ACTS NINETEEN
25minutes after
Hazeemah: (opens the office door and pause) oh! I’m sorry sir.
m.k: come in jor!
Chief Aregbeshola: hmmmmm is this the famous Hajia everyone have been talking about uh?
Hazeemah: (lower her gaze) good morning sir (present his meal and untie it)
Chief aregbeshola: (watche how she gently unwrap his meal) hmmmmm interesting.
m.k: (notice his father’s reaction) whatever you are thinking, you better trash it dad!.
Hazeemah: (surprised) dad? (she hurriedly step back and greet him properly without bowing her head) you are highly welcome sir, please pardon my manners, I didn’t realize I am meeting the number one CEO of M&S company without paying for ticket sir. it such an honor to get the opportunity to see you in person sir. you are amazing sir. I have heard a lot about you from people and you really set an excellent record for this great company.
Chief Aregbeshola: (impressed) interesting.. it such an honor to meet you too Hajia… (stretch out his hand for handshake)
m.k: (quickly interrupt them) she doesn’t shake hands with the opposite gender, dad.
Chief Aregbehola: oh! ssorry about that. So what is your name again?
Hazeemah: my name is Hazeemah Wuraola Nurudeen sir.
Chief Aregbeshola: wonderful. I just have one favor to ask from you.. and that is.. I want you to promise me that you will take good care of my son.
Hazeemah: (weirdly glance at M.K and their eyes met)
m.k: dad! Please don’t do this! I am perfectly fine on my own, she is just an assistant nothing elsee. She is only doing her duty.
Hazeemah: exactly sir.
Chief Aregbeshola: (chuckles slowly) I know what I’m saying.. anyway that will be all for now (struggles to get on his feet) son, I want you to show me your current project, I heard it a multiple million contract.
m.k: (also get up to assist him) I don’t know why you had to stress yourself this much, if you wanted to see me then I would have come over.
Hazeemah: (render hand to help)let me help you sir.
Suddenly his body guards enters the office with his automatic wheel chair leaving Hazeemah stunt as she couldn’t believe how huge the body guards are.
m.K: (whispers to her) you can go back to your desk, I will call you when I need you.
Hazeemah: but I want to help.
m.k: (raise his voice) I SAID!
Hazeemah: (glance at him angrily and walk out of his office)
m.k: did she just?
Chief Aregbeshola: you need to learn to take things easy with your subordinate. Remember, they respect your money and not you. humble yourself because you might as well need their help one day. take that as your daily advice.
M.K: whatever.. Careful.
(Curtain)
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Later in the evening (3: 23pm)
Abdullahi: (sit on hazeemah’s desk) hajia na!
Hazeemah: (furiously raise her eyebrows) what do you want sir?
Abdullahi: are you busy?
Hazeemah: (thinking) Hausa’s and stupid questions. (she gives him a strong stare for him to see that she is busy with the system) obviously sir. I am busy.
Abdullahi: alright then, I wont take much of your time okay? I will be brief and straight forward.
Hazeemah: (sigh heavily) yes sir. go ahead (hibernate the system)
Abdullahi: I know what I’m about to say might sound very weird and very expected but please here my confession. Ever since you step your feet into this company, nothing shines brighter than you.. not even the light. You are so modest and decent, in fact, you inspire me, you are strong and confident despite all the challenges you faced here. You still stand on your ground. That’s the type of woman men are craving for that’s why I want to be the first to express how I feel about you because you are mature, respectful, obedient and fearless. Kai! You have all the quality a man is searching for. Which is why im here to tell you today that I have fallen for you and I really want to marry you.
Hazeemah: (jaw drop in disbelief suddenly her phone ring) uhm… please excuse me (pick up the call) this is Hazeemah speaking.
m.k: report to my office now! (hang up)
Hazeemah: oh! okay sir (hurriedly get on her feet) uhmm I’m really sorry… I would have love to continue this conversation but boss is calling me. please excuse me. (hurriedly leave his presence)
Abdullahi: but…. (watch her disappear from his sight)
Hazeemah: (tries to calm herself then knock at the door) can I come in sir?
m.K: come in!
Hazeemah: (enters) you called me sir (realized files scattered to the ground) this better not be what he called me for (in her mind)
m.k: clear those files and put them in their various space.
Hazeemah: (move closer) did a child enter here sir?
m.k: don’t ask me silly questions and do as I instructed.
Hazeemah: I am your personal assistant right sir?
m.K: and so?
Hazeemah: good! I am only here to assist you so please, come… lets pack it together, all I’m here to do is assist sir.
m.k: you must be nuts!
