Spend in the way of your Lord. It doesn't have to be only monetarily. It could be your time, talents, skills, and abilities. Use them for His Cause.
'You went shopping. That's your excuse?' Nicole gives her friend a flat look. She puts her arm over her chair and mentally wills her friend to pour out the details.
'Yes Nicole. I went shopping with my mom and sister.' Bela convinces. She's trying to translate the paper work Talha so kindly emailed yesterday. She clicks backspace on her computer for the umpteenth time and tries again.
'That doesn't make sense though! Why would you just randomly go shopping?' Bela bites her cheek. How do I explain this without giving anything away? I don't think I can do that.
'Does it really matter?' Hopefully reverse psychology will work.
'Uh yes. You missed a whole day of Spicy Mr. Jabir to go shopping. There's something seriously wrong with that.' Nicole comments with utmost confidence that Bela stares at her with her mouth ajar.
'Spicy Mr. Jabir?' The translator says in a quieter tone while looking around to see if anyone else heard her. Apparently not. Interestingly enough, Talha didn't come in as early as she did. It's almost 10:30 and he's still missing in action. It's one of the reasons why Nicole is so relaxed and has managed to put off her tasks to sit and chat with Bela. 'Are you crazy?'
'Oh come on. Yes I'm scared of him but he is something to look-'
'Nicole.'
'Bela don't tell me you haven't admired him a little bit.' Admire? Admire you say? Oh if you knew admire... Bela no! She taps the keys a bit harder. Nicole points at her friend in accusation.
'You're nuts I swear.'
'Not really.' She giggles and spins in her rolling chair like she doesn't have a care in the world.
'You've lost it.'
'Says the woman who's got him wrapped around her finger.' Bela stops typing and raises an eyebrow at her friend.
'I really hope, you don't mean what I think you mean.'
'Oh I definitely mean what you hope and think, I don't mean.' Bela does a face palm. 'I notice the tension around you two.' She says in a tone matching Her friend's. Okay this is bad. I need to tell her about Kareem. No she'll tell everyone. No she won't. I need to let some information out.
'Nicole, you're overreacting. There's someone in my life already.' There, that should do it. She begins tapping at the keyboard at a more comfortable pace now. Reading the letters fluently and trying her best to ignore the shocked face beside her.
'There is? Who? What's his name?' Here we go.
'Someone Nics.' She scoots closer to Bela's desk and stares at the side of her face.
'Aw come on! You can't just drop a bomb like that and expect me to be quiet.' Exactly, how foolish of me.
'Just a special someone I'll be meeting tomorrow.'
'What?! So are you dating?' Her tone is more hushed.
'Nope.'
'Why not?' She's confused.
'Uh- I don't date.'
'So then who is he?'
'Uh, he's a pilot.' Stall. Say anything but his name and personal stuff. I wonder how long I can keep this up.
'Say what?'
'Yup.'
'How old is he?'
'27 I think.'
'You think?' Nicole says aloud, Bela instinctively puts a hand over her mouth.
'Could be quiet?' She whispers. Everyone's busy, either answering telephones or forwarding emails. The floor is buzzing with light chatter. Nicole's outburst doesn't appear to have raised any eyebrows which is a good thing. Everyone's alert only when He is here.
'Sorry.' She says after Bela removes her hand.
'Get to work.'
'But I want to know more.' Nicole whines and Bela can't help but laugh.
'Later. I need to finish this.' She points at her computer. Her friend pouts and sighs dramatically. Her heels clack loudly as she trudges back to her office. Bela sighs and gets back to work.
After completing the document she rises from her chair with a yawn. I must've been at this for at least two hours. As she glances at her watch, she is proven right. 'I need some coffee.' She says to herself while she prints the document. The warm paper oozes out of the machine with the words aligned perfectly. Bela admires it and gives a satisfied smile. I just need to keep it in His office and I'm done.
Bela places the document in a clear file, fishes out her glasses and puts them on before heading to the coffee room. She peeks into Nicole's office to find her filing her nails in concentration. Should I call her... Okay maybe not. I need sometime to myself anyway. She sighs and makes a beeline for the coffee room.
On her way people pass and greet her quickly. She smiles and waves at a few people people over their desks. As much as she despises the Man who causes her stress and threatens her almost everyday, she does enjoy meeting new people. Where is that man to begin with? It's 12 o'clock for God's sake. Hmm... I should ask Norman. She goes in search of Norman but doesn't find him anywhere.
'Where are you old man?' She peeps through a few offices including his own but he's no where to be seen. She sighs with a frown. It's very unusual for Talha to come late and to make things weirder, Norman's missing. Okay, forget it. Coffee Bela. Coffee. She gets the scent of strong aromatic coffee beans and smiles. Bela pours hot water, dunks a tea bag, and adds the creamer. She's oblivious to the flurry of activity outside. Her phone vibrates indicating a received message.
Mi Hija, don't forget to tell your boss that you'll be leaving early tmrw. Bela rolls her eyes, her mother is relentless. She's been nagging her since yesterday about coming home early to get prepared. Bela brushed it off multiple times but clearly her mother has not forgotten. Her mind suddenly wanders to what tomorrow will be like. I really hope there's no awkward air between us, that's the worse. Kareem has the sweetest smile. I wish I could tell Nicole about him. She sighs. Maybe after our engagement. Engagement. Engagement. She scrunches her eyes shut and gulps down the hot liquid.
