Chapter 2: His Saviour.

'Oh no, not again." Bushra lamented and heaved a sigh -- as a result from a slow computer. She kept pressing her fingers on the keyboards out of frustration. She shifted her gaze to the calendar on the desk, reading the upcoming meeting notices and other schedules. One of the meeting involved the Dan-Musa's company. It was going to be a rough day for her -- not only because of her hefty schedule for the day, but because of the person she'd be dealing with, Adam Dan-Musa's son. A pain in the neck. She had just been promoted eight months ago and she became the company's account manager.

She had met Mahir Dan-Musa twice before he went awol, but she despised his attitude and his way of interacting with people just after meeting him twice. At first, she gave him the benefit of doubt -- maybe their first meeting started in a bad way but she was wrong when they had another meeting.

He was the type of person that commands and expects things to go about his way and style, and she's the type pf person that's strong-headed and hates to be controlled.

Bushra rubbed her temple... It was even absurd of her to bother herself with him. She only sees him monthly for their meetings about the company's account summary or something else. She gently shook her head sideways and focused on getting the slow network back.

The sound of the knocking was the sound of a heartbeat, and so the door opened by itself -- he appeared and bushra winced. A smile appeared on his lips. Bushra stared at him as she held a stoic expression. 'I never gave you permission to come into my office." It wasn't the first time he was doing that and it never seizes to annoy her. And it will never settle with her how he thinks it was okay to trespass like that.

'Good morning to you, baby." Bushra grimaced at his statement.

'I went home and Yapendo (aunty) told me you left early. I wanted to drop you off and... talk about something--"

'Thank you for the kind gesture but as you can see I'm busy." She had already predicted what he had to say. 'Oh c'mon... are you sending me out?" He asked unbothered wether she was or not. He wasn't leaving without uttering what he had in mind.

'Well, anyways--- I spoke to bappah (uncle) about us and he told me he'd speak with my father to make the wedding arrangements. I think two months is okay? I don't want to wait so long. I need my wife beside me ASAP." Her head snaps up at his announcement and the guts he had to utter those filthy words at her.

'What?" She grunted. 'You're joking right?" She let out a hearty laugh. He furrowed his brows and shook his head. 'Bushra... you know how much I love you and..."

'And how much you want to ruin my life?" She cuts him off. 'Look, Sadiq, you're a very nice-- hard working man, but... you're just not my type and I do not wish to get married to you. I hope I've made myself clear." Bushra returned her attention to the computer. The service was back and she couldn't be more happier.

Sadiq narrowed his eyes, staring at her intensively as though he can see through her. He scoffed and got to his feet before storming out. It didn't bother him that she rejected his proposal for the forth time. He was still going to marry her since her parents have accepted his marriage proposal. That announcement was just to inform her so she wouldn't get surprised when their wedding date gets fixed.

**

He paced back and forth in his bedroom as he stared at his phone screen. Mahir felt anxious -- and it was so rare of him to be. He locked the phone and shoved it back in his pocket. He stepped out of his room and headed out to his parents chamber. His mother was in the dining area, setting the table for dinner. She looked at him and beamed. 'Dan Mama, You're back?" She said as she dropped the last warmer. Hajiya Aisha was a beautiful woman in her early 50s. What Mahir loves more about his mother was she cared very much about others. She shows how special and important people are even when she gets taken for granted. She wasn't just beautiful, she makes the space around her beautiful too. She affects others and bring their beauty out of them. She was a flower that makes others bloom.

'Yes... I came back not long ago. But I'm going out now, to meet up with Mansur." She approached him and cupped his face. She closely stared at him. 'After dinner," she instructed and freed his face before walking away. 'I haven't prayed Isha yet. Sit and wait for me. Your father will be out soon." She stated before ambling towards the stairs.

He heaved a sigh and settled down. Unlocking his phone, he stared at the screen. Mahir snapped his head up at the realization of how anxious he was about finding the mysterious girl. His saviour. It made him restless. Maybe because she saved his life and her blood was flowing inside of him. The thought of her blood flowing in him sent chills down his spine. She couldn't have done that for free!

What was taking her so long to show up in his office and present herself? Mahir scoffed -- he should've thought of that quickly when he has spent weeks trying to get her details.

What if she wasn't as beautiful and delicate as he imagined her to be? What if she wasn't just ‘not presentable' but actually ‘hideous'. He grimaced at the thought of the girl being ugly. He wouldn't want to deal with that.

'Mahir." His father called out. Mahir snapped his head up as the thoughts vanished away, only leaving Bushra's fanciful face roaming around his head. 'Yes, Abba. Good evening." He ducked his head. His father settled down on his usual seat. 'You left work early. Hope all is well." Alhaji Adam looked at his son with concern. Mahir scratched the back of his head, making his father to chuckle. He knew what that meant. He was about to say something untrue.

Hajiya Aisha joined them before Mahir could fumble a lie. She served her husband and also offered to serve Mahir before she served herself and settled down. 'So, how was work today? Anything interesting happened today?" Hajiya Aisha threw the questions at her son. He beamed and nodded as warm food melts in the back of his throat. 'Everything's all right... well except the part where Abba sent another girl to my office today... again. Other than that -- great." He took another bite of his food as he looked at his father tauntingly.

Hajiya Aisha averted her gaze to her husband. 'I thought we have talked about this and given him time to bring his own suitor." Alhaji Adam shrugged. 'I know-- I was just trying to help out..." He paused when he acknowledged the look on his wife's face. She looked upset. He heaved a sigh and dropped his spoon. 'I'm sorry, okay? I also want what's best for him." He grabbed her hand and caressed it.

