"Aren't you tired Humaira? My cousin, Na'eemah asked coming to sit next to me.
The farmer left hours back after us discussing the fruit we will need and the amount and also fixed a price for each order every time. After that, we looked through the strategies and I started sketching everything out, money to be invested (I insisted on mine even when Maami, Daadi and Hafeez were not having it. They finally gave in after a lot of persuasion) how it will be produced, the packaging and the market.
Hafeez had to leave to his accommodation which is not more than ten minutes drive from home. After he left, Maami and Daadi also resort to bed leaving me alone with a cup of coffee and tired eyes.
"I really am. But I'm almost done and will go to bed" I said trying to smile
"Okay then. I'll be in the room when you need anything" She said standing up
"Thank you" I said smiling this time around as I watched her retreating figure.
Several minutes later, I'm done and cleared out the table I worked on, took the mug to the kitchen and headed upstairs. After having a long soothing shower, I sent the girl's a message saying
"Had a long day. Just retiring to bed like a zombie"
And then decided to send Hafeez a simple "Done with first step. Goodnight"
Thinking about how everything will turn out to be, I slowly drifted off to sleep.
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"The women are here Humaira" Daadi said coming to the garden as I took the last fruit basket heading to the now reformed garage. Daadi gave me her garage for all our activities and had it reformed. It was beautiful and perfect for our work. She gave me the surprise this morning after Maami told me she hired two women to come help me
"Thank you Daadi once again" I said as I walked to the work shop
"You're welcome" She said behind me
"Good afternoon ladies" I greeted coming in and smiling as one walked to help me with the baskets
"Good afternoon Humaira" The other said
"So are we all ready for this? I asked grabbing the juice makers we got
"Yes" They smiled sitting back down just as Na'eemah came in with the flavourings
"Well then, let's get started" I smiled collecting them and handing everyone a pair of gloves
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"And... done" I said sealing the last bottle and stepping back to look at our work. We made 30 bottles for starters and hope they get into the market. They will be taken to big shops here in Yola and also be given out for trial, if they like it then we start providing more of them.
"We are here" Na'eemah said stepping aside as Maami and Daadi came in. As soon as we were done, she went to fetch them.
Hafeez couldn't come because he had to work from home and it was urgent so he promised to come later on. It was a relief that he is finally having a time to his work and not spending it on me alone.
"It's beautiful habeebtee" Maami said walking over to me "I'm proud of you" She said hugging me
"I'm proud of you more darling" Daadi said hugging the other side of me
"Thank you" I said holding my tears
"Well now we arrange them in the truck and then off they go to shops" Daadi said heading out to call the truck Driver
"Right after a picture" I said taking out my camera. After a few clicks, we started arranging them.
Hopefully, they never come back
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"You need to calm down and stop pacing back and forth" Daadi said shaking her head as she walked down the stairs heading to the dining
"Daadi what if--
"No what ifs. Let them be back first" She said with scolding eyes pouring the cold water into a cup as I sigh and sat down.
"Here" She added handing me a glass of water
"Thank you" I whispered letting the cold water soothe down my throat.
"They are back" Na'eemah said coming out of the kitchen and I stand up just as the truck man came in
"How was it. How many were taken? I asked excitedly
He looked at each of us his gaze lingering on me for few seconds before he whispered "None"
"What? What do you mean by none? I shouted as Daadi turned to look at me then back at him. Behind me, I heard footsteps of Maami and Zainab coming down the stairs
"What do you mean none? How can all thirty not be taken that's ridiculous"
"I'm sorry ma'am. But we went to almost every shop in Yola" He answered
"What happened? Did it taste bad? I asked
"No, they said it tasted good but there's no future for drinks like this as all people buy is the popular drinks. They just end up loosing their money even if they get them" He replied and my eyes well up with tears
"But...but"
"Couldn't there be another way to convince them" Maami said stepping forward
"I'm sorry ma'am. I tried everything I could but they were also seeing the loss they will encounter. It's not from them, it's from the consumers.
Well there goes my dreams of being successful. Apparently, dreams like mine and even drinks like mine has no future
"Ohh... okay. Unload the drinks, thank you" I said swallowing a lump just as Hafeez came in
"Okay ma'am" He said leaving the living room as all sympathetic eyes turned to me except one
"Humaira" Hafeez whispered while I turned hot on my heels leaving the living room and heading outside through the backdoor
_______________________________________
Ten minutes later, I heard the foot steps of Hafeez as he carefully came and sat next to me
"Soo what now" He said as I stared into space
"Nothing. I go back to my normal life and stop dreaming. I have also put it up on instagram but there are no orders. I will just go back to my normal life" I replied with a hurting laugh
"You are never someone who gives up. You were always a fighter and still is" He said looking at me
"I'm done fighting. I fought for my property, for my life and now for dreams?
"Everything in this life is worth fighting for especially dreams" He replied
"What do I do then? That was the only alternative and it went down the drain" I said letting a tear escape
"Or so you thought" He retorted slightly as I glance at him
"What do you mean?
"I mean, there isn't one way to a market. When the first is blocked, we tried another and another and another until we find the good one" He replied smiling
"Stop talking in riddles" I said furrowing my brows as he laughed
"What I mean is, I told your cousin to put them in the refrigerator and for the truck driver to come take them to small shops tomorrow. We will also make flyers and paste them in the neighbourhood, you never know. They might just make your dreams come true" He said with a wink
"You think it will work? I asked
"We have to try this road. If it doesn't, we go for another road. We try each and every alternative because there is always a right one" He answered as I looked at him with a wide smile on my face.
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YOU ARE READING
HEELS ✅
General FictionCOPY RIGHT 2020 { 1 on #Heels 1 on #wattpadbanters 3 on #nigerian 1 on #fulani 5 on #bosslady} Under estimated or rather just not seen fit to be successful as an Arewa young lady. And here is the irony, I was okay with the simple life I had until...
