Chapter 14: The Proposal.

The early morning light peaks through a crack in the curtains, announcing the day. Dim rays of light shine onto the hardwood. The light poured into the window with the morning rain. Cascading it's memory onto the table that sit adjacent to the window, the light danced, leaving behind shadows of blinds that could not contain.
She uncovers her body and got off the bed. With sluggish, languid steps, she walks straight to her bathroom and took a shower. Under the shower cap, the warm droplets formed steam as she stood there without moving.
It was Monday again – and she couldn't be more upset about it. Weekdays used to be her favourites, where she goes out and do what she does best. But so many things have changed over the months. How did she let that happen? She loved going to work—sometimes even stay late just to do some extra work even if she wasn't going to get a dime out of it. But now, she threads weekdays morning and eager to get through the day and leave the place that used to bring smiles and peace to her.
She wasn't only going to blame the men in her life, she also blame herself—for letting them toy her around. If she had set limits with them, they wouldn't see an opening to play around with her mental health.
She didn't care what her colleagues say about her. Heck, she doesn't even know what they say knowing how she hardly leaves her office – not to talk of sitting with one of them to gossip or even try to make a conversation. She is in really good term with everyone, as she thought – but she always minded her business on what happens in the bank.
She finished taken her bath and sauntered out with a towel wrapped around her chest. She wanders across the room to her dressing mirror and did her skincare routine before moving to her closet.
While getting dressed, she heard a soft knock at her door. She picked up her blazer and wore it as she made her way to the door to unlock it. She always locked her door ever since she had learned everyone just barges in without permission, especially Sadiq.
'Adda Bushra, you're leaving already?" Yasmin asked, walking into the room. Bushra scooped Adila immediately she came to view. 'This girl is always getting cuter and cuter, day by day," she cooed and pinched her cheek lightly.
'Hajiya Mama is here," Yasmin announced out of the blue. Bushra didn't raise her head up nor did she give a reaction. She continued talking to Adila in her baby voice, but deep down, her heart was pounding against her ribcage. It could only mean one thing.
Hajiya Mama is their Father's mother. She hardly comes to Abuja with the reason that she despised traveling by air and she couldn't bare sitting for several hours from Yola to Abuja due to her back pain and leg problem. Whenever Hajiya Mama visited, there always has to be a valid reason. Now what brought her to Abuja?
'Adda Bushra, didn't you hear what I said? Hajiya Mama is here, and she summoned for you." Yasmin told her, as per her previous statement.
'I heard you the first time." Bushra sighed, a frustrated one. She handed Adila back to her mother and made her way to her dressing mirror to finish getting ready.
'Whatever brought her here, I really don't want to hear it to be honest. But, I'll be out in a minute when I'm done getting ready." Yasmin exhaled sharply and saunters out. She didn't know what Bushra thought their grandmother was here for, but she knew it was something unscrupulous.
Bushra left her room after some minutes and headed to the living room where she heard the chatter coming from. She took in a deep breath before walking in. 'Salamu Alaikum," she summoned the courage as she walks in. All the eyes in the room settles on her. She greeted her parents first before turning her attention to her grandmother. 'Good Morning Hajiya, you didn't tell us you were coming." She offered a smile at the beautiful old lady.
Hajiya mama smiled brightly. 'I wanted to surprise you guys. I didn't even inform your father until this morning. You're going to work already?" She observed Bushra's suit and she knew Bushra always wore it to work.
She slightly nodded. 'I have a meeting by 9am, so I have to leave early. How is Goggo Asma'u and all? Hope they're all fine." Bushra shifted uncomfortably. She could feel how Sadiq's scorching gaze was piercing through her soul.
'I wanted to come together with Safiyah and Asiya but they've resumed school this week. So, I came alone – Sadiq picked me up from the airport this morning." She looks at him and smiled. Bushra looked at the both of them. She knew if she didn't leave right at the moment, she was going to regret it. 'Hajiya I have to go now. I'll see you later in the evening. We have a lot to catch up." She turned on her heels and head towards the door.
'Aren't you going to have breakfast?" Hajiya Mama asked as she look up to her.
'I was going to ask the same thing," baba spoke taciturnly. She has noticed how quiet and stony he has been towards her lately. Why does it always have to be her?
