What did she mean I was supposed to be here since last week, I had only met Ahamd yesterday.I felt there was more to this than I knew. How long had they been talking about the marriage with Ruqayya and Umar and why was I just finding out now? "Please tell me about my job," I said changing the topic. There was no point explaining to Flora that I had just met the Mukhtars. whatever conversation I needed to have was with my sister."you are now the head of the customer service and partnership department," she said "Head!" I exclaimed out loud, "Yes ma'am" she answered innocently, how could I be the head of a whole department when I had no job experience? I thought to myself. "Are you sure?" I asked in utter disbelief."Yes ma'am" she replied with a smile. "but I have no job experience," I protested, as she nodded like she had already known that. I wonder what they were told about me for the past week. "But you studied psychology ma'am, that gives you the ability to understand peopl
"Okay," I said, as he hung up."Ma'am are we waiting for Ms Laila" Flora asked, "let's go back to the office" I said as we went back to our floor. I had no idea I was meeting Ibrahim today, I came out without a single line of makeup, I looked at my window which was made out of a mirror opaque glass. I was glad I took dressing up to make a first impression seriously I thought as I looked at myself.I picked up the powder in my bag, touching up my ever-so-oily face with it. I had no other make-up material in my bag, not even a lip gloss "Shame on your Fatima" I berated myself. I pulled out the card to read it before he came. "My love for you is like a flower, it blooms every day. from the moment I set my eyes on you, until this day. I promise to nurture what we have and protect you with all I have" it read. it was handwritten making it more romantic, I held on to the letter smiling at the words.I thought he didn't like me. I had tried not to think about the marriage or my choice all
I didn't mind the arranged marriage because I wasn't even in love with anyone else but I could never marry someone who didn't love me. "Alright," he said as we both stood up, I hated that I didn't eat anything he set up, there were so many juicy-looking things. but I also needed to leave that space. "I am sure Ahmad told you to set up a romantic brunch" I blurted as soon as we got into the car. I was expressive I didn't like having words hooked in my throat. "No, I thought about it myself," he replied innocently. I didn't want to lie to you about the card, I want our relationship to be built on honesty" "I am sorry" he said opening the car door for me. I admired his honesty but I also wished he picked out the card himself or didn't even do it at all. "It's fine" I said I said glancing at him as soon as he entered the car, "I would make it up to you" he assured. 'you better' I thought to myself nodding. We arrived back at the office and he parked at the basement parking lot, I
"What!" I exclaimed, "This is my cousin Kabir's number" he said, "Ughh, I am not a fan of that guy, is he the one harassing you?" Ibrahim asked, "he wasn't really harassing me I guess, I am just not comfortable," I said defending him as soon I realized they were cousins. "It's Harassment dear," Ibrahim said, I could sense his anger increasing as soon as he realized it was his cousin. "I don't like to talk to him. but I would ask Ahmad to talk to him, Ahmad is the only person calm enough to talk to Kabir" Ibrahim explained. 'Ahamd, Calm, you mean bossy enough' I thought remembering how Ahmad was stopping Kareema from eating cake and had been bossy with everyone else. "He wouldn't bother you again" Ibrahim assured. and I nodded. "Can I ask? Is Ahamd getting married on the same day as us?" I asked. I wanted to know if Ahamd was in a relationship. I wanted a way to push the idea of him and Jidda. "No" Ibrahim replied, "but he is in a relationship, right? I further enquired. "Not that
"My Mr. Mukhtar?" I felt a surge of anger as I asked."no!!" "the CEO, Mr Ahmad!" Flora clarified. I could see she immediately regretted telling me. I felt embarrassed, 'why did I add "my' ' to Ibrahim's name, it's not like he was mine or anything' ' I thought to myself. So what if it's Ibrahim?' I thought again."why would that make her jealous of me? I have nothing to do with Ahmad " I said. "she bragged about being the first daughter-in-law of the family" Flora explained, I could tell Flora no longer wanted to talk about it. I respected that. We both silently got out of the elevator.I wondered why I felt jealous earlier, it wasn't like I loved him or anything, 'you are getting married to him, maybe that's why' I told myself.As I got into the office I received a text from Umar, it said he wouldn't be able to take me home because he had an assignment, I was not surprised, Ibrahim had already told me.I wished it was Ibrahim who was available to take me home, I was starting to
My heart skipped a beat, 'what was Ibrahim's mother doing at our house I thought as I felt tense. I looked at Ahmad who kept his stern look, How was I going to get Ahmad to take me home quickly? I texted Ruqayya back telling her I was with Ahmad on our way to a meeting. But she didn't reply making me feel even more tense."Are we going somewhere else again?" I asked, breaking the deafening silence and hoping Ahmad was talking me home. "yes, I would like to visit another client, if you don't mind," he said politely this time. I nodded. silently looking at the time. Ahmad pulled up to a beautiful mansion. Parking his car in front of it as a bulter stood by his side waiting for the keys."Let's go," he said to me as we both got out of the car, walking in to reveal a royally decorated mansion. The maids opening the doors were in elaborate uniforms. "Is your boss around?" Ahmad asked one of them politely as they led us to the visitor's living room, a massive space with golden royal cha
I spent the whole night thinking, Friday was exactly 7 days from that day, how did I agree to this?I thought Ruqayya was joking about the wedding being in 10 days. Could I really get married to someone in 10 days? I felt uneasy and overwhelmed as my alarm rang. My eyes were open throughout the night, I didn't even have a blink of sleep, I felt too tired and lazy to get up as my Alarm rang continuously. I reluctantly got up putting off the Alarm and getting ready for work. After I was done with my morning prayers, I saw a missed call from Ibrahim. I wasn't sure he was the person I wanted to talk to at the moment, regardless I decided to return the call."Good morning dear" Ibrahim said, as soon as he picked up the call, "good morning" I replied. "sorry I didn't call you last night, I had a meeting and didn't return home until late" Ibrahim' explained himself. "It's fine," I said, I didn't even expect him to call. this was the man I was getting married to and I didn't know anything
"Good morning" Jidda said to Ahmad as soon as we got out into his car. "good morning" replied with a warm smile. Ahmad. I gave Jidda room to sit in the front while I found space in the back seat. "Good morning" I said sliding into the backseat wanting to be unnoticed while the two bond. "Good morning Fatima" Ahmad said. He glanced at me for a second, "are you okay?" He asked. "I am fine, thank you" I replied, he probably noticed the eye bags around my eyes from lack of proper sleep. Without saying another word he ignited the car. I listened to Jidda and Ahmad talk about random things as he drove, his eyes weren't fixed on the road and he didn't have a stern look, instead, he occasionally glanced at her and laughed at the jokes she told. I couldn't help but feel jealous, my soon-to-be brother-in-law was friendly to everyone else except me, it was almost as though he forgot I was in the car, not even glancing at me or trying to include me in the conversation. My friend Jidda was wor