DECE-P-TION

DXXXVIII

Khaldoun's point of view.

I use the table knife to cut into my sausage and put it in my mouth. I chew, looking at Alya who's quietly eating her breakfast. I hear approaching footsteps as I raise my head to see Falah walking towards me wearing his suit and holding his blazer on his arm. He squats, greeting me. "Stand up, please. Good morning to you too." Falah stands up, smiling weakly. "Join us."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to go ahead to prepare for my meeting." I shake my head. "I mind, come and join us. Your secretary can help prepare for you ahead of time, I know her to be diligent so sit." He doesn't hesitate, he sits opposite Alya and beside me. "Good, now what's the latest on the news?"

Falah serves his food. "The economy has skyrocketed overnight so there's chaos. The United States have yet launched another missile to Russia and ofcourse, hides under the Ukrainian skirt. There's a student protest on the ASUU strike, another kidnapping in the north around katsina and kaduna. Oil prices have gone up and the Wagner group head has been assassinated." He eats his sausages and I glance at Alya who didn't bother to look at him.

"You're up to date. Are you, Alya?" She looks at me. "Yes,baba." I nod, noticing them looking at each other. "I thought you hated sausages." Alya points out to Falah. "I had a change of heart." She chuckles softly and he smiles. "Baba, I was thinking of the two of us going to the stables today. It's been a while." Alya suggests making me nod in agreement. "Yes, it's a good idea. Let's branch by the florist too."

I turn to look at her shocked expression. "I can't believe what I'm hearing." She chuckles, keeping her fork down. I smile, ignoring her. "You've been the one taking care of my flowers. I thought it was the gardener." I shake my head. "I will confess that I let it die but saved it just in time. After watering it and giving it ample care, I realized that the way it flourished made me happy. I continued till i eventually made it a hobby I love." I glance at her seeing how she weakly smiled, getting the message.

"I agree, you grow to love it." She chuckles softly before continuing to eat. I look at Falah who seems to be in his own world. He snaps out of it when he looked at the watch strapped around his wrist. "I'm sorry but I have to rush out. Baba, thank you for breakfast." I shake my head. "This is your home." He smiles before standing up. "Thank you. Have a good day." He walks out after I nod.

I glance at Alya that's focused on her meal. "Do I need to tell you to do everything?" She sighs, standing up and walking out. I take a few bites before using the napkin to wipe my mouth. I leave the table, walking towards the stairs when I see them standing the by the stairs, laughing. I stop to look at them, feeling better to leave them happy together. To know I made the right choice. I didn't ruin the life of the most precious person to me.

I walk to my room, smiling.

Sultana's point of view.

I finally delete the picture I have of Falah from my phone before throwing it on my table. I cross my arms, looking at the envelope containing my letter of resignation. So that's it, huh? I close my eyes, remembering my words in the elevator.

"Sultana, I need you." I open my eyes to see him walk past my table. I take my tablet and follow behind immediately. I catch up to him, unlocking it. "Morning, Falah." He glances at me with furrowed brows. "What's with the formal greeting?" I shrug, unsure of what to say. "Well, then. Good morning, miss sultana." He glances at his watch once more. "The meeting is in an hour."

"He postponed." He halts to look at me. "What do you mean he postponed?" I curse under my breath for forgetting to tell him. "Yes, it slipped my mind. I'm sorry." He sighs. "I wish you would've told me sooner, I wouldn't have rushed but....what is done is done. At least now, we get to prepare."