— H O O R —. . . He did as he said. He wanted me to join him, I am joining him from today. He wanted me to work with him, I have no other way than to get ready for it. He wanted me to come with him, of course, I am going with him. He gets what he wants. However, my heart is still wondering secretly why he is so eager and desperate to have me by his side even when he is working. Days have passed since the night when he came closer to me and I literally cried when we kissed. It is not like he makes me uncomfortable. It was never about it. Around Zahir, I am not uncomfortable. When he comes closer, my body gives in. I know it's the relation between us. The time I have spent with him was always sweet. Just like I said that night, I do not blame him for anything. My emotions too were involved in everything that happened between us. As sweet and pleasant is the feeling of having Zahir close to me is — when we are happy and surely enjoy each other's presence — as bitter is the truth
— H O O R —. . . We reach his office. This is the second time I have visited the place. We get out of the car and the driver takes it away to park it. I grab my bag and stare blankly at the building standing before my eyes. Tall and wonderfully designed. The glass walls were reflecting bright lights falling from above. I unconsciously held tightly onto the strap of my bag. Zahir came and stood beside me. I could feel the sweet warmth that radiated off him. He held my hand gently, intertwining our fingers. My heart skipped a beat at the pleasant touch. I am getting used to it. Like an addicting drug, now it is running through my veins. I wonder if I would ever be able to forget it. I do not think so.I raise my head to look at him. Bright blue eyes smilingly look down at me. His head saves my face from falling under the bright sun rays that are brightening the environment. “Chalein?” He asks me in his soft voice. Soft yet deep and attractive. (Shall we move now?)“Ha zaroor,”
— H O O R — . . . I watch the woman closely whom I found to be my husband's personal secretary. Zahir revealed it very casually, announcing her. I am sure she was informed already, keeping in mind that there is a professional way of announcing such news but still, he said it. Somewhere I feel that Zahir did it to make me realize. I did not know who she was, after all — speaking professionally, because I was not even interested in knowing her name or anything else. She swallows, holding her hands and squeezing them tight. I can't help but notice her small actions but I know Zahir too might have noticed that. The girl is a bit clumsy. Well, a bit?“Yes, sir. I was informed,” she says, nodding her head frantically. Zahir's eyes remain on her. Narrowed they are along with being sharp. I have met that side of Zahir for the first time. He looks very different. Very different than the man who lives with me. “Good.” He stands up, rounding the desk as he comes closer to me. He stands a
— H O O R —. . .Siya explains me everything and I grasp the information as much as possible. Not only Siya but before joining, Zahir also did his part which helped me a lot. Siya leaves soon and after that, I am left alone. I grab my seat and start working then. Before leaving, she told me that every morning, bringing a cup of coffee was also her work but the demand was not regular. Zahir asked for a cup of coffee whenever he needed it. I got it. After Siya leaves, I am indulged in work. Zahir has a lot to handle. After becoming his secretary, I learned that he is indeed a busy man. Like, really busy. Today he is not very busy. He only has to handle the work from his office. He is sitting in the room next to mine and I can't really see him. But he can. It feels awkward to have this realization in mind that he can look at me and as the hour begins, I need to make myself understand that he might be busy and that he won't waste his time keeping an eye on me. But after I got busy
— H O O R —. . .The world should be nice and a place where peace and happiness rule. Where people do not get jealous of each other but join each other in their happiness. People should be soft-hearted. It could be nice but the idea alone seems like a fantasy. It is a utopia. And unfortunately, the world is filled with evil powers that dominate human emotions and thoughts. Even if I wanted my focus to stay on Zahir, it could not remain so on the way. I could catch women staring at him. The emotions in their eyes were speaking something else. I felt this all pricking my heart. I did not like that. Why should they stare at him? Zahir's nature is stoic towards everyone in his office. He does not really acknowledge anyone with softness. He just worries about his work and he has told me already that he does not mind being called selfish. Zahir does not even have to impress any of them. But they?How could I even close their eyes? They whisper into each other's ears and among them, I
— H O O R —. . .The aroma has filled the room and my mouth is filled with water. It smells nice and I can expect the same in taste, too. Zahir complimented them, after all. “It smells nice,” I say in a whisper as I lean forward, putting my elbows on the table. “It does,” he replies monotonously, busy with his phone. His thumb is leisurely dragging down whatever is in his cell. I frown at him. “You can put it down,” I say, waving my hand in front of his face. He is always busy. He should consider the moment when he is not working and live it to the fullest. His eyes immediately leave the phone screen as he looks up at me. The blue in his eyes is shining. I can't help but admire them whenever I look into them. How beautiful his eyes are! I think I am going crazy after his eyes. “You want me to?” He asks, his phone is still in his grip but his attention is on me now. I hear the sound of water running on the other side, reminding me of the couple that is working behind the wall.
— H O O R —. . .Zahir and I go back to work. He is in his cabin while I am handling the rest of the work. For the rest of the day, no one comes to interrupt me and it is only when the day ends that I am able to take a deep breath. I lean back, stretching my arms as I yawn. My chair is pushed back because of the impact and my head lightly collides with the shelf behind me. I sigh, looking down at the screen. I have completed the work and I know it was not much because all the things that I have completed today were left by Siya. It was all pending. No judgment came to my mind as I opened the files. But I know I am going to get much work from tomorrow on. Maybe that's why Siya has pending tasks because being a secretary, she needs to match step by step with Zahir. I get up after I make sure to close everything. Grabbing my purse, I head straight to Zahir's office. I knock on the door twice. A faint 'come in' is what I hear. I open the door and peek inside before stepping ahead.
— H O O R —. . .We are home and I am welcomed by everyone happily. Zahir silently makes his way to the room and I am called aside by my sister-in-law who asks me question after question. She feels more excited to know more than me who should be excited to tell her about my day. It is because of tiredness that I do not speak much. As I was told before, my sister-in-law also runs an NGO. Everybody in this house is hard working but lately, I have been noticing that my sister-in-law is not engaging in any activity related to her NGO. I do not ask her about this but I wish to know about this all later. Finally, I am allowed to leave. I go upstairs and plop on the couch with a long sigh. My bag drops beside me and I take breaths while my eyes are closed. I can fall asleep anytime but the thought of showering is still lingering in my head. It keeps me in full consciousness. I rest for some time unless the door clicks open and Zahir walks out. I do not open my eyes, knowing very well