Chapter One
It was a sunday night.
Mukhtar and his father were having tea.
"I heard that you finished the deal yesterday,"said Mr Hassan sipping his tea.
"Yes father I did. I came home late yesterday and you were already asleep. Everything is moving smoothly lately Alhamdullilah, "said Mukhtar.
"But son, don't you think you need someone by your side?"asked Hassan concerned.
"Someone? I don't need anyone in my life father. I have you and that's enough, "replied Mukhtar sipping his tea.
Mr Hassan kept his cup of tea and calmly said"Look Mukhtar, the truth is I won't be with you for long and you need someone and I want to see my grandchildren before I die please. Won't you get married?"
"Inshallah I will do that very soon,"replied Mukhtar.
"That's what you say everytime I ask you for over five years now. You are not even trying to find love for yourself Mukhtar. Since the incident that happened when you were nine,you've completely changed. Please son, I beg of you to get married,"pleaded Mr Hassan.
"I am sorry father. I'll get married soon,"said Mukhtar taking the last sip of his tea." It's just since that incident, I don't feel love and I don't want to be attached to anyone father. I have gone through alot and I don't want to get hurt again,"explained Mukhtar keeping the cup of tea on the centre table.
"I understand son. But...," before Mr Hassan completed his sentence, Mukhtar interrupted.
"It's getting late father. Tomorrow is Monday and there is alot of things I have to handle and you are going for a check up tomorrow. Go to bed and have some rest before then,"said Mukhtar.
"You're trying to run away from the topic son. But it's fine. I'll continue praying for you. You'll find your soul mate soon,"said Mr Hassan.
"Thank you father. I'll go to bed now, "said Mukhtar standing up.
Mukhtar clapped his hands and the manservant immediately came and took the cups to the kitchen.
"Good night father, "said Mukhtar and left to his bedroom.
Mukhtar went to bed and left his father worried.
"Have I not been a good father to Mukhtar? Though I provided him with all the wealth and luxury, he is still lonely inside. Oh Allah, only you understand my pain and worries. Please help my son get a good wife and forgive me if by any chance I did not fulfill my duties as a father, "prayed Mr Hassan in his mind and afterwards went to bed.
The next day during breakfast, the manservant was serving Mukhtar breakfast.
"Green tea or black tea sir?"asked the manservant politely.
Without saying a word, Mukhtar moved his eyeballs to the right.
"Yes sir,"said the manservant and poured down some hot green tea for Mukhtar.
"Anything else?"asked the manservant.
Mukhtar stared at the manservant and said nothing and started eating.
"Yes sir, "said the manservant and left.
Mr Hassan who was already eating breakfast asked " Why do you always talk to the workers with your eyes?"
"Nothing,"replied Mukhtar sipping his tea.
"For how long are you going to continue to be cold?"asked Mr Hassan.
"Father, I am not sure about that,"replied Mukhtar vividly showing a sign of not in the mood to talk.
"Fine,"said Mr Hassan and continued eating.
After breakfast, Mr Hassan and Mukhtar got ready to go to the hospital for Mr Hassan's check up when Mr Hassan got a call.
"Assalamualaikum, "said Mr Hassan upon picking up the call.
After a few minutes of conversation, the call ended.
"Is everything okay?"asked Mukhtar.
"Yes. It's Dr Ibrahim. He won't be able to meet us today due to personal reasons but he told one of the nurses about the appointment and she will take us to another doctor for the check up,"explained Mr Hassan.
"It's fine since the appointment has not been postponed,"said Mukhtar.
"Let's leave now,"said Mr Hassan.
The driver drove them and they soon arrived at the hospital.
"Wait in the car, " said Mukhtar to the driver as he came down from the car.
"Yes sir, "said the driver.
"After you father, "said Mukhtar.
They went into the hospital and met the receptionist.
"Assalamualaikum, "said Mukhtar.
"Wa alaikum assalam sir. How may I help you?"asked the receptionist.
"Please we are looking for a nurse. Urhm...what's her name father?"asked Mukhtar looking back to his father.
"Hauwa,"replied Mr Hassan.
"Yeah, Hauwa,"replied Mukhtar looking back at the receptionist.
"Oh! She is the one there," said the receptionist pointing at Hauwa.
"Thank you, "said Mukhtar.
Mr Hassan and Mukhtar went to Hauwa who was writing down something.
"Assalamualaikum. You're Hauwa right?"asked Mukhtar.
"Wa alaikum assalam warahmatullah wabarkatuh. Yes sir. I am Hauwa. How may I help you?"replied Hauwa with a smile.
"Dr Ibrahim told us to meet you for my father's blood pressure checkup. He said you'll be taking us to another doctor,"explained Mukhtar.
"Y...yes. Mr Hassan right?"asked Hauwa confused.
"Yeah,"replied Mukhtar staring into Hauwa's eyes.
"Bu...but the patient is already with the doctor, "said Hauwa getting more confused.
"I don't understand what you're saying,"said Mukhtar with his hands inside his pocket looking at Hauwa as he tried to contemplate what she is saying.
