Garin Mazugal

Chapter 12(cont).

Alhaji Sabiu's death was like a topping to the cake of heightened tension. It was like it took a shot of adrenalin to head. Barau,the hypocritical human,had everyone believing his tale of sorrow and fake tears. He rushed to the house of Iro and Mai Naira and they together moved swiftly to the house of their one time brother in scheme. Gana followed them behind. He was calmer than he was a few minutes ago. This change even surprised him. The events of the past years suddenly began to dawn on him;how he was just another "thing" to the ever bragging Sabi'u.

They met Binta sitting on the sofa. She alternated between sorrow and regret,happiness and intense regret, fear and intense regret. She regretted the single action of her father and  how he sold her out for a few crumbs. She was happy that at least she has freedom now. She was scared of  what the people in Mazugal are going to say about her. How the blames will be automatically passed to her and how,no matter how little,the events of days past will be twisted in a very diabolic way to show or paint her as the bad person. Her mind started to long for Yaro. Her head told her not to but she can go ahead to dream. If she had acceptable excuses and answers for the "Your-husband-Just-Died-And-You're-Already-Thinking-Of-Another-Man" questions. She sat on the sofa and watched the remaining part of the triskellion walk in.

"Salaamun alaikum" Barau managed to mumble amidst subdued tears. An actor, Barau.

"Wa alaikumusalam" Binta answered and shrugged her shoulder. She didn't hide or mask the freedom this death has brought to her. Previously, in the previous life she lived, where Sabi'u played tingod,she rushed out with kegs of drinks and plates of eats to welcome them. She bowed on the floor,almost licking their feet,allowing Sabi'u the chance of referring to her as a thing and giving him a window to ventilate his masculinity. Now,she didn't even stand up. When the saw her in a transmutated state,they made for themselves spaces and sat down.

"We heard what happened"
Iro started. She said nothing and didn't really care to. She already knew them and expected them to really unveil their intentions-linking her to the death.

They stared at her and passed  notes amongst themselves with their eyes.

"We're talking to you Binta" Iro continued.
"Maybe she is mourning and is tongue tied. You know how this things are. Especially when the man is rich and the girl isn't. You know, she'll start to think of ways of survival. So let her mourn. ....and God,Look at her. She is still very young and beautiful but who'll marry a young widow? Aren't these enough a reason to be in sorrow?"

Barau said. An expert in talking... or taking people to where he wants them.

She atill said nothing.

"We just came.." Mai Naira said "To share in your sorrow and to ask a few questions"

This is it ,she thought to herself.
"Ok,ask. And thank you for the care and concern" She said and knelt down with a smile. That put them off a bit. She wasn't an ordinary girl and she wasn't ready to be treated as one. If they came to destabilize her and destroy her psyche, they should be ready too. It'll be one hell of a dog fight.

"Sit down, mai albarka(The blessed one)" Mai Naira continued. " Tell us what happened. How did he die? Was he sick? How was he like after.....OK,after what happened?"

"After what happened?" She asked.

"What happened mana. You know,what happened.."

"Oh" she said mockingly " The one Alhaji Iro wanted to announce himself as the winner? Or the one that this shameless human called Barau held everyone hostage? Or the one that... "

"Shut up woman" Barau thundered. Answer the question or you'll be left with..."

"With what Barau? What exactly are you saying? Are you mad? Do you know that Sabi'u saw and caught the assassin you sent to kill him? You thought he had forgotten? You thought he wasn't going to exert revenge? You're lucky he didn't win or have his way during the elections, even luckier he died. He would have butchered you like a piece of meat. The cutlasses he planned to use are in his bedroom. I can show it to you if you want to see it.."

Everyone stood up and went to find a place to sit. Barau was isolated in the middle. These revelations was shocking as it gets. To think that Barau was even crying more than bereaved. The metamorphosis of Barau was even more surprising to any one. He moved quickly from this no-good to a man with ruthless aggression and rabid ambition,ready to annihilate any one or anything in his path. His past as a nobody could however explain this. He was a man with so much knowledge and insight but with so little money and power. All the analysis, discussions and major decisions ever taken by that party was partly due to his suggestions and majorly due to the hidden counsel he gives Alhaji Iro who then comes out to claim everything. To add salt to injury, Iro didn't treat him right. When Barau saw that he stood a chance of getting respect if he acted, he did act and now,it has become an obsession. An obsession big and ready to consume everyone and everything. Barau,however wasn't the only one with evil under wears. He wasn't ready to be scape goated so he spoke out.

"Funny" he let out a dry and wry laugh. "Funny that all of you are running away forgetting that I was once your goto guy. I have records of all the evil and nonsense things you've done. Look at Iro for instance. How many times have you paid mallam goni,mai maganin Aljannu( Medicine for Jins and spirits possessing humans) to lie that an innocent person has jinn just so that they'll surrender the girl's,because most times it is what he wants, freedom to the mallam? After which you take her to you herbalist who hurries her alive? I know of 2 girls like . Can you imagine the amount he has hidden from me? "

Silence. Suddenly the world was becoming too big for Iro. He felt like running out but that'll be like chickening out so he didn't.

"Or Mai Naira? Do you really want me to say what I know?"

"Please don't! Please" Mai Naira begged. Barau was enjoying this power.
"I'll.  Mai naira once paid me hundreds of thousands to poison Iro's drink. He went behind my back to pay another person to poison mine too. I overhead the discussion and confronted the man. He explained everything to me and I paid him with the money mai Naira gave me and told him to leave Mazugal. "

Silence. Again.

Barau wasn't done."You're all disgusting. You should have checked yourself before pointing fingers of accusations at me. I'll make all of you pay for what you've done to me. I'll make you regret. I'll make you suffer. I'll enjoy and relish the day I press my screwdriver against your necks and you pleading for mercy. I'll relish the pains in your voice when I win the elections and put you in prison.."

Iro charged at him and landed a heavy blow on his nose. He started to bleed instantly but was nonplussed.

"This can't stop me. I'm not a foolish fighter...and I don't fight defenceless people,Iro. You should get ready. I'll make you pay"

Barau said and stood up,panting slightly. Mai Naira held his head in his hands. Iro was standing, his hands wide apart, like he was ready to fly. Barau was strengthening his clothes and cleaning his nose. Binta sat and was enjoying herself. Barau made for the door only to bump into Gana. Gana stuck his head into the room and said.

" Kun mutu(You're dead) Yaro is back. I saw him with my eyes."

It was like a drumroll. A drumroll for fear. Barau sunk to the chair. Nobody knows what would happen. Should they continue their enmity or unite as friends now that their enemy is one......and is near?!