A STING on the TREE

It's another faithful morning,Mr Wahab is seated in his office, listening to a hope giving song on a low volume with a smiling face.

"Hi friend, what's up, how's the family?"Mr Derick greeted.

"Hey guy,am cool,the family's doing great, How's your's"Wahab replied.

"We're all good, there's this rumour going around,but as a friend, I've come to confirm directly"Derick said and sat on the chair next to Wahab.

"Rumour?, okay tell me"Wahab replied.

"I heard you're the lawyer defending the victim on the upcoming case of rape between a lady and the prime minister,so is that true?"Derick asked and anxiously waited for an answer.

"So that's the question, it's not actually a rumour, it's the fact, Yeah am defending the victim and I'll protect her right"Wahab replied.

"Bro,I understand you've always fight for justice and defend abused rights, still you've never lost any case, you're a very good and brave lawyer,but this is exceptional,try to get my point please"Derick advised.

"Ooooh, really!,may I know why this is exceptional?"

"His the prime minister and the most powerful minister so far,His wealth and power increases daily,I don't think anyone can send him jail nor prison for rape,and the lady in question is already above eighteen, and..."Wahab cuts in"And what,so it's okay to sexually abuse the right of a lady above eighteen! One assurance from me to you is that you can never convince me, I've made up my mind and that's final.

"I see you as a brother, neither friend nor colleague,I can't watch you cut a branch from the tree you're standing, please the rulers of this country aren't generous as you, they only care for themselves,they are selfish, And they will destroy any means of profile or reputation tarnishing.The fact is that your client first came to me,but I declined the offer when I heard that the prime minister is the accused"Derick kept on trying to convince him.

"Aren't you ashamed of declining it, can you just hear yourself, you were trained to fight against injustice, but you are doing otherwise,why can't you understand that we have to work together so as to change this nation,if this issue is buried without any action,then he will surely do more of it"Wahab complained bitterly.

"Bro,this leaders of ours aren't considerate at all,I might regret accepting the offer,but since you've made up your mind,I wish you all the best, because the Minister's prosecutor is well trained and has never lost a case,so you also have to be prepared, and I pray you won't regret this act of generosity"

Derick advised and left.

"Why aren't they thinking, I'll go for this case and I'll surely win it"Wahab thought.

Wahab left the office really disturbed,on his way home,a black SUV jeep crossed his path.

"Hey,watch it, don't drive this rough next time,move off my path now!"Wahab shouted.

"Hello Mr courageous lawyer,this is a message for you from the prime minister,am Daniel Musa(the prosecutor), Read, Rethink and Beware"He wind down his shaded car glass,threw the envelope on him and left.

Wahab looked at the envelope for quite a while but didn't open it,he entered his car and drove off.

"Honey, welcome back,how was work today?"Stella greeted her husband.

"Hi baby,am not good at all,am really tensed."He replied as he headed to the bedroom.

Stella became really worried,her husband's look is quite disturbing,but she hope it's not that serious.

"Honey, this is your meal,I brought it here because you refused to come down to the dinning room, please eat something, and tell me what's the issue"Stella politely requested.

"It's fine, I'll just eat, rest and get back to you, thanks"He replied.

Meanwhile Maqsud have been studying his father's mood since he got back from work.

"Mom, what's happening to dad?"Maqsud asked suspiciously.

"it's nothing my big boy, your dad is just a bit tired,if I may ask, what's the reason behind the question"Stella replied with a question.

"there's more than just tired,his mood,tone and body language tells that dad is going through rough time"Maqsud said.

"My dad? is dad even back? what's wrong with him?, I'll just go check on him.Bintu asked questions but didn't wait for answers as she ran to check her dad.

"Hey, come here, your dad needs a quite nap, don't disturb him"Stella said to her daughter but those words fell into deaf ears for she has already gone.

"Hey you boy,now worry less, your dad will be just fine, okay"Stella replied to her son.

"Hello dad, welcome back"Bintu greeted her dad.

"Hey my angel, how're you?and why are you panting like you had a race?"He asked.

"I over heard my brother telling mom that you don't seem alright,so I quickly ran to check my dad, what's wrong dad?"Bintu asked calmly.

