As Farouk pulled into the parking garage belonging to the law firm, Habeebah's eyes widen. She hadn't been to this building ever since her apprenticeship with the firm. She chose this firm while she was in law school because it was one of the few firms in Yola that had attorneys in almost every speciality of law.
When Habeebah made the decision to become a lawyer it wasn't to put the bad guys behind bars, but to fight for women's right in the society. Bukar Ali and co offered her a position after her two years of apprenticeship with them, but all fell to dirt when she met Mahmoud Jalo. Declining the offer was one of the most difficult thing Habeebah had done, but she had to do it for her family.
"Sister?" Farouk called bringing her out of her trance.
"Uhmmm?" She answered startled.
"Everything is going to be fine, let's go in." He said giving her hand a tight squeeze.
Walking into the first floor owned by the law firm, they were met with the receptionist. The law firm owned a three storey building that housed them.
"Good day Sir! Good day ma'am! Welcome to Bukar Ali and co, I am Melissa." She greeted professionally.
"Good day, we are here to see Attorney Bukar Ali." Farouk said.
"Do you have an appointment with him?" She asked kindly.
"Yes we do." Farouk replied meanwhile Habeebah was silent all through.
"One second please, what is the client's name?" She politely asked scrolling through the list of appointment scheduled today.
"Habeebah Hassan Ribadu." Farouk answered taking a glance at his sister. She looked depressed and scared.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, his office is on the last floor." She said smiling.
"Thank you." Farouk muttered taking his sister by the arm. As they walked into the elevator, he decided to speak to her.
"Is anything the matter?" He asked disturbed.
"Nothing I am fine." She replied with a fake smile. He didn't want to push further, so he kept mute till they alighted the elevator.
"Good day! We are here to see the attorney." Farouk told the lady at the front desk.
"Your name Sir?" She asked.
"Habeebah Hassan Ribadu." He replied. She passed a message to her boss through the intercom and he replied immediately.
"You can go in." She said directing them to the office.
Knock!!!
"Please do come in." The attorney said from inside the office.
"Salaam Alaikum." Farouk and Habeebah paid their respects entering the large office.
"You must be Farouk Hassan Ribadu." Bukar said stretching out his hand.
"Yes." Farouk returned the gesture smiling.
"Please make yourself comfortable, I'll join you shortly." Bukar told them exiting the office.
"I am nervous." Habeebah whispered enough for Farouk to hear.
"Just relax, everything will be fine." He assured.
Minutes later a porter came in with a tray containing refreshments in his hands with Bukar tagging behind. "Sorry for keeping you waiting, had to get these." He said indicating the tray.
"It's no problem, you shouldn't have bothered." Farouk replied.
"No one visits Bukar Ali and leaves without taking anything, it's all yours." He said pointing to the tray in front them. Bashir Bukar Ali; a dark tall man in his late forties is a man of integrity, honour and respect. He is a prominent attorney in Yola, known for his good works which got him alot of recognition not only in Nigeria but the Diaspora too. Farouk helped himself to water but Habeebah didn't want anything.
"Bashir! This is my sister Habeebah, she is the client." Farouk introduced.
"Good day Mrs Jalo." Bashir greeted gleefully. When he got no response from Habeebah, he added.
"You look nervous which isn't good, it seems to me you're not prepared." Bashir said taking a file from his desk. He has been in this profession for over two decades now and knows how to deal with clients like Habeebah.
"It's not that, I never thought in my life I will one day walk into a lawyer's office to seek for a divorce, that's why I feel nervous." She explained sullenly.
"You don't need to feel nervous or awkward, it's not your fault. There are just some things that happens in life that we don't have control over." Bashir comforted. "Let's talk about what brings you here." He said loosing his tie a bit.
"How long does it take to get a divorce if it is uncontested?" She asked.
"If it is truly uncontested (You agree on asset and debt division, grounds for divorce and custody) you can be divorced in as little as 30 days from the day of filing your divorce complaint pursuant to the applicable state statue. The best way to get your uncontested divorce finished quickly is to get a lawyer to represent you. You need a lawyer to draft the documents for you so that it gets done in a reasonable amount of time, has language that protects your interests, and has the required statutory language (a Judge won't sign off if not). You also need a lawyer to track down a Judge and request their signature on the divorce decree once the 30 days statutory waiting period is over." He explained.
"I want you to fight this case for me, I have heard of your good works from my brother and none will be able to except you," Habeebah pleaded. "Mahmoud Jalo can be very intimidating, he can go to any length to get what he wants." She added further.
"You need not to worry about this Habeebah, I have dealt with people like Mahmoud before. I don't normally take up divorce cases when it's being brought, I transfer it to my junior lawyers, I deal with corporate laws but I will take up this case myself due to the type of man your husband is. I know men like your husband, he will sure hire a good lawyer to help him with this and I don't want to take that risk handing over your case to a junior lawyer, all you have to do now is tell me what I need to know." Bashir said.
As salaam Alaikum, how are you all doing? Hope dai kuna lafiya? My apologies for not updating in a while please, school has been hectic due to preparations for exams, but I'll try harder to make sure I update regularly so as not to keep my beautiful readers waiting😍🙏
A short chapter here, please make do with it. Thanks for the support and views so far, I really do appreciate ❤❤😘 Love ya loads
Maryam🌹......
YOU ARE READING
The Power Of Calmness
General Fiction"I want to become a renowned lawyer and Human Rights Activist when I do grow up." Seven year old Habeebah, happily said to her father. As time passes, we as humans tend to move closer to reality. Because, with each passing second, nothing stays stag...
