Chapter 7: Chapter 7

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Amina

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Unedited

"Good morning Amimi" Abida greeted cheerfully. It seems the girl is friendly to people. I came just yesterday and the girl has a nickname for me already. A small smile made it way out of my lips as I gently placed the heavy duvet neatly on the bed and turn to the girl.

"Good morning Abida" I answered with an equal smile. She was dressed in a dark blue gown with small crystal beads designed at the upper part and at the edge of the sleeves. Her head wrapped with a white turban veil.

"How do I look?" She inquired turning herself around. I squint my eyes in thinking.

"You look gorgeous. Are you going out?" I find myself asking. She folds her arms across the chest, making her way towards where I'm standing.

"Have you forgotten your boss is coming back today and he's my favorite brother so I had to dress well to get what I want. He promised to gift me with something" my lips form an 'O' when realization hit me. To be honest, I completely forgot that the one I'm supposed to be working for is coming back today. That means I'm starting my work very soon. The sooner I start, the earlier I'll get to start taking care of my mama. If I receive my first pay, I'll buy whatever she needs. When we phoned earlier this morning, I heard Hajiya faint voice talking about food which means the foodstuffs are low.

"Amimi what are you thinking about?" Abida said snapping me out of my thoughts. I watched her from head to toe. "You look absolutely beautiful. I hope you'll get what you want from your brother" I ushered. Abida forms her lips in a thin line.

"Don't worry I know how to sweet-talk him. Wait, I almost forgot what I'm here for, can you please help me with something" she muttered fidgeting with her fingers. I have a feeling the girl standing in front of me is looking for some trouble.

"What can I help you with?" I asked.

"You see..." She started then stopped.

"Uhum..." I ushered her to continue.

"I know we barely know each other but I have no one to ask for help because I don't want Mom to find out so please help me just this once" she uttered putting up her palms in a pleading manner. I let out a sigh.

"If you want me to help you, then you have to tell me what is it. I came yesterday and I don't want to get myself in trouble before starting my work"

"Alright then. I want you to help me decorate my brother's room. Both mom and dad think of it as childishness and Yaya Imran Won't help me, he will even tell them. And I want it to be a surprise. I don't care if he'd be angry, I just want to do it" I watched her as she explained everything to me. If it's up to me, I'll just leave it but the pleading look she gave me left me with no choice.

"Okay I'll help you but when your parents found out don't tell them I assisted you" I warned. A chuckle escapes her lips.

"Come on Amimi don't be a scary cat. Nothing will happen. Let's go and start making preparations"

Poor you Abida you don't really know who Amina is. It's too early to show them the real me. The hallway was eerily quiet as we made our way to Abida's brother's room. I'm not used to a cold place so I wore my socks and a cardigan to prevent myself from catching a cold.

"And here we are" Abida announced when we stopped in front of a door. She glanced towards her right back to the left before scribbling a key inside and unlocked the door. My eyes came in contact with a simple room I've ever laid my eyes on. A sweet fragrance of musk stimulating through the room. I find myself muttering Masha Allah which I assumed didn't go unheard by Abida as she turned her face.

"Do you like my brother plain room?" She questioned. My brows knitted together. What does she mean by plain? I like the room like that. Simple and plain. I've never had a room of my own but if I'm to choose, I want a simple room without too much decorations. Before I could answer her, she continues.

"You see my brother doesn't like too much adornment in his room and doesn't like it when people touch his things especially his working space. You see that desk over there" she points to a desk, with a desktop placed on it and a few papers beside it.

"If you want to look for brother's trouble, just touch that desk you'll have to see a nasty side of him. Now let's gets this done before someone sees us" My mind wandered off to her words and that made me more curious to meet this brother of hers.

**

After we are done with the room decoration as per Abida's choice, we finally descend downstairs where Hajiya Halima, their mom was seated majestically talking on the phone. Abida sat beside the woman, placing her head on the woman's shoulder.

"Mommy na is that brother?" She questioned. Hajiya Halima nodded her head with a smile.

"He said he'd be here by 2 and kinga it's almost 2 din ma" the woman answered. I glanced at the gigantic clock stationed on the wall seeing 1:30. Within 30 minutes, I'll meet my boss. All of a sudden, I feel some kind of nervousness crept into my body.

"Amina why are you standing zauna mana ( sit down)" Hajiya cut my thinking short. That is when I realized I was still in a standing position. I sat down on the two sitter sofa beside them.

"How do you feel about meeting your boss" Hajiya started again which caught me off guard. What sort of question is that? Am I supposed to feel anything about meeting him? Of course Amina you said it yourself that you're nervous then what rubbish are you saying.

"I'm delighted to meet him" I stated calmly. She nodded her head in understanding while Abida offered me a smile. The room went silent. Hajiya went back to pressing on her phone so as Abida who was busy taking pictures. While I just stared at the clock striking fast. Thirty minutes passed by in a blur as we are all quite waiting for his arrival. The horn of the car beat to our eardrums. Abida rises up immediately.

