Chapter Two: The Boss.

I can't believe my eyes, it's him the stranger with the grey eyes he's my boss! What should I say? What could I say ? 'Thank you for saving me and not letting me fall.' I couldn't think straight. Jamila left when I entered the office. A dark and cold room, the curtains were closed and the air conditioner was switched on set to eighteen degrees. I felt really uncomfortable. I wish Jamila stayed, it would have been less awkward I thought.

"Are you just going to stand there all day?" he said with a serious tone still reading the documents on his table. A thrill went through me. I remained standing and he still continued reading. After standing for a minute or more, I still couldn't think of what to say. I thought for awhile putting together my words and confidence. I finally said...
"Assalam alaykum."

"Walikum Salam," he replied without making eye contact.

"My name is Halaat Abdul Malik," I said confident. He still didn't look at me, he still read his documents. I felt like some sort of ghost. "I...I was hired for the..."

"Miss Halaat I am well aware why you were hired and who you are. Miss Halaat you are late," he interrupted me and spoke to me in a serious manner.

"Sir I am sorry, it won't happen again," I apologised sincerely. He told me to have a sit, and he explained to me what the business objectives were and rules etc. I was assigned a project to work on. I was instructed where I was going to work and who to ask for advice when I needed it. Exactly the information I need. I left his office and I breathed out as if I was holding my breath under water. Alhamdulilah, I am so glad he didn't mention the incident that happened at the elevator.

I hate the way he talks he sounds like he's annoyed at everything. His serious face didn't show expressions. He is a strong minded man and with that comes great pride - I concluded. I went to where I was assigned, the place I'll be working at for a long time hopefully. I was siting next to Jamila the Emirati lady. Jamila helped me on the project she even explained the routine of the company. Her personality captured my soul. Kind and helpful.

"Halaat, Mr Adam the boss what do you think of him?" Jamila asked me and chuckled.

"I don't think he was in a good mood today, his inaccessible grey eyes pierced my soul whenever he looked at me. Would it kill him to smile or maybe just be less serious for a moment," I complained a bit too loud. Those who walked by us heard every word and laughed. But one person didn't laugh, he stood in a distance while starring at me with his grey eyes. I pursed my lips. Did my boss just hear me criticising him.

Jamila hadn't seen the boss and still she continued laughing. After awhile he left and went back to his office.

"His smile is like a shooting star, by the time you blink there would be no sign it had been there," Jamila said. After we talked about each other's hobbies, I decided to get started on the project.

After six hours of hard work, it was lunch time and it meant that I can leave for home. Jamila offered to take me out for lunch but I decline. I told Jamila that we could go for lunch another day.

I left the building and as I was walking towards my car. I saw Mr Adam smoking by his car. 'Ya Allah guide us to the straight path', I said in my heart. I dislike smokers, honestly I wish he knew how bad it is for him. It's not my business. I have a habit of interfering at times. I tried my best to ignore the fact that he smokes. I got into my car and drove home. 'Home sweet home.'

I reached home, parked my car and entered the house only to find my sister Ayat watching a Turkish television show. I ran to her and hugged her. Ayat lives in America she's older than me by eight years yet we are so close. I love it when she comes to visit, her visits bring joy to me. She and her husband live in America because of his business. But she comes to visit us after every three or four months and stays for a week or two. Ayaat has no kids, she had a problem. Yet her husband Fahim still stays by her and promised her he would never marry another as long as she was breathing. So they are considering to adopt a child.

True love.

Alhamdulliah my sister is happy, Ayat being sad automatically makes me sad. I love my sister too much, I can't handle to see her unhappy. My sister and I are best of friends and partners in crime at times. When she got married I cried the whole day and sat the whole night looking at our pictures. She is the only best friend I have.

"Hala you will break my spine,haha, subhanallah ( Glory to God)," Ayat said jokingly.

"I missed you so much," I said still hugging her.

"I missed you too," Ayat replied," I heard you were at work, look at you 'miss independent'. How was the first day?" She asked.

"You won't believe what happened today my abya got stuck between the elevator doors, I fall on a random guy who turns out to be my boss but he managed to catch me. It was so embarrassing. That happened and umm, I made a  friend her name is Jamila," I said excitedly.

"Halaat, hahaha you managed all that in one day. You leave me speechless Hala," Ayat said.

Lunch was ready so we went to eat. My mother came down stairs after she prayed, Hussein was still at school. Alhamdulilah.

