As the clock ticked 12 AM, Nur decided to pause the story and send her sister to bed "Humairah we'll continue tomorrow, we have to sleep and you know I want us to wake up for Qiyaamul layl" she said patting her sister's head
" OK, Nur, but you know, I think Amar cares about you in his own way,I mean his way is sure childish and self centered but there's no argument that he cares or at least cared" Humairah stated carefully hoping her words won't hurt her sister.
"Yes, Mairah,he cared because he loved me, but at that moment, I needed a father and a husband not just a husband,somebody who will try to understand my situation, who can tolerate my requests even if they seemed absurd but will understand that its what I really need and its what our baby needs.
Mairah, love is the feeling of wanting to keep someone by your side, wanting to smile with that person and for a small period of time, that is all that is needed, but when it comes to a lifetime, a person that truly understands his partner, tolerate the shortcomings, appreciate the sacrifices, effectively communicate with one another,know that sometimes material things don't provide comfort, and be patient with their tantrums because in life we can't face everything head-on, we can't try to point out every wrong, some times we have to be patient and let them slide.
Amar's mistakes were two in that situation, he never consulted me about that, instead he took the decision for me,
He wasn't far sighted, all he wanted to do was to provide me material comfort and he wouldn't admit that he was wrong, not in front of his mother.
My mistake was impatience, I should have waited till we got inside and in the happiest of moments brought up the issue, maybe he would have reasoned with me. It takes two to tango, one person can't do all the wrong". Nur concluded smiling sadly at her sister.
Humairah just quietly hugged her sister relaying all the emotions she felt.
"Nur, its okay,I think we should suspend it for today, let's sleep.
Nur quietly nodded and they quietly went to perform ablution and they slept, each drowned in their thought.
" Nur, breakfast is ready" Humairah called from the dining room.
"Nur came down the stairs rushing, her shoes in her hand, her bag and niqab in the other hand. " Ummah,Abbah, Good morning, Nur said as she bowed a little to her parents who were sitting side by side on the dining table.
"Morning dear" Alhaji Ali replied lovingly patting her back.
"Come and seat let's eat," Mrs Fatima Ali motioned to the seat next to Humairah who was playing with her fork.
"I'm sorry Ummah But I'm already late, I have to be at C.F.O by 7:30, you know I haven't personally attended any meeting in the last three months" Nur said as she began to tie her niqab.
"Nur, let me pack the Samosas for you then, eat it on your way" Humairah said as she stood up to get a takeaway.
"Thanks Mairah,endeavor not to be late to your camp" Nur cautioned.
Humairah just nodded her head and made her way to kitchen.
When she came back Nur had already hugged her parents goodbye, she collected the takeaway from Humairah, hugged her and made her way out of the house.
It was 7:35, Nur had just driven into the compound of C.F.O, which was located in Zone 4 Abuja. The building is a very large building, it has a big hall which contained a T.V set, a refrigerator and enough sofas it also has 30 bedrooms, 10 for the staffs 20 toilets, 10 for each gender, then 20 bathrooms, 10 for each gender, but 2 out of the 20's belong to the staffs of the foundation,it has a play ground for the kids. The main office is located on the other side of the compound, that's where every decision regarding C.H.O is taken.
Nur sped up and packed her BMW in the parking lot, the staffs greeted her as she made her way into the office, she just quickly waved at them and ascended the stairs as fast as her leg could carry her,
"Ma'am, everybody is waiting in the conference room" her secretary, Laila, informed her.
"Laila, I've told you, its just Nur" Nur replied
"Nur, I'm sorry, you know its been 3 months since we last met, I was just too excited" Laila explained
"No problem, i feel a bit giddy myself, let's go to the conference room" Nur replied smiling underneath her niqab, the only thing that gave her away was the playful twinkle in her eyes.
"OK,Nur" Laila smiled back.
" Ohhhh Nur, I can't believe I'm actually seeing you In this building" A deep voice was heard and tall man fair in complexion with his hair cut low, dressed in a blue suit, he looked classy and striking, as if to complete his looks a wide smile spread on his face as he approached the ladies,
"William, u forgot to shed a little tears, your acting skills are still lacking" Nur replied playfully.
