Balogun

DON'T TOUCH HER

Fun Question: Who do you love most in the world?

A knock on the door woke Murewa up the next morning. He was completely drained and empty.
As the knocking persisted, he opened his eyes and slid further under the covers, hoping the person would take the hint and go away, but no. Instead, the door slid open.

Murewa sat up instantly, his anger stirring to life as he turned to see who dared come into his room without invitation.
His gaze connected with the old eyes of the intruder, and his anger died a quick death.

"Grandfather," he said reverently.

The old man leaned on his cane as he came to a pause at the foot of the bed, his eyes taking in the messy state of his room, the broken plate, the spilled food, the shattered tumbler, and discarded tray. "It's past eight, Balogun," he said finally.

"I am aware," Murewa answered. He wasn't aware.

"Care to join me for breakfast?" The old man slapped his cane on the floor twice and turned towards the door. "Starts in twenty minutes."

"Alright. I'd be there." Murewa agreed in a beat.
He loved spending time with the man.

The old man smiled and walked slowly towards the door, then stopped with his hands on the knob.
"Your Father would be there with his wife," he added gravely.

"Have a nice breakfast then." Murewa waved and slipped back under the covers.

"Please don't refuse, that's why I came here myself," the Grandfather said and got no reply, just as he expected. "I'll be seeing you shortly," he added and walked out the door, confident the boy would come.

                                     ***

"Oh, it's so nice to see you again, Murewa." Queen Habibah clapped excitedly when he finally joined them at the table an hour later.

He had deliberately delayed, hoping breakfast would be over by the time he got here but as he lowered himself onto the chair, he realized they had not even started.

"We were waiting for you," the Grandfather said with a knowing smile and Murewa glared at him, wishing he could knock the smile off.
"We can start now."

The servants laid various domes and trays of dishes on the table and as the delicious smell wafted up his nostrils, he realized he was hungry. He hadn't eaten since yesterday's lunch.

"Here, let me help you," the Queen said, picking up his plates to dish out his food. Murewa slapped her hand away, his tolerance and patience were dangerously depleted and he had no time for her foolery.

"Murewa..." his father's low voice rumbled in warning and Murewa snapped his gaze to him, the man's betrayal of eighteen years ago still fresh in his mind.

"Keep your wife on a leash," he snapped and began to plate his food. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Habibah pat his Father's hand on the table, willing him to keep calm.

The conversation was light as they ate, with Murewa only answering questions that were put forward by his Grandfather while ignoring his Father and his Father's wife. He didn't care that he was being petty, he wasn't in the mood to be mature at the moment.

"I have not been to the new site since the last time we went there," Murewa said in reply to a question his Grandfather asked. "I have been so busy with training the recruits."

"It's okay," his Grandfather answered, gulping down a tall glass of water. "I have handed it over to the Minister of Works. He has been doing his job there diligently."