The shady vermin

6

Deep in my countless thoughts, I felt warm, slender in my hand, and I realised, it was Nabila who her hand to mine, and intertwined her finger with mine. And I remembered the "hand" that saved me, when I was at the bridge of dead. It was the same thing! Nabila's hand is the "hand"! And the little thought sparked a little joy in me, and I thought to myself, that if it's for fighting for Nabila I'm going to face jail time...then I'll do it.
And when I came back to reality, the sitting had begun, but my mind wasn't there, as I stared at the benevolence of Nabila, who turned to look back at me after noticing she was stared at. And then, the whispers from behind me drew my attention. I noticed two men a bit adjacent behind us, one wearing an old polo T-shirt, with his collars popping. And the other with an old Chelsea jersey, with tribal marks, while chewing stick. "wai see the bastard...hypocrisy and hate he brought to the family. Trying to break the family, he's really evil." one said, and the later replied, "yes na so bastard people be, very evil, I even heard he bewitched her." And for some reason, even though the "bastard" thing doesn't get to me, this was just a different time for me. It just annoyed me, how they all think I'm nothing capable of doing good, because I'm illegitimate? Who are they to judge?  Why am I punished for the actions of my parents? All these thoughts built so much range in me. I could feel the anger taking over me, and I was going call their attention, and at least say something. Then I felt Nabila's hand in mine clench harder, and I turned to looked at her, she rolled her eyes and smiled, which I interpreted as "just let them be in not worth it".
And so both concentrated on the court's proceedings. At that moment, was exactly when Baba Nasiru's wife was called on to the stands as a witness. A Yoruba, dark skinned,medium height lady who had a loud and irritating character, pompous and rude. Took a stand, and Imran began, "I swear that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." And she followed, "I solemnly affirm that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth".

"Mrs. Nasiru, mind if I address you by your first name?"

"Yes" as she broadened her shoulders, with an arrogant countenance on her face.

"Okay Maryam, where were you on February the 6th from last two years?"

"With my Ife, in his brother's house"

"And what can you say about the events of that day?"

"Well, we were at his house to see him, as he hadn't been well for some time, then he insisted on transferring some property to my husband which after much drama my Ife did,and next he brought up his death and said some really sad stuff, asked us to care for Nabila, I don't know why she's against us, we're her family,but that bastard...jus-", and began to sob. The entire court was mute for a second, then started buzzing till the judge demanded order. I myself was shocked but a the lie she told and the act she put up, knowing well how Nabila's father always threaded carefully with them and even warned us so many times, it was really confusing.
As Imran consoled and urged Maryam to go seat down, as she walked past, our eyes met, and she eyed me, and it dawned on me that they'd got me where they wanted, and imagined how it could possibly get worse than it already is.
Then I next, Nabila was called to the stands, as they wanted to be sure if she had been acting on her own accord, or under mine. She went up the stands, and took her oath. "Until now, I realised that I've been wrong all along, to trust a bastard. A self conceited, manipulative bastard, he tricked me but more, he deserves to be prosecuted!"

"Who?" Imran prompted
"Saleem the illegitimate!" as she pointed at me with disdain.

I stopped functioning at that moment, numb and undone, I'm sure if I was slaughtered at that point, there'd be no blood...absolutely stale, till suddenly a police man pulled up me from my arms, and cuffed my wrist to his. And I thought, that's the worse it could get. But on the other hand, stop having wild thoughts, as I snapped out of my absurd thoughts, while I noticed Maryam go seat beside Baba Nasiru, fully aware that Nabila's position was unchanged. Then the judge asked if there was any further proclamations before judgement, but there was nothing but silence in the court. And clearly, everyone knew what was coming next, we had lost the the case, as much as I dreaded it, as much as we dreaded it. Thought knowing Ubayd, a very blockheaded person, he'd try something reckless because he was a terrible loser. So I expected him to drag the case, even though it was certain that we lost already.