Chapter 37

Secret

People say ,secret is a knowledge that is kept hidden intentionally. Yes, he wouldn't lie, he kept it a secret intentionally . This is why sadiq never loves keeping secrets. But when the world is at your back,what does one has to do than to keep a secret?. At this point, he just couldn't think of the best way to lay it down to Alhaji Dabo .

Should I write it down on a paper and just give it to him?or maybe I shouldn't tell him? , he thought again.

He was too overwhelmed by all these thoughts and just couldn't think of the best way to put it so that alhaji Dabo wouldn't take it the wrong way.

He shrugged, well everyone has a secret and I know I'm not the first to start keeping secrets. He will understand.

He decides to end the thought there and then. He brought out his techno spark three plus which he just purchasedout of his pocket. He remember telling badiyya to text him when she is done with work at the office. Already, she is now working in her father's company something which she hate. But what option does she has when her wicked mother lashes her with insults upon insults. She got tired of it all which was why she accept the offer to work for their dad.

Sadiq saw zero message from her. He wonders what might have held her that long to send the message. He check his wrist watch and saw that it was 2pm already. He decides not to think too much about it and let the matter rest like that.when she is done I know she would call.

" Yes ,you have nothing to worry about, we have it all covered, sir" walk in rahama while on the phone witha client.

" OK see you soon" she end the call.

She walk directly to her seat pretending as if she doesn't know sadiq was in the same office. She has been doing that since in the morning and that didn't go unnoticed by sadiq. Lets not forget how she snapped at some of sadiq's fan ladiesin the office this morning. He had wanted to confront her about it but she left immediately and didn't give him the chance to, but now that she is in the office, sadiq wouldn't let it pass. She has to say something about it and about the day at the restaurant. He once confronted her about that attitude at the restaurant but she never once gave him a response.+

" you can pretend that you didn't see me" he started

She responded by rolling her eyes. He wasn't letting it pass, she must just give him an answer today whether she likes it or not. He stood up from his seat and that was a sign of alarm for Rahama. She knows what his closeness does to her and she doesn't want to stutter in his front.2

She swallowed quietly, giving him a questioning look " where do you think you're coming to? "

He shrugged with a smirk and park himself well in front of her. " let's call today the revealing day. So what do you think? " he clasped his palm together waiting for an answer

"wha....at do you.... thi....nk you are doing..? She quickly stood up her seat and tried to side pass him but all was in vain coz he was now standing directly in her way and if she had to go out by force, she would have to push him. Something which she doesn't want to do. She remembers once, when her finger mistakingly touch his arm, the kind oftinkling she felt that day was surreal to her. It send shivers all her body that she had to pretend that day like that did nothing to her. She knew sadiq suspected that something was wrong with her but didn't say anything.

She doesn't want what happened that day to happen here again. She won't be able to bear the shame.

" are you OK, Rahama" her eyes immediately flick to his in surprise .

He noticed and chuckles " are you surprised that I called you by your name? "

She blink her eyes pretending to be unaffected by it " what is my business with that. Look Mr sadiq or whatever you call yourself, I don't have time for all these " she use her hand to stress the situation.

" please, I am begging you, move away from me or else_

" or else what? Will you run along to tell your daddy, little girl? " he mock.

" don't call me that . Just tell me what you want and leave me the hell away" she gritted ouy

" good. Are you ready to tell me why you where bad eyeing the lady with me at the restaurant weeks ago ? "

" I don't know what you're trying to say. Which lady are you talking about and what restaurant? " she ask without meeting his eyes.

" you can pretend as much as you want but the answer I need from you I must get it whether you like it or not "

" just get away from me,please" she whispered yelled .

" Does my closeness affect you, Rahama "

" I... I... Iplease ambegging you stay away from me"2

" what if I don't " he said, in a husky voice

She tried her best to say something without stuttering but all was in vain

" were you jealous of her?"1

"jealous of who? " pretending not to know who he was talking about.

