In a quiet and slightly old room. It was so dark and one could hardly see a thing. the only source of light was from a lamp laid on a wide table. lot of files were arranged neatly on the shelves which was built close to the wall. A large painting of a vase filled with flowers was also hanged on the wall, At the extreme end of the room.
Only two chairs were visible and they seem to be occupied.
Earlier on Abu Dahwud had received a message from Abu safwan for a brief meeting immediately he got to the office. He had left home in a hurry wearing a brown italian suite and a white cap. His wife had insisted he ate his breakfast before leaving but he declined instantly, he just can't keep his boss waiting. Now his boss has brought him here just where the heck is this place for the past five years since he was transferred here he never knew a place like this exited in the company.
Have you told your daughter about the nikkah? came Abu safwan's voice.
yes i did.
And what was her reply?
she has said nothing yet.
That single statement alone was enough to bring out the anger Abu safwan was trying so much to suppress. He won't tolerate anyone ruining his plan.
What!!!! does this look like a joke to you. didn't you tell her the price you would pay if she refuses.
Abu Dawud was taken aback. when it comes to this man anger he just can't handle it. "i...did. he managed to say even though his voice were not audible enough.
Abu safwan let out a soft chuckle upon hearing his reply."it seems your daughter is a hard nut to crack or could it be that it your fault. well, it none of my business. i give you until tomorrow night to make her agree. And also give her these document to sign this will stand as a prove that she is in support of this wedding taking place. He said giving him a file containing the document. And if you fail to carry out this simple task he instantly switched back giving Abu Dahwud a deadly gaze. "you know what I can do" . I will make sure you regret it for the rest of your life. Mark my word. Sweat were already gathered on Abu Dawud beards when it comes to this man's anger he just can't handle it. He remembered clearly what he saw back then when he was just his personal secretary. No one has ever defiled his orders. Even if this man was strict he wouldn't deny the fact that he was also caring especially to him. He still can't pick out the real reason why this man want their children married to each other. i will do everything within my powers combined with the strength of Allah to protect my family he said within himself. He looked at his boss whom had surprisingly became quiet before his gaze fell on the file which were already on his hands.
"Don't worry sir i would make my daughter agree to this."
"Am not worried it is you that should be".
This man was at it again whatever word that came out from his mouth always keeps Abu Dawud speechless. how can this man be like this. How could he be so authoritative and cold in whatever he does.
"You may leave now and make sure all employees are seated in the board room. i will join you all few minute from now". And lastly make sure no one knows about this place this should be between you and i. i have bought you here today for a reason and when the time comes you would know why. You may leave now. What could he possibly say, nothing to be sincere. His boss bringing him here and telling him to keep this place a secret. what exactly is this man up to.
Earlier on Abu safwan had seek the presence of all senior employee in the board room only God knows what this sudden meeting was all about. Abu Dawud left the secret room after giving his boss a nod and also making sure no one sees him leaving.
All alone in the room Abu safwan let out a wicked grine. His plans were working perfectly. After deliberating on his next line of action he left the room not before switching the lamp off.
At the top floor men on suite and women on black gown and hijab were sited in a large hall each wearing a worried look what happened this time. The boss only calls meeting like this only when something wrong has happened. The hall was painted green with different artworks placed at the wall. A large black table was placed at the center of the hall just beneath the chandelier. Twenty chairs in which nineteen has been occupied surrounded the table A large vase filled with different flowers was placed at the center of the table. After about ten minutes of sitting quietly Abu safwan finally came.
Assalamualaikum to you all
wa alaikum salam sir. They all answered.
He wore a smile on his face which was very rare. He sat down quietly fixing his gaze on each and every one present before finally settling his gaze on Abu Dawud whom had brought his gaze down when he noticed those eyes were staring at him as if waiting patiently for his bains to pop out from his flesh.
" Well "He finally began that single word was enough to gain everyone's attention each still wearing the same anxious look.
I called this meeting to officially inform you all, not only that, also to invite you all to my son's upcoming nikkah which would be taking place this weekend. Every other details concerning the wedding will be sent to you all and also make sure you all arrive on time i won't tolerate lateness do well to inform other staff about this. Massalam. without waiting for anyone's reply or comments he left the hall but not before giving Abu Dawud one last deadly glare.
