ACTS TWENTY FOUR
2 MONTHS AFTER
At the conference room
m.k: remember! This new clients are very strict and very intolerance… infact, I wish I could reject their proposal but his father is my father’s childhood friend. So I really want this to go well.. just like how we are almost done accomplishing the arabian’s project. Be firm, be confident! Be prepared for any nasty words expecially you Hazeemah! Do you got that?
Hazeemah: (stand by the door as always) yes sir.
m.k: good! you wish you all the best. They will be here in less than 20 minutes. And we all need to come back to this same room to show them what we are capable of.. okay?
everyone: yes sir!
m.k: excellent! (take his leave while Hazeemah follow him) Hazeemah!
Hazeemah: yes sir..
m.k: I need extra coffee and like I said earlier.. this new client are unpredictable. They can be more annoying than I am. So prepared.
Hazeemah: (chuckles) alright smile.
m.k: is it funny? Why are you laughing?
Hazeemah: (smile) not really sir, just surprised how you could say this yourself. You accepted you are annoying in the first place. Very generous of you sir. I will go make your coffee. Please excuse me. (walk away)
m.k: (light smile and head into his office)
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Few minutes after
m.k: (sipping his coffee) pack those ones over there as well. I need something more unique and breathtaking. You know what? come here! Have a seat ( finds a drawing pen) here! Take this A4 and sketch an exclusive building.
Hazeemah: (obeyed and takes the pen) right now sir?
m.k: right now.
Hazeemah: (feels uncomfortable as he couldnts stop staring at her) uhhm. Can I do it on my desk?
m.k: no! do it now!
Hazeemah: but sir! you staring wont make me focus..
m.k: (roll his eyes) then go over there, use the couch and table. You have less than five minutes.
Hazeemah: okay sir (rush to the couch and began to sketch)
m.k: (relax his back and continue sipping his coffee staring at her) hurry up!
Few minutes after
Salamah: (barge into his office) they are here sir (panting heavily)
Hazeemah: (raise her head)
m.k: (get on his feet) why didn’t anybody notify me sooner. Hazeemah! Let me see what you have there?
Hazeemah: (clean her sweat and present her sketches) here sir.
m.k: (goes through it and hurriedly drop it on his desk) lets go.
Hazeemah: (follow him)
2 minutes after
Mr. chalse: (driver open the door for him into the conference room while everyone get on their feet to welcome him) hmmm.
m.k: (step forward to welcome him) you highly welcome sir (handshakes).
The three teams steps forward one after the other to welcome him but he ignores them and have his seat.. which they all glance at eachother as a confirmation of his identity.
Mr. chalse: can we start please… lets see what you have for us?
m.k: actually, you are to tell us what you desire and then we start working on it immediately.
Mr chalse: (instead of saying a word, he signal one of his bodyguards to present an ipad to m.k)
M,k oh! okay.. (goes through it while his subordinate all stylishly stares at one another while Hazeemah with some body guards stands by the door)
Mr. chalse: (sights hazeemah) who is she?
m.k: that is my personal assistant sir.
mr. chalse: on a second thought, I don’t think I can give you this contract.. I thought your father’s company doesn’t employ rags like this.. you just downgrade your own honor. I’m out! (get up to leave as his body guards opens the door for him leaving everyone in a speechless situation)
m.k: but sir! (tries to follow him )
Hazeemah: (stands by the door and block their way)
Mr. chalse: what the hell are you doing?
Hazeemah: I know I don’t belong here. You are right.. employing me destroy this company’s image and name. I accept all that. But before you conclude sir. why don’t be fully assured of your thought by giving us this contract. Then if we fail.. then you every righto sue us to court. as mighty as you are. You shouldn’t be scared of anything. Am I right?
m.k and his subordinates become confuse of what she is saying as they believe she might make things worse..
m.k: Hazeemah! What the hell are you doing?
Hazeemah: trust me sir. (face mr. chalse) would you like to give us a try sir? I’m sure you are not afraid sir. deal or no deal sir?
Mr. chalse: (step forward) you are more fierce than I could imagine. Acting tough uh? I like that! But seeing you in that thing you are wearing.. ruins everything.
Hazeemah: I cover my head, not my brain sir. on behalf of m&s company. I say,we are more than just a name.
Mrs. Fashola: (smile)
Mr. chalse: (sigh heavily and return to his seat) lets start over shall we.
Hazeemah: (confidently return to her spot)
m.k:: (admires Hazeemah as he also return to his seat and give her a bright smile)
Hazeemah: (in her mind) I cant believe I just did that? What is that spirit lead me into taking risk? What if this doesn’t work as plan? (panting silently) oh my knees are shaking… Hazeemah! Get hold of yourself. You can do this.
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After the short meeting
Mr. chalse lets go boys (takes his leave)
m.k: nobody leaves.. everyone have your seat especially you Hazeemah!
Hazeemah: (swallow her saliva nervoursly) okay sir.
m.k: Hazeemah! What just happened? Did did all that statement comes from?
