Haidar Jega

The entire Abuja was crowded today. There was no work nor movement. Today has made a month since my father died and all the northern kings from Kano, Zaria, Sokoto, and so on were present. They had come to give their condolences and as well crown me Haidar Jega as the King of the north on the 7th.

It wasn't easy to get over my dad's death but with Lailah by my side. It made life easy, I liked her around me and she made me feel very happy. She did everything to make me laugh and tried her best to never leave my side. I used work to get over his death as well, I busied myself with office work and the hospital. I didn't even know how time flew and got me standing here.

Standing in front of my reflection, I was wearing one of my father's Alkayba and a turban. The people had wanted to get me a new one but I insisted my father's own would do. The Alkayba looked very good on me than it did on my father, the turban made me look good. I chuckled at how it made my late father look. If he was here I would have teased him greatly about me stealing all his beauty. The maids in the room gathered around me and began doing the fitting of the Alkayba on my body.  They adjusted it and went further to placing a golden ornament on my Turban for display.  I took in deep breaths and immediately held my breath as they sprayed me with perfume. I put my hand up
In the air for them to stop when I heard a familiar voice.

"Your Majesty, Can I come in?" It was Lailah. She sounded really tired. Why wouldn't she? I made the maids do her a makeover. There was no way I was going to have cultists standing next to me. She only wears black you know.

"Everyone out," I said bluntly. All the maids scurried away. I turned to Lailah and asked. "How do I look?" She smiled and nodded at my Question then gave me a thumbs up.

"I came to complain about this gown your majesty. I don't like it" She said.

"Please drop your majesty, My Name is Aliyu Haidar. Just call me either which you prefer" I said.

"Oh, I'm sorry Haider," She said.

"I've noticed you pronounce my name with an e sometimes while at times you use an a. Why is that?" I asked.

"I don't know, probably mistakes," She said. The gown she was wearing was very nice. She had a little makeup done and she looked really simple and beautiful.

"I want everyone to be happy today. My father will not like to see us looking sad" I said. "So do not take off that dress, I don't want you looking like you're mourning my father. Please, do away with the black for now" I added and she simply nodded.

"Okay Haidar, and about the Kings. Not to be a gossip or anything, but I heard them say you must with you come with a Queen. And you and Nailah..." I cut her short.

"They are fools. The crown is mine nevertheless." I said.

"But Haidar, They are serious. They won't let you rule except if you have a Queen. I know what I heard" She said.

"Then you are my Queen," I said. She immediately raised a brow.

"I'm your Bodyguard" She deadpanned.

"And who says a prince cannot love his bodyguard?" I asked.

"I'm not saying love cannot happen between us. But then, that'll prove Nailah right. I know this is going to be a travesty for you and I do not want part of a lie Haidar" She said. "My main reason for coming here is to tell you this, I'm no longer going to be your Bodyguard from today henceforth. I have been assigned to handle a project in Niger and I shall begin work next month. That's in a week" My heart frantically skipped a beat at her words. I immediately put my hand on her shoulder and said "You can't live, I need you"

"You have lots of bodyguards now. There is no need for me Haidar. My country needs me" She said.

"I need you more than your country does, I..." I couldn't get the words out of my mouth. "I like you," I said.  She stared at me calmly and then took my hands off her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Haidar, I cannot be your bodyguard any longer. I can only spend three more days here with you. And that's it" She looked very emotionless. She spoke as though she didn't own a heart.

"But my father said your life is in danger, you have to stay with me, please. I need to know you are okay" I said.

"Haidar, stop all this! You and I are nothing but a boss and a serf. I'm to work for you and nothing more. You do not need to protect me, I don't need it." She said.

"Okay, you may leave then. But don't you ever come back here ever again. I know you care for me, I know you can't stay without knowing how I'm faring. Lailah you cannot deceive me." I said.

"I do not have anything to care about, all I know is that you and I were nothing. Not even friends, not to talk of lovers." She said.

"You're right." I simply said. I closed my eyes and deeply took a breath. "You said you'll leave in three days right?" I asked and a nod was my reply.

"Okay then, I'll make a transfer of your money into your account. My father owed you 20 million nairas right?" I asked.

"The money isn't necessary," She said.

"You said I'm noting but your boss, so it'd be best I pay you Lailah Dk. I do not want to owe my servants" I said very bluntly. She blinked a little before nodding.

"Your highness it is time for the coronet" I heard Jamal, My new personal bodyguards say. Jamal was given to me by the government, along with him I was given 200 soldiers and 100 police officers. It was too much, I know. But that's what the king of the north crown comes with. It comes with great power to the extent that the president and governors of the country and states would have to consult me before taking any action in the northern district. Whoever wanted me dead, wanted that power. But I do not know how they feel they would get it.

"Okay, Jamal," I said. Lailah looked at me with sad eyes before storming off. I simply sighed.

"Let's go, Jamal," I said to him. He nodded.

"One more thing my king, Your cousin Jabir said you should please call him immediately I tell you this," He said.

"Jabir?. What could be so important?" I picked up my phone from the table where it lay. I immediately called Jabir.

"Jabir what's up? You said I should call
You?" I asked immediately.

"Yes, Haidar. That crazy girlfriend of yours has gone too far. She's trying to destroy our company. That witch and her mother are in Nigeria and are buying all our company shares from our company shareholders. You need to come here as soon as possible. We have to stop them before they gain fifty percent shares in our company" He said. Well, I did see it coming, Nailah wants to play a game. Well, I will have to pay them a visit to their house.

"Jabir, don't worry. I'll go see them in their house to talk about this. Be reassured. The shareholders need my signature before selling the shares. So the shares aren't fully theirs, it's still ours and we'll buy it back from our shareholders" I said.

"Okay, Haidar. Do it quick" He said before hanging up. Nailah was looking for trouble now. And her crazy mother as well.