EP__________3️⃣

After eating, she went to greet her father and bid them goodnight before returning to her room. She picked up her phone, opened WhatsApp, and sent Hamdan a "heyyy" message, but seeing that he was online (indicated by the two ticks), she continued scrolling through other apps while waiting for his response.

As she waited, she lost track of time, and before she knew it, it was already 10:27 pm. Suddenly, Hadiyyah opened the door and entered, carrying some gift bags in her hands. "Faryal, you've returned," Hadiyyah said with a smile.

Faryal replied looking at Hadiyyah who dropped the bags on the bed, "I've been back for a while actually, Maama said you had a guest."  

"It's Abubakar who came," Hadiyyah said.

Faryal teased her, saying, "Hadiyyah, fear God! What are you guys saying that takes more than four to five hours whenever Abubakar comes? Wait did you even pray Magrib before seeing him?"

Hadiyyah laughed, removing her jewelry and attire and changing into a simple nightdress said, "It's love eluding you, you won't understand how it feels to be with your lover because you don't have the right lover dan wanna hamdan din ke kadai kike kidanki kike rawarki a kansa."

Faryal frowned and said, "Mind your own business Hadiyyah! What concern is it of yours to comment on my love life?" 

Hadiyyah made a dismissive gesture with her lips and entered the toilet without saying a word.

She checked her phone again and saw there was no message from Hamdan. She was about to put the phone down when she decided to call him but he didn't answer. She put the phone aside, knowing he might call her later, so she didn't want to put it far away from her in case he called and she didn't hear it. She made her sleeping supplication and adjusted her lying position.

When Hadiyyah came out from the toilet, Faryal had already fallen asleep, so she went out and came back with a plate of food and a bottle of water because when her family was eating dinner, she was in her room getting ready to meet Abubakar. She picked up her phone and sat on the rug, eating and using her phone simultaneously. After she finished eating, she took the plate to the kitchen and came back, continuing to chat until 1 am.

The next morning, after Fajr prayer, they didn't go back to sleep because that was their routine  they would gather and recite the Quran until dawn.

Faryal the eldest daughter, had graduated with a degree in Business Administration, following her father's footsteps. Her father was a successful businessman who prioritized business above all else, including his family.

Faryal had been given charge of her father's Agro-commodity company and had also started her own event planning and decoration business, which was doing well.

Their maternal grandparents are of mixed heritage , Indian on their grandfather's side and shuwa arab on their grandmother's side.

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After they finished reciting, she and Hadiyyah started sweeping and cleaning the house. After they finished, they went to the kitchen to cook breakfast. Once they finished cooking, she left the kitchen for Hadiyyah to clean while she rushed inside to get ready, knowing that Friday was a short day.

She dressed in a lace gown and tied her headtie stylishly. She put on red lipstick and her medicated glasses, which made her look perfect. She brought out her black bag, veil, and shoes. She took her phone, removed the pouch, and put on a new red design with golden stones and went out of the room. 

wow, indeed Faryal is a unique damsel! , Wish the readers could see how she looked in her red and black dress a true definition of fashionista.

She met her mother in the living room, who was helping Beta get ready for school. She placed her bag, greeted her mother, and then headed to the dining area for breakfast. She quickly ate breakfast and came back to the living room, saying, "Mama, is Appa at home?" because she thought he might have already left, as he often did.

"He's in his room," her mother replied. "He said you should meet him because he's traveling to kano today."

Faryal replied with "okay" as she walked toward the way that would lead her to her father's side. 

She met him in his mini parlor, talking on the phone, she sat down, waiting for him to finish, checking her wristwatch minute by minute. She sighed as she heard him bid farewell to the person on the phone.

When he finished, she said, "Appa, good morning?" 

With a deep smile, he replied, "Wherever Faryal goes, no need to ask, because the blood of Hafiz Zanna is running through her veins. Do you have something important at the company that makes you look so busy like this?"

She smiled and said, "Eh Appa, I have a meeting with some guests by 9 am, and I need to attend to some documents before the meeting."

"That's my daughter, always working hard, focus on your goal and go ahead of everything you want to achieve and yauwa what about the goods you're exporting to Ghana?"

