CHAPTER LIV

Assalamualikum my beautiful readers,

I'm using this medium to thank y'all for the beautiful birthday wishes. You guys really made my day.

Please read🙏

I wanna brief some things about alhaji ringim. If you remember at the beginning of the book, I mentioned about alhaji Ringim being strict, always blocking ways for sadiq to get a job , the course issue and all that. Those were just an excuse. That was when the pretence about him hating sadiq started but sadiq didn't know.

Also, About alhaji ringim still living with Maimuna, of course he has been meaning to divorce that woman. At first he wanted keeping her at arm length so she wouldn't harm sadiq in any other ways. He had tried divorcing her when her nagging got unbearable but it seems as if something was holding him back. He just doesn't understand what that thing is ( we will get there soon in the remaining chapters )

Lastly, alhaji ringim did all what he did to protect his son but that wasn't enough quite alright . He should have tried helping sadiq in his time of need no matter what maimuna thinks but he was scared and couldn't do it. Yes I know that boy went through hell before he could live. All I'm trying to point out here is that alhaji ringim isn't a perfect father. No one is perfect. We all have our clause one way or the other.

Thanks for reading 🙏🙏

Rahama groaned loudly at aunty yasira " I can't . You know I'm really running late for work! "

Yasira pouted " pretty please. I want that particular ice-cream. I've been craving for that since on Monday "

" But you know how far that place is! Which is why I told you to leave It till after I'm done with work " she rolled her eyes.

" I know but still " aunty yasira whined. She has been acting strangely for this past few days. Most especially the sudden craving for things that aren't even necessary at all.

This morning around 6am, yasira ran up to rahama's room to wake her up just because she wants an ice-cream. Rahama who was startled at first because of the way yasira barged into her room thought the house was on fire. The moment aunty yasira stated her reason for barging into her room like that, she was rendered speechless. Just because of an ice-cream. Since then rahama had been giving her the cold shoulder for waking her up like that. She has dressed up nicely for work and was on her way out but aunty yasira had to stop her again and the whole drama started all over again.

Rahama heaved a sigh " why must I be the one to buy the ice-cream ?"

" because you are the only one that know where the shop is"

" There are lots of ice-cream shop her, why can't you just go there?. I'm already late for work please "

" This isn't fair at all rahama, I thought you said you'll be with me through thick and thin then why are you now trying to abandon me now " she whined childishly.

" you are seriously acting strange wallahi. Are you sure you're not pregnant " rahama said as she looks down to her tummy.

" what! " yasira screamed and then touch her stomach " of course not ,I can't be pregnant! " her eyes were wide open.

" you are totally clueless. See how you are getting fat, isn't that suppose to raise an alarm? "

Yasira glared at her " stop calling me fat. I'm not fat, please "

" well, it's all on you. As for me I'm heading to work and from there I'm going out with sadiq. If you're lucky, I might try branching that particular ice-cream shop to get your favorite strawberry ice-cream which you're craving "

A wide smile stretched on yasira's face " thanks alot rahama darling. Make sure you send my regards to my nephew "

" Hm, I will. Make sure you don't crave too much o, coz I for one wouldn't go all over KADUNA just to get another thing you might need in another particular shop you want " she teased

" Dan allah stop, I already told you I'm not pregnant. I'm not " yasira tried assuring her even when she herself is in doubt . " I'm very sure of that "

Rahama chuckled " did I say anything? Of course I didn't. "

" infact be going to the office self. I'm already tired of seeing your face "

" really now? Then let see how you'll get that ice-cream then. Good bye " she twist the door knob

" wait! "

Rahama smirked. She knew she would be called back. She turned around with a neutral face " yes? "

" i-i - you know, i-i still want the ice-cream. Will you buy it when you're on your way home? "

Rahama snort " I thought you said you don't want to see my face? "

" well, I'm sorry for that. You should know that I was only joking " she said solemnly

" Fine. After all I'm not a bad step daughter, I'll get it for you "

.A wide smile stretched on aunty yasira's face " you're the best. Thank you! thank you! thank you! " she yelled happily and went to hug her.

" I hope I can now breathe freely? "

Yasira nodded " of course you can "

" great" With that she left for work.

***

At the office

Immediately rahama entered into the company, she was suspicious with the way the workers greeted her. The teasing smile, the continuous greetimg and the looks they keep sending her way meant something. She knew something is wrong here but didn't say anything . She entered into the elevator which then took her to her floor. She came out after the elevator made a ding sound.

The first person she met was her secretary

" Good morning ma"

" Morning Gloria. "

Gloria collect her bag and they both walk together towards her office. The moment she held the door knob, she noticed how Gloria tried stifling her giggles . It's like something or someone was waiting for her inside the office.

" Gloria, is there something wrong? "

Gloria shook her head simultaneously " no ma'am "

" are you sure? "

" yes ma"

Rahama took a deep breath before she finally opened her office.

There, was the mystery to all the staff's secret smile. The man who owns her heart. The man whose smile always took her breathe away . He was standing like that of a model who is ready for a runaway, smiling beautiful as always with a red rose in hand .

