Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Amina

I thought I was supposed to be the one to know most of the things and not Cindy.

"You're right, it won't look good to ask her. Let's just hope for the best. It's just one week away for the month to end. And we'll get our salaries." She responded back, pulling the gate open and we left the site, hailed a taxi straight back to the company.

Throughout our drive home, my thoughts were completely occupied with earlier events. After we came back from the site, I went straight to Mr.Ahmad office. No sound came from his side as I knock on his office door. At first, I decided on walking away but curiosity soared through me and I find myself entering. The inside was consciously quite, with the sound of the AC spreading out to every direction. I took my time to check out the office which was more darker than ours.

Walking slowly towards his desk, few papers were scattered on it. Shaking my head at the workaholic self of my boss, I began arranging the desk. The papers burning confusion to my eyes. One of the papers catches my eyes and I found myself reaching for it.

I couldn't say what the design was for but it piqued my interest. The way it was neatly designed. I know the architect did a good job in constructing it.

“I didn't know my secretary has decided to turn to an investigator”

The papers instantly fell from my hand followed by my body flinching at the sudden voice.

“You look like one horrified cat” he said again. My heart hammered in my chest as I bend down and gather the papers, placing them back in their respective places.

“I’m sorry sir. The desk look scattered, so I was organizing it when one of the paper catches my eyes” I slowly let out watching anywhere else but him.

“I see” the look passed me tells me he wasn't satisfied with my answer. However, I wasn't planning on explaining more to him.

“Excuse me sir” without waiting for what he had to say more, I walked past him and was out of the door in an matter of second.

A little sigh left my lips as I snapped back to reality. I glanced through the window, finding out that we're already few steps closer to the house. The sudden urge to reach the house grew more by each passing second. The gate man didn't waste time in opening the gate so as Mr. Ahmad who was quite, consumed with his phone. If I'm to judge, then he must be working. Maybe on the two low key project.

Nabil was about to get out of the car to open the car door when Ahmad signal with his hand. “Don’t bother. Good job to both of you” he remarked, got out of the car, together with his briefcase and a blue cover file on the other hand.

Gathering my things too, I pulled open the door. Nabil was quick in stopping me by gently pulling on my arm. “Can we talk?”

Even though I wasn't in the sense to talk much, I nodded back closing the door with a small thud.

“Yes” I said focusing my attention on him.

He adjusted his sitting position, they way he will be facing me. “Are you okay?” My brows creased in confusion. That wasn't what I was expecting to hear from his mouth.

“Yes why?”

“I don't think you are. I mean, you've been heaving out a sigh althrough our way. Mr.Ahmad also noticed that”

I don't know if it was okay for me to ask him now. Maybe when I'm done collecting some ideas together. Regardless, Nabil might get some clue.

“Earlier, I and one of my colleagues went to the site we're working on to check out some measurement. And we found out the proposed project wasn't for the man we thought it is. It is actually one of the shopping complex Mr.Ahmad is trying to build” Nabil's brows were creased together as I passed out the information.

Seeing his full attention on me, I continued “What we don't understand is why he decided to keep the project low key, even to us his staffs. Only Cindy know, which fareeda happens to hear unintentionally.”

“So now you mean he's working on three big projects right?” He finally speaks up. I nodded in reply. Next thing my eyes were greeted with is his fist on the steering wheel.

“Calm down mana. This is not something to be angry about”

“Why won't it be. At this stage I might lose my chance in taking him down. I thought he's only working on one project. The mall project. I didn't know he has other plans on ground. It was as if he knew I was targeting him” he seethe out the last word.

I heaved out a sigh. I should have known anger will be his reaction. “You know Nabil, your heart might be consumed with anger and hatred but if you do want to achieve what you set then you have to control it.”

“But I can't help it. Seeing them in peace and happiness angers me. It reminded me of what transpired in the past. I can't just brush it off and pretend that it's okay when it's not. Only Allah knows what I'm feeling inside as I wake up every morning. Bowing down to the father and son” I don't know what to answer. His words renders me speechleess. How hard must it be for him to wake up everyday and witness the joyous life they're living in.

“I can't say I understood what you're feeling but I still want you to try. I know it's a big challenge to take this decision upon yourself. Believe me it was almost the same for me. When my uncle came to me with the job proposal, I have this negativity. One what type of life I will get myself into and on the other hand, living my mother all alone in the hands of-” My words came to an abrupt halt realizing where they're heading too.

Nabil creased brows were dimmed visible. I know he must be wondering why I didn't finish my statement. Yet, I don't think it's a good idea to blabber about my mom's sufferings to him. He might be my friend as he said but telling him my family matters is way out of the friendship zone. At least for now.

I didn't know what has gotten into me to say that. However, I found myself squeezing his hands that were numbly placed by his and that doesn't stop there when I found myself uttering out the word I'm not sure I will be able to fulfil. “Don’t worry. All shall be well. You know friends supports each other.” and that made a faint smile out of his lips.

“So now you admitted we're friends right?” he said crooking his head sideways. For some weird reason of mine, I found myself amused by his action and on top of that, his unannounced smiles. Weird me right?

He lightly squeezed back that were atop his. “Can I tell you something?” he asked. My silence gives him the go ahead.

“I’m smitten by you" his voice held seriousness. We stared at each other's eyes. Me trying to read out the expression from his eyes and him trying to figure out something from mine too. We stayed in the position lost in each others eyes. I tried to ignore the beathing of my heart as he offered me a smile while I was busy drowning in a pool of black pupils. Until his phone decided to snap us back to reality.

I didn't waste anymore time. Unlocking the door, I alighted towards the door, biting my lip on the way. By now Hajiya must be wondering why I always enter later than her son. And Abida with her gossip self will only misconduct the issue.

I was lucky the parlor was empty. No traces of Hajjiya or Abida. I wonder if she's back from school yet. I didn't waste time to dwell on that because my only thought is to see myself in the room at least distancing myself away from Nabil will calm my beating heart. I don't know why whenever I'm together with him, my heart always escalates like a hammer was being banged on in. Yes, his thoughts occupy my head at times but that shouldn't be labeled as feelings. Or should it?

All this thought were voiced inside my head as I climbed up to my room. The first thing I did was drag my body onto the bed, flinging my eyes closed. I rose with a jerk realizing the silly thoughts formulating in my head. I remember how I nearly or already lost myself in his eyes. What I felt beneath my heart Is something I have never felt before. For some reason, I love it when he smiles faintly. His eyes grew small as he do so and his chin widens more. It's so weird that I master most of his habits.

My phone rang from my bag and I immediately fished it out seeing my mama's name flashed across the screen. Contentment spread over my face as I slid the accept button.

“Good afternoon mama” I began leaning my back on the bed.

“Afternoon Mimi. How are you doing and the work over there?”

“Alhamdulillah Mama. It's almost close to ending of the month. I'm thinking of visiting you”