PLZ vote + comment... they make my day :) >>>>>
dedicated to @Reaper333 thanx for ur advice. I tried to work upon it... a bit. Thanx a lot :)
"So how do you feel now? Did you like our little trip to the quaint little village?" Laura asked Zahra as she drove back to the city from the village of Amberley. "Yes. I loved it immensely. And, I agree that it was a much-needed break. Thank you soo much for everything," Zahra replied glancing at her two friends affectionately. "Well, that's what friends are meant for, don't you think?" Avi asked and smiled at her best friend from where she sat on the front seat.
"Hey, Laura what is this place? It's so grand, I've never seen anything like it," Zahra exclaimed, gaping awestruck at a huge palace like mansion pass as the car sped on. "Oh that, you haven't seen it? That's the Hawthorn country seat. It is grand, I agree. You wanna go in and have a look?" Laura replied, sensing Zahra's excitement. "Yes, please do. That is, if they'll let us," Zahra said, her voice acquiring a sad tone. "Of course they will. It's a historic place and the second most famous landmark of the city of Trapeze. Let's go," Laura said and the three of them got out of the car.
"We'll need tickets to go in. There's a long line. I hope we can make it before its time to close the gates," Laura said worriedly. "It's OK. If we won't be able to get in, we can always come some other time," Zahra replied to soothe her. "Do you think there will ever be a perfect time than this to go sightseeing? In case you haven't noticed, it's quite on the outskirts of the city. And I'm not gonna come this far just to see this place. Besides, when do we ever get time for such pleasures, tell me that," Laura replied in a disdainful tone. "When we can't help it, there's no use arguing over it, okay. So shut up, both of you," Avi suddenly cried. Their whining was getting on her nerves.
"Am I seeing what I'm seeing or my eyes are deceiving me today," Laura exclaimed after a bit of time. "Lionel Mathews and here?" "Lionel who?" Zahra and Avi spoke at the same time. "Oh. You see the guy at the front. He was with me in high school. Poor boy, he was smitten to the core by my charm, but I kept refusing him again and again. I couldn't help it, he was such a dud," Laura replied, a cunning smile on her lips.
"So?" Avi drawled, bored to death. "He is the caretaker of the palace, I guess. I would have to practice some of my charm on him to get the tickets a bit quicker," Laura said rubbing her palms together, her eyes shining. "Laura, don't. That's cheating," Zahra said, grabbing her arm to stop her. "You are too naïve Zee. Just wait and watch," Laura said winking, and walked away.
"Lionel Mathews, please don't tell me this is a dream," Laura cried, feigning surprise. "Oh! It's so nice to see a familiar face in the swelling crowd of foreigners." "It is a delightful surprise to see a familiar face, and that too a beautiful one. How come you are here?" he replied attentively, smiling as if he had suddenly got hold of all the wealth in the world. "Oh that is not worth discussing on such a pleasant meeting," Laura said, trying to put him on the desired topic that was the motive of her sudden interest in the guy.
"I have to go somewhere with my friends. They have especially come from India to see this enchanting palace, and we are due to go elsewhere in half an hour. There is such a long line on the ticket counter, I really don't understand how we can make it," she said, as fake lines of worry creased her face. 'Such laudable acting would put the top actors to shame,' Zahra thought as she saw her talk animatedly, admiring her friend's talent of charming people. "I'm afraid we'll have to satisfy ourselves with admiring the exterior only...," "Of course not," she hadn't even been able to complete her sentence, when Lionel spoke with extreme energy radiating from his voice.
"Uh... I mean, you don't need to worry about the tickets, I'll help you with those. A private tour will be just the thing for you. Come with me, how many tickets did you want, again?" he said, rapidly moving towards the ticket counter. Laura showed her friends a victory sign, and it was not long before they were crossing the large grounds filled with lush green grass kept in perfect order, to go inside the marvelous palace like mansion.
The interiors were much more majestic than the exteriors. It was all perfectly done up in a golden hue. The walls were coated with gold water, they were told, by the sweet faced guide who was about as young as them. There were fifty huge bedrooms, ten halls filled with pictures of almost all the Hawthorns who had lived, and one who was still living. Besides those, there were portraits of all the kings, emperors and nawabs (nabobs) the Hawthorn family had served as their royal jewelers in their lifetimes. There were lofty corridors filled with long French windows on both sides of it and a large hall displaying jewelries dating back to the 12th century AD.