Bela rinses her mug, grabs the file and darts toward the elevator. Slip in and out real quick. On her way up, she takes out a KitKat bar and bites into it. Sugar is what she needs at the moment. One to keep myself energized and two because... I'm hungry. She grins at her childishness and reaches Talha's office. Bela grips the handle of the door with her chocolate and the file with the other. If anyone sees me like this they'll think I'm a complete klutz. She hums to herself and pushes the door slightly, while taking another bite of her KitKat. As she whirls around her eyes lock with the one person she isn't expecting to see- Talha.
She is speechless at the sight of the man. He is breathtaking. Unlike his usual black suit, today he's donned in a white Tobe. The rays of sun bounce on his short curls, his eyes are wide and his jaw is tight. The Man is temptation itself. Bela! What?! No. Stop! Bela knows that staring at him is a crime, not only because she plans to commit to another man but it's displeasing to her Lord. Look away. Stop. Enough. Bela. She's rooted to her spot. Her thoughts do nothing to push her forward or speak up. Her purpose for coming here is forgotten let alone her KitKat. The young woman is so distracted by him that she doesn't even notice an elderly man seated right in front of his desk. Or Norman who's cleaning up the small coffee table on the left.
'Talha.' The elderly man looks from his son to the girl before him. Talha tears his eyes away from Bela to acknowledge his father. 'Do you want to introduce me?' His son nods wordlessly, his movements are almost robotic.
'Bela, this is my father Jabir. Baba, this is Bela my translator.' Bela approaches them slowly. She's extremely nervous even though the old man is smiling merrily.
'Salam Alaykum, Sir.' Her voice is surprisingly firm.
'Wa Alaykum Salam dear. How do you like it here?' Great, I'm about to chat with the founder of this company. Where do I start?
'AlhamdhuliAllah, it's uh, interesting.'
'Really? That's nice to hear. Does Talha treat you well?' Oh, you really want to know? She chuckles at the question.
'He does his best.' Talha narrows his eyes at her. He thought that she'd rat him out any chance she gets.
'Mhmm, I've taught him how to be gentleman.'
'Baba, please.' He's a bit embarrassed now.
'You taught him well.' Jabir ignored his son. He is taken aback by the response from this girl but he isn't entirely convinced.
'What is it that you have in your hand?' Bela looks at the hand with chocolate and blushes hard. From the corner of her eye she could almost see Talha trying hard not to smile.
'It's a KitKat bar, I'm sorry.' She puts it behind her back in shame. Jabir chuckles at the girl's behavior.
'I meant your other hand.' Bela feels so embarrassed now. I literally humiliated myself.
'Oh this.' Bela looks at the file as if it's the first time she's seeing it. 'It's the document you emailed me last night. It's complete.' She turns to Talha fully but doesn't lift her gaze to meet his. I can't keep doing this. Oh Allah.
'Thank you.' He mutters and places it beside his folder.
'You must come home dear.' Bela is shocked by what she hears. 'I'm sure my family will enjoy your company. Especially Tahira.'
'Oh, I've met Tahira.'
'Is that so? When?' Jabir tries to stand. Talha notices and goes around to help him.
'At a meeting a week back I believe. On a Saturday.'
'It was with a client from Spain. You told me to take Tahira.' Talha contributes. His father nods in understanding.
'Mhmm, but you must come for a meal.'
'In Sha Allah.' Bela smiles shyly.
'I want to meet you outside this business setting.' He makes it sound revolting and Bela laughs. 'Talha bring her soon.' He orders. His son nods stiffly and helps his father outside. That short conversation is enough to give Bela a glimpse of the kind of family Talha has. Loving. Kind. Supportive. Helpful. Welcoming. Everything he isn't. What a difference. She adjusts her scarf and is about to leave his office when he comes back. She gulps and stays where she is. Well now that I'm here, I might as well ask him if I can leave early tomorrow.
'Do you have any meetings tomorrow?'
'A few, why?' He leans into his leather chair.
'I'd just like to leave early.'
'Why?' He frowns. Yesterday she takes a day off and tomorrow she wants to leave early.
'Personal stuff.' He stares at her but she's looking elsewhere. The serpent is too innocent for her own good.
'No.'
'No what?' She blinks.
'You can't leave early.'
'Why not?'
'Because you didn't give me a proper reason and I said so.'
'You don't understand. I need to leave early.' She says louder this time.
'What for?' He wants to know? Fine. Here goes nothing.
'I have to meet someone.' The sound of that itches at Talha's conscious.
'Who?' He blurts.
'Okay that is private information and I'm under no obligation to let you know of it.' Who could this be? Some lover? Bela crosses her arms and waits for a response. She knows that she's in the right. Talha rises from his seat, stamps his palms against the table before him and eyes the woman before him.
'Fine.' He thinks for a good minute, deciding how to go about this. 'You can leave at three.' Just three hours earlier than my usual time?
'Two.' She negotiates.
'Two thirty.'
'Two.'
'Three.'
'Two.'
'Three thirty.'
'Three.' Talha smirks. His arrogance sparks anger within, partially because he won the argument and his charm makes it harder to hate him. 'Nice doing business with you Bela.' He says her name sardonically. She huffs and leaves his office in a rage.
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Done! :) haha. I completed this chapter last night but I wanted to make a few changes before I let you read ;) love your support. Please vote, comment and share! Peace- Zai xx