Ties That Bind

EP25

The atmosphere in the living room had been light, filled with laughter and chatter between Zara and her younger sister Umma Khaltum. Umma had come to visit after the elections, and the mood was joyous. Kabir’s victory was still fresh, and everyone in the household had been buzzing with excitement. As they sat on the plush couch, Umma couldn't resist teasing Zara.

“So, First Lady of Lagos, how does it feel?” Umma smirked, nudging Zara playfully.

Zara chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, please. It’s not like I’m going to be in that role for long. Just a few months and then, well, back to the original plan."

Umma raised an eyebrow, still teasing. "You say that now, but I bet people will start calling you ‘Her Excellency’ soon."

Zara snorted. "They can call me whatever they like. The arrangement doesn’t change. It’s still a contract, and it will end eventually." She paused for a moment, her expression softening. "Besides, this political life isn't what I signed up for, remember?"

Before Umma could respond, Salame, the housemaid, stepped into the living room. She gave a polite bow and addressed Zara. “Madam, there’s a visitor for Alhaji Kabir.”

Zara turned her attention away from her sister. “A visitor? Male or female?”

Salame shifted uncomfortably, clearly sensing the tension that was about to unfold. “It’s a female, madam. She said her name is Jamila.”

Zara’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Jamila. Of course, she thought.

Zara remained calm, her tone even. “Let her in,” she instructed. Then, picking up her phone, she quickly dialed Kabir’s number.

“Hello?” Kabir’s voice answered almost immediately.

“You have a visitor,” Zara informed him, her voice neutral. “It’s Jamila.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Kabir replied, “I’ll be right down.”

Zara hung up, placing her phone back on the table without a word. Umma, who had been watching the exchange closely, leaned in. “That Jamila, isn’t she…?”

Zara nodded, cutting her off. “Yes, she’s the one with the supposed son,” Zara said, her tone laced with subtle sarcasm. “But it’s Kabir’s issue, not mine.” Her voice was cool, detached. She wasn’t about to get herself worked up over Jamila’s visit. It wasn’t her place to fight Kabir’s personal battles.

Within minutes, Kabir appeared at the top of the stairs, his footsteps echoing down the grand hallway. Zara’s eyes followed him as he descended, his face neutral, but she could tell there was a slight edge to his demeanor. When he reached the living room, his eyes immediately fell on Jamila, who was seated comfortably, a small, almost smug smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, Jamila, it’s you," Kabir said, surprise evident in his tone. He hadn’t expected her to come here, and the audacity of her walking into his matrimonial home uninvited caught him off guard. His gaze flickered briefly toward Zara, wondering why she had even allowed Jamila to be seated comfortably in their home.

Jamila shrugged, seemingly unfazed by his surprise. "Yep, it’s me," she said with a casual air, almost as though she had every right to be there.

Kabir’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took a step closer. "To what do I owe this visit?" His tone was polite but laced with underlying tension.

"Well, I’m here to congratulate the new Governor of Lagos state and an old friend." Jamila smiled, leaning back against the sofa. "And also to let you know that I’ll be going back to the States soon."

All this while, Zara remained silent, sitting on the sofa like a statue, her presence quiet yet commanding. She didn’t interfere, didn’t offer any comments, nor did she acknowledge Jamila beyond her initial nod. This was Kabir’s issue to handle. She wasn’t going to involve herself.

Kabir raised an eyebrow. "You’re going back to the States?" His voice softened a bit, genuinely curious. "Why?"

Jamila gave a small shrug, her eyes not meeting his. "This environment... it’s just not for me"

Kabir’s brow furrowed in confusion. "What happens to Jamal?" He asked, his voice dropping in sincerity. Despite the complications of the situation, he had grown to care about the boy in some capacity, believing him to be his son.

"I’ll be taking him with me, of course," Jamila replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Kabir's expression darkened slightly. "But I thought you wanted him to stay here... to get to know his dad," he said, sincerity filling his voice. Despite everything, Kabir had hoped to establish some sort of relationship with the boy, if only because he believed he was his father.

Jamila smiled, but it was a bitter smile. One that held something darker underneath. "Ah, that’s the problem, Kabir. I'm not sure if his dad would want him around"

Kabir blinked, his confusion deepening. "What do you mean?" His tone was sharp now, demanding an explanation. "I never said anything like that."

The smugness in Jamila’s expression only grew, her eyes glinting with something almost dangerous. She tilted her head, her voice dropping into a whisper that felt like a slap across the face. "Yeah, actually... you’re not his real dad. Your dad is."

The room went cold. Kabir felt the blood drain from his face, his mouth suddenly dry. His eyes widened in disbelief as the words hung in the air, heavy and cruel. "What?" he breathed, his voice barely audible.

Jamila leaned forward slightly. "I had an affair with your father when you were away on that business trip in Canada. Jamal isn’t your son, Kabir. He’s your brother."

The weight of her words slammed into Kabir like a freight train. He stood frozen, unable to move, unable to breathe. His world had just been ripped out from under him, everything he thought he knew crumbling into dust. His father? His own father had been with Jamila? And Jamal... the child he had thought was his son... was actually his brother?

Zara, still seated, exhaled softly. She hadn’t moved an inch since Jamila began speaking, but her eyes were sharp, watching Kabir closely. She had suspected something was off from the very beginning, but this? Even she hadn’t seen this coming.

Umma Khaltum, who had been sitting beside Zara, gasped audibly, her hand flying to her mouth as she tried to comprehend what had just been revealed. She looked from Zara to Kabir, unsure of what to say or do.

Kabir’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. His entire body was trembling with anger and shock.