Mahir smirked, looking between his parents. Gently, he stood up. 'I'll leave you two love birds and head out." He started walking towards the door. 'You barely touched your meal." Hajiya Aisha said. 'Wasn't that hungry." He responded without a back glance.

Alhaji Adam looked at his wife. 'Six months and I'm choosing a wife for him. And no one... I repeat no one is going to change my mind." Hajiya Aisha stared at her husband in fright. 'You're really getting yourself worked up about this boy. I do understand that he's not getting any younger and you're retiring in less than a year but..."

'Aisha, please don't argue with me on this. I have tried my best to cooperate but this boy simply doesn't want that." He said and got to his feet, and left. She stared at his retreating back as waves of worry washed through her mind. She shouldn't have asked Mahir how his day went if she knew it was going to end their dinner time earlier than the usual time. She exhaled, to calm the panic. It was going to be okay, she mused to herself.

Bushra walked into the restaurant as she scanned through the crowd. She smiled immediately her eyes spotted her best friend, Madina. She walked towards her, breathing in happily. The atmosphere was cool, with high beamed ceilings and eclectic decor. The sophisticated interior of the restaurant was decorated with a simple elegance.

'You're late."

'I know, I know and I'm sorry. My boss held me back." She heaved a sigh out of frustration. 'Have you ordered yet? I'm so hungry." As if on cue, the waiter showed up with what Madina had ordered for them. 'My favourite. Thank you, bestie." Bushra cooed and gently squeezed her friends hand.

Bushra unscrewed the cap of the orange juice and poured some into her cup before taking a sip. She gulped down half of her drink before she dogged into her meal. Closing her eyes, Bushra enjoyed every bite of her meal.

Madina examined her friend as she enjoyed her meal. She dropped her fork and focused on bushra. 'So... how... how are things going with Sadiq?" She asked out of the blue. 'Oh my God! There we go again with the douchebag. Seriously... how many times are we going over this, Madina? Read my lip; I. Am. Not. Going. To. Marry. Him! Now you go tell him that because I am sure he came to your house and brainwashed you." Bushra shrugged off her shoulders afterwards and went back to ejonying her meal. She wasn't going to let that ruin her appetite.

'C'mon, Bushra. He's trying real hard to make things work between you guys. And... he's not as bad as you make it sound." Madina tried to reason with her. 'Then marry him," she said and gulped down a whole cup of orange juice to ease her anger. 'What? C'mon... eww, no... he's your cousin. I mean he's very handsome and freaking loaded, but no." They both laughed at the same time.

'I have my reasons for rejecting him which you all know that."

'Yes... yes... he told you you'd stop working which that isn't going to happen because being a house wife is not on your list and he's just not your type."

'Yes, he's not my type." Bushra grinned from ear to ear.

They chatted away till it was time for them to go. Bushra called on the waiter to get the bill for them. 'Someone had already taken care of the bill, Ma'am." Bushra blinked as she shook her head. 'Someone paid? Who?" She couldn't help but ask. If Sadiq was the one behind it, she'd surely make him taste his own medicine. 'I'm sorry but he asked me not to disclose that. But he only told me that he's your client." He responded. She dismissed him afterwards.

'Who could that be?" Madina wondered. 'A client, from work probably... I don't know. C'mon, let's head home. It's getting late." They grabbed their stuff and headed out. Bushra typed away from her phone as she walked, unaware of what's in front of her.

She suddenly bumped into someone, someone way taller than her. She grunted and looked up.

Her eyes bulged out in awe.'You!" She murmured. He raised his brows and shrugged his shoulders. 'You shouldn't text and walk. I hope you don't do that when you drive." He had a deadpan expression that didn't match what he said. Madina walked ahead to give them some space.

'How are you this evening, Miss. Mansur?"

'I'm good. And thank you for the kind gesture. I can afford to pay for my own meal."

'I never said you couldn't. And who told you I did pay for your dinner?" He raised his brows, waiting for an answer. She stared at him, fighting the urge to hiss or roll her eyes at him. He was an expert at getting on her nerves.

'Well -- there's an issue we need to talk about. A transaction was made between my father's account and an unknown account this evening. We need to talk about it. Let's sit. Tea or coffee?"

She folded her arms on her chest, not only because it was cold outside but because of how bossy he was. 'No! If you bother to notice, my friend is waiting for me and I'm not letting her go home alone. You can come to my office tomorrow morning and we'll restrain and trace the person behind it." She tried to walk away but he blocked her path. 'Let me take you home then... both of you. We drop her off and then drop you off at your house, that's it. Nothing more."

She sulked at him and scoffed. 'Thank you, Mr. Adam, but no." She attempted to walk away but he stopped her. He didn't care that people were watching or he was getting roasted in front of his bodyguards. 'Stubborn," He whispered, his face so close to her ears. It made her to shiver, knees getting weak. Bushra cleared her throat and restrained herself.

'I just had a long day and all I could think of is going home to get some rest. And I appreciate your kind gestures. My uber driver is here, can I go now? We can talk about the issue tomorrow morning, In sha Allah." She spoke looking up into his eyes. 'Good, let's get going then." He offered. She closed her eyes and massaged the bridge of her nose. He was stubborn and so she was. 'Look, I really had a long, long day like I said before and I need to head home and rest, okay? And no, I do not need a ride home from you." She swiftly walked passed him without a back glance.

Mahir smirked, slowly turning to watch her as she entered the car and they left. She thought he was hitting on her just because he paid for her dinner? Absurd, he thought.