HEART OF GOLD

CHAPTER 10: AN IRRESISTIBLE OFFER

The evening breeze was cool and refreshing, far cooler than anything Tony had felt in days. Even though the atmosphere was cool and very refreshing, Tony was anything but relaxed.

Yes, he came prepared. He'd calculated his moves and had rehearsed his approach but there's something about being faced with reality that tends to throw all preparations to the wind and leave one strand of what step to take next. That was exactly the situation of things.

At the moment, Tony was at Mr. Alliu's (Miriam's father) residence with his proposal, trying to make good his promise to Miriam. 

On a stool sat Mr. Alliu opposite the bench where Tony sat. The tension in the air was as thick as a brick wall. 

Mr. Alliu stared at him for a couple of minutes before speaking. "Young Man, you said that you want to marry my daughter?"

"Yes, I did." 

He stared at Tony for a couple of minutes more and said, "Let me pretend that I am not concerned about how you got to know about my daughter's marriage arrangement and ask, why should I give my daughter to you instead of Alhaji Sani?"

Though he came prepared for the worst but on hearing this, Tony realized that it was going to be more difficult than he thought. He had to tread cautiously otherwise he would lose the battle even before it started. So he decided to go for the kill, no beating around the bush. "Sir, I am here with an offer I know you can't resist."

This really got Mr. Alliu's undivided attention. Well, if the rapid striking of his nose with the index finger of his right hand twice is not a testimony to that fact, then his sudden adjustment on his seat with his head thrust forward as one would do when eager to hear more - certainly was. "Now you've got my attention, can you explain yourself," he said.

Though Tony knew he had managed to get him where he wanted him, he also knew that a little diplomacy is still needed to keep the game under his control. So, he said, "I can be to you twice what Alhaji Sani is to you."

Tony realized to his horror that the last line came out poorly when Mr. Alliu suddenly burst into prolonged laughter. As he was busy brainstorming, thinking of how to get the game back under control the laughter was precipitously cut off as suddenly as it started and Mr. Alliu said, "you are a very smart young man, very diplomatic. You could have just gone straight to the point by saying that you will double what he offered." 

Then like a switch turned on, his expression suddenly transformed like he didn't just laugh. "See, I know that you think less of me, and I don't care. So, let's cut to the chase. Feel free to talk straight, let's get this thing over with and save my time and yours."

Wow! This man is good in this game, I never thought he would be this exposed, Tony thought.

Mr. Alliu then sized Tony up with his gazed, from head to toe and continued, "You seem to be doing well as an engineer. Is that not what you said your occupation is?"

"Yes, that's what I do, telecommunication engineering precisely."

"From the look of things, you seem to be doing well for a young man your age, but going head on with Alhaji Sani makes me wonder what's boosting your confidence. How much do you think you have?" He asked, staring at him straight in the eye.

"I may not have money like Alhaji Sani, but I have the guts to stand up against him and I also have something he doesn't have." Tony answered, holding his gaze.

"And what might that be?"

"My youth and a bargaining power."

"Can you be a bit more explicit?" Mr. Alliu said, a bit confused.

"I may not know why you are doing this, but I am convinced that deep down inside, there is a part of you that wants the best for your daughter which certainly, Alhaji Sani isn't." He paused a little, allowing his word to sink.

Mr. Alliu just picked his nose twice and gestured for him to continue.

"You see, he is an old man of say 75, 72 or at least 70. Which means, marrying your 11 years old daughter will only make an early widow out of her." He paused again, allowing him to digest the fact he had laid bare.

Mr. Alliu again picked his nose twice. At this point, Tony knew he had scored a point judging by the thoughtful expression on his face. So, he continued. "Besides, he currently has five wives with children older than your daughter, even grandchildren, I guess. Do you really want to subject her to the kind of competition you know is associated with polygamy, especially when you know the odds are against her?" He paused again, leaving the now very serious Mr. Alliu to digest his revelation.

"But here I am," he continued, "a young man of just 25, yet to marry. With a proposal for you. I will double whatever he has promised."

A long silence followed which Tony deliberately allowed to enable Mr. Alliu to brood over all he had said. 

It was Mr. Alliu that finally broke the silence by staring at him straight in the eyes and asked, "what is your interest in my daughter?"

"The best." He nodded on seeing the questioning look in Mr. Alliu's eye, "yes, my interest is to see the best come out of her. I promise to make sure she achieves all her dreams." Including her dream husband, he didn't need to voice that out. 

After a long pause that seems like an eternity, Mr. Alliu broke the silence. 

"Hhmm hhmm..." He cleared his throat and continued. "Mr. ... ?"

"Tony..., my name is Tony,"

"OK, Mr. Tony, I can see you are a tough one but are you sure you understand what you are getting yourself into by meddling in the affair of Alhaji Sani?"

"I understand and I'm prepared."

"OK, let me sleep over it. I will advise that you think over it too and if by tomorrow you've not change your mind come over, by then I will have a reply for you."

At this point Tony knew he had won. With a look of triumph on his face he added, "Sir, should you agree, I want the event to be a small in door event and also a quick one, you know, time is essential."

"Tony, go home, see you tomorrow. Stop counting your chickens before your eggs hatch."

At the statement, Tony smirked which he made sure Mr. Alliu didn't see, and did a 

victory dance in his mind.

A/N:

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