Salam my readers and family. How have you been? Talk to me please!
Here's a surprise update for you.
The response I got back from my last update was quite surprising but I appreciate every single bit of it.
I stated a while back that I have writers block sometimes as this is my first book.
I go weeks without writing a chapter and end up writing 2 or more chapters in one seating. I don't know if this is the norm but I don't like it very much. Pray I get past it!!!!
Thank you for being supportive and Patient with me, let's get reading !!
Aman couldn't bring herself to sleep since she prayed Fajr. So she prayed some more and decided to call her mother.
"Salam Ammi, sorry I'm calling.. I figured you'll be awake" she said as her mother picked up the phone.
"I knew you'll be having jitters so I decided to stay awake for a while after I prayed." Hajiya Ameena said.
"Thank you Ammi, I don't know why I'm nervous. I don't want to let you guys down." Aman replied.
"You have already made us proud Aman. Don't worry about us, we're here praying for you. Allah ya maki Albarka (May Allah bless you)" hajiya Ameena's soft voice said.
"Thank you Ammi, I hope everything works out, it's already 6:30.. I should take a shower and get going. Mamiey said the driver will be here by 7. You know this Lagos traffic. I don't want to be late and get further into my bosses bad book." Aman said feeling so tired.
"Well you're right about that. You need to be early, it's your first day after all. In sha Allah everything will be fine." Hajiya Ameena replied.
"In sha Allah (God willing) thank you Ammi. Bye" Aman said before ending the call.
After she had a soothing shower, she combed her hair and headed to the chair that Muneera put the outfits she picked out for her. There was an orange and brown atampa boubou that had a wrapper attached to it and Aman immediately put it down. "Too stressful" she said to herself.
The second option was a long black cooperate skirt and blazer that was meant to be matched with a t-shirt and Muneera picked out a white one and a black and white Hermès scarf that was meant to be wrapped like a tie. "Too serious for day one" Aman said scrunching up her nose.
The last option was a pink and blue silk iro and buba style but instead of the traditional wrapper, it was a straight skirt and the top was meant to be tucked in. "This is not too bad... casual but fashionable" Aman said contemplating.. she remembered the compliments she got first time she wore it and was instantly happy with it.
When Aman was ready to leave, she picked up a blue scarf and blue D&G flat shoes to match her outfit and decided her monogram LV bag wasn't worth changing for work.
When Aman was downstairs, she saw Yusra, the Dr's maid "Madam, good morning. Hajiya said I should make breakfast. I've been waiting for you to come down, should I serve it or you'll go to the table" Yusra asked.
"Good morning. Actually.. I'm not too hungry, I'll grab a bite when I'm in the office" Aman said with a polite smile. She was too nervous to eat and felt like she was going to swallow up her pacing heart.
"Madam I don't think that's a good idea, how about I make you a quick berry smoothie? I always make it for Madam when she doesn't have an appetite. It will keep you alert." Yusra said with an insisting voice.
"Alright, but please... be fast. I don't want to be late" Aman said sitting on one of the side chairs placed by the entrance of the house.
After about five minutes, Yusra came in with a little basket. "Madam I'm sorry I took long, I added in some muffins, cakes, nuts and jams. That way you'll have something to munch on. I'll put it in the car" Yusra said pleased with herself.
"Alright, thank you" Aman sighed in defeat.
When Aman got into the car, the driver introduced himself as Musa and began their way to Aman's new office.
Aman could feel her heart beating faster and faster but Musa was quite the chatterbox and before she knew it, she was laughing at his Lagos stories. He managed to calm her down without even realizing it.
After driving for about 35 minutes and getting stuck in traffic for about 20 minutes. Aman finally saw the big AAHP (Aliyu Abdullahi Hydroelectric Power) boldly written on the gate. She could feel her palms sweating up again.
After going through the security check, Aman was now in the lobby of a close to an empty building, she went over to a woman sitting behind the lobby desk and introduced herself as "Mr Sameer's new corper". After giving her a cold look from head to toe, she decided to answer. "I'll buzz Sarah, Mr Sameer's PA over. She will help you"
"Thank you" Aman said with a tight smile.
