Chapter Thirteen

"Assalamualaikum" 

Sadiq raised his head and was met with his drained friend. He unplugged the iron he was using " waalaikumusalam. Finally you're here." he said to jafar .

Jafar walks straight to the bed, he kept his bag one side and lat flat on the the bed. 

" I'm so so tired and hungry wallahi"

Sadiq hang the shirt he ironed and went to drag a stool to sit on " see this boy fa, wasn't there a cafeteria at your work place? "

Jafar sighed " of course there is, I didn't go there coz their price is too high. I haven't even earned my first salary self so why waste so much money" he pout with  sagged shoulder .

Sadiq look at him funnily " you better not kill yourself with this your economising. With time everything will get better. "

" hmm I heard you "

Sadiq only shake his head " I'm telling you the truth fa. I was surprised when I saw your call and the most surprising thing is the fact that you just want to ask if I have already prepare dinner" he chuckled

When jafar was on his way home after the long work at the office,  he made sure to call sadiq in other to ask if dinner was ready.Already, sadiq had finished making  dinner as today was his turn.

Jafar got up from bed and marched to their drawer " what do you want me to say now? I already told you that I have heard "

" anyway, how did your day go?"  jafar change the topic and  pull off his shirt. 

Sadiq sat upright " well, it went OK? " he wasn't even sure if that was the right way to put it 

Today was totally bad for Sadiq. He woke up early this morning with his major illness which was asthma. He has been diagnosed with the aliment at the age of 18 and he makes sure to always properly take good care of himself.  But today's own wasn't easy, it really drained him. 

Jafar scoff and gave him a quizzical look    " why did you say it like you aren't even sure how your day went"he came back to sit on the bed

" well,you should already know what I meant " said sadiq. 

Jafar sat, trying to process what he meant. He join two and two together " don't tell me that your asthma is back again? "

Sadiq nodded 

" you really need to go to the hospital, you know how it always wears you down. Let not forget that yours is very chronic "

" of course I have taught about going to the hospital tomorrow " he stretched and stood up " anyways let me serve the food"

" I almost forgot, there is something you need to know about your brother " said jafar, remembering what sakeena had told him. 

" what is it about him" sadiq asked confusingly 

" something so shocking, I tell you. But let me have my meal first before I tell you, that is if you don't want me to die of hunger" he smirk

An already eager sadiq glares at him. He was all ears to what his friend wanted to say but the idiot isn't going to say anything till he have food in his stomach. 

" food monger kawai " sadiq muttered and went to fetch the food

" I heard that " jafar shouted

" of course you were meant to hear"

" whatever"

***

" little one, I think you should leave the remaining work till tomorrow. You've been working since you came to the office and its 6:00pm now. " Rahama's dad scolded .  He sat opposite her with crossed leg. 

" I'm rounding up already, you need not to worry dad" she closed the file and smile at him. 

One admirable fact about Rahama is that,she gives so much attention to her job. She is a workaholic when it comes to that and that is one of the thing some of her employees admire in her. She might not have a good character but she knows how to do her job firmly. 

" so dear, I have been meaning to ask you " her dad became serious 

She sat upright " what is it dad? "

" well, how is your relationship with Mansir going. Is he a gentleman as he seems to be? " he wiggled his brow. 

She immediately cover her face shyly" dad" she drawled " why is it that you find joy in teasing me. I thought most father are always strict when it comes to their daughters relationship but yours is different dad" she  pout. 

He laughed loudly" my dear, I'm not most father. I'm Alhaji Dabo ,do you now see the difference"

" you've started again " she folded her arms with a pout 

He raised his hand in surrender 

" OK, do you want me to be strict with you? If that is what you want then tell me"

She sighed " well, I didn't mean it that way. I love you just the way you are dad. And for your question, he called yesterday and request to take me out tomorrow "

" so what was your reply ?"

" I said yes to him"

" That's good dear. Whatever your decision is I will support you" he held her hand in an encouraging way

" Thanks dad. You really are one in a million and I'm never ever going to change you for anything in this world " 

" Me too dear. Although you still have some clause and I pray that almighty Allah will lead you to the right part" 

" Ameen , even though I know that I did nothing wrong" she roll her eyes 

" hmm, you this child " he shakes his head

" Dad you don't need to disturb yourself. If it is changes you want then I will try my best"

"you better try harder "  he warned " what about the young man I told you to give a call? "

She gave him a quizzical look,trying to remember what man

" what man? " 

" the young man who came for an interview last three days "

She made a 'oh' sound when she remembers "  I totally forgot dad. I was too choked up with work, I promise to give him a call today. Infant right now"

How come I forgot to give the mechanic guy a call ? 

She stood up to check for his document.

" don't worry dear, you can try calling him later. I really  need to talk to him"

She was confused at why her dad is insisting on  talking to him. Before ,she taught it was because he wanted to punish sadiq for insulting her the last time ,but now she think otherwise. 

" OK dad" 

The chair made a screeching sound as Alhaji Dabo stood up " I'm heading home dear or do you want me to wait for you? 

" no, no you don't need to. I was thinking about making a stop at a snacks shop down town " she said and repare her Vail properly. 

" OK then. Make sure you don't take too long coz it already getting dark dear" he warned

" I promise , I'll be home on time "

He nodded and left. 

She used her phone as mirror to clean the little smudged mascara close to her eyes. She rechecked if it was OK and decided to take a selfie. She loves selfies. She saved one of it as her wallpaper and decides to finally get up her seat. 

Rahama stretched and pack all her things inside her bag. She look for Sadiq's number in his documents since she has a copy. She saved the number as ' low life'

The name fits him, she thought and smiled wickedly. She straightened her fitted gown and finally called it a day.