I can't help myself these two are just too precious 😭. Also the way they act around each other. Someone get them married, please. Oh shit! I am supposed to do that. Damn.
All in the due time. Imagine that I published this chapter next day, lol. I might not publish tomorrow since its double update.
See you! Also pray for me cause I got flu and it sucks.
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"Why are you laughing?" He asked irritated because the man he has worked with before seem to be in a never-ending circle of laughing which seems more of mocking towards her
And he respects her. He wouldn't have anyone in front of him at least disrespectful her in any way. He had given straight instructions to everyone who is involved to respect her and be resourceful.
"It doesn't matter". She said and her tone was emotionless, "My team will coordinate further with him".
He didn't miss how she mentioned Zaheer and the bitterness in her tone. She turns away from them as she continues her way towards the other side. He finds her body shaking lightly and he clenches his hands.
"What do you think you are doing?" He snapped and Zaheer straighten himself, "I had clear instructions that no one will disrespect her and you dare to laugh at her face".
"I-I-".
"I don't care about your apology or your excuses. If you dare to do anything that I find disrespectful in the slightest way towards her. You will be fired and I know for a fact that all your income is connected to the projects I give you".
He didn't care how cruel he sounded. He needed to set the man straight. Somehow even if the women shouts for themselves, their voices always fell deaf on men. But when those cowardly men are faced by someone their own size, that's a different story.
When she went away after spending the weekend he saw how relaxed his mother and Sophia were. Sophia was just simply asking for all kinds of butterflies and sheep as she continued to colour while his mother had praises for her- which was rare. His mother was a wise woman. He had learned most of the things from her. So when she continued to praise her even when she did nothing but observe and draw, he knows he will forever respect her.
"Help". He heard a small voice say beside him and he found Sophia shaking him
Oh, he remembers.
This morning his mother asked him about his day and he might have accidentally mentioned Sheila and Sophia was after his head. She continued to whine that she wants to meet her today no matter what. After persuading her with almost everything they can offer, he decided to bring her with him.
He holds her in his arms smiling, "Should we go to Sheila now?"
"Sheila". Sophia said, nodding
He smiles ruffling her hair as she frowns at him. He walks through the broken cement towards the backyard where she was busy talking to the team and her whole demeanour was something so strong. He smiles as he Sophia ran towards her.
She feels someone wrapping around her legs as she almost lost her balance. She looks down and her eyes widen looking at Sophia. She bends down collecting her in his arms.
"What are you doing here, baby?" She asked smiling as she moves her hair out of her face
"She wanted to meet you". He said smiling as he walks to them, "I did everything to stop her but she wouldn't listen".
"I am so sorry. Is it because of me?"
"No. She is just attached to you. It's not because of you. I don't mind bringing her".
She nodded as she looks at Sophia who was playing with her hijab, "She is a calm baby. Does she have a speaking problem?"
He sighs, "Yeah. She just seen an unhealthy early year so her speech is affected".
"Why do good kids have to go through troubles?" She asked sadly as she caress her cheeks and she place her head on her chest with her tiny hands fisting her hijab
"Are we going to work?" Zaheer said snapping them out of the trance
Naina growled at Zaheer, "Sir, we sent all the files and requested documents to your team already. We provided them with a hard copy so they can get to work. I don't see any reason for our involvement unless to confirm things. You have not even started to clean the place to come here and shout at us".
Her eyes widen in shock looking at Naina outburst. Naina is one of the few employees she is confined to. She has never seen Naina losing her calm.
"Damn". She said lowly as she tries to shake Naina who was busy glaring at Zaheer and she turns to Zaheer, "My team has done what they are supposed to do. We will check the site every week to see how far you have come. I don't see any reasons to be involved directly with you or help you in any other aspects. I suggest that you keep your professional attitude and not indulge in any unprofessional language".
She kept her face without a single trace of emotions as she held Sophia a little tighter. She can't shake him off. Not because she was scared of him. But the horror she witnessed by his side and after leaving him pissed her off. He seems happy and content while people made it impossible for her to breathe.
"I think you are letting your emotion--".
"Mr. Zaheer". He snapped and everyone flinch at his cold tone, "I warned you once and I will not tolerate you again. Mind your business and leave them alone".
"You don't even know them as I do". Zaheer mumble walking away
She sighs.
"I am sorry for--". She started and he cut her off
"No. I should be the one apologising. I should have let your team do the execution. This is a big project which will at least take a year and with the attitude that he is showing, I know it won't be easy. I warned him yet he isn't showing any improvement".
She shakes her head, "It's not your fault. Some people just never want to understand".
"If you don't mind me asking have you worked with him before? Or maybe know him from somewhere?"
She bites her lips, wondering if she should just lie but why did she have to cover for that bastard even after divorce?
"No. He is my ex-husband. I took divorce". She said truthfully
He let the shock settle as he register her words.
"I should just let your team take over then". He stated as he calculate the amount he will have to pay for cancellations of Zaheer's contract but he didn't care
"No. No. Let him do it. I don't care".
Well, he did. So instead of walking away to attend his meeting, he decided to stay behind to look over her. He probably shouldn't stay here. But the presence of her is somewhat relaxing. She didn't once let her professional attitude vanish while working with everyone. She continues to hold Sophia and occasionally she let the girl have a snack or something so she doesn't get bored or hungry.
"Bye, Sophia". She said grinning as she taps her nose when she finds her frowning sadly, "What's wrong?"
