Due For Inheritance (D. U. I)

Chapter 3

“The remains of the car that AbdulAhad and Aaqib drove two years ago have been found by the detective in search of this case”. The man is indeed tenacious and deserves an accolade for a job well done. AbdulAhad’s family lawyer, Sulaiman Matt, was giving his report to the immediate family of AbdulAhad in the main living room where the three wives and fourteen children were seated.

some staring at the lawyer in anticipation while some looked so bored it was obvious that they would rather be somewhere else but Matt is less concerned about their state of mind, after all, he’s the lawyer not a psychoanalyst and he was there to do his job.

“Since the judge had declared AbdulAhad and Aaqib dead, we will soon begin with the share of the inheritance Insha Allah”. Matt continued. AbdulAhad left a will with me but it doesn't have much effect on the share of his properties amidst his immediate family, so we’ll be doing that according to the Islamic injunctions and Alhamdullilah we’re all Muslims, so, everything will definitely go smoothly.

By the time Matt finished addressing them, Haleema sniffed loudly to show that she had been crying throughout their meeting. Everyone turned their head towards her direction mostly looking at her with no pity whatsoever, she’s the drama queen of the family and her tears might not be genuine. They were going to ignore her but Hauwa spoke out. “Madam Ibo, I can assure you that you’ll have enough time to cry your eyes out after these meetings, till then, help us and yourself by keeping your tears at bay”.

Haleema simply eyed her but ignored her jab and continued her silent tears. She knows better than to take the bait and start an argument with Hauwa, when talking about a devil in disguise, she suit the description perfectly. She’s there to mourn the death of AbdulAhad and his eldest son, then, get her share of AbdulAhad’s property and also for her six children. If Hauwa decided to go on a physical fight with her, then, she would have to do it without a partner because nothing will stop her from getting her share right now that it’s staring at her in the face.

“Lawyer, Ali said. Now that you’ve informed us about the unfortunate fate of our loved ones- he paused and everyone mechanically chanted inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raajiun for the first time since the death was announced. Ali continued, May Allah forgive their sins, when exactly will you read the will he left behind and when do we share the property as well”.

Everyone nodded in agreement. The lawyer couldn’t blame the family for not missing AbdulAhad and his son properly, when you live with a person’s absence for over two years, the mind would have been prepared for such news. “The properties would be shared soon bi idhnillah but before then, I have two information I needed to share with the family and I need you to forgive me for the oversight but you see, it was all done for your sake. Matt said looking remorseful. This information is also an issue that we would need to address for some time, only when this has been resolved, could we move to the next stage”.

“Please, go ahead and tell what it is, Aisha begged. Whatever it is you’re about to tell us, we can bear it. What news could be worse than losing our husband and son”.

“Mum is right, Aaidah agreed. Let’s hear it; words can’t be so heavy that we would cut with a knife. And about earning our forgiveness, let’s put that on hold, when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it which means that, if you deserve our forgiveness, we’ll grant it to you”.

Everyone nodded again. Their character today seemed robotic. Matt thought. He’s doubled as a personal assistant number one and lawyer for AbdulAhad for the past twenty two years, since AbdulAhad refused to hire a separate assistant and whenever Aaqib, his original PA and son was busy or indisposed, he takes over. During all these years, he has never witnessed the solidarity they’re showing him today. Todays' setting seemed fake and he wouldn’t be surprised if they arranged a meeting prior to the current one they’re having but he shouldn’t think too much to this, they’re making his job easier and at the same time making themselves looked suspicious. If they knew what he has up his sleeve, they would have preferred the natural setting.

“Alright, the first confession I would be making to you is that, the remains of AbdulAhad’s car was found a week after his disappearance by the detective I hired”. He paused in other to receive their shocked faces and silent murmur or even beating. He can’t rule that above them. Instead he received chorus of -how could yous, lawyers are so evil-tears from Haleema and several other accusation and complaints-, he gave them enough time to bare their feelings before he continued.