"The young Mr. Hawthorn is mostly away in London on business, but he hasn't forgotten the birthplace of his ancestors. He is a very kind man, and is eager to see the home of his ancestors flourish and blossom," the young guide suddenly said, after a gap of about five minutes. "He has a lot on his hands, but still he manages to find time to spend some months here." "Look. Before she begins on his life history and we're bored to death, let's get out of here," Avi whispered to them, and they nodded. There was not much left to see now. Before she could turn towards them, they had vanished, and she was left standing stock still in the empty room.
"Aren't I a charming girl? You should pat my back for that," Laura said, chuckling in amusement. "It was a good performance, no doubt," Avi replied and Zahra nodded in agreement. "But, what about that poor guy?" "Oh! Him? He'll get over it, believe me," Laura said, with the smile of victory still pasted upon her lips.
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Zahra and Avi had a long talk about important things and some sweet nothings well into the night, for Avi was going back the next day and who knew when they would meet again. Although, she couldn't bear to part with Zahra just now, she too had a life and a job of her own, and she had to get back to it. "How come you were noticed so much when you came here Zee?"
"I've known you almost all your life and you don't seek or attract attention wherever you may be. I heard you even broke some priceless vase once," Avi said, as she sat pondering over her best friend's change of behavior. "I don't know, everything went wrong with me in those days. It was a new place and I was just nervous, I guess," Zahra replied thoughtfully and sighed. "I wanted to be invisible and work dedicatedly, which is natural to my nature, and which defines me to those who know me well enough. But everything kept turning upside down. The more I wanted to hide into oblivion, the more I was made to stand apart, and it was for all the wrong reasons possible."
"You must have gone out of the way to become invisible, and I think that must have hit you back with full force when it went wrong, crumbling all your defenses with it," Avi replied, as she grasped Zahra's problem. "You don't need to do anything to be invisible Zee, you just have to keep your aim clear in your head and work accordingly. Well yes, that doesn't mean that you should become absolutely mechanical, because I know you have a tendency of being just that at times."
"Can I ask you a few things Zee, before I go? I need to make my mind clear on some points," Avi said, uncertain as to how she could ask Zahra about it, so that she wouldn't hold anything back. She did that sometimes, even to her. "I want to know the absolute truth, okay." "Go ahead and fire," Zahra replied and smiled curiously. "What do you think of that guy, David Walworth?" Avi asked, hoping she would get an honest answer. "I don't think anything of him. Should I?" Zahra replied, her face acquiring a red tinge. "No, I mean what is your opinion of him?" Avi asked her again, getting a bit impatient with her.
"If you are asking that, I don't like him. He has been nothing but rude to me, making me feel that I was of some inferior race, every passing minute that I've spent in his presence. And I don't change my mind about people easily, you know that," Zahra replied, all worked up with such an idiotic question. "And what if.....what if he 'likes' you? What if he changed himself for you and asked you to marry him? What would you do then?" Avi asked softly, knowing full well that Zahra was gradually boiling up inside.
"What kind of a silly question is that Avi? You know I hate him with all my heart. And whatever impropriety you suggested just now, it is highly unlikely that such a thing would happen. In fact, it's impossible. He may have a thousand girls waiting for his word, for all I care. Besides, he hates me and everything related to me is just plain poison to him."
"I don't mean anything to him, and I reciprocate that feeling. So don't spout such obnoxiousness to me again, do you get that," Zahra replied angrily, squinting her eyes at Avi to emphasize her point. "Okay, I wouldn't. But removing all the impossibility of it, just imagine if he asked you, would you refuse him flatly?" Avi persisted in jabbing Zahra's heart with the needle of her question.
"Yes I would, without any scruples whatsoever. Why did you have to ruin the end of such a perfect day, Avi? I am disappointed in you. I wish you wouldn't talk to me of marriage just now, after all that happened. I thought you would help me get out of it. I've begun to have a strong aversion to men, in all their forms. And yet you talk to me of the man who has treated me in the worst way possible," Zahra replied as a tear slowly rolled down her cheeks.
"I am extremely sorry Zee. I didn't know it would affect you so badly. I just asked you because I think he likes you for your simplicity and the way you hold your dignity. And most of all, I think he trusts you. Or he would've never given that precious watch of his to you for safekeeping that day," Avi replied soothingly, putting her arms around Zahra's neck and pulling her close to her heart. She had wanted to say so much more, but it was evident that Zahra was not ready for it.
