The Crown And Her Shadows

chapter 40

Iman was woken by the sound of raised voices.

She hissed softly, irritated. Who on earth is shouting this early? Still groggy, she got up, brushed her teeth quickly to chase away the morning breath, and slipped into a soft pink mukhawwar. The fabric hugged her gently, comforting in its familiarity. She made her way downstairs, the shouting growing louder with each step an unfamiliar voice slicing through the calm of the morning.

"Who does she think she is? Go and wake her up!" the woman snapped. "She thinks because Yerima na goyan bayanta that's why she won’t wake up?! Khadijah is outside supervising, so why won’t she?!”

"Aunty Kulu, ki yi hakuri, dan Allah," Amina’s firm voice replied. “Bana so in shiga matsala da Yerima.”

“What will he do?” the woman scoffed. “Go and wake her up!”

"Kiyi hakuri, Anty Kulu. Ba zan iya ba," Amina said, this time with firmness.

Iman stepped quietly into the room. “Ina kwana,” she greeted, her voice calm despite the tension in the air.

“Alhamdulillah,” the woman Anty Kulu said mockingly. “We thought you died.”

Iman said nothing.

Anty Kulu’s eyes narrowed with contempt. “Why are you here, sitting pretty, while everyone else is outside working? Lazy. I told Kassim not to marry him to another lazy one, but he didn’t listen to me. Tirrr!” she spat, her tone venomous.

Iman stood quietly and walked to the kitchen, her mind swirling. Another one? she thought. What did she mean? Another wife? Was he married before?

To steady ,herself, she began arranging a tray with karak tea, its warm cardamom aroma calming her nerves. She added some cookies she’d brought back from Abuja, their buttery scent rising in contrast to the bitterness she’d just walked away from.

But as she turned to head back into the living area, she saw it was empty just Amina, gently closing the door.

“Where is she?” Iman asked, puzzled.

Amina quickly approached her, closing the tray lid. “fulani, if you wanted to bring her something, you should have told me. I sent her away.”

“Why?” Iman asked, now more confused.

“Because she’s not allowed into Yerima’s house at all,” Amina whispered urgently. “Please don’t tell him if he hears, the whole palace will be on fire.”

Iman nodded slowly. “Okay. But… what did she mean about another one? Was he married before?”

At the question, Amina stiffened then quickly turned and walked out of the kitchen without a word.

Iman frowned. Her stomach tightened. Why won’t anyone just tell me the truth?

She headed upstairs and sank into one of the plush sofas in the living room. She switched on the TV and tuned in to Showmax, continuing The White Lotus but her thoughts were far from the drama on the screen.

A few minutes later, a maid entered quietly, carrying her breakfast: a chilled yogurt bowl topped with granola, thin slices of banana, diced strawberries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of chia seeds.

“Bring me my phone, please,” Iman said.

“Tohm, fulani,” the maid replied, handing her the phone moments later.

Iman opened it to find a missed call from Hanifa. She dialed back.

“Fatalwa, how far?” she asked as Hanifa picked up.

“Adda, Ina kwana.”

“Lafiya”

“You’re not supposed to know this, but… Adda Hally wants to go back to her husband’s house. He came and apologized, then he met with Kawu and Grandma. Toh dai, she’s going back. But they said we shouldn’t tell you.”

“Halima kenan,” Iman said, shaking her head. “Tohm, don’t worry. Thank you. I won’t say anything. When she wants to tell me, she has my number.”

“Okay. Tohm. Bye Adda,” Hanifa replied before ending the call.

Iman stared blankly at the screen, her heart sinking a little. They’ve all been doing this since I came back from rehab treating me like glass. Hiding things.

She reached for the remote and switched off the TV.

I’ve cared enough, she thought bitterly. When they want to talk, they know where to find me.

With that, she walked back to her room, let herself fall onto the bed, and let the weight of it all lull her into sleep once more.

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Iman woke up feeling groggy but determined. She slowly got dressed in her outfit a soft lavender abaya with delicate embroidery around the sleeves, paired with silver sandals. Her hijab was loosely pinned, framing her calm but tired face. She stepped out of her room and made her way downstairs.

“Mina!” she called out softly.

Amina popped out of the kitchen, adjusting her veil. “I’m ready,” she smiled, and they both headed to the car. The ride to the main palace was quiet, Iman leaning against the window as the familiar surroundings passed by.

Upon arrival, only Khadijah was in the lounge, reclining on the couch with a tray of samosas beside her.

“Hello ya kike Khadijah,” Iman greeted warmly, throwing her arms around her. Khadijah hugged her back tightly.

“Come and eat something,” Khadijah said, offering her a samosa.

They stood chatting, laughing about what they might wear for the dinner later that evening. Just then, the atmosphere shifted Anty Kulu walked in.

She looked at Iman with narrowed eyes and muttered, “Hmm, Allah ya yi. You’re out and about tonight? You should stay home, since you're the only woman on earth who has ever given birth.”

Khadijah rolled her eyes and took Iman’s hand. “That’s enough. Let’s go.”

As they turned, a sudden tug held Iman back. She looked down Anty Kulu was holding her wrist.

“I wasn’t done talking to her,” Kulu said sharply.

“I don’t care,” Khadijah snapped. “Let her go.”

Iman tried to pull away. “Please, let go of me,” she said firmly. “Why are you holding me? Is it by force to talk to you?”

Kulu’s face darkened. Without warning, she raised her hand and delivered a harsh slap across Iman’s face. The impact made Iman stumble back, and her foot twisted beneath her. She fell hard onto the floor, crying out as she clutched her bump.

“iman!” Khadijah screamed, rushing to her side.

Everything happened in a blur. Mina ran to get help. Palace staff rushed in, gasping. Khadijah knelt beside Iman, cradling her as she sobbed in pain.

“Mina! Go call Nassim now!” she barked.

Without a second thought, Khadijah and two of the guards helped lift Iman, who was trembling and holding onto her stomach. They bundled her into the car and raced to the hospital, praying silently and out loud as they drove.

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Hmmmm okay oo