With big big steps I rush towards my floor which is the fifth floor, I keep my head low, a very poor attempt to not get caught but I do look forward with narrowed eyes so I do not bump in to someone and fall in his arms and we stare into each other's eyes and we fall in loâI mean I get more late for work.
Tapping my leg impatiently while standing in the elevator, I wait for it to open. Breathing out when it opens I enter the little devil's room, there is another devil who hates me other than my boss, that is my other boss.
I mean she is the head of our apartment and she is the literal meaning of witch, same face, same nails same hair, the only thing she does not have is a broom in which she can sit and fly from one place to another.
A sigh escapes my lips when I see her seat empty, without thinking twice I run in only to see my laptop open and paper spread on the table, I quickly throw my bag down and flop on the chair winking at Alia and giving her flying kiss for keeping everything ready, she shyly smiles and goes back to work.
Breathing out, I browse on the file which we are working on. I busy myself ignoring the door being opened and closed by the witch Mrs.Bran.
Trying my best to focus and ignoring the heating gaze which is being thrown on me. I sit there unbothered. I am great at that.
A hand comes in view and loud slap falls on the desk making me shut my eyes close seeing those long black nails, clearly knowing who it belongs to.
Scratching my eyebrow in irritation, I look up to see the witch's face "Good Morning Mrs. Bran" I smile at the woman who raises her eyebrow.
"You are 15 minutes late Ms. Ziah Omen Ali" I quickly correct her for thousandth time now "Ziah Othman Ali" I tell, she ignores.
"Please take your bag and leave, you can stay at your home and sleep their, I hate indiscipline people" she utter in that dangerously low voice, that she uses to scare us, like we are primary school kids "I am sorry Maam, but let me give me my reason"
"Stand up" and that's when I notice I was still sitting, when I quickly stand on my legs, my eyes falls on my department people who has craned their necks, ignoring the pain they must be feeling just to look at the drama.
With her index finger she pushes me to the side and I stumble when her nail digs in my arm, she then takes my seat and rests back with her legs crossed.
Raising her chin up she opens her mouth "Speak" Bitch, I wish you rot like a tomato and die like a human with deadly disease.
That was cruel Ziah.
I press my lips together, holding my trembling hands together as I prepare a story in mind. I hate attention and that's what I am getting now.
I narrow my eyes to see Alia looking at me with pity and some sweet employees giving me an apologetic smile.
My hand is itching to rub my arm where she pressed her long nail, but I do not do knowing the consequences.
"I actually woke up at 6, and recently mamma is not doing well, she is having a really bad issue" of proving she is my step mother "âand me being her only daughter and the big one in the family had to do 'all' sort of chores, cooking, cleaning, laundry excetra excetra and that's the reason why I was late, I am sorry it won't happen again. Umm if you can please pray for my mother, I am not sure what will happen to her if..." I trail off in a low voice and look down after telling her the heart breaking story and after professionally lying and she sits up uncrossing her legs after hearing me.
Alia who still don't know what lying is and when her friend lies, starts sniffing and sobbing quietly, but I see over Mrs Bran's shoulder my only male office friend Zachary holding his laughter seeing my fake dull face, but throws a big thumbs up.
Our VP who likes to be called as boss stands up and clears her throat "okay, do your work and take care of your mother" she speaks louder than she should in a motionless voice and pats my back with so much force that I stumble forward "and be strong" she mumbles and rushes to her seat leaving everyone looking at me with wide open mouth, I wink at them before flipping my invisible hair behind which is safely hidden behind my hijaab, I take a seat with a proud grin.
That was easy.
"God, I never thought you will use your mother as an excuse and lie over her health" I roll my eyes till the back of my head when Zach speaks in a low voice so only I could hear.
"First, mind your own business second I did not lie" I lay back to look at him who is having a smile playing on his lips "Oh really so your mother is ill?" I give a firm nod, mentally yes. He elbows the chair rail and holds his chin in his palms to look at me.
"Then I guess I should tell our boss's boss that his aunt is ill? Hmm?" Why is he poking his nose everywhere "No Thankyou I can do that myself" I give him a smile, a fake one obviously.
He laughs and nods twirling his chair he lands on his desk and starts working. So I turn my attention to do the same.
We all do our work silently, nobody chirping on what happened or what they ate to their neighbour but we concentrate on our work, didn't want to get an extra shift by our VP. The Witch.
I crane my neck in curiosity when I hear the door being opened and closed only to fall upon the black cat of my life, standing in all black with that shining, handsome, bright, fresh, almond, lovely face. Okay I guess I used lots adjectives in one sentence.
With his secretary behind him who looks like a lost puppy near our boss's figure, as he enters.
Everybody quickly stands up on his entry except me, taking advantage of being his cousin even though I know it won't last long.
Ziyan's eyes jump from one face to another and finally it lands on me, and without doing anything he stares with a raised eyebrow, tucking his hand inside his pocket he waits for me to stand up.
