His Proposal

The noise was what prompted her to come to the gate from her office, she wondered what was happening, it was a Saturday evening, a busy day at the plaza and there seems to be a lot of customer leaving and going into the plaza, she won't like such drama happening, there were security men at the gate and she wondered why they have not done something to the noise, she sighed and swallowed hard as she moved closer to the gate of the plaza, there were crowds not far from the gate and there were a lot of cars on queue as some were unable to come into the plaza while some could not get out, it was indeed a mess, the security men had been swallowed up by the crowds, they could barely see her and she was glad she came, she won't want something that will spoil her business. Who will even fight in this area? She could not help asking. The area was a government reserved area and she remember there were lot of discouragement from family and friends who think her starting a plaza there won't be a good idea as it was not a commercial area but a hundred percent residential area, but she know what she wanted, she realised starting a mall that sell all household needs in a residential area isn't a bad idea especially in such area where the rich and the elites live. She never regretted her actions because she know how much she makes from the mall every hour. She is not just a business woman but a very intelligent one as that. Even though she have business advisers but she realised she had never been wrong when making decision about business, it is something she always take time to do and slowly do a lot of research and while she was doing that, she always try to seek for guidance from Allah through Salatul- instikharah. How can she not do that? They were born and brought up the Islamic way. She sighed as she moved closer. "What is happening here?" she asked and sighted one of the security men who looked stressed probably trying to put things into order. Poor man. "Ma'am..." he said and she looked around trying to get herself acquainted with the situation, at least to know where to come in. Two cars were blocking the gate, one was a brand new jeep and the other one was an old rickety car. Mere looking at the car and the drivers, she know what might have happened. The old rickety car hit the new car from behind and the owner of the car seems to be very angry, while the driver of the car was begging. The owner of the new car was a young man in his twenties or thereabout, he look very young and his angry looks do not suit him at all, while the driver of the old car which was a taxi was a middle aged man, who looked so haggard and unkempt; he look so pitiful and she could not help but to feel sorry for him, there were a lot of crowds who were watching and some had picked their friends among the two men; while some were supporting the young car owner and insist he demand a repair, others were abusing him for being so insensitive, obviously their hearts were with the driver. They see no reason why he should demand a repair when he can do all himself, at least he look rich. "That is how they do, rich people without heart and fear of God." Someone said According to the driver, he know he was guilty and told them he was lost in thought due to the fact that he had his wife at the hospital who was about to deliver. "I am searching for the money to pay for her operation?" the driver said, sweating profusely. His shirt looked so dirty and she wondered how many days he had that on. , he was sweating profusely and she silently pray this man does not use his dirty white shirt to clean his sweat but just as if he was reading her mind, he used the down part of his shirt to clean his forehead and just like she predicted, the shirt became dirtier and even his face seem worst. If only she could give him some clothes, the mall has a section for clothes but she know his situation is much more than that at the moment. He looked very pathetic telling the story and she believed him anyway, it is her habit to trust people easily but looking at others watching especially the car owner, she realised no one believe his stories not even his supporters, they were supporting him so that the car owner might temper justice with mercy and nothing more, it is the usual occurrence in Lagos anyway, there are liars everywhere but she believe people easily, perhaps it is a weak point she love to still be part of her. What better way to help without expecting anything in return? So she just believe him. "How will I know if you are telling the truth, besides, my car is only a few weeks old? You will have to repair it." The car owner said with a frown and the spectators nodded, seems he was getting more supporters and the drivers seem to be losing and he look quiet helpless, it was as if she was the only one not thinking towards their direction. Everyone seem to be careful these days, but she still love the fact that she believed him though. After some further exchange of banters and no thanks to the addition of the spectators here and there, she nodded and decided to put an end to the disturbance in front of her plaza. She took out some money from her purse and give it to the driver then ask him to go, at least it will solve part of his problem; that if he was telling the truth and she volunteered to repair the damage done to the car and that solve the problem. "I will foot the bills." she said to the further surprise of the car owner. "You will foot the bills?" the car owner asked to be sure and she nodded. She then asked him if he will wait for it to be done or would come back for the car. "Of course, I will." he said, what fool did she take him for, he asked himself, she nodded, and requested that he drive her to the car repairer shop, the man hesitated and wondered what a brave woman she is. What woman will make such demand from a stranger like him? What if he is a serial killer? He asked himself as she joined him in the car looking relaxed. "Are you one?" she asked him as if reading his mind, there were only a few people left now and there was easy movements of cars now and she know that everything would return to normal in a few minutes and it would be like it never happened. "What...?" he asked, wondering what she was asking her? "Are you a serial killer? A kidnapper?" she asked him as they moved to his car. "No, no, ... no , audhubillah." He said to her and she smiled as and made some calls giving instructions and telling the person on the phone that she might not return to the plaza. "We will continue