On some days Sabeerah couldn't recognize faces, faces she's known for years will morph into a stranger's, and only then will she begin to notice their features, how their lips was stretched to their cheeks, or how full it was. How large their nose were or so pointy, she didn't think they could breathe well... All these she noticed when she was tired and just wanted to travel to somewhere like Mauritius and spoil herself silly, it's been ages she'd travel for a vacation, maybe during her teenage days.
"So we told the owners of the property that we won't be able to buy it and they've refused to reduce the price..."
Her assistant's voice jolted her to the present where she was seated in her vast office and the girl droned about whatever she was droning about. She'd been staring at her intently as if she was listening meanwhile she was studying her face and wondering how she never noticed one of her eye was larger than the other.
Sabeerah cleared her throat and rubbed her eyes. "So what you're saying is that the owners of that drab building are requesting thirty million naira?"
The girl swallowed before nodding nervously.
"Thirty million for a property worth fourteen million highest, did you hear that Matt?" She asked turning to the construction manager who was also one of her closest friends, he was a tall, well built man.
Matt laughed, "they're lucky we're willing to pay twenty million." He reclined on his seat, "probably trying to enrich themselves from the Shar'ib firm, it's not everyday a big real estate company comes to offer them money to buy their property."
"It's in a good location though, location is all that matters in real estate." She said twirling her pencil around her fingers.
"Uhmm ma'am, what about forgetting that building? There's a building close to Fiddy estate that's up for..."
Sabeerah shut her up with a glare. "I want this one and we're going to get it."
"Yes, yes ma'am."
"How's the construction for the plaza going?" She turned to Matt.
"It's going well, the windows were brought in yesterday."
She smiled in satisfaction. Her father had started Shar'ib real estate company years ago and due to it's success, he'd expanded it and added Shar'ib construction firm.
Sabeerah was the first child among three, her brother Aakhil was two years her junior and three years older than their last born, Huda.
Sabeerah has always been a leader and a protector, she was the first born and it had always been drilled in her head that she had to be perfect, make no mistake because her younger ones will follow her footsteps.
Aakhil was highly favored by both parents, being the only boy, he'd grown up to the unending voice of his father reminding him that he'll one day inherit the companies and become the CEO, even though he wasn't half as smart as Sabeerah.
Huda was the only one spared, she was allowed to do whatever she wanted which was nothing. Soft spoken, smallish and quiet, she hated doing anything other than watching Bollywood movies the whole day with food ready whenever she called.
Sabeerah was the hard-worker, she'd noticed people didn't really appreciate her efforts enough because first, she was a woman, secondly, she was a woman from a rich family so everyone just attributed her success to the Shar'ib firm was based on it's pre existing success but those who worked closely with her knew how hard she worked and how her presence in the company was catalytic to it's higher success, that didn't mean she was a likeable person though... Very far from it actually.
•••• •••• •••• ••••
Sabeerah walked into the house, her arms ladened with files that she'd brought home to review.
"Habibty, how're you?"
She heard her mom's voice, turning to the kitchen, she smiled. Her mom was holding a ladle with an apron tied around her.
Sabeerah looked a lot like her mom, she'd taken her light skin complexion and her cute, small nose, her large eyeballs and curved, pouty lips. Her height was from her father, she was tall and gorgeous, she wore her more than average height proudly.
"I'm fine mom, just stressed." She sat on the couch and unstrapped her kitten heels.
"Habibty, you work too hard wallahi, take some rest or you're going to get sick."
Sabeerah rolled her eyes. "I'm going to be fine Umma, I just need to eat, take a shower and review these files."
Her mother frowned. "Stop bringing work home, that's why you..."
"Umma you whine too much and you're going to give yourself stroke, SubhanAllah."
Her mother shook her head, "if me getting a stroke will mean you get to take a rest, then I'll gladly work myself up to getting it."
"Suit yourself, I'm going to my room." She picked up her shoes, the files and her handbag before trudging her way upstairs.
"Dinner will be served soon, make sure you come down."
"Yes Umma, whatever you say." Sabeerah mumbled.
Dinner was almost the way it'd always been. Umma was chatty, Baba listened quietly, Huda looked bored, Sabeerah was indifferent. The only difference was that today Aakhil was grumpy.
"So Aakhil, how's work going?" Her father asked.
"Alhamdulilah." He didn't look up from his food.
"Has the supplies for the Badney Hotel been delivered?"
"Yes."
"And the deal with Mr Joseph?"
"Sealed."
Sabeerah saw her father beam, "MashAllah that's splendid."
"We just acquired the shops close to Lugbe market." Sabeerah chipped in.
