Red +  Blue = Magenta.

Blue +  Red = Purple.

Blue +  Yellow = Teal.

Yellow +  Blue = Chartreuse.

Yellow +  Red = Amber.

Red +  Yellow = Vermilion.

Ishmal wrote on the whiteboard and then turned toward the kids with a smile.

"So students, that's a small art hack that every one of you should know. Sometimes we don't have appropriate colors so you can use your mind to make one by mixing two," she explained in a slow and steady tone.

Soon the bell rang. Ishmal checked the time on her wristwatch and then picked up her handbag from the dice.

"I will see you tomorrow. The assignment which I gave you should be completed. And remember that life is worth living if it's filled with colors. Keep smiling and keep cherishing the art," she said the goodbye words and then left the class.

She walked towards the staff room. She had another class after an hour and till then, she needed to wait. Two weeks ago Ishmal applied to Ibad's school as an art teacher. She was approved by the principal at the moment who was in dire need of a substitute art teacher. And she loved coming here. The faculty was nice and cooperative. Art was her hobby, her passion, and something that she always enjoyed doing.  Making something that you liked your profession was indeed a blessing.

She was met by a few fellow teachers in the staff room whom she greeted warmly on her way. As she sat on one of the chairs on the far left, Miss Zaema glanced at her who was just occupying the sofa near to her. She was an English teacher here.

"Done with your classes?" Miss Zaema asked.

Ishmal shook her head. "One done. One remaining. "

Zaeema chirped as her big lips painted in red lipstick spread. "So how's your experience till now?"

"It's really nice," Ishmal briefly answered.

Maybe Miss Zaema would have continued with the conversation but was interrupted when a staff came inside.

"Miss Ishmal, Principal Madam wants to see you," she told her.

Ishmal raised a brow. "Me? Okay. I'll come."

Ishmal gave Zaeema a granted look before going out. She hoped everything was fine. She was quite new here and she needed to make everyone happy to make a space. When she reached in the Principal's office, her eyes locked on the middle-aged short short-haired woman.

Principal straightened her back at her sight. "Come Miss Ishmal."

"You asked me here, Madam," she murmured, taking small, meticulous steps inside.

"Have a seat. I have a thing to discuss with you," she informed her.

Ishmal bit her lip in apprehension but did as she was told.

"It's been a while since you are teaching here and I have seen some of your crafts. And I won't lie they were stunning," the principal started.

Ishmal's cheeks heated. "Thanks, Madam."

"You must have heard about a popular newspaper and children's magazine Rise and Shine. Recently their manager called me. She is one of my friend's daughters hence she reached out to me first. They need a graphic artist for their manuscript and magazine. You immediately came into my mind, Ishmal. I think you should consider this. That's a very good opportunity with a handsome salary," she explained the whole thing.

"Graphics artist?" Ishmal repeated under her breath.

The first strange feeling was replaced by happiness soon. Ishmal always wanted to make use of her skill in any way. And this seemed a good chance surely.

"Yes. It's totally credible. I will be very happy if someone from my staff is going to help them. If you agree, I'll give her your name," the principal asserted.

Here Ishmal was confused about whether to say yes immediately or not. She still hadn't asked her mother about it. But it was true; a mere salary of a teacher wouldn't make their both ends meet in the future. Something else needed to be done. And if her passion would help her in this regard, then what could be better than this.

"I would like to give this a chance, Madam," she eventually replied.

The principal smiled proudly. "Very good then. The manager will call you soon then. Her name is Mehmel Naeem Ali. And I want a positive response from you, Miss Ishmal."

                   _________________

As the principal mentioned, the manager of Rise and Shine magazine called her the next evening. Mehmel Naeem Ali seemed very professional and to the point when she discussed every detail of her job with her. And it didn't seem that impossible. Ishmael only had to work behind the covers. It could even happen by staying at home. Only a laptop and some software were needed and rest she assured her that the company would teach her everything. Farah too liked the idea of this particular job better than the one in which Ishmal had to leave the house.

