Ma'Naima had been in Aabid's room for about 15 minutes. She had initiated the important topic right after they had exchanged pleasantries with Aabid. She discovered him lazing on his bed in a kurta.
They were both playing tricks to persuade each other. With her sweet and kind nature towards his father, Aabid was determined to either cancel the plans or give his current girlfriend a chance. She, on the other hand, was adamant and believed there were no other options.
"Aabid, you know you're wasting your time bringing this girl's issue to your father..." she gently said in a scratchy voice. She was seated in the far corner on his study desk while he was still on his bed, sitting yoga style.
"Mami, you always told me not to give up, haven't you?" he grinned, scratching his ruffled hair.
"Oh, yes... But not in cases like this Aabid. This is a pointless argument," she chuckled, adjusting the loose veil on her head. She had just arrived from shopping and made her way here. "Besides, the girl is a good person, believe me. Did he tell you about her?"
"Yes. Her educational background, yes."
"That's all?"
"mhm. That's all. He sent spies to spy her I think."
"Why do you say so?" she laughed, faintly hitting her lap with her palms in the process.
"He said he did some research, mami," Aabid also smiled broadly, happy to see her laughing.
"Oh my goodness, Aabid!" she guffawed, but still continued, "So you termed it spying?!"
A nod from Aabid. "Mami you know how Abba does his things, ya..." he tried impersonating his reserved father's method of speaking, "Go and get me information about this and this. Check the people he interacts with and come tell me immediately before I lose my mind,"
She guffawed, her veil falling down to her body "Aabid, but you know he only does this to his family, not others out there," she explained, now composed. "I can tell you're feeling that's what he did to find stuff about you, is it not?"
"Mami not feel. I KNOW he does it that way, wAllah. But if that's not what he does to learn about people, especially her, how did he ever know she existed?"
"But, you know, it didn't happen that way," she cleared her throat, and Aabid settled in to hear her explanation.
"Loharani, the Eagles' CEO... he's also interested in the commercial partnership." Even in the past, he and your father got along well. But, you know, business... Sometimes, if there isn't a strong personal bond, they put mutualism aside and pursue more appealing alternatives."
"I am aware of that."
"Good. So there was a point when he and your father were talking about it. He told your father that he was not a parent at the time. He had only one niece, whom he adopted."
"Wait... how long ago was that?" Aabid inquired, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"Oh. That was maybe ten years ago."
"What?!" Aabid yelled. "Was it ten years ago?"
"I'm sorry, my mistake! It should have happened twelve years ago." She grinned as she examined her fingernails. "Yup. "Pretty lengthy, eh?"
"So, has he been selling me short since 12 years ago? What the hell?"
"No. First, listen. To get Aabid's attention, she fanned her eyebrows in the manner of a frown. "Twelve years ago, at the Jana'izah of the former CEO of the Eagles, they mentioned their children."
"So, this dates back to at least ten years ago, but how are you all certain that the girl is still alive?" He said, "I'm sorry to say that, but what ifff, and what if I died?"
She now scowled. A genuine frown. "Aabid, what nonsense?" She explained further, "There wasn't any discussion about getting married between the two of you. About a year ago, the topic of marriage was uprooted."
"Last year?"
"Yes. But it wasn't especially aimed at you. In a statement, Loharani said that he would be happy to find his daughter a suitable spouse. The others that turned up to ask for her hand in marriage did not sit well with him."
"I now understand, ah, absolutely. So, the daughter is his niece?"
She answered with a nod "Yes. When he didn't have children, he adopted her years ago. Therefore, it is undoubtedly his daughter Aabid."
A nod from Aabid.
"Anyway, your father made a straight offer two months ago. Loharani expressed a great deal of interest after hearing your identity and other details since he had a liking for your father. He would, of course, put that aside for now, and carry on as usual with his business." She explained further, glancing at his study desk and noticing the gifts.