" Sadiq" she let out breathlessly. The two lovers stared at each other

Gloria immediately drop her madam's bag and left giving them space.

" Babes, come " he went forward to drag her over to the chair coz she was still paused in her position " remember I told you that I'd be the first person you will see? "

She nodded her head, not sure if the word will come out smoothly from her mouth. Sadiq helped sat her down . He also took sat beside him.

He stared at her " how was your night? I hope you didn't dream too much about me? " he smirk

She squeezed up her face " eww, why would I do that ?"

He chuckled " Then why were you so surprised of seeing me here. I'm very sure you couldn't wait to see me and here I'm to your surprise !"

She rolled her eyes " I'm not." she sighed "when I entered the company, I was wondering why the employees were smiling secretly. You know how we were before you left? " she fiddles with her nails.

" oh, I got all that covered up. They now know we're together and of course they were surprised at first but got over it . They are happy for us "

She groaned softly " it explains all the look and Secret smile "

" hey! hey! Don't get yourself so worked up. Am I that bad of a boyfriend that you don't want them to know? " he asked with brows raised.

" what! No!. I didn't mean it that way. "

" Then what do you mean? "

She fiddle with her fingers again " I don't know what they might be thinking about me now. Especially how I once treated you"

He smiles " is that why you're feeling bad? "

" isn't it enough to think about? " she looked at him

" yes it isn't. That was in the past, babes. You're now a changed person" he tried making her to understand.

She nodded " yeah you're right "

" Good " he smile

" so, how comes you're in my office this early ? And don't even try telling me it's because you told me you'll be the first person I'll see " she warned sternum v I

He laughed loudly " OK. " he sat upright , now serious "Quite alright I did came because I want to see you. "

"what do you want to talk about? " she asked giving him her full attention.

" Your dad called me yesterday "

Her eyes were wide open " what did he tell you! "

He chuckled " what do you expect? "

She shrugged " I don't know. You tell me" she badly want to know why her dad called.

" OK then. He told me he wants to see me about something important. I thought I should come over here for a head up coz he sound so serious"

" He didn't tell me anything . I really don't know why he wants to talk to you "

He pout " and I thought I could get something from you"

" so sorry but I can't be of help. I know nothing " she tsked " it might be about work though "

." I hope so."

She remembers that she was holding a rose. She inhaled it " hmmmm, where did you get this? It's really beautiful "

" not as beautiful as you are " he said instead while rahama blushed deeply.

Sadiq noticed the red on her cheeks . He smirk and then stoodRSS up " so are you set? "

She glance at him confused " set for what? "

" I'm taking you out. Remember I told you I have something to tell you "

" oh" she smile " what might it be about? "

" Things you've always wanted to know about me. Things about me, the whole me "

She had waited enough for this day. She has always want to know the story behind sadiq, the mechanic man.

She took her hand bag and also stand up with the rose in hand " let's get going then "

He nodded " sure. Are you going with that? " he pointed at the rose

" yes. Who cares about what people might say. This is mine to keep"

" not even the staffs? "

" yes, not even them." she said in determination

" Good, that's my girl. Let's get going then "

**

Mansir released all his anger on the punching bag. Since the fight with his father, the gym has been his favourite place. He sent one last blow at the bag then left to freshen up.

He came out few minutes later. He took his bag and pack all his items in it. Mansir then zipped up the bag and went out of the gym room. He stride straight towards his car. He opened the door but then came to noticed a particular person sitting on his car. That person isn't yet aware of Mansir's presence because of the earphone in his ear.

Mansir Hates it when people rest or sit on his car. It angers him Alot.

" hey you! " he shouted at the man. That was when the man knew someone was behind him. He plunged out the earphone and came down from the car.

" I'm so sorry man. I'll be on my way now " the man apologize and turned away to leave.

Mansir didn't say anything, instead he was trying to remember where he has seen that face. The face looks so familiar. It then clicked to him who the man is.

" Sameer !" he yelled. At the call of his name sameer turned around to Mansir in confusion.

" yes? "

Mansir smile widely " you don't remember me? It me, Mansir "

" Mansir? Wait! Mansir Ringim? " Sameer asked with eyes wide in surprise

" yes. It's me" Mansir laughed " it's been long we've seen each other man" be walked over to do a bro hug with Sameer.

" yeah. You've really change fa "

" how can one do" Mansir said " I think we last saw each other like eleven years ago or so"

" yeah " Sameer nodded sadly " Those crazy time"

" Wow! What a great surprise! " he chuckled " we need to catch up on lots of thing wallahi. Especially about the rumors I heard"

" what rumor? "

" I don't know if I should say this but anyways, I heard you were in prison" Mansir already knew what sameer did that make him in jail but pretended as if he didn't know. What he doesn't know is who that particular girl was.

" oh! It isn't a secret anymore. I just got out like two months ago "

Mansir rubs his neck feeling bad for bringing the topic up " sorry about that. So what are you doing here ?"

" Actually, I'm waiting for my boss. I drove him here "

" oh, OK. Here is my card, feel free to call me if you need help"

Sameer smiled widely " of course I will. I'll definitely call"

" Good. See you soon" said Mansir then he left leaving Sameer who was still looking at the car happily.