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Amina
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It was early morning as I dressed myself up in my new work attire. Yesterday was so hectic and exhausting. After Abida dragged me up to her room, she search through the internet for Secretary outfit, with my resistance, she finally let me be but that didn't stop there. Going shopping with them was very hectic. Abida took whatever outfit that catches her eyes while Imran followed her heed. I now believe the quite ones are not always what people see them as. He was so talkative to the extent that it made me think maybe it's not the Imran I met three days ago. Who couldn't utter a word out of his mouth. A knock emerges from the door which brought me out of my short reverie.
"Amimi" Came Abida's voice.
"Yes come in," I remarked as I readjust the skirt from the waist area.
"Wow, who do we have here. Secretary Amina" she teased accessing my dressing. My lips broke into a smile. I've been in the house just for three days but Abida is treating me like she has known me for a long time.
"It's all thanks to you. You have a good taste in fashion"
"Of course. Sometimes I help Yaya Ahmad in choosing his office outfit" she said face-palming herself. "Come to think of it, Yaya Ahmad said you met when he went for some shopping. Can you tell me how it all happens? Who spoke first? Did he-"
"Oh, Allah Abida can you stop bombarding me with a lot of questions. As he said, we met at the shopping complex but nothing of such happened. But if you're really curious you can ask him more about it" her face fell as I said the last word but I'm being me. I don't like it when I'm being asked too many questions.
"Well let me give you a hint. It was an interesting meeting. So does that answer your question?" a giggle erupts from her lips.
"How I wish I was there to witness it. Yaya Ahmad is a boring guy. Mom tried so many times to hook him up with a friend's daughter Meerah but he always says he doesn't have time. And it's not like the girl is not pretty fa. I just don't understand him. Amimi you have to cope with the workaholic brother of mine." well I have no time to know how his boring self. I'm here to concentrate and I will do my job.
"You have nothing to worry about it's my job. Now let's get going, I don't want to be late and I know you're also going to school?"
"Yeah school" she repeated letting out a drowsy breath.
I carried my medium-sized purse. Oldie but Goldie. I scribble in my things inside and took one last look at myself in the mirror.
"Ahh, Amimi. No need to keep checking yourself. You look absolutely fine"
"Let's go"
By the time we went down, I spotted Hajiya Halima and the rest of the family seated on the dining. My eyes wandered to Ahmad whose eyes were glued to a particular place. God knows what he's thinking about. By his side was Imran dressed in a suit too. Both sons work in the same company. Good. A smile made it way out of Hajiya Halima as she sights me.
"Amina you're done already?" came her soft voice. Both Ahmad and Imran glance at me at the same time. I didn't miss the look on Ahmad's eyes accessing me from head to toe.
"Good Morning Hajiya" I greeted making my way towards them.
"Morning Amina. How are you? I can see that you're all set to start your work" she bombards at once.
"Yes," I answered tight-lipped.
"Have a seat mana. Abida hada mata tea (Make her tea)" she ushered. I squatted on the empty seat closed to Abida as I waited for her to finish making the tea.
"Um...Abida, make it fast. As you can it's already 7:30 am and I don't want to be caught up in the traffic" Ahmad's voice resonates through the quiet place. I find myself glancing at the man sitting few miles from me. His face was held in a serious expression. He did look bossy with how he consumes his tea slowly. As if he was scared the hotness will burn his tongue.
"Should I add in plenty sugar?" Abida asked.
"One teaspoon is okay"
"Here" she placed the cup of the hot tea in front of me. When it comes to eating food, I'm the type that feels uncomfortable eating in front of people and now I don't know how to go about it. Imran notice my hesitation as he looked at me.
"Do you not like the tea?" he said.
"No, I like it" I muttered slowly taking the cup to my lips not missing the look the rest are giving me. I bite my bottom lip as the thought that I will be eating in front of them every day graced through my head. After ten minutes of silence, with chattering of plate and spoon the only sound that could be heard. Ahmad rises up from his seat wiping his lips.
"Mom, we will take our leave now" he announced carrying his briefcase from the other empty seat. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his behavior. Acting like he owns everything. My inner mind tells me. I gathered the plates I used and was about to take them when Hajiya Halima interrupt my action.
"No need for that Amina. The maid will come and take them. You can go. I can see Ahmad's mind has already take off" I'm already used to my behavior back at home. Whenever we are done eating, I take the used plate to the kitchen. To either wash them directly or keep them to wash later. All the new things I'm experiencing are making me uncomfortable. But I think, sooner or later I will have to get used to it.
"Take care. And don't be tough on her" Hajiya instructs her son. Instead of him to answer, he just nods his head walking away. By the time we are out of the entrance door with me behind Ahmad. He suddenly stopped and turned to me.
"Before we leave, I hope everything is well set because I cannot afford to come back home looking for some document," he said. Yesterday, he sent Abida with some documents to give me to study. Honestly, I have no idea what to read through. I'm just seeing this kilometer. That centimeter. I studied computer but in the end, I'm here working in a construction company.
"Are you listening to what I'm saying?" his voice snapped me out of my thought. I adjust myself the way I will look professional.
"Yes, Ahmad" I answered back. I waited for him to move but instead, he stood still on his ground watching me as if he's trying to read something from my face.
"Is everything alright?" I find myself asking my brows knitting in question.
"What did you just call me now?" he let out.
I shrugged my shoulder. "Of course your name. Ahmad" His lips broke into a smile. The kind of smile he gave me back in my state when I met him for the first time.
"Who calls his boss by his name. You call me Sir or boss" I stared at him mouth agape. Did I just hear him say, boss. I'm not against calling his Sir but boss. Wow. Seniority.
"I will go for Sir".
"Good" he turned back around and continue his walk towards the car in a bossy manner. I stared at his back in wonder. What a boss I have. Without dwelling much on the thought, I followed behind him meeting the new driver. Sadiq.
"Good morning" he greeted offering me a smile. This time around he dressed properly. The left of my lips curved up. Maybe he bought new clothes for himself.
"Good Morning" I retorted back averting my eyes towards Ahmad, who was already inside the car. At the back seat to be precise. I was confused on where to seat.
"Um... Sir, where should I seat?"
"At the front"
"What of Imran?"
"Ya Allah why are you asking too much question. He knows the way himself" It took me a moment to take in his word into my head. Rolling my head at his rude words, I entered the front seat. Sadiq also entered and ignite the engine.
"Do you know the way to the company?" He started again. The bossy tone is back again.
"Yes sir. Who doesn't know AA Constructions?" Nothing was uttered from that moment. The drive to Abba Abdullahi Construction Company was in silence. All through, no words were spoken between us.
**
"Good Morning Sir"
"Good Morning Sir" we walked through the entrance door with people greeting Ahmad. To say the building isn't what I expected it to be will be an understatement. It was a vast building to be precise. My eyes roam to the few people moving around each with his/her own work.
"Good Morning Mr. Ahmad" a middle-aged man emerged from a door.
"Morning Mr. Adewale. I hope everything is moving smoothly" the man called Mr. Adewale scratched the back of his head.
"Um.... there's a slight problem you have to see for yourself" he stated.
"Sir where am I to go?" I interrupted noticing that he has forgotten about me standing behind him.
"Mr. Adewale can you take her up to the third floor. Cindy will explain everything to her including her required work" And with that he walked away toward the door the man called Adewale came out of, leaving me in awe. My first day is going to be one long day.