He knew how to make her say the truth and she have to say it

" I know you like me" he blurt out unexpectedly1

" WHAT?!!! "

He finally got the reaction he wanted.

" yes you heard right, I know you like me and there is no point in hiding it . You finally fall for a mere mechanic " hetutted

" stop it, stop saying something you know isn't true. How can I like someone like you. You a nobody?, if it wasn't because of my father's help on you, do you think you can escape your mechanic work. You better thank your lucky stars, you aren't at that mechanic junction of yours all because of dad and me"

He watches her like a hawk. Always too rude.

" You said you? What help have you done to me? " he asked with folded arms.

" I... I... I... " she couldn't think of the best reply, she knew she hasn't done anything that added value to him. All she had always done was to only remind him of the poor fellow he was. I don't care

"Cat got your tongue? Do you need a petrol for your generator? Coz I can see that the generator in your mouth lacks petrol." he lamented4

" just stay away from me it as simple as that " she said and tried side passing him out. He immediately held her arm and drew her close to him.

She yelped in surprise but didn't say anything. He himself was surprised by his actions. He doesn't understand why all what this spoilt brat does always disturb him. No matter how hard he tried to stay away from her he just couldn't. Its like a magnetic pull which he can't explain.

They both stood still, gazing at each other with different thoughts running deep inside their head. No matter how hard they try to lock this inner battle in them, they just couldn't.

What is so special about the spoilt brat, sadiq asked himself as he looks at her eyes like someone who was trying to find answers from mere look at her eyes

I can't fall for a mechanic, I can't. I have a fiance, this can't happen, rahama battled with her self.

I can't

Rahama pushed him back with a lot of force " don't ever try this nonsense again" she growled out and ran out of the office leaving a confused sadiq behind.

She ran to the ladies restroom and rest her back on the door . She touches her beating heart " I can't fall for him, I can't "3

" this can't be happening" she knew she can't stop the unstoppable. Its already done and what she needs to do right now is to undone it. She slide down the door " I like him, I like him" she muttered painfully5

" how did I allow that to happen? What about Mansir? I thought I loved him, then what is it I felt for him? I can't fall for two men, no I can't " she held her head

" please help me ya Allah. I need to forget sadiq, I needto stop this feeling ,please don't let it progress . I can't, he is too low for me "

2

***

Sadiq was still in his position trying to comprehend what just happened . He admit, he shouldn't have held her too close but still, it felt right, but why?. What is happening to me? I can't continue to behave like this with her and moreover she has a fiance already.+

He couldn't help stopping all these thoughts.

She is too rude sadiq, she isn't the one for you, he thought. But he still wasn't sure himself, if he likes her or not.

He took a deep breath and and sat on his seat. He brought his ringing phone out of his pocket.

Badiyya

" hello, badiyya"he flatly answered as he slightly massage his forehead

"hope all is well ,yaya? Your voice seems dull"

"yeah, all is well. How is the office over there? "

" smooth. Everything is going smoothly but you still haven't given me any response on the question i asked " she was persistent

" please badiyya, I don't have the strength for this. Let it rest and moreover nothing is wrong with me " he knows how she loves going to the root of things which was why he stopped her right there.

" hmmm, I was only asking. But since you refuse to tell me it's all on you"

" I have heard. So why did you take time tocall? I have been expecting your text for the past hour" he questioned

" it's all Mansir's fault, he has been the one bombarding me with work. I don't even have time for my phone. Thank God he left to see his girlfriend, you better be prepared coz he is on his way to your office "

" Really?!!!" he was alarmed

" yes, he is. That aside, so how far with alhaji dabo have you told him yet? "

" nope I haven't. He isn't in the office yet but would soon be"

" OK. I will miss you when you leave" she said ,sadly.

He smile" I will miss you too"

" I feel like crying wallahi. You don't know how it feels not being with you yaya " she said,almost at the verge of tears.

" please don't cry little sis. Little pumpkin ,my one and only chewing gum, the only sister I have" he sooth, teasingly.

