Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Amina

After my little talk with the Sadiq guy, I walked up to Mr. Ahmad's office and gave him the lunch as sent by Hajiya. No words were uttered out of my lips as I placed the white leather atop the center table that was positioned at the office. Maybe it was kept there for him to eat or work on some files. Carrying my own package, I started making my way to the door when his words resonate to my ears making me halt in my steps.

"Serve it before you leave" Came his cold voice. As cold as ice. I almost thought it wasn't him that spoke up. Not wasting any more time to dwell on his orders, I did as he requested all the while my heart was hammering in my chest. I could feel his gaze on my back but I decided to ignore it. By Allah, I hate how he roams his eyes on my body.

"Here it is Sir" was the only word I uttered before rushing out of the office. I didn't bother if he would stop me again but I've already declared to myself that if he did stop me, I will play pretense.

I went straight to the kitchen. Much to my knowledge, Fareeda was inside on the same spot we had the little argument the other day. I did the nicest thing I could do.

"Hey," I said moving towards the empty seat. To be honest, I don't care if she answers or not. I'm just trying to act nice.

"Hey" I almost thought my ears are deceiving me when she replies back. Not knowing what to say, I choose to ignore her and got back to what I came here for in the first place. Opening the lid of the food flask, the aroma of the well-cooked Jollof rice beat to my nostrils. By looking at the food, you will know it is indeed not a regular one. It was alluring to the eyes and not to talk of the pepper chicken that stood there readying itself to be eaten. without wasting any time in dwelling on how good the food and meat is, I dig in. My eyes snap shut at the sweet taste. I wonder the ingredients they used in cooking their food. It always tastes delicious. I was so occupied by the food that I didn't notice Fareeda standing right in front of me, hands folded at her front. My eyes slowly went to her as her face was held in a calm expression.

"Do you need anything?" I inquired securing the spoon on the lid and waited for her to speak but instead, she stood on her ground staring into space.

"If you have something to say then feel free. I won't bite you" I ushered in a playful manner. It is not unlike me at all to joke around with someone I'm not that free with but the look on her face got me no choice than to do that. To at least ease the tension rising in the room.

"Um... I want to apologize for my actions that day, I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I was in a tight spot at that time which made me lash it out on you. I'm here for work so as you. I'm sorry for my behavior" To say I was surprised by her confession will be an understatement. I know that whenever I got into a fight with someone basically Kaltume or Ramatu, they don't apologize rather they try to repeat the same thing again but now hearing the words out of Fareeda's mouth, makes me think maybe, just maybe not all the drama queens are rude all the time. A small smile made it way to my lips as I folded my arms across the chest. Now that I think if it, Fareeda is not that bad. She's beautiful by how she dresses smartly.

"It's okay. They say forgive and forget and I think that's how our meeting was. Fight at first meeting."

"Am I forgiven then?" she ushered and I nodded my head in answer. For the first time since my arrival at the company, I saw her smile and it's indeed a beautiful one.

"Thank you, Amina. I hope we would be good friends from now on" My brows knitted in question as I repeated the words in my head. Friends? I didn't think of having any new friends in the city, apart from my best friend Aesha. Fareeda's face dimmed finding no reaction from me.

I let out a smile. "Sure no problem"

"Yay. Now tell me about yourself" she started again taking the seat facing me. A sigh made it out of my lips. I think I met another troublemaker like Abida.

**

As usual, I did the required work left after Mr. Ahmad was through with his meetings and all. I made sure I planned out the task for the next day. The job is not easy but one thought keeps me going and that is, I'm doing this for my mother. No matter how hard it is, I will work hard and achieve my hard-earned so that I will take care of my mother with ease.

"See you guys tomorrow" Cindy waved slipping on her coat followed by Nonso who was quiet all day. The guy hardly utters a word and then Fareeda who has been smiling at me every now and then. I'm still in faze that the girl who was very rude to me since day one is now being nice to me.

"Good night Ma" I ushered also grabbing my bag. Cindy and Nonso left but what? Fareeda is still standing in front of my desk.

"Um... Do you need something?" I asked the same question back at the kitchen.

"No. I'm waiting for you to finish so that we can go down together," she said tight lipped. Great. Just great. I think she is more troublesome than Abida.

I offered out a smile while inside, I feel like smacking her head. "Sure let's go".

Dropping the keys in my bag, we made our way down. My eyes went to Mr. Ahmad's office. Is he still inside or he has already gone out? my mind tells me. My thought was cut short by the hold on my hand and it was none other than Fareeda.

"Let's enter"

"Where do you reside? I reside at Gwagwalada" Fareeda started once we are out of the door. I spotted Sadiq's car from afar.

"Like I said, I'm new in the city so I don't know the places that much but I know it's called Kubwa"

"Okay, our boss also leaves there. Maybe you will crash into him one day" she cooed and all of a sudden, she face palm herself. It can't be... My eyes immediately snapped to her.

"Do you perhaps have a crush on Mr. Ahmad?" I find my mouth saying before I could have control of it.

"What do you mean crush? I'm just saying and besides, he's handsome so he's worth being crush on" I didn't miss the tinge of blush on her cheeks.

"Oh really? Is that you admitting you do have a crush on your boss?" I asked again.

She passed me a glare. "Good night. I think if we kept up like this arguing, we won't be able to go home on time" without waiting for my reply, she sprinted away. I shake my head at her silly talks. She's not that bad.

"Amina" I heard my name being called which snapped me out of my trance. Turning around, I was met with Sadiq leaning on the car with a smile on his face. A smile I haven't seen before on his face and I find it weird. What's with the smiling? It first started with the boss which of course his own was smirk rather than smile, followed by Fareeda with her grinning self and now him. All the smiles are making me cringe. Making my way towards him, I passed him a glare.

"What's with the calling of my name?" I asked opening the front door and settle my things inside.

"Well, I see that your mind is completely off the zone. Some might think there is some...." he trailed off gesturing to his head.

"There is something wrong with my head right?" I completed it for him. A chuckle made its way to his lips.

"I didn't say that but if that is what you really think then so be it" The guy has no shame.

Folding my arms across the chest, I focus my attention on him. "Are you normally this carefree or you just choose to mess up with me because you feel like?" I asked. He stared into thinking for a while before he let out another smile which I find amusing.

"Both."

"Oh really? So my face looks so innocent to you and you decided to mess up with me Mr. Sadiq. wait?" I pointed at him when a thought grace through my head.

"When you called me yesterday, you told me Nabil, not Sadiq"