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Ayesha's pov
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I gathered all the prepared notes and went to the devil's Den. I knocked on the door.
"Enter" he said, I entered feeling proud of myself
"It's done" I said smiling widely
"I gave you three hours, and you took forever to finish"
"I would have done it sooner if you weren't constantly disturbing me" I snapped at him
"You would have done it yesterday only, if you were not busy in lying" he retorted, I glared at him
"How convincingly you are putting the blame on me, it was you who irritated me to no end today" I said in a high tone, he got up from his chair and stood infront of me
"It's hard to believe how can someone be so discourteous" he folded his arms at his chest, I sighed in annoyance
"Are you done?" I asked
"So so ill-mannered"
"Are you gonna look at my work or just keep criticising me?" I waved the papers in front of him. He snatched them from my hands and without even a single glance he tossed them in the dustbin, I gasped in shock
"What the hell?" I shouted, "I worked so hard on these and you threw it? How could you?" I ran to take out the papers from the bin, but he held my hand
"Let them be there, your notes are exactly where they belong" he said
"Why are you such a jerk? I made such good notes it would help us to understand the clients vision and we can build all the offices very easily" I was yelling non stop
"Not required. These were all the closed projects" he said and I was shocked again
"What? You gave me all the completed projects?" I asked still not sure if he was telling the truth
"Yup" he said casually, my fist clenched
"Are you saying I have been working my butts off on something which did not even need to be done?" I was furious now, he just simply shrugged
I saw red. I wanted to kill this guy with my bare hands. He made me so mad. I was done trying to hold myself back. I picked up the inkpot, opened the bottle and threw it on him. He turned his head to the side just in the nick of time, saving his face from getting dirty, but his suit was all drenched with the ink.
"You are a shithead person. You find it hard to believe how someone can be so discourteous! Please have a look at yourself you will see the worse" I screamed pointing a finger at him
He held my hand and twisted it behind my back and pulled me to him, staining my clothes with the ink
"Leave me" I shouted
"Apologise! Right now" he shouted so loud that I was sure that the whole building could hear him, but I was too angry to be scared of him
"I will not" I stared directly in his eyes. He left me
"GET OUT" he roared, I gave him a deadly glare
"May you rot in hell" I shouted and left from there. When I exited the room I found everyone staring at me in shock, I rolled my eyes
"What?" I shouted, they all looked away.
I was so angry, i returned to my cubicle, I started gathering my stuff. I picked up my bag and turned on my heels to leave.
Ignoring everyone's eyes I came to my car, sat in it and began driving. I called Reem
"Hello" she answered
"Where are you?"
"NGO. Is everything ok?"
"I'm on my way to you"
"Ok. Come" she said and I hung up the call.
What does he think of himself? Scumbag, douche, asshole..
I tried the breathe in and out technique to calm myself, I was almost successful but I was disturbed by my ringtone, I picked up the phone and saw "principal calling", I sighed deeply and answered the phone
"Good afternoon sir" I said
"What is good about this afternoon? Have you lost your mind? How dare you to misbehave with Mr Athar Khan?" He shouted so loud that I had to pull away the phone from my ear
"With all due respect sir, that guy is making my life miserable, he has not even once made me do the real work, he is just wasting my time"
"I don't care what he is asking you to do, you are representing our university in his company so you better be at your best behaviour otherwise you will land up in deep trouble" when I heard him scolding me, I felt so annoyed. How can he not take my side?
"Making coffee for him or writing crap is not going to give me any benefit"
"Ms Siddiqui! Today I got your first complaint, it better be the last, otherwise i will make sure that you never get your degree"
"But si...."
"Don't mess with Mr Khan, he will get the university closed if he wants to and just because of you I will not let that happen" he said, I scoffed
"This is so unfair"
"Listen to me! You will apologise to him for your actions and You will listen to him, even if he asks you to mop the floor, you better do it. This is your first and the last warning. Now I don't care if you call your father and make complaints about me or Mr Athar" he said and hung up.
I threw my phone in anger and screamed in anger.
Why this spineless man had to be my principal, useless fellow.
***
"If the government allows one murder to me, I would definitely kill Mr Khan" I spoke
I slammed my hands on the table in anger.
When I reached Reem's NGO she was shocked to see my ink drenched clothes. I narrated the whole incident to her, even she was so furious at Mr. Khan and we both cursed my principal with all our hearts.
We came to a mall to get me a new pair of clothes, I threw the ink stained one in the dustbin. Since we both were hungry we stopped at a cafe to eat something.