Just few days, they were in good terms with him – now he was all cold and grouchy towards her. She used to be her daddy's girl. Always gets her ways with him that not even her mother or sister could. She always gets the best gifts, gets whatever she wanted, but few years ago, things changed. And she doesn't have anyone to thank but Sadiq for moving into their house few years back and ruining her relationship with her father.
'I'll eat at the office, it's too early for me to eat right now." She spoke before she bid them goodbye and left.
'I have something to say. Honestly, I've tried my best to keep this a secret and see if I can get things right but it's getting out of hand," Sadiq began with, the moment Bushra left. Baba looks at him thoroughly. 'What are you trying to say, Sadiq?" Baba asked him. He trusts Sadiq and he knew he'd never lie to him – as he thought.
'It's about Bushra and why she comes home late most of the times."
Baba and Hajiya Mama shared a look. Baba turned his gaze to Sadiq and urged him to speak. Whatever it was, baba was not ready to tolerate it. He has tolerated her enough, and it was time to take actions about it.
Later that day, Bushra was about to round up her work for the day when a soft knock came from her door. She snaps her head up and looked the door as her heart skipped a beat. Who could that be at the moment? She knew if it was any of her working partners, they'd just knock and walk in whether she gave them permission or not.
'Come in," she said enough for the person to hear. The door gently opens and a bunch of flowers came to view. Bushra heaved a sigh and massaged the bridge of her nose. She imagined the faces of her colleagues when they saw the delivery man walk in and headed to her office.
'Delivery for Miss. Mansur," the man said joyfully. It was the same man that delivered the first package. He dropped it off on her desk.
She looks at the bunch of gifts. This time, it wasn't a bouquet of roses, it was preserved roses – a heart-shaped arrangement from Rose-Pops—romantic. Her eyes sparkled when she unboxed the next gift – it was a Galaxy Rose. She had always wanted one for her side drawer and now she has gotten one. The next gift was a Regal Diamond ring – she observed it. Her mouth parted a bit by the way it was sparkling – is it a real diamond ring?
'Have a great evening, Miss. Mansur." He said softly and bowed his head humbly before heading towards the door. 'Oh, yes. Thank you," she mouthed her eyes still glued to the sparkling ring. She went back to the first box, where she saw a note and took it.
She opened it – it was another hand-written note, yet again. Her eyes sparkled with an unpredicted bliss. She unfolds it to read what he had written this time. Maybe he wasn't even the one writing the notes—maybe he pays someone to do everything for him. The words were too good and soft to be written by Mahir. Whichever way it was, she didn't care.
She lets out a sigh and went ahead to read the note.
‘I am deeply apologetic for hurting you and making you feel worthless. But you must know that I've realized my mistakes and that I promise to never repeat it. I won't stop calling you despite the fact that you don't answer my calls. I won't stop stalking on you even though you keep hiding from me. I won't stop sending gifts until you accept my apology. Please forgive me.'
Bushra gaped her eyes as her mouth parted. He stalks on her? How did she not know that? And for the phone calls, she has seen each and every phonecall and texts – but she wasn't prepared to speak to him, not just yet. What was she going to tell him even? That she has forgiven him and let bygones be bygones – just like that?
Bushra wrapped up the gifts and took them to her car before signing out for the evening.
She headed to Aldo's restaurant, where she had planned to spend the rest of her evening with Madina.
Madina was already there when she arrived. She smiled as she approached her. 'Hey," she began as she settled down. 'You're late, as usual." Her dark eyebrows crinkled together.
'I know, and I'm sorry. You know how this city can be when it's past 6pm. Hectic traffic." She sighed out of frustration. 'Have you ordered anything for us?"
'Yes, the usual. But that's not why we're here. I need details – the roses, galaxy roses, diamond ring. Where are they? Oh God, are you sure this guy is not in love with you or something?" Madina drums her fingers on the table out of excitement. She was so eager to hear everything Bushra had to say.
'Oh…yes. About that. I don't even know whether it's real diamond or not." She shrugs her shoulders and avert her gaze, looking around the full room. 'Where is it?" Madina asked, her eyes darted on Bushra as though if she blinked, Bushra was going to vanish. 'It's in the car anddd our food is here, let's talk about it after dinner, okay?" Madina slumped her shoulders as she sighed defeatedly.