"I think you should go to sleep Avi. You have a long journey ahead of you," Zahra replied and pulling the covers up to her eyes, she went to sleep.
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Zahra bade Avi goodbye early the next morning because she had to go to her Office after taking leave of almost three weeks. She wanted to see her off at the airport but it wasn't likely that she could stay home for another day. She felt she was cheating her best friend and Avi scolded her severely for having such horrible thoughts. "I'm not taking such silly nonsense from you, got it," she told her.
"Your work is your life for you, I know that. So don't waste your precious time by taking queer notions into your head, okay. Now go, and may all the good things come to you," Avi said, and hugged her one last time.
And with a heavy heart and an incomplete soul, Zahra reached her office. After checking in at the reception desk, she was heading towards the lift when she got a light friendly pat on her back from someone. "Hey Zahra. Where have you been all these days? I'm really glad to see you back. Did you hear about Demetria getting locked up?" Jennifer asked, whispering the question, even though everyone had come to know of it by now.
"Yes, I heard that. Mr. Walworth Sr. informed me about it. And while we're talking about that, let me congratulate you. I wasn't able to do much for the case, but I'm glad you did," Zahra replied and smiled, extending her hand for Jennifer to shake, who took it heartily.
"She's out on bail now, that's the sad part. But the 'Walworth Bank' would never have her back now. Her career is ruined, I can safely say that. David Walworth is awfully angry and sad about it, but I think it will pass," Jennifer said, giving her a lopsided smile. "And what about you? How's your training going?" Zahra asked quickly to change the subject.
"Oh! I am an employee now. I got promoted by Mr. Walworth Sr. He's a nice man. Walworth Jr. was not quite in agreement with it because I was responsible for getting his 'girlfriend' out of here, but Walworth Sr. was not in the mood to hear anything of the sort," Jennifer said, opening her already big eyes still wider with such a comically pleased expression upon her face that Zahra was forced to smile in spite of trying hard not to laugh. "Congrats once again, then," Zahra said, still smiling from ear to ear.
"Oh! Thank you so much. Well, I must be going up to my cabin. It was nice to talk to you, and good luck on that project. I heard the people from the other bank are coming today and there is going to be a grand meeting held in that huge conference room to compare the progress made on both ends. You'll be a part of it, I guess. So you better be ready with your report," Jennifer replied and went away waving her hand.
Oh God! The project. Zahra was not so negligent as to forget all about it. She had a report ready but it wasn't so good to show as yet. Final touches were yet to be given to it to make it perfect. She had to depend on the data available on the internet since she was away from the country, and she was not so sure about their reliability. Zahra had not even a small inkling that they would be coming so soon, and she would know nothing about it until the last minute. Mr. Walworth Sr. must have forgotten to notify her.
She wondered what kind of people they were, who were coming from 'The Great Bank of Clydesville' for the big meet. She hoped they would take home a good impression upon themselves, for their bank was the second largest after the 'Walworth & Co.' and a collaboration with them would yield great and hugely successful results if all went well.
Thinking this way, she ran to her cabin and began to work feverishly upon her report to make it perfect. Darn it! There was not much time left to make it as spick and span as she wanted to, and Zahra was very uneasy about it. It bode ill to her to go to the meeting like that with a report that didn't match her ideals, and for a second she thought of skipping it, but nevertheless, she brushed her worries away, pushed her chair aside and got up to go to the ill-fated room.
"Ah! Ms. Fatimah. I'm glad to see you back. I thought you wouldn't come today, since you were ill. I must say I'm quite pleased that you decided to come after all," Michael Walworth said as Zahra reached the conference room. David Walworth was standing near the window with his back towards the room and his hands in his pockets. When he heard his father address her, he turned round for a brief second and looked at her, pursed his lips into a thin line, then turned back once more and kept staring out of the window. "How are you now?" For a second Zahra was not able to understand what he was talking about, but quickly steadying herself she replied, "I'm quite well now, sir. Thank you very much."
"Very good. I hope you have your report ready since the team from The Bank of Clydesville is scheduled to arrive in less than five minutes," Walworth Sr. said looking at his watch. "Mr. David Walworth, I think you should sit down now," he said to his son who had begun nervously pacing the room. They'd had far greater collaborations with much bigger names and on much bigger projects, but this one suddenly, was taking a toll on everyone's minds who were present.
Finally the team from the other bank arrived. The meeting began and everything went well. They were quite impressed with the performance of the employees of 'Walworth & Co.' There were some important decisions taken and the project took another step towards completion. "Ms. Fatimah, I want you to show your report."