Nearly 5 minutes later, Sarah came in with a wide smile.
"Miss Aman, how nice to see you again. I'm sorry our office is empty. Let's go to our floor." Sarah said taking Aman's basket and laptop from her.
"Thank you so much. I don't know why everyone is on break and you don't have to, I'll carry my things" Aman said politely, she knew Sarah was older than her and looked like she was in her early thirties but she was in no position to ask.
"We have some renovations done and also fumigation so Mr Sameer gave everyone three weeks off. Well except some of us that got 2 weeks, I mean it's not so bad. I enjoyed doing nothing for two weeks. Don't bother about your things, we're friends so I'll help you out" Sarah said as she pressed the 35th floor button.
"Oh then that explains a lot. I'm very nervous" Aman said shyly.
"Don't be, working for Mr Sameer is only scary at first, but there are a lot of benefits and if you do what you're required to do and stay out of his way then you won't have any issues" Sarah said reassuringly.
"Alright, I'll try to do just that" Aman said with a slight chuckle as they both stepped out of the lift.
Sarah had a table right outside Sameer's office and there were about five chairs by her desk for waiting clients.
"Miss Aman, please sit... Mr Sameer told me you'll have your own office over there but he's not here and the key isn't with me." Sarah said pointing to an office 3 doors to Sameer's office with Aman Mohammed boldly written on the nameplate.
"Alright, please call me Aman, you said we're friends after all" Aman said nicely as she dragged the chair over to Sarah's desk. She was surprised that she had her own office on the highest floor of the building and better yet, she couldn't believe that was her name across the shiny nameplate. She wanted to squeal but she had to compose herself.
"And you can call me Sarah too. Is there anything you'd like me to brief you on? I don't have a lot of work right now" Sarah said putting Aman's basket underneath her table.
"Erm yes, please tell me more about our boss and also... has he told you what I'll be doing? I have no idea what to expect." Aman asked nervously.
"Well he hasn't told me what you'll be doing either but I know he doesn't like corpers because the last 3 he hired turned out to be a disaster. The first two constantly stole from him and then the last one connived with her boyfriend to exploit him but ended up attacking him after she threw herself at him and he said no. He's a very hardworking and dedicated man. I've never even seen him with ladies and we go for a lot of business trips." Sarah explained to Aman whose eyes were now fully bulged out.
"Oh my goodness! Are you serious? I can understand why he's not so thrilled to have me around now." Aman said trying to fully understand the situation.
"Hmm my sister. We've seen things in this office, however, I trust that he's made the right choice this time.. you seem like a good one" Sarah replied laughing.
"I can tell you have, I better make myself scarce" Aman said also laughing.
It was now 10:30am and Aman had spent almost 3 hours at the office but there was still no sign of her boss. She didn't know what she was supposed to do or her way around. She was still seated on the clients chair waiting for him and she couldn't talk to Sarah because she had been busy for hours.
"Does he always come in this late?" Aman said to Sarah huffed sounding irritated.
"And is there a problem with the time I choose to come to my own office Miss Mohammed?" Sameer's deep voice came behind Aman. She wanted the ground to swallow her up. "What a way to start on his good side and make myself scarce" she thought inwardly to herself.
"Good morning Sir" Sarah said reaching for the keys to his office.
"Good morning Mr Sameer" Aman said with her head down and Sameer just rolled his eyes.
"Follow me to my office" he said referring to Aman when Sarah had opened his door.
Aman was not happy to be back to this huge office. She felt so small and was trying to figure out a way to start afresh with her new boss when his voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Miss Mohammed. Here are the keys to your new office. Sarah will show you where it is but I believe it is just three doors down. Please do not come to my office unannounced, if you need me ring 1 on the telephone placed on your table, I will also call you if I need anything so stay close to that telephone. I do not like to be kept waiting and I prefer phone calls than seeing your face all around my office. You are dismissed." Sameer said as he placed his briefcase on the table.
