CHAPTER THREE
TRIP

GLANCING at his watch for the tenth time, Khalifa cursed under his breath knowing he was late for his meeting which wasn't a good first impression for himself. He arrived at the twelve storey building finding a parking space putting the car on park quickly hopping out of the car slamming the door shut picking his folder approaching the building.

Arriving at the third floor, Khalifa stepped out of the elevator with his folders in hand pushing the conference room's door open catching everyone's attention. He apologized for his tardiness presenting his project.

Everyone seemed to be impressed about it, some said they liked the fact that it wasn't something people would think of just like that. "We'll contact you when we've decided." The middle aged woman informed him offering him a weak smile he returned.

Letting out a breath of relief feeling weight lifted off his shoulders knowing he had already done his representation even if it hadn't succeeded, he knew he tried his best.

Hopping in his car driving off, he dialed halima's number turning a corner before halima answered after two rings her voice booming in the speakers of his car.

"You're already done?" Halima asked leaning back in her seat nibbling on her pen. Something she did since when she was younger that became a habit.

"Yeah. Said they were getting back to me." He shrugged turning on the blinker turning right as she nodded. Khalifa started the project at the beginning of the year and he took it seriously than the other projects he had before. He discussed the projects with her and he was getting 50 million at least from it.

She sat down to think what would happen if it really clicked. They were living a comfortable life. She could say they were above average but she missed her old life sometimes. When she could go online and order whatever she wanted including the birkin bag she bought two months before her wedding.

She snapped out of her thoughts when Khalifa called her name. She blinked hearing her husband's worried tone from the phone. "Sorry, What did you say?" She sat up placing her pen down on her table listening intently to what he was saying and his only response was a sigh.

"What's wrong Leema?" He asked calling her by her nickname. She zones out a couple times but only when something is on her mind or disturbing her. He usually asked her and she would always deny claiming nothing was wrong with her then breaks down after when it gets hectic.

Halima tucked her lip in her mouth shaking her head like he could see her. "It is nothing really. Just remembered I had to go close a deal but I'm just so nervous. Like would I look serious, would they take me seriou-" he cut off her rambling which was what she usually did when she was under pressure. Break.

"You are going to pull it off. I know it. You know it. You would pull it off more than anyone in your team. Where did halima who sets her tone go?" He quirked a brow stopping at a red light glancing at his phone like he could see her then back at the road. The light turned green as he sped down the street.

Halima couldn't help the smile that made it's way to her lips flattered by his words. "She was hiding in the back. But she's back now." She replied causing him to laugh at her corniness. She made the corniest and dry jokes which amused him.

"Good. Now simple question..." he trailed off placing a hand on the steering wheel the other stroking his beard in thought. "Where do you think is the best amala spot in Kaduna? I'm in the mood for it." He asked looking at the unfamiliar streets of the state.

Halima laughed after hearing that expecting that considering he usually took them out to eat amala or pounded yam whenever they were free. "So you want to try our state's food?" She quirked a brow sitting back a smirk playing on her glossed lips.

"I have to admit, it isn't as bad as I thought considering the changes that are being made to the place. They don't have a shoprite for gods sake. All this talk about kaduna kaduna, this was it." He mimicked her soft voice making her laugh loudly. They always argue about which of the States are better and she would hype Kaduna up like there was no tomorrow just for him to see they didn't have a single proper shopping mall he could go to.

"Well they are building it. Besides, where are you exactly? Which road are you on?" Halima quipped interested in the conversation more than ever. She always took it seriously when he took a jab at her state and she vowed she proved him wrong everytime.

"Race course road."

"Look at the buildings by your right and tell me how you feel about the Galaxy mall." She said making him scrunch his face hearing the name.

"Galaxy mall? Who named that place?" He asked genuinely concerned that someone sat down to think and come up with the name. It blew his mind you could ruin a great building just by naming it but he could see it now.

