Chapter 30: News. 

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"If I get married, I want to be very married."

-Audrey Hepburn-

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"Resort?"

"Resort." Multiple people stared at their phones, voting on the venue of their workshop.

Yusra sighed, leaning onto her chair and closing her eyes. It's been a rough week. She heard chairs scraping beside her and immediately knew it was either Cordon or Than. Even though Than was in another department, the boy had developed an uncanny habit of annoying her to no ends.

"I have a joke," At Than's voice, Yusra let out a groan. She had half an hour break before she had to head out to a meeting with Pritvi and Alex. She needed this break.

"Come on, Yusra! Hear me out!!" he whined from beside her and she sighed again, glancing at him. His blue eyes were literally begging her to listen. Rolling her eyes, she nodded. Than grinned back.

"Knock knock."

"It's open." Yusra deadpanned and he glowered at her. She rolled her eyes again and muttered a, 'Who's there?'

"Achi."

"Achi who?"

"Bless you," Than replied, laughing in triumph. Yusra was so close to hitting his head but refrained herself. All in good time.

"Your jokes are lame!" she huffed out and Than made cute faces at her, making her laugh a little.

Yusra realized she had made really good friends here, albeit more males than females. Not that it mattered to her, having male friends meant she could be an introvert all the time since she won't be going out much. There was also the case of very less females at work.

"Yusra?" she looked up to see Rabail walking over her. Upon seeing Rabail, Than stood up and walked away. Rabail smiled, taking a seat vacated by Than beside Yusra. She crossed her legs over one another and leaned back on the chair.

"How may I help you, dearest CEO?" Yusra said with a teasing grin. Rabail rolled her eyes, the smile never leaving her face.

"I have good news." Oooo good news! Yusra leaned towards her with raised eyebrows, her green eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Which is?"

"The resort has been finalized for the workshop. It's owned by my family but that's besides the point. The point it, there is a forest behind it which is used for hiking activities and stuff. Can you help me organize them?" she asked and Yusra frowned.

"What's the good news?" she asked and Rabail tilted her head slightly.

"I just told you! The finalization of the venue!" Ahh that. I thought it would be something bigger.

"Right. Sure."

"We don't have time!!" Rabail placed her hands on Yusra's shoulders and shook her. Yusra let out a laugh.

"We can fix that. Tomorrow is Thursday so you can come for a sleepover at my place or something. We can work this out tomorrow afternoon? Or today?" Yusra suggested and Rabail placed her index finger on her chin, thinking. After a moment, she nodded.

"I'll check with Islah and see what he says. We can stay back today or something?" she suggested and Yusra nodded. After hours it is. But hey, who's complaining? I get paid extra and I get to see my CEO. Plus on both ends. 

"Let me know." Yusra's phone chimed with an alarm and she stood up. Rabail did too. "I have a meeting." Rabail nodded at her and walked away while Yusra picked up the folder and USB before walking towards Robert's room.

An hour later, she was free for the day. It was after five and she had prayed Asr at Rabail's office. The woman was well equipped with everything, Yusra noted with a sly smile. They were meeting after work. Yusra, Wren, Casten, Kris and Virat. They were the organizing committee along with Rabail and Markos while Islah was there to simply agree or disagree to things. So much for helping out.

They set in the conference room, with Rabail's iPad connected to the large screen on the wall. It showed a list that had only two items on it, Food and Snacks. Yusra did not understand how they were different.

"Trekking?" Casten suggested, twirling a pen in his hand. The pen was snatched away by Wren who threw him a glare for stealing his pen.

"Scavenger hunt?"

"Human knot!" everyone turned to Virat with raised eyebrows. What the hell is a human knot? Virat sighed and began explaining. Turns out, human knot is actually when people in a group randomly hold hands and try to form a circle without breaking hand contact. Markos, clearly interested to see how this works out, added it to the list.

Islah on the other hand, was focusing on the hijabi infront of him. He smiled and nodded at their suggestions, his gaze not once leaving her.

"Does the resort have activities?" Yusra asked, avoiding eye contact with Islah and trying to calm the little blood pumping organ of hers (the heart). He needs to pay attention.

"Yes, they do. Trekking, swimming, scavenger hunts, paint balling and a few others I forgot." Rabail finished, smiling sheepishly. Yusra shrugged.

"We can add those to the list too. I mean it's three days. We need things to keep everyone entertained."

"BONFIRE!" Casten said and this earned a murmur of yes from everyone.

The evening dragged on as they finalized everything. An hour or so later, they had decided on the list. All Rabail was left to do was compile it and send it on their Line group so that they can begin with the props.

"Are you sure we are enough for this?" questioned Kris and Rabail nodded at him.

"What about food? I mean we need people who can cook." Said Wren. Yusra immediately looked at Islah with a sly smile. I don't think we need to worry about that. Islah saw her sly smile and replied with one of his own. Markos raised an eyebrow at their interaction. I see the two made progress, he thought smugly as he turned to the matter at hand. 

"Right. We'll just ask the best chefs amongst us to show us what they've got. Make it sort of a masterchef episode." Markos grinned evilly. Yusra shuddered at it. Make sure not to get to his bad side.

"Alright guys. Let's head out," Islah said, getting up. Yusra followed suite knowing her father must be waiting at the parking lot for her. They walked out of the building as a group before heading to different directions. Rabail and Yusra stepped out into the cold air, shivering visibly.

"How are you going home?" Rabail asked her.

"Baba is picking me up. He should be here." She said, looking around the place for a familiar vehicle. Finally she spotted it at the end of the parking space. Turning to Rabail and giving her a quick hug, she rushed towards the comfort of her father's car.