"No meeting is complete unless you show what you've got in your store of talent," Walworth Sr. said smiling to Zahra, after all the senior employees had presented their reports. "You should see her report Mr. Ferguson, and I promise you that you'll certainly find it exceptional as I've always done," he said to the head of the HR department of their collaborating bank.
What he said was definitely true. Her present report had surpassed all her last ones. But, it was certainly NOT a day of glory for Zahra. There was a minor yet largely visible glitch in her report that stole the day from her. It could have led to disastrous changes in the budget, if not found at the correct time.
Unfortunately, it was David Walworth who found that glitch. He had still not been satisfied with her report when she was finished presenting it. He was constantly turning over her slides in his laptop to look for something. And then he found it. It was high time for him to take revenge for what she did to Demes. He was extremely piqued with her ever since he came to know about her hand in her getting caught for embezzlement.
Suddenly, Zahra's report came back onto the projector screen for everyone to see. "Where did you get the data from, May I ask, Ms. Fatimah?" Walworth Jr. asked. "I...uh...I used the internet, sir, since I wasn't present here to access the company's files," Zahra said, scared out of her wits. "Do you have the slightest knowledge of what you've done?" he asked in a dangerously calm voice.
"The whole project would've cost no less than five times more than the present estimates if we'd have gone by your data. I request each one of you to compare the sheet presented in her slide with this other one beside it that has been taken from the company's files, and you'll notice what a blasphemous mistake the girl has made."
"Where is your genius mind, back at home in India? I thought you'd have become a bit more responsible after all that training, but it seems I was wrong. You are a huge risk to the organization, and we cannot take any more risks than we've already taken. By the way, you've a really bad habit of poking your nose into other people's business. If you would kindly concentrate on your work, it would do you a whole lot of good and the organization might be saved from your calamitous mistakes."
"Why you take so much interest in other people's matters is beyond me. What did you expect to get from it? Oh! If you're wondering that you can take her place, then let me make it clear to you that you can never even come close to it, you understand what I mean?" His voice had now risen to a dangerously hoarse pitch. He put both his hands on either side of her and stared at her with so much hatred in his eyes that Zahra shrank back, afraid.
"Come now Mr. Walworth, it was just a simple mistake. After all, she is human and not a machine," Mr. Ferguson said after much deliberation. But, David was not going to listen to anyone today, least of all an outsider.
He was not letting anyone insert their opinion even edgewise. "I thought you were better than the others, but you're all same. I've seen your kind before, innocent from the outside and cunning from inside, and believe me, I detest them with all my heart. They just want all the attention they can get, May it be from any means whatsoever. I'm just fulfilling your wish right now, I'm giving you all the attention you can get in your life." He voice was a whisper now that rang throughout the whole room. "You're being unreasonably harsh on her now, David. Leave her alone," Michael Walworth said, trying to calm down his angry son.
"I haven't said half of what I mean to tell her today," he replied. "And getting back to you, you unworthy girl. What desperate attempt are you trying to make by wearing that weird black attire of yours? It looks like an outrageous mourning garb to me. If this is one of your tactics to grab attention, then I can say no more. I can only say this that desperate people can do ANYTHING for attention."
That did it for Zahra. A tear stole away from her eyes and dropped upon David's hand on the table. And before he could say anything more, she pushed back her chair, picked up her laptop and ran out. She quickly made her way to her cabin with a blurred vision and a dazed mind. His voice was drumming loudly in her ears. How he had insulted her! Oh! It was the second worst day of her life. Only the Lord knows how many more were to come. Unable to control herself anymore, she sobbed hysterically with her head between her hands.
Why had he said so much to her? She was not the one who had caught his girlfriend red handed. Rich people always exercised their powers where it was not necessary, always wanting to clamp down on the weak sections of the society. That was a fact. And the episode of the conference room was a living proof of that. Zahra decided it was time to completely submerge herself into her work and become mechanical. She had got no other choice.
"Hello Laura, I...um...I was wondering if you could come and take me home with you at 5 o'clock when you're free," Zahra said into the phone. "Okay. But, why? Is everything okay?" Laura asked worried. "Yeah...everything's fine," Zahra replied, her voice trembling slightly. "Did your boss say something to you?" She had guessed it right but Zahra didn't say so. "Okay, I'll be there. Don't worry," Laura replied and Zahra cut the call.