"That's good." Her father said nodding, she smiled.
"How about the building behind Glaze plaza?"
Her smile dropped, "uhmm no, the owners are asking..."
"Sabeerah, we ought to have acquired that building by now so construction can start on it."
"I know, I know dad and I'm trying my best."
"Well then try harder." He said looking at her disappointedly.
"Haba don't stress her more, she's already tired as it is." Her mother intervened.
"Well I wouldn't if she just does the things she's supposed to do on time " He turned towards her, "you do know how important acquiring that building is to us right?"
She nodded.
"Then I trust you to get it done no matter the problem." He squeezed her left hand gently before going back to his food.
"Can I be excused?" Huda asked glancing at the big wall clock hanging on the dinning room wall.
"How's the fashion designing going?" Her father asked. Huda had always lied about being involved in different professions, the latest now was fashion designing, designing Sari for Bollywood actresses with her eyes perhaps.
She swallowed. "It's fine."
"Not tiring, making your back ache, your teacher doesn't talk to you with respect?" He asked teasingly and they all laughed except Aakhil of course.
"I'll be traveling to Lagos tomorrow, there's a minor problem with one of our branch there." Aakhil announced. Sabeerah smirked, preparing for her father's scolding which would be directed at Aakhil this time, she should've known better.
"Minor problem? I trust you won't let it escalate right?" Sabeerah eyed her father. If that had been her, he'd have given her a lecture about working harder, she didn't know how hard anymore because she was on the verge of dropping dead from fatigue but she couldn't stop, she wouldn't stop until her father saw she had more potentials than Aakhil and let her head the companies, yes! The both of them.
"Na gama- I'm done." She said pushing her half eaten plate of pasta away before standing up.
"Zakiyi bacci ne- are you going to bed?" Her mom asked in Hausa too, it was their local dialect but they spoke more of English in the house.
"Yes. Goodnight everyone." She said before going off to her room where she picked up the files and began working, her goal was one, just one.
Sufyan frowned his face and folded his arms around his chest when he saw her coming, he was trying to fake anger."I'm so sorry." She said in her tiny voice before stretching to kiss his cheek. He almost smiled, even on heels, she had to stretch to reach him... Short girls were the cutest just that his sister wasn't among, she was as annoying as every little sister."Haba Maryam, for one hour, a whole hour. Do you know what I could've done with my time?""I know and I'm sorry Brother Sufyan, but guess what?" She asked excitedly."What?" He asked in a bored voice, he'd been waiting for her outside the mall and now he just wanted to go hangout with his friend and his family, most especially his little cute twins."Don't freak out but I just met Halima from our former neighborhood, she's making her payments, I told her you were waiting for me outside and she's so excited to see you."
"I'm worried for her, she's twenty eight and married to her job. You know this is entirely your fault." His wife said folding her veils in accordance to color on her wardrobe."I don't get how it's my fault your adult daughter isn't interested in getting married." He said rolling over to look at her."Well you caused it, it's always Sabeerah acquire those buildings, Sabeerah make sure construction starts today, Sabeerah why hasn't the roofing equipments been delivered?" She said turning to look at him with accusing eyes."Well the family business must move." He said shrugging."Yes but she needs to be married AbdulMalik, these men are even intimidated by her, why don't you reduce her workload?" She asked softly."I can't do that, Sabeerah is useful to the companies.""But you don't appreciate her enough and Aakhil works less, he's the one who's going to be in charge one day, why don
Sufyan had an impish smile on his face as he drove to Asokoro district. His friend, Hassan was in the passenger seat looking terrified."The girl is scary man! I haven't met her but I feel like pissing my pants already." Hassan said."How can you be going to meet a girl for the first time and you're this scared? Why'd you even agree to it?" Sufyan asked."It's all my mom, she wouldn't stop bugging me about the whole thing. Apparently the girl's mom is her friend's cousin and they're worried she isn't married since she's old and all that."Sufyan honestly was tired of family members pushing for someone to get married."If she's as old as you say, isn't she supposed to be desperate to marry anyone? I mean most people tend to be, it's just humanly." He hadn't met this girl but he was intrigued by the whole situation."She definitely isn't, you know Shar'ib real estate and construction
Sabeerah intentionally took her time before coming down, she didn't bother changing out of her casual wear. She just wanted to get this meeting over with, if he was who she wanted, let the marriage whatever begin.She headed into the mini parlor and as soon as she stepped in, her eyes met with a man seated on the couch.He had smooth dark skin and beautiful face, her lips involuntarily lifted up in a smirk, she'd met different men from different places, very handsome ones, princes who'd been interested in her so him being good looking wasn't endearing, it was just a bonus.Her mother expressed her distaste in Sabeerah's outfit and tardiness with her eyes.With a tight-lipped smile she said, "Sabeerah, come and sit."The other man probably her to-be husband's friend turned to look at her, she saw him gulp before smiling at her awkwardly.Sabeerah sat next to her mother."You could've dres
