Chapter 18 XVIII

The next day I do my morning routine of prayers and exercise, and after breakfast I drive the children to school. I am wearing a brown sweater, wide leg trousers, orange tote bag, an orange hajib and leopard heels. I drop the kids at school and drive to the office. I have been working all day, and now I am on my way to pick the kids up from school. I prayed Dhuhr (Afternoon) prayer before leaving the office. As I am walking out of my office I see Fatima and Emma walking towards me like they have a bone to pick with me. I hope I have done nothing wrong. "Where are you going to?" Fatima blocks my way not allowing me to pass. "You have been avoiding us all week," Emma states, putting her hands on her hips. "How can you guys say that? I would never avoid you guys. I have just been swamped that s all." I realize I have hardly spoken to either of them this last week. "Really? Because if you are not avoiding us, where are you going now?" Fatima says crossing her arms. "I am going to pick up the kids from school," I say making my way to the elevator. "Since when do you pick up the kids?" Fatima asks following me. "Since my sister is on holiday." I enter the elevator with Fatima and Emma closely following. "Oh please, what is really going on? I have not spoken to you in a week." "Yes, even I haven t spoken to you in a while," Emma says. "Guys, it s nothing serious. I have just been busy with the visa stuff that s all," I say stepping out of the elevator. "I hope so because I was scared something happened to you," Fatima says. "Yes, me too," says Emma. "Are you serious! So, because I didn t message or call you guys for a week that must mean something was wrong? Are you my keeper that I must talk to you guys every day?" I laugh while leaving the building to walk to my car. "Yes, we are," Fatima and Emma say laughing also. "I love you guys," I say hugging them. "We love you too," they say returning the hug. "Are you coming with me? And please can someone explain to me why this lady in the black suit keeps following us?" I whisper. "She is my bodyguard," Fatima responds. "You're what now?" I ask confused. "I will explain in the car." Fatima says. The lady in the black suit gets in the car with us. "So now can you explain to me why you have a bodyguard?" I ask driving away. "Udar got me a bodyguard," Fatima says. "Why?" "I spoke to Udar about that lady who accosted me. He said he doesn t know who she is or why she approached me. But he said he would investigate it, and I should be careful. And he got me a bodyguard to make sure I am safe," Fatima says. "Wow, he must think she could be dangerous for him to get you a bodyguard," I say. "Yeah, I pray she stays far away from you!" Emma says. "I pray so, too. But I still feel like a bodyguard is too much. No offence, Joy," Fatima says to her bodyguard. "None taken ma am," Joy replies. "If he feels you need one, then he must have a good reason for it?" I wonder aloud. "I guess so," Fatima shrugs. "Yeah. And Emma how are things with Austin?" I ask. "We went to see his Grandmother and ever since then she has been getting better," Emma replies. "Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), that s great news." I say. "I know. I am so happy I agreed to visit her. But Austin and I didn t get a chance to talk about getting back together. He got a phone call and had to leave. He s been travelling, so we have not spoken about it. Maybe we will when he gets back," Emma says. "I pray things work out for you guys," Fatima says. "I pray so too," Emma agrees. WEDNESDAY Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), two days have gone by successfully without any troubles. Ismail has helped with the kids more than I imagined. He helps with getting the kids ready for school and helps them with their homework. It s like every day I see a new and better side of him. The other day I found out he is the one who has been teaching the kids Qur an all along, he never ceases to amaze me. Right now, I have been working in my office all morning. I have been so busy lately, and I don t even know why. The only break I had was when I stood up to pray Dhuhr (afternoon prayer). If not for that, I would have been sitting down all day working without a break. While busy working, I hear a knock on my door and ask the person to come in. To my surprise Ismail walks in. I wonder why he is here. "Are you ready?" Ismail asks, looking down at his Rolex wristwatch. "Ready for what?" I m confused as to what he is talking about. "I can t believe you forgot," he says. "Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah)! I forgot, actually! I have been so caught up in work," I exclaim, remembering we are to check out a new car, today. "Anyway, let s get going," He starts to leave my office carrying my bag. "Did you just carry my bag for me?" I smirk walking up behind him. "I guess I did," he replies smiling. We arrive at the car dealership and get out of Ismail s car and walk in. Ismail had arranged for a salesperson to help us with picking a