"How was work?"

"Great baba. We were planning about the team building workshop," she told him and he nodded at her, pulling out of the parking lot. Yusra glanced out to see Islah grinning and waving at her, dare she say, shyly. She grinned and looked away. He is so cute, Wallahi!

"Ah. Do you have work this weekend?" her father asked and she shook her head, powering on her phone. What all is the news?

"That's great then. The Reza-Ibrahims have invited us for dinner on Saturday," her father informed her and her heart skipped a beat. They invited us for dinner? Why?

"Any reason?" she tried to play it cool but the glance her father gave her way, confirmed that she has no cool!

"Maybe. What's going on?" he asked her and Yusra sighed, leaning onto the seat.

"I don't know." I honestly don't know. If I knew, I would be able to answer that. Her father let out a chuckle.

"Sometimes, it's best to not know. Don't worry. Whatever it is, I am sure you will work it out." Sometimes, her father's trust in Yusra scared her to her wits. She did not know why he trusted her that much. Even if he knows something, he won't tell me. Might as well wait.

-

The weekend came real fast. Like real fast, Wallahi. I need some time to think this through okay! But obviously, no one was listening to her. She was getting dressed in her room when her mother barged into her room without knocking. Of course it's mum. Everyone else knocks!

"Can I talk to you?" Nasreen asked her daughter, taking a seat on her bed. Yusra looked out from her closet and nodded, picking up a dress and examining it. 

"What is it?"

"The Khans," Nasreen began and Yusra frowned, halting her actions. She knew where this was going and she didn't like it one bit. "They forwarded a proposal for you too. It's for Zain." Yusra opened her mouth to speak but stopped when she saw her mother in a predicament. She waited for her mother to continue.

"Well?" she asked, when Nasreen did not so much continue. Nasreen sighed and smiled up at her.

"There was another proposal before them, Yusra. We told them we will consider it only if you do. So now, you have two proposals waiting for you. I wanted to ask if you wished to consider either one?" At the end of her speech, Yusra's mouth went agape. Two proposals? And Islah still hasn't talked to me! Great. Just like this, I will be married to some random dude and my CEO will be left wandering in the dark!

"Yusra?" her mother's voice brought her back to the reality and she sighed. She walked over to her mother with a small smile.

"I know you want me to marry, but I need time, ma. Please." She was firm with her answer and hoped (and prayed actually) that her mother would listen.

"Alright. I will not answer either one of them. Let's head to Lila's house for dinner and after tonight, you can give me your decision." Nasreen told her and Yusra frowned.

"I already told-" she halted. Did she say, after tonight? What's happening tonight? "What's happening tonight?" Nasreen shot her a grin.

"Oh you didn't know? The very first proposal was from the Reza-Ibrahims."

Yusra stared at her mother dumbfoundedly. Why would his family forward-

"Lila informally asked me about it. She said she really liked you for Islah. Now I get it that Islah is a little older than you and your boss, of course. But could you please give him a chance to know you? At least tonight?" Oh you have no idea what you are asking of me, mother. No idea. Instead of saying out her thoughts, she merely nodded like an obedient child. Nasreen smiled at her, placed a kiss on her forehead and walked out of her room. Once she was out and the door was closed behind her, Yusra let out a loud squeal, concealing it on a fluffy rose pink pillow.

A while later, she walked back to her task at hand. Now that we are over that, what shall I wear?

It took her roughly ten minutes to pick out an outfit. By the time she was done, her closet and the floor surrounding it was a mess. She got dressed and set in front of the mirror, staring at her array of makeup. Yusra liked the idea of beautifying herself, it boosted up her self esteem and made her feel good. Sometimes that is. Other times, she was too lazy to do so.

But today was the sometimes day. So she did exactly that. An hour later, she was completely dressed and ready to meet Islah Reza-Ibrahim. Despite the time she had, she only did light to natural foundation, an eye liner (skipped mascara because last time she almost mauled her eyeballs out when doing it) and a dusty rose lipstick. Her eye shadow was of the same color with a hint of gold, slightly darker at the edges of her eyes though, bringing out her green eyes. Girls who do this on a daily basis, I salute you. You have my utmost respect, my sisters! This is so tiring. 

Her outfit on the other hand, was a long midnight violet dress that hugged her bodice and fell from her waist downwards in multiple cascades. It had long sleeves that puffed out at the end, by her wrist. The dress was plain and she paired it with a light cyclamen pink Chiffon hijab.

"Yusra? We are leaving in ten minutes," her mother called out and Yusra grinned to herself. Not bad Yusra. She thought before she saw her closet and the floor. Groaning in annoyance, she picked up all the clothes and piled it in the corner, making a mental note to do them later. She picked out her white Nikes and shut the closet door, hoping and praying her mother doesn't open them any time soon.

Picking up her phone and wallet, she walked out of her room and down the large stairs. Her father set in the living room, sipping tea and reading a book. When he saw her, he gave her an impressed smile to which she curtsied politely before laughing and walking to the main door.

Maha was already outside and while waiting, Yusra took pictures of her. Once the parents were out, along with Abaan, they were good to go. Her phone buzzed with a notification as she walked to her car.

Rabail: See you soon! Can't wait to meet you! Also. Islah, Iravat and I made most of the snacks and food so enjoy it.

A smile made its way on her face as she read the message. She shut her phone, without replying to Rabail and inhaled a deep breath. Let's do this, Yusra.

****

Ooooo Marriage. Let's get shopping my panda's! hahaha. 

I apologize for irregular updates.

I hope you are safe, healthy and happy! 

| R - C - V |

xx,

-Aalihha.