Shirk in Disguise

Chapter 5

About three quarters of an hour later, Yusuf was dripping with sweat. He never thought that this would be a task he couldn't handle but search as he might, he couldn't find any record showing that the pension money for that month had been credited to the respective pensioners' accounts.

Yusuf was confused. What could he do? He certainly didn't want to see disappointment on the faces of the eager pensioners waiting outside...especially on that certain face.

Suddenly, it struck him. Why not call the Boss? Bracing himself, he brought out his phone and dialed a number. After the fourth round, it was picked up.

"Helloooo," he breathed, exhausted from the search.

"Yes my boy..." came his Boss's voice.

"Good morning Sir," he greeted him.

"Morning Yusuf. How may I help you so early in the morning?" crooned Alhaji Habib, his voice still drowsy from sleep.

Yusuf checked his watch. It was past ten 'o' clock...and his boss was still sleeping! "I'm sorry for waking you up Alhaji..." he began apologizing.

"Well, what can I do?" Alhaji crooned lackadaisically, "I was about counting some cool millions when you woke me up!" Yusuf muttered some more apologies before Alhaji asked him what the matter was.

"...Actually, Alhaji..." he began, "I'm at the bank now..."

"What! So early?!" Alhaji asked incredulously, as if office hours were not supposed to start at eight am.

"Yes...Actually I've been here for a couple of hours."

"I see..." muttered Alhaji. "When was this young man going to learn to be a proper Big Man?" he wondered.

"...So I met some pensioners who seemed to be here since dawn..." Yusuf was saying.

"Uh huh..." Alhaji merely grunted.

"And I've been looking for a record of their pension money to distribute to their respective accounts but I've found no trace of anything."

"Hmm... But that's not surprising!" countered Alhaji, who seemed already bored with the conversation.

"But... Sir... I thought the money was supposed to be in their account by the twenty-seventh..."

"Well, maybe...but it's not there; or is it?"

"Not at all..."

"Then just mind your business!" Alhaji cut him off, losing his temper.

"But Sir... Most of these people are neck-deep in debt and with the month of Ramadan fast approaching, they have nothing for provisions!"

"Eh...Ehn..." came Alhaji's sneer, "Since when did you care for others' welfare??" With that, he hung up, leaving Yusuf appalled.

The phone still in his hand, Yusuf was dumbstruck. What's the outburst for??? It was then it struck him – perhaps the rumor that the Nigerian big shots benefit from the delay in the distribution of pension money was true after all.

However, Alhaji's last question had a huge impact on him too. Since when did the self-centered Yusuf care about others? What a transformation!

Or...did it have something to do with that young lady? The overwhelming desire to make her smile no matter what?? He was still in a pool of his own thoughts when the door opened and after the exchange of Salaams, she walked in...again.

He was immediately jolted back to reality and turned his attention to her. She was still covered, her head lowered.

"I came to check whether you've been successful in your search," she stated, explaining her presence.

Yusuf scratched his head, creasing his brow. He really didn't want to disappoint her but what could he do? "Erm...Actually I haven't been successful..." he stammered. "It seems that the money hasn't even been transferred to the respective accounts."

"Oh," she simple said, as if it was a normal occurrence for her. However, for some peculiar reason, she stood rooted to the spot. A moment later, she was reeling off statements as if she'd hitherto prepared a speech.

"But it's so unfair..." she complained to no one in particular. "We're neck-deep in debt, my father is old and frail, I have no well-paying job, and all the others have problems of their own too... Oh my God..." and she broke down sobbing.

Her sudden outburst shocked him and he had an irresistible urge to comfort her but for some reason, his lips remained stubbornly shut. He therefore looked around for a box of tissues instead. He was just about to pass it to her when he noticed that her head was no longer lowered.

It was then he saw her. When their eyes met, she quickly turned away and made for the door.

"Wait...!" he called after her, box of tissue in hand.

A/N
Ahh...a cliffhanger. Hope that wasn't too naughty of me😉

Excited to know what will happen next? The next page is just a click away!

Don't forget to share your thoughts via comments. Vote and share too!😊