Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Nabil

"Being comfortable or not doesn't matter. As far as I'm doing a good job then there won't be any negativity. I will now take my leave. See you at 5" without waiting for her reply I ambled inside my car. I don't think I will ever be comfortable living in the house of the people that caused my family pain and suffering. Just seeing the company angers me and also brought back the memories of what happened. I don't know about Amina but I will try to earn her trust that way I can execute whatever plan I want to, using her. Nothing matters at the moment but the quench to get what is rightfully mine. My mind was preoccupied with the thought that I didn't hear the vibration coming from my spare phone. I used it to call Grandpa, Sadiq, and my sister. Fishing it out, Grandpa's name flashed across the screen. I know the old man is missing me already. We didn't get in touch for some days now. A smile graced through my face as I slid the accept button.

"Hello Grandpa missing your little grandson" I cooed. The line was voiceless for a second before the husky voice of my grandfather resurfaces.

"How are you doing Nabil?" he said with much calmness. I used one hand to keep the phone while I drive with the other.

"I'm doing just fine Grandpa. How's my baby sister? I hope she's not making trouble for Aunt?" Fa'iza noisy voice revamped through the phone.

"Brother Nabil. When are you coming back from the trip? I'm missing you a lot. The house is so boring without you" she exclaimed. That means Grandpa told her that I'm on a trip.

Just as the car stopped at the traffic, I focused my attention on the phone call. "Don't worry very soon. I hope you're not making trouble for Aunt?"

"Yes and No"

"Fa'iza stop being stubborn. Assist Aunt with whatever work and also focus on your studies"

"Insha Allah Brother. I will make you and Grandpa proud" I could hear the joy in her voice. I'm glad my family are happy. Whatever plan I decided to do, I will make sure they are safe and sound.

"Good. Pass the phone to Grandpa"

"Sure" The line made some skimpy sound then Grandpa's voice.

"Son take care of yourself"

"Insha Allah Grandpa. Till you hear from me again"

Arriving at the Abdallah house, I was met with the man of the house himself together with his wife at the refreshment longue. They looked so happy. One look at both of them, you would know that wealth are together with them in every way of their life. The money that wasn’t theirs from the beginning. Before I could avert my eyes from them, Hajiya Halima spotted me and I had no choice that to bow down in a greeting manner. By Allah, just seeing the smile on his face angers me but I know with time that smile will be off their faces. I can’t wait for the day he would come to know my real identity that I’m not the poor guy they think of me. I greeted the middle-aged man before walking away to my room. I’m glad they decided to give me a separate room that way, I would be able to plan everything. Talking about the plan, I remembered my conversation with Sadiq yesterday. I told him to do some research on Amina even though he thinks it’s not a good idea to do a background check but knowing how nagging I can be, he has no choice than to agree. Scrolling through my contact, I stopped at Sadiq’s name, and all of a sudden, my eyes were wide open. When I called Amina on the phone earlier, I was supposed to tell her it’s Sadiq but I mistakenly said Nabil. What the heck has gotten into my head? I hope she won't notice. Dailing his number, I place the phone to my ear while I pace around the room.

“Man you-” My mind was already at faze that I didn’t let him finish his sentence.

“I messed up Sadiq” I let out.

His answer came almost immediately. “What do you mean you messed up? Did something happened?” He inquired.

I raked my hands through my almost low-cut hair letting out a mild breath. “I mistakenly told her my real name instead of yours that I’m using” The lent went silent for a while before Sadiq breath resonates. “Then you have to be careful. This girl is not a naïve one. She’s intelligent. So you cannot afford to mess things up when you haven’t even started executing it.”

“Have you finished the background check already?” I asked slouching down on the single mattress.

“Yes. As she goes by the name Amina Ammar. Her father is late. The mother got remarried and they are living with her stepfather together with her step father’s relative. From what I heard, she sells Moi-Moi by the roadside while her mother sells some provisions at home to provide for them” I took my time to take in the information. On the other side, she looks like someone who doesn't have any problem in her life.

“And” Sadiq continue again

“And what?”

“After much research without a job, her uncle recommended her to Alhaji Abdallah to be his son’s secretary” Anger rise in my throat when he mentions Alhaji Abdallah. They sure know how to use people for their own benefits.

“He does know how to use people,” I said.

“What makes it more suspicious is that, before she got the job offer, Ahmad used to buy her Moi-Moi every day. So I’m suspecting the whole thing”

“Could it be they planned it all along? They knew she is intelligent and would be of use to them, so they decided to approach her that way then after achieving what they want, then they will dispose her”

“Yeah it may be and it may not” Ahmad answered with a sigh which raised curiosity in me.

“Is there something that you didn’t tell me?” I asked.

“Nothing. I’m just thinking about how some people can be so wicked”

“You have no idea. People can be unpredictable sometimes. You know what?” An idea suddenly pops up in my head. At first, I wanted to use her and execute my plan but now hearing about her story makes me think if I decided to do that, what will that become of me? I will be the same as them so instead of me to be like them, I will do the opposite.

“I’m all ear”

“I want you to look into her uncle. The people he interacts with and what is his relationship with Alhaji Abdallah”

“Listen Nabil, I’m a journalist, not a private investigator and I’m not your errand boy”

“It’s more like your work and I know that you’re not my errand boy but do it for me. I have a feeling there’s more to her being here that what she thinks. We can’t let them use an innocent girl for their selfish reasons” Sadiq's chuckle filled the phone.

“What’s funny?” I find myself asking. I don’t remember cracking a joke. Sadiq can be something at times. It could be he remembers something that happened a long time ago that made him laugh.

“Are you alright?” My brows raised in question not understanding what the friend of mine mean.

“What do you mean? Did I tell you that I’m sick? I asked.

“No you didn’t but I have a question for you,” he said his chuckle didn’t die down.

“Go on”

“I thought you said you’re going to use her and execute your plans then what am I hearing now” I didn’t try to stop the hiss out of my mouth. I thought he’s going to say something serious.

“Yes I did and I take my statement back. This is a matter of someone’s life. On top of that a young girl. I have a sister too and I won’t be happy if something like this happens to her. God knows what her mother must be going through leaving her only daughter in another city and that is because she trusted the uncle and know that he cannot delude her daughter but what if they have a motive behind it. You can never know. That is why I want to help her.”

“Help her as how? Nabil you always get yourself into other matters that doesn't concern you when you have a bigger task in front of you” I knew it. I knew he would give his advice as he always does whenever I want to do something. I cannot sit by and watch while they use an innocent girl’s life. I know how vicious the family can be. They shower you with all the kindness and love and at the end when you’re no longer of benefit to them, they dispose you.

“I would help her in any possible way I can”