Novels by cleoegbuna

The night was pitch-black, the faint moonlight barely piercing through the heavy clouds above. Hakimi, Akashi, Zafir and few men sat crammed into the back of a nondescript truck, its interior dimly lit by a single bulb hanging from the roof. The air was tense, filled with the quiet hum of the engine and the occasional rattle of loose metal.Hakimi glanced at Akashi, who sat rigidly, gripping a gun tightly in his trembling hands. The weight of the weapon seemed to sink into his lap, as though the gravity of the situation had finally settled on his shoulders.Hakimi leaned closer to his son, his voice low but steady. "Akashi... listen to me. I should've never let this happen. I should've kept you out of this mess."Akashi looked at his father, his expression a mixture of fear and determination. "We don't have a choice, Dad. Amira needs us. We'll get through this."Hakimi sighed, his hand gripping Akashi's shoulder. "You shouldn't be here. You're too young for this life."Zafir, who sat

The sun was just beginning to rise when Hakimi and Akashi arrived at the hospital, their steps heavy with purpose. They carried a small basket filled with fruit, neatly wrapped sandwiches, and a few juice boxes-little comforts they hoped would bring Amira some cheer. As they entered her room, Amira's pale face lit up with a weak smile."Dad! Akashi!" she exclaimed faintly, her voice barely above a whisper."Hey, there's my sweetheart, Hakimi greeted, his tone gentle but carrying the weight of his worries. How are you feeling today?"Amira shrugged slightly. "Better... I think."Hakimi forced a smile, placing the basket on a nearby table. "Akashi, go ahead and cut the fruit for her."Akashi nodded, grabbing the small knife and a plate from the basket. As he worked, Amira's curious eyes flicked between them. "Where's Khadija? She hasn't come to see me," she asked softly."She had to go to school," Hakimi replied quickly, avoiding her gaze.Amira's smile faded, and she looked down. "So,

The hours dragged on in the hospital waiting room. Hakimi and Akashi sat in tense silence outside of Amira's room, the weight of the situation pressing down on them like a boulder. Akashi's elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped tightly together. Hakimi, slouched in his chair, stared at the scuffed tiles on the floor, his thoughts circling the same hopeless path. Allah, please spare mi daughter's life, please don't let Amira die here. He kept meditating on the same prayer request over and over. Then suddenly...A nurse appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Hakimi, your daughter is awake. The doctor would like to speak with you."Both men stood abruptly, exchanging a brief, relieved glance before following the nurse. As they entered Amira's room, their relief was short-lived. Amira looked frail and pale, her lips so chapped against the stark white sheets, her small frame dwarfed by the hospital bed. Her smile was faint but genuine as she saw them."Dad, Akashi..." Her voice was hoarse,

Hakimi adjusted his coat as he entered Riqqo's office. The air was thick with the acrid smell of cigarette smoke, and Riqqo sat behind his desk, counting stacks of cash. His face was shadowed by a perpetual frown, and his sharp eyes flickered up briefly before returning to his task.Hakimi cleared his throat, stepping closer. "Riqqo, I came to talk about last night. I know Akashi's actions disrupted everything, and I-"Riqqo raised a hand, silencing him. He carefully finished stacking the notes, slid them into a drawer, locked it with a key and then leaned back, removing the cigarette from his mouth."I'm listening, he nodded at him. Go on now."Riqqo said, his voice low but loaded with menace. He exhaled a stream of smoke and fixed his gaze on Hakimi.Hakimi swallowed hard, his fists clenched at his sides. "I apologize deeply. I take full responsibility for what happened. Akashi is a curious child, and he had no idea what he was getting into. It was a mistake, and I assure you it won'

The atmosphere at home was tense the following morning. Akashi sat at the kitchen table, his arms crossed tightly as he watched his father prepare breakfast. Hakimi moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, but his face was shadowed with worry as he had ignored Akashi totally after their banter. The confrontation at the warehouse still weighed heavily on him, and the boy's presence in the midst of such chaos had shaken him to the core. What if a stray bullet had landed on him? What the hell was he thinking? His brows formed a frown. But he couldn't blame the boy. Hell Akashi looked more like a man now. He could be addressed as one. And he could have just confined in him and all the mess would have been avoided. He wondered how Riqqo felt. That everything was taken as a joke. Still lost in his thoughts....Amira and Khadija entered the room, chatting about their school day. Amira placed her books on the table, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Dad, guess what? I aced my math tes

The aroma of spices filled the kitchen as Hakimi worked quietly, preparing dinner. He marinated the fresh meat, savoring the rare luxury of providing a rich meal for his family. A deep part of him resented the source of his newfound wealth, but seeing his children happy dulled the sting of his moral compromise.He set the table, carefully arranging the dishes with precision. The dining room felt warm, almost cheerful, as he called out, "Dinner's ready!" he almost sangAmira was the first to appear, her face lighting up as she saw the steaming plates of food. "Wow, Dad! Fresh meat again?"Hakimi smiled, though his heart ached at the implication. "Yes, Amira. Eat up; you need your strength for school. And you need to maintain all that beauty" he grinned, showing almost all his teeth As the others joined them, the table buzzed with chatter. Khadija eagerly reached for the meat, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is amazing, Dad! You've been spoiling us lately.""I just want you a