Reem: like seriously I almost had an heartattck! You blow my mind always.
Abdullahi: I’m still surprised how he falls for her statements like..
Mrs. Fashola: she was manipulating his mind and brain.
m.k: how did you do that?
Hazeemah: (clear her throat) I don’t even know what to say.. but I am very sensitive and sense things from afar which Is unexplainable but since you alarts us about him. I’m sure everyone in this room are all prepared for the outcomes. All these happens because of you sir. your notifications make all these happens. People like that love competition, they love tough challenges as a return to manipulate people. So I use that opportunity to manipulate his mind as well.
Reem: (jaw drop) wahala!
Mrs. Fashola: wahala indeed!
m.k: I’m still speechless. Anyway, mr. Khalid is coming back to Nigeria tomorrow for the final look at the site and we finalize everything with the Arabians.
Hazeemah: (suddenly her heart skips).
m.k: that will be all (leave the conference room, followed buy his subordinate and Hazeemah is the only one left in the room)
Hazeemah: what is wrong with me? (touch her chest) why is my heart pounding? Just because they mentioned his name..
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LATER IN THE NIGHT
Hazeemah and her brother’s wife are in the kitchen making dinner and gisting.
Hazeemah: ummu Fatimah! Can I ask you something?
Ummu Fatimah: ofcourse dear, please go ahead.
Hazeemah: what does it really mean when my heart keep pounding when I see someone or hears their name. or even hear their voice.
Ummu Fatimah: in what way? is it caused by fear? Sadness? Or maybe you like the person?
Hazeemah: but I cant like him…. I mean he is my ex and I just don’t understand why my heart beat for him. Someone just called his name and all my body system starts malfunctioning. Like I don’t get.
Ummu Fatimah: (briht smile on her face) awwwn my sister is inlove, finally! Alhamdulilah.. so tell me… when is he coming to see abu and ummu?
Hazeemah: what are you saying? This is one sided love, even if I have fallen for him.. I don’t think he feels the same way, I think he has moved on. I don’t think he even remember because he doesn’t even remember my voice.
Ummu Fatimah: how about we do it this way then, the next time you see him. Study him well and finds out for yourself if he truly feels the same.
Hazeemah: but how? Be finding out without confessing your feelings. You know what I’m saying now.
Hazeemah: (nod her head) now that’s what I’m talking about. Our vibes really matches. I love you jare.
Ummu Fatimah: (chuckles) I love you too… ehn… the open the cover before it raise!
********************************
The next morning.
Hazeemah: (checking herself out trying to look her best as she adjust her khimar and suit jacket) good! I look attractive enough.
m.k: (weirdly staring at her) attractive for who? Who are you expecting?
Hazeemah: (startled as she almost drop her phone touching her chest) you scared me sir!
m.k: who are you trying to look attractive for? It better not be me.
Hazeemah: (chuckles) you keh! It can never be for you sir.
m.k: (shocked) what do you mean?
Hazeemah: no offence but…. You are way to high for me.. your level is high.. and two different people of differnet status and categories. We can never match or fit in for eachother.. you are way to higher sir. so I never ever dress to impress you or to attract you. you match are exactly where they needed to be.. and you know where to find them. So I’m trying to look good for someone else.
m.k: (still In shock and short of words.. instantly he walk away and enter his office)
Hazeemah: sir!!! boss!! (talking to herself) did I say something wrong? Ahh! Hazeemah! May this mouth not put you in trouble one day. why must you always say whats in your mind? Why? may Allah have mercy on me. sir! I’m sorry. (open his office door) sir! please forgive me.. I’m so sorry.. I didn’t mean to say those harsh words. I mean (suddenly feels someone standing behind her)
Khalid: is too early to offend your boss again hajia. (bright smile on his face)
Hazeemah: (heart pounding again as she almost trip) subhanallah!
Khalid: careful milady!
m.k: (notice hazeemah’s reactions towards him then realise who is was trying to look good for)
Hazeemah: (compose herself and welcome him) good morning sir. welcome back to Nigeria how was your trip?
Khalid: alhamdulilah! Alhamdulilah thank you so much (enters the office and offer hands to shake m.k but he was already lost in thought) yo! Bruh! What are you thinking?
Hazeemah: (gently close the door and suddenly being clumsy) have a nice time together sir.
m.k: (snap back to reality) welcome back (in her sad tone)
Khalid: c’mon! this isn’t the hot boss that I know.. whats wrong? Is it Azeezat again?
m.k: I would like not to talk about my mood at all. So lets go straight to the business.
Khalid: (touch his chest) you shot give me a straight bullet bruh! C’mon! chill! You are way better than thinking okay? whatever it is… just learn to be happy. So when are we going to the site for the final stuff.
m.k: okay then lets get going! (on his feet)
khalid: is Azeezat not coming along?
m.K (raise his voice at him) no! she is not coming with you. I mean us.
Khalid: yo!
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