Epiphany

4:

- Hadia -

"Api, hurry up, bhai said he would meet us inside." Aliza said, linking arms with me. "I'm not the one who took over an hour to get ready." I replied.

"Api, it's not every day we go to Sky Hotel. It's best to dress right." She replied, giggling. I laughed at her childish behavior.

I went for a normal outfit that was a formal yet casual outfit. The brown silk skirt and a beige jumper pulled it together, paired with brown hijab and brown heels, which gave it the final touches it needed.

As we entered the restaurant, we told the waiter that Ahmad was waiting for us. He led us to the table where Ahmad was sitting.

"Finally. Where were you guys?" Ahmad asked as we sat down at the table. "The taxi wasn't showing up. So we ended up taking a bus." I answered. "But we're here now, so stop whining." I said.

We started looking through the menu, picking out what we could order. I was so grateful that the restaurant had a halal menu.

After ordering out a meal, we were served quite quickly. I had gone for prawn pasta, Ahmad went for fish and salad, and Aliza went for pizza.

Once we were done our meal. Aliza wanted some dessert. Ahmad and Aliza were looking through the menu when I excused myself, going to the bathroom.

-
After I was done washing my hands and drying them, I walked out the bathroom, fixing my hijab when I bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry-" I said, looking up. He looked back down at me with his dark eyes. "Sir?" I said, sounding more like a question.

I hadn't seen him properly for a whole week, and after the awkward get away on Friday. I wasn't planning on seeing him until Monday.

"What a surprise seeing you here, Ms. Hadia?" He said. "I had dinner plans." I quickly replied. "A date?" He asked, slightly raising his eyebrow.

"Astaghfirullah, of course not. I'm here for dinner with my siblings," I replied, shocked why he would say something like that. He nodded, only stepping back now, creating space between us.

"How about you?" I asked. "Business." He replied coldly. I slowly nodded at his one word answer. Of course, he wouldn't answer me properly.

I wanted to walk back to my table, but I wasn't sure how to excuse myself. "Well I'll-" I was speaking when he cut, "Since we met now, I think now would be a good time to talk about our contract." He said.

Now? I thought. He wanted to talk right now? When my siblings are sitting at the corner of the restaurant. "I- um-" I stuttered. 'Why am I stuttering?'I asked myself.

Before I could form a sentence, I heard someone speak, drawing both our attention to her. "Api, why are you standing here?" Aliza asked, looking at me and then at Mr. Mustafa.

"I- um- this is Mr. Mustafa, my boss." I awkwardly said, gesturing towards him. Aliza looked at him and greeted him, to which he gave a cold greeting. "Bhai is also waiting. Why don't we go back? Mr. Mustafa, would you like to join?" She asked him.

He nodded, "Of course." He said as he got up and walked after her. I internally panicked and got anxious. Mr. Mustafa is going to meet my siblings, so this is either going to go very smoothly or go downhill, and I really hope it goes well, or else.

I walked behind th , as Mustafa sat in front of Ahmad while I slowly sat beside him. Ahmad was confused to see a stranger sit there. He looked at me confused. "This is Mr. Mustafa, the CEO of Ibrahim Industry, and my boss." I said. I turned to Mr. Mustafa, "My brother, Ahmad, and my sister, Aliza." I said. "Nice to meet you both." he said, turning to both of them. "Same here." Ahmad replied while Aliza just smiled.