Ties That Bind

EP7

Kabir sat at the corner table of the upscale café, his fingers drumming impatiently against the smooth surface. He had been waiting for over thirty minutes. His eyes flicked to his phone again, irritated by Fatima’s delay. It wasn’t just the time she was wasting—it was the stakes. They were running out of time, and Fatima’s reluctance to engage with him was only making things worse.

His patience snapped, and he dialed her number again. The phone rang several times before she finally answered, her voice curt and unbothered.

"What is it againnn?" she said, not bothering to hide her annoyance. "Leave me alone, I’m busy."

Kabir’s tone turned icy, his frustration boiling over. "Enough, Fatima. I don’t care what you’re doing right now. This is urgent, and you will come. Do you understand me?"

There was silence on the other end of the line, a tense pause before Fatima huffed in irritation. "Whatever" she muttered, and the call ended abruptly.

Kabir exhaled sharply, his jaw clenched as he stared at the phone in his hand. He didn’t like the way he spoke to her, but there was no time for bratty tantrums. Not when everything was on the line.

Fatima arrived at the café precisely at 4 PM, her posture radiating an air of defiance. She walked with deliberate slowness toward Kabir, her eyes cold as they locked on his. Her entrance was a silent declaration—she wasn’t here because he ordered her to be. She was here on her own terms.

The atmosphere in the café was peaceful, with soft jazz playing in the background and the scent of freshly ground coffee lingering in the air. But between Kabir and Fatima, tension crackled.

She sat down across from him, crossing her arms and fixing him with a stare that was both challenging and indifferent. "Alright, Kabir. What’s so urgent that you had to drag me out here?"

Kabir’s gaze hardened. He wasn’t in the mood for games. "Aminu Gado has entered the race. He’s gunning for the same seat I’m targeting. This complicates things, Fatima. We need to adjust our strategy."

Fatima raised an eyebrow, barely concealing her disinterest. "And why exactly should that be my problem? You’re the one running, not me."

Kabir’s voice lowered, his gaze piercing. "Because you’ve signed the contract, Fatima. Whether you like it or not, you're part of this now. Your actions, your words, your presence—they all matter. We’re in this together, and we need to be on the same page."

Fatima leaned back in her chair, her expression rebellious. "Oh, so now you’re dictating how I should act? You think just because I signed some paper, I’m your puppet?"

Kabir’s eyes flashed with barely contained anger. "Quit being bratty, Fatima. I’m not asking you to be my puppet. I’m telling you to take this seriously. We’re up against a strong opponent, and we can’t afford to make mistakes."

Fatima’s jaw tightened, her frustration evident. "You don’t know me, Kabir. We’ve met just two times, and now you expect me to just fall in line with your plans like I’m some obedient wife? That’s not how this works."

Kabir leaned forward, his tone sharp. "No, I don’t know you. But I do know the stakes. I know that Aminu Gado has the backing of key northern leaders, and if we’re not careful, we’ll lose ground. This isn’t about personal feelings, Fatima. It’s about survival."

Fatima glared at him, her pride refusing to yield. "I won’t be a pawn in your political game fah. I have my own life, my own principles. Don’t expect me to just nod and smile for the cameras."

Kabir’s voice softened, but his intensity didn’t waver. "I’m not asking you to give up your principles. But you need to understand that in politics, perception is reality. Every move you make will be scrutinized. If we’re not united, people will see the cracks, and they’ll use them against us."

Fatima rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "So what’s your big plan, Kabir? You want me to parade around as your perfect wife, pretending everything’s fine?"

Kabir’s expression was unyielding. "I want you to be strategic. We need to solidify our alliances, starting with your father and Senator Olumide Akinwale. If we lose their support, we’ll be left vulnerable. And yes, that means public appearances, showing unity, and making sure people see us as a team."

Fatima’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "A team? You really think we’re a team?"

Kabir’s patience was wearing thin, but he remained composed. "We don’t have to like each other, Fatima. But we do need to work together. If you can’t do that, then you’re only making things harder for both of us."

Fatima’s eyes narrowed, a flash of defiance in her gaze. "Fine, Kabir. I’ll play along. But don’t expect me to fall in line just because you say so. I have my own way of doing things."

Kabir nodded, his tone stern. "Do whatever you need to, but remember this—every misstep has consequences. We don’t have the luxury of mistakes."

Fatima crossed her arms again, her expression set. "I get it. But if you want me to be involved, then don’t treat me like some accessory. I’m not just going to be in the background while you call all the shots."

Kabir’s eyes softened slightly, acknowledging her point. "Fair enough. I need your cooperation, not just your presence. But we both need to understand that this is bigger than either of us. If we win, we win together. If we lose…"

Fatima’s gaze lingered on his for a moment, then she leaned back, her tone softening, but still carrying a bite. "Yeah, I get it, Kabir. No need for the dramatic end-of-the-world speech. I’ll do my part."

Kabir relaxed slightly, though the tension between them remained palpable. "Good. Now let’s focus on the next step. We need to make sure our alliances are secure. Your father and Akinwale are key players, and we can’t afford to lose them."

Fatima sighed, her earlier frustration simmering beneath the surface. "My dad is already on board. As for Akinwale, what’s the plan?"

Kabir’s eyes sharpened. "We need to make a show of unity. We'll go to his place to talk to him"

Fatima nodded, though her reluctance was evident. "Fine. I’ll play along"

Kabir gave her a firm look. "Thank you"