The window cleaner

A Thin Line

The story of Kaltumi demise was one which was very much popular among the families in Salda Kalif. The news of her death had been met anguish and mourning by majority of the Arab gulf. She had been a young activist who never backed down from saying the truth even in the face of adversity. She was a pillar to the weak and a vessel of benovolence to the poor. When she died, a lot of people had flooded the streets of Salda Kalif in Protest. No one was willing to swallow the news that she had commited suicide. They knew how strong hearted Kaltumi was and knew suicide was never an option she would have opted for. Every knew general Al Hozayn was a ruthless man who spared no one in his quest for wealth and power. Many times , people had adviced Kaltumi to back down against calling out the ills of the General especially on public forums, but she had always opined that freedom was never for the frail hearted. A lot of her fans believed that even though General Al Hozayn was ruthless and powerful, he was still friends with General Zaylan who was Kaltumis father and for that, Kaltumi was safe from any harm. Their hearts were shattered into a million pieces when the news of her demise broke.

Ramlah knew all about the this story. She also knew that the general wanted the hands of Kaltumi in marriage and may have ordered her assassination when he realized he could neither tame her nor befriend her. Since the visit to her parents place at the slums, she had been Having sleepless night as she couldn't imagine herself being forcefully married to someone she never loved or even met before. More than ever , she felt a dire need to utilize Busaynas advice. The fact that General Zaylan with all his might and power could not save the life of his daughter was an admonition to her that when the storm was at hand even Sheikh Shagori may not be able to safeguard her will. She didn't know how soon or how late her admirer in the army would gate-crash her parents house and ask for hand in marriage, all she knew was that she had to act fast to avoid surprise.

" Oh god. I can't be married off without my will. I need to act fast. " Said Ramlah as she lay on her royal size bed. It was midnight and most people were already asleep including Mahir. She reached for the switch by her bed and pressed on it. The luminous white bulb was quick to luminate the room and Ramlah looked to golden clock that hung beautifully on the wall. The time was 3 AM.

" Time seems to be still today. It's so stagnant." She said in sleepy voice and sighed. She reached for the switch again and discontinued the electric circuit wih a press and the room was pitch dark again. She felt restless and helpless to situations. The outcomes of expressing her feelings to Siin could either leave her comforted or worse off. How was she to ever face her again if he turned her down?, She thought as she toiled to and fro on the giant bed. Should Siin reject her offer , it meant she would have no shield against the intrusion of her bossy admirer and she would be left vulnerable to whatsoever fate that was dealt her way. All this thoughts made her sad till her eyes moistened and brimmed off the warm tears from her conea.

" Why is life so unfair. All I want is for me and my family to be happy." She whispered

emotionally as she grabbed her pillow tightly. She recalled the days of her life when all she wanted was enough money to take care her family and herself as she thought that would bring her happiness. Now she had enough money, and her family were well taken care of but there she lay crying in sadness that sprouted from the fear of an unknown future.

" Oh Siin if only you knew how much I love you . You won't wait a second without ringing the phone to tell me how you also love me." She said in a tone of voice that was next to silence.

" I owe you a lot. I want to repay your goodness by offering my hand in marriage." She said as is in a subconscious rehearsal of what was to play in the morning to come. She knew she had to be brave to execute such an act. But being selfless was what she was synonymous for and she felt it wasn't going to kill her if she got rejected yet again as it characterised the ingredients in her stories of struggle.

" Nothing ventured , nothing gained." She said and finally closed her eyes in wait of slumber.

[ Hours later]

The morning light which Ramlah had been waiting for had finally arrived. Through the night, she had managed to get some sleep and it eased the tenseness in her heart. She had quickly taken her bathe after bathing and dressing up Mahir. As she stood combing her long hair before the mirror. A series of thoughts had saged her mind. Should she appear natural without makeup or should she appear artificial as did all those beautiful models. She never thought of herself to be ugly. She always knew she was effortlessly beautiful and needed not as much as a powder to prove prove it. Her face was always as smooth as fowls egg and her lips were as crimson as peach.

" But who knows . He may like ladies who are colourful with make-ups." She thought and reached for a horse blood coloured clipstick that lay on a porcelain bowl. She applied it on both lips till her lips were as red as fresh blood. She picked picked a powder and splattered it in bits on her palms before rubbing it softly on her face to further smoothen her smooth face. It's was time to add a touch of sharpnrss to her eyes and a black eye pencil came handy to cement the job. She sprayed her favorite perfume which was a gift from the Sheikh itself. It had a deep citrus scent that was accompanied by a floral aura with some touch of musk. Even Ramlah knew that the scent she wore was truly distilled for the elites and it gave her more confidence as confidence was a virtue she really needed at that moment.

" Good morning Shehu, please. I will like visit the facility. I want you to drive me there." Said Ramlah as she held Mahir close to her bossom and held a maternity bag that contained all necessary items to tend properly to Mahirs needs.

" Good morning Lady Ramlah. Hope you had a great night. " Said the middle aged driver who was cleaning the windshield or the already washed car.

" My night was fine. Thank you and yours." She said with a smile.

" It was perfect my lady. You look even more beautiful today. How is the little heir doing." Asked Shehu with a deligent smile.

" Thanks for the compliment. Mahir is doing great." Said Ramlah as she stood waiting for Shehu to wrap off the cleaning.

" I'm done my lady. Please go in. I would just drop off this napkin in the sun to dry well. " Said Shehu as he hurried to keep the wet napkin which he had been using to wipe the car.

" Oh thank you Shehu. That is so timely of you." Said Ramlah and headed for the back door of the car.