POV - Jordan Nelson
[Day 1, March 2002, 2pm]
It was well past lunchtime, thanks to that damned Governor's perpetual tardiness. His lack of discipline, highlighted by his brazen display of smoking outside the meeting room, only served to underscore his disregard for decorum. As we finally made our way back to the Ministry, I could practically feel the hunger gnawing at my insides, prompting my Chief of Staff, Nili, to speed dial the kitchen for a much-needed meal.
Upon our arrival, the doors swung open, and the staff greeted me with their usual pleasantries. Then, there she was, my personal secretary, her thin veil barely concealing her long, glossy hair, her eyes—oh, those big, almond-shaped eyes, so obedient and inviting. I couldn't help but notice the thick eyebrows framing her face and the way her natural curves seemed to effortlessly command attention, regardless of the modesty of her attire.
"I've missed you, my dear Jasmin," I greeted her with a grin, my hunger momentarily forgotten. "What's on the menu for lunch?"
But before she could respond, she leaned in, her voice barely a whisper however sweet, "Minister, your wife is here."
Upon learning of my wife's visit, I offered a perfunctory nod of acknowledgment to my secretary. "Thanks for telling me, dear," I muttered, my tone of warmth and appreciation. My gaze then shifted sharply to my Chief of Staff, Nili, as I demanded, "Why wasn't I informed earlier about my wife's arrival? We could've gotten some flowers as you know how dearly I love my wife"
"My apologies, Minister," he stammered fearfully, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "I was on the line with the chef, arranging your lunch. I must have overlooked the message about your wife's visit."
"Don't let it happen again, Nili. This is a matter of national security," I said, my tone laced with sarcasm.
Nili nodded solemnly. "Not again, Minister."
Ascending the marbled steps to the imposing front door, I was met by the attentive staff. The receptionist at the lobby and the nearby personnel stood, acknowledging my presence with a respectful nod.
As I continued past the security checkpoint and through the grand entrance, I turned left before the Public services counter and restroom where the cafeteria is located.
I caught sight of my wife, my arms instinctively opened wide, inviting her into a warm embrace. "How are you, my love?" I murmured, my heart swelling with affection. "What are you doing here, Aya?"Her smile, radiant as ever, illuminated the room.
The delicate pink headscarf framed her face, and the modest, off-pink long-sleeved floral tunic flowed gracefully to her knees. Paired with straight-cut pants that reached her ankles, she exuded both feminine charm and modern flair. In that moment, I realized how fortunate I was to have her by my side—a beautiful blend of tradition and contemporary elegance.
Aya's cheerful voice filled the cafeteria. "I came to surprise my husband, the important Minister of the Interior Security!" Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Never knew you had such a grand building, and they all work for you?"
I straightened my posture, pride swelling within me. "Yes, dear," I replied, emphasizing each word. "They all work for me. I hold the crucial responsibility of establishing and overseeing the police force in our region."
Aya's playful wink made my heart flutter. "Yes, I know, Minister," she teased. "Now shoo, go do your job." Her affectionate dismissal echoed through the marble corridors, and as I stepped away, I couldn't help but marvel to have such a blessed wife.
I sighed heavily, irritated by the upcoming committee meeting scheduled by Nili for 2 pm. Grabbing a sandwich, I strolled out of the cafeteria, motioning for Nili to follow. "You see that?" I remarked, taking a big bite of my sandwich. "That's the kind of wife you need to find, Nili. Someone who knows how to loosen you up a bit."
As we continued down the hallway, the lines of plaques hung over, filling the space with the achievements of the old regime.
Atrocious things, in my opinion. They should be removed, wiped clean from memory. But tradition and the sentimental attachment of the people kept them in place. It gave the place a museum-like feel, a reminder of past glories that were tainted with corruption and oppression.
"The meeting will be taking place in Meeting Room 2, Minister," Nili informed me, his voice carrying a hint of anxiety. We stepped into the elevator at the end of the hall, the metal doors closing with a soft hum.
Exiting the elevator, we were met with the imposing figure of a grand statue of the ministry, a reminder of authority and power. We turned right, making our way towards the committee room.
"Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Apologies for my lateness. The damn governor seems to have a penchant for keeping everyone waiting, but at least we've secured $9 million in funding. That should suffice for the entire year," I grumbled as I took my seat at the head of the table. "As the Right Honorable Chairman of the Census Advisory Committee, I hereby declare this meeting in session."
The Committee Secretary jotted down and recorded the time 3:26pm. "Today's agenda," she continued, "is to devise a strategy for creating an accurate census of our region. We'll discuss implementation plans, required manpower, and projected budget allocations. I trust everyone has thoroughly reviewed the report?"
The secretary, tempting as well, proceeded with the introductions and roll call, confirming the attendance of the committee members. Among them were a group of young men, all seemingly around the age of that kid. It remained to be seen what ideas they would bring to the table for this bill to go through.
With my stomach growling again, I decide to leave the brainstorming to these young men but before that, some words of encouragement must be said. "Thank you all great policy makers for coming. I've reached out to some of the brightest minds I know, and you four are the ones who've been brought to my attention. So, good luck," I say, handing over the reins to Nili. "He'll be taking over from here. See you men at the end of the week. Adjourned."
Leaving the committee room, I head out for lunch. Upon Friday, I expect to find a well-drafted proposal waiting for me.