Mehmel was a beautiful, stunning, and competent girl when she met her personally in a cafe. Having black eyes with dark black wavy hair, she gave a sophisticated and confident vibe. She was in a white plain shirt with light blue jeans, her sunglasses put on the front of her head. She greeted Ishmal enthusiastically. And when she smiled, Ishmal noticed her charming dimples.

"Miss Ishmal, I am very optimistic to meet you. I am sure if Aunt has suggested you then there is must be something in you that she found. I can't wait to discover the same thing myself," Mehmel let out in a soft tone. When she spoke, she had a nice and melodious voice.

Ishmal gleamed. "I will try my best not to disappoint you."

"Do you have a laptop?" Mehmel inquired, sipping on her coffee.

Ishmal nodded. She didn't but Ayyan had one on which he played games.

"Very nice then." Mehmel placed her both hands on the table. "I'll WhatsApp you an outline. We need some very thought-provoking and striking graphics for our latest monthly edition children's magazine. And Miss Ishmal. I want you to give your best. You are here on my word. And I want to see Boss satisfied with both you and me. "

"I will give me best, Miss Mehmel," Ishmal confided.

Mehmel smiled. "Amazing. Once you make two or three pictures, I'll let Boss have a look at them. And then if he likes your work, he may call you himself, and then your job will be permanent."

             ________________________

That afternoon as Haider was driving back home after duty, he again found some car following him. It had been a usual thing for a few months. That MNA wanted to intimidate him so that he would bail out his son on his own. This must have been done by the same man. The other car came closer to him and then through the closed window, a person in a mask from the passenger seat showed him a pistol. Haider clenched his jaw in anger and tried to overtake its path to force him to put a break but this remained uneventful as the they had come up with a proper plan. The car fled quickly before it came.

It was a barren area right now. Most probably why the chaser had chosen it. Haider pulled down his glassy window and pointed at the car's hind tire with his gun. The bullet pierced through the tire and then the car started having pauses before it finally stopped moving. Haider increased his grip on the steering as he rushed towards it but to his bad, the driver and passenger had left the car before he could come here.

He mumbled some curses under his breath while looking around. But indeed that was a proper planning by them. He noted the number and model of the car and called his inspector to take this car under their control.

One thing was clear. He would not let that cunning MNA have any kind of victory. 

                     _________________

Ishmal heartily made the graphics in these four days. She had to make two of them. One of the sketches was of a paralyzed child on his crutches watching the kids of his age running and playing around in dismay and teary eyes. And the other one was of two little girls enjoying the rain on a swing.

As she sent the final designs to Mehmel, she despite Ishmal's wariness liked them very much. She said that now she would let the Boss see the art.

Those few days in wait were indeed hell for Ishmal. She couldn't focus on anything else. Whether she would get accepted or not. However, when one night, she got a call from the CEO of Rise and Shine Magazine himself who asked her to meet him, she couldn't believe her hearing. Her painting was approved and appreciated by him. Her hard work finally paid off.

CEO told her that he wanted to have a meet-up with her this Saturday. She got ready with the heart to appear all professional and dedicated. She didn't want to lose this chance.

They meeting was arranged yet again in a big cafe. When Ishmal was led by Mehmel to the table where their Boss was seated, she was all nervous.

"Sir, here she is. Miss Ishmal Alam. The one who made that beautiful piece of art," Mehmel introduced her to him and he glanced at her from above the screen of his phone.

                   ___________________

Mehmel 👆

Can be a leading girl of a new book of Arranged Series.

AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!

How are you?

Here's a new chapter for you.

How is it?

I hope you like it.

The story has taken a bit of a different direction but no, that's where the original track will come back. ;)

Do you like that Ishmal is finally going to let her talent go into use?

Who do you think is her Boss? 👀

What do you think the MNA is planning to do with Haider?

If you like this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment. ❤

The story will pick up from here so don't skip now. You will get finally what you wanted. ❤❤

Till next one, Allah Hafiz/ Bye. 💞