Now, Edwin, who had been mute since they walked in, responded because he already knew the answer, “That is very impossible, doctor,"
To buttress Edwin's statement, Ahmed added, “Yes. Very impossible. But I can assure you, we will certainly meet someday. Bye.”
They walked out, and shut the door behind them. Then, the nurses who had been apprehensive were relieved when they saw them got off the doctor's office. Then, the male nurse rushed to his office to ascertain his condition. Without caution, he pushed his door open without a knock, and saw the doctor weeping copiously. He observed him for a few seconds before he shut the door, and walked back to his desk.
'At least, he is safe,’ he concluded.
At the Building Site.
When they left the hospital, it was already two o'clock, and the time for the Islamic Congregational Prayer. Ahmed stopped by a nearby mosque with his orderly for prayers, while Edwin and the rest waited for them in the cars. After a few minutes, they joined them, and they headed to the building site to see Conquer. Now, he had recovered fully, and had adapted to the new environment. However, he was not comfortable with the excessive restriction from the Site Supervisor. He wanted to be free and learn his work as fast as possible, but he would not allow him. All he heard from him was:
“You have done enough for today, Conquer.”
“You need to rest, Conquer.”
“No, you can't do that work. It is too stressful for you.”
“Make sure you finish your food.”
What Conquer did not understand was that the Site Supervisor was not doing that because of him, but was working on Ahmed's instructions because the fear of Ahmed was the beginning of wisdom to him. As soon as the Site Supervisor sighted Ahmed's car, he stopped his work, and walked to him and greeted, “You're welcome, Sir.”
“Thank you, Supervisor. How is work?”
“Work is fine. And yours?”
“My work is fine. How is the young man doing?”
“He is doing well. He had recovered fully.”
“That's good to hear. Bring him to me, I would like to see him.”
“I will do that right away,” the Site Supervisor promised, and walked back to the building to get Conquer, who was on his Screed Painting lesson. He came running to Ahmed holding a long flat board that he used in applying a POP Screed Paint. Meanwhile, he looked lively and healthy, and his tan skin that used to be darker due to his long exposure to the sun, and improper hygiene looked healthy. Moreover, his cheek looked chubby too, and Ahmed was pleased with his outlook.
“Conquer, how are you?”
“I'm fine, Sir. Good day sir.”
“I can see you're fine. What are you doing with that long flat board? Do you want to hit me?”
They laughed, including Edwin, who was standing beside him. The problem he had with Ahmed was that he was so difficult to predict. At one time, he would make people to cry and at another time, he would make them to laugh.
“No Sir. It's my working tool.”
Unexpectedly, the countenance on Ahmed's face changed, and his voice became fierce as he asked, “When last did you take hard drugs?”
Conquer, who was not prepared for the question, looked down, and suddenly became jittery and apprehensive. Then, Ahmed decided to help him by breaking the silence.
“I don't care what your response will be, but any day you try it, I will come for you. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Conquer responded. Thereafter, Ahmed turned to the Site Supervisor and said, “You're doing a good job. See him as your son. The credit will be yours if he succeeds.”
“I got you, Sir.”
“You can go back to work, Conquer, and be a good boy.”
Now, Conquer was relieved. He had never seen Ahmed in action, but the aura from his voice when he asked him about the hard drugs was enough to tell him the kind of person he was. He had run as fast as he could, before he could respond, "Okay Sir.”
“Let's go Edwin.”
Now, Edwin gently followed without any questions. His business was to get the Table Tennis Club in the suburb, and he had to mind it. Nevertheless, it was already a few minutes to 3 o'clock, so they headed to the agreed meeting point which Victor had sent to Edwin.
Now, Victor had sent messages to his nineteen team members informing them that they should ignore the announcement he made the previous day saying that they would meet by 4 pm. He informed them of the change in time, which was 2:30 pm. When Edwin got there by ten minutes to 3 o'clock, all the team members were already waiting.
Edwin disembarked with the orderly, while Ahmed, and the driver waited in the vehicle. When Victor sighted them, especially the orderly with the military uniform, he was filled with a sense of accomplishment.
'A military man will escort us?'
He thought as he walked up to them with his knapsack on his back and greeted, “Good day, Sirs. I'm Victor Ife, the team leader of the Striit Kea Empire.”
“That is good. I'm Edwin Great. From the Cherry Fields Oil and Gas Group. Nice to meet you. Are you set?”
“Yes, Mr. Great," He answered, and turned to look at the boys, who were not aware that the journey would last until Tuesday morning – four nights away from the discomfort of their foxholes.
“Shall we get going?” Edwin signaled to the coaster bus driver, who had been attentively watching them, and waiting for instructions. He quickly got off the bus, walked to the door, and opened it. The team members got into the fully air-conditioned bus one after the other. After they settled down, Edwin and the orderly joined Ahmed, who had been monitoring the team members, and they headed back to the city. After about thirty minutes, they were at the parking lot of the Grand Crest Luxury. However, half of the team members in the coaster bus had slept off before they got to the hotel.