“The detective in charge of the case asked me to hold on to the information for some time before reporting back to you while he tried out to find the cause of the accident”.

“So, you held on to the information because of that reason alone? Hajara asked exasperated. Excuse me for saying that you’re incompetent. You know how the situation of the country is and how unreliable the so called detective could be. You withheld information from the family for the whole of two years and have the audacity to sit here in my living room and ask for forgiveness? I can’t believe my ears”.

“Let him finish what he wanted to say, Aabid interrupted. There should be more where that came from and we can only get the full information if we’re patient with the lawyer, otherwise, we won’t be getting anywhere”.

“As I was saying”, Matt continued and all the ladies seated eyed him with disgust. “The reason this was kept secret was because none of their remains was found. So, that’s what the detective has been trying to do but since he couldn’t find any lead, the judge ruled them dead. Unfortunately, just yesterday, he called again to tell me that he may have found a lead and this is why I would implore you to let him continue with the investigation and see the outcome before we move on”.

“The judge again had given him the grace of two months only to do that”, Matt continued. “That’s because the judge sympathized with you and I also ask that you be patient for a little while”. Different reactions was seen when he said this but Matt was patient all through.

“What’s the other secret? Tell us that now, so, we can digest it all at once. Hajara intercepted. I don’t think anything can be worse than this, bring it on”.

“Hold on for a few minutes, they would soon be here”. Matt pleaded while checking the time on his wrist watch for the one hundredth time. He doesn’t know what’s holding them up.

“Who are we waiting for? Aisha asked puzzled. She looked towards everyone and saw a similar expression of puzzlement on their faces. And how long do we have to wait for the mysterious person to show up?” she asked further when Matt ignored her first question.

Just then, a knock resounded on the door and they stared at each other’s faces, they didn’t hear the sound of a car driving in and the security didn’t inform them that they have a guest around. Before anyone could stand up to get the door, Matt was on his feet moving quickly towards the main entrance to accept the guest.

“He does have the gut, Hauwa fumed quietly. He’s a guest himself and he’s receiving a guest right under the noses of his hosts”. She was however  distracted by the voice of children arguing and the unknown voices became louder as their guest moved towards the living room. Everyone must have heard the noise too because they sat straighter waiting for them to show up. When their guests finally did, almost all mouth opened in shock and stared at them unashamedly.

What captured their attention the most was the ugly little price that approached them first, he had to be called a prince because qualifying a little child with the term- ugly – seemed like an unforgivable offense but it’s the truth, his resemblance to AbdulAhad was uncanny but it’s quite unfortunate because, at least AbdulAhad was handsome in his younger years, but this poor child wasn’t granted the same privilege, he would have to suffer the stigma right from childhood.

After the shock of seeing the boy who bore an undeniable resemblance to AbdulAhad, they switched their gazes towards the four remaining guests; a moderately looking Fulani woman who they guessed her age to be about twenty six with three equally beautiful girls who were taller than each other by one inch respectively. The boy seemed to be the youngest of them all.

The family were not too shocked, they expected some members of AbdulAhad’s family would show up at one point or the other to get their share of the property but the only problem is that they haven’t seen these five faces before, but the similarities shared by the boy and AbdulAhad is an evidence of their relation.

‘Perhaps, he’s her husband’s nephew. AbdulAhad loved his sibling, so it’s expected that they show up today’. Haleema thought.

Matt invited them to a sit in a corner of the living room. While the lady sat and said her greetings, the kids were up and running about. She ran after them one after the other, caught them and brought them back to the seat. “If you don’t behave well, then you can forget about the toys I promised you. She threatened them. I’m sorry about my children; they can be hyper active at times”.

“There’s no problem about it. Aisha reassured. That’s how children usually are”.

