Binta

Twenty-Two

Aunty, please ensure mom take's her medication when she wakesup, she mustn't miss it. I reminded her as I hurried out because I was alreadylate for work.

Mom had been discharge from the hospital she is much betternow glory be to God.  I'm glad her eldersister had decided to stay with her until she recovers fully and strong enough tobe on her own. I have decided to get a maid who would be assisting my mom athome and can keep her company when we are away. I can't let her be by herselfagain.

When I got to the office I went straight to my office to getmyself occupied with work though my boss had taken up some of myresponsibilities during my absence there was yet still a lot to do. I went throughthe case files on my desk studying each file carefully, and most matters arecivil in nature.

"Welcome back Binta. Hope your mom is much better?" Lara saidas she came forward to embrace me.

"You have really lost some weight girl" she accessed me withawe.

"Are you sure you are okay?" she was so concerned. I smiled andassure her I'm doing fine I'm sure she must have sensed something in the way Iresponded but being the new Lara that I'm getting to know she let it pass. Iand Lara now get along well. She came frequently to the hospital when my momwas on admission and had been there when I needed her.

"you know Lara I was so scared I thought I was going to loseher, that alone was enough to make me lose not just weight but my mind, butdon't worry I'm fine now." I reassured her.

"Mama is going nowhere anytime soon okay, she must carry hergreat grand children by God's Grace, so please be strong and positive". Shecomforted me and I smiled.

"Thank you Lara"

"Is the boss in" I asked.

"Yes he is in the office, he even asked about you a couple ofminutes ago"

"Okay I would go see him now" I stood up to leave for my bossoffice.

"Please do! He has been so worried about you" she winked andI smiled.

I found him talking and laughing with his elder brother, theyboth seemed to be relating very well.

"I'm sorry don't mean to interrupt the door was opened" Isaid as my gazed immediately settled on my boss's elder brother who waswatching me with interest. I just don't like him he gives off a very strongnegative vibe and I wonder what he was doing here the last time I checked theynever got along.

"Please bros would you please give us a minute" my boss said

"Sure" he had a small smile as he walked past me and thenstopped.

"Hope your mother is fully recovered?" he asked

"Yes, thank you" with that he left me a little confused.

"It's good to have you back" my boss said

"Thank you,"

"I hope you are fine?" he got to his feet and came around hisdesks.

"Yes I'm fine and happy to resume work sir"

"Okay Binta there is actually a lot to do" he said.

"I'm ready sir" he observed me for a few moments then nodded.

We would have a brief meeting with you later so I can keepyou abreast on matters we have to tackle. He said.

"Thank you sir for everything you have done for me and myfamily, may Allah reward you"

"I did it for God" he said.

"I'm grateful sir" I walked out before he could say anything,I was just so nervous around him and I couldn't just tell why.

"Beautiful Binta"

I came to a startling halt right outside my boss office doorwhen my boss brother said my name.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you" he said calmly which Ifound alarmingly absurd.

"I'm Hassan...your boss elder Brother. I raised my eye toaccess him again and be sure he was not high on something.

"I know you sir" I said sarcastically.

"Sure you do but we didn't get to introduce ourselvesproperly" he sounded so composed and calm you could almost mistake him for agentleman.

"Oh! I'm sorry then, my name is Binta Aliyu" I said and hegave me his hand for a hand shake and I shook my head.

"Sorry it's un-Islamic" I preached.

"I'm sorry but maybe when you marry my brother I should beable to shake your hands" he said and I was becoming impatient.

"No!" I said abruptly.

"If you have nothing more to say sir, I need go to my officeplease" I said politely.

"Sorry for keeping you Binta, I hope you are not angry at me,I just wanted to be your friend" I raised my eye brow and gave him a scorchingglare.

"Have a great day sir" with that I walked away to my office.

I got right back to work, Lara and my boss briefed and forwardednotes and everything I needed to know about what had happened during myabsence. It was a busy day, and I was glad for it because I hardly had time tofocus on the negative.

When it was 6pm I called Kareem to come get me and amiably hewas already outside waiting for me. I and kareem had become quite close sincemy mom illness he had always been there keeping me company and driving mearound my schedule and he gets along well with my best-friend Maryam. He wasindeed a friend in need. Hey! Don't get it twisted I am not falling for him Ijust naturally like him and feel comfortable around him.

"Binta" I turned to his voice.

"You on your way home already?"

"Yes sir"

"I'm on my way also let me drop you off please so I can evenget to see your mom" he said.

"ehmm....you don't have to worry sir, thank you" I stammered.

"I insisted, moreover we going the same direction" he pressured.

"Sorry sir but my friend is dropping me at home and hisalready here" I said my heart beat had increased pace.

"Kareem?"

"Yes sir" I said slowly.

"It's alright then" with that he walked away and I felt sosick, I exhaled in an attempt to release some of the overwhelming emotions I waskeeping at bay.

"My Binta are you alright?" Kareem inquired.

"Yes my Kareem I'm okay I'm just so tired" I lied.

"Ice-cream? To cool off!" he offered and I giggled.

"Oh yes my Kareem" and he laughed.

"I wish you mean it like I do when I call you my Binta but toyou it's just a game" he said with disappointment written on his face.

"Go away jare! I can never take you serious kareem but you knowI care right!?" I winked and he pouted which made me laugh out loud.

"Anyway it's better than nothing and I guess I like it when youcall me "my kareem" it makes me feel special and perhaps one day when you say it you would mean it" he said with all seriousness and I smiled.