1. THE BET

1652 Words
 1: The Bet.  Ahmad's POV  "Thank you so much for coming guys" Farouk shook our hands.  "Congratulations Farouk " Ammar and I said in unison.  Farouk is my friend's brother, Muhannad. They are Sudanese. They moved to Nigeria from Egypt couple years ago and Muhannad got a job in the company I work for. Unfortunately he had to go for a business trip so I am attending his brother's induction as a certified Nigerian doctor in his stead.  "Thank you. I reserved two seats for you - please follow me. " Farouk started leading the way. We left Abba at the entrance catching up with his long lost colleague.  " Uhm. Farouk we came with our father - give me a minute to check on him" I said and he nodded.  "Wait Ahmad. I will go" Ammar offered.  We waited for him.  "He said he will be seating with his friend" Ammar informed us on his return. We got to the seats Farouk reserved for us and soon after, the swearing in ceremony for the new doctors began. I commented on almost every person that went on stage. The fat lady that looked 20, the extremely thin girl that looked like she had anorexia yet so pretty, the man that is old enough to be my grandfather but still risked his life to study medicine, some girls were on six inches high heels, there was even a crippled doctor and what not. Alot of them looked somewhat normal. What type of doctors would we have in the nearest future. I wonder. So help us God.  Ammar mostly just shook his head or ignored my comments. My brother and I are the total opposite of each other. He's not much of a talker especially in public, he has his playful, loving and childish side but you have to be really lucky to see it. Expect you live with us. I tried to teasingly pick a girl for him from the graduates but he shot me daggers then ignored me when he realized I wasn't giving up easily.  "Ya Allah. This was too long. I'm only forgiving them because the snacks they gave out was fantastically delicious." I said while trying to stretch in my seat. Ammar chuckled and stood up first. Its been almost two hour and the ceremony was finally over. There were speeches and more speeches then some lecture on some disease I couldn't careless about, then the actual swearing in of the new doctors then refreshments and more speech then finally closing prayers.  Remind me to never attend Doctors swearing in ceremony again or anything that has to do with doctors. Thank you.  "Ammar, how can you cope with this torture? You attend it like every year." I asked Ammar as I followed him outside the hall.  "Why? I thought it was interesting and very educative" Ammar shrugged. How can I forget he is a doctor, which means of course he would enjoy the long lectures. "Yeah, whatever. You doctors can be very boring atimes or maybe its just you." I groaned. "Maybe I should find you an interesting partner. You know someone who can bring out the light in you." He rolled his eyes at me. "There is our doctor" I called as soon as I saw Farouk coming with a girl that looks like him and gave me a toothy grin.  "Dr. Farouk" Ammar praised. " I liked your speech it was beautiful" yep. Farouk together with a girl that looked more Arab than Nigerian but i was sure she was Nigerian, gave a speech about...... Hmm.... I can't remember.  "Thank you. Its all thanks to my colleague she's amazing and smart" he complimented her.  "Someone we like? " I teased  " Yes. A sister we like" he crackled emphasizing the sister.  "Do you think she will be good for this brother? " I pointed at Ammar who glared dangerously at me. Farouk just laughed and didn't answer.  " Speaking of sisters. Here's my sister Aida." "No wonder you look alike. Are you twins? " I asked smiling at Aida.  " Yes we are. She graduated from college of pharmacy this year too. " he explained " How impressive Aida. Congratulations and nice to meet you." I said and nudged at Ammar to say something cause he barely smiled at her he just stood like an emotionless stature.  "Congratulations Aida" he said quietly then continued looking at Farouk " So, where do you plan to do your housemanship? " he puts his hand in his trouser pocket as he asked.  "I'm doing it in Lagos Insha Allah"  "oh. We will miss you" "Thank you so much for coming. I really appreciate it. Now I have to go and attend to other family and friends. Bye." He shook both our hands and ran off with his sister after saying salam.  We walked to our car and decided to wait for Abba there. We were standing behind the car when we spotted Abba in the crowd talking to his friend and a women whom I figured could be his friend's wife.  "Abba is having a major catching up here. Why can't he invite his friend for lunch so that they can comfortably sit down and chat all day long " Ammar said a bit wearily. The sun was not hot but we were really tired and wanted to go home. Ammar was never the type to complain but when he does, you know things are intense.  " I have a feeling Abba would soon try to introduce another girl to me again. Or he would ask mummy to find one for me. "I mumbled uncomfortably. Abba has been trying to get me married or hooked to a potential wife for the past 10 months. He kept saying I was old enough to have my own family, I agree with that too 100%, I mean I'm like 29years now but I don't want to get married to just any girl.  "For how long do you plan on not telling him about her? " Ammar sighed. Only him and two of our sisters Amrah and Zainab know about her. The girl I love. The one I want to marry. " For as long as she wants." I gave him a foolish answer with a toothy grin.  "You are impossible " he shook his head. I know I am being ridiculous right now, i really want to get married too. But I'm not sure if she wants to. I mean I believe she loves me and all and she's just not ready yet to get married, she said she has to finish somethings first, like her NYSC (National youth service Corp - its a one year program for graduates in Nigeria). I agreed to wait for her. Since it's just one year. I am patiently waiting but I swear it feels like every single day is a year. She's like my Ammi's -my stepmother- niece or something like that. Just a distant relative but close to her heart. She asked me to keep our relationship a secret for a while because if our parents knew they would only push her to marriage. I knew she was right. I didn't want to be pushed into marriage nor would I want to marry a girl that was forced to marry me. If Abba was to find out that we liked each other I am sure he would be able to plan a wedding within a week or two. Okay maybe I'm exaggerating but still. "Can you save me one last time? Please" I pleaded. "Are you kidding me? For how long are you going to keep this going? If she loves you she should agree to marry you already. Why are you letting her rule you?!" he snapped.  "You don't understand Ammar... I.. " I gave up explaining cause he would never understand.  "Anyways I doubt Abba would introduce anyone soon. So just relax" he tried to comfort me. Its not his personality but he tries to do that sometimes. Just that effort of his makes me have hope in him. I pray he falls in love soon so that the human in him can be more prominent.  "Bet me he would within this week. " I stated  "Bet me he wouldn't. Not within this week. He already suggested a girl for you and ME last week" Ammar challenged. I laughed at the memory of Ammar's shocked face when Abba told him he found a girl that he thinks would be good for him. Turns out she is the sister of a girl I once refused to go and see.  My father really doesn't act like a Nigerian father sometimes. I mean have you ever heard a Nigerian father hunt a wife for his son? I know I haven't.  "Okay, how about this. If Abba tries to hook me up with another girl this week you would step in for me."  "Okay I would" he shrugged " But if he doesn't, you would fulfil my wish" he called the bet  "Alright as long as you step in for me. Even if it means you step in for me. Even if it means you have to accept the girl? "  "What?! No! " he shrieked  "You can just reject her later." "No. I won't do that" "Don't act like you care about people's feelings. Just say you will do it and I will grant you your wish." i scowled.  I can't think straight. I just need to save my future. I know betting is haram but.. I have no excuse.  "I don't want to hurt an innocent person." he said innocently.  "Alright then, forget it" I said pitifully  "I will try my best" he gave in. YES!  "Thank you brother!! " I jumped to hug him but he moved back. I laughed and he followed suit. 
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