"It must be brother let me go and check" she started getting a hold on her arm.

"Toh busy body let him enter by himself mana," Imran said holding back his sister. Since our encounter yesterday, I didn't see him again.

"Haba Yaya Imran. Why are you trying to spoil my mood at die minute? You see brother is eagerly waiting for us to open the gate. Can't you hear his continuous horning" Abida whined tapping her foot on the floor. I manage to cover my mouth so as not to burst out with laughter. Seriously Abida is a funny girl.

"Keep calm your brother will get in by himself" Imran whispered enough for me to hear him.

"Oh, there he is" our eyes snapped towards the entrance door as it was pulled open followed by a salam.

"Wa Alaikum salam welcome back son" Hajiya started. My eyes were glued to the certain person Hajiya called with son. I know the face. He's the same person...

"You?" I managed to utter still in a shocking mood. He was also looking at me with the same expression as mine.

"Do you guys know each other?" Abida asked her finger pointing to me back to her brother who was still looking at me but this time around his mouth was slightly curved up.

"Um... Yes, he-"

"I met her twice while I went for some shopping. What a coincidence" He cut me off moving toward his mom. What? My mouth was hung open by his answer. Our meeting was far more than coincidence. Why did he lie?

"Wow come to think of it, brother also went to Bida which is the state Amimi came from. That's good then" Abida interjected. "Here I was thinking about your first meeting not knowing you guys already met each other. Masha Allah. How are you son" Hajiya Halima asked her son

"I'm fine Mom. I missed you guys where is Dad?"

"As usual, he's together with his oldie friends" The family sat down all their attention now on their son while I was standing like a statue watching them. Especially him. Is there a reason for our meeting? First, it was back in my town and now I will be working for him. Is there some kind of a plan? And I remembered him saying I didn't recognize him, is there some kind of motive behind his words.

Since they're all engrossed in their conversation, I decided to walk quietly to my room. Besides I'm not that comfortable enough to join in their chats. Without them noticing me, I trekked slowly towards the stairs not knowing a certain person's attention was on me. Entering the room which has become mine as the family said, I slouched down on the bed staring at the ceiling. Did I really make a good decision in coming here? I feel like me coming here was kind been planned?

A knock emerges from the door. Rising up, I adjust myself before answering with 'Come in'. I thought it was Abida. She's the only one that comes to my room since my arrival but I didn't expect to see him.

"Excuse me as you can see this is a lady room you can't enter however you want to" I started. The left of his lips curved up for the second time.

"Wow, acting arrogant right? Last time I checked this is my house and I knocked first in which you gave me permission to enter yourself so I don't think your statement will be acceptable" I rolled my eyes at his answer. He can say whatever he wants to say.

"If I may be bold to ask, what pleasure do I hold this early afternoon for you to venture into my room?" Just because he's the person I'll be working for doesn't mean I won't say whatever is in my mind. Nice one Amina.

"Easy there. I know you're curious to know why I lied about how we met to my family" A chuckle escapes me as I stared at the man standing at the door.

"Curious? Who is curious? I don't care about your lie to them beside it'll make my stay more comfortable here. But there is something else I'm curious about?" My hands are now folded together.

"Tell me" he ushered.

"What's your motive for buying my Moi-Moi back in my town and moreover, do you know me from somewhere because no matter how much I think about it, I don't recall knowing you. So Mr..." A small laugh made it way out of my lips. "Come to think of it, I don't even know your name. But first of all, can you enlighten me and answer my questions" The man in question was a bit taken aback by my question but being me, I ain't going to back off. The sooner I know his motive, the better it'll be for me to work with him comfortably. I stared at him waiting for him to give me an answer while he also stood on his ground, hands stuffed inside the pocket with a smirk on his face. Just when I thought he'll open his mouth to talk, his phone decided to interrupt us.

"Excuse me. It's an important call I have to take it. And the name is Ahmad" and he disappeared out of the door before I could process his answer. I fisted my hands together. I'm going to get my answers from him and that will be very soon. I'm suspicious about our meeting and all.

"Amimi! Where are you?" I heard the yelling of Abida.

"What happened? Meyasa kike ihu ( Why are you shouting?"

"One crazy man bumped into our house. Come and see for yourself" before I could react, she dragged me out and we made our way outside towards the gate.

"Who are you looking for?" I heard the interrogative voice of Hajiya Halima.

"Madam please help me. My sister is very sick and I don't have any money. Right now I left her all alone, we have nowhere to go. Please Madam help me with whatever you have and I'll forever be grateful" The man looks dirty just as Abida said crazy. His clothes are thorned as if he got into a fight. But how can a grown-up man like him wander around?

"Please Madam" he pleaded. For some reason, I feel my heart clench seeing him in tears. Such is life. Some people are well-off and happy while some are there suffering in their life.