BOUND TO YOU

Chapter 4: Strangers Clash

TWO WEEKS LATER

TANEEM COLLECTIONS
Abuja, Nigeria.

Humayra sat at her desk lost in thought, she was supposed to be concentrating on finishing her latest design- which would be presented to the chairlady by the end of the week. Although designing was something she did with passion and enthusiasm, she couldn't help but let herself slip away into the abyss of thought.

Marriage. An arranged one— to be precise.

That was all that clouded Humayra's mind.
She heard of arranged marriages happen here and there, but she never saw herself getting into one. She had tried since the day her father informed her about his decision, to understand where he was coming from but it was all to no avail. She knew her Abba loved her and her sister more than anything but a small part of her wondered- what if Abba wasn't making the right decision for her?

To this question, she had no answers.
Suddenly the clearing of someone's throat had her jolting back to reality. Her head snapped up to look at who it was and a small smile formed on her lips.

"Down to earth with you" he said, smiling at her.

"How long have you been standing there?" Humayra asked pulling her chiffon veil up her head properly.

"Not long" he revealed, " What was it that had you in a trance?"

"Nothing serious... I- I've just been a little, you know.. " she spoke, not actually knowing if what she just uttered made any sense.

Haroon- the man in front of her stared at her, an amused expression taking over his features.

"You've just been a little what?" Haroon asked, quirking his eyebrow.

Humayra shifted her gaze from him.

What exactly was she even supposed to tell him? She thought. Lying wasn't an option because she was obviously horrible at it.

"Don't mind me now..." Haroon said waving it off, "I think you should take twenty" He added," Get whatever it is off your mind and then come back, i'm sure that'll help you."

Humayra smiled at him. Haroon was the manager of Taneem Collections and the son of the chairlady- Hajiya Sa'adatu Imam Barugu. Since she started working there- which was two years ago, she found that Haroon was a very nice and considerate person. He was friendly to all the staff he had working under him. Humayra grew fond of him for this. Besides it was mutual, because he also had a fondness for her.

" Thank you sir" Humayra said with a small smile as she arranged the paperwork on her desk.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that... It makes me feel as though i'm an old man waiting for his retirement" Haroon said and she chuckled. He never did like the fact that she addressed him in that manner.

"But..."

"No... We don't have to go over that discussion again... Go for your break" He spoke leaving no room for any other argument.

Humayra nodded. She side stepped him and walked towards the exit. Once she was outside she wondered where exactly she wanted to go.

She walked to the road side and flagged down a cab. She ended up going to a café to get herself a mocha—it was a her favorite drink.

The café buzzed with quiet chatter and the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Humayra stepped inside, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn’t quite organize. The pressure of her father's expectations and the weight of her upcoming responsibilities loomed over her. She just needed a moment to breathe, to gather herself. She was grateful that Haroon gave her the go-ahead to get a break.