" stop making fun of me" she drawl out.

He laughed loudly ,already picturing how she was already pouting.

" OK sorry" he said

" will you be at home tomorrow? I thought of coming over? " she asked

" ermm, I think you should leave it till on Saturday coz I will pay aunty yasirah a visit tomorrow. Let leave it till Wednesday "

" OK then, whatever you say"

" Alright then. I think alhaji is back, talk to you soon" he hang up

He rushed out of the office to the CEO's office .

He knocked on the door " come in"Sadiq went in.

Alhaji Dabo glance his way when he entered " so its you. I have told you to stop knocking before coming in. You're not a stranger to me " Alhaji scolded, calmly

" I promise to stop from now onwards "

Alhaji only shake his head. He knew he won't stop " So... What brought you to my office son?"

Here goes nothing

" I have a confession to make" sadiq started while alhaji gave him a confuse look.

" I don't understand. What do you mean by you have a confession to make? "

" I haven't told you who I really am"

" OK, who are you, really? " a confused alhaji asked

Sadiq took his time before saying " My real nameis MUHAMMAD SADIQ RINGIM "

Alhaji put two and two together. With a shock expression he said " don't tell me you are referring to the same RINGIM family I know. The same popular Ringim we all know?"

" yes"

" What!!!...... You are Fatima's son?!! "

" yes"he nod

" this is ambiguous. Why hadn't I noticed the resemblance. It's right sculptured in your face. Wow!! ." He just couldn't believe his ears. He stood up from his seat and came to sit on the chair right beside sadiq .

" you naughty boy. Why did you hide it from me. "he said in a fatherly tone " I knew something was off the day rahama told me about your qualifications. But why do you find the need to hide it? Aren't you proud of who your father is, son"

Sadiq took a deep breath " I....i... am not "

" But why? What is it your dad had done to you that made you not to " asked alhaji, concerned.

" hmm"

" You don't need to answer if you don't want to. I understand it's a personal matter" he said, soothingly

" thank you for understanding "

" it's nothing son. You don't even like coming over to greet your aunty " he added with a smile

" well, I have been to your house. That day, you weren't at home and please don't scold aunty yasira for not telling you. I begged her not to coz I wanted telling you myself"

Alhaji glared at him jokingly " that means you two are already planning my death then? "

" ya Allah, noooo" he answered with eyes wide open.

At his expression, alhaji dabo burst into laughter " gotcha"

Sadiq also laughed along with him " you almost gave me a scare sir"

" I can see that" alhaji answered when his laughter subside.

Everywhere was silent for a while

" I hope you aren't angry with me for not telling you" sadiq broke the silence

" Hm. I'm not. I know you have a reason for doing that so stop pondering over it. I understand " he said with his hand on sadiq's right shoulder

" Thanks for understanding "

" It nothing son. You have nothing to worry about ,even my daughter wouldn't hear it from my lips unless you want to tell her yourself " he smile

" Don't worry about that. I will tell her myself"

" Good, good. "

One down, one to go

" Their is another thing"

" What is it son? I hope it isn't another heart wrenching secret " alhaji joked.

Sadiq laughed" nope it isn't. It more like a good news "

" OK then. Spit it out "

" I'm resigning "

" What?!!! Why? "

" I applied for a scholarship abroad and will be leaving in two days time"

" Well, I wish you the best of luck and don't forget that I am here for you whenever you need help"

The smile that graze sadiq's lips was priceless. He knew he can put all his trust on this alhaji. The man is a good man,henever hesitate to help. The only problem he has is his daughter.

" Thank you once again for understanding. "

" When are you coming over to atlease have lunch or dinner with us" alhaji asked

Sadiq rubs his neck " we've already arranged that with your wife"

" you see what I meant by you two have already prepared my death" he joked

Sadiq laughed " no, no it isn't like that. We planned on telling you "

" well, what can I say. So when is it then?"

" tomorrow's night"

" that's good" he nodded