Love In Full Bloom

Chapter Eight

MARIAM'S POV

~

I was jolted awake by the ringing of my phone, which was charging by the TV.

I groaned and quickly got out of bed, but when I reached my phone, the call had already ended. It seemed to have been ringing for a while.

I unplugged it and checked the time - 6 am.

'Oh no, I'm late for work,' I thought, panicking.

Maybe it was my boss who called, since I was supposed to be there at 5 am. Before I could check who called, my phone rang again, and it was indeed my boss.

Her name was flashing on my screen. I quickly picked up, greeting her with a composed tone:

''Hello, Mam. Good morning."

''Hello, Mariam, where are you?'' she asked in an authoritative voice, almost sounding angry.

"Mam, I'm on my way. I couldn't get a car, so I walked and will be there soon,'' I lied through my teeth, feeling nervous.

''Okay, hurry up. I'm not at the shop today, and Mr. Samuel is alone. He told me you're not there, and customers are already waiting in line,'' she said hurriedly before dropping the call.

'Ugh, what a controlling freak,' I groaned.

I quickly brushed my teeth, dressed, and rushed out to find a car to the market.

I didn't even bother bathing.

When I arrived at the shop, I saw that customers were indeed waiting, despite having other options.

After quickly serving the customers, I arranged the displays outside to show we were open.

Since it was Tuesday, I didn't have any lectures.

My schedule consists of lectures on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, which means the other weekdays, plus weekends, are my working days.

I even work on Sundays because my boss doesn't take days off.

That's why I call her a freak - she's such a workaholic that she doesn't rest, unlike even God, who rested on the seventh day.

I'm looking forward to graduating and working for a company with better work-life balance.

As you might guess, my life hasn't been easy. I come from a poor family of five, consisting of my mom, Mrs. Sophia Ayesu Omar, a tailor, my dad, Mr. Evans Isaka Omar, who used to be a farmer but isn't working due to health issues, and my two younger siblings, Aishatu Zainab Omar and Mustapha Ali Omar.

Growing up, attending school was sometimes a challenge due to financial struggles.

Although my name, Mariam Omar Amira, suggests a Muslim background, my parents are Muslim, but I'm not. I'm unfamiliar with Islamic practices, including wudu.

My siblings and I were raised with some exposure to Islam, but we didn't connect with it. Initially, my father encouraged us to follow Islamic traditions, but he eventually accepted that we wouldn't follow them.

He allowed us to attend Christian churches, and I chose Presbyterian. Despite my Muslim name, I've identified as Christian for some time.

When I suggested changing my name, it led to significant conflict, which I'd rather not discuss now.

It really was a disaster decision, I'd took in my life.

I heard my name, which snapped me out of my thoughts.

A customer was standing at the rice section outside and calling out to me. I quickly went to ask her what type of rice she wanted and what brand or specific type she was looking for.

I work as a shop attendant, and I'm the only one working here except for Mr. Samuel, who opens and closes the shop daily.

He's been working with the boss for 20 years without taking a salary, out of love for her. It's astonishing how love can lead people to make sacrifices. At 70, Mr. Samuel is still working despite her lack of gratitude and occasional insults. I feel sorry for him.

I pity him, and sometimes I wonder why he puts up with it.

If I imagine Mr. Samuel and my boss as a couple, it's hard to imagine they'd be a good match. Mr. Samuel is quite short, while my boss is average height, and my boss is far more attractive than him. It's clear they wouldn't make a good couple.