***

Irfa was having a dilemma, whether to work or not. Her mind was saying to go for it and so was her heart yet there at some point it felt like she would hurt her family. Her confused state wasn't hidden from Saba and being mother and knowing about her wish, she knew what was going in Irfa's mind.

Mr. Ahmed and Shehreyar couldn't make it to lunch and Shifa had some work of her college so only Saba and Irfa were at home. It was the right time to confront her.

“Irfa, come here.” Saba called her after they had lunch. Nodding her head at Saba she followed her mother to the living room. Sitting next to Saba Irfa could feel the homeliness and warmth. Saba smiled at her and made Irfa lie on the long sofa with her head resting on her lap. She passed fingers on her scalp sending a sense of calmness in her chaotic mind.

“I know what you are thinking my child. It's okay for you to think that way...buy remember that whatever decision you will make will be supported by us. Don't think that your working would hurt us. It's your life beta and I know you don't want to be a burden on us, your thinking is absolutely right. Believe me you will never be a burden on us but for your satisfaction you should work. Whatever work you want to do. Just remember one thing, we are family.” Irfa's eyes had started flowing, the unconditional love she was getting from them was unexplainable.

Her tears weren't that of pain, neither of guilt...they were just tears. The tears that comes when you thank your lord, the tears that shows how merciful, how loving he is.

“Mamma,” she whispered in a hoarse voice and got up. Her tear stained face was evident to her pure heart, the one that had endured so much pain. Saba embraced her in hug, resting her head on her chest and wrapped her hands around her form, like a mother does to her crying baby. She patted her back, she didn't stop her from crying because she knew these weren't the tears of pain.

“Mamma loves you my child. She will always do.” she whispered and tightened her grip letting the warmth of a mother go to her daughter.

“Thank you.” Irfa parted and spoke. Saba smiled and patted her cheek.

“Don't you dare think that you will handle your expenses on your own, we have full right to spoil you.” She joked making Irfa chuckle softly.

“Han sara pyar to Irfa ke liye hi hai, hamare liye toh bas chate aur jutiyan hi hain. (Yes, yes all the love is for Irfa, my fate only has slaps and shoes.)” Shifa's playful voice made them look back. Standing with her hands folded Shifa was smiling seeing the beautiful scene.

“Idhar aao.(come here)” Saba called making Shifa run towards them and take them in a group hug.

“Mom, shouldn't we go for shopping? Irfa needs some office going attires, what say?” Shifa asked parting.

“Say that you want to go, why are you making the excuse." Saba spoke making Shifa smile sheepishly.

“Get ready.” Saba said and Shifa literally jumped in excitement.

At dinner Mr. Ahmed asked Shehreyar to take Irfa with him and introduce her to every one as Mr Ahemd's personal assistant and also to introduce her personally with Mr Ahmed's secretary.

I

couldn't sleep properly, once again the reason was her. I was way too excited to sleep. What it would be like to work around her? Would she be efficient? Thinking about these stupid things by night passed. I could hardly sleep yet there wasn't any tiredness.

Sitting next to her in the car, I was trying to start a conversation but the awkwardness was way too much. I need to think something.

When will u think at the end of this ride.

My inner voice mocked at me.

'Shut up... I am coming up.'

Recently my inner voice had started popping up way too much, but then it was me only. My own mind was mocking me for being so stupid. Sometimes I really wonder, how much I changed. The transition is huge.

Irfa, why are you looking outside please try to understand. I am trying to star the conversation.

As if she will listen to you...do fast you dumbo.

'Stop calling me that…' I retorted.

Huh? You are a dumbo.waste your time...

Oh, yeah I am wasting my time. God help me.

“Hey.”

Ok what did I say...hey! Stupid are you insane. My mocking voice again popped up and within a span on a second or two it had cursed me a hundred times.

She instantly snapped her towards me with a weird face yet adorable face.

What cute? She is confused you stupid.

Oh, come on...not again shut up.

I came out of my trance and found her staring at me. How foolish of me? What impression I had put on her.

Say something...come on you can do it...you are Shehreyar Siddiqui.

Literally I had never in my life felt so nervous.

“ Have your breakfast?” I spoke in one go. What!

Stupid, duffer, dumbo....she was sitting in front of you at the breakfast table.

My inner voice snapped at me.

Groaning mentally I shut my eyes trying to erase the embarrassment. I glanced her way and found her already staring me with furrowed eyebrows...ugh what did I do? I gave her a sheepish smile, and she turned towards the window again.

