Chapter 44

44

Two Years Later

Maryam's POV

"I was asked to give this note to you Miss Maryam".  Mrs Tania said as she smiled.

"Thank you".

I can't believe this, he still write to me!

"Congratulations,I'm sure your benefactor will be very happy!".  I smiled again and she left.

It's already the end of the semester, I'm now a graduated of Harvard university in business administrative. It only took me two years to finish everything because I was a brilliant student and most of all, they all like me here.

I was outside when Mrs Tania had hand over the letter to me. Then I decide to go in and sit so I'll be able to read the note well.

Miss Maryam,

Do you know I'm so much proud of you?  You've finally made it to the last semester...I'm so so proud of you".

K. Olatunji.

Oh my God! This signature!

I don't know how he look like but I believe that someday I'll know him.

I was so stunned when I learn that he's going to sponsor me but later heard from the scholarship department that apart from me,he had other scholars he was helping too. He's such a generous man. I wonder how much money he has.

He was one of my inspiration in finishing my degree in business administrative. I wanted to be like him.

Still looking at the beautiful handwriting on the paper,I was smiling broadly. I remembered when I had started my university. I seemed like a lost soul at that time. I felt like everything seemed to have no more meaning.... Mom and Dad was so angry when they find out about everything that had happened, Maimuna especially, but I beseeched them. Then, Dad asked if I would want to go for a vacation but instead, I told him I would like to further my education in a very far place and he agreed,Mom was so adamant at first but later gave in....But however, everything change when the scholarship department told me that I was one of those that will be given scholarship.

Then I decide to start my new life and try doing something good in my studies. I really do owe him a lot.

Still in my dreamy land, I heard his cheerful voice. "A letter from an admirer?"

I glance up and saw his handsome face MANSUR

"Hey!  good afternoon".  I smiled.  "It was a note from my sponsor".

"I was just kidding love".  I glared at him.

"Okay fine!  I was just kidding".  He chuckled.

Mansur is really a nice guy and one of the most richest guy in the world, he's handsome, caring, playful and most of all romantic. I bumped into him someday when I had started my university class and from then, we became friends,he asked me out so many times but I told him to give me some time,he knows about my past because I told him.

"Congratulation my love....you're now a degree holder,I can't imagine! Then, you were just in your first year and-"

"Oh cut the stupid story Mansur" I said hitting his arm lightly and he smirk.

"So wanna go eat lunch with me?"

"Of course, handsome".

"Great!" He winked before I quickly pick up my bag and we left.

*****Next day*****

"Come on Maryam, let's get going".  Mrs Abubakar said.

"Yes Ma'am". I smiled. I was so happy, it's my first day of my vacation for the past two years.

"I wonder if the kids are going to like these more than the last time" I looked at the cupcakes I personally bake and pack for the children at the Orphanage.

"You're the best baker I've ever known in the whole world..so don't worry they will love it"

For two years now, I've been working at her cake shop. Thanks to Mom and my love for cake that made me secure a job here. If she hadn't make me work hard then when I was a kid, I wouldn't have been able to secure a job here.

Thinking about Mom, I missed her so much and even though we talked day before yesterday, it actually feels like eternity.

I bring out my phone and dial her number, she pick up at the first ring.

"My baby!" She exclaimed happily.

"Mom! As salamu Alaykum....good morning Ma"

"Wa alaykumu salam...morning my dear... How are you doing? Sorry, I was suppose to call you yesterday but I was too busy that's why"

"Mom, its fine seriously"

"So, when would my beautiful daughter finish her exams?".

"Mom, don't get mad, okay?... Actually it was yesterday"

"What?! And you didn't bother to tell us and to congratulate you?!!"

"Mom, that's why I had said you shouldn't get mad"

"Subhanallah...so how was it? Do you enjoyed it? And how-"

"Hello princess"

"Dad!"

"Good...good morning Dad"

"Jawad! give me back my phone, I need to talk to my daughter!".

I heard mom voice and I chuckled.

"Calm down woman, she's also my daughter too". I heard Dad replied her.

"So my princess, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine daddy"

"So, you're through with your exam and you didn't bother to tell your parent?" He asked dangerously.

"Erm.....Erm daddy, I'm sorry... I....I wanted to-"

"Its okay my princess, I'm just so proud of you"

"Thank you daddy"

"So, when are you coming home?"

Silence

Silence

Silence

"Maryam?"

"Yes!!!....Sorry daddy, but I don't know yet,I don't know".  I answered honesyly.

"Okay fine. I'll give you enough time but don't you think that I'm going to leave you there all alone by your self, sooner or later you'll have to come back home.. OK?"

"OK Dad"

"I-"

"What's that sound".  I thought.

"Nana let...me talk...to her".  I heard Dad's voice but why is he talking like that?

"Maryam, I'll call you back okay?"

"Dad, any problem?"

"Not at all dear..OK bye"

"Bye Dad"

I waited for him to hang up but he didn't and what I heard next really made me laugh so hard.