"I have decided" Reem spoke
"What?"
"I am going to Khan villa, I have to speak with dadi about Athar, I will tell her what the idiot is doing with you."
"Yeah right"
"No Ayesha! I'm very serious about it. He has to be taught a lesson"
"Then what will be the difference between me and him, I can't behave like a child, a small thing happened and I'm running here and there to complain."
"But you can't let it go so easily"
"Who said I will let it go!" I smirked
"Good"
"But I seriously think I am giving too much importance to him, he is not worth it."
"You are right, why are we even talking about him"
"Exactly! So, how did your meeting go with this Uday fellow" I asked
"Udyog!" She corrected
"Ya ya whatever! How was the meeting?"
"I practically had to beg in front of the guy with the terms I was proposing" she said and I felt angry
"Why? You should have put a knife on his throat and got him to agree to whatever you wanted" she chuckled
"Honestly, even I thought of it. But it was about my kids, their education, and for them, I can do anything" she said with a serious face, I felt proud of her.
"So what happened? why you had to beg?"
"Because of Izhaan" she groaned in annoyance, I frowned in confusion
"Izhaan?" I asked, then she told me about everything that happened this morning with her.
"Can you believe the idiot?" She shook her head.
"I actually think what he is suggesting is actually a great idea. You should continue your studies" I said, she glared at me. "No, I'm not taking his side, but you have always been a star student since our school days" I quickly said before she gets mad at me
"He wants me to get a degree because he thinks I'm always wasting my time"
"Can you blame him?" I said
"Ayeshaaa" she warned me
"Fineee" I raised up my hand in surrender
I cannot tell Reem but I seriously believe Izhaan is a really good person, if it was Mr Khan at his place he would have told everything to dadi by now and got her in trouble, but Izhaan is dealing maturely
Her phone buzzed, she picked it up, saw the message then threw it back on the table.
"What happened?" Whose message was it?" I asked
"Jackass! He was reminding me about the university visit tomorrow" she rolled her eyes.
Then her phone buzzed again
"It must be him, I'm not even checking" she shook her head.
I picked up her phone and opened the message, my eyes widened when I saw it
I hope the headache is fine now.
"You had a headache?" I asked, her face paled
"n.. no" she shook her head, I showed her the message
"Oh that! I made an excuse of a headache to get rid of him" she smiled lightly, she was avoiding looking at me
"Reem! Tell me the truth, when was the last time you had a headache" I asked
"It's been a long time, I don't even remember it"
"Really?"
"Yes. Trust me it was just an excuse"
"Even then he cared to check on your health, isn't it really sweet of him" I said
"What did you say?" She raised her eyebrows at me
"How irritating he is" I said with a mischievous smile, she rolled her eyes
"Are you really going to apologise to him?" She suddenly changed the topic
"Ughhh I don't want to, but I will have to"
"Don't do it"
Our conversation disturbed when a waiter came with our food, our hungry souls left all the topics and just concentrated on the food.
Once our stomachs were full, I asked Reem
"Do you want to go home?"
"Nah! I have to meet Zuhan, I'll go to the orphanage"
That little boy had her wrapped around his little finger.
Since I was free, I offered to go with her.
We spent the whole evening there, then we returned home, had food and went to bed early.
I was feeling irritated every time I thought about it the next morning.
*****
I reached the office super early today, it was 8:40am when I was standing in my cubicle, even Mr Khan was not here.
Soon the crowd flowed in and all the empty chairs were now filled, exactly at 8:58 am Mr Khan walked and the whole office went completely silent.
"Let's just get done with it" I murmured to myself and went straight and stood in front of him. He stopped walking and looked at me, his eyes were clouding with anger
"What do you .." he was speaking but I motioned him to shut up, "you think you are very ..." He continued talking, I rolled my eyes
"Wait! I am trying to speak here" I said showing annoyance, he scoffed
"Like this?" He was walking past me, but stopped when I spoke
"I'm here to a.. ap. apologise" I said, he turned around and looked at me, a smirk formed on his lips made me clench my fist
Think about your degree Ayesha
"So do it" he said smugly, I sighed deeply and looked everywhere but him
"I'm sor.. sorry" I said in a low tone
"You are what?" He turned his ear to my side
"S.. sorry" I repeated, his smirk became more ugly
"I can't hear you Ms Ayesha"
I clenched my fist so hard that I could feel my nails digging in my skin
"You heard what I said"
"I did not. Why don't you say in the exact same tone in which you insulted me"
I looked around and many eyes were stuck on us.
