ALIYA

Chapter 19 - Aliya

I was in my office working when the Media Director sent me an email that Bilal has been badly wounded by the people of Galma, they wanted him to end his dam project in their side.

I wasn't really into Bilal but the news made my heart to miss a bit, badly wounded? I wondered as I took the handset on my table and dialed the General Manager's number to confirm from her.

"Good morning ma, did you heard what happened to Bilal?" I asked as soon as she took the call.

"Yes, he's currently at home. He would be fine" She said making me to puzzle.

"At home? Isn't he supposed to be in the hospital receiving treatment?" I asked.

"Well his wife ordered that her husband should be brought back home and treated privately, she said he would be more safe at home" She explained.

"Oh, okay. But I hope he's okay?" I uttered.

"Since when did you start caring about him?" She giggled.

"Hmm, you won't understand ma" I said adjusting my sitting position. "I can hold grudges against any living soul but certainly not a sick person"

"I see" She huffed, somehow not believing in what I said.

"Trust me, Hajiya Amirah" I said beaming as if she was right in front of me.

"Okay... okay" She said and continued. "I think he's fine, but until I check on him I won't be sure about it because his phone is with his wife. Nobody is allowed to speak with him on phone"

"Eyyah (Alas), when are you going there?" I asked.

"Later In Shaa Allah (God's Willing), after taking care of the things on my table" She said.

"Okay then" I gulped.

"Are you also going there?" She asked.

"Actually, I don't think so. By the way I don't need to be there, my presence won't add anything to his health or will it?" I said.

"Maybe" She giggled. "Don't mind me," She continued. "It's fine if you don't follow me, by the way not everyone would be allowed to see him. His wife is, I don't know how to put it, overprotective and caring. I believe she's there clouding him already, she wouldn't want him to be disturbed"

"Eyyah (Alas), how I wish he also..." I said halfway as I quickly remembered I wasn't talking to myself. Actually, I wanted saying how I wish he also cared for his wife the way she cared for him but thus drew my words back after recalling who I was talking to. "Sorry, it's a lapsus linguae" I lied.

"No it's not, how you wish he also what? Tell me please, Aliya" She insisted.

"Never mind please, see you later ma" I said and quickly ended the call.

Wow that was so close, just few words to landing myself into trouble. I really should mind myself. I gulped as I continued with my work. I was attending to some of our queriers on social media, we usually do have lot of queries from people on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and today happened to be Friday.

I kept on working until it was finally time for home, hence I shut down the system, pack my valuable things into my bag and headed out.

I was expecting to see Fawad's car outside – waiting for me but he wasn't really there. Shit! I muttered a curse as I brought out my phone from my bag and dialed his contact. "Hello, where the heck are you? I thought you agreed to come pick me up by 4?" I said the moment he picked the call. "And this is 4:08!" I glanced at my wristwatch.

"Sorry dear," He said and continued. "I won't be able to come, I am really busy right now"

"Busy? You should have told me you might not come so that I shouldn't put all my hopes in you!" I yelled at him.