"As you can see, your dad's all good"He replied with a gullible smile.

"come on dad,I Know you so well,and I can tell when you aren't feeling okay even without sighting you,so tell your angel,she might be little but mighty"Bintu insisted.

"My dear,what disturbs me isn't important,I just want you to be strong, courageous and smart, don't have that mentality of majority are right, most times, minority are correct,even if you stand alone because you go with the truth,be courageous, get the privilege to help the helpless, defend their human rights, don't let the selfish eagles prey on you just because they fly high for you can fly higher and break their wings,My angel,I have no idea of what the future holds ahead but strive for the peak and be determined"He said.

(Door opened)

"Hey honey, you're awake,I warned Bint not to disturb you, but she disobeyed,go get yourself punished,I'll be with you in a short while, when am done disciplining you,next time you dare not take my words for granted"Stella said harshly to her daughter.

"Easy baby,I was awake before she came in,so please don't punish her, Bintu you should've obeyed your mom, but next time you try this, I'll let your mom discipline you"Wahab cautioned his daughter.

"Am sorry mom"Bintu apologized and left the room.

"So honey,are you in a better mood to discuss to me? Stella whispered.

Wahab narrated his ordeal with the Minister's prosecutor on his way back home,He brought out the envelope and read the letter to his wife's hearing.

"Good day Mr Wahab,this letter is a warning from the Minister himself to you,I want you to back off that case, sure,we all know that you're going to loss the case,so why start it, besides I've decided to pay the lady for the mess and pay you more,am giving you two options friend, it's either the case or your precious family.

Choose wisely!!!"

"oooh heavens,this man just started the fact that his guilty, it's a threat, justice can't be sold,be determined and you'll succeed,fear less honey"Stella strengthened her husband more with a warm hug.

"I know but am putting your life's at risk also,I can't watch any harm come to my family"Wahab said.

"Worry less, we'll be more prayerful and careful, don't surrender"Stella confidently replied.

"Thanks baby,am also happy I got an additional evidence against him"He said.

"what's that?She asked.

"The letter, it's an evidence that shows the Minister's guilt"He replied.

On the other hand, Maqsud heard their conversation and became worried for their lives, but he prayed for his dad's success.

"Hey prince and princesses, it's bed time, you shouldn't watch the tv when you ought to have slept, remember early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy and wise,so rise and move"Stella told her children.

"Mom please just few minutes to go, please?"Muneera pleaded.

"No no no, tomorrow is a bright Monday remember,so no more request, good night lovelies"Stella insisted and switched off the tv.

"Good night mom"they chorused.

It's a sunny Monday morning and also the court case day,Stella hurriedly dress her kids for school so she could follow her husband to the court.

"The way this case is going,I can feel your success,Mr lawyer"Stella teased.

"Don't flatter me, you teaser"Wahab replied jokingly.

"(smiles) but am not happy the case was adjourned,I don't like been kept in suspense"Stella complained.

"Naughty girl,the other party requested for an adjournment,all good, it's gonna help me gather some more evidence"Wahab replied.

"Whatever,am good the date is close"Stella replied.

They kept on adjourning the case till the final announcement,after checking from both evidence, points and more,the judge found the Minister guilty and was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment with hard labor.

"oooh my king, you've succeeded again,I told you, you're never a loser,so your baby prepared your favorite,come to the dinning room"Stella praised her husband.

"Congratulations dad,am proud of you"Maqsud gave his dad a warm embrace.

"Thanks son, you all are the reason behind my victory"Wahab replied.

"I know dad, you don't wanna loss us"Maqsud said.

"you know that?"

"yes dad,I overheard the conversation you and mom had and also the letter from the Minister"Maqsud replied.

"But you should've also know eavesdropping isn't a good behavior"Wahab cautioned his son.

"yes sir,am sorry"Maqsud apologized.

"Honey,so what about the rape victim?"Stella asked her husband.

"She's admitted in the hospital,she sustained severe body injuries due to self defense"Wahab replied.

"Okay, Trust her bills will be taken care of?"Stella asked.

"yes of course"He answered.

Stella cuddled her husband and said (my king,my pride).