C5 Aliya

Yesterday Hajiya was able to convince me to start working in her store, at least for a mean time. And today after breakfast, we drove off to the store. It was located in a mall together with several other stores, mainly groceries. I think hers was the only Jewelry store there. "Hmm, it been long I set my foot here" I said.

"Yes, that's true!" She uttered locking the car.

"Is Annie still working in your store?" I asked.

"Yes!" She said as we began walking towards the store. "What can I do without Annie? She really is a hardworking woman, some of my keys are even with her. She's always the first to come and the last to leave, she's in charge of opening and closing the store. I trust her"

"That's great" I said and before I could utter another word my eyes landed on the man I bumped into yesterday in BLD Head Office. Yeah, the handsome man that'd called me a bitch. Well, I turned my face away and thus pretended like I had never seen him before.

Just as we were in the store, Hajiya showed me around after introducing me to her five employees namely Khultum, Hikma, Sakina, Doris, and Lami. No need to be introduced to Annie because I already knew her, she lived so close to us and was a wonderful woman.

After the orientation, Hajiya walked me to a room which obviously was her office. It was small but conducive. There was a table and swivel chair for her, also two chairs for her visitors. On top of the table was a desktop, it was used (according to her) to access all the transactions that is going on and to monitor the activities in the store via the 12 cameras. She actually made many things cognizant to me. "...so that's all, any question?" She said.

"Not really" I said wearing a smile.

"Good!" She smiled back. "Don't forget, your duty is to stay here and monitor everything"

"Alright" I said keeping my bag on the desk.

"Okay" She uttered and then left, saying she would be back later - perhaps before noon.

Hmm, I sighed relaxing in the swivel chair. And that was it, my work started today and right this instant. Not that bad, after all it is better than staying at home doing nothing. Yes, ever since I rounded up my school all I used to do was, eat, drink, watch films, chat, sleep... and sometimes help Balaraba in the kitchen. Nonetheless, Hajiya would always credit my account with money. Sometimes N50k, and sometimes N100k or even more. And that didn't stop her from buying me things during eid celebrations... and so on.

******

While staring at the computer in front of me observing the transactions that was going on in the store, my phone buzzed - it was a text from an unknown number. "Dear Aliya, we sent you an email yesterday to come around 10am today for screening and it is already 11. Do you really need this job? Reply urgently!"

"No, I don't!" I absentmindedly texted back.

"But why, Aliya??" The person texted again.

"Because I have a job already" I texted back.

"Oh, okay then!" The person texted again.

"Yes!" I texted back and dropped the phone.

And why should I even accept their job? They clearly showed me how terrible they were, I would rather stay without job than to work with them. They should give the job to those that can tolerate their taunts, those that are desperate to get a job and feed their families!

Knock!

Knock!!

Knock!!

Someone knocked the door vigorously. "Yes, come in!" I uttered. I already knew it wasn't Hajiya, if she was the one then she wouldn't have knocked. It was one of our employees, Doris and it seemed something wasn't right.

"Aliya, your attention is needed!" She said.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Oops, aren't you monitoring the cameras?" She asked as she wrinkled both her brows.

"Oh, sorry!" I uttered realising how carried away I was. Thus I looked at the monitor in front of me, and in bewilderment I saw the store so crowded. "What is going on, Doris?"

"Just come please, Aliya!" She said leaving.

"Okay" I stood to my feet and followed her. Just as we were there, I saw two girls held aggressively by some strong guys. I was so confused, hence I dismissed the rest of the crowd and asked Doris what was going on.

"Actually," She cleared her throat and thus continued. "These girls attempted to steal a jewelry in the name of buying it. A special thanks to Annie, she caught them vividly!"

"And this isn't the first time" Annie chimed. "They had unsuccessfully tried it before..."

"Is that true?" I asked the pathetic girls.

"No, we... we..."

"Quiet!" Said one of the guys holding them.

I didn't know what else to say so I turned to Annie. "Have you called Hajiya?" I queried.

"Yes, and she's coming over with the police" Annie said. Thence, the girls started crying.

"Please we are sorry, we won't do it again..." They kept begging until Hajiya arrived with the police. And in front of me, the girls were taken away. It was sad, they were so young.

*******

Later in the evening while on our way home Hajiya told me about many robbery attempts in her store and how God used to help her. If not for the help of God, she might have been crumbled long ago. "Those strong men you saw are our guards, and each of them has a gun" She said as she made a turn to our area.

"But why didn't you tell me about them? I... I thought they were just helping us" I uttered.

"I forgot to" She sighed. "I was eager to go to the airport and secure a flight ticket to Paris"

"Paris??" I puzzled. "But you just came back few weeks ago, Hajiya. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is okay, dear. Alhaji just want to see us" She said making me to lift up a brow.

"Us?" I puzzled.

"No, I mean... me and Halima" She stuttered.

"How about Fawad?" I asked.

"He's staying, after all he's working" She said.

"Okay, so when are you leaving? I uttered.

"This coming Monday" She said.

"Ohh God!" I deadpanned.

"What?" She chuckled.

"I would miss you!" I said.

"Me too, I just hope we... come back soon" She heaved a sigh and continued. "I truly hope so"

"I hope so too, Hajiya" I muttered.