"Boss's wife, your hubby is here" Ruqayya teased,

"Ruqqaya I've told you several times to call me Nadia, 'boss's wife' makes me feel old" Nadia whined as she cleaned both of her hands with a brown fluffy towel laying on the brown Marble counter top in the industrial kitchen,

"Sorry Nadia the boss's wife" Ruqayya said quickly covering her mouth with her hands when Nadia glared at her,

"I can't just stop saying it, it's so sweet" Ruqayya stiffled her laughter, but she released it loudly when she couldn't hold it in again,

"whatever, see you tomorrow" Nadia rolled her eyes while waving at her,

"bye boss's wife" Ruqayya shouted behind Nadia.

She picked up her bag from the counter and ambulated to where Abdallah parked his car.

It's already a week since Nadia started working at triple A café, and she wouldn't have wished for anything better than that, she picked up really fast thanks to ruqayya and the other staffs as well, she liked the fact that none of them treated her as though she were the boss, they all made her feel like she was one of them, they all commended Nadia's culinary skills because with her help two more pastries will be added to the menu very soon.

Nadia got out of the café slowly, she looked to her right, but she couldn't see Abdallah's car, she turned to the left, that was when she sighted his car from afar.

She walked slowly and majestically towards his black tinted SUV. She was unable to understand why Abdallah has formed the habit of picking her up from her workplace since when she started working, he has a lot of cars, and he knows very well that she could drive. When she couldn't find any more reasons, She ended up concluding that he might be doing it for the public.

"salam alaykum" she muttered when she pulled the front door open,

"walaykum salam" he replied as he ignited the car.

"How was your day" she asked,

"fine Alhamdulillah" he replied as he reversed and got moving.

Nadia was at least happy that their relationship improved in just a week, Even though they don't talk, they eat together and have some brief greetings which is always done by Nadia - She's still okay with that - since fighting wasn't involved any more. She just hopes things stays this way or even better, but not worse.

"How was your day" Abdallah asked Nadia after some minutes of silence while driving,

"well that's new" Nadia thought to herself while smiling before she replied, "fine Alhamdulillah, it was great" He only nodded his head and silence took over once more.

****

"Aaima, am I the only one seeing that nadeey's cheek has increased" Basma yelled through the screen,

"I'm seeing it too oo" Aaima concurred,

Nadia blushed at their comment, she was now contemplating if being on a conference video call with both of them is a good idea because they'll only tease her until they can't any more.

Nadia was blushing hardly while speaking to them, not knowing there was someone close to her watching her. Abdallah gazed at her as she smiled, he ponders if it's possible for someone to be genuinely happy like the way she was looking, Her smile says it all. He has never been that genuinely happy, it's possible she has no worries or problems like him.

"Girl!, hope you're not stealing their ingredients because I know you like sweet things" Basma asked referring to the triple A café,

Nadia hushed her by putting her index finger on her mouth, she scanned her surrounding to make sure Abdallah wasn't there, but she didn't know he was seeing all her actions and hearing her, "I do steal but very little" she said laughing, and they all joined her too, Abdallah also smiled when he heard that.

"nadeey, aaima I've to go, mama is calling me" Basma declared,

"bye my regards to everyone at home" Nadia waved at her as she hung up the call leaving only Nadia and Aaima.

"ehn, ehn, Aaima I'll be coming to Kaduna this weekend" Nadia said,

"It's time already?" Aaima asked,

"Yes it'll be by the weekend" Nadia smiled painfully,

"toh safe journey, have you told Abdallah?" Aaima asked,

"no I haven't, but I'll tell him very soon",

"May Allah make it easy" Aaima prayed,

"Ameen" Nadia replied, "talk to you later" Nadia said,

"thanks for calling, take care bye" Aaima replied,

"bye" Nadia waved as she hung up.

Abdallah went back to his room tip toeing, he couldn't understand why Nadia was going to Kaduna and why she felt sad saying it. He couldn't help but eaves drop on her conversation because he wanted to know more, but unfortunately, she hung the call up.

****

The next day, Abdallah and Nadia did their routine, dressing up, eating and leaving the house together. Abdallah pulled his car up in front of Nadia's workplace,

"thank you" Nadia muttered getting out of the car, Nadia was about leaving when Abdallah honked at her bringing back her attention, he rolled the glass down, so she could see him properly,

"don't steal the ingredients again, or else I may sack you" he smirked as he drove off. Nadia stood at the place perplexed,

How did he know,

does he have CCTV in the kitchen or what?

She thought of all possible ways he might have found out while slowly walking towards the café.

****

"Take a look at this" Ruqayya said happily placing a flyer on the desk in front of Nadia,

"what is this?" Nadia said, picking it up to read it's content, "you don't mean it!" Nadia squealed happily embracing her,

"we did it" Ruqayya smiled throwing her hands up,

"more like you did it" Nadia playfully hit her arms,

"common as the chief baker, I know you've a lot of talent" Ruqayya said,

"ok I'll take that as a compliment, thanks" Nadia extended her mouth to give her a toothy grin,

"you're welcome"

"erhmm erhmm" Ruqayya cleared her throat, "on behalf of the entire staff of Triple A, we nominate you to represent the café" she added smiling,

"no way !" Nadia shook her head in amazement,

"yes way, congratulations" Ruqayya said clapping,

"why me?, I just started, there are many other qualified candidates even you" Nadia asked still surprised that she was nominated,

"well, we had a board meeting, and they all choose you, even the staffs here agreed you're well-qualified"

"and you also know I can't go because I'm in charge of this place" Ruqayya smiled, "so stop asking questions and hug me" Ruqayya said opening her arms widely,

"thank you so much" Nadia said closing the hug,

"you're welcome dear, you deserve it".

****

Nadia couldn't wait to tell someone about this huge achievement of hers, she barely held herself from blabbering everything to Abdallah when he came to pick her up, but she stopped knowing he might not be interested, she postponed it until during dinner since she has another thing to tell him as well.

****

Immediately Abdallah finished eating dinner, he was about to stand up to take his plates to the kitchen, but Nadia stopped him, "don't worry I'll do it" she said collecting the plates from him,He released the plates to her nodding his head, "can you please wait here, I've something to tell you" she asked, holding his plates and hers,

"okay" he replied in a low tone before seating back on the chair,

After quickly washing, rinsing and drying the plates, Nadia went back to where she left Abdallah, she took a seat opposite where he was seated,

"where should I start from" she muttered lowly closing her eyes tightly, Abdallah looked at her clearly amused by her actions. "Okay" she said opening her eyes throwing him a small smile, "I got nominated to represent the café in a baking contest in Istanbul turkey" she said happily,

"ohh congratulations" he replied dryly not even smiling,

"he's such a vibe killer" she said to herself mentally rolling her eyes, Since he wasn't as excited as she expected him to be, Nadia decided to move unto her next topic,

"uhmm, I'm going to Kaduna next tomorrow" she played with her fingers as she spoke,

"why are you going there?" he asked inquisitively,

"for visitation" she replied simply,

"okay, stay safe"

"thank you" she said.

****

Abdallah laid on his bed, but he couldn't sleep, he wanted to know the reason why she was going to Kaduna, he knew there was more to it.

He knows it isn't at all safe for her to move around during this period that election was approaching, his father's opponents would try to win his father using him and now that Nadia was in the picture they'll try to harm her also, that's why he makes sure he drops and pick her up from her workplace, but he knew exactly what to do. He picked up his phone to dial a number, when the other person picked up,

"salam alaykum"

"I need your help" he said over the phone.

@zinat Abdulkadir ✍️