ALIYA

Chapter 12 - Bilal

A week later...

Ever since we started the River Galma hydropower dam project offered to us by the State Government, things hadn't been easy for me. I was the CEO and of course I ought to make sure we do it right in order to maintain our reputation and status as the best construction company in Nigeria. However, today I wouldn't be going to the construction site because I had some minor things to take care of - which include visiting Aliya in her office. I heard she had been doing great with her job.

You know, even though we rarely used to meet these days I made sure I had my eyes on her through my subordinates. Her office was in the 10th floor, just few offices away from the media director's office and was very close to the office of the chief editor. I used to hear a lot about her from them and also from different other people in the floor. They said she was very kind, albeit I doubted that because she had never been kind to me. In fact, whenever we accidentally meet she would turn and walk her own way as if we were strangers or something. And that really used to hurt me!

If only she knew how deeply I used to feel her in my heart, she was gradually dominating it. One day, I might just wake up and find out she's all I need in my life... and that wouldn't be good for me because I might end up acting silly. Yes, I might ask her out and what if my wife finds out? Of course my wife could find out because Jibril was in the same floor with Aliya and you already know who he is, he was eagerly waiting to see the end of me in my wife's life and was also eager to replace me.

As soon as I was at Aliya's office, I knocked the door - hoping to hear her ask who was it but then I heard nothing. Thus, I knocked and knocked again but to no avail. Where could she be? I wondered checking my wristwatch. She ought to be around at such time because it was quarter to 9am already. Well, maybe traffic had caught up with her along the way. I huffed as I opened the door with my pass card. Behold, the office was empty. By the way, what was I seeing over there? I wrinkled a brow as I walked over to her desk. It was a book, "Replacement Girl", she must have been reading it on free hours. I smiled remembering the first time I read it. Actually the copy was mine, it was the former PRO that took it from me and didn't return it back. The book was solely written by Muhammad Abubakar.

How I so much missed the book! I picked it, sat in Aliya's swivel chair and began going through it again. It was a nice book, I heard it could now be found on HiNovel by simply searching for it in their website or on Google. That way, people won't have to spend a dime ordering for the hardcopy. I so much loved the author's style, he had a very good author stroke fan relation. I was one of his fans too, though it been long I read his works. I used to be preoccupied these days, you know.

Just as I re-read through the chapters of the book and was now in chapter 13, someone barged into the office and it wasn't just anyone but Aliya. For a second, she looked perplexed but then she quickly frowned her face with her handbag's straps on her shoulder. Thus I ran my gaze over her body, smiling on how her hijab fitted her. It was wide but that didn't stop it from showing her protruded chest. Don't mind me, it's just that I so much loved chubby women especially those with ample bosoms and buttocks. Also, fair and beautiful.

"Sorry for trespassing or is it intruding? I so much love to further my education, it's been long I learned English" I said withdrawing from her swivel chair to my feet. "Good Morning" I greeted her but she didn't say anything, she had only folded her arms across her chest while looking away with her face still frowned. "Hmm!" I sighed sitting on the desk wondering why she didn't like talking to me. "You hate me, don't you?" I asked staring at her. And like always, she didn't reply me. "Is it about what Sufyan and Khalil did to you? They said they did nothing though" I gulped and continued talking like a crazy person. "But I didn't believe them, after all I know how stupid they could be. They had once..." I was saying when she walked out of the office as if she was been chased by something. "Aliya!" I uttered running after her. "Aliya, please stop" I tried to stop her through the hallway but to no avail. She kept walking swiftly until I caught up with her. Hence, I held her hand tightly.

"Let me go" She said trying to extricate from my tight grip. That moment, I found myself staring at her beautiful face like I had never seen it before. "Get your hand off me, BILAL!" She yelled at me so hard that I began feeling a piercing pain in my ears. And before I could ask her to tell me why she was ignoring me so that I could let her be, someone called my name... and it wasn't just anybody but Jibril.

"What's going on here?" He asked, standing by his office. And that was when I realised we were close to his doorway, thus I released Aliya's hand and watched as she ran over to the elevator. "Bilal, don't tell me you were romancing that girl. Rahina must hear this!"

"I wasn't romancing her, mr man. I was..." I said thinking about the lie to tell. "I was just trying to give her this book!" I said showing him the hardcopy of 'Replacement Girl' in my hand. "So, don't get it wrong" I muttered.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

AsSalama Alaykum everyone, sorry for keeping you all waiting. It wasn't really intentional, anyways how was the Eid?

Those that took their time to wish me a glamorous Eid privately, thank you so much. And those that weren't able to do so, I really appreciate it. One love, keep us together💖

May Allah spare our lives to witness more of the Eids ahead in good and sound health, Ameen Thummah Ameen.