Amazing! Mindblowing!great!spectacular. What a great start to your conversation?...huh dumbo.

Really I deserved the cursed. Whole way I was stealing glances of her. Wearing a simple orange and white dress she was looking prim and proper. Her face devoid of any heavy makeup, yet she looked beautiful. Realizing that I was staring I looked away and drove trying not to look at her again.

“Good morning everyone...” I said entering the area where the cubicles were and all the employees turned towards me and her.

“So we have a new member with us...meet Irfa Zafar…my couison, and she will assist my father and Mrs Sin ha.” I introduced her. Mrs Sinha was baba's secretary and a kind middle-aged lady. She came forward and shook hands with Irfa with a pleased smile.

“Irfa come I will show you baba's cabin.” Sensing the eyes of male employees on her I ushered her towards baba's room.

Walking towards baba's cabin I heard someone shout my name. Turning back I found Khizir running towards us.

“How can you do this with me?” He said panting after he reached us running...what's the need to run?...stupid.

“What?...don't give me that look...why didn't you tell me that Irfa would join the office?” He again spoke.

“Khizir...shut up…you know now so don't overreact.” Irfa spoke playfully. Making him scowl at us.

______________

She was doing her job very well and almost all the employees knew her because of her dedication. The week just passed in a blur. It was the day for meeting of the shareholders and partners of the Siddiqui company.

The meeting was going on smoothly...but what caught her attention was a man who was shamelessly staring her. He was the same man from Sana's Reception. She tried her level best to ignore him, but he wouldn't stop starring her.

Finally, the meeting was over.

“Irfa...go give this file to Khizir he needs to see this and discuss the details in it with him.” Mr Ahmed gave her a file, and she proceeded towards Khizir's cabin.

“Khizir...baba has sent you this fi-”

She was in middle of her sentence when she saw that man sitting there and staring her.

'Ugh why is he here.' She thought.

“Hey Irfa what were you saying?”Khizir asked her trying to distract Zawaar from her.

“Huh…yeah this file…he wants you to see this, and we need to discuss its details.” She said moving towards him.

“I am sorry Mr Zawaar can you please just give me a minute.” Khizir turned towards him.

“Yeah sure.” Zawar replied and moved out.

“So Irfa...nice name.” Zawar mumbled to himself and walked out.

____________________

I

came to my small cabin attached to baba cabin after discussing the details with Khizir. Though Khizir had his own company he had a cabin of himself in this building too, it was like Khizir and Sidduquis had merged the company.

Suddenly my thoughts went to that utterly cheap man who was staring me. I could feel my anger increasing. But there was a fear too, I didn't know why?

“Irfa you don't need to freak out...stay calm and work…he can't do anything.” I sat down and took long breaths.

Taking out the papers that needed to be reviewed I started my work. The work here are quite tough but still I somehow manage to handle these with Baba's help.

“Irfa mam... Mr Ahmed is calling you.” One of the peon came and informed me. Oh my god…my work is not yet complete.

Nevertheless, I went to his room. Baba seemed happy...ok that's a good sign.

“Baba you called?” I asked standing in front of him.

“Yeah...you know we are getting a massive deal with The Collins industries.” He said smiling.

“As in Collins of London?” I asked unsure. That's a huge multinational company. Baba nodded in affirmative making me jump inside Oh my goodness. That's a huge deal.

“I am so happy for you baba...congratulations.” I said smiling at him.

Meanwhile, Shehreyar also came in the room.

“Dad...any problem?” He asked, he seemed to be in worry, his eyes were furrowed making me look at him and then at baba.

“Yes there is...” Baba said and my headshot in his way. He didn't tell me about the problem. I passed him a questioning look on which he gestured me to keep quiet.

“What problem?” Shehreyar seemed to be tensed, and I was barely controlling my laugh, baba was pranking him.

“Actually the Collins-” Before he could complete Shehreyar spoke.

“What?...they didn't agree?” He asked in shock.

The laugh I was controlling finally escaped my lips. He looked towards me and then towards baba. After a good 1 minute he understood that we were pulling a prank on him.

“Shehry they are ready to work with us...they will be coming to India next week. They want to take a look at our factories. So I have assigned Irfa to accompany you in this deal.” Baba said making my eyes go wide.

Me working with him?

“Okay baba it's fine.” Shereyar replied and glancing quickly my way he went out.

“Um…baba will I be suitable for this?” I asked hesitantly.

“ Of course beta... I know you will do it in a better way. Besides, it will help you progress too.” Baba said and I nodded.

“Next week...” I sighed and returned to my work.

____________

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