7 CHAPTER 6

" I gave you all an assignment last week, but most of you have yet to submit it. Why is that? " The lecturer asked.

" Sir, my group members are not contributing to the assignment, " A tall, slender girl stated, " Can we submit the assignment individually? "

My eyes wandered around the room until they fell on Kiki. I got lost in the ocean that is in her eyes and I slowly drifted away, wave on wave. Why does it seem like time loses all reckoning whenever we exchange glances?. Is it love I’m feeling?. This has been going on for weeks

" The assignment should be submitted as a group by the end of the week, " The lecturer responded, " I hope you all are preparing for your mid-semester examinations next week? "

" Yes sir! " We replied in chorus.

" Learn the topics that I have covered so far for your exams. I will test you only on what I have taught you, " The lecturer said, " Does anyone have any questions? "

" No sir! " We replied in chorus.

" That would be all for today " The lecturer dismissed the class and walked out.

Those words made us breathe a sigh of relief. People swarmed out of the class, acting as if the first one out of the door would win a gold medal. Small groups formed in the class and people hung around with their colleagues who sat across the classroom after what seemed to be an eternity-long lecture.

I stood up and headed for the door. My eyes briefly followed Kiki as she passed in front of me.

The school has various brightly colored multi-story buildings, which dates back to 1962, the encircling is adorned by gorgeous flowers. It’s a modern building with a touch of classic. The building is not just an architectural wonder but it symbolizes a dream that would linger in my memory long when I leave. It would remind me of the great minds that shaped our visions of the world and how to navigate the challenges that lay ahead to carve out a notable career.

Kiki leaned against the balcony railings, using her phone and the wind blew through her hair. The wind in those gorgeous brown curls, they took my breath away.

Our eyes met simultaneously like a light when you flip the switch. 'Hello,' She mumbled, with awkward diffidence.

" Hi " I responded and walked straight to her.

" Hello, Kiki " I heard someone say. I looked around and realized that her phone was on speaker.

" Yes, mum. I couldn’t pick your call because I was in class " Kiki replied.

" How are you doing dear? "

" Fine. It’s been a long day "

" Why has it been a long day?, Oh!, Simi I told you to go to your room "

" Foolish woman, now you’ve made me upset " I could hear a deep voice of a man growl and the woman’s voice squealed in pain with each thud.

From her facial expression, I inferred that she was embarrassed. She turned off her phone’s speaker then turned around and said, " Mom, what’s going on? "

I felt awkward standing there in silence. I did not know what to do. Should I give her some privacy by leaving andtalk to her after she’s done?

" Hello mom, what happened? " She asked.

“ Okay “

She turned to face me and tears trickled down her cheeks. If I had been man enough, I’d have wiped those tears away and pulled her in for a hug.

" Are you all right? " I inquired.

The tears that she has managed to hold back began to fall freely. It broke my heart to watch her cry. I stepped forward and hugged her like that would soothe her pain. I wish I could hold on forever.

" Khalifah! " Hamza said aloud.

I turned back to see him looking as though he was abandoned by a motorist at the roadside.

I chuckled, and said, " Why are you staring at me like that dude?, she’s not my type "

My words had stung Kiki like a slap in the face, with her pride wounded, she stormed off.

" This is a bolt from the blue " Hamza said.

" What? "

" What?, " He replied, " On your head be it "

" C'mon, don’t draw hasty conclusions "

" I’m going to the tutoring class for statistics in the red seat theater, " He stated, " I may come to your house in the evening "

" All right, bye "

" Bye " He said, and walked away.

I went down the stairs and headed to my car. I got in and zoomed off. The drive home gained the speed of an Arabian horse.

I brought the car to a stop in front of my house and honked. The gatekeeper opened the silver iron gate and I drove into the garage.

My cell phone rang, and I hastily looked at it. It was my dad calling.

I accepted the call and said, " Hello, daddy "

" Hello Son. How have you been? "

" I’ve been good and you? " I replied; and, as I spoke, I got down from the car.

" I’ve been good, " My dad responded, " Well, unfortunately, we’re having problems with our clients in Hongkong "

" They are excellent clients. What happened? "

" Yes, you are right. They are excellent clients but they aren’t pleased with the merchandise we are sending them "

" How can that be? Our products are the best " I said as I walked into the house.

