He paced back and forth in the middle of the room, his hands clasped behind his back. It was evident that he was deeply troubled and in search of a solution.

The walls of the room seemed to echo with the words, “It’s impossible!” These words had spread throughout the city.

“Bankruptcy? Me? Alhaji Shamsu bankrupt? It’s inconceivable! We must find a solution!” He muttered to himself, frustration building up.

In his frustration, he clenched his fists and struck the wall. The clock on the wall displayed 5:55 PM.

He had been pacing all day, and as the clock struck 6:00 PM, he decided to take action.

With determination, he picked up his phone from the center table and dialed a number.

The voice on the other end greeted him, “Hello, sir.”

“Hi, Helen. What’s the latest? Is everything okay?” He asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.

“Yes, sir. You finally scheduled a meeting with me…”

“Really?! Oh, I’m grateful. Thank you, Helen,” he interrupted.

“It’s okay, sir. What about Saidai? It’s Monday, and he mentioned seeing you at 8.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll be there at 7. Thank you. If everything goes well, I’ll give you a special gift,” he replied.

“Alright, sir. Goodbye, and thank you.”

“I appreciate it,” he said as he hung up the phone.

He sank back into the cushions behind him and let out a sigh of relief. “Thank God, at least I can sense a glimmer of hope.”

He contemplated the upcoming Monday, Friday, or any day of the week, resolving to persevere until he achieved success. He prayed for good luck and embarked on his evening and afternoon prayers.

****************************

“Okay… Inshallah (God willing)… No need to worry; we’ll fulfill our promise, God willing… Sosaima and I bet you’ll enjoy working together… Hahaha, we appreciate your patronage… Alright, goodbye, and thanks for choosing us.”

She ended the call and felt a sense of relief.

“Yes, it looks like this week is going to be quite hectic,” she commented, glancing at a young woman seated before her, holding a large book and a notebook.

The young woman smiled and replied, “Indeed, ma’am, it certainly seems that way.”

“Hmm, I just spoke with Sufee’s family, and they need snacks for their brother’s birthday this coming Friday. It’s already been a week, and we haven’t even started on Sir Wilson’s party order.”

“Indeed, we haven’t even completed the order for the Savannah Hotel,” the young woman added, shaking her head.

“Oh dear! Don’t worry, Maryam. We have a dedicated team, and we’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and swiftly. You know we’re known for keeping our promises, and I don’t want to tarnish our reputation,” she reassured her.

Maryam nodded and said, “That’s right, ma’am. That’s how it should be.”

“You can go ahead and handle everything. I’ll send you the details by email later…”

Her phone rang again.

She picked it up and glanced at the caller’s name.

Maryam gestured that she could leave, bowed slightly, and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

She cheerfully answered the phone, “Peace be upon you.”

“Wa alaikum salam, my jewel,” a cheerful voice responded from the other end.

Her voice brightened as she heard him and asked, “Yes, dear Daddy, where are you today?”

“Same old, my jewel. How are you? It’s been a success.”

In the evening, she replied, “As usual, Daddy. I may look tired, but it’s a good kind of tired.”

He chuckled and said, “Your job keeps you busy, but it’s better than what I do. You work in an air-conditioned environment, so there’s no issue. You have a good monthly salary. Now you see the benefits.”

She laughed and playfully rolled over on the couch, reaching for her father’s voice.

“Now, is Daddy ready?” she inquired, attempting to change the topic.

“We’ve got Shalele; it’s delicious,” he exclaimed.

“Oh?!” she responded excitedly.

“Yes, just wait for the story,” he said, laughing.

“Okay, you’ve piqued my interest. I’m on my way,” she declared.

Kit hung up the phone with a smile and quickly gathered her belongings. She decided to check on her father’s change in mood, as this morning he had been quiet and worried. She had comforted him with soothing words, and now they were sharing laughter together. She prayed that her wishes would come true.

After adjusting her bag, smoothing her headscarf, and applying a touch of her favorite perfume, she left the room. She bid farewell to her employees, as if she were not their boss, and then got into her car, heading home with a sense of anticipation.