"Yes, Appa, I'm working on the preparations. But about the customs duties.....?"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything, we'll discuss it over the phone since I'm traveling to kano today and will be away for 2-3 weeks. If you need anything, just go ahead and do it without needing my permission okay."

"Okay Appa May Allah bring you back safely."

"Ameen, So any problems ?"

"No Appa." 

"It's okay you can go, may Allah bless you."

Faryal answered with "Ameen" as she stood up and walked out.

When she came back to the living room, her mother was still seated along with Nasar and Beta.

"Maama, I'm going," Faryal said.

"Wait Faryal, please drop off Nasar and Beta at school since Malam Yusuf took an excuse that he couldn't make it because his wife is sick, and Hadiyyah is taking a shower now I don't want them to be late," maama replied.

Faryal held her forehead, looking slightly disturbed like she might cry and said, "But who will bring them back if I take them?"

"Hadiyyah will take care of that. Even now, she was supposed to take them, but she's still in the shower, and if we wait for her they'll be late, so please drop them."

Faryal seemed about to speak again, but her mother interrupted, saying, "Ya hakuri mana, you're just wasting more time standing here."

She walked out, pouting with Nasar and beta behind her. Her mother smiled and said, "May you reach safely."

As her car settled on the road, she put her foot on the accelerator, driving fast, seeing it was already 8:05am.

As she parked the car in front of the school gate, Nasar held his forehead and said, "Oh, look at the mess you've made, I forgot to take my pocket money."

As Beta already left the car and entered the school, Faryal turned to Nasar, giving him a side look and said, "You're talking about pocket money for school like a toddler."

Nasar naughtily said, "alhamdulillah, you're not the one giving me." 

" then why are you talking to me, go ask the who gives you." Faryal replied.

"Aren't you the one who caused me to forget because of how hasty you were? So, you must give me."

She hissed as she brought out 5k from her bag and gave him, saying, "Collect it and get out of my car, don't waste my time."

He took the money, laughing, and said, "May Allah bless you with more wealth Yayata, and keep your bond with Hamdan strong."

He ended as he stepped out and closed the car door for her. 

Faryal slightly laughed and shook her head, saying, "Nasar, Nasar, this boy will never change."

She turned her car and headed to the company. As she entered, Aysah her secretary, welcomed and greeted her. With a pleasant smile she answered, "Yauwa Aysah, mun tashi lpy? Have you seen my mail?"

"Yes, ma'am and I've done everything you requested.

"Okay that's good," Faryal said as she walked into her office. "Aysah, bring me yesterday's work record and about that man who said he had 10 tons of sesame he should bring the sample for observation."

"Okay, ma'am," Aysah said as she closed the office door for Faryal and turned to do as she said.

Faryal plugged the computer wire into the socket, sat down, and started working until Aysah came back with files and placed them on the table.

Faryal focused and looked at every detail one by one intently, until the clock clicked to 9. The knocking sound stopped her from working, and she said, "Come in."

Aysah entered saying, "Ma'am, it's time, the guests are already here, and they're all waiting for us." Faryal sighed, stood up, and shook her hands, feeling exhausted from working from written notes to typing on the system. She maintained her medicated glasses and took her phone, heading out of the office.

Aysah followed her after closing the door. When they entered the meeting hall, everyone's attention turned to Faryal, despite her youthful appearance, but her confidence and demeanor commanded respect and the guests didn't even think she was the CEO until they saw the personal chair she sat in. They exchanged greetings and started discussing the purpose of their gathering.

The meeting was successful and Faryal was pleased with the outcome. She decided to tour the company with Aysah to supervise the work until she saw it was getting heavy, seeming like the middle of the day.

She returned to her office and called Hamdan, even though she didn't want to because of what he did for her yesterday but she didn't have a choice as her heart commanded her to call. He didn't answer promptly, and the call almost ended before he finally picked up, sounding sleepy.

"Don't tell me you're sleeping," Faryal asked frustrated. 

He yawned and said, "Yes, I just woke up. I want to take a shower and get ready for the mosque, then receive your call."

