PART 19
“ I AM PRESIDENT MAMUD!”
©️Opeyemi O. Akintunde
Hidoko was more caring and soft despite having a military background. He made her feel like a loved woman in the past two weeks. Hidoko had divorced his wife few years back which was one of the reasons he lost out on the presidential race between him and Mamud. He had told the populace in his campaign that not having a wife would give him more time for the nation, but the citizens didn’t buy it.
Word on the Streets was that “A man who couldn’t manage his family Crises would not be able to manage the country’s crises”
Isire knew Hidoko had always loved her from her teenage years back in the FIFTH State. He did everything to woo her, but she was in love with Mamud. For the ten years Mamud left the FIFTH STATE, Hidoko did everything possible to get married to her, but she hated his guts.
When Mamud came back, educated and wealthy, all hell was let loose as Hidoko instigated Fila’s family against him.
Mamud had come prepared… He and his mother had approached Fila’s family. They had paid for the Family’s loss and a lawyer had been brought in to seal a deal. The family had said they won’t press charges as the fight was a mutual one. Fila was generally known for his bad mouth, and besides 10 years had healed the pain….
Mamud had promised to take care of FILA’s family till he died. He promised to do more than what Fila would have done for them… By that time, Yenewa was in a boarding school for the blind. She never met him one on one, but heard stories about him from Hidoko, her big cousin.
Hidoko also was at that time at the university of Iskelon during the agreement. When Hidoko got back and was hinted on what had happened , he became very angry and swore to report to the authorities over there. He felt Mamud couldn’t just go scot free.
Hidoko wrote letters to the Iskelon presidential office, but unknowing to Him, Mamud was the President’s personal cleaner.
After the President received the letter, he had called Mamud privately.
“ Is this true, Mamud?”
“ Yes, your excellency, But I was provoked!”
“ What is going on with his family?”
“ I have approached them and settled it amicably. I promised to take care of everything he left behind.”
“ What was their reply?”
“ They agreed and they signed the necessary papers.”
“ But I got a letter from a certain Hidoko who says he is a part of the family!”
Mamud bowed his head…
“You know who that is?” The then President of Iskelon said
“ My rival, he loves the woman I love”
The president laughed so hard…
“ Don’t worry Mamud, I will handle this for you, you are a good boy and someday I see you becoming great. In the course of greatness, most times we get our hands dirty but when God is with us, he positions men in our path to wash those hands for us. Mamud, I will be one of those men.”
The president had arranged a meeting.
He had invited Hidoko to the presidential quarters of Iskelon.
Hidoko felt on top of the world believing he was finally going to put Mamud behind bars.
He walked into Conference room with so much gait but all that pump in him suddenly deflated when he saw Mamud seated…
“ Welcome Mr Hidoko, Former Head Of Nirato Forces in the FIFTH State….How are you?” The president said
“ I am doing great Sir!”
“ Hi Hidoko!” Mamud said
“ Hi” Hidoko managed to reply
“ I will get straight to this …. I got your letter and you were absolutely right Mamud unintentional killed a fellow boy when he was provoked. His mother and girlfriend were being insulted and he wanted to fight back, which he could have done in a more civil way. However, I interrogated him and he said , he and the parents of the deceased has handled it amicably, but you have a problem with that?….” The president
Hidoko was speechless….but he made an attempt to say a word but the president cut him short
“ I also did a background check on you to be sure you were also legit, but I was surprised to find out that you were forced to resign from the Nirato Armed forces in the FIFTH state over fraud and using public funds for yourself. I found out you used the money meant to buy a brand new Patrol van, but instead you bought a fairly used one… Mr Hidoko, a man who steals from the citizens is no worse than a murderer….”
Silence dominated the room for few seconds before Hidoko spoke…
“ I promise not to bring up the issue again!”
“ Absolutely, because as a Father, elder brother and President of Iskelon, which your country is a colony under, I am therefore giving you both a Presidential Pardon on both of your crimes. I never want to hear about these cases anymore…. Here is a paper backing the Presidential Pardon duly signed by me.”
The President pushed to them….
“ And this agreement form of silence which I will be the witness to.”
Hidoko appended his signature and Mamud followed suit.
“ Hidoko go back to your family and the FIFTH STATE, telling everyone that I, President Niovo has given you both a presidential pardon for your crimes, and who ever brings up any of this matter will be committing a crime… Any questions?”
Both parties were quiet…
“ I guessed as much, so go on boys, you have a great life ahead of you, who knows either of you could be the President of Nirato someday, so don’t let your past get in the way of your future…”
Isire had been the happiest person on earth that day. Mamud had shown her the papers.
“ So you are free….!”
“ Yes so free….”
Hidoko had passed by them without saying a word but everything about him said everything…
*************
Isire sat open eyed on the bed in Hidoko’s hotel room…
“ I shouldn’t be here… God has always been good to Mamud… I should be with him. I should be with him, joining forces with him to bring Sebrena back…not sleeping with Hidoko.”
Isire stood up… Picked up her new phone Hidoko had bought for her. She tried calling Mamud, but the line kept ringing without him picking up.
She called Hidoko who picked up almost immediately…
“ Hello my Love!” Hidoko had said
“ Hello Hidoko, I cannot do this anymore, I need to return home!”
“ Return where? To Mamud, Isire what is wrong with you? Mamud is a murderer and I won’t let him take you away from me forever….” Hidoko ended the call abruptly
Isire tried calling back but his line was engaged…. Isire cared less if he was angry, she packed up her stuffs, woke Minaya up. She knew Hidoko had a Cab service in his hotel, which she hoped to get one to take her home.
On getting to the reception of the hotel, 3 fearful looking Security personal had blocked the entrance…
“ What is happening here?” Isire asked
“ We are sorry First Lady, Mr Hidoko asked us not to let you out of here, as it could be dangerous for you to go to wherever you intend going?” One of the security personnel Said…
“ What? Is Hidoko going to hold me hostage now?” Isire asked unbelievably.
To be continued