It's been three weeks since Sufyan had seen Sabeerah and it's been almost impossible to not think about her. He'd had a huge fight with Hassan about his behavior and he was still apologising but Sufyan wasn't ready to rekindle their friendship.Sufyan had found Sabeerah smart mouthed, intelligent and stunningly beautiful. He was trying his best to get her out of his mind, there was no way anything would happen between the both of them considering the way they'd met. It hadn't stopped him from stalking her on her social media pages though, she didn't have much pictures of herself but she posted everyday, about her job, motivations and advices."Dunce what are you thinking about?" Zubayr's voice snapped him out of his thoughts as he stalked into his office."You're here again?" Sufyan whined."It's not your fault." Zubayr rep
On days Sabeerah spend with her brother at the office, she was almost tempted to let him head the companies so that he'd run it down with his lack of knowledge and her father would see how much of a complete idiot his favorite child was.She couldn't though, Shar'ib would keep getting successful as long as she was her father's daughter."Why would you ever talk to them like that? You're supposed to be gentle in your dealings." She chided.He rolled his eyes at her. "Gentle with them? They need our help, not the other way around.""No that's where you have it all wrong Aakhil, we need them to sell their land to us so we have to persuade them that we're the best among all the other offers they've received.""Fuck them! We're the best, we're offering a whopping sum of fift
Sufyan didn't hate Halima but he didn't like her either, he honestly still couldn't fathom how he'd gotten tangled with her but he was sure this was all Maryam's fault."Brother Sufyan just give it a little while, you'll love her, you'll see." Maryam said serving him a glass of juice. He was at her house visiting, her husband was out if town and her daughter was taking a nap."She's good but I'm just not feeling the whole thing, she does everything just to please me, I want a partner not a servant." He said running his hand through his hair, Halima was driving him insane, two months of being with her and he was so stressed.She always wanted to talk to him, hear from him, do things to please him. He couldn't even have a normal discussion with her because she always agreed with his views!"I don't see a problem with a woman
"Hajrah don't you dare take another step!" Her mother's loud voice stopped her at the foot of the stairs."Umma I'm done talking about this with you." Sabeerah said with an edge to her voice."No you're not, what's with this obsession about your job? I'm tired of watching you do this to yourself." Her mother's voice broke and Sabeerah rolled her eyes before turning to her mother."I'm not doing anything to myself Umma, you're the one bothering yourself with something totally unnecessary.""Not being rude Addah but it's not unnecessary, I mean...""I will walk over there and hit you if you say another word." Sabeerah interrupted glaring at Huda who flinched before picking up her phone and giving it all her attention."Sabeerah it's high time, don't you
Playing loudly from the speaker was Hamisu Beaker's Jarumar Matar, everyone else was jolly as they sang along to it, the mood expressed immense joy and hers too. It was the second day of her wedding programme, the wedding Walima.The men from her family and his were at the mosque with an Imam to get her an Sufyan married in the eyes of Allah. Sabeerah was very nervous, she was seated in her bedroom dressed up in a blue laced dress, her face had been adorned with make up, her hands shone brightly, yesterday had been the Salle where all the ladies had gathered for Henna to be designed on their hands and feet by professional Henna designers.Sabeerah's Henna was a mix of black and red that suited her skin color perfectly, leaving her looking all the part of a stunning bride. Everyone around her showered her praises and the older woman paused to throw in an unsolicited advice or two, it didn't e
"That was nice." Sabeerah said.He raised a brow. "Just nice?"She nodded. "Just nice." She affirmed."You can't even admit to truly enjoying yourself, it must suck to be you." Sufyan said with a sympathetic expression.She was shocked, "you are so... I don't even know. What?""What is it again?" He looked at her confusedly."You're not alright." She said."But it's the truth, I'm sure you've not had so much fun in years like you did today, you were so carefree and you walked in water not minding that your trouser something would get wet." He pointed out.She glared at him. "It's not trouser something, it's CROCHET!""When I said you shouldn'