"Additionally, Yeccef, your cousin, expressed interest and somehow snuck in to see Loharani. but not in a typical marital approach."
Although Aabid chuckled a little, he was able to comprehend what she was attempting to convey.
"Amazing. This is fantastic news," he exclaimed. Naima gave him an unblinking gaze.
"How is that news positive?"
"Yeccef. Why not yeccef instead? He can wed her as he is a member of Al-Taajir, mami.
Her sigh was audible. "You don't get it. I take it Yeccef is the son of your elder aunt?" He nodded before she continued, " You probably didn't pay much attention, but your father is having issues with them that even I don't fully understand how it started. Instead of Yeccef, he prefers you for this post."
A dismayed expression. His issue was not the business matter. He intended to live his life independently of them all.
"Aabid. You are aware of the effort your father put out to program all of this. You have a larger share than Yeccef's father and almost more than all of your relatives combined." She explained in a charming manner.
"But mami, I've never wanted to lead a life of trade."
"No, you have" She debated.
He ceased talking. It was authentic. He had dreamed of owning a successful business since he was a little kid. But with time, he discovered that he was experiencing difficulties with those close to Al-Taajir.
And I want you to prosper, my boy," she said with a smile that showed the gap between her teeth. He reciprocated her smile.
"Please tell me more about the Loharanis."
She experienced a remarkable sense of relief since it appeared that the conversation piqued his curiosity in the Family.
"Three brothers, Javed, Jamil, and Yusuf, put a lot of effort into starting the company many years ago. Javed made a far larger first donation because he was the eldest, it was his initiative, and it was his capital."
Aabid stood up and stretched, then sat back and crossed his legs as he listened keenly.
"Jamil and Yusuf the younger sought to make it big. Your father and Yusuf Loharani had a conversation regarding their children at Javed Loharani's Janaa'izah." After getting a nod from Aabid, she proceeded, "Jamil took over as operating manager after that. Yusuf is currently the lone surviving brother since his Jamil's death five years ago."
"Wow. What a story, mami," he said in a gentle tone. She nodded in agreement.
"By the way, what are these? You received gifts I can see..." she asked, showing him the wraps of the gifts which he hadn't cleared that night.
"Yes, my pals presented them to me."
"Lovely friends they are. Son, enjoy your blessings."
"I truly admire it."
"Who are your pals, by the way?" Her eyes were concentrated as she asked, trying to comprehend.
"Do you not recall Farhan? My close pal from kids? Well, it was he, Farhed, and Daanish,"
"Yes... I do. But the other two I don't recall them. Explain more,"
"The son of Professor Bilal is Daanish. Do you remember the name of Professor Bilal, the surgeon from Istanbul?" Aabid enlightened.
"Oh, right! Aabid, I am aware of Professor Bilal. I am friends with Dr. Aisha, his wife. In fact, I have to go to their wedding very soon."
"Daanish is, in fact, their son. I'm confident you can now identify him."
"Honestly, no. Actually, I had no idea that you two were acquainted. I haven't met him either," Naima's quick response came. She grabbed the tablet and held it in her palms, feeling awful that she hadn't purchased him one.
"And Farhed. My buddy who works for Al-Taajir."
"Oh yes, I remember him!" She exclaimed excitedly. She placed the tablet on the desk and stood up, about to leave. Aabid also stood up from the bed.
"Can I ask you a favor?" She asked, grinning.
He nodded quickly, curious to know.
"Can you help me get the kids from school Aabid? You haven't been going out much."
"Sure! I thought you'd never asked, Mami," he laughed as they both walked out of the room.
When he passed her, her expression altered, and she felt as though her heart had fallen. She took a little pause to gather her thoughts. While rushing downstairs to grab the car, he missed this. If she did it correctly, she questioned herself.
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Was it real that she had just detected a potent cigarette aroma in his shirt as he passed or did she just have a malfunctioning nose?
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