Hurdles

CHAPTER 9

Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 58:
وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِهِ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا

And rely on the Ever-living Who dies not, and celebrate His praise; and Sufficient is He as being aware of the faults of His servants.

Navid

Knock....knock 

I heard faintly with a soft tap on the mahogany table I situated my head on which stood out proudly occupying a good size of the elegantly adorned office which adds to the few counting of the accessories in the four walls which did a good job in pronouncing the simplicity yet effortless beauty of the office assigned to me in Gaylers co.---which would have passed for that of the CEO of Gayler's corporation---a well renowned company in south Africa where my dad is one of the major share holders and considering all hands were needed on deck to work on the millions of dollars project the company just barged led to me being here on behalf of Mafa corp. after much insistence_guess they still dont believe in me.

"Am sorry for intruding on you, just remembered you said you needed this file today"Mr Tyler a man in his early 40's--a very good valuable business asset; the MD of GC corp said placing the stacked file on the table.

"Not a problem"

I said groggily rubbing my temples with my hand feeling a slight headache surfacing.

"You okay there? He said scrutinizing me

"Yeah, nothing a sleep won't fix" I said forcing a smile.

"Well I suggest you get towards that" he said gesturing to the wall clock perched on the wall which showed 9:00pm__"tomorrow's a big day you know"he said beaming.

"Right after you" I said imitating his emotions and after putting things in check I zoomed off the street to the apartment given to me.

Going home I did the exact opposite of what was due of me for after trashing my blazers and tie on the couch I went straight to my study to sort out the files I got earlier to make sure everything screams perfect against the signing off of our project tomorrow.

Feeling accomplished with my now finished task left with limbs that I can hardly feel from typing, I made a rise for the room when I took in myself in the mirror perched on the west wall of the study and looking good would be the last word to qualify me for staring right back at me was a lad with a bloodshot drooping eyes and let's not even go to the clothing.

Eyeing the bed with much adore I know that thought had to left at the moment except if I want to risk missing fajr for by my wristwatch I've got 4:30am so I seized that interval praying tahajjud and reciting the glorious Quran taking my affairs to the almighty for intervention in the submission and closure of our project tomorrow.

"SubhAnnallah"

I woke up with a jerk after seeing the time which left me with just 30 minutes to the scheduled 9:00am making me rush hurriedly to the bathroom and in a record time I was out dressing into my tuxedo after which I drove out immediately not before I was impressed by my appearance for it'd be a sin to not look your best at the sealing off.

"And to my left is John Tar the executive.... they went on and forth with introduction which seems unending considering the number of business associates who were all looking corporate _confidence and expertise oozing off.

"Ya Allah"

I muttered under my breath rubbing my eyes cause the sleepless night I had, just decided to take a toll on me in the form of a heavy sleep which left me battling to keep my eyes open but that was until I heard the proclaiment we were all antsy about.

"A very big well-done to everyone here who have contributed immensely towards driving this project to success, it is a project like no other which has uplifted this corporation to a greater mile and has gotten us to that position we aspire for, and I think it is all due to selflessness, dedication, utmost hard work, zeal and sincerity invested throughout the duration of this work which has  paid off in the form of success.
Since this corporation's inception we have had numerous fabulous turnout making us the sought after but I can confidently say this is one of the very best.

And saying this I can never omit that the presence of Mr Navid Mafa here is a game changer for GC and whose tirelessly effort is undeniably the drive to our success,so I say a very big thank you"_the CEO of GC finished and all that could be heard in the conference hall is the reverberation of sound from the sync of hands clapping of the just concluded heartwarming speech.

*************

"Thank you very much sir and I assure that you will never be disappointed"I said smiling

"Well from what I've just witness Mr Mafa I have no ounce of doubt in you,so here is my card cause I think its better we discuss more on the business proposal when we get back to Nigeria" Mr Abdullah_the director of a powerful NGO in Nigeria who was an attendee at the meeting said_offering our company a new business deal worth millions.

With long confident stride I walked out of GC accomplished and feeling radiant but despite the adrenaline running in me I still got to catch up on where I put a halt in my sleep to maintain my sanity before packing up for Nigeria tomorrow.

"Hello" I answered groggily putting a stop to the incessant ringing of my phone which is determined to put an end to the sleep I intend to last long _at least to make up.

"Where did you tossed the phone, called you severally"

"What happened dad" I answered cutting him off knowing well the reason to his call, guess today I am being an ideal son right? Obviously made them proud.

"Well..congratulations son you have made us so proud_the board couldn't get enough of your talk today, always knew you could do it.........here is your mum" he ended still chuckling.

"Don't you dare miss the morning flight_ in case I need remind you the dinner holding tomorrow is in your honour...Ahh almost forgot please look elegant and freshen up while coming home cause there's someone living in with us now I look forward to you meeting" Mami ended chuckling.

"Mami I think you are missing out on the fact that elegant always accompanies my name" I said smirking_as if she could see me.

"Just making sure,you know what they say that first impression last.....

"Mum who are we talking about here" I asked curtly not liking where its heading.

"Well..since you asked its your father's friend Alhaji Umar sabo's daughter......Zaituni"she said enthusiastically

"Mami..l-lets not go there please" I said stuttering through gritted teeth.

"Bye"

I said ending the call and all the pain I've being bottling for the past one year resurfaced shattering me and taking me to the memory lane I never wish to re visit. The betrayal, hurt,disapointment, grief_came back all raw envisaging me in a blanket of pain__time really comes with change cause never in a million years will I have imagined that those who were supposed to be my anchor, believe in me and wipe my tears would do otherwise_irony of life.

They broke me and when I've turned this way they say I've changed to a different person, well what can I say when being tough was the only option on the plate for me.

'Oh my Meera' I pray you are safe and happy wherever you are.

😢😢ohhh our Navid