"I'm sorry" I said loud enough for him to listen, but he kept on being a jerk
"Huh?" He said. I felt so angry and his self satisfied smile irritated the hell out of me
"I'm sorry for throwing ink on you" I said in a high tone, his smile dropped instantly
"I'm sorry for shouting at you, and for mixing chilly powder in your coffee, and for calling you a devil in front of your whole fam...."
"That's enough Ms Ayesha" he said looking around at everyone, his embarrassment was dripping from his face
"There's more, Mr Khan. Remember I turned your car into wra...."
"ENOUGH" he shouted and went to his cabin, I laughed.
"You are really something" Rose stood next to me, she was also laughing,
"He was trying to embarrass me and he got embarrassed himself" i chuckled
*******
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Reem's POV
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It was definitely not my first time in a university, but I don't know why I felt a little lost. I was behaving as if I have never ever even seen a school. Like a fool I picked up a chalk and stared at it like it's the weirdest creation ever, what is wrong with me.
I stepped out of the classroom while rubbing my hands against my jeans to wipe off the chalk powder. I looked at Izhaan he was already looking at me
"What? I asked, he shook his head
"Let me show you around" he said
Izhaan was getting so excited as he showed me around like he built the campus.
"And this is the cafeteria" Izhaan said enthusiastically, I looked at him with a frown
"I heard they have really good food" he informed me
"Good for them" I scoffed, he turned serious.
"Let's get you home now" he started walking outside, my short legs had to run to match up his speed
I threw my documents on the back seat and settled in the car, soon he started driving. I glanced at him, his focus was on the road.
I took the day off from the NGO. My whole day is free now, I will just go to the orphanage, Zuhan is unwell, he only takes medicine when I'm around.
"You have joined late, you have already missed classes, you have a lot to make up to, I expect complete sincerity from you" he said killing the peaceful silence
"Hmm" I just hummed, the weather was getting really cold now, even though I was wearing enough warm clothes, I was still shivering
The windows were just slightly open for ventilation but the air coming from them was chilling my bones. I rubbed my palms against each other and shoved my hands in my pockets.
He closed the windows, and turned on the heater, the instant warmth in the car relaxed me. I sunk in the seat feeling comfortable. I noticed him smiling, idiot. I turned my head towards the window.
I closed my eyes and didn't realise when I fell asleep, it has hardly been a minute suddenly a loud honk startled me, I jumped in my seat.
"What happened?" I asked panicking
"This is my car not your bed that you have fallen asleep peacefully. I must have called your name like a hundred times, but you were out like a log" he said, I looked around in my disorientated state, we were outside my house.
"We have already reached?" I wondered
"Already? It's been ten minutes"
"Oh" I sat straight and got out of the car. I again saw him smiling, what is the matter with him, why is he annoying me
"Bye" he waved his hand, without saying anything I turned my back and went in the house.
I came to my room and laid on the bed.
How will I manage university in the midst of everything? My life is already so chaotic. I pulled over a blanket over me, I tried sleeping but sleep won't come, I took out my phone and started scrolling through Instagram.
Zuhan was non stop calling me, he said he wanted to spend some time with me. I got up and opened my cupboard to take out something to wear.
I was busy scanning the clothes, when I got a call from dadi, I quickly answered my phone
"Assalamualaikum" I said
"Walekumassalam beta! May god bless you! Where are you?"
"I'm going to meet a friend"
"Ah! Friends can wait. Your dada ji said it's been months since I have cooked for him, so I am going to make dinner tonight, and as you know whenever the ladies of the house cook, it's like a celebration, so I want you to come right now, and be a part of it" she said in one breath, I was hesitant
"Aaa ummm dadi"
"I won't hear any excuses, even that day you left abruptly. I miss you beta" she said so sweetly that I didn't have a heart to say no
"I will be there soon"
"That's like my good girl, bring Ayesha also"
"Sure"
"Come soon, I'm waiting for you" she said and hung up.
I quickly called Sheena aunty to tell her that she will have to handle Zuhan, he was waiting for me, he will get very upset. I promised to come at night.
After staring at my closet for a very long time, I took out a black anarkali dress and decided to wear it. I quickly got dressed. I applied kajal and dabbed a nude shade lipstick on my lips, i combed my hair and left it open. I wrapped myself in a shawl.
I picked up my phone and called Ayesha. I left the house.
