Chapter 12 Hamid

Sometimes I used to wonder how lucky Zubair was, he was always a step ahead of the rest of us in our crew.

He was the first to erect a house and also the first to get married, albeit his wife passed away a year ago after a brief illness.

Soon he would be leaving for hajj, making him the first to do so among us. How lucky was he? He was probably the chosen one.

"Cheers to Zubair" Said Hafiz as he lifted the glass of beverage in his hand.

"Cheers!" We all did the same.

"You guys are funny fa" He giggled at us.

"Funny? We are happy for you dai" Jamil snapped at him.

"Don't mind him!" Amir chimed in.

And as they continued talking, Zubair excused them and then signalled me to follow him which I did.

We headed outside to his parking lot and leaned by his car. "I know you must be wondering why I called you" He uttered.

"Yes, sure!" I gulped.

"Well," he huffed and continued. "As you already know my flight is next week In Shaa Allah, I don't know if I will come back so I want to discuss something with you"

"Like seriously?" I smirked at him. "Come on, man, you will come back In Shaa Allah safe and sound"

"Hmm, thank you but hear me out please" He said making me to compose myself.

"Okay" I gulped.

"Thank you," he heaved a sigh. "It's about your decision to start a business" he continued. "You quitted your job because of Rahmat and now you are running low that you want to open a provision shop?"

"Not really a provision shop, Zubair!" I snapped at him. "It's more like a big store. Trust me, I know how to make it work if I can get the loan I applied for"

"How much exactly?" He asked.

"15 million naira" I responded.

"15 million... what?!" He squalled.

"15 million naira!" I reprised.

"Ah, that's too much. Which financial institution will give you up to that amount without collateral?" He folded his arms across his chest.

"My house is the collateral, and it worths 25 million naira" I said as he shook his head.

"Okay then, just make sure you do something very profitable with the loan if you get it. That's my advice for you" He said as a matter of factly.

"Thanks. I will." I muttered.

Our discussion ended there and we both returned back to his flat before I eventually left in the evening.

While on my way home, I received a call from the organization I applied loan from. Swizz Limited. They told me to come to their Head Office at Abuja in two days time for screening.

"When coming, come along with your spouse" They had added.

"My what? Spouse? Why?" I had queried them.

"That's our policy, married applicants must come with their spouses or at least one of their children" They had responded before ending the call.

That moment I felt like the whole world was on my head. I shouldn't have indicated I was married while filling their form, but what if I lied and they later find out the truth? I deadpanned.

No problem, spouse right? I would do anything humanly possible to ensure I get the loan because I already had my plans in mind. The shop I was about to acquire was already on sale and anybody could grab it if I didn't hurry up.

It was a very big shop along Jarma Road and the businesses around there were doing well. Hence I believed it was a perfect place for me to start my own business as well.

I didn't consult my parents about it though because doing that will unveil the fact that I left my job and I really didn't want them to be disappointed or angry with me.

Amani had been doing a job well done for me by keeping my secrets. Even when Safiya arrived, she had warned her not to tell anybody I didn't have a job anymore. How kind of her!

Now, how should I approach her and tell her about the loan stuff? I believed she would understand but seriously, I didn't just know if I could face her and talk to her about it.

And if it wasn't confidential, I would have involved Safiya into it by sending her to Amani as usual. She was our intermediary, you know? I mean, middle person.

Okay, maybe I should send Amani a text message (SMS) but what if she didn't see it in time or somebody see it before her? I sighed and kept on thinking until I finally arrived home.

Thus, I parked in the parking lot close to the car I bought and dedicated for her transport, before storming out of my car.

Yazid greeted me humbly and then escorted me to the entrance of our storey before turning and walking back to the veranda of the boys-quarters were he sat.

As soon as I stepped my foot in our living room, I was welcomed by a pleasant aroma. Trust me when I say I didn't even know when I found myself heading towards the dining island!

Nobody was there though, it was just my warmer and other tableware. It had been that way ever since I had issue with Amani, she would cook food and just leave mine for me on the dining table.

Well, that wasn't really bad right? At least she wouldn't worry herself about waiting for me to come back home before serving me.

Bismillah...

I sat and quickly began eating what she kept for me. It was rice and beans, coupled with chicken and some stew. Delicious right? Verily, it was well cooked.

While eating, I heard some steps coming down the stairs and before I knew it Amani showed up and headed towards me. "Welcome back, Ya Hamid" She greeted me with a smile.

To say I was puzzled was an understatement the fact that for the past few weeks we hadn't been talking to each other directly, talk more of smiling at each other.

Maybe she's tired, maybe she wants a ceasefire. I said to myself before answering her greetings...

If not because I needed her to follow me to Abuja for my screening, I wouldn't probably mind if we keep holding grudges for the rest of our married life.