The raasims mansion*
"Madam, you are needed by Hasim! He says you should join him at the usual spot for a cup of tea."
"Oky, tell him I would be there in a few minutes, Eyisha." I say while coming out the shower.
It has been an intense year of sorting out my father's business after his desmise.
My brother Hasim and I were to divide the work in load for us. And like that, I was set to handle the outside business since my brother is settled and can't afford to go back and forth in between countries.
"Hey! Hasim you called me this time? Everything good? I say while I take my seat.
"Rude of you to not even greet me, Rana! It's been a long time, and you are still asking about work?" He says, disappointed as he gives me a peck on my head before taking a seat.
"My bad, Hass!" I say in hopes of getting his attention back
"It's okay! Anways, did you manage to settle the dust created after Father's death?" He inquires
"It was hard at first because of some greedy dickheads thirsty for our blood, but I managed to get things in board at last" I reply as memories flush before me
It was a hard time for me this year since I did not get the time to properly mourn for father because of the work piled up.
"Enough of me. How is the work going here?" I ask while taking a sip of my tea
"I actually called you back for this reason, Rana! I__i want you to take responsibility here because it seems I'm getting caught up with my fatherhood and neglecting the work here! I will handle the ones abroad, " he says in embarrassment
"Why? Hass, is everything alright here?" I ask
"The Williams are getting aggressive with time, Rana, it's high time we get involved!" He replies in worry
"They import refugees in the Middle East and take advantage of their helplessness by getting them involved with dirty work on his behalf." he continues in disgust
" I was turning a blind eye to this, but now it reached our household, I fear."
"How?" I ask
"They have a function every 13th of the month, and it involves hunting people, this time, they took one of our servants without our knowledge!" He says
"Hamada was our old servant, and she served our household for 11 years, Rana."
"They took Hamada???" I ask again in disbelieve
"Yess! The function is tomorrow, that's why I called you back."
"Did you guys not do anything, Hass?"
I ask furiously
"We did, we did, and we lost some men in the process, Rana! It's no small matter because he has his old folks in his back, " he replies in defense.
"You should have called me a long time, Hass if it's no ordinary matter." I
ask.
"I was waiting for you to finish your work first," he says while resting his hand on my shoulder
"Fuck! When did the old hag grow balls?"
I say out aloud
Hamda was our entrustment on fathers death bed. She was my mothers favorite before my father.
And not to mention she was like a mother figure to me when I was young.
"Hey! I'm sorry I'm putting this responsibility on your shoulders, but I can't do this alone, I already made some preparations for tomorrow, " Hass says to me in hopes of calming me
"It's okay. After all, we've been expecting a day like this."
"Okay, let's put work aside. When are you getting married, Rana? He asks in hopes of getting an answer this time
After all, this is not the first time he has asked me, but good enough, I have him only to deal with now. Before it was him and my father in my neck for this issue
"Ahhh, Hass! Why are you not letting go of this issue? You know very well no man ever came up to my expectations?" I reply
"You've only met the men in our circle, and obviously, they will not come up to your expectations! Great men are there, I only hope you don't close the door if a good one comes because of your prejudice against men." He replies while chuckling and slightly in fear of having predicted my future.