BY: ZEE ASLAM
CHAPTER FIVE
Every monday morning is the beginning of a new fruitful and busy week for every worker. To Farida, it is like a half day to her, she is never punctual at work neither does she live early.
Her boss gave up complaining when he was fed up, she is the best secretary he has ever had so he wouldn’t think about dismissing her from work.
That morning she woke up early, prepared breakfast and left for work without saying a word to anyone. Bello was surprised but what could he possibly do, he is paying the price of what his mother did.
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Khaleel walked into the company and stopped halfway when he sighted Farida sitting on her seat with her head placed on the table. He has never met like that before besides it’s not like she was always there when he comes to work, she is not punctual but good at what she does.
He walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder, she became startled and raised her head to look at him terrified.
“Are you okay at all”? He asked her.
Ehmmm…..yes am fine, just a bit tired. “She replied adjusting her veil”.
“You know I won’t tolerate this, put yourself together and get back to work”. He said with authority and left her there.
He was about to enter his office but stopped and said to her, “well i must say, it’s a great thing you are punctual today”…….
She murmured few words to herself then brought out a file from her bag and flipped through.
Khaleel stared at her for awhile before stepping into his office. He sat down and thought about why his secretary was always at his mercy.
Severally, he became speechless when he is supposed to scold her and be authoritative like he was being hypotonized by her.
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The other day, she mistakenly spilt a glass of juice on his white kaftan yet all he could do was stare at her, his lips became heavy to move.
Women don’t freak him at all but there is something special about his secretary.
Aside Ramlat his cousin, even his siblings hardly see him smile but his secretary has a way of putting a smile on his face without even knowing she did.
Sometimes he would stare at her through the window secretively since the windows were tinted in such a way that you could see everything happening outside but the outsider couldn’t see what was happening inside the office.
“He doubt if she knows he is fond of her which he has labeled as mainly infatuation”.
Each time her thoughts crossed his mind, he would always smile it off and say “I should stop thinking about a married woman already”.
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A knock on the door got him startled and back to reality “come in” he said and fixed his eyes on the door.
“Sir, it’s time for the board meeting and here is the list of the shareholders”. She said and handed a file over to him.
He collected the file and stood up.
“I don’t like the atmosphere of this office, do something about it before I get back” He said and walked out.
Farida knew exactly what he meant by that so she didn’t waste anytime to interchange everything in the office. Within a twinkle of an eye, the office was filled with a pleasant scent.
She locked the door and went back to her seat only to see 7 missed calls from mama. Her mood changed immediately, what could possibly be the problem this time around.
She picked her phone and was about dialing the number when a call came through. It was the nurse maid calling.
She picked the call without hesitating and the news she heard was not good at all. Her mum has been rushed to the ICU.
She planned to call her boss but he had left his phone in the office. She had no option than to find her way to the boardroom.
She was totally confused and didn’t know when she bagged into the room. All eyes were on her.
She looked round before heading to where she sighted Khaleel.
“I need to be on my way now, here is the key” She said and dropped the key on the table.
She turned and was about to leave when he shouted, “what on earth is the meaning of this, are you blind to see that I am in a meeting, how can you just barge in here like a lunatic”?.
The inhabitants of the room were all surprised when she started shedding tears. She used her veil to wipe off tears from her face then ran off.
