SULTAN {Preview}

Chapter Fifteen

"When he asked me my story, I couldn't tell him anything, I couldn't remember a thing, the more I cracked my brain to remember, the more difficult it seemed to be. All I could remember was from when I first woke up, there in the prison. That was when Sadeeq suspected that I may be suffering from memory loss, I lost my memory Mabrooka.

We suffered Mabrooka, we toiled, we were hardly fed and we had to always sneak, in order to pray. All this while, I couldn't remember anything from my past life, it pained me greatly, I didn't even know who I was, where I was from, not even my name did I remember. Sadeeq decided to call me Ali, the other inmates too.

Three years into my stay in the prison, Sadeeq was taken away, to be killed, I can never forget that day, I can still see the smile on his face when he was taken away, he was brave and contented too, reason why, he was going to die as a Muslim which he said is the greatest favor Allah has done for him.

He kept telling me to have fate, to be strong and fight it to the end, until he was no longer within ear shot. I would not have been here today if not for his encouraging words, I would have died of grieve, pain, frustration and hardship. But I held on, by the grace of Allah and Sadeeq's encouraging words" his voice was shaky as he said this, a distance look in his eyes

"lt was my 11th year in prison when the town went to war, rumours had it that it was the king's exiled son who became a warrior and returned with an army, by then it was his half brother that was King, as their father was dead. The new King lost the battle to his exiled brother, his town was seized, slaves were caught, the prisoners were among, I was among.

And so I was being moved from being a prisoner to being a slave of a very wealthy man , I was a slave Mabrooka, for 6 years." Mama stood up and sat down again, obviously in confusion, she was crying again, wailing even. Qudsiyya was sniffling beside me and sobbing quietly. I reached out and held her hand, giving it a squeeze, I nodded, assuring her that I was there for her. Baba raised his face up and I saw tears in them, Khalil was crying too. After they calmed down, he continued

"There came a time when my master sold me out, the buyer took pity on me and set me free. I was free, but lost, homeless, hopeless!

I was on the streets, with no where to go to, I decided to start doing menial jobs, I started digging wells, of course I worked under some body, I had a master, Mallam Isa." he smiled amidst his tears

"Mallam Isa took me as his own, he trusted me, he trusted me enough to give me his young daughter in marriage, 2 years after I started working for him." he looked at Mama sceptically to see her reaction when he said this, but her expression was unreadable, she just held her temple with her hand.

"I have a wife Mabrooka, her name is Aisha and I have 3 kids with her, Usman my three years old son being the eldest, followed by twin girls, Madina and Hauwa'u Jidda, they are a year old.

I regained my memory a month ago, I was digging a well, a community well, it was so large and deep and definitely not an easy task, I finished digging and was climbing up when I lost balance and fell back in to the well, head first. I was lucky to have been rescued on time though I was unconscious , and after awhile of treatment, I woke up to see my wife by my side, the first thing I asked her was were is Mabrooka, the name didn't ring a bell to her, she was puzzled, I was too. It was then that the events of the past started flowing back. My memory was regained! All thanks to Almighty Allah." and at this, we all chorused an Alhamdulillah before waiting for him to continue and so he did.

"I narrated every thing to my wife and her father, she was not happy that I had a wife, that I wanted to come back for you, I understood, she was jealous. Who wouldn't be, she was scared I won't come back.

I convinced her and promised to go back for her and my children, her father gave me his support. It took a while for me to get directions to this Emirate, before I set out to come.

I travelled for twelve days, asking for more directions from passers by, cattle rearers, entering rickshaws and carts until I finally reached here today. All thanks be to Allah." he concluded and turning to Mama, he said
"Are you angry at me for getting married?"

"Why should I be angry Mallam, after all you went through. Allah has answered my prayers and I shall forever be grateful to Him. It's been 21 years, and it wasn't easy at all, welcome back home" her voice broke, she was crying again. I walked up to where she sat and bent down in front of her, she hugged me and cried some more, it took her awhile before she composed herself and stopped crying.

She started narrating to Baba all that had happened in the past 21 years that he was gone. Qudsiyya immediately stood up and rushed out of the room, I followed her, leaving Khalil, the ever ready listener still sitting there.

I faintly heard her silent sobs coming from the backyard when I came out, every where was dark, probably around midnight. I met her sitting on a bench and I sat beside her, everywhere was silent except for her sobs. After a while I finally spoke "Let's go back inside, it's late" she shook her head indicating that she won't, but however, she moved closer and lay her head on my shoulder. All was silent again as I rubbed soothing circles on her back, to comfort her.

"You should be happy Qudsiyya, for even though you're seeing your father for the first time, at least you did." I took a deep breath and continued

"Look at me now, I grew up with the love that every child deserves, Abba and Umma showed me so much love, the love that not every child gets. But every day I feel a part of me dying Qudsiyya, I wish I met my birth parents, but as fate has it, I never did and never will. All I pray for now is for Allah to unite us in Jannah.

Reality hurts but the fact still remains that I'm an orphan, it cannot be changed, and I am trying to accept it, not that it's easy though. Do not get me wrong, I am not being ungrateful or something, just accepting the fact and facing reality. I think you should be thankful my dear sister"

"I'm not trying to..to be ungrateful Sultan, it's just that, all th..this.. Is overwhelming, my mind is messed up right now" her entire face was puffy and red, as a result of her being light skinned. I understand why she is reacting this way, growing up without a father figure in your life is not an easy thing, knowing that that father is dead is better than his whereabout being unascertained. She would have been married a long time ago, but the suitors never return after a visit or two. No one wanted to marry a girl who doesn't know the where about of her father, especially when people rumoured that she is probably an illegitimate child. She is strong, I give her that credit.

As if remembering something, she jumped up and walked hastily into the house, the same way she walked out. What's wrong with her, why is she behaving weirdly today? I stood up and followed her back to the house, I saw her approach Baba and kneel before him. He looked up at her, waiting to hear what she has to say

"What is your name Baba?"

He turned and looked at Umma, as if to ask her why their daughter doesn't know his name, well at least he should know why. Women do not call their husbands name in this part of the world, it's regarded as a sign of disrespect. As if realising that, he turned and smiled and Qudsiyya, before answering her

"Qudsiyya my daughter, my name is Hussein"

                 ~~~

Haaah, what a loooooong chapter.
How are you my dear readers, hope everyone is fine.
I'm sorry for the late update, I started my exams today and I won't be done till the end of this month. Pray for my success plsssss, thank you.
I may update a chapter before the month runs out, not a promise though and if I don't, then expect the next chapter after my exams.
Once again, don't forget to vote, share, comment and pray. Thank you, I love you all 💝💝💝

Meereh😍