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"What have you done David? You've let the whole organization down. All the hard work of our employees would go in vain if they refuse to accept our decisions now. And that poor girl, you don't know what she has went through in these past weeks," Michael Walworth said, a harrowed expression upon his face and his hand upon his forehead, as if he had lost some huge battle.
"You didn't tell me anything about it," David said, surprised. "I don't go around discussing my employee's personal problems with people, alright. Her father was extremely unwell, and she hasn't been able to work up to her usual standard because of that. I want you to say sorry to her and make it fast before it's too late, do you get me," he chided him severely.
"I'm afraid that can't be possible," David said flatly. "Well then, I'm afraid that bailing out Ms. Torres can't be possible either. I'm telling Mr. Baxter to re-arrest her," Walworth Sr. replied, looking through contacts in his phone to find the Inspector's number. "Oh no, you won't. Fine, I'll do it," David said clenching his teeth.
"Good. And yes, get her away somewhere else and then say it. She might find it embarrassing. Go to the Trapeze Park and call her there. No one would be there to interrupt at this time of the day," Michael Walworth replied with a pleased smile upon his face. "Aren't you taking too much interest in the girl?" David asked sarcastically. "You won't believe me just as yet, but she's worth it, son. She has that fire in her that can take this organization to new and unchartered heights," Walworth Sr. replied, patting his cheek. "Oh! Give me a break," David said and walked out of the room.
"I have an important information to give you about the project. I'm not doing it on my own free will, but it has to be done. Would wait for you on the corner seat on the left side of the Trapeze Park at 12:30 p.m. sharp. Will be waiting, so be sure to come." D.W.
Zahra read the message on her phone with wide eyes. How did he have the audacity to send her a text message to meet him after virtually killing her in front of so many strangers! Her dignity and respect had been dead and buried right there in the Conference Room the moment she had stepped out of it.
She will surely not go, never in a million years, even if he begged to her on his knees. But.......what if there was something important he wanted to convey to her. What if her job depended upon it? Oh! What crazy scheme she had got herself into now!
After some time, when Zahra glanced at her watch, it was already half past twelve, and without thinking twice, she picked up her bag and got up to go. She had decided that she'd quietly listen to what he had to say as she had always done, not utter a single word, and come back as she had gone.
Reaching the designated place, Zahra spotted him easily. He stood out from the usual crowd, which was small in number by the way, sitting on a seat under the shade of an apple tree. In spite of her hatred, she couldn't help noticing how striking his appearance was. It made people look again after glancing briefly, once. She tiptoed towards him, and when he saw her, he indicated her to sit beside him. She kept quiet and cold, sitting gingerly on the other end of the seat. Her face betrayed no emotion, and her eyes had turned to stone. To David, it looked like something had frozen inside her. The only remains of some emotion were her tears that she hadn't cared to wipe away. Nothing could thaw that ice now.
David's conscience smote him for being the cause of that disaster and he mentally cursed himself for it. But he wouldn't admit that to any living being on this earth. "I...uh...I just wanted to apologize for my behavior back there. I've hugely misunderstood you, and insulted you for something you didn't do. If you can forgive me ever, I'll be grateful to you," he said in a small voice, so fast that Zahra could barely understand half of it.
A boy of about seven or eight years of age came skipping down the spot chasing a football, where they were sitting. He stood staring at the two of them and then out of the blue, he said, "Is your 'girlfriend' angry with you?" "She...she is not my girlfriend," David replied, smiling sheepishly. Zahra froze in her spot for a second, and then without a word she got up and rapidly walked away like a person in great hurry.
"What is your name?" David asked the boy, after vigorously shaking hands with him. "My name's Lewis. Is she very angry?" he asked, wide eyed, referring to Zahra. "Yes. She is. Why are you not at school?" "I'm sick. Mum says when I get better she'll send me," the boy replied looking away. "You should stay with your mother or you'll get lost in such a big park."
Before any of them could say a word more, there was a loud crash on the road outside followed by a thudding noise as if somebody had been thrown away like a toy with full force. And then suddenly, it rang in David's mind as to what it could be, and his eyes opened wide in horror!
Zahra had crashed into a speeding car!
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Well that took some time... I didn't have access to the internet on my PC. also I was busy watching that painful match of India vs Australia...so another day was wasted on that account.
Plz vote n comment guys... I'm dying to know ur opinions... :(
@Reaper333 I kind of implemented your advice in this chap and another one before it... do hope you like it... and yeah tell me abt it if you do.
and the girl on the side is Laura