Just before the sunset, I go to the day care center to pick up my daughter. By staying near to Zoya, I get to forget about Ashar problem and every other problem of my problematic life. However, that little kid reminds of my sin a lot more than before. I wonder how my parents would've survived after leaving me alone. Did they feel the same way like me? If yes, then they surely didn't have an easy life.
I stop walking when I notice Ashar is standing at the front gate of the daycare with a yellow patterned paper bag in his hand. My mood is once again ruined.
The corners of his lips curve upward into a smile as he looks at me. My nostrils flare. I don't know why he is keep showing me his puppy like smile. My heart flutters in a way I don't want to think about.
He walks towards me. I stand straight and wait for him to explain his reasons of coming here.
"I thought it would be difficult for you to take care of her. But you're doing good." He again gives m
Next day, at the agency, I do my regular tasks. After I'm done proofreading the reports, I intend to take them to dept. head's office. They are actually the hard copies of all the research reports, needs a dept. head's final approval.I assemble them, hold them in my hands and then hurry towards Watson's office. I knock the door for once, push it opened and step inside in his office."Watson, these are the reports-" I stop in mid-sentence when I see Watson, department head is in meeting with someone.He looks at me. The man whom he was talking to also turns his head in my direction. An angry frown creases my forehead when I see Ashar there. He beams."Sanaya, please come inside." Watson waves his hand at me.Watson is a friendly, another middle-aged man. He is more humane than Caldwell. I'm happy that I work under him because he's not a difficult boss, but there are times when he acts like one.Reluctantly I walk forward and stand beside Ash
Meeting with Alfaro goes good. He has agreed for the trial of new gadget. If he'll be satisfied with its performance, he assured us that his company will sign the contract with Hobsons's Electronics. Throughout the meeting, Ashar remained serious and professional. I'm thankful that he didn't try any funny business during meeting. He asks me to initiate the discussion by telling the CEO about the most beneficial points of his new product. After few minutes, he joined me and used all the persuasive tactics to convince him for the trial. I'm happy that eventually we accomplished the goal. When Alfaro finally leaves the restaurant, I stand up from my chair and walks out of the restaurant while silently thanking fate for ending these torturous moments. But soon my relief disappears into thin air when I find Ashar following me. "Where are you going?" He inquires aloud. I stop walking and turn around to face him. "To the office. My work with you is f
Next day Carol invites me for her floral shop inauguration. I decide to take Zoya with me there. It will be the perfect occasion to let my friends see her.I reach just on time to the address Carol texted me yesterday. Grabbing Zoya's hand in one, I hold the small, cute flower bouquet in my other hand that I have bought on the way for Carol.I step inside Carol's shop and look around. The smell of fresh flowers strikes my nostrils and I breathe deeply to inhale more of the fragrance. Different species of flowers are displayed on their respective racks. There is an array of greenery spread over vertically on the mint green walls with the multi-color fairy lights for the decoration. On my right, at some distance there is a cash counter and two padded, rolling chairs in front of it.Overall the place looks colorful and eye-refreshing. I would want to live in that scented environment all day. There isn't much crowd here because Carol has invited only few people for
It has been three days. Yes, three whole days, I haven't seen Ashar. He didn't even come to annoy me or contact me after that day when I made him arrested. He didn't come to theagency.I'm in shock.There was a product launching ceremony yesterday at his office. The same product, whose promotional strategy we are designing. Ashar wasn't there on his own product launching and the strangest thing was that his staff also didn't know his whereabouts. He was not seen by his office staff either.Despite my futile efforts to not to get bothered by it, my head is flooded with pessimistic and bothersome questions like; did he give up already? What if he decided to leave Zoya with me forever? Did my fake complaint really affect him?Although I'm grateful that in his absence I worked in peace and thought that he finally learnt his lesson, but now his sudden absence is making me feel apprehensive."Mommy, I want to talk to daddy." Zoya's voice disturbs my
Anger, horror and guilt pulse through my veins as soon as I storm inside the police headquarter. I move my eyes around and observe that no one in particular has paid attention to me or Zoya. All the constables are busy in their respective tasks. I put Zoya down from my arms and hold her hand.I amble forward and speak to the first policeman I encounter with. His eyes are glued to the computer screen in front. He's trying to stay awake, but his heavy eyelids are keep shutting down. Zoya stands beside me, observing her surroundings."There's a person inside the lockup named Ashar Hobsons. I filed the complaint against him." I begin speaking to get his attention."So?" He looks up at me with sleepy eyes."I want you to release him."He chuckles, "Come back tomorrow." He ruffles his buttercream blond hair lazily, "It's late.""Listen." I persist, "He has been in the lock up since three days on a false complaint. He is innocent."He rolls
For a second a wave of astonishment sweeps over Ashar's face, but he hides it quickly and composes himself, "I don't have new clothes."Those bruises on his face are distressing me. I want to know what happened to him in the lock up."You can ask your driver to bring fresh clothes for you." I shrug and head into the building without waiting for him.As I enter into my house, I instantly throw my phone on the couch and sprint towards the kitchen side to quickly cook something for him. I don't know if they had fed him in the prison or not. Even if they did, it would've surely made his stomach sick.Ten minutes pass and I finally see Zoya with her father enter into my house. Ashar has a large paper bag in his one hand, probably carrying his fresh clothes. His other hand is holding Zoya. He put her down on the floor. Zoya runs inside, takes my phone and sits on the couch. She has developed an obsession of playingJewel Maniain my phone. It's a game
When Zoya succumbs to sleep, I silently walk out of the room and see Ashar is sitting at the same chair, scrolling down his phone's screen.I walk to him and stand in front to get his attention. He looks up at me, placing his phone down on the table, "Did she sleep?""Why?"He lifts up his brows in confusion, rising on his feet."Why did you wait for me? Why you stayed in the lockup when you could come out of it?""Because," He rubs his temples, "I got angry on one of the cops because he kept provoking me so he got angrier and confiscated my phone and even locked me in a cell with real criminals to punish me.""What..." I trail off."I really had a horrible time there. You've no idea how impatiently I waited for you because you were the only one who knew where I could be." He exhales out a loud breath, "I'm tired now."I move my face to my side, trying to picture the scenarios that could have happen to him. Those criminals woul
I uncover my mouth and immediately move my butt on the floor. My cheeks heat up in embarrassment.I scratch the side of my forehead, avoiding his eyes, "Um... I...I was going to kitchen to get some water, but then I felt something on the floor and..."He moves his arms out of the quilt and says groggily, "And you fell on my legs, is that so?"I glance back at him with red face. Amusement sparkles in his sleepy eyes. His hairs are dishevelled. His eyes are not fully opened due to drowsiness, look endearing and very tempting. I close my eyes for a second and pull myself out from the senseless enticement."I'm sorry." I say in a low, hesitant voice, touching the strand of my hair.I give him a reason now to pull my leg and I can't even get angry on him because it's my fault."Why are you still awake?" He questions, furrowing his brows."No, I was sleeping. I was feeling thirsty all of a sudden so I just got out of the room." I say, bitin