Chapter 15: No Discrimination of Ice Creams, Please. 

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"Ethereal (n): Extremely delicate, light, not of this world"

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Friday went by aimlessly and Yusra found herself looking forward to the meeting that afternoon. Their two weeks was over and she wanted to know which department she would be heading to next.

The department chiefs were gathered at the conference hall on level 6 along with the interns and Markos. Markos did say that the CEO may or may not join them. But he didn't specify. Oh Lord. So when Yusra took her seat at the end of the table, opposite Robert, she found herself glancing at the door every now and then. Markos, who saw this, smiled at her. She's waiting for someone, he thought but soon his attention was diverted from her to the agenda at hand.

"Congratulations Zain, for leading the board this week," Markos started and Zain blushed slightly, ducking his head. Markos laughed and continued. "The others, do work on your abilities. You have potential, I hope you all know that.

"Since your two weeks are up, we are shuffling you guys. Starting with Jackson and Zhou Han, you two are going to Analysis. Zain, you are going to testing and Yusra, you are going to Designing. Your department chiefs are here, work things out and let's get going, shall we?" Markos gestured for them to get familiar with their department chiefs and turned to leave. Before he could leave though, the CEO made an entrance.

Yusra's eyes immediately turned to him with a small smile, memories of the past week flooding by. His eyes met hers and he nodded before turning away. Just a nod? Is he sick, by any chance?

"Good afternoon all. It's Friday and you are eager to leave so I'll keep this short." He started and Yusra leaned onto her hands, staring at him with wide eyes. Was he always this confident? I mean the confidence oozing from him is giving me a run for my money! Islah stood in front of them with his left hand in the pockets of his black slacks and the other hand, on the chair in front of him.

"A month from now is when you are placed in your departments for the rest of the internship duration. This is also the time your leader boards will be analyzed and," He said, smiling slightly. "The intern with the highest score will have an opportunity to work on one of our projects. This solely depends on the scores of yours, so don't think about kissing up to people. It will not help" Islah was firm with his statement and Yusra smiled at him. This man has many sides, many that I am left to discover.

"Right. With that, have a nice weekend" he said, dismissing them all. The interns turned to their department chiefs who waved their hands dismissively, walking away. Guess we will be emailed about it. She stood up from her chair and picked up her pen and notebook before placing them in her bag. She turned to the front of the conference hall to see Islah eyeing her movements. She frowned at him before raising an eyebrow. What?

He shrugged at her with a small smile. Whatever, that's what he said. Whatever!

"Tea?" Yusra turned to the other side to see Zain looking at her expectantly. She glanced at Islah to see him glaring at Zain before she turned to the matter at hand. I should probably get tea with him. I did say no like a hundred times before. She smiled at him.

"Sure. The café across from here though so baba knows where to pick me up" she told him and he nodded.

Islah eyed them with his hands crossed over his chest. He huffed out a frustrated air when he realized an intern had asked his hijabi for tea. Why can't he go alone?, Islah thought with a murderous glare.

Markos saw this and walked to the CEO with a warning look.

"I know that look, Islah. Stop planning on ruining his future just because you are a jealoused pup" Markos told him and Islah scowled at him.

"I am not a pup!" he snapped back at his PA who rolled his eyes.

"But you are jealous" he stated and Islah shrugged, not denying it. Why deny what's real, he told himself.

"When will you tell her?" he asked and Islah shrugged, rubbing his forehead as he watched Yusra walk out chatting animatedly with Zain. He hated the feeling that bubbled in him when he saw her walk away from him. He was riding a high tide of multiple emotions and he did not know how to deal with them. He accepted that he was falling for her but he didn't know what to do next, after all this was his first time.

"I need help" he muttered, throwing his hands up in the air. This was the last thing Markos expected him to say but he did. Markos beamed at him suddenly.

"What?" Islah asked him, taking a seat on the chair he was leaning on.

"I know just the person who can help you!" he stated and Islah leaned onto the table, listening.

"Who?"

"Era"

"No"

"Islah. Era is perfect for this."

"The last thing I want is for E to tear apart my cabin. No thank you" Markos rolled his eyes.

"I know E can be a handful sometimes-" Islah threw him a glare that said sometimes? Really? "-Okay, a lot of times but that doesn't mean E cannot help"

"Fine. Ask E to message me how to woo this woman. Till then, I am retiring for the weekend. Let me know if there are any emergencies. Emergencies only" he said firmly and Markos saluted him.

"Bye. Have a nice weekend"

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Saturday came about pretty early. Yusra was up and about since her family was visiting their maternal aunt, aka the aunt who has a certain dislike towards Yusra. Something to do with how Nasreen and Dawud let her get away with everything. This aunt was shifting to her new house today and Nasreen decided it'd be nice to help her out.

So Yusra took her sweet time in getting ready. She showered, changed into denim jeans that were cuffed at the end and paired it with a white A type dress. The dress fit her upper body perfectly and went into flares from her waist. It had short sleeves and since it was becoming cold and rainy lately, Yusra paired it with her cropped denim jacket. She then did her skin care routine (A girls got to look good always, okay) and tied her peach hijab before wearing the jacket.

"Yusra! Are you done?" her mother called from downstairs. What's the hurry anyway?! She checked her left hand for her watch and realized she didn't wear it. So she rummaged through her drawer and found her black casio digital watch. She wore it, picked up her wallet, phone charger, headphones and laptop and placed them in her bag.

"Yusra!" her mother's voice rang through the house again.

"On my way, ma" she called back, walking out of the room. She did a final check on herself at the mirror before departing. I look extra good today. She grinned smugly. Before her mother could come upstairs with slippers, Yusra sped-walked downstairs.

The entire family was waiting for her at the living room.

"You are ten minutes late, Yusra!" her mother reprimanded her and Yusra nodded, bowing her head sheepishly. We are never on time anyway! Best stay silent though. Her father grinned at her antics before they were on the move.

"How are we going?" Yusra asked, walking towards the shoe rack by the door. She picked up her white Nikes and donned them as did the rest.

"You drive the cruiser while I take the car" Dawud said, handing her the keys of his red land cruiser. Yusra grinned at her father taking the keys. The cousins rushed to the garage and as Yusra unlocked the vehicle, she could not help but think of a certain black jeep. Magnificent beauty. Her mind could not decipher whether it was the owner or the jeep she was thinking about though. 

The drive was an hour long and soon Yusra found herself hungry. They had to stop at a gas station because her father did. And there, she got herself a tub of ice cream to suffice the hunger. Cookies and cream. She grinned. She was an ice cream lover, no discrimination needed really. She set on the hood of her cruiser, her legs propping on the front bumper.

The sun shone through the clouds in the sky and birds chirped around her. She sighed with content before opening the tub of ice cream in her hand. Little kid. The thought caught Yusra completely off guard and she began laughing. He had the audacity to think I am a little kid. Oh god.

Maha and Nasreen stood at a distance from the girl who was laughing maniacally.

"Do you think she is going crazy?" questioned Nasreen, alarm in her tone. Maha let out a smile.

"She is happy, that's it" Nasreen thought otherwise. What is making her laugh so maniacally?

*****

Dun Dun Dunnnn! 

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Do stay safe! 

xx,

-Aalihha.