The window cleaner

Ramlahs penchant

Ramlah sat down in the garden of her palacial mansion watching over little Mahir who slept peacefully in his court. She held a magazine in her hands and was trying to comprehend what she was reading but found it difficult because of the series of thoughts that stormed her  mind. She hadn't been able to get her mind of Siin,  neither had she been able to get her mind of the words of the Sheikh. There was hardly anything she did without thinking about Siin. At first she was confused to what she felt. She felt maybe it was his benevolence towards her that made her think too much of him in gratitude or perhaps it was just the fact that he was a good to her on first meeting. But even after meeting him to thank him on several occasion, she still felt a burning desire to always see him and be with him at all moment. She wondered if that could be love as all her life she was yet to fall in love with any one. She been too focused on her studies to allow her emotions to sway from her control. Even though many young suitors had laid passes at her, she kindly turned them down as her mantra for success was focus and focus she knew was not attainable if she let her emotions run wild without control. Although she never fell in love before. She knew that what she felt for Siin was different and very much unlike what she had ever felt for anyone in the past.

Days after days and the feeling to be near Siin only grew worse .she couldn't get herself to concentrate on doing a single thing without thinking of Siin. The fact that he had began to make her loose focus on her primary duties, bothered her a lot and she felt a need to confide to someone about it and the only two people she could think of was Zaynaba her best friend and also Busayna the chief maid at the Sheikhs residence who had urged her to speak up her mind to Siin about her feelings on several occasions.

However , Zaynaba had been been on leave from work and had used the opportunity to travel out of town to see her parents. The need to confide in someone about her desires became so strong and she felt she couldn't last another day without talking to some about it.

" Mahir hope you slept well my loving angel. You just awoke in time. We are going to pay Busayna a visit. " Said Ramlah upon noticing the infant had awoke from his slumber. She took a hold of him. Fed him ,bathed him again before calling on the driver to tow them to the Sheikhs Mansion. All through the short trip all she could think of was the judgment of Busayna who she believed would opine ,that she confided her feelings to Siin directly as he could either accept her offer or refute it. She then thought of what Siin would think about her personality if she stooped so low in dignity and told him how she felt about him. For a moment the whole trip didn't just seem right and she asked the driver to stop the car for a moment.

" Is there a problem?. my lady." Asked the driver as he turned back and checked on the duo in great Concern.

" No we are fine. I don't feel to well. I just need a moment of calm before we continue the trip. "

Said Ramlah as she wiped the side of her face with her palm and sighed deeply.

" Should I take you to the hospital my Lady. Do you need water . Are you sure you are alright. ? " Asked the driver in great Concern . who was an Arab in his late forties.

" Thank you Alhaji. There's really no need for that. Just give me a moment to have some breath. I'm very much okay. I just to iron out things in my head." Said Ramlah with a Smile.

" Okay ma. If you insist ." Said the the driver as he finally offed the cars ignition.

" Thank you sir." Said Ramlah and rested her head on the chair of the car. This feeling wasn't tresting her good at all. She preferred her old life of Innocence when she thought of nothing but her families welfare. Now the Thought of Siin had occupied her mind and she could hardly think of anyone else but him. She realized the only way to ease her heart was if she shared the burden with someone else. Going back home was not a good option, she concluded . It was better to tell Busayna everything and decide on heading to her advice later. That way , the burden I'm her mind would have been greatly lightened.

" Alhaji. Let's commence the trip please. I feel very much better now. " Said Ramlah in a humble tone.

" Yes my lady. I'm glad to hear that. Please have a rest as soon as we reach the Sheikhs Mansion." Said the Driver with great Care and concern.

" Sure. I will. Thank you very much . " Said Ramlah and smiled. She took out a feeder from her bag and urged Mahir to have some milk.

" My darling angel. It's time for your third breakfast. " Said Ramalah in the most sweet voice she had in her chords and began to feed the little infant. Soon, they had arrived at the palatial mansion. Ramlah knew for sure that the Sheikh would not be at home as he would be at the Towers carrying out his businesses. Thus there was no need to visit his apartment. She headed straight to the side of the mansion which was ascribed to Busayna.

" Hello is Aunt Busayna inside. " Ramlah had asked upon sighting one of the maids coming out of Busaynas chambers.

" Lady Ramlah . Good morning and welcome home. Yes Busayna is inside. You can go in my lady. Said the young maid who held a mopping stick in her hand.

" Please kindly inform her of my presence. I will really appreciate that ." Said Ramlah with a Smile as she stood by the holding Mahir,firmly to her Bossom.

" Okay ma. Just a second." Said the maid and hurried back inside to inform Busayna of Ramlahs visit. She came back quickly and asked them to come in .

" Ramlah. By daughter how is my little angel doing. " Said Busayna who walked hurriedly to take hold of the infant from Ramlahs embrace.

" Aunt Busayna I'm doing fine and so is Mahir. Peace be unto this household how is the Sheikh and how are you all doing. ?" Said Ramlah as she sat down on one of the fine Sofars in the room. Busayna sat down and faced Ramlah.

" We are all doing good my daughter. I'm glad to see you. Like I said ,this place is now your home . You can always come here at any time to see us. " Said Busayna with a warming smile. She knew Ramlah had not come because she was lonely but rather because she had a different issue. Ramlah was quite for a while with her head bent to the ground not knowing where to start her discussion from.

" My dear is anything the matter. You have been so quiet." Said Busayna who felt it was time she broke the lengthy silence.

" Nothing is the matter , Busayna. I'm just tired." Said Ramlah with a staged smile on her face.

" Hmm , tired you say. Definitely one gets tired of keeping all those emotions to themselves. " Said Busayna with a Knowing smile. Ramlah smiled shyly and knew it was time to open up.

" What emotions are you talking about." Said Ramlah with a smile as she covered her face with her palms.

" My child. Like I always say . I was once a young girl just like you and I have encountered the sweet and bitter aspect of falling in love. You won't be young forever. You must have to do what you must do now that you still can do it. If i had came across such advice when I was young my life wouldn't have been lonely as it is now. " Said Busayna and the first time ever, Ramlah could see the sadness on her face. Busayna had always been full of life even in her late sixties she was still much more beautiful than many girls in their twenties. Ramlah could only imagine how immensely beautiful she would have been in her prime days.

" Oh Busayna. I'm sorry about how you feel . I feel even bad for bringing my personal problems to your hearing without thinking of how it would affect you. " Said Ramlah in a sober tone.

" That's now in the past . I am here to make sure you don't make the same mistake I did. Please always feel free to share your problems with me. All my life I never bore a child. I kept on waiting on someone who never came through. I turned down many suitors in Wait for my prince charming. You see when you are circled by the walls of this castle, time begins to go buy and before you could get hold of the moment, a lifetime has passed you buy. I love you just like the daughter I never had. You can always confide in me. " Said Busayna as her eyes became moist with tears.