Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Amina

I don't know if I was supposed to be delighted at his words or not but then something tug in my heart at his word. I didn't know he has that caring side for his employees.

"Insha Allah sir. Thank you so much for the word of care" Nabil said bowing slightly. As if.

"May Allah continue to guide us"

He watches me for a split second. "We shall talk tomorrow Amina" he ushered his eyes not leaving mine. I knew what he wants to talk about. What I come to learn about him is that he doesn't leave matters unfinished. I'm still trying to figure out the reason why he lied about our meeting. I know sooner or later I will get the answer from him.

“Ehem...” clearing of voice brought me back from my thoughts. He was still standing in the same position but this time around he was leaning on the brick decor. Without giving him an answer to his question, I turned to leave. “Can we talk?” he said. My back was turned to me as I rolled my eyes. A little smirk form on my lips. Bending my head sideways I slowly form my lips in yet another smirk. “About what?”

“Just give me 10 minutes or even 5 minutes” deep down I was curious about what he wanted to talk about but in face, I just shrugged. We trekked to the lounge giving enough space between us.

“So....” I began eager to hear what he has to say. If by chance he wasn't going to tell me what I'm been curious about then I might smack him. He grew quiet for a while, his eyes on one position. I wonder what is so hard for him to say. He heaved out a sharp breath and also adjust his sitting position.

“I don't know where to begin honestly. This is an important aspect of my life, I can't trade it for anything. Yet, I know I need someone to tell me whether what I'm doing or what I'm about to do next is a good thing. But...” He grew quiet again raking his hands through his low-cut hair.

“It's okay you don't have to tell me. I understand how hard it is to tell someone you barely know, your secret” I stood up to leave, yet, he was quick in stopping me by holding my wrist.

“Stay, please. I might not get the opportunity to tell you” His words were not what weaken my body, it was his light hold on my wrist not to talk of my heart thumping inside its cage sending goosebumps through my body. I'm not used to a guy holding my hand, however, I stood weak in front of him without trying to snatch my hand away.

“Sit please” he ushered again, realizing his hold from my hand, his warmth immediately replaced with coldness. Like someone who was not in her right mind, I sat back. The thumping of my heart started falling in place.

“I don't know why but I wanted to tell you for a while now. I haven't known you for a long time but I have a feeling that I can trust you with my life. With my secret. The very first time we met, I know you're different from them. I just wanted to test you and see if you'll be an obstacle in my mission or not” Each of his words were uttered calmly.

“Am I?” I found myself asking.

“At first I thought you are but now I don't. After some research, I found out that they might use you for one of their benefits which is why I got angry when Ahmad called you. I'm sorry for my actions” Curiosity raised in me at his words. What I want to know is why does he want me to be careful with them.

“Can you tell me the reason why? Are you some kind of spy or an investigator on a mission? My head is completely blocked. If you trust me as you said then you have to tell me the reason. Tell me what's bothering you Nabil.” I let out slowly boring my confused eyes into his. Something flicker in his eyes. Something I could label as fear. Resentment. And negativity.

“I promise you I won't tell a soul. As far as it's not against Islam. Trust me. I'm not someone who pokes nose In other people's matters but the moment you told me to be careful, I knew something is up.” My eyes didn't leave his as I waited for him to speak up.

“Promise?”

“Insha Allah. I'm not someone who breaks her promise.” I retorted with a small smile.

He offered back the smile. “Okay then. Are you ready to enter my world of danger? Will you be okay?”

“Insha Allah. You have nothing to worry about” I said but deep down I was a little bit scared. What if telling me his secret will endanger my life? I still have many ambitions for myself and most of all, my mom needs me.

“So my real name is Nabil Yusuf. Origin of Adamawa state. Both my parents are from the same state. I won't go into details. As you know, my parents passed away due to an unjust death. My father and Alhaji Abdallah are best of friends back then. They do almost everything together. They design and implement their project together. I don't know what got between them but Alhaji started changing since the time my dad got an offer from some British people to work in their company. Everything was planned out until the day my dad was supposed to present his design tables turned Alhaji took over his place with the same design.

Since that day, my dad wasn’t himself again. He fell sick, he wasn’t the same cheerful man before. One sickness leads to another sickness up to his death bed. I was schooling abroad throughout my high school days. So it will make my job easier since he cannot point out my face. Being a carbon copy of my papa. The news was passed on to me through my papa. From then onward, I made a vow to avenge for my dad and take back what is rightfully his” he ended his knuckles forming Into first.

My head was completely off the zone as I take in the information. A saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover. I've never thought Alhaji could be someone like that. And that to his friend. Someone who trusted you. I can't imagine what heartbreak he went through at that time. I don't know what came over me, yet, I found myself reaching for his hands which lay on his thighs.

“Sorry about what happened. May their souls rest in peace” I wanted to ask him how his mom passed away but decided against it. It must be hard for him to tell me about his father. For some unknown reasons, all the little bitterness I developed for him faded. Losing my dad was very unfortunate for me then what must he be feeling losing both parents.

I lightly squeezed his hands and offered him an assuring smile. “I don't know if my words will be a comfort to you but one thing I learn now is that life takes us into a different predicament. Yet, we just have to overcome it. I don't know if what you're trying to do is good but I can understand your anger. You're doing this for your family. But know that forgiving is good. It..."

“I know. I just cannot bring myself to forgive or forget what happened. I'm not saying this for you to support me but trust me and be careful too. I don't want you to get involved in it because it's a dangerous mission but at least, I will rest assured. I don't want anything to happen to my friend”

“Friend? Since when?”

His last word renders me speechless. Friends? I've never thought of making friends with him but now that he said it, I felt a little excited in me.