"I have just received a call from the driver that Aabid has reached Ankara, sir," Yeccef informed his uncle, Jalaludeen II. The uncle nodded, but said nothing.
"When does he intend to send a report to his new office?" Asked Jalaludeen II after a long while. He knew quite well that his son was up to lazing around the city with no aims of returning to work soon. After all, it was his favorite city as a teen as all his friends were around that area.
The president and his niece, Yeccef were sitting in his office talking about how to increase their customer base at the Ankara branch.
"I am not quite sure, sir, I will ask about it as soon as I get to my desk," Yeccef replied. Although Hameed Jalaludeen was his uncle, they were all trained, including Aabid, to address him as 'sir' at work.
"Send me the list of clients from the VIP chart. There is something important I need to check on"
"I will look into it quickly," Yeccef said. He left the moment he bowed.
Jalaludeen heaved a loud sigh and massaged his temple.
He began to complain silently about Aabid. He was his eldest son and yet it was his cousins who had more brilliant results and achievements compared to him. They seemed smarter and more responsible than his own son, he believed. Farida was the next child, 4 years younger than Aabid. She is the first child of Fatma (Jalaludeen's first wife).
After several years of not fathering a child with Fatma, Jalaludeen married Narmin (Aabid's mother). But Fatma later gave birth to 4 children: Farida, Husnah & Semih, who were twins, and finally Asya.
A ringing of the phone jolted Jalaludeen out of his thoughts.
It was a call from his brother-in-law, the managing director of the Al-Taajir Group in both Ankara and Istanbul branch. They had a brief discussion about Aabid's duties at work. They needed the latter to consult a French CEO who was to land at Istanbul in 3 months time.
"Mr. Demonte, a man of honor," Jalaludeen whispered to himself, stretching on the chair. He smirked at the thought of the battle that was ahead of them.
---
The moment he parked his car in the lot, Aabid gallantly walked up to a group of men playing billiards in the front yard. They all paused at the sight of him.
"Look who's here!" A voice beamed with a grin the moment Aabid approached them. The man called Farhan walked hurriedly towards Aabid and the two embraced as brothers. The other two also came up to him and hugged one after the other.
"It's been a long time I swear, I cannot believe we are finally meeting after so many years," Farhan said softly, looking into Aabid's excited eyes. He had been his friend since he was 5 years old after his mother suddenly disappeared. They naturally had a strong bond with each other.
"If you want, do not believe it," Daanish playfully slapped Farhan, to which Farhan shoved him in retaliation.
"Stop it, you two," Farhed said, trying to stop the two from having a play fight. Aabid just laughed, enjoying what he was seeing.
"This reminds me of our wrestling match," Aabid said and went to the water dispenser to get a cup. They were in Daanish's luxury flat.
"Oh yes, I remember!" Daanish exclaimed as he laughed and then stopped to smile at Farhan. "I almost broke your neck, then, Farhan. Father was so scared."
"Liar. That was before I almost broke your figure. You are lucky Aabid saved you, I swear," Farhan replied.
"I wonder who will win now?" Said Farhed "It was like that when the boys were boys. Now I'd like to see how it turns out when the boys have become men!" he chuckled as Aabid toasted him.
"I would definitely win!" Danish exclaimed, and moved closer to Farhan. Farhan tried to poke Daanish in the groin with his feet, knowing that Daanish would run back and it would all end. And it did. So it ended.
---
After a random discussion, they moved to the living room, each with a packet of crisps that Farhed had supplied. Now their eyes were fixed on an action movie. From time to time Daanish glanced at his phone, Farhan at the clock; Aabid was suddenly completely engrossed in his phone while Farhed was watching the movie with keen interest. The air-conditioner was blowing moderately and the curtains were completely separated so that one could see the night scenery.
It was a 2-bed flat given to Daanish by his father, a popular Turkish surgeon in Istanbul. Daanish was a practising architect and the only male child of both his parents. He had two older sisters who were preparing to marry soon. The mother, a psychologist who worked in the same hospital as her husband, was planning a double wedding.
The friends had come to Ankara with the exact intention of meeting Aabid. Farhed, a Pakistani private pilot who worked for Jochron INC (local flights), had landed in Ankara from Istanbul a few hours ago. Farhan, also an engineer, came from Istanbul 3 days ago to wait for Aabid. They all knew that he would be living in Ankara for the time being.
"I wonder what is keeping you so busy with your phone," Daanish grinned mischievously. Farhan's gaze quickly switched to Aabid. He sat down on the same sofa as him and looked closely at his face. Aabid grinned, looking at him too, waiting for him to say something.
"Don't tell me you have already spoken to her!" Shouted Farhan in an agitated voice. Aabid shook his head while Daanish laughed like mad. "Brothers in love, talking on the phone round the clock!" he exclaimed, munching on his snack and crossing his legs, still on the sofa.
"Are you sure?" Farhed gave Aabid a teasing look.
"Eh! I just arrived hours ago," Aabid snorted, pushing Farhan off him lightly and going into the kitchen for a scoop of ice cream. "I have not even met her yet. I need some rest, bro."
"Ugh. Something tells me that was a girl. Bro, give me your phone," Farhan muttered, following Aabid into the kitchen.
"Give him a break, Farhan!" Farhed said immediately as Farhan entered the kitchen.
"Do not break my fridge, I beg you!" Daanish shouted. He assumed they would engage in some kind of fight within the vicinity of his fridge.
Farhan tried to snatch the phone from Aabid's hand, which the latter successfully fought off and laughed while pushing Farhan away. "That's definitely a girl you are talking to, I can swear."
"That's her... Good, you heard it... It's a girl," Aabid muttered, taking a small cup of ice cream. "But. It's my girl. Not the stranger you think it is," he added, referring to a lady named 'Violet' and not the one he was scheduled to meet and marry within a short time. Tasting the ice cream, he closed his eyes, as if enjoying the chilly sensations it was giving his tongue. Farhan nodded and set about washing up a pot. Earlier, the men had agreed to eat Rajma Dal tonight, which Farhan had promised to prepare (he was a better cook).