- Noor's POV -

"You need to buy contacts." Amma recommends.

"Why? Do glasses make me look that ugly?" I frown.

"No, it's not that, dear." She says.

Desi people always have something against glasses! I literally can't see without them, stop judging the bad eyesight I did not give myself or ask for.

"Maybe I'll invest in them, when I start making enough money." I say.

I put on the final piece of my outfit: my signature black hijab.

I feel like a black hijab is almost everyone's signature colour. But of course, some girls' signature hijab colour are neutrals or some neon. But black? Always a staple.

As expected, I'm on about four hours of sleep. Maybe three... because I could not sleep a wink since my nerves were out of whack.

I go downstairs and sit at the table. I try to eat my breakfast but it feels like if I eat anything, I'll only throw it back up.

"You will do fantastic, Noor!" Baba reassures me. "Insha'Allah, everything will go well."

I only nod because I'm starting to feel nauseous and talking will probably make it worst.

He's also leaving for work at the same time as me. He's been working as a teller at a bank for as long as I can remember.

We've recently been doing really well off financially. Baba paid off the house a few years back so nowadays, we always have leftover money. Since all of us except Amma work, we've been doing really well, Mash'Allah.

Baba just surprised my sister and I with a new car last month. It's a black Mercedes Benz GLB that we share.

My mother was a sight to see, she was going to murder him for spending so much money but he insisted that it doesn't impact anything because my sister and I agreed to pay for the car monthly.

Baba is just the sweetest! Always spoiling us even if he doesn't have the means to do so.

I finally force all the food down my throat.

"Where's Ayesha?" I ask while putting on my shoes.

"She already left for school." Baba answers.

Oh, right. It's a Monday. She's recently turned 18 and is in her first year of university studying children's studies. She wants to be an elementary school teacher.

"I'm heading out!" I say.

Both my parents give me a quick hug and get in the car to drive off.

I say a quick prayer and head off.

One day, I want to be able to retire my parents so they can enjoy travelling together. I want to replace their cars to something better, I want to get them a big house, I want them to be able to go inside any store they please and buy something without checking the price. I just want them to live the life of luxury.

Insha'Allah, one day!

Once I reach the office's parking lot, I'm mesmerized. The building is stunning, I wasn't expecting anything less, but still.

I check the time and I still have half an hour left. Im panting and about to have a nervous breakdown.

I pat my chest, "You'll be okay, you'll be okay, you'll be okay." I keep repeating to myself. "How are you going to give your parents the world if you die from being nervous for a mere interview?"

Right then, I get three texts at the same time. One from my sister, one from Farrah and another from a number I don't have saved.

I open Ayesha's first: Good luck! You'll do amazing, hopefully, if you don't pass out. LOL! Please get the job so we can go shopping and buy more food!

Farrah's: Be the baddest bitch you are and kill it at the interview! Remember to breathe because I know you forget to sometimes.

Unknown number: Good morning, Ms. Malik. This is reminder alert from Enterprises. Your interview begins in 15 minutes. Please sign in at the front desk and wait until your name is called. One of the secretaries at the front desk will guide you to the interview room.

I panic reading the text. I quickly shove my phone in my pocket and grab my bag with all my designated papers.

I really thought the outside of the building was luxurious but once I step inside, I'm in a completely different universe.

Everyone looks like they're in a rush to get somewhere but everyone looks extremely professional.

Once I reach the front desk, I'm politely greeted by the very pretty woman sitting there.

"Good morning, Miss. How may I help you?" She asks.

"Good morning! I'm here for an interview."

"Ah, yes. Give me a moment." After a minute or two, she hands me a card. "This is a temporary visitation card that I've activated for you. Tap the card on the glass optical turnstile and the gate will open."

She points at the long line of miniature doors you usually see at subway or train stations. The ones where you tap your transportation card and the little door opens; I think they're called fare gates?

This office has a whole row of them separating the main foyer and the actual entrance inside the building where you can access the elevators, staff lounge, and cafeteria.

They look so fancy. You can barely tell that there's glass doors on each of them.

"Once you step inside the elevator that's on your right, insert the card in the slot under the buttons and press the button for the 65th floor." She continues. "On your left, you will see another reception desk, she will help you with the rest."

I stare at the card that says, 'Visitor'. Did I hear anything she just said? Why is there so many steps to get inside? 65th floor? Ya Allah!

"Everything okay, Ms. Malik?" The woman asks.

I nod. "Yes, sorry. I zoned out for a bit. Thank you! Elevator, 65th floor and on my left?" I repeat it to confirm.

"Yes, exactly. Good luck!" She smiles.

I tap the card as instructed, the light turns green and the mini glass gates open, letting me through.

So cool! The inner child in me found all these gadgets super exciting and secure.

Once I get inside the elevator, I push in the card and slide it out and a light turns green. I click the button for the 65th floor and surprisingly, it only took a minute or two to reach the floor. I thought it was going to take a while because of how far up it is.

The moment I step out of the elevator, I look over to the left and see the front desk. My watch reads 8:56 AM. I made it right on time.

"Good morning, how are you?" My customer service tone pops up. It's become a habit.

This receptionist is also really pretty, just like the last one.

The receptionist smiles at me. "Good morning, ma'am. I'm doing well, how are you?"

"Good, thank you for asking. I'm here for an interview." I say nervously.

"Oh! Can I please have your full name and the time of your interview?" She asks.

"Yes, it's Noor Malik for 9:00 AM." I answer.

"Perfect. Please take a seat in the waiting area on your right. We will call you up in a few short minutes."

I nod and thank her.

My feet tap the floor out of nervousness and anxiety flowing through me. I really feel like I might throw up. I'm literally having to tell my brain to breathe so I don't pass out.

Just as the nice woman said, my name is called within two to three minutes.

"Ms. Noor Malik?" She calls out my name.

I stand quickly on my feet.

"Please follow me." She says and I trail behind her, clutching onto my purse so tightly that my knuckles are white.

Before she knocks on the door, she turns to look at me, and notices that I'm holding my purse a little too firmly.

She flashes a beautiful smile. "You will do fine, Ms. Malik. Just put on your best smile and act submissive, the job will be all yours. Good luck!"

Submissive? That's... that's an odd way to put it.

"Thank you so much." I try my best to smile but I'm nervous to the point where my mouth won't move.

She knocks and opens the door to let me in.

The room is quite large and minimal with windows acting as the walls. It's beautiful, I could look out and watch the view all day.

In front of there's three men, two older and one younger.

"Please take a seat, Ms. Malik." One of the older men says.

He seems nice, compared to the other two.

"Thank you." I take a seat. I could barely look anyone in the eyes.

I could feel everything I ate coming up my throat. 

"Shall we begin?" The same man asks me.

Please don't get lightheaded, Noor. I beg myself.

I nod, "Yes, of course."

- - -

- A/N -

• I really wanted to project her nervousness because I feel like a lot of people feel that groundbreaking anxiety when doing things like this?

• Do you guys like the pace it's going at? (I'm trying to be more detailed about surroundings and emotions)

• How are you guys doing? If you're in school, is everything going well? Stressed? Depressed? Pressed? 🤣

Next Update: Every Friday and Saturday, Insha'Allah!

Please vote and comment and let me know how y'all feel!!