She decided to let things go when she noticed how Bushra was uncomfortable. And she has been looking around the restaurant as if she was waiting for someone.
The waiter arranged their meal on the table and left. Bushra's eyes were still wandering around the room. 'Are you expecting someone?" Madina asked sardonically.
Bushra snapped her head towards her. 'Huh?" She was so occupied with her thoughts that she couldn't focus on what Madina was asking her. 'I said, are you expecting someone? Are you alright? You seem edgy." She asked again – this time, she was concerned.
'Oh… no… not at all. Let's eat. I'll give you full detail after we eat." Bushra scooped a forkful of her meal and munched on it. She closed her eyes and simply enjoyed it.
Madina excused herself to go to the ladies' room before they were even done eating.
Bushra focused on eating and out of the blue, she sensed someone sitting across the table, where Madina was sitting before she left. 'You're back already—" she said as she raised her head up. 'oh," she mumbled and sighed.
'I won't take much of your time, I promise." He spoke with pleading eyes. It was the first time Bushra ever seen him looking worried. Well… after the time his father almost went bankrupt.
She rested her back on the chair and folded her arms on her chest. 'Why are you stalking on me? What do you want from me? Why are you sending gifts to my office? Who told you I needed any of that?" She bombarded him with questions as she felt the anger surging in. Bushra never knew she was still angry until she saw his face before her.
He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. If only Bushra knew what he has on his plate, she would've felt sorry for him. 'I just want to apologize, Bushra. I know I screwed up bigtime, and what I did was unacceptable but please, forgive me." His eyes were filled with worry and guilt as he looked at her intently.
'Hmm! Yeah, I have forgiven you. You can go now; my friend is coming back any moment from now." She wondered what was taking Madina so long. 'Bushra… I am not leaving here until you forgive me, and you mean your words," he vowed, his eyes calmly searched hers.
'I said I forgive you what more do you want?" She shrieked not caring they were in public and people might look at them. 'Leave, right now!" She spoke through gritting teeth. Her brown eyes flashed in annoyance. He sat there without uttering a word and stared at her with his strong, yet piteous eyes. He meant it when he said he wasn't going to leave without fulfilling his wishes.
'What part of my words don't you understand? I said I have forgiven you so you can leave. I thought you were the richest man and your money can get you whatever you wanted? You can go to where the ladies would be swooning over your sight and leave me alone because I'm not—"
'Marry me," he blurted out and he didn't regret spilling them out.
Her eyes were shot close and she didn't know whether she heard him right or not. She slowly opened them and looked at him. 'Wh- what?" She mouthed, looking at him quizzically.
'Marry me." He said it again. A look of bitterness swept across her face. This man was full of audacity and gruesome jokes. 'What the hell are you—" the words trail off and she stared at him tersely.
He looked over her shoulder and Madina was approaching them. She paused when she spotted him. She smiled and turned on her heels. He heaved a sigh and turned his attention back to Bushra who had her eyes on his soul. She had so many questions to ask.
'Please, just hear me out—"
'Oh, I'm hearing you. I'm hearing you loud and clear." She cuts in, arms over her chest as she shuffles her legs impatiently.
'I will be forthright with you, Bushra. My father is retiring in five-months and he wants me to get married before he hands over the CEO position to me. He gave me six months to present my suitor and I don't have anyone in mind because I never had a girlfriend, not after University when I was together with my American girlfriend but my parents rejected the idea of marrying her. So, now I may have, sort of mentioned your name to them and they expect me to introduce you to them by next week else, I'm in deep waters. Please – marry me, Bushra. Just say yes."
Bushra lifted a brow, then sent a quick, distrustful look over his face. She threw her head back and let out a garish, humourless laugh. How surprising it was for the famous Mahir Adam Dan-Musa to come begging her for a favour – not just any favour it was a marriage proposal. That explains the diamond ring he bought her.
She crouches forward close to him. 'I thought your money could buy you anything you wanted? I thought you have the money and power to own whatever you want? So, why don't you go and buy yourself the wife?" She hissed loudly and eyed him before grabbing her bag and leaving without a back glance.
Bushra arrived home later that night and met the entire house members in the living room. They all looked upset, especially her mother. Her father tensed up when she walked in and she knew something was not right.