"You know you have to pick the kids up from school later today." She stared into the mirror that was in the wooden frame work of the dresser as she attentively drew over her eyelids with a black eyeliner, dragging it a bit passed the corner of her eyes.
"Yeah, I know. Don't worry I won't forget this time." He sled on a silver watch over his wrist.
"That was the same thing you said last week and two weeks ago," She was now using a lip tint over her thin lips. "Don't worry, I won't forget this time." She tried mimicking his voice while smacking her lips together.
A ping came from his phone.
There was a moment of silence.
"The Shareholders are definitely not taking it easy on us," Yusuf wrapped his arms around his wife from behind. "Sam just messaged me that there's going to be another extraordinary general meeting today." He moved his chin to rest it on her shoulder.
Samirah rolled her eyes.
Here we go again.
"Yusuf," Samirah turned to face him when he had let go. "Haza laisa 'adla, It's really not fair, I also have a job but I still try to make time out to spend with them." She turned back to the mirror.
"Asifun ya azeezi, I didn't mean to put everything on you,"he started, his Turkish accent mildly sliding down with his words. "But these meetings are really important." He held up his phone in the air.
"More important than your family." She murmured beneath her breath as she made finishing touches to her make-up.
"I promise, next week is all on me." He wrapped his arms around her again and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Yusuf! My make-up." She nudged him with her elbow before giving him a death glare through the mirror.
A charming smile uplifted on his face.
"Don't look at me that way! Now I have to call Sabrina to come over and watch them," The glare was still visible on her face. "Even though it's her day off. You really need to increase the poor lady's pay for all her hardwork." she reapplied some powder on her cheeks.
"Next week, I'll take them to school and pick them up throughout the week," he sled his hands into the pockets of his thobe.
"I'll also take you on another date to makeup for the missed one last month, promise."he winked as he held out his pinky finger and exited the room with his phone and car keys in his hand.
Throughout their seven years together, they had made it a norm to go on a date at least twice every month.
It was a routine like thing for the both of them.
A way to destress and spend quality alone time together.
After examining her look in the mirror one last time, she reached for her phone that was on the nightstand beside the bed.
She scrolled through her contact list then stopped and tapped the number that was saved with 'Sabrina'.
On the third ring, the soft lady's voice came.
"Hello Sabrina," she gathered some documents together. "I know it's your day off but a couple of urgent things came up and I would love if you could watch the kids tonight, again." The phone was between her shoulder and ear as she stuffed the file into her handbag.
There was an inauible mumble of someone in the background before Sabrina's voice came.
"Aiit Ma'am." her reply was simple as always.
A small smile formed on Samirah's face.
"You're such a darling Sabrina, Thank you," gratitude could be heard behind her words. "I'll pick them up from school at noon, then return back to work after you arrive. Is 2:30 pm convenient for you?"
"Yes yes, that's fine by me."she responded with no hint of hesitation.
A sigh of relief escaped Samirah.
"Thank you so much dear." She was now sliding on her shoes.
"Anytime ma'am, do have a nice day."
"You too, see you." And the call was terminated.
Sabrina was always her saviour at times like these when she needed someone to watch over her kids while she was busy with her time-consuming office duties at work and her husband was attending his never-ending shareholder meetings and getting things at work done.
She hired Sabrina through a recommendation one of her friends had made when they were out on a girls' night out.
Samirah had brought up the topic of how work had been boring her while the waiter took down their orders on a notepad and how she needed a helping hand with her two under ten daughters.
She only wanted to try Sabrina out for a few days but the young lady's hard work, punctuality and discipline made her days of watching Samirah's daughters extended.
Whether it was her day off, an urgent or impromptu call to come watch the kids, she gladly took it without any hesitation or complaints.
It was going to two years and a half since she started working at their house and her hard work and great conduct did nothing but only improved throughout the years, making Samirah tip her with reasonable amounts.
A buzz came from Samirah's phone.
Then another buzz.
Thank you for the dress Sister-in-law Samirah.
I love it! 🤗
A small smile formed on her face as she hastily typed a reply back.
Alhamdullilah! I'm glad you like it, Ummi.🤭😏
How have you been?
Before grabbing her car keys and handbag alongside her duty belt and left for her car with her daughters.