"Mr Hassan is already with the doctor, "said Hauwa.
"What are you saying?"asked Mukhtar taking his hands out of his pocket." You gave my father's appointment to someone? For what? Huh? For money? You see that is the only thing people like you are so worried about. MONEY. Little madam, you either go in there and get whoever is in there and let my father go in or else I'll make you regret ever meeting me in your life,"added Mukhtar in rage looking into Hauwa's eyes as he said every word.
"Son! What is this? She must have mistaken the other person for me. Everyone makes mistake. No need to threaten or yell at her,"said mr Hassan annoyed.
"I..I am sorry father but why will she do such a thing?"asked Mukhtar still upset.
Ignoring Mukhtar, Mr Hassan said to Hauwa who was standing there calmly.
"I am sorry my daughter. I know you mistaken the other person for me. It's okay,"
"No need to apologise to me father. I am at fault here because I made the mistake and I am very sorr. I'll talk to the doctor so he can attend to you,"said Hauwa.
"No need to do that. We'll wait for him to finish attending to the other person,"said Mr Hassan.
"Okay then. I'll take my leave. I am sorry once again, "said Hauwa and left.
Mr Hassan and Mukhtar sat in the waiting room.
There was silence in there and the only sound hears was the wall clock which goes "tick-tock, tick-tock,"
"I am sorry father. I didn't mean to make you angry. I just don't want something wrong to happen with you, "said Mukhtar.
"Look Mukhtar, you are getting older by each day. You are no longer a child. Being short tempered is a weakness. Now,take an example with the nurse. Though you yelled at her,she listened to you calmly without talking back to you. Didn't you feel ashamed? Even I as your father don't understand you Mukhtar. Since that incident, you've totally changed and you know what? Meet the nurse and apologise to her do you hear me?"asked Mr Hassan upset.
Mukhtar nodded and said nothing.
Just a while later, an elderly man came to them in the waiting room.
"Excuse me. Are you Mr Hassan please?"asked the man.
"Yes I am,"replied Mr Hassan.
"I am so sorry for going in there before you. I have somewhere to be and immediately I came, a nurse asked if I was Mr Hassan and I said yes. I am sorry for doing that and thank you for letting the doctor finish attending to me,"explained the man.
"It's fine. I wish you a quick recovery,"said Mr Hassan with a smile.
"Ameen. You may go in now. The doctor is waiting for you,"said the man and left.
Giving Mukhtar a serious look, Mr Hassan said in a calm tone "Don't let me come back and find you here without apologising to the nurse,"and went inside.
Mukhtar feeling frustrated about everything, stood up to look for Hauwa. After a while of looking around, he spotted Hauwa pushing an old man on a wheel and took him inside a ward.
He walked to the ward and waited for her outside.
A few minutes later, Hauwa came out of the ward and didn't see Mukhtar.
"Little madam, "said Mukhtar.
"Oh! How may I help you sir?"asked Hauwa politely.
"I...I..."stammered Mukhtar as he felt like there was a heavy stone on his tongue.
"Yes?"asked Hauwa.
"I...I.."
"I am sorry sir but I have a lot of things I have to attend to,"said Hauwa and left leaving Mukhtar feeling disrespected by her.
Mukhtar went to his seat in the waiting room waiting for Mr Hassan.
After a while Mr Hassan came out from the doctor's office and met Mukhtar looking annoyed.
"What is it now?"asked Mr Hassan.
"Nothing father. Let's leave now,"replied Mukhtar standing up.
"Have you done what I told you to?"asked Mr Hassan.
"She is busy father. I couldn't talk to her,"replied Mukhtar.
"Pay the bills and meet me in the car. But just know that you'll return and apologise to her tomorrow, "said Mr Hassan and left to the car.
"Huff!"sighed Mukhtar with his hands on his face and paid the bills.
The driver dropped Mukhtar at his office and took Mr Hassan back home.
After maghrib prayer, the driver got Mukhtar from the office and were on their way back home when Mukhtar spotted Hauwa standing by the streets.
"Stop the car," ordered Mukhtar.
"Yes sir," said the driver and parked the car.
Mukhtar went down the car in a black suit and elegantly walked to Hauwa who was looking for a cab back home.
"Assalamualaikum, "said Mukhtar.
"Oh it's you again. Wa alaikum assalam, "said Hauwa looking at Mukhtar.
"What are you doing all alone by this time. It's getting late, "said Mukhtar with his hands in his pockets.
"There was a lot of work at the hospital today and I can't get a cab back home,"replied Hauwa.
"Hmm,"exclaimed Mukhtar. "Really?"asked Mukhtar.
"Yes sir. Why else would I be doing here?"replied Hauwa feeling intimidated.
"Get in the car. I'll give you a ride home,"said Mukhtar.
"No sir. I'll wait for a cab. Don't worry about me,"said Hauwa.
"I am not begging you. I am asking you. And I don't care about you. My worry is your parents back home. I'm sure they are worried by now," said Mukhtar.