Matt went back to his seat and all gaze switched back to him waiting for him to voice their unanswered questions. He took his time before he made any connection with their faces. He smoothened an invisible wrinkle on his shirt, adjusted his tie and shifted uneasily on his seat. It was obvious that his calm and collected expression was just a façade.

Whatever the other secret he hoped to unravel is, it was going to be tougher and totally unexpected, if the stoic lawyer is this much uncomfortable. After a stretch, he cleared his throat and began.

“Greetings to the family once again”, Matt tried to find a footing. No one dignified him with a reply; they caught his ruse of trying to use an unnecessary greeting to buy time. I told you earlier that there were two secrets that would be unraveled today. He continued. Alhamdullilah we resolved one and these people here- he gestured at the lady sitting on one corner with her boisterous children- is the other secret”.

“Where are you going with this? Hauwa interrupted. How could these people here be a secret? Without a doubt, we know that they are AbdulAhad’s family. So what’s secretive about that revelation?”

“You know already? Matt asked, his eyes opened widely in clear astonishment. I never realized that AbdulAhad told you about his new wife. I thought he kept it a secret from most of you, especially the children”.

Ali and Hauwa simultaneously jumped from their seat, but it was Hauwa who spoke.” Dad has another wife and she’s the one?” she asked while uttering the statement with enough venom that almost made their guest cower in fear.

“Isn’t that what you confirmed just now? Matt asked confused. You just said that you’re already aware that they’re part of the family”.

“I meant that they were AbdulAhad’s relative because of the obvious resemblance between the boy and dad”. Hauwa shouted.

“I didn’t realize it, I apologize. Matt said calmly and swept his gaze across the family.

“Apology won’t cut it, this is preposterous and I will never accept it”. Hauwa continued not calmed a bit.

“Let’s not forget that I’m merely the lawyer here, I didn’t commit an atrocity”. Matt fired back. He was beginning to get angry himself. He doesn’t understand why people tend to shoot the messenger but he couldn’t blame them anyways, AbdulAhad is not around to receive the blame and if it were not for him, the woman and her children won’t have the gut to come into the house and stake a claim to being AbdulAhad’s family.

Hauwa was about to shout again before Ali quieted her. “We need to hear the end of it, be calm for now and you can tear him into shreds later”.

Matt gave Ali the stink eye then continued. “Like I said earlier, this woman here, he pointed at the new addition, is Hayatullah and her children are part of the family and you know what that means”.

“We don’t, please explain yourself”. Aisha spoke on behalf of others. Though she knew what he was implying but won’t make it easy on him.

“If I were going to explain anything, I only owe that to the children, since you wives are already aware that your husband has a wife but you all agreed with AbdulAhad to keep her out of the house”. Matt replied. As soon as he mentioned this, the heads of all the children swiveled towards their mothers and their mouths were opened in shock. They’ve received more shock in a single day than they’ve received in their entire life.

“I don’t even know what to say again”. Aaidah commented after recovering from her shock. She made to move out of the living room but her mother told her to swallow her anger and wait till the end of the meeting.

“The main reason I brought them here was to introduce her to the whole family and inform you that she and her children are entitled to a share in AbdulAhad’s property”. Matt said again with no hint of remorse.

After Matt address, he made to leave the mansion and they expected their new guest to leave with him but she stayed behind. “What are you waiting for, the meeting had ended”. Hajara challenged.

“She would stay here during the investigative period, thereafter, she would move back to her house “. Matt informed them and left hurriedly before they could start another round of argument.

The whole family stared at her for some minutes before Aisha spoke. “Welcome to the family”. The woman simply smiled and said nothing.

Hauwa hissed and left the room, followed closely by Aaidah. Every other person left one after the other with the exception of Aisha, the new guest, Hayatullah and her four children. Aisha looked lost. It was obvious that her co-wives had left everything to her like they always do and she had no idea where to begin from. Ihdina siraata l mustaqim(guide me to the right path), she chanted in her mind and smiled back at Hayatullah.

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