The unexpected

Chapter 11

“I am happy you are taking a vacation but don’t you think you should see your son before you go” Abike suggested.
“I don’t know” Habibah, unsure about the idea of seeing her son.
“You should! If you don’t call him, I will take matters into my hand” Abike threatened, she doesn’t understand why her friend was being like this.
“You wouldn’t dare” Habibah widened her eyes, she very well knows what Abike is capable of doing.

“Assalam Alaykum love” A voice said.
“How are you?” The voice continued.
“I am fine ma” Anan said.
“How is work?” Habibah asked.
“All is well”
“How are you doing?” Habibah lamely said.
“Ok, what’s going on? What do you want to say ummi?” Anan states as he finally catches his mom’s drift.
“Bummer! You caught me” Habibah pouted.
“Mom!” Anan said, knowing his mom was trying to
“Fine! Can you come here” Habibah finally spilled the beans.
“Where?” Anan teases. He know his mom well to know that it took a lot of courage to say that.
“Anan!” Habeebah whined in an infantile manner.
“Please do tell!  I am puzzled where exactly you want me to come to” Anan fomented his mother.
“Lagos” Habibah breathed out. Anan smiled. He doesn’t know why his mom is skeptical of telling him. He would do anything for his mom. All she had to do his ask.
“Alright mama. I will be there but could you give me some time? I have to prepare to come there; I will have to arrange for a potential person to take care of the company. That could take time.” Anan agreed and requested for some time.
“I have no problem with that” Habibah granted his request.
“Ok ma. I love you mama” Anan concludes
“Yeah” Habibah chuckles while Anan frowns.
“Say it back!”
“Nope” Habibah teases
“Mama!!!”
“Fine! I love you too” Anan grinned. Despite Habibah not seeing his gesture, she knew her son is smiling. He is such a mama boy.
“Bye”
“Bye”

“Is the powerpoint ready?” Mrs. Nuhr asked.
“Yes ma. The conference room is set. The snacks is packaged. All we are waiting is the investors.” Adeela professionally answered.
“Good. Prepare an ultimatum, in case they do not agree to our terms. Also, review the contract again, I don’t want any loophole. After the meeting, set another one with the legal group. I want to discuss about the ‘Rails’ breach of contract.” Adeela wrote down all instructions. She is pleased to hear that her boss want to bring an action for the breach of contract.
Rails Co ltd have not only failed to perform their contractual obligations imposed by the contract between Bel Shoes and Rail but have breached the contract between them. It is time they pay the consequences of their acts.
“By the way Adeela, my son is coming over from abroad to Nigeria. I am thinking of introducing you to him.”  Adeela looked up from taking notes. She tensed up.
“Son?” Adeela said her mind. Her mind suddenly traveled to the man that called, claiming he is Mrs. Nuhr’s son. Could it be he is truly her son?
‘No, he isn’t. Which son does not have his mom’s phone number?’ she thought.
‘But he seemed pretty serious?’ Adeela’s mind split to two sides. Fear seeped gradually seeped into her. She vividly recalled speaking to him rudely.
‘Oh Adeela’ her mind pitied her.
‘He can’t be! Many have claimed that they are the offspring of her boss. What are the odds that he is truly her son’ she reassured herself.
‘Definitely! He is just a scammer’ Adeela concludes.
“Earth to Adeela! What is your mind so engrossed in? I have called you several times.” Mrs. Nuhr questioned. If only you knew.
“Nothing to ponder yourself about. So you were saying…” Adeela dismissed.
“If you say so. My son is coming before I travel. I am thinking of introducing you to him, if that is okay by you?” Habibah smiled. It is obvious that she is excited and anticipated for her son’s arrival. 
“It is okay by me” Adeela agreed. She is sure that her boss son will be just like his mom. Intelligent, Reserved, fun to be with. He is probably full of Charisma. If only she knew.
“Very well! Let’s get back to work.” Habibah said.

Four weeks had passed by. Adeela had gotten used to working most of the time. She spends all her time with Mrs. Nuhr. She is practically living with her. Almost all of her belongings are in the mansion. After a lot of cajoling, Habibah has finally convinced her to stay in her mansion. She is moving today and returning the key of the house to the landlord.
Adeela sighed for the nth time. She will miss this house. It is home to Adeela. She had lived there since she left her father’s home. She has had her ups and downs in this house, she has cried, laughed and felt sad in that house. She realized that all that she experienced, good or bad, was faced alone. She suddenly felt alone. Then she remembered Mrs. Nuhr and the feeling vanished. She remembered how Mrs.Nuhr is going to travel. She became engulfed with sadness. She felt like she is going through an emotional rollercoaster.
“Are you ready?” Habibah appeared. Habibah stopped her movement when she saw that she is crying.
“Oh baby girl. It is fine. Life is not static. No phase is permanent. You cannot stay in this house forever. Of course, you are going to miss it but it will forever be in your memory” Habibah consoled as she wipes Adeela’s tears. The latter felt warm by the former’s action and soothing words. She was not crying about the house. She was crying about Habibah leaving. She has gotten so used to her that she doesn’t want her to leave.  At the same time, she wanted her to be happy.
She hugged Habibah tightly as her wailing increased. Habibah hugged her back and slowly patted her. She gestured for the movers to place everything in the car. Habibah does not know what to do about Adeela. She knows that she is fond of the house but didn’t realize it to this extent. She is unaware of the true reason why she is crying.

“What do you want to order?” Habibah asked Adeela. They are back at the mansion. Her wailing has ceased. They both agreed that they are too tired to cook so they are ordering food.
“Something light” Adeela replied. She doesn’t have energy to eat. All she wants to do is sleep. She still feels saddened about Habibah leaving. She has decided to spend every minutes with her before she leaves.
“Cheer up. Let’s celebrate.” Habibah smiled, tired of the glooming atmosphere.
“I will look for movies to watch, you order food.” Adeela gave a meek smile. She wanted to be her bubbly self but she is so enervated.
“Okay but I am ordering a lot of food.” Habibah excitedly said. She fails to understand why Adeela is behaving like this towards food. One thing is clear, for Adeela to behave like this towards food, it means she is not in the mood.
Adeela went to the sitting room. She switched on the TV then programmed it to Netflix. She searched for good movies. Alongside, she decided to cheer up. She prepared some snacks to munch while they wait for their food.
As she placed on the coffee table, Habibah entered the living room.
“The food will be here in ten minutes.” Habibah arranged for the food.
“This setting is beautiful” Habibah commented at the makeshift environment. Adeela arranged the living room; shifted the chair, brought blankets, comfy pillows. The snacks was beautified. All in all, the arrangement was picturesque.
Habibah beheld beauty of the place. She was also happy that Adeela was gradually coming out of her shell.
“When is your son coming?” Adeela feared that the arrival of her son will make her presence no longer welcomed. Although, Habibah had assured her that her thought is not going to happen, she still can’t help but to feel so.
“Next week, Inshallah” Habibah said, concentrating in the movie.
“Inshallah” Adeela quietly said. Habibah sighed, noticing a shift in the atmosphere.
“If you still think my son coming here will lessen my attention to you, then you are being a fool” Habibah frankly said. She reassured in her own way. Adeela smiled. She rested her head on Habibah’s shoulder. The both enjoyed the moment until the bell rang, disturbing the serene atmosphere.