Hazeemah: if our clients comes in here right and found how you intentional did this, they will first of all think your dad put the wrong person in charge sir. only toddler can do what you did.
m.k: and who told you that I did this?
Hazeemah: oh! you had a guest? A child? Or your child? Well… In that case I will gladly do it. (bend down and start picking up the files)
m.k: (thinking) what can I do with this girl.. she is becoming unbearable for me…
INVERSE OF THE SCENE
m.k: (patiently going through his phone as he rest his leg on his desk, scrolling down and sipping his favorite drinks with snacks when his phone suddenly pops up) what does the security guards have to say this time? (he read the message and hurriedly open the cctv application on his phone and search for the right one his is looking for) there she is… zoom in the camera and put it on speaker hearing what Abdullahi is saying to her) what the hell is he trying to do? (still listening to his confession) is he trying to? (still listening and becoming impatient) you better not say it! you better not! (immediately he dial hazeemah’s desk telephone number)
Hazeemah: this is Hazeemah speaking.
m.k: report to my office, now! (hung up and resume to cctv footage) you better get up rightn now! Good! (looking around) what should I do??? (suddenly use his leg to fling the files to the ground) this should do.
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THAT SAME DAY
m.k: (on a telephone call) report to my office now! (hang up)
a minute after.
Abdullahi: (stand by the door) can I come in sir?
m.k: your choice.
Abdullahi: (gently open the door, thinking) for the very first time, he wants to see me in person, alone! (hands getting all sweaty) this better go well. (bow to him) you called me sir.
m.k: (strict face) what are you and your team currently working on right now?
Abdullahi: uhmm actually we’ve submitted our team assignment and the operation Is being carried out by the builders sir.
m.k: which also means you have nothing doing right now?
Abdullahi: (swallow his saliva) yes sir.
m.k: good! i have a warning for you before I assign another work for your team. No matter how less busy and jobless your team might be and as the team leader you have nothing good to keep yourself busy with then, I don’t want to ever see you on Hazeemah’s disturbing her. whether she Is is busy or not.. and you want to dare me then see how I replace you in a blink of an eye.
Abdullahi: (shocked) I’m so sorry sir… it wont happen again.
m.k: good! I want you to go to the site and get me all the latest information and the improvements and delays going on there right now. You may leave.
Abdullahi: alright sir (confuse as takes his leave)
m.k: jobless thing.
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FEW DAYS AFTER
AT THE SITE CONSTRUCTION
Khalid: (on a face time with his boss) everything is going according to plans sir. I like the environment as well. But I was thinking… what if we make the parking lot a little bit larger and wider. (listening to his response) alright sir. I will inform them about it. you look great boss! Busy with keeping fit again? or you are busy with biryani again? (burst into laughter) I thought you said you want to keep it, make your wives knows that you are still there.. you knowww…. (chuckles) alright boss. Later! (end the call) uhhh! The son alone can fry an egg (raise his head up and found Hazeemah staring at him from afar) hmm.. something is really weird about this Azeezat. And anytime I try to get closer to her, she avoids me. and she wouldn’t stop staring at me.
m.k: (walk behind the builders while Hazeemah walk after him) it looks great, I love the quality you use.. very brilliant. Uhmm A.Z.
Hazeemah: sir? (step forward)
m.k: I hope you have jotted down all the details, yeah?
Hazeemah: yes sir! (notice Khalid approaching them then move closer to M.K)
m.k: (notice her) do you want to enter inside me?
Hazeemah: no sir! sorry about that (failed to step back)
Khalid: Azeezat..
Hazeemah: (focus on her jottings)
Khalid: azeezat! I’m talking to you.
m.k: yohh! Are you deaf? Are you not the one he is talking to?
Hazeemah: oh! me? oh I’m sorry sir.
Khalid: for how long are you going to keep avoiding me?
m.k: (turn to Khalid suprisenly)
hazeemah: sir? (surprised too)
Khalid: I know you looks at me like we’ve met before but I seems not to remember where and when but I’m sorry for not remembering you. but please remind me of when we met.
Hazeemah: (weirdly looking around and chuckles with a smile) you must be mistaken sir.. we’ve never met in person before.. you just like someone I know. Nothing else. Sorry for staring at you all the time.. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.
m.k: (pay full attention to them and act like he isn’t listening)
Khalid: no!! it fine. I’m sorry for the questions as well.. (smile at her)
Hazeemah: (shy and lower her gaze with a smile)
Khalid: by the way, you have a beautiful smile.
m.k: (clear his throat) A.Z.
Hazeemah: yes sir.
m.k: follow that woman .she will list out the materials that is need to be reloaded.
Hazeemah: (smile and obey) okay sir.
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