Juhanah

chapter eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

Months later,

The office had finally ended, cleaners had begun their evening routine.

Juhanah gathered the last few files from her desk and slipped them into her handbag.

It had been another busy day.

As she walked toward the exit, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Juhanah"

She turned around to see Renfred walking toward her with a warm smile.

"Are you heading home?" He asked.

"Yes," she replied.

Renfred smiled gently.

“Let me give you a lift."

“I wouldn't want to inconvenience you."

He chuckled softly.

"It would be my pleasure."

A few minutes later, they were driving through the quiet evening streets. Soft music played in the background.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn't awkward—it was peaceful.

Renfred stole a brief glance at her before returning his eyes to the road.

"You know," he said with a small smile, "I've been trying to gather the courage to have this conversation for weeks."

Juhanah looked at him curiously.

"Oh? About what?"

He laughed nervously.

"About you."

She raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Me?"

Harry nodded.

"Yes... you."

Another silence followed. This one was filled with anticipation.

"You probably don't know this," he continued, "but every morning when you walk into the office, you somehow brighten the whole place. People notice your beauty first, but that's not what captured my attention."

He smiled to himself.

"It was your personality."

Juhanah lowered her eyes shyly.

"I've watched the way you greet everyone with respect, from the security guards to the cleaners, the interns, and your colleagues”.

His voice became softer.

"You work so hard, that's exactly what makes you different."

The car stopped briefly at a traffic light.

"There have been days, I come to work carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, the way you greet me amazes me. You probably thought it was just a greeting, but to me... he whispered, ...it was the best part of my day."

Her cheeks warmed, and she looked out of the window, unable to hide her smile.

"I've tried so many times to ignore these feelings because I didn't want to make things awkward between us but every day, I admire you more, I admire your intelligence, And...he smiled, ..I'd be lying if I said I didn't admire how beautiful you are."

Juhanah laughed softly.

"Sir……"

"No, let me finish," he said gently.

"I've never been someone who falls in love easily. I believe love should come from knowing a person's heart, not just their face."

He paused.

"And I've gotten to know yours."

The car slowed as they entered her neighbourhood.

"I've seen enough to know that you're the kind of woman a man thanks God for."

His voice trembled slightly.

"I don't just like you because you're beautiful, I just like…..hmmmm something keeps drawing me closer to you, I don't know what that is, but I love you.”

“Love” fell like a brick on her head.

“Love?” She asked.

“Yes, I do.”

“I don't know what to say at this point….”

“I'll give you time to think about it…..”

“Thank you….”

Gradually, he held her hands.

“I just wanna be yours, I just want you to be mine as well, I love you Juhanah, I mean it…..”

Juhanah's heart began to beat very fast.

Slowly, he got to her house.

“I'll give you some time as I said earlier to think about this, get back to me, when you're done………”

**************

As she got home, she sat on a sofa in the sitting room.

“Why me?What's so special about me, that…..she paused, what if he wants to flirt with me?”

Suddenly, a message popped up.

“You have every right to think as long as you can, all I know, if I'm lucky to have you, I won't take it for granted…..”

Juhanah, read it over and over again, smiling uncontrollably.

Deep down, she knew she had a soft spot, but she wasn't ready, ready for what exactly??Ready to fall in love so fast, and so deep.

Later that day.

“Awwwnnn, I'm happy for you my darling….”

“Happy?”

“Yes, I'm happy for you, Renfred is wealthy and you know it, secondly, he's not a flirt……”

“That's a lie….” Juhanah interrupted.

“I'm serious, he's not a flirt darling, when it comes to relationships he's loyal….”

“I don't believe….”

“Baby girl, you need to get rid of such a mentality, not all guys are the same, just give it a try….. Don't you like him?”

Juhanah smiled.

“Of course I do…..I like him”

“Good, so what are you waiting for?”

“I need time, time to think.. I don't wanna make mistakes at all, not now, not ever.”

“Believe me, you'll not regret this, he'll take care if you, u na Fyn gal nau, wetin u expect?Just give him a chance, and thank me later….”

Juhanah bursted into laughter, ‘’ill give it a try, but……”

“But what?”

“Do you think I will regret this?”

Rita took a deep breath, “No my darling…. That aside, get ready……”

“For what exactly?”

“A party, clock it……”

“Nah, you know I don't……”

“Shhhhhh, trust me, you won't regret it, it's gonna be fun, you know?”

“I know, but I don't…..”

“See, just have fun, at least once in a blue moon…..”

“I know, I'll think about it….”

“You don't have to think darling, just be prepared, look sexy…. That's all”

“No Wahala….”

“Is that a yes?”

“As I said earlier, I'll think about it, okay?”

“For how long?”

“I don't know…..”

“Please…..”

“It's okay….. that's a yes….”

****************

A gentle breeze drifted through Juhanah's window, while the silence of the neighborhood made everything feel peaceful. She was eating snacks, when the caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number.

Out of curiosity, she answered.

"Hello……?"

There was a brief silence before a gentle voice replied.

"Good evening. I hope I'm not disturbing you.

Something about his voice made her heart skip a beat. It was calm. Slowly, she recognized the voice.

"No, you're not," she answered with a smile.

"I know this call may seem unexpected, just wanna remind you that life is too short to keep beautiful feelings hidden.”

Juhanah didn't utter a word, she listened attentively.

"You've become someone I deeply admire," he said. "Not because you're perfect, but because your heart is beautiful. Your hard work inspires me, and your smile brightens every room you enter. just hoping that one day, we can build beautiful memories together. I would love to spend my days making you laugh…….I like you Juhanah.”

Those words settled gently in her heart.

The conversation continued for hours. They spoke about their childhood dreams, their families, and the lessons life had taught them.

As midnight approaches,"I should let you rest." He said.

"Thanks….” She muttered.

He chuckled softly.

"Good night,"

"Good night."

The call ended, but the happiness remained.

For the first time in a long while, juhanah's heart felt light.