I roll my eyes when everyone moves to the side when they see him staring at me, cursing under my breath, I stand up reluctantly. I like pissing him off.
Our VP who is smiling brightly as if she saw the meteor shower after years of missing it speaks "Good morning sir! We haveâ"
"I remember telling everyone clearly that they should not be a minute late. Past nine and they stay outside. May I know how Ms. Ziah is seated in her seat?...till now?" He turns his head to look at my boss whose bright colours have left her face.
"I am sorry sir, but Ms Omen had a valid reason and I felt like I should not send her back after listening to her" I glare the hell out of her when she again pronounces my name wrong, and Ziyan the Boy-witch looks amused.
"Oh" he nods and takes daring steps towards me, walking through aisle they created for this bride, by standing on either side, only red carpet is missing.
"Let me hear what reason she gave, May I know the reason Ms Ziah?" Mother father's! This son of Monkey!
I nibble on my lower lip standing there quietly not knowing what to say, I know I can't lie to him, it is a very bad Idea so I only pray to Allah to help me get out of this freaked up situation.
"I am waiting Ziah" I lift my head up to glare at him but when I see him staring with an emotionless face I quickly look down.
What is his matter?! Can't he leave me alone for once?!
"Actually Boss, I think Ms Ziah Omen is getting emotional to say this" No No please shutup! And for God's sake it's Ziah Othman!
"Emotional?" His voice jumping in curiosity and the little smirk hidden behind his voice did not go unnoticed by me.
"Yes, her mother is not well and she had to do all houseful chores and that's why she was late" she gives him a smile "was not well hmm?" He raises his eyebrow amused and turns his attention towards me.
I take a peek to see what look he is having on his face but like always he has a normal straight face from which I understand nothing.
His eyebrows furrow up when it drops on my neck, feeling cautious I quickly adjust my hijab not knowing why he is staring at me like that.
"Get back to work everyone and you follow me" he turns his back and starts walking and I let out a cry of frustration.
Argh! I swear I hate him and I am sure its a mutual feeling!
"I am sorry" Alia pats my back with a pity smile on her face "why are you sorry?" I mumble under breath, groaning when I do not find my phone in my pocket.
"I don't know just I am sorry" she blinks her eyes to herself, thinking why she is sorry on first place "it's okay babe, I'll deal with our Devil Boss and come back in few minutes" I wink at her before waving at Zach who is saying All the best multiple time but was shut-up by our VP.
Taking slow steps towards our Boss's office I finally stand in front of the door and before I could knock a gasp leaves my lips when it was open abruptly giving me a tiny heart attack.
His secretary smiles at me and motions me to come in, taking a deep breath I do this difficult task of entering this silent hell, which is beautiful too.
From the way his office has a beautiful view of the city with the dark aroma spread all over the place, I sometimes like itâonly sometimes.
I look at Ziyan who is leaning against the table with his arms crossed, waiting patiently for this tortoise to come in. His muscular arms can be clearly seen in those tight fit shirt he is wearing, the suit has been removed and he is only in his shirts and pants with two upper buttons undone. And he looks extremely handsome for which I hate myself that I cannot deny. His wife is lucky, she will be blessed with a nice meal. Astaghfirullah, what am I even saying! Shut up Ziah!
"I won't eat you Ziah, come in" he calmly speaks hurting my superwoman ego "Oh please, I am not scared of you okay?" I boringly speak and he nods "yeah I can tell that"
"You can leave Max" On hearing his boss, Max quickly leaves. Leaving us two alone, and I hate this.
"Remove your hijab Ziah" he speak while walking towards his desk and I squint my eyes at his not so professional order.
I cross my arm glaring at him but my heart is going in another direction because I know he noticed something so invisible when he grabs a towel and walks towards me.
"Your hair is wet and I don't want you making excuse of headaches and ditching work" there goes my heart. I glare at his professional care which is only towards work, he turns away and I start removing the hijab which has wrapped against my damp wet hair.
"Next time if I see your hair wet and you have not dried it properly, I am sending you back home, did you get that" he warns me with that handsome annoying voice "yeah yeah, can I open this window now?" I point at the window which is closed because the Air conditioner is On.
When I see him sighing at the way I ignored his words, he nods. I quickly walk away to not hear him lecturing me again.
"Ziah?" I hum in response when he calls me, enjoying the cool wind.
"After drying you hair, sit on the couch and set these files in the order and go through it thrice" my mouth opens in shock and I snap my head to look at him "you're kidding right?" I let out a fake laugh but when I see his emotionless face, I know I have really entered hell.
My eyes quickly falls on the bunch of files and that's when my eyes tears up. I did not even eat anything and here his giving me double and triple work! Is he really my cousin? I hate him! Can't he act like a gentleman for once!
I turn my back at him, knowing there is no room for argument when the opponent is Ziyan Obied Ali.