car. As soon as we step in, a guy wearing a shirt with the company logo walks toward us. "Good day, you must be Mr and Mrs Uthman. I am Kevin, I will be helping you today," He extends his hand for Ismail to shake. "Good day too you, but we are not married," Ismail answers smiling. "Sorry, I just assumed with the ring on your finger," he says looking at my ring. "It s fine. It s just a piece of jewellery," I reply looking down at the gold ring I am wearing, that looks like a wedding band. "Okay, let me show you what we have," Kevin begins his sales pitch. We have been looking around, but I have not found anything I like. I am about to tell Ismail that maybe we should check another shop when I spot a car I might like. "Tell me about this one," I say to Kevin. "This white Rolls Royce Dawn is the 2019 version." Kevin says. "It has a 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 motor, 563 horsepower and can get up to 155 miles per hour." "Okay, can I see inside?" I ask stepping closer to the car. "Sure, why not." "Do you like it?" Ismail asks checking the inside with me. "I like it, but I would like to see more," I say getting out of the car. "Alright, this way ma am." "What of this one?" I head toward another nice car. "That is a Signature Red Tesla Model X with 22-inch MX114, Forged Wheels and color matched windows." Kevin smiles like he personally likes the car. "I like this one," I take a closer look at the car. "It s an SUV," Ismail says poking his head out from inside the car. "Oh, I am not looking for an SUV," I comment sadly. "Alright, what about this one. This is a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT 2 door Coupe. It has 275 horsepower and 295 rpm." Kevin tells us. "I like this one, Ismail what do you think?" I say smiling. "I like it too. But from the three he has shown you which do you like best?" Ismail asks. "I am really confused. Is this not the part where you help me out?!" I say to him. "I don t want you to pick one because I said so. I want you to pick it because you like it," he says smiling at me. "Thank you for that. The Tesla X is out because I don t want an SUV, so I am down to two choices. Kevin, can you give us a minute to discuss?" "Yes ma am, please take your time," Kevin says and walks away from us to give us some privacy. "The Rolls Royce is nice, but it s out of my budget. So, I will go with the Camaro." I state happy with my choice. "If that s what you want, then I am fine with it. But just so you know, that is the same car I drive," Ismail smirks. "What are you trying to say, are you saying that I picked the Camaro because you have one?" I raise my brows, shaking my head. "I didn t say that," Ismail says smiling sheepishly. "Whatever, let s go and close the deal." But I come to a stop when I see something amazing. "Oh, my God! Is that a Lamborghini Aventador S 2019, with 8,400 rpm horse and a top speed of 217 miles per hour?" I squeal when I see my dream car. "Wow, I can see you really like this car," Ismail says. "Like it? I love it! I love this car." "Then you should get it." "I love the car, but I can t afford it," I say deflated. "I could get it for you if you want?" Ismail says. "No, you can t do that. That would be too much for me to ask of you," I say shocked that he would offer to give me such a huge sum of money. "I don t mind, and you can pay me back any time, or you don t have to pay me back," Ismail says shrugging his shoulders. "Ismail, what are you saying?" I say completely shocked by his last statement. "I am saying that I don t mind buying the car for you." "No, Ismail I can let you do that," I am still in shock he would make such an offer. "I don t mind," Ismail says. "You know what? We should go and come back another day," I say walking out of the dealership. "Are you sure, because I don t mind?" Ismail says walking up behind me. "Yes, I am. And I think I need to take you to the doctor." I say getting into the car. "Why? I m perfectly fine." Ismail says starting the car. "No, you are not fine! Because if you were fine, I don t think you d be offering to buy me a car." "You are making it sound like it s a big deal." "Because it is." I feel confused wondering how Ismail does not see this is a big deal. "Not to me," Ismail says. "Really? Because I don t think it s everyday someone gives a person $500,000 dollars to buy a car and does not ask them to pay them back. Ismail that is half a million dollars!" I exclaim in total disbelieve. How does he not see this is a big deal? "To me it s not hard to give someone I c… don t worry." Ismail says not finishing what he was about to say, looking conflicted. "You were saying?" I ask confused, wondering why he didn t finish what he was about to say. "I want to because I want to." "So, you are saying you want to give me $500,000 just because you want to." I am totally not buying what he is saying. I know there was something he wanted to say but changed his mind. "Yes." I shake my head, not pushing him to tell me the reason now but making my mind up to find out later.