Anas
"Assalamu alaykum" I greeted the empty living room. I can't lie that I felt relieved I didn't meet Abu.
The time should be roughly 9PM. My meeting with the CEO of IT legends was a success Alhamdulillah and we might just turn out friends with the young man in the future. He's a cool guy.
"Yawwa Anas? Come here please." Ummi called out from the kitchen.
"What are you two doing by this time?" Both Ummi and Saf had their backs turned and were busy with something.
The kitchen was hot so I removed the Kaftan top I was wearing, leaving the white t-shirt underneath.
"We were hungry so we decided to make fried rice and chicken" Saf answered, now in front of a pot on low heat. I moved closer quickly and peeped into the pot. It was the fried rice, looking so beautiful and the aroma, making me salivate.
"Smells great! I'm glad I didn't eat anything heavy."
"You would've missed ai" Ummi teased with a light laugh. She, on the other hand, was frying the chicken.
"I would then microwave it tomorrow" I responded with the biggest smile I could muster.
"Nothing beats the one that just got out of the pot, Yaya"
"I don't agree with that. Dumame yafi dadi sometimes" That was a lie by the way.
"Kaii Anas. You that hardly eats dumame" Ummi pitched in, giving me a knowing look.
"Okay fine, you win. So why is Abu showing up like he's being invited recently?" I turned all serious, giving Ummi undivided attention.
Seems like she was expecting the question because she didn't panic or act in a weird way like last time.
"He wants forgiveness" Saf and I scoffed at thesame time.
"You believe him?" Because I don't.
"I don't know Anas" She turned off the gas cooker and sat on a chair with a sigh.
"Let's talk about this some other time toh. We don't want him spoiling the mood when he isn't even here, or do we?"
"Absolutely not!" came their replies.
"Toh serve yourselves!" Ummi announced when she noticed Saf was all done with the rice.
"A'a Ummi. Ya Anas would go after me." I held in my laughter and directed a confused look at Safiyyah.
"What is it you're trying to say, eh?"
"Ya Anas when it comes to food akwai ka da son kai I won't lie. You'll just pick all the chicken legs and...."
"Lalala Ummi kinji raini koh? Toh I must go first. Sai ki hanani by showing me how disrespectful you can be." I burst into laughter immediately but I refused to look at her.
After picking out my plate and spoon, I gestured for her to move aside as she was now standing in front of the chicken and has her hands wide open, 'protecting' it from me.
If not for the fact that I was really in the mood to rile her up, I would've let her do as she wanted.
"Toh wait both of you. I would divide it equally to prevent cheating. Shikenan ko?" Ummi stood between us, she was also trying hard to hold in her laughter.
I handed her my plate while Saf went to get plates for them.
"What of Mostafa? He has had enough rest now, right? He can start driving you to school and back"
"Okay" Saf answered from the other side of the kitchen.
"Anas, call him to come get his share of food. He's always shy to eat here..."
Ummi trailed off and I nodded in reply.
I pulled out my phone and texted him. He should be here in less than five minutes since he was in the BQ we let him have all to himself .
Monday started out well. Like always, I was all ready and behind my office desk by 8AM.
By 10am, I moved out of my office and went to the restaurant on the opposite side of the street. I haven't had their food in a while and I might have gone there to also catch a glimpse of a particular someone.
"Hey CEO!"
Phew I'm glad she was there. I tuned down my excitement before looking up at her.
"Hi, employee. Have a sit mana" I pointed at the sit opposite me and she did just that.
"So how's work?" I went on while I ate my food and her, some snacks.
"It's nice, Alhamdulillah. Since we're here, can I ask for a favor?"
"Sure"
"Is it possible to work here as a part timer?" I sensed hesitation in her tone.
" Why do you ask?"
" I've saved up enough money that'll last me at least two years, thanks to my job here. So I think I'm ready for college now but..."
"But?" I pushed with an encouraging smile.
"It'll help a lot to still be working here. I also love being here to be honest. "
"Hmm okay. So when are you starting college?" I silently prayed it wasn't soon. I have no idea why I did that.
"I'm going to register for JAMB around June. Admission would probably be around....September?"
"Okay, that's roughly two months from now. Same course you studied online?" I wished she would do that so she can could come back here.
"Actually, no. I've always loved the idea of being a doctor so I'm going to try my luck"
"That means you'll need more time so you can revise right?"
"Well not necessarily. I can juggle both revision and work, worry not. So..?" She's asking about the part time job, yes. I almost forgot that was the root of the conversation.
"Well, for you, we can make an exception."
Just don't say no Fauzeeyah.
"Wish I could refuse this but, I would love to keep working here!" Her feeling of relief didn't go unnoticed by me. I laughed in response. Fauzeeyah hardly says no to free offers. That, I've learnt from experience .
"I don't think you can handle it though. Kinsan meye medicine kuwa?"
Although I would love to keep her, I wouldn't want her stressing herself too much.
"That's the thing. If I should really get medicine, then I would have to quit."
"Allah ya bada sa'a "
"Ameen"
We sat there in silence until her break time was over.
"By the way, it felt nice when you checked up on me on Friday."
I have no idea why I felt the need to say that but I did without thinking twice.
"I did what?!" She almost choked on her saliva, and she looked at me with wide eyes.
"See you in the office." I replied instead and left her there.
I totally understand the reaction, she's a shy person and would've preferred I don't bring it up.
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What's dumame in English ð¶
Two fire?
I have no ideað¤