ACTS TWENTY THREE
The next Monday morning. Hazeemah ressume to work today after spending 5days at home recovering. She was warmly welcome back by few of her colleagues. She resume to her desk and hurriedly head to m.k’s office and begin her morning routine. Few minutes later. M.k furiously barge into his office ranting then suddenly pause as he sight Hazeemah as she adjust the coffee and with snacks on his desk.
m.k: (excitement face) Hazeemah! You are back!
Hazeemah: yes sir.. good morning sir (hurrrieldy takes his bag and help him remove his system and set it on his desk, she turn to him and still notice he still havnt leave his spot) is something wrong sir?
m.k: (snap back to reality. clear his throat) check my bag.. you will see some documents there.. I want you to photocopy them. So do it now. (head to his chair and relax)
Hazeemah: okay sir (fake smile and she thinks) how did I suddenly forgotten who he is.. now I am back to real stress. (pick the document and was about to leave)
m.k: (sipping his coffee) how are you feeling now?
Hazeemah: (turn around) alhamdulilah sir. thank you so much for everything. My family are really indept to you for your kindness.
m.k: okay.. bring back the document.
Hazeemah: okay sir (about to exit the office, she bump into Salamah who is panting heavily as she enters his office) heeyyy.
Salamah: good morning sir.
m.k: and what is good about this morning?
Salamah: (falls on her knees) I’m so sorry sir. please don’t fire me. please (emotional)
Hazeemah: (curious and turn around) fire keh?
m.k: get out of my office…
salamah: (break down in tears) please sir.. have mercy on me please.. I have family to feed.
m.k: I said out of my office before I call the security!
Hazeemah: (step forward and touch her) please.. get up! And obey his wish.
Salamah: please help me… I don’t want to lose my job.
Hazeemah: get up please. if you really want this job then do as he said before he made up his mind.
Salamah: please sir.
m.k: this stubborn act! She is trying to help you… she understand me better and you still turn a deaf ear. Before I count till 5.. you have disappear.
Salamah: sir pleeeeasseee (shedding tears)
Hazeemah: listen to him.. get up and leave.
Salamah: (finally obeyed)
Hazeemah: (shut the door) don t worry.. he is just upset at the moment.. he will change his mind.. just have faith in Allah.
Salamah: promise?
Hazeemah: I promise.
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Few minutes after
Hazeemah: here is what you asked for sir. (drop it on his desk)
m.k: you may leave
Hazeemah: I will take that as speak up your mind.. and I will.
m.k: (glance at her) you know you are just recovering.. seeing my bad side is too early for you.. whatever you have to say, then save it!
Hazeemah: I have seen the worse of you already sir, and nothing is new.. but do you know the good things.. is that you showed me your bad side before I get this great opportunity to see your good side. So you made it worth it. I could remember few months ago, and now look at us. getting used to eachother’s difference and I want to tell you something today… and it comes from my heart. You are the amazing boss I have ever met. You helped me cross the most difficult road.. infact! You helped me to achieve my dreams. You are a blessing sir. I am not saying all these to make you feel better but it the truth. You have a heart of gold but ordinary people cannot see it. but once I got the opportunity to see it. now I cant unsee it. (step forward) please sir. for the sake of Allah! forgive her. she need this job more than anything. Please, don’t fire her. please sir.
m.k: (pick up the documents and go through it)
Hazeemah: (bright smile on her face) I will take that as a yes.. thank you so much sir. (happily leave his office)
m.k: (look up and smile)
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Few hours after
Salamah: (still sobbing at her office as she await boss’s verdict) what will I tell my mom who is not capable anymore.. how will I take care of her? after all her sacrifice all these years. How will she react when she finds out? And I have to buy her medications next week. (suddenly office telephone ring. She hurriedly clear her throat and wipe her tears then pick it up) hello? This is salamah speaking. (listening) yes sir! yes.. okay sir, thank you so much sir (hang up) thank you so much…ahhhh! alhamdulilah! (falls on her knees) thank you so much ya Allah! I’m very grateful.. this type of mistake will never repeat itself again (hurriedly get back on her feet and move to the studio room, to make an announcement)
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Hazeemah: (drop the file on his desk) mallam Abdullahi! Boss instructed me to give you this file that once you open it. you will know what to do.
Abdullahi: (take the file and open it) oh! that’s true.. Nagode! (thank you)
Hazeemah: you are welcome sir (turn to leave)
Abdullahi: ki zaya dan Allah! (wait for Allah’s sake) how are you feeling now? I hope you have gain your karfi (strength) back?
Hazeemah: (smile) alhamdulilah.. thank you.
Abdullahi: one more thing. For the past one month that I had confessed my love to you before this whole busy schedules came up. You failed to give me a feed back. Please.. (get on his feet) kigani (see ehn) I promise you… I will take good care of you.
