9 – The President’s Proposal

"Ah, yes, Qaya," Hamir said suddenly. "Do you have some time after we're done with our meal? Papa texted earlier, and he said that he had something to discuss with both of us. He wanted us to do a video call with him once you are free."

Qaya almost jumped up from her chair, with full intent to abandon her meal. "Why didn't you say so earlier?!" she asked frantically. "What time is it in Y City now? When is the President available? Please text him immediately and let him know that I'm available anytime!"

Hamir chuckled. "Sit down and finish you meal first, my dear lady," he said lightly, his unique eyes glowing with mirth. "Papa will skin me alive if he gets to know that I interrupted you meal by telling you about his message," he pointed out. "Let's finish our meal in peace, first, and then we will contact him, all right?"

Qaya frowned. "What if it's urgent?" she asked anxiously. "The President wouldn't ask for a video call if it wasn't a serious matter…"

Hamir stretched out his arm and poked her in the middle of her forehead with a fair, slim and long finger that truly looked as if it belonged to a doctor – and a really dextrous one, at that. Which he was, anyway.

Qaya stared at him, stunned for a moment.

"Calm down," Hamir said with a soft smile. "There is absolutely nothing to get flustered about. Eat properly first, and then we will speak with Papa and see what he wants. He expects us to finish our dinner properly and then call him, anyway."

Qaya felt herself calm down at the gentle tone of voice of the man in front of her. This man was truly meant to be a doctor, she thought to herself. His patients must start feeling better as soon as they heard his gentle voice – no wonder he was such a successful and capable cardiologist! With a pang, she thought of his determination to take over his father's business empire for the sake of his father's health. It was nor fair, she thought sadly, that such a man, such a wonderful doctor, who had clearly built his career with his own hands and clearly loved his work so much – had to give it up for the sake of his family…

If only one of his step-siblings could take up the mantle instead…

"Qaya?" Hamir's soft voice broke into her thoughts and Qaya shook her head to clear it.

"What on earth are you thinking about in such a daze?" Hamir asked curiously. "I had to call you several times. Are you all right?" Concern shone in his eyes, making Qaya want to look away quickly.

Qaya nodded mechanically. "I was just thinking about something, sorry," she murmured, and turned her attention back to the delicious food on the plate in front of her.

Hamir sighed at the sight of her downcast expression and cursed himself for not waiting until after the meal to tell her that Papa wanted to speak with them. He should have known that she would react like this – after all, he had already come to realise that this young woman treated her father with no less worship than a devout monk regarded their deity!

The casual cheerfulness from earlier was gone as the two of them finished their meal almost in silence. Hamir did try to chat a couple of times, but Qaya was clearly too distracted to carry on the conversation properly.

She did remember to express her appreciation for the food, though – which made Hamir feel rather pleased. He had already decided that he would be responsible for Qaya's meals for the rest of his trip to J Country.

After he returned to Z Country, though… what would Qaya do then? Would she go back to her unhealthy lifestyle and forget her meals in the middle of work?

Perhaps he could call her sometimes and check in on her, Hamir thought to himself. In any case, now that he was preparing to take up his father's mantle, he would be interacting with her for work fairly often, wouldn't he?

After the meal, Hamir insisted on helping Qaya clear away the dishes and pile them up in the sink for the maid to wash up later.

Then he called his father directly.

Qaya was suddenly rather relieved that she had chosen a casual dress instead of her pyjamas!

The President seemed to have been waiting for their call, for he picked up immediately. His still handsome but a little tired face appeared on the screen.

Both Hamir and Qaya frowned. The President didn't look very healthy.

"Papa, did something happen? You don't look very well," Hamir asked worriedly. "Should I come back to Y City tomorrow?"

The President chuckled and shook his head. "You're acting more like an old man than I am, dear son of mine," he teased. "You didn't even greet me yet!"

"Papa…" Hamir muttered reproachfully.

"Hamir is right, President," Qaya said quietly. "You don't look too well, so it would perhaps be best for him to return to Z Country and look after you for some time. There is nothing urgent in J Country at the moment that I can't handle, so you can rest assured. Colossus is doing fine and it will continue to be fine – so please don't worry about it. Instead, you should take care of your own health first."

The President laughed heartily. "Look at the two of you – you are so much in sync already, and you just met!" he teased. "Well, I'm happy to see this – very happy. It gives validation to the proposal that I'm going to put to you two now."

Hamir frowned. "Proposal?" he repeated.

The President smiled indulgently. "Indeed, son," he said, his voice full of affection. "Hamir and Qaya – I would like the two of you to get married as soon as possible."

Both Hamir and Qaya froze in shock, too stunned to react!