" I know, however they aren’t satisfied with it, " He said, " Do you have any suggestions? "

" Our present team of workers at the factory are devoid of the experience and training of our previous employees, therefore, there has been a decrease in the quality of our product, " I explained, " I discussed the situation with Mr Ridwan, yet he remains adamant that his change in staff was the best choice "

" And why didn’t you discuss this with me!? "

" Sorry, dad "

" It’s alright. I would work on it, " He assured, " Ensure you prepare for your exams. Studying might be unappealing now, but when you are an adult, you’ll be thankful. The best gift you can give to yourself is to invest in yourself "

" Yes, dad. I’ve been burning the midnight oil lately "

" That’s good. I will speak to you later "

" Bye, dad " I said then hung up the call.

The employees at our company abhorred me and believed the worst in me. Why? Because I expect them to be proficient, productive, and for them to put in their best in their jobs.

Our world is full of competitors. There are an endless amount of ruthless businessmen out there aiming to overthrow our company. They would go to any length to see us crawling on the ground.

The succession to the kingship and being the heir of Emirates industries limited is regulated not only through descent, It requires rigorous preparation. I started training at a young age under the guidance of my father.

It came to my notice that I didn’t switch the Tv off when I left for school. Wait a moment, isn’t that Umar’s dad on tv, I wonder what they are saying about him.

I increased the volume of the Tv to hear what the TVC presenter was saying on 'your view'.

" Rumors are circulating on social media that Kannywood actress, Laibah Haruna is dating billionaire Ibrahim Jallo, " She said, " What is your take on that? "

I gasped in surprise. She replaced Umar with his dad.

" Ibrahim Jallo and his wife, officially divorced in 2010 after rumors circulated that he had an extramarital affair, " The co-presenter replied, " So, I’m wondering would she be the next mrs Jallo "

" Laibah Haruna also happens to be his son’s ex-girlfriend. They were first linked publicly in 2020 and dated on and off until they called it quits at the beginning of the year " One of the TVC presenters chimed in.

I turned the TV off and reached for my phone but paused. What would Umar think? After all that happened, the last thing I wanted was to make him feel embarrassed about it.

I walked to the bookshelf opposite the dining room and picked up my textbook, calculator, an exercise book and a pen. I walked back to the living room and took my seat.

I flipped through pages of my textbook and did some calculations on measures of dispersion. I asterisked some passages on Sample in pencil for later reading.

" Hey, buddy "

I turned my head around and saw Hamza and Umar coming into the living room. Umar’s face was a deep red, the veins on his forehead had popped out and his jaw clenched.

" I was so busy reading that I didn’t even know when you both walked in, " I uttered, " Umar, is everything alright? "

" You read the news on Instagram, didn’t you? " Umar mumbled, taking a seat.

" No, " I replied, " I saw the news on TVC "

He said, " Oh, the news is reported on Tv now " with a chuckle, but I could see the pain in his eyes.

" Laibah is a filthy swine!, " Hamza cursed, " I told you earlier that she has an ulterior motive but you won’t listen "

" Stop!, " I cautioned, " We should show him compassion and not let him twist in the wind "

" She used him as a stepping stone. Now, that she saw her class, his dad. She went for him!, " Hamza said aloud, " You didn’t see it coming because you were overwhelmed by emotions, but I did see it "

" I didn’t expect such from her, " Umar replied, his eyes burning with tears, " Despite the fact that my mom left, my dad is still in the habit of this "

" Hurting your feelings was never intended, I’m sorry " Hamza apologized.

" It’s fine " Umar replied, wiping the tears from his eyes with his hand.

" I saw something surprising at school today " Hamza disclosed.

" Nothing could be more surprising than what I’ve seen! " Umar replied.

" I saw khalifah embracing the girl he got in an argument with weeks ago, " Hamza babbled, " I won’t be surprised if it were you because you don’t give a damn "

They both looked at each other and chuckled.

" Please don't get me wrong, I was only trying to comfort her when I saw tears in her eyes " I clarified.

" When did you become a shoulder to cry on? " Hamza asked, then he and Umar roared with laughter.

" It’s your choice to be with who you want to be with, " Umar commented, " However, you know how strict your dad is. If he gets to know about this, he would be very upset with you "

" Exactly my point, " Hamza replied, " Mahira would have blown a gasket if she saw him "

My cell phone rang, and I glanced at it. It was Mahira calling.

" Speak of the devil " I said, declining the call.