"Your mental health comes before others' wishes"
" Hey boss" Fau greeted after placing her phone between her left ear and shoulder. She was in the middle of arranging her closet when Lady S called her up.
" Hi ya gida?"
"All fine Alhamdulillah. Anything wrong?"
"Actually,no. I found a competition coming up in three weeks time. The registration would be closing tomorrow evening. It's a big hit Fau, so I want you to come early morning gobe, kinji?"
Fau straightened her back letting the words register in her brain. This would be her call to success in Sha Allah.
"Okay I will, if Allah wills" she replied, her voiced laced with enthusiasm.
~
Morning came rather slowly for Fau. Thoughts of the competition invaded her mind the whole night. She couldn't keep calm at all.
With sleepy eyes due to lack of sleep the night before, she quickly took her bath then performed ablution. After dressing up in a green abaya, she prayed subh, did her azkar and prayed to Allah to fill her day with victory and good luck.
It was a Sunday so Umar only had islamiyya in the evening. Fau had her breakfast then set out for Sarah's house.
She arrived at her doorstep a few minutes to 8.
Sarah briefed her on the upcoming competition and to say Fau was excited would be an understatement.
The competition ''Show us what you've got" was planned by the famous Anas Ibraheem, one of the best software developers in Nigeria.
"I should get going now, it's almost 9" Fau rose to a standing position. According to their flyer, the registration starts by 9AM.
" Yeah, you should. Allah bada sa'a"
The registration was less crowded than Fau imagined. In two hours time, she was officially a participant.
When in the comfort of her bed, Fau surfed the net to know more about the competition. Over 200 people applied for it but only 10 would be selected. It was no play, she could feel it. Fau though was super ready for it. Besides she had nothing to lose and taking risks was her favorite thing to do.
She decided to double her preparation that same night. Fau couldn't be more grateful that Sarah gave her time off till after the competition.
~â¢â¢â¢~
"And our second best by the name, Fauziyyah Ahmad should please come up here and receive her award. Her unmatched talent has earned her a job opportunity at the famous Smart Minds founded by the host of this competition, Mr Anas. She would take with her, a check of five hundred thousand naira. Lastly she'll take home this wrapped gift that we're all prolly curious about what's in it. A round of applause for Miss Fauziyyah" Fau walked her way to the stage while listening to the MC.
The CEO of Andela, one of the leading companies out there was standing on stage ready to present her award to her. Fau calmy wiped her teary eyes, took a deep breath then outstretched her hands to receive the award.
" Congratulations, I wish you unmatched success and happiness in this journey you are about to embark on." He didn't offer her a handshake. It was obvious she wouldn't accept any because of the hijab wrapped around her.
With a big smile plastered on her face, she muttered "thank you" and struggled back to her seat with the big cheque and heavily wrapped gift.
Bappa Sadu, Amma, Ilham, Umar and Sarah had big smiles on their faces. They congratulated her for the nth time and Fau couldn't help but let the tears fall. The undiluted joy she felt was unexplainable.
After the award winning ceremony was concluded, they went outside to snap clear pictures. They all took turns to snap with her.
Eventually, they all got tired and decided to go home.
Fau couldn't stop thinking about how her first day at work would turn out.
Work! She was gonna start working?
Awesome!
~â¢â¢â¢~
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