Hazeemah: (smile) first of all, I want to thank you so much for gathering the courage to express your feelings. I really appreciate that. You are good man with a kind heart. Your wife must be very lucky to have you as her husband.. but the thing is.. is she happy that you are her husband? I could remember what you told me about her and what makes you lost interest in her. let me honest with you… if men like you wont stop that silly mindset of thinking the only solution to your marital problems is to marry a second wife. Then your problem will continue to increases instead of decreases.. do you have any idea of the kind of character or bad habit you might found in the second wife? No woman is perfect same as men. But don’t you ever think that there are things she also feel unhappy about your bad habit in the house but she had to accept your imperfection, maybe hoping you will change one day. another thing is, I’m sure when you were in courtship with her. you never prioritize finding out about her hygienic life or or house chores capabilities.. I’m 100% sure, your number one reason was that she is beautiful and very attractive and now see. And now the hugly once like us suddenly look attractive to you more than your wife. I am not saying all these to hurt your feelings or to reject your feelings which I will definitely reject. But instead of letting go confess to another woman so you could have a happy marriage not knowing you are digging your early grave, then I would rather tell you the truth no matter how heavy it is, I don’t mind if you never want to talk to me. but you are a good man, you deserve a happy life and the solution is in your hand. I have just one or two advice for you. the first one is… since she wasn’t properly trained about hygience by her parents, and you are now her husband, ofcourse you are her next teacher. Before you conclude of marrying a second wife. Then ask yourself this question. Is your wife the type that is ready to learn, does she take corrections. If yes, then there is a solution. Train your wife to be the woman that you crave for, you can teach her how to be hygienic, a good cook and so on. And how can you achieve that? By spending quality time with her. by being her instructor, by correcting her in a sweet and appreciative tone, by being caring and loving, by never stop loving her. these things will make her to be determined and willing to learn no matter what? an excellent chef was once a very bad cook, but practice makes perfect. If you follow these things, I promise you, you will enjoy your marriage to the fullest. I want all men to know this.. marrying a second wife to satisfy your want isn’t always the solution but you have to follow these things first before you consider getting married again. that’s all I have to say sir. may Allah continue to bless your marriage and strengthen your imaan. As salam alaykum (takes her leave)
Abdullahi: (jaw drop and shot of words) thhhank you… nnaagode! (rub his face) masha Allah!. (melt back to his seat as he began to think)
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AT REEM’S OFFICE
Hazeemah: can I come in sir?
Reem: ofcourse, please come in (on his feet to welcome her) look who we have here.. the mighty hajia Hazeemah.
Hazeemah: (smiling) please stop sir.. anyway, boss instructed me to submit this file to you, that once you go through it. you will understand.
Reem: oh really? (take it from her and open it) ohhhh… interesting (close it back) thank you milady.. appreciate.
Hazeemah: (you are welcome sir, turn to leave then pause and turn around back) uhmm mr. Reem.
Reem: (about to sit then get up back) yes dear?
Hazeemah: (notice) please have your seat.. why do you keep standing? Anyway thank you so much for the home visit. May Allah accept it as an act of ibadah.
Reem: Amin.. (smile) so tell me. how are you feeling now?
Hazeemah: (bright smile) alhamdulilah! Much better… thank you so much.(turn to leave when he also call her back)
Reem: Hazeemah..
Hazeemah: yes sir.
Reem: are you busy? If you don’t mind can I talk to you for a moment?
Hazeemah: ofcourse…
Reem: please have a seat and feel confortable..remember the office wall is glass, my team can see us but cant hear us. so you can relax.
Hazeemah: ofcourse I know sir. there is nothing to be scared about.
Reem: thank you.. so please have a seat.
Hazeemah: (she obeyed)
Reem: (clear his throat) I’m so nervous right now that I don’t know where to begin with.. but Hazeemah! You are an amazing woman. you inspire me, you make me view other woman out there who failed to work but ask their boyfriend money, you makes me see them as lazy women. You are strong and beautiful. i wish there is other way I could describe how breathtaking you are…
Hazeemah: (bright smile as she lower her gaze)
Reem: I’m even scared to talk because I don’t want anything that will upset you.. but the truth is.. I have fallen in love with you for the very first time we met at the Gate. I hope you remembered that day?
Hazeemah: (nodded)
Reem: and there are so many reasons to love you.. you are rare.. and you are going to be a great wife and great mother.. because I could see how you handle our rude boss. Then you can handle anything. But before another man expresses his love.. then I will rather give it a try. I am not asking for dating or relationship and stuff.. I know that I am not that religious but I am ready to move closer to her Allah.. do you know that you made me realize a lot of thigns without saying a single word? I will change for you. just give me your parents address. I want them to know how much you mean so much to me. how much I will do anything to have a real queen like you, Hazeemah.. please don’t turn me down.
Hazeemah: (speechless at first and does nothing but smile) this is a lot to take in honestly. This is very unexpected wallohi.. but all I can say is.. you are a good man with an amazing heart. I really like you but uhmmm there is no feelings attached sir.
Reem: I know dear, I really do. but gradually, you will get to love me. give me a chance to prove it.
Hazeemah: may Allah guide us all..but uhmmm I’m sorry to say this but my heart belong to someone else. I am in love with someone else. But i don’t want to take you as second choice because my parents are seriously in need of me to get married as soon as possible. I wish there could be a way I could explain my situation for you but if you can wait then.
Reem: (respond fast) I will wait! I promise.
Hazeemah: now I feel so bad.. please don’t wait.. if you find someone else, please marry her.. but I don even know who my husband is.. I don’t know…but time will tell.
Reem: (sigh sadly) alright then.. thank you so much for listening to my heart… (smile)
Hazeemah: (set to leave) you welcome sir.
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💕👍
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