"Together?" Sophia said and she turns to him for an explanation
"She wants you to come with us". He explained sighing, "She isn't someone who gets attached to anyone. Now she will have us all on our toes".
She frowns, bending to Sophia level, "How about this?" Sophia listens, "You can call and text me whenever you miss me. But you can't be mean to anyone or force anyone to bring you where I am" Sophia frowns, "It's not safe for you to be here, Sophia. This place is under construction. Anything can hurt you. We can plan and meet outside".
Sophia nodded as they went away and she smiles as she watches them leave. The little girl was pure magic. She never whines, speaks or does anything. All she did was wrap her hands around her. She didn't even make any sounds. Though she didn't appreciate any of those things. She knows it must be some sort of trauma that doesn't need praise or such ridiculous things. What that little girl needs is comfort and maybe she finds it in her.
If Sophia did find comfort in her, she will provide her with her warmth. Just so she knows she can live the way she wants to. The way she (Sheila) wasn't allowed to live. A common mistake that many makes are to suffer from a thing and force the same on others. One should know what's wrong and put a stop to it.
To the things she suffered from, they end with her. No one besides her will have to go through them again. That's an important mindset.
"You are doing too good". Zaheer said and she moves away to leave, "What? You don't have anything to say?"
"I don't see any reason for your interest in my life". She snapped because it is after working hours anyways and she is not taking any crap, "I have an option, Zaheer". She warned as she looks in his eyes, "A clear option from your boss to eliminate you. One word from my side will have you think of your words again so before I become petty which I won't mind I suggest you act professionally".
She watches as Zaheer glare at her and it isn't new. In the society, they live in men who are at fault never truly consider it and people don't even try to let them feel that they wronged someone. Zaheer is the product of that unfairness. After the crap she went through because of him, he still feels superior and righteous. Something she is willing to throw out of him.
Because even when she didn't do a thing and all she did was all the duties assigned to her, she was called out. She was told to be quiet, bear and suffer just so she lives in some sick form of "respect in society" because without a man it can't exist.
And in all honesty, she realised it. No matter how much she fought through the years and what she made of herself because there is no man beside her. Her worth is nothing. But will she let those standards brings her worth down? That's ridiculous. She didn't work this hard to let those with low standards define her.
He stands out of Sophia room door which was opened as he watches fascinated by the sight in front of him.
There was his Sophia trying her hardest to wrap his mother scarf around her head. He didn't have to guess why she was doing it. He has to say this was one of those pure moments where he can feel his heart fluttering.
"What's is she doing?" His mother asked confused at the mess Sophia made by tangling herself in the big scarf and he chuckled
"She is trying to wrap a scarf like Sheila". He said smiling, "She is doing good".
"I guess their soul recognise each other". His mother said smiling as she watches Sophia with utmost concentration on the scarf, "Sophia can understand her and vice versa".
He sighs, "It's not a good thing, mama. Sheila can't be here for her. And mostly Sheila shouldn't have to be here for her. I shouldn't have taken her and dumped her on Sheila. She is not her responsibility".
"Did Sheila complain? Or did she look uncomfortable?"
"Do you think she will speak those thoughts out?"
He was right.
Women don't share their discomfort. They are supposed to portrait "perfect relationships/lives" in front of the world. They don't speak what they want and what they don't. They don't tell anyone about what they like and they absolutely cannot share anything about themselves. Sick!
His mother sighs, "If you think you did something wrong then apologize. Maybe call her for lunch since I don't think her family will be comfortable with dinner".
"Or we can call her family?" He suggested a little too eagerly
"Beta". His mother said, placing a hand over his shoulder, "I want to believe I raised you right. But, responsibility seems good from far and when you face them you might regret them. I have never told you to marry because I believe it should happen at a time when you feel like it. I will not have you snatch any woman's dream and the way she wants to live. You have Sophia just like you said, you need to think through if you want to embark on this journey".
He thought about it hard. Even when he didn't want her to sacrifice anything, somehow someway women sacrifice themselves. With Sophia on board, things will be more sacrificial.
He sighs.
He did request her to join him for lunch. If it was dinner he would have asked for her family but it is all too soon. Even if he is 32 and knows himself and his feelings, he can't throw his emotions on her.
"Hey, baby". She said grinning when the door opened and she runs to her, "I missed you too". She pulls back from the hug, her eyes widening at the beautiful scarf around her round face, "Woah! You look so.... beautiful".
She was speechless. Wearing hijab for years she somehow lost the touch and feel of it. It just became a part of her. She didn't think much and realise its importance as much as she should.
But looking at this young girl wearing it for the first time in her life with happiness booming on her face at the fact that she has achieved that satisfaction.
The one we all should have and remember.
"She even bought a brown one". He said, smiling as he leans on the wall watching the emotions pass on her face and it was amusing to watch her just be
"She looks so beautiful. I can't even say more". She said grinning as she kisses her cheeks, holding her in her arms, "I bought dessert even though it's lunch".
He smiles, taking the things from her hands so she can hold Sophia easily.
"Dessert is never just for dinner".
"Someone has sweet tooth". She teases as she feels Sophia hands on her cheeks pulling her eyes to her
"Also a challenge". He mumbles watching as Sophia glare at him for taking her attention from her and he rolls his eyes
Before he could close the door behind them someone stumbled in and pushes her as she loses her balance. Her arms tightened around Sophia who shrieked but she managed to save them from any damages.
She turns to look at the man with weird stench coming from him.
"Baba". Sophia said and her eyes widen looking at the drunk man with a creepy smile on his face