"Ummi I didn't get fired ," I said happily.

"Hahah mashallah, mabruk ( congratulations)," my mother replied.

"Ummi tell her about the boy..."Ayat said excitedly.

"Which boy?" I asked curiously.

"A man came to ask your hand in marriage, he is a good man, has a good job and very well mannered," my mother described him.

"Do I know him?"I asked.

"Yes you do, Uncle's Ali's last born Zayn," my mother said. Uncle Ali is our far relative that I don't know very well, he came once with his family for lunch and my mum fall in love with their family. She said they are very well mannered and have perfect personalities. I told my mother perfect people don't exists maybe pretenders.

"Ummi I can't marry Zayn he's so typical and self obsessed. I don't accept," I objected. The day he came with his family I saw him, yes his cute but his actions are no where near pretty. I overheard him speak - the way he talked, like he knew it all and his opinions on women. Just something about him that makes me think twice.

"Hala how many more will you reject until you find the right one? Ukhti(sister) there is no such thing as Mr.Right," Ayat explained.

"I know Ayat but I can not marry a man, who doesn't believe in women to work. I spent my whole life working hard for my degree I won't let a man take that away from me, especially Zayn," I said boldly.

"Will you work forever Hala? Will you marry work instead, hadha hu haram abnatay ( that is bad my daughter), you will grow old my daughter will work still love you?" my mother said with her sad eyes starring at me.

"Ummi yes I will grow old and no work will not love me then. Ummi please I can not marry Zayn, please anyone but him," I said.

"My husband's cousin has not married yet and I remember Fahim say that his aunt is looking for a bride for his son," Ayat said,"Before you say anything, the guy is a modern business man and he may understand your love for work, please meet with him before you make your conclusion."

"I'll think about it, now let me eat in peace," I replied. I saw my mum and sister give each other a look. A sly look. I hate it when they do that.

*Adam*

After work I went to the mosque and then went home. Only to find my mother cooking and my father watching the islamic channel as usual. I greeted my mother kissed her forehead and I went to greet my father as well. I asked where Jamila was, who is my younger sister. Father told me she went out for lunch with her friends.
In my family we are four in total, I have two older sisters and one younger one. I am the only son. Mina, Hanan and the last born Jamila, all my older sisters are married and have beautiful kids.

After greeting my parents I went to my room, put my belongings on the dressing table and I went to lay down on my bed. Today was frustrating, I thought while I laid down. The new girl, the new assistant marking director, the one I saved from falling. Halaat, her name has been in my head since she told me. Her face is stuck in my head, her kind brown eyes filled with happiness and her flushed cheeks... Astagfirullah why am I thinking about her like that. How could I think of her like that?
I tried to think of something else but I couldn't, all I could think about is her eyes that seem to tell me more then I want to know. Her laugh, loud and almost irritating. I saw her with Jamila both laughing. I wonder what the joke was.

I heard my mother call me for lunch, interrupting my idiotic thoughts. I went down stairs and sat for lunch at the table. It was silence and eating, until my mother asked me about work. I know my mother very well, when she asks about work she also brings the topic about marriage.

"Habibi when are you planning to get married?" my mother asked.

"Ummi, alllah 'aelam (God knows best) ," my response whenever she asked me about marriage.

"Ummu Adam, your son will not get married, because he is already married," my father said with a smirk on his face.

My mother being a worried, loving mother - believed my father for a minute. "Whom did you marry? without my concern," She asked me almost in tears. Sometimes my father teases her just for fun he says.

"Ummu Adam, your son is married and you have no idea. May Allah forgive you," he said in a happy tone,"He has married his work." My father laughed while my mother boiled with anger.

"Adam don't listen to your father's lame jokes, In sha Allah( If God Wills) you will marry one day whom your heart desires," mother said,"But you have to understand I am not getting any younger I want to see your children and Jamila's children. I want to meet my daughter in law. Ohh Adam my only son I only long to see you happy with a family of  your own."

"Ameen!"my father said in a loud voice,"Yes my son fulfil your mothers dreams, she's getting older by the minute," he said while laughing.
My mother gave my father a mean look before getting up and went to the kitchen. My parents act like children, they make fun of each other and yet their is love for each other is eternal.

**********

End of chapter two. Halaat and Adam are so meant for each other. Different personalities and thinking, Opposites attract: will Halaat and Adam fall in love with each other? Or does fate have other plans for the two souls.

Thanks for reading. :) xx