THE COLOSSAL BLUNDER

Chapter 4

Soon it was time get back to work, seeing that it was just a 2 weeks holiday. It was still January and the winter was none like other. Asim was not in Nigeria, he had to follow his dad to Dubai for a health checkup so Aneesa is going to be driving herself to the office from now on. She was not missing Asim, she actually enjoyed driving herself to and fro office and home. Ammi wanted them to travel for a vacation as well but due to Aneesa’s demanding work schedule they had to cancel till when she was done with her internship.

On the other hand Nabeel hasn’t thought about Aneesa nor has he talked to her since his birthday but still, she was still in the back of his head.

Aneesa arrived at the office and made her way to their shared office. She stopped at the elevator just then Nabeel stood beside her wanting to enter the elevator as well. She who had airpods didn’t even notice him and as he was about to make his presence known, the doors to the elevators open up and she entered nearly pushing Nabeel that was when she noticed him and hurriedly remove the airpods and “Oh my God, I am so sorry sir I didn’t see you there I had airpods on and it was on high volume I am really sorry.” She said all in one breathe. “I am sorry” she said again making Nabeel laugh at her lightly. “Don’t worry about it. Now can we enter the elevator before we miss it?” he said earning a nod from her. They entered the elevator and had an awkward silent moment before Nabeel decided to break the ice. “So miss Maleek, how was your holiday. I hope it was all you need to become more active. Now that I know 5 people from the accounting department my focus will be on you all.” He said making her feel her stomach at her feet. Realizing he made her nervous he laughed and said “I was only joking, I didn’t mean to make you feel somehow.”

For the first she looked up and made eye contact with him. She looked at him for as long as she could remember before he cleared his voice. She uttered a sorry and tried to continue with a casual conversation “By the way sir, you don’t have to call me miss Maleek Aneesa is just fine.” She said not looking at him. “Seeing that you call me sir I thought I return the favor as well.” He said with a hint of jest. Just as she was about to speak up the elevator dinged notifying Aneesa that that was her stop. She stepped out waving at him a little saying bye. He returned the gesture and said bye to her.

Soon it was closing time and Aneesa was ready already at the parking lot when she realized that she had lost her keys. She poured out the contents of her bag but still she couldn’t find her keys. She pulled her phone and called Bahijja but no one had seen her keys.

She stood in front of the car not knowing what to do next when Nabeel appeared and said “looking for something?” making Aneesa look up with her eyes filled with tears. Seeing that he quickly took out the keys and gave her so that she wouldn't cry "Here, I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. It fell out of your bag and I was busy that's why I didn't come to hand it sooner. I went to your office and your colleagues told me you were out already. I'm very sorry Aneesa please don't cry." He said but the tears were already falling from her eyes making him unknowingly hold her hand tapping it so she would stop crying. When he realized what he had done he quickly let her hand go. "Thank you Mr Nabeel. I'm sorry for making you go through the trouble of going to my office and coming here thank you. And sorry for making you panic like that I just wanted to cry and this felt like a perfect opportunity." she said feeling a little silly because of her little outburst. "You're welcome" he said and began walking away.

Something inside of him was telling him to ask her out to eat but he ignored that feeling and continued to walk to his car. He didn't want to do anything without knowing what felt just yet.

Aneesa arrived home and was about to walk in when her phone started ringing. It was Hamma Kabir calling her after what felt like eternity. Eagerly she picked up and said "Salamualaikum Jam bandu na Hamma" "Waalaikumus Salam jam alhamdulilah How are you Noor, how is work? Ammi told me about how hectic your internship is." Hamma Kabir answered "Leave all that hamma I can't even remember the last time we talked, i really miss you. When are you coming back home?" she said all in one breath making her brother release a hearty laugh.

"Don't worry Insha Allah I'll becoming soon. For now when you get home ask Ammi to give you the good news." he said to her making her curious. "what good news? Hamma tell me please" She whined making him laugh more. "I am not saying anything ask Ammi Bye." He said cutting the call without giving her a chance to say anything.

Hurriedly she entered the house and made her way to Ammi's room because curiousness was eating her up.

"Ammi! Ammi!!" She shouted while running. "Lafiya kuwa Noor? Why are you shouting". Ammi asked her nearly panicking. "Ammi Hamma called me and said you have good news for me. So please tell me already!" she said excitedly "Your Hamma got a transfer he's coming back to Nigeria and Your uncle's went to his girlfriend Nadia's house and Greeted her family on his behalf" Ammi said while typing on her phone. "Masha Allah Woahhh!" Aneesa cheered happily "I'll call them both and I'll make sure I tease them to the fullest. Masha Allah I'm really happy for the both of them" She said again "Me too Nadia is a very nice girl Kabir made the right choice with her." Ammi said.

She left the room after catching up with Ammi about what happened that day at the office.

She sat on her bed thinking about her encounter with Nabeel today. "Why am I even thinking of him. He's my boss for Allah's sake"

she thought to herself

Nabeel on the other hand went to the Uwais Mansion straight after work hearing that his sister was coming home as well he had to go see her.

He entered the house and went to Abba's study and greeted him before going to Mami's room. He knocked on the door but got no response so he knocked again he heard a faint come in and he made his way into the room.

He always liked Mami's interior design. He had the same color preference as his mother not too light not too dark colors. He went ahead and sat on the bed and laid his head on her lap.

She gently stroked his hair and asked "ma alkhata Habibi? (what's wrong my love)" he replied while snuggling her and said "wala shay' (nothing) Mami I'm just tired work has been hectic and I don't really get to rest when I get home." she smacked him a little on the head and said "that's why I keep telling you to find a daughter in law for me but no, you insist that you don't like anyone. I won't force you to get married to someone you don't like not again but atleast Habibi keep your options open. don't let the excuse of work stop you from experiencing true love. hasana?(okay?)" She said trying to make him understand. "Insha Allah Mami I'll try Thank you Mami. Now can I please get food my tummy has been rumbling since." he said trying to lighten the mood earning him a smack on the head and she said "Yallah let me go to the kitchen. I'll cook something for you. You can stay here or go to your old room if you like I'll call thru the intercom when I am done." She said before closing the door after her.

****

While Mami was in the kitchen the kitchen she heard the bell ring and asked one of the helps to check who it was. It was Fatima Nabeel's immediate younger sister. "Salamualaikum Ahlan Ya Mami (hello Mami)" She said planting a kiss on Mami's cheeks hugging her from behind "Waalaikumus Salam Ahlan Habibty kaif (hello my love how are you)?" she said hugging her back. "Tamam alhamdulilah (fine alhamdulilah). We came with Mubin he's in the living room." she informed Mami of her husband's presence. "okay go sit with him I'll join you in a second." When fatima went out she saw her sister-in-law Al-Amin's wife Iman walking into the house thru the back door. "Hello my favorite" she said while approaching Fatima who was standing waiting for her to come. They hugged each other and said thier greetings. And Iman entered the kitchen to help Mami as she went out to exchange pleasantries with Mubin. She notified Fatima of Nabeel's presence. She told her that he was in her room and had probably fallen asleep.

It was soon zuhr and Mami woke Nabeel up to pray and told him food was ready.

Nabeel ate, caught up with his sister and brother-in-law, brother and wife.

He prayed magrib before he went home and worked a little bit and slept off after Isha prayers.