, but Muhammad shut him off, clearly not interested in anything he had to say.

"You know one way or another you have to listen to me. So please drop the childish act."

Muhammad stared at him. "You really think there is more to say? After everything, really?"

"Yeah, there is. You didn't even give me a chance. Haba, dan Allah, as if we're not related. You blindly trusted what she said despite our relationship."

"I trusted her because she is my mother. What do you want? For me to trust my stepbrother, who was my best friend, after trying to kill my mother, huh?"

Aliyu shook his head. "Wallahi, I didn't try to kill her. You've known me since I was an infant; you raised me and know you can trust your upbringing. If to this day you can't believe me, then why should I even bother?" Aliyu turned and left Muhammad.

For the first time, Muhammad began to doubt his trust in people. He knew he was trying to save himself from heartbreak, but could he really do that when the truth was unveiling itself? He just hoped his biggest fear didn't actually come true.

****
"Do you really think he won't find out? You must be joking. Trust me, sooner or later he will find out, and you'll be at the losing end. So better tread carefully."

The person on the other line laughed in a mocking tone. "After years of being in darkness, you really think he'll be able to find out? He won't, and once I take away what he loves the most, I'll be done with him and the throne can finally be mine."

"You really should be careful. I've done my best. Don't say I didn't warn you," the person hissed and cut off the call.

The person walked around the room before picking up the phone again.

"I want you to finish the job on the day of the turbaning ceremony. Finish what you didn't complete last time, and I don't want any excuses. When you're done with the job, find a place to hide for some time before showing up again," before ending the call.