Due For Inheritance (D. U. I)

Chapter 2

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“AbdulAhad has gone missing for over two years now. If he’s not dead, where could he be?” The fourth wife Hajara complained to her eldest daughter, Hauwa. Hauwa was supposed to be married. She was planning her Nikkah ceremony before her father and half-brother’s disappearance. Since then, everything has been on hold. Her fiancée who’s the son of a senator is also threatening to end the relationship.

“I don’t care about his whereabouts. Hauwa replied. I just needed to get married before I lose my fiancée forever. Isn’t the judge supposed to declare him dead already? If he wasn’t missing he would have been dead already due to his excess intake of supplements anyway”. She concluded with a rueful look in her mother’s direction as if it was her fault that her father is missing.

“Audhubillaah! Don’t say that about your father”. Hajara warned. “He could be alive somewhere and looking for a way to get back”.

“Please mother, don’t try to pretend that you care for him. Aren’t you waiting to hear him declared dead so that you can get your share of his property like you’ve always wanted?” She asked.

“Sshh”. Hajara shushed while placing her hand across her mouth. “Do you want people to hear that? You know how this house is; anyone can hear what you didn’t plan to let out. After all, how did I use to get all my information? Please don’t land me in trouble. Let me have my share of my husband’s property in peace and for the record, I never wished death on him. Audhubillah”.

Hauwa eyed her mum disbelievingly before making a suggestion. “Mother, I suggest that we speak with the family lawyer and persuade him to tell the judge to declare father dead. We’ll be doing the whole family a favor”.

“I don’t want to be the bad wife. So I don’t plan to take a step which is obvious that other wives too would have loved to take but they’re looking for the sacrificial lamb and that wouldn’t be me”. Hauwa declared.

“Mum we can do it this way”, she began. Her mother is familiar with the look, it’s the look she mostly wear when she’s about to share a mind blowing plan. “I can speak to Ali. He’s a good manipulator and would help in achieving our dream. He can use his methods to either convince or threaten the lawyer and soon, the judge would announce that father is dead”.

“Are you sure this is wise. Hajara asked. You know the way he is. Just like he can help us out, he can also turn his back on us after the property is shared and threaten us like he would do to the lawyer. The boy is exactly like his mum, Amina. Igbo people can be cunning when money is involved. Never mind that AbdulAhad’s blood also run in his veins; he’s totally his mother’s son. May Allah forgive her short-comings.”

“Then, make another suggestion mother since all the ones I came up with isn’t fool proof enough”. Hauwa complained finally losing her temper.

“Sincerely, I don’t know exactly what to do but one thing I know for sure is that nothing should ever hinder my share in the inheritance when it’s finally time to share it”. Hajara said. “I can’t go back to my hometown in Gombe empty handed. If you know the state I lived in before your father married me, you would never make all the suggestions you’ve made so far”.

“Stop reminding me of your poor background mum. This is the reason I don’t associate with your family members. I don’t want them to pass their curse on me”. Hauwa complained. “But let me tell you the fact, if you don’t act fast, you would still have to go back to farming in Gombe. At least you’ll get food to eat if not money to buy clothes, jewelries and cars”.

“Keep quiet Hauwa. Hajara reprimanded. I would rather jazz the members of the family than going back to my old life style. That’s bygone and it’s never happening again”.