"Get all the papers ready and bring them to my office" Fawwad ordered his personal assistant at the reception area before he left to his office.

He was busy working on his wireless desktop when a soft knock came through.

"Yes, come in"

His personal assistant walked in, placing the paper in front of him. "Sir, here are the papers you requested for"

Without looking up, he dismissed her "Thank you, you may leave"

"And sir, there's one more thing," she said

"What's it"

"The conference meeting with the UN delegates from African nations and lunch with them afterward is taking place today"

"And you are just telling me now!" he howled which made her moved back out of fear.

He's kind to his employees and all their rights were rightfully given to them. But if any of them misbehaves or doesn't do his job well, then he won't hesitate to punish them in the right way, even if it means sacking them. That's why all his employees are hardworking, just like their boss.

"I'm sorry sir, they didn't inform us in time" she apologized.

"Just leave!" he cheesed off

Just when the door closed behind her, he recalled his father telling him about the meeting since last week.

'How could I have forgotten it so easily?'

"Damn it!" he furiously banged his table and stood up.

He got himself a cup of coffee to calm his temper down. Just when he was slurping down his coffee, it reminded him of Hussein. He hasn't set his eyes on him throughout the day. He thought of going to check on him, but he decided against it. He has already a lot of work ahead of him and now this meeting is just messing everything up. He knew that he'll see him during the meeting.

Placing the disposable cup in the bin beside his table, he grabbed a pen from a cup that contains neatly arranged writing materials. He checked the papers brought to him. He went through them and signed where necessary and also made some amendments.

*****

"Oh my God! So it's you that's after my life" she chuckled. Excitement fully evident in her voice" Noor, it's been a hell of a time. Where the heck have you been?"

"We've just moved back to Abuja and I've lost my phone. It was so hard getting back my numbers, especially your's babe" she sounds just as thrilled as her amigo.

"You know I'm just too special" she giggled.

"Ohh com'on! don't be too flattered hun"

"Whatever," she said in a duh tone and Noor giggled "Where's my baby?"

"Baby, my foot. She's 11 for God's sake"

"Someone is jealous" she dragged the word jealous and if to say they were together, she would have earned herself a dead glare or even more a smack.

"Whatever" Walija laughed. That's the type of friends they are; always teasing each other.

"When are you coming to see me?... You know that I've missed that crazy face of yours"

"Awwwn! I've missed your ugly face too" she laughed "we're still unpacking" she sighed. Noor is by and large the lazy type " insha Allah by next week, I know that we'll be done"

"Next week it is!" Walija squealed

"Ouch! Easy babe... Yes, Ammie!!!" she vociferated.

"I love my eardrums too"

Noor laughed, knowing that her friend is trying to get back at her "got to go Ammie is calling me. My regards to Umma" and that single sentence made Walija remember the disastrous life she's living in.

When she didn't get an answer, she has to check her phone to see whether the call was disconnected, but the call was still reading. "hey! you there?" She spoke again.

"Yea!...yea I'm here...I'll tell her" she nervously chuckled. She couldn't just tell her that she's married. She'll start squealing and awwing and asking her weird stuff which she's definitely not ready for, then start feigning hurt of not knowing about her best friend's wedding. Being the drama queen she is.

"Okay... Bye" Noor wasn't convinced by the answer given to her. But then she's in a haste preventing her from asking further questions. That's how the call was disconnected.

Noor Jamal was Walija's childhood friend, just like how Hussein Omar is to Fawwad. Noor and Walija's friendship is a strong one and their bond knew no bound. Their families are good old family friends and that's what made their friendship even stronger.

They've attended the same nursery and primary school but when they were about to enter junior secondary school, Noor's Father got a transfer to Canada. From then, they got separated as Noor's family moved back to Canada and only visit on holidays.

A year after Walija's father also secured another job in the diplomacy, that's how Walija's family also moved out of the country and only got to meet the Jamals on rare occasions like on Eid festivals.

But then Noor's father was transferred from Canada to China. He said it was really far so they won't come back even for the holidays till after four years. That's when they finally got separated and didn't see each other again.

Noor's family moved to Lagos afterward. They didn't hear about each other again until this day. To say they're excited to hear from each other today, will be an understatement.

*****

"Thank you very much for the wonderful lunch" one of the delegates said after the meeting and lunch were over.

"It's a pleasure to have you here" Fawwad smiled. They exchanged a handshake.

The meeting took place in a grand hotel conference hall and the lunch in the hotel's restaurant which was previously reserved by Abby to be used by them.

The meeting was successful and the outcome was positive. After the meeting, Abby became more proud of his son. He had really contributed positively to enhancing the business.

After they've escorted them out of the building, Abby spoke to his son.

"Thank you for today" he smiled.

"It's nothing" he threw back the same smile.

They both kept mute and as if on queue, they both turned to their cars and drove away. Yes, that's how their relationship has become; they only talk about business and nothing personal.

Fawwad drove back to the office. When he was finally seated behind his desk to finish some work, he realized that he haven't seen Hussein during the meeting or lunch. He wanted to check on him before he leaves for the meeting but he was too stressed out and was running late. Hussein also didn't call him which is so unusual of him.

He tried calling his office landline but there was no answer, so he called the reception.

"Did Hussein came to the office today?" was the first thing he asked.

"Let me check sir" a few seconds later, she replied after checking the list of attendees in her system "No, sir he didn't"

"Is there any reason?"

"No sir he's just absent"

"Okay" with that, he cut the line.

That's strange.

He then decided to call his personal line but it was off.

What could possibly be wrong with Hussein?

Just then he thought of calling Hussein's fiancée; Meriam. He didn't call his mom cause he doesn't know what's really happening. It might not be a big deal, but his mom might create a fuss out of it.

"Hey, Meriam"

"Fawwad" she answered, but her voice was down.

"Meriam" he suddenly became worried "what's wrong?... and where's Hussein?

"He... he... actually... he's" she couldn't finish what she was about to say when she broke down crying.

😱

😂

😿

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