"Um- the governor?" She said it like it was obvious not knowing what his thoughts were, with the smirk playing on her glossed lips said otherwise.

"Well that was a whack name. I hope they have what I need." He mumbled pulling into the parking lot of the unfamiliar mall making her scoff at his statement offended he said that right to her face.

"Now I feel like you just want to get under my skin." She squinted her eyes nodding to herself. "I thought you wanted something from me? Now if I get angry and refuse to tell you about the spot, what are you going to do? There's 1/11 if you want." She mocked picking up the pen she placed down twirling it between her fingers.

He pushed his lips together in thought before shaking his head swallowing his pride getting out of his car pressing the locks approaching the building. "You're right. You're right. Let's just leave it here for another day. Do they deliver?" He asked walking down an isle checking what he wanted.

"That I'm not sure but let me ask them. I'll call you back." He nodded sliding his phone into his pocket taking note of his surroundings meeting a girls eyes in the process who seemed to get the wrong idea looking at him up and down like a snack making him smirk turning his head away continuing his shopping spree.

He didn't get the hair conditioner he was looking for so he took the head and shoulders managing it for the time being considering he left the one he was looking for at home.

He picked up some wipes on the way knowing he would need it before going over to the cashier to ring his items out. He felt a tap on his shoulder as he licked his lips briefly looking over his shoulder to see the girl he met eyes wth earlier.

"Khalifa? You don't remember me?" She stepped back giving him space with a wide smile. When he stopped to look at her features, he had to admit she was attractive and the dress she was wearing was showing every curve in her body there is.

He surveyed her face over and over again to try and remember her but it was just blank. He scratched his beard with his index finger before shaking his head no and she suprisingly had the same smile plastered on her face not looking offended or embarassed he didn't remember her which was a suprise to him. Whenever a girl walked up to him asking if he remembered her and he said no, they usually mutter wrong person and leave.

"Anisah? We were in the same-" He unintentionally cut her off remembering her from university in UK. They got along well but lost contact when he graduated. Her features seemed to have changed because she looked like a totally different person.

"University. How have you been?" He acknowledged which only seemed to broaden her smile when he remembered her. They engaged in a conversation before the cashier finished ringing his items. He swiped his card paying for both their items informing the other cashier that was ringing her items.

"You really didn't have to do that. I could pay pay for myself." She let out as they exited the shopping mall the wind instantly hitting them in the face. Khalifa could only smile knowing she was saying oppsite of what she meant when she didn't even protest when he informed the cashier only shrugging off the feeling going with the flow.

"It's not a problem." He pushed squinting his eyes due to the brightness of the sun and Yasmin couldn't help but stare at him and how attractive he looked with his eyes squinted.

"So are you in Kaduna or..." she trailed off clearing her throat when she realized she was staring at him too hard. Khalifa only shrugged his shoulder in response with a neutral expression on his face looking ahead of him.

"No. I live in Abuja. I have something to do here." He replied keeping it short. His phone started ringing in his pocket the minute he stopped. "Sorry I have to answer this." He apologized answering the phone call putting the phone to his ear.

"I have already ordered for you. Have you already arrived yet?" She said as soon as he answered the phone as he let out a low chuckle grateful at the same time she was genuinely concerned.

"I'm leaving the mall." He answered glancing at Yasmin who stood there awkwardly rocking side to side biting her lip in thought. "But forreal thank you. I don't know what I would do without you." He said dramatically catching Anisah's attention with the phrase.

Halima smirked on the other side of the phone. "I don't think you'll live long. I'll call you later. Make sure you eat okay? Love you." She rushed ending the call not giving him a chance to reply causing him to chuckle shaking his head turning back to Anisah.

"Sorry for that."

"I'm assuming you're in a relationship?"

"Well married." He answered as she raised her eyebrow in shock congratulating him after. She collected his number saying she would keep contact but he didn't seem to care only nodding hopping in his car driving off after she didn't.

Song - PnB Rock - Feelins