with that tomorrow, ins sha Allah." She said on phone before it got disconnected and the car started while she gave the description. Looking at the interior of the car, she seem to understand why the man was angry, it is a new car and one can perceive the "tear rubber" odor all around and she know how young men crush over their cars, her younger brother Jamal was no different and for the first time, she know her brother would surely do the same if he happen to be in this man's shoes. "We will soon be there ins sha Allah and they are one of the best." She said to put his mind at rest. He nodded and some minutes later, they were at the workshop. His car was examined by a repairer. "This should be repaired within two hours ins sha Allah." The repairer said and she swallowed hard. "Are you done with my car?" she asked him and the man nodded "Yes ma'am, it has been taken to the Car wash." The man said. "If there is something important for you to do, you can take my car and return it when you are done." She offered to the man's surprise. This woman sha! What if I do not return your car?" he asked her "You are Muslim and I am giving you a benefit of doubt, why would you want to do that?" She said then smiled at him. "Sometimes, things don't usually happen the way we wanted, but I believe things happen because Allah wish it to be." She explained further. "My car is not new anyway." She said and pointed at a car being driven into the workshop. "Ma sha Allah, yours is better than mine." He said, hers is more expensive than his. One thing is clear, this woman was no ordinary woman. Only the wealthy and the affluent would own this! "Jazakumllahu khairan sis, you have done enough and I am even ashamed of myself right now." The car owner said to her and cover his face in shame. He wondered what woman who do this to a stranger. Their conversation was cut short as she walked a few distance away to discuss something with someone on the phone. For the first time that evening, he looked at her closely while she discuss on phone. She is a tall woman and not too dark or light in complexion. She was dressed in a black abaya and a long hijab and suddenly something stuck him; she looked very familiar. He has this gift of remembering faces, all he need to do is to match the face and sound together, and that was what he did, it came faster than he expected. He suddenly remember her. It's been long though. About fifteen years ago. He waited for her to end her phone conversation and he moved to where she was standing looking at the activities in the workshop. The men were already working on his car and he know they would do a perfect job. They seem good at what they do. "My name is Khalid." he said, he could not think of a better way to start a conversation with her, she nodded with smiles without looking at him. She was busy watching the men working on the car, the workshop is no place for ladies, and it was not her plan to come there that day, but she know she prevented probably a big fight and had saved a man from being bullied. Her prayer is for the car to get done before Maghreb. She do not stay out after Maghreb and its a few minutes to Asr. "Did you attend Ahmad Memorial College?" he asked her, she looked at him with surprise on her face for a while then looked away. Any way the school is one of the popular school in the city. Anyone could attend it. It is one of those schools in Lagos that even though, it has existed for several years, and it still maintain it standard. She wish her children would attend the school too. "Yes." She replied not looking at him "Class of 1998, right? And you have a brother called Jamaldeen?" He asked for confirmation and that was when she looked at him with interest. It seem so surprising that he suddenly know so much about her. "Ma sha Allah! That is impressive!" she exclaimed "I am Khalid, your brother's best friend." He said with smiles, even though he did not know if that was true anymore, it's been so long. "Subuanallah! I can't believe this?" she asked and she smiled broadly. "I can't either. I am sorry if I sounded rude earlier." He said and she shook her head. He seem ashamed of himself the more. "Not at all, I understand. " she said smiling. She is an understanding woman and she know her younger brother might do more if he were in his shoes and he seem quite a gentle man to her anyway. She never judged people, always try to view things from their own point of view, no matter how stupid it looks, one thing she learnt as a business woman is that people always have reasons for their actions. "Jamal told me you travelled out of the country that year, he felt so withdrawn for a while." she said to him and he smiled, it affected him too, he could not find a friend like Jamal even after so many years. They were best of friends in their first year in secondary school. "Yes, I travelled out after completing my first year at the college. I traveled with my elder sister, Muhibah. Remember her?" he said to her and she smiled, who can ever forget Muhibah back in the secondary school, she was her favorite Senior and a very intelligent student; in fact the most intelligent lady she had ever met. She was at the top of her class throughout her stay in school and everyone wish to be like her. "Yes, I remember her, she was the female senior prefect before me. What about your other sis... Khairah? "She asked, Khairah was a year behind her and seem intelligent too, it is like intelligence run in their family blood and most teachers use them as examples every now and then. "Alihamdulilah she is fine, she is in Port Harcourt with her family." Khalid explained . They talked about a lot of things and Khalid can't wait to meet Jamal again. Perhaps coming back to the country was a great choice., He still think a lot about him and do pray they see each other again one day and he was glad seeing her again too. "Jamal is now a medical doctor right?" Khalid asked to her surprise. "How do you know?" she asked him and he smiled, he never forget his best friend. How can he forget the person who made him have the feelings of having a brother? Even though, it was only a year friendship, he cherished the moment so fondly. He remember all their talks and dreams. "I am going to be a medical doctor ins sha Allah." Jamal told him one day and he told him, how he is going to work hard to achieve his dream. "I must see him," he said to her and she nodded, then gave him the address and his number then adhan disrupted their conversation and they headed toward the nearby Masjid to perform Salah.