All employee were left mouth wildly opened was this the purpose of the meeting. They just can't understand their boss sometimes. Well at least today he was not angry it was still a relief. They all left the hall one after the other to continue their work. Abu Dahwud was left alone so deep in his thought. He never liked the idea of getting his daughter married to someone she doesn't love. But he couldn't help it, his life is also at stake in this situation and also this man has busted the news to the other employee there is really no going back. "Forgive me umaima for doing this to you am really sorry". He said quietly before heading outside. After doing a little work at the office he left for home.
It was forty minutes ride from the company to his house. he had dropped by to get ice cream for his kids. he knew how much they love it. Getting home what welcomed him was the sound of laughter coming from the garden. He got down from his car holding his briefcase before closing the door. He had even forgotten about the ice cream he had brought earlier as all his mind were focused on the sound coming from the garden. Finally getting to the entrance he was more flabbergasted by the atmosphere that welcomed
him. Umaima was running around trying to catch her siblings whom seems to make it difficult for her as they kept escaping anytime she is about to get them. Right now she looks so happy and there seem to be no trace of sadness. Abu had thought she would lock herself up in her room like yesterday. He never expected her to be this happy in this situation. He couldn't help it but praise his daughter she was really their Nur (light)
It seems the children had noticed the presence of someone else because they suddenly stop playing and all eye's was now focused on the person who had interrupted them. umaima hand had stretched out to catch hatib seeing that the guy had stopped all of a sudden. she had held his shirt before she followed his line of sight.
Upon discovering it was Abu they all greeted him and he replied immediately. He was so happy watching them play and never intended to disturb them. The twins ran to hug Abu and he gladly accepted their invitation. His gaze fell on umaima whom still has her hand stretched out as of she's still holding an invisible Hatib. The boy had freed himself from her grip when he noticed her grip on him had loosen a bit he just wanted to beat his sister on getting to Abu first and he was glad he won.
"Umaima what wrong"Abu couldn't help but ask when he noticed his daughter was lost in her own world.
"nothing Abu"she managed to say before straighting up.
They all went inside the house after getting the ice cream which Abu had forgotten earlier in his car. Ummu whom had gotten back from work earlier was desending from the stair when she had noticed Abu was back.
The twins had ran upstairs to devour their ice cream they just couldn't wait to devour it. Umaima had attempted to go to her room but Abu stopped her.
"Umaima please come sit i have something important to tell you". Ummu sat at the couch next to Abu after bringing an orange juice for him.
"Umaima i know you are not pleased with the sudden turn of event . but i can assure you that your husband to be is very nice and he is going to take good care of you and also this is the only option i have to save our family my job and the well-being of this family is also involved.
"Umaima"Abu continued i know i can't force you into getting married because it's against our religion that why whatever your decision is i am fine with it. Abu couldn't help it. he just came up with this sudden decision he loved the way his daughter had smiled few minute ago and he didn't want to take that smile away from her face. But deep down a part of him hoped she would agree to this marriage. Only he knows the real implications he would face if she refuses.
After waiting for several minutes and still no word came out from Umaima's mouth Abu sighed. He opened his briefcase which had been beside him all this while. He brought out the file Abu safwan had given him earlier. Umaima please i give you until tomorrow morning for your reply if you accept this proposal sign this file and when this is done their is no going back. i hope you would make the right decision. He placed the file on the table, standing up he took a gulp from the juice ummu had served earlier before heading straight to his room that moment. It took him all his self control not to destroy the file which had brought sadness on his daughters face.
"When did my life got so messed up that I had to steal my daughter's happiness in other to fix his" He mumbled within before closing the door to his room.
Umaima ran straight to her room taking the file along with her Ummu had been alarm well at first she thought her daughter would destroy the file but when she noticed she was heading to her room she could only hope her daughter wouldn't do anything stupid. she understand that she needed to give her daughter time to think this through. she headed straight to the kitchen to prepare lunch for the family.
she didn't forget to inform the twins not to disturb their sister and they assured her they won't.They couldn't help but felt sorry and worried for their big sister. Why was this happening to her?