His eyes weakly opened, and the first thing they looked at were the blinds, which were trying to block out the sun that was glaring through the window. He dragged his body sluggishly to sit upright on the bed due to ache in his forehead and stomach. He glanced at the side table-mounted clock and realized it was time to get ready for work.
Aabid breathed out, attempting to release the tension that had built up inside him throughout the previous night. He turned his head to both sides while giving his neck a gentle massage with his rough palm before slowly approaching his shoulders.
He yawned and got out of bed, thinking that at least the bid had been successful. He was severely depleted by the lychee cocktail he consumed the previous evening. He is quickly intoxicated and even a small amount of fruit wine was enough to make him lose his sharp sense. Nevertheless, he kept his composure, showed up to the event, and won the auction. He was sure his father would have greater faith in his abilities now that their shares had somewhat grown.
Little Zayn, who had custard all over his mouth, welcomed him as he descended the stairs. Due to his severe cold, Zayn had not gone to school with his siblings.
"How are you feeling today? Make sure you take your medicine on time and eat well. Okay?" Aabid advised, reaching for the boy's chin. A nod from the boy and Aabid walked to the dining area to greet Ma'Naima.
"Peace be upon you, and good morning too. Mami how are you doing today?" Aabid greeted with a smile stamped on his face. She smiled back and answered the greeting, busy with serving the biryani on the plate. Ma'Naima was Arab-Turkish, but she had instead friended many Pakistanis even online and learned to cook their food. In addition she learnt to speak Urdu a little.
"I can not eat today. I am late for work!)"
"Silly work! Aabid, you have to eat." came the reply. Her eyebrows arched, and mouth almost pouting, she dragged him on the chair and placed the food in front of him. Noticing his chapped lips, "Aabid, you are not drinking enough water. You have to eat well and drink well. You are going to be a groom soon!"
Aabid smiled faintly. "I do drink water. But I swear, I'm not feeling hungry now,"
"Eat." She stated, pouring lychee juice into the cup. Aabid swallowed and turned his head away from the juice's fragrance. After drinking lychee wine yesterday, he immediately developed a dislike for everything that included lychee. She dragged her chair closer to him and said, "Okay, I will feed you now!"
"Nah, mami you don't have to... you really don-"
She interrupted him by offering the food to his mouth. Once the rice hit his lips, Aabid gave up and opened his mouth, swallowing the food.
"Ma... i'll be late for work if I keep this up,"
Just look at you, she said, beaming. She smiled and gave him a lovely look, "Workaholic son of the president."
Aabid was overcome with emotion. Only ma'Naima has ever fed him in that manner, even after he became ill and needed appendix surgery four years ago. He detested eating, yet he had to take care of himself to restore his strength. With that motherly approach, he suddenly felt like a lonely, wretched guy. He felt unloved, unwanted, and pitiful. As usual, anytime he felt upset, he would start to feel angry with his birth mother and begin to contemplate where she was. Why would she abandon him in such a way? Why didn't she approach him? His eyes welled up and he quickly stood up, turning around so ma'Naima could not see his face. She felt something was wrong.
"Son what happened?" she also stood, looking puzzled for his sudden reaction.
"No-no its nothing. I just remembered something important I haven't done at work. I have to go now," he urgently stammered in a weak tone. Grabbing a tissue, he quickly made his way to the exit.
---
On the earth among the small grasses and flowers in the garden, Saliha was sat. She sometimes drank her kahwah while gazing at the young kitten that their cat had given birth to four days before. This garden made her reflect the one at the mansion in Pakistan which was larger than this one.
She was considering a lot of things in her head, particularly the harsh remarks Zara had stated to her.
'She hails from a prosperous family. From both perspectives, they are connected to the royal rumble. She was bound to refer to me as a pauper. The only person I have left after my mother and father passed away is my uncle.'
As she took a taste of the drink once again, Saliha thought to herself.
'How much longer must I put up with all this. I hope not too long. I'm hoping this turns out well for me.'
She took a quick look at the provided paper. Aabid reportedly enrolled in a course in America after finishing his degree in Beijing. He did well in his graduation. Additionally, it said he had memorized the entire Quran. He was his father's first son, and was always an excellent artist.
She exhaled a breath of relief, anticipating the marriage proposal would go well. The maid requested her at that very time.
----
"Good afternoon, sir!" Aydin cheerfully greeted Aabid. Aabid nodded before continuing on his way to the office. Aydin went after. "Tomorrow afternoon, we are scheduled to arrive in Istanbul. It is a presidential directive."
Aabid halted and cast a perplexed gaze towards his personal assistant, who was just two years younger. Aabid was not perplexed by the fact that he stated 'us' since Aydin had been given a permanent assignment to him at work as his personal assistant going forward. He was perplexed by the fact that they had to go to Istanbul. To which he questioned why it was abruptly decided.
"And why is that?" he asked with a straight, unshaken voice.
"A meeting. Mr. Muhammad has already landed in Istanbul this morning," he explained.
Muhammad is Aabid's elder cousin brother.
A meeting? Aabid questioned himself. He sat with his knees crossed and his arms folded, gazing intently into Aydin's eyes. The latter averted his gaze. He had some knowledge.
"Tell me the truth."
"What truth, sir? It is a meeting,"
Aabid nodded. "It is not. Why am I knowing about this now?"
He informed his employer, gazing at his watch, "We kind of neglected to add it to our schedule."
"What, the entire crew forgot?" Aabid grunted and rose from the seat.
Aydin was forced to disclose the truth when Aabid told him, "I'll inform Zoya about your affections toward her."
"We're going to meet the Loharani family to introduce you. After we land, we are to have supper with them" He briefly clarified. Aydin had a soft spot for Zoya, a personnel of the pharmaceutical supply division.
"And the french man?"
"We're keeping track of him. He is yet to arrive."
"Very well then," Aabid stood up to leave. He paused and said, "Can you not keep a secret from me?"
Aydin reluctantly nodded and Aabid exited after that.