"Oh be fast and come out already." Sabeerah heard Umama scream from her room. She was in her closet trying out one of the numerous clothes the tailor had just brought in.Her wedding was in one month time and somehow it seemed they were behind preparations, everything was moving as fast as possible so they could meet up for the wedding.Sabeerah stared at the mirror before her as she ran her hand through the one of traditional wears she was going to be wearing on the day of her Kamu. The Ankara was sewn into a blouse and a fitted skirt that flowed down and covered her feet, it was beautiful.She finally went out of the room into her main bedroom where her mother, the tailor, her friends and two of her aunts were seated."It's beautiful." They cooed admiringly as they all surrounded her, from the side of her eyes, she saw the tailor hur
"Firstly, this can only be black magic." Matt said as he walked into her office on Monday morning.She eyed him. "A very good morning to you too young man.""How are you getting married and you didn't tell me?" He asked her, Sabeerah saw Sarah's eyes widen from the corner of the room."I told you now." She said shrugging."By texting me, Matt I'm somehow going to get married to someone called Sufyan Khalid, find out all you can about his relationship with another someone called Ahlam. Really Sabeerah?" He asked.She nodded. "Yes, what's wrong?'He gave her a look of annoyance before settling himself on the couch. "You're something else.""So I've been told.""God! When did this happen? We're together almost all the time and I had no idea, I don't even know what to think." Matt said."Don't be dramatic Matt, you don'
Sabeerah was dreading this meeting, she sat down in her car and just stared at Umama's house. She'd called a meeting between Sabeerah and Hannah to resolve their issues, Sabeerah didn't have the heart to say no to Umama's request so here she was, in front of her house.She'd been sitting in the car for almost ten minutes now, a text came into her phone from Umama;Come inside now or I'll come drag you in!!She sighed unlocked her car and got down from it grudgingly. It was a Sunday and she was plainly dressed in a crochet flapped trousers and a big grey T-shirt her go to comfort wears."Why are you dressed in your sleep clothes?" Umama asked eyeing her outfit."This is a very fashionable attire Umama, you'd know that if you were fashionable yourself." Sabeerah said giving her a hug.
Her father led them both back into the main house, Aakhil walked noticeably slower making him and Sufyan stay a little back."So you want to marry my sister?" Aakhil asked. Sufyan glanced at him questioningly."Yes I want to." Was his reply."And surprisingly enough, she wants to marry you too... Interesting."Sufyan didn't say anything as they kept up their pace."Do you know the last time Sabeerah had ever actually wanted to marry someone? Six years ago and after that didn't work out, she'd never looked at any man with interest. What's the secret this time Sufyan Khalid?"Aakhil paused his stride to ask the question.Sufyan stopped too and stared at him squarely. "I don't want to know any history if it's not coming from Sabeerah herself Aakhil, thank you very much."He continued walking leaving Aakhil behind. He entered the sitting room, thi
Sabeerah was back from Bauchi and Sufyan was eager to see her again, they'd spoken every single day on the phone and it was harder with every passing minute to keep her away from his mind. She was the most fascinating woman he'd ever met, it made him want to get to know her even more."Should I come see you?" He asked on one of their phone calls that was late at night because they'd both been too busy during the day."Do you want to?" She asked."Of course, I need me the things you bought."She scoffed. "Of course you do, just saw you want to see me because you miss me, don't be averted.""Maybe I just want to see you, it doesn't necessarily mean I miss you." Her argued."Tell yourself that..."He interrupted. "Sev
"I hear you are finally getting married." Baba Doza said giving her a knowing smile.Sabeerah groaned as she snuggled under his arms, covering her face."I'm not getting married Baba."It was the night before Fatima's wedding reception and dinner, the Walima was done earlier. The rest of the young girls in the family had decided Fatima's last night before she's whisked off to her new family would be celebrated.Although the bachelorette party was thrown few days back, the girls just wanted an opportunity to party amongst themselves again. They'd rented a suite in a hotel room and had all gone there, Sabeerah as usual hadn't followed.She got the maid to bring tea and cupcakes to the mini parlor where she could hang out with her grandfather."So your mom is lying?" He aske
Sufyan's Istighar hadn't ended in a dream, it wasn't the first time he was doing Istighar on this matter but those times were between Halima and Sabeerah, his dreams always showed him and a lady but which one was it was what had always left him confused.This time again that he was left with just one option, he did not get to dream and he had no idea what to do next.He hadn't spoken to her since the day at his office, he still frequently stalked her on social media, he knew she'd been to a fashion show two of her friends three days back and that there was a ground breaking ceremony that held in Idu yesterday. Why he didn't just call her and tried to get her know better, Sufyan had no idea.Before he got her number, he was obsessively thinking of what he'd say to her on the phone if he did call but now, he was hesitant. She was a fun person no doubt, witty and sassy but it was as