UNFORGIVABLE

Chapter 2

05/04/2019

"KNSJ/36c/2019. The State v Hilal Dikko" the court clerk called the case and Hilal got into the dock.

"Accused Person present and speaks English"

"Appearance?" the Judge asked.

"May it please this Honourable Court, F.J.Gali, Principal State Counsel, my humble appearance is for the State"

"Respectfully my lord, M.A.Sadeeq, appearing with me is my learned friend A.R. Hamisu, appearing for the Accused Person."

"My lord the case was slated today for further mention and we're ready"

"We are equally ready, my lord."

Hilal's Charge was read to his hearing and understanding, it was a single charge of Culpable Homicide not punishable with death under section 222 of the Penal Code. "Guilty or not guilty?" the Judge asked

"Guilty" Hilal swallowed hard and answered, he fought back tears, as that was the most difficult thing he had ever said in his life.

The judge was silent for a while, as he carefully eyed the audience at the gallery who began to murmur. His orderly got up and waved his fingers warningly at them and they finally went silent. The judge then spoke"The court will still record a plea of not guilty for you, because this is a capital offence and the prosecution will have to prove beyond reasonable doubt"

"As the court pleases" lawyers present in court chorused. They seemed to say that anytime the Judge says something.

"But Hilal, how did it happen?" the Judge couldn't help but ask. Hilal kept quiet and looked away, so Maryam got up to speak "My lord it was just an unfortunate incident which happened without any premeditation or plan. We intend to prove that before the court" the Judge shook his head. They adjourned the case once more for Commencement of Hearing and Hilal was asked to be further remanded in prison.

***

"Umma! Umma!" 8 year old Haydar ran into their mother's arm. They were away visiting their grandmother in Funtua, Katsina State.

"What's it Haydar, why are you running like that, don't you know you might get injured?"

"Umma it's Hilal, he threw the ball at me" he whined. Umma got up to go in search for Hilal and gave him a slap before the could explain himself.

"You're very wicked Hilal, you keep bullying your twin all the time, May Allah forgive you!" Hilal blinked and let down hot tears, their mother didn't even give him a chance to explain himself.

"Amina be careful of the words you utter to your own son, there's power in the tongue of a mother. Haydar reported his brother to you and without hearing his own side of the story you went ahead to hit him. You are being biased" their grand mother said

"Mama you don't know Hilal that's why you are saying that" Umma replied and dashed into the room with Haydar. Mama shook her head and consoled Hilal.

Later that night when the twins were left alone to sleep, Hilal turned to Haydar "You know you were the one that hit me with the ball Haydar, but you came to tell Umma I did. Tell me, why do you derive joy in putting me in trouble all the time?" Haydar smiled "C'mon Hilal, you know you're used to Umma's beatings and rants, you always accept my mistakes without complain. I obviously didn't want to be punished. Just do this for your brother okay?" he turned away and slept off, he didn't even say sorry. That wasn't the first, and definitely won't be the last time Haydar was putting Hilal in trouble.

Years later when they were 16 and in SS2, Hilal got a two weeks suspension from the school authority. Apparently, Haydar was making out with a girl in their class after school when they got caught, he ran away leaving the girl and she confessed it was Hilal( which was their earlier agreement, to mention Hilal's name in case things went wrong) she cried and said he threatened to beat her if she didn't follow him.

Hilal accepted the blame quietly and as usual, he was canned 12 strokes of the cane and their parents were invited to see the Principal, his father tried to explain that Hilal wasn't one to be caught with such a frivolous act, but the mother stood on her feet "I won't be surprised if I was told Hilal did worse than that!" she said. Those two weeks Hilal spent at home were one of the worse moments in his life, their mother made sure it was. The only reaction he got from Haydar was a wink.

When Hilal went back to school after the suspension, his fellow students pointed mocking fingers at him, but his few friends knew better. God so kind, not long after that, Haydar was caught with the same girl making out after school hours. He lied that he's Hilal but his school ID card confirmed he was Haydar. Upon further interrogations, the girl confessed it was Haydar the first time, and she was not forced to follow him as she said. They were both expelled, after their parents were invited, and Mrs Dikko once again kept insisting it was Hilal not Haydar, she threatened fire and brimstone and Hilal finally took all the blame at home, for being so wicked and heartless as to get his own twin expelled.

Hilal woke up with a start, he had the same dream again, he's been having dreams about their childhood ever since he got arrested, always waking up startled and drenched in sweat. He turned to look around in the dark, the small prison room was cramped up with so many people, sweaty men who barely took their baths and were not privileged enough to get deodorants nor tooth brushes and toothpastes, some snored while others grunted. Hilal knew that was the end of his sleep that night, so he sat up and battled with the excess heat and mosquitoes.

I will continue uploading chapters of this book on the 1st of January 2021 when the book gets signed up by Dreame. do check back then❤️?