Blinking away my tears of hunger, I ruffle my hair but stomp towards the couch to do the work as fast as I could so I could complete my other work too.
I take the first file reading the first line, my eyes quickly lowers to the last line, I flip the page not bothering to see anything in detail and just flipping the page, he is not going to know if I read three times or one time so why bother reading and understanding everythingâ
"Let me remind you I will be asking questions at the end Ziah" Rotten tomato, dead Rat, unhealthy disease just get away from my life you witch! Astaghfirullah...Calm down Ziah Calm down, you don't want to take Blood pressure medicine so early right? Calm down.
Forcing a smile on my face I breathe out, tucking my hair behind my ear, I start concentrating for real this time.
Ya Allah, give me Sabr (Patience)
20 minutes later
My eyes only lift up now, when I hear a knock on the door, Ziyan stands up and walks towards the door, opening it only little and not letting the person in maybe because I am not wearing my hijab, he thanks the other person and closes the door.
Eventhough islamically I shouldn't be roaming around like this even infront of Ziyan but being born in an asian family with close cousins being your own, it's almost impossible to not loose your hijab infront of them.
I ignore him going back to work but my curios eyes tells me he is walking towards me but I try my best to ignore and read even though nothing is getting in my head because of curiosity.
He settles a paper bag on the tea table and sits beside me "What did you have for breakfast?" When the question reaches my ears my eyes snaps up and it quickly narrows to the bag, is he perhaps being a gentle man for this gentle woman?
"I-what did I had for breakfast? Oh yeahâNothing" I sarcastically speak but rest back brushing my now dry hair away from my face.
He hums and opens the bag, picking up few boxes which I for sure can tell contains food!
"Are you serious? Oh my god! I was so hungry!" I throw the paper away but when I see Ziyan stopping his action and looking at the scattered papers and then giving me that look which yells 'behave'.
I quickly calm myself and bunch up the paper and files settling them to the side, and then I scoot closer to him.
"What did you order?" I grin when the delicious smell reaches my nostrils "Chinese food and cold coffee" my eyes lits up and I so want to hug him but I quickly throw the not so appropriate thought behind my head.
He opens the box which is taped and hands me the food and I being the impatient one with one 'Bismillah' in my head, I dig in.
"Heaven" I speak with my mouth full but quickly giggle when I feel how indiscipline of me it was.
He nods and picks up something else which I thought was his food, but it was cold coffee. He puts the straw in and place it in-front of me.
"You're not eating?" I ask him and he shakes his head "why? It's tasty have some" I forward the box but he politely pushes it back.
"I had my breakfast and this is for you, so eat, and you have lots of work to do right? You need energy for that" I curse under my breath hearing him.
"Can't you for once act like a good cousin and not like a jerky boss" I roll my eyes but hear a very soft hot chuckle leaving his lips and the way my eyes snapped up to look at that smile I am longing to see on his face would have pained my eyes balls if only it was my neck, but then it already replaces with a calm look.
God how can he be so fast in hiding that beautiful smile which is a best thing anybody could see.
My lips pulls down in disappointment and I stir my food, why does he not smile anymore? Can't he just act like that old sweet Ziyan who smiles at all of my lame jokes. This Ziyan is jerk and I little bit hate this Ziyan but sometimes he flips my heart by doing these soft things.
"What's wrong?" When he sees me silent he raises his eyebrow asking me what's wrong like as if I going to tell him "nothing" I mumble and fills my mouth with this amazing food but I see Ziyan forwarding his hand "huh?" I look up and he taps the box so I quickly give him.
He takes a spoon full of the noodles and eats and quickly covers his mouth with the back of his hand in a decent manner but that really breaks a smile on face and I grin happily at his sweetness.
I think he thought I am disappointed because he did not accept the food, that was so sweet of him I hope he stays like this or more sweeter than this or better the old Ziyan I know forever.
I happily eat, sipping the cold coffee time to time and pushing my hair back which is disturbing me.
"Tie it up" Ziyan's voice makes me look at me "Oh I forgot my band in my home" I tell him and he nods standing up. He walks to his desk and grabs a water bottle, standing behind the couch he drops it on the couch. When I thought he will leave, my body jumps up and a shiver runs down my spine when he so casually slips his hand to bunch up my hair in his hand.
"Pass that cloth" he points at the stroll and I gulp but give him what he is asking for with hesitation, he ties my hair into a ponytail like a professional hairdresser and passes his rough palm on my forehead to remove the hair if its disturbing before tucking it behind my ear.
Ya Allah, what is happening?!
After assuring himself that no one will disturb me and my food he backs away and goes back to his seat leaving me and my trembling soul alone.
I lick my lips but quickly take a big sip of cold coffee to calm my hot self.
It's okay it happens, he was only helping you, why are you over reacting.
I assure myself that everything is fine. Yup it completely fine, he was only helping you babe. Calm down.
Oh god, my heart.
*******