Laila just laughed but immediately stopped when william sent her a glare "Nur, you are still as mean as ever" he complained
"Nur just winked playfully and started walking towards the conference room.
" Nur, our biggest donor isn't here yet, apparently he came back from Egypt late yesterday"William reported.
" Then we'll start without him,30 people can't wait for one man " Nur replied nonchalantly.
They entered the conference room where they were greeted by 12 pairs of eyes, as Nur approached the chair by the head, she stopped and greeted them. "I'm very sorry I am late, we'll begin immediately" she announced and with that the meeting commenced.
2 hours later the meeting was over, the board members and various donors came forward to introduce themselves personally to Nur, suddenly the door opened and in came a tall man, he was averagely built,his olive skin matching with his eyes which were almost golden, he kept his beard minimal but obvious as they ran together with his side brows, his nose not too pointed but small, his lips red and plump, he wore a white kaftan, black Gucci shoes and black cap, though he dressed simple, he carried with him an air of sophistication and class,and to add the cherry to the cake he is stunning, heads began to turn, inquiry in their eyes as to who the attention demanding stranger was, he on the other hand just let his eyes freely roam the room and as they found William, he smiled and waved a little, William ran to him and shook him, he led him to Nur who was talking to a woman, after they had concluded their discussion, Nur shook her hand and she left, William who was waiting for them to finish, quickly called for her attention.
"Nur, this is our biggest donor, Mr Hamza Suleiman" Nur looked at the man before her then lowered her gaze, "Assalaamu Alaikum" she greeted
"Wa'alaikumussalaam" he replied his voice deep yet low
"Pardon my tardiness, I hope William had explained the reason behind it" he said a small smile on his face.
"Oh yes, he did, I hope you understand why I couldn't wait for your arrival, 30 can't wait for 1" Nur replied
"I totally understand you, I'll just go through the proposal you drafted" he further stated.
"OK then we are good Mr Hamza, here is the proposal" Nur handed the proposal to him.
"I hope you attend the official tour on Wednesday" she added
"Inshaa Allah, I will" he replied as he took the proposal from her.
When Nur was sure she had attended to everybody, she bid them all goodbye and walked to her car but as she was about to start the ignition, she heard a call from the distance
"Excuse me" the deep voice called
She rolled down her glass and before her was Hamza Suleiman.
"Mr Hamza, any problem?" she questioned
"You should just call me Hamza and I just really need your autograph" he said rubbing his forehead with one hand nervously, the other hand holding a jotter and a pen.
"Autograph?" Nur asked puzzled.
" you appeared on "The Curious" yesterday right?" He asked
"Yes, what about that?" Nur asked a bit impatient.
" My 12 year old sister watched the show and since then began to idolize you, when I returned yesterday, I came back with a lot of gifts with Ariana Grande's stickers on them and barbie toys, she accepted them but didn't fail to point out that her new idol is Nur Ali, she showed me the video she had recorded and kept ranting about how she wants to be like you, well I feel that's a good thing seeing how you are the kind of person one can look up to, that's why I want to encourage her, so if you could do me a favour and give me an autograph, I'm sure she will be delighted" he explained, his nervousness still obvious and his
gaze low throughout.
Nur just smiled and collected the pen and jotter "I was shocked because I am no celebrity, but if your sister deems me worthy an idol, then I should be able to do this much for her" she signed Nur Ali adores.. " what's her name?" she asked
"Khadijah Suleiman" he replied delight in his eyes
Nur Ali Adores Khadijah Suleiman.
She ended it with a small love and her signature before she returned the jotter to him.
" Thank you very much, she will be so happy" he said happily
Nur just nodded, a smile on her face, just when he had turned to leave, something caught her eye and she called him back
"Hamza, give this to her, tell her if she ever wants to wear it" Nur said handing him a leather.
He collected it and opened it " A niqab" he whispered
"Yeah, its new, if she ever wants to wear it" Nur replied the smile never leaving her eyes
"Wow, you are very nice, my sister had really selected a worthy idol" he said his face glowing with happiness, he raised his eyes and coincidentally she also raised hers and for the first time they were looking at each other eye to eye, black against golden, Nur just averted her eyes and said
"I have to go now" to which he just nodded and she drove off.