TAWAKKUL

12. The File

"Make sure to lock the door behind you."

I began feeling a little nervous when he said that.

He probably understood that from my expression.

Thus he laughed, in order to lighten the situation.

"Don't worry, I'm asking you to do it because I wish to discuss something very important, solely with you."

That made me curious.

I locked the door and sat on one of the chairs kept opposite to the desk.

Mr Rishaad then placed a black colored file in front of me.

" What is this dad? "

" My gift for you. "

An array of thoughts and assumptions began crossing my mind.

"What gift?"

"After you got married, everyone must've gifted you something, except for me. I was waiting for the right time. And I think, it's the perfect time now."

"But what's in this file, dad?"

"I consider you as my daughter, Tawakkul. I decided to get you married to my son only after seeing what a beautiful heart and a strong character you've got. What's present in this file is nothing when compared to what you've done for me."

I couldn't understand what was going on.

" We're opening another branch of our hospital a few miles away from here. In this file, lies information regarding the same. Most of the money coming out of it will go for charity. It'll be a boon for the poor people. And I've decided that I will not be the official owner of it, but you. "

Shock would be an understatement to describe what I felt. I couldn't believe what he was offering me. More than being surprised, I panicked at what he said.

"Me? No way. Is this a joke Mr Rishaad?"

" I'm not joking with you. You know very well that I don't joke over such matters. I understand your reaction. You're so astonished that you even changed the way you've been addressing me."  he smiled and said.

"I'm sorry but I can't accept this."

"You have to Tawakkul."

"But why?"

"Because I'm giving it to you."

"Mr Rishaad please, as far as I know, all of the hospitals that your family owns, are in your name. Neither Azlan, nor Mrs Nargis or any other family member of yours have any hospital property named after them. So why are you doing this? "

Mr Rishaad kept looking at me as I spoke. And then he started smiling again.

" You are a very smart woman Tawakkul. I knew you wouldn't accept this property easily. But if I need to tell you the truth for you to accept it, I don't have any objections."

"I'm waiting to listen."

" You see my family has always been reckless with the money that I earned with years of hard work. Especially my wife. She was never satisfied with what she got. If I were to hand her over the responsibility of any of the hospitals I own, she'd absolutely fail it. "

"What about Azlan? You can hand it over to him. "

" Same goes for Azlan. He's young and imprudent. Decision making and handling responsibilities is not what he does rightfully. You must've noticed already being the smart woman you are. I will hand him over things, but not now. I want him to be ready for it. I want him to learn things and be responsible. That is why I got him married to you. Because I could see those qualities in you which my own children lacked.And I wanted Azlan to have a life partner like you."

" Oh come one Mr Rishaad. He is a doctor! Moreover, a fine one I suppose. What you're describing him as gives an image of a carefree teenager, which doesn't match with his doctor image at all.

"Being a doctor is different from being a businessman. We're talking about responsibilities regarding business. Money makes people blind, forget their values. I know my family better than you do. What I'm doing right now is for their own good. You'll understand it some day. "

"Is that why you forced him to marry me? Because you thought it was good for him? It should've been his own decision Mr Rishaad, not yours ."

" I didn't force him,Tawakkul. I just did what was to be done. He made his own decision. What makes you think I forced him into anything? Did he say something to you? "

It was bad on my part to ask him that question. If he doubted there was something wrong between me and Azlan, Azlan wouldn't be happy with it. So I covered up what I said.

" Azlan didn't say me anything. I just asked because it was you who sent the proposal. As far as I knew him, he had different choices."

" He was the one who agreed to marry you on his own will, Tawakkul." he said with a weird calmness in his voice.

" Hmm."

" So what's your answer now? "

" I understand you have your doubts concerning your family, but why make me the owner? "

" Because I want that hospital to be in the hands of some righteous person. You are a pure hearted girl, Tawakkul. That hospital is meant for charity. And I know if you're in charge of it, nothing will ever go wrong. The same can't be said about my family though. I want some blessed hands to do that work for me. And who'd be better than you? Moreover, as I said, it's a gift from me. "

" I can't –—"

" Please, Tawakkul. Take your time to think about it. But just don't downright reject it."

How could I say yes, knowing that after a few months maybe, I wouldn't be a part of his family anymore.

" I don't know. "

" As I said, take your time. And one more thing, nobody should know about me making you the owner of this hospital . Especially Azlan, he shouldn't know about it at all. Please. "

I left the room with another burden on my head. Azlan didn't have to know about it. Well it was obvious but what was I supposed to do.

On one hand I couldn't tell Mr Rishaad about my contract with Azlan, while on the other hand, I couldn't let Azlan know about what his dad offered me.

I walked back to my room to see Azlan in a towel, standing in front of the mirror and setting his hair.

I ignored the state he was in and walked to the washroom. I locked the door, removed my hijab and looked at the mirror.

I felt so tired. Tired because of everything that had been happening. I needed to rest my head and I couldn't even do that peacefully.

I splashed water on my face multiple times.
And after five minutes, I  wrapped my scarf carelessly around my head and came out of the washroom.

To my annoyance , Azlan was sitting on the bed and looking at me.

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