"Anyway, how are you?" 

"I'm good what about you?" 

"I'm fine as long as my husband's fine. " She said lovingly added with, "how's umma?"

"She's fine alhamdulillah." 

"You told me you wouldn't repeat it, but you did. You told me you'd be active online yesterday and made me wait again."

"I'm sorry Faryal, It was Umma who sent me somewhere and I was late that's why I haven't been active."

"Then what about the call?" 

"Kai an ya kuwa ,I didn't see your call, you know I wouldn't refuse to answer your call if I saw it."

Faryal fell silent, doubting the call. Her conscience told her he might just want to defend himself, but her heart refused to find him guilty. She cut off her thoughts and said, "Okay Hamdan, let me leave you to get ready before you miss prayer."

After the call, Faryal thought about why Hamdan rejected her job offer while he didn't get another job and didn't react to her advice to start a business, wondering if she was wasting her time on Hamdan because they couldn't be married like that.

She heard knocking, which interrupted her thoughts. Before she could talk, the door opened and Manira peeked in, saying, "Gafaran ki dai, can I come in or should I wait for permission?"

Faryal slightly hissed and said, "What kind of humiliation is this? Or are you here to disgrace me in front of my workers?"

Manira came in, saying, "Guess what?" 

Faryal frowned and asked, "What?"

Manira opened the door completely, saying, "Surprised!" Faryal quickly stood up, astonished and burst out laughing happily, running to hug the lady standing there, screaming with joy.

Faryal broke the hug, looking at the lady and saying, "Bestie, when did you come to Nigeria without notice?" 

The lady Faryal called her bestie eyed her and said, "Is that how you leave guests standing at your office like beggers?" Faryal held her bestie's hand and they sat down on the 3-seater couch.

"To ni da baa maraba da ni, should I go back?" Manira asked. 

Faryal said, "Go back, da who asked you to come, you're not welcome here." As all her attention was with her bestie.

"Shegiya kaza, then who brought the shenal for you?" Manira said as she came running and sat beside Faryal adding with Dan bakin ciki sai dai ya hadiya heart.

Everyone started reminiscing about what happened when they parted. (Saadah Shenal was their old friend since they were toddlers up to secondary school. After they graduated from secondary school and their results were released, Faryal and Manira immediately started university, while Shenal stays resting until Faryal and Manira entered level 200, that was the time she went to Cyprus for study. They were so saddened at the time of their departure and since she went she didn't even come for holiday till now that she completed her study and came back as a qualified doctor). 

Even when zuhr prayer time arrived, they prayed together.

Around 2 pm, someone knocked. "Who's that?" Manira asked as she lazily leaned on the couch sipping a drink.

"What's this? You are acting like a villager so embarrassing," Faryal said, eyeing Manira. 

"If it's a man, go meet him outside, karki shigo mana da gardi nan wurin." 

"Ehh because you are in your father's living room ba." 

Shenal laughed so hard, glancing at them saying, "Oh, these ladies up to now, you don't stop this habit?" 

"Gata nan uwar neman tayi," Manira said, pointing at Faryal, who went and sat on her chair before permitting the knocker to enter. As she already saw it's Aysah on the TV opposite her, Aysah stopped at the door and said, "I'm sorry, ma'am, hope I don't bother you with your guest."

"No problems aysah, they are my sisters." 

Aysah slightly smiled and completed her entry into the office. She stopped at the front of Faryal's table and started explaining to her about the goods they received now and added that the logistics manager asked her to come and see if she's available .

"Even only you if see it, it's okay aysah but wait for me outside I'm coming."

"Okay, ma'am," Aysah said, then turned and headed out of the office. While Faryal said, "Shenal, let's go let me show you our company." Manira interrupted and said, "Ni kuma saniyar ware ko oho."

"Kanki Ake ji," Faryal said as she maintained her veil.

The three of them came out as Aysah, the secretary, led in front to the place where the 10 trailers were parked. Faryal observed them and made sure everything was intact before leaving Aysah there and going on a tour with Shenal and Manira, showing and explaining everything to Shenal, taking a long time before returning to Faryal's office.