"Hi baby" she said
"What are you doing?"
"I'm twiddling my thumbs" she chuckled dryly
"Nice! That's a great job to do" I taunted
"What to do!" She shouted, clearly she was annoyed
"Just chill! You are getting a degree without any hard work. look, how great your life is"
"Yeah too great" she said, I could picture her rolling her eyes
"Anyways, I called you to ask that I'm going to Khan villa for dinner, dadi invited you also, wanna come?"
"Absolutely not! It's hard to bear him at the office only, I'm not interested in having dinner with him"
"Not just him, all of us will be there. Come no!" I requested
"Sorry! I don't want to. You also don't go"
"I wish I could skip" I sighed when I told her about my conversation with dadi
"So you go and have fun"
"Fun? Yeah right" I scoffed
"I'll see you at home" she said and hung up.
I heaved a sigh and settled in the car, I turned on the heater and started driving, I made my way to Khan villa.
Soon I arrived at my destination. I exited the car and entered the house. I was greeted by Hayat
"Hey! You are looking so pretty" she hugged me
"Hi. Thanks"
"Seriously you will make Izhaan bhai go crazy today" she winked, I shifted uncomfortably
"Where is dadi?" I asked to change the topic
"She is in the kitchen, come, I will take you"
"It's ok, I'll go myself"
"Ok! I'll let maa know of your arrival" she left. I went straight to the kitchen
I saw dadi, she was stirring something in the pot, I tip-toed and closed her eyes. She laughed
"You are here, my Reem" she said, I gasped
"How do you know it was me? I covered your eyes" I pouted and pulled back my hands, she chuckled and turned around, she held my chin
"I can even recognise my little girl by the sound of her heartbeat" she said sweetly making me feel giddy, I quickly wrapped my arms around her
"I love you so much my dadi" I said, she hugged me back
"I love you too" she rubbed my back
"So what are you making?" I asked pulling back, then I peaked into the pot. She told me the whole menu
"Woah! That's a lot" I said
"Just felt like making" she shrugged
"Where is maa?" I asked
"I'm here" just on cue maa walked in, I hugged her quickly
"That's so wrong maa, my poor dadi is working alone in the kitchen and you are not helping her" I teased her, she sighed deeply
"What to do beta, your "poor dadi" likes to work alone, she doesn't let me help her" maa said
"Dadi! Why?" I asked, she just smiled in answer, "but I wanted to help" I said
"Ok" dadi handed me some cucumbers, tomatoes, onions etc, "you make a salad" she said
"That is unfair Amma, you never let me help you" maa complaint
"Because dadi loves me more" I smiled and threw my arm around dadi's neck, maa stuck her bottom lip out, dadi laughed
"You have learnt how this house works, but Reem still has a long way to go, she has to learn so many things" dadi said, maa nodded her head
"That's true! You will have to learn a lot, beta, but your priority should be Izhaan" maa said, and my smile dropped, I straightened
"Let's start practice from today only" dadi said
"Practice?" I frowned in confusion
"When he returns from work, you greet him with a smile and give him water, ask him about his day, try to make small talks, when he is having food, serve in his plate" maa spoke, I was just listening to her with wide eyes, it's a lot to do
"Nobody will ever expect you to spend all the time in cooking, cleaning or any other household work, but you will have to take care of Izhaan. And he will have to treat you with love and respect" dadi caressed my cheek. I felt my cheeks warming up, I was feeling uneasy
"You are blushing" dadi laughed teasingly
"Will you be able to make salad?" Maa asked, i nodded
"Let's go outside now, I know she will make it" dadi said to maa
"Yup" I said
"I will send Hayat for your help" maa said and then they both left
I picked up the peeler and started peeling the veggies, my mind was still stuck at what maa was saying.
"The kitchen smells amazing! What are you cooking, dadi?" Said a voice, I turned around and found Athar standing there
"Dadi has just gone outside" I said
"Oh ok" he nodded. He picked up a glass and poured himself some water.
I had nothing to talk to him, we both have hardly ever interacted.
"How did you like the university?" He asked
"It's nice" i replied
"Good" he gave me an awkward smile.
"Maa said to help you" hayat came shouting, then she saw Athar, "when did you come?" She asked him
They both got busy with each other, I continued with my work, hardly a minute passed, athar left and hayat joined me
"I'll slice it" she picked up a cucumber and began cutting it. "Let's just get done with it quickly, then I want to sit with you for some time" she spoke, I nodded with a smile.
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