"I...I'll wait here,"said Hauwa.
"Little madam, get in the car. I'll drop you home. I don't have time to waste and I don't let my order unattended to,"said Mukhtar.
"Fine. Let's go, "said Hauwa moving ahead.
"Good,"said Mukhtar walking behind her.
Hauwa tried to open the door of the car but couldn't.
"I....I can't open the door please,"said Hauwa struggling to open the door of the car.
Without saying a word, Mukhtar opened the door of the car for her and closed it after she went in before getting in the car.
In the car, Hauwa directed the driver and soon arrived at the gate of her home.
"Thank you sir,"said Hauwa and went down the car.
Before she closed the door of the car,she saw Mukhtar beside.
Looking at Hauwa with a stare, Mukhtar said " I am sorry for what happened earlier,"
With a smile, Hauwa said " It's okay sir. I made a mistake and I am sorry,"
"Is sorry your second name?"asked Mukhtar almost annoyed by the sorry Hauwa said.
"No sir. I have to go now. Thank you once again. Good night,"said Hauwa and went inside her home.
"Why always say sorry then?"thought Mukhtar to himself.
Mukhtar stood there for a minute before getting back in the car.
Soon,Mukhtar arrived home and met his father in the living room.
"Assalamualaikum father,"said Mukhtar sitting down.
"Wa alaikum assalam son. What took you so long to return home?"asked Mr Hassan.
"I..I saw the nurse earlier at the hospital. She was all alone and couldn't get a cab back home so I gave her a ride back home,"explained Mukhtar.
"And...why will you do that?"asked Mr Hassan.
"It's not safe out there father. What if something happens to her. She was all alone and her parents may get worried so I gave her a ride back home,"replied Mukhtar.
"Sure?"asked Mr Hassan raising an eyebrow.
"Father, I just explained everything to you. So please don't intimidate me about it,"replied Mukhtar getting annoyed.
"Fine,"said Mr Hassan raising his hands in the air. "But that won't stop you from apologising to her. You'll go back to the hospital and do that tomorrow,"added Mr Hassan.
"I already did that. And father she didn't even take what I did seriously as you did. She apologised to me again even though it was just a misunderstanding. I looked like a fool in front of her,"explained Mukhtar annoyed.
"She apologised again?"asked Mr Hassan suprised.
"Yes she did,"replied Mukhtar.
"And what did that teach you?"asked Mr Hassan.
"I don't get it?"replied Mukhtar confused.
"She is a calm person unlike you always acting cold,"said Mr Hassan.
"Father,"said Mukhtar looking at his father.
"What is it?"asked Mr Hassan.
"It's fine. Nothing,"replied Mukhtar looking away from his father.
"What is it son?"asked Mr Hassan concerned.
"Nothing. It's almost time for Isha prayer. I'll make wudu and leave to the masjid,"replied Mukhtar and left to his bedroom.
"Huff"sighed Mr Hassan. "I really need to get him a partner because I can't bear all this. He is literally depressed. I have to do something about it,"thought Mr Hassan to himself before getting ready to go to the masjid.
After Isha prayer, Mukhtar and his father returned home and found dinner arranged on the dinning table.
They sat on the dinning table and started eating.
"Do you like it?"asked Mr Hassan trying to interact with his son.
"It's good,"replied Mukhtar.
"I am still suprised you know,"said Mr Hassan taking a sip of water.
"Surprised? By what?"asked Mukhtar confused.
"I mean everything happens for a reason you know,"replied Mr Hassan.
"I don't get it, "said Mukhtar.
"The nurse. I mean how comes you met her again?"asked Mr Hassan.
"A coincidence I guess. Why else?"replied Mukhtar.
"Or maybe she's the one for you,"said Mr looking at Mukhtar before looking away and continued eating.
"Hmph!"exclaimed Mukhtar unbothered.
"You know, I've been praying so much for a wife for you lately son. I think Allah finally answered my call. Maybe she's your soul mate and she was able to handle your attitude," added Mr Hassan.
"Father, I've barely known her. We just met today and you think she is my soul what? Yeah soul mate?"asked Mukhtar almost annoyed.
"Son, I can ask for permission from her father and you can get to know each other,"replied Mr Hassan.
"Father, is this how eager you are to get me married?"asked Mukhtar suprised.
"Look son, I have given you enough time to look for someone you love but you don't have the intention to. Now, I feel comfortable that the nurse will make a good wife to you and you still don't want that. For how long are you going to be alone Mukhtar?"asked Mr Hassan.
"We just met her today father,"replied Mukhtar annoyed.
"I'll make investigations about her son. Just...just.give it a try,"said Mr Hassan staring at Mukhtar.
At this moment, Mukhtar could see how tense and concerned his father is.
"I'll give it a thought father,"said Mukhtar.
"Fine. Take your time. Eat your food now,"said Mr Hassan.
After dinner,
"I'll go to bed now, "said Mukhtar standing up.
"Don't forget to pray, "said Mr Hassan.
"I won't. Good night,"said Mukhtar and went to bed.