"Nana! Come here and finish what you started! I'm really in the mood!"

Geez!

I laugh as I  hang up my self.

"Your parent?".  Mrs Abubakar asked.

"Yes" I said smiling.

"Are you really going back to Nigeria?"

"Not now, I guess...why?"

"Nothing... I'm not just ready to miss you". She said and I smiled.

Every Saturday, Mrs Abubakar would visit the Orphanage home and I always accompany her. I also volunteered teaching them how to read and write, which was not so easy for me.

Today is Saturday and we're both going to the orphanage.

"So, are you read?".  She asked.

"Yes"I replied with a smile holding the cupcakes in my hand.

*******

"So nice to see you after a very long time" Mansur said.

"What? What do you mean after a long time? We saw each other last week remember?"

"Do we?" He asked acting dumb.

"Oh come on, stop acting". I replied rolling my eyes.

I led him to a vacant table near the counter. Few people were only there. Most of them are familiar with me because they were like our regular customer. They also know I was the chef here, all thanks to my one and only mother who had taught me all this.

Mansur and I sit and that was when I realise I was still putting on the apron over my gown. I was putting on a fitted black gown,with a low cut at the back. White high heel and white baby hijab.

"Oh sorry I forgot i was putting on this" I apologize taking the white apron off me.

"It's nothing...you always look beautiful in any attire Maryam" Mansur commented staring at me.

I didn't give him a reply instead, I changed the topic "so how was your flight?"

"It was the usual" he said.

I really don't know what's wrong with this guy, he's a governor son and also a business man but he's just too lazy.

"No, no don't give me that look, you know I don't like it"

"Then be serious I can't believe you're like this,how come you become a wealthy business man with you been so lazy!"

"It not my fault.. You just marry me and you'll see the changes"

Okay, I think this is getting to somewhere else.

"Excuse me...I'll... I'll be right back".  I said and he smirk.

"You don't need to run baby...I'm already on my way going". He said standing up.

"I'll come back next month baby".  Mansur said when we were outside.

"Sure" I replied.

"No, thank you hug for tonight?".  He asked catching me off guard when he lean to kiss my forehead.

"M..Mansur".  I stuttered.

"You don't know how much you make me happy Maryam...thank you".  He said.

"See you love" he wink before he entered his car and drove away.

****

Lying on my bed, I heard my phone ringing tone.

I look at the caller ID and roll my eyes before picking up.  "Hello sister"

"So, how was it with Mansur?" She directly asked me.

Imagine. No how are you? How is school? Crazy girl

"Fine sister"

"What do you mean fine....what kind of remark is that? aren't you going to give him a chance?"

"Maimuna! Mansur and I are just friends and-"

"Right, friends....Yeah, what's the rush right? I absolutely believe that what will be would be.  There's no need to rush things, what's meant to be, will surely be"

"Yes".  I said more like a whisper. Love shouldn't be rushed, most importantly it shouldn't be forced.

We talked and talked till there's nothing else to say again.

"I love you Maryam" I could feel the intense emotion embedded on that statement " I miss and hope to see you soon"

"I missed you and love you too sis" I replied.

******

We have a very big event, so I was working and working, most especially I had to help for the preparation.

I was expected to bake cake because according to Mrs Abubakar, a very important benefactor fell in love with my cupcake the last time he or she visited the orphanage, I was not around.

"I'll be happy if you could meet our benefactor today.... the person I had told you about, You'll meet him today, won't you?"

Him? A guy?

"Erm... Ma'am, it's okay if someone likes my cake but is it necessary to meet him?"

Mrs Abubakar smiled and said.   "It's time for you to meet someone dear, you've been so engross with your work and studies that you weren't ready to give anyone a chance....and besides, you don't have any boyfriend, do you?"

"Ma'am?!!!  Are you seriously saying this?".

"No dear, it's just that the first day I saw him, I don't know why but my heart remembers you right away. When he said he love your cupcake and he wanted to meet the baker,don't you think its a sign dear?"

"A sign of what mother?"

"God's way dear"

I looked at her confusedly, I couldn't understand why my heart skipped a bit. It had been a long time already since I felt the same familiar beating.

******

"Most of the guest have arrived.... Ma'am is looking for you".  Mrs Gloria said.

"Yes, I'll be out now Ma'am".  I smiled and she left.

At the mention of guests. I immediately feel my heart skipped a bit again.. Oh what's wrong with me?

I went outside finally and found Ma'am talking with some people. When she saw me, she gestured me to come.

I went to them and greeted and to my surprise, they all answered nicely and warmly. I heard someone clearing his throat joining us from behind.

"Mr Kareem Abdulazeez, thank goodness that you're here.  This is chef you've been wanting to meet"

Mr Kareem Abdulazeez?

My heart skipped. I turned and looked up at those two familiar brown eyes. Just like the last time,it was the kind of look that could make you feel as if you had just fallen into a dangerous trap .

Innalilahi wa'ina illaihi raji'un No! this can't be...this can't be happening!!