Due For Inheritance (D. U. I)

Chapter 2

Aisha wasn’t happy at the turn of the event. Since the death of AbdulAhad’s first wife, her post had been elevated to AbdulAhad’s favourite. She became the eldest of the wives and had been enjoying the privileges. Her show of fame however, had been short-lived due to AbdulAhad’s disappearance and she couldn’t wait for things to be back to normal. This is why, more than any of AbdulAhad’s wife, she’s the most concerned and had been actively searching for him rather than sitting and simply chanting the prayers in the corner of her bedroom.

Aisha has been struggling to cope with raising her two children; a girl and a boy, then her late elder wife’s children too, two boys and a girl making a total of five, though they’re now four since Aaqib is missing. She tried to be a disciplinarian, a task that failed because she naturally has a smiling face and no one is willing to take her serious. It also didn’t help that she has a nasally voice too. So, when she tried to be stern, everyone laughed it off and doesn’t take to her orders and even when her husband was around and she reported to him, he dismisses her with a wave of his hand or on other days, promised to attend to the issue later.

The eldest of the five children Aaidah sat on the cushion in the larger living room with her step mum discussing on how to auction some items. “Maami, she began, these antique toys I’m holding up are worth two hundred and fifty thousand naira, if we want to auction it, the starting price should be one hundred and fifty thousand naira, no less”.

“My child, I’m getting sick of your covetousness. Your great grandma kept it and gave it to you because of the sentimental value she held towards it but you decided to sell it off and at a very high price no less, if you wanted to auction it at all, it should be at a charity auction.” Aisha cautioned.

Aaidah stood up from her sitting position in anger. She rolled her tongue and looking her step mum square in the face, she retorted, “I don’t expect you to understand, you’re cheap and so is your thinking. These toys can never be found in any store for that matter if you don’t know that already and it’s what every parents’ would desire to have in their homes for their children. It might be special, but it’s old and I’m sick of just staring at it and showing it off. What better way is there to get rid of it rather than put it off for sale?”

Aisha quickly stood up to match Aaidah’s height. She can be childish at times as she doesn’t know the right method of reprimanding her children. She moved towards her step daughter and snatched the toys right out of her hand. “Look here Missy, I don’t appreciate being spoken to like that, I’m like your mother and when next you try that with me, I won’t hesitate to give you the lashings of your life”.  She warned.

At this Aaidah laughed and her step mum got even angrier. “Are you laughing at me? We’ll see who will last laugh when you auction this excuse of toys and no one is even willing to bid on it” Aisha mocked.

Aaidah moved closer to Aisha to launch herself at her. It’s not the first time she would engage her in a physical fight and she had every intention of doing that right now that her step mum had hurt her feelings but before she could get far, her younger brother, Aabid, entered and quickly moved towards them.
“Don’t tell me you’re about to engage mum in a fight again”. He asked astounded.

“Just wait behind for five minutes and see what will happen, then, I won’t have to tell you because you’ll witness it yourself”. Aaidah replied.

“Dad and brother are missing and we have no clue about their whereabouts. It isn’t enough that you show little to no concern about this issue but you’re also about to fight your elder. You’re so shameless you have no boundary”. Aabid accused.

“Repeat that word and see how you’ll serve as the cane I’ll use to beat her up”. Aaidah mocked.

“Enough of that please. Aisha begged. Aabid is very right. We shouldn’t be doing this in the situation we are right now, though being quiet won’t make a difference. However, we need to be reasonable”.
Aaidah didn’t utter another word but gave the both of them a scornful look, gathered her toys and left the living room.