chapter 9

Fiza wakes up early in the morning and does prayer. She makes her breakfast, packs her tiffin and gets ready in time. Fiza wears a light yellow salwar kameez and matching simple but elegant accessories.Fiza is excited for the day. Today she will take a step toward her new life. But where is Aman? She thought.'You thought of me, and I came.' Aman comes with his beautiful smile.'Where have you been since morning?''In your heart.'Both smiles.'You look beautiful.''Remember this dress? Five years ago, you gave it to me on my birthday.''It suits you.'Fiza smiles and says, 'Wish me good luck.'Aman cuddles her and kisses her forehead.'My best wishes are always with you, dear.''Well, what will you do after I leave?''Wait for you.''Okay, bye.''Take care.' Fiza leaves for the office.Aarav had shown her the office from the outside, so she didn't need to look for the location. She takes a cab and reaches the office on time.The office here is much bigger than the office in Kolkata. I hope here I will be able to work on big projects. Fiza thought.Fiza meets HR, and HR introduces her to her team. She will be heading a team of graphic designers here. New place, new team, that's why Fiza is excited and scared about whether the people here will accept her or not. Fiza is assigned a group of fifteen which consists of boys and girls her age or younger.Seeing Fiza, his team members started whispering.Fiza remembers what Arif had advised her yesterday, ' Be confident and don't fumble. Address each member by their name.'As per Arif's suggestions, Fiza has read all the details of her team members from the HR documents after she met HR. She has also noted the allotment of her team members in different projects. Her homework makes her confident. When Fiza addresses her team, her eloquence and confidence leave her team members spellbound.'As rustic as she looks from the outside, it doesn't seem so from the inside.''It's the first day only. Let's see how long she lasts.'She hears her team member's discussions about her. At first, she thought to ignore them, but later changed her mind and said,' We will last long together. Meet me in the meeting room after an hour with a short presentation about the current project you are working on.'Her team members did not expect this from her on the first day. They couldn't understand how to react.Seeing the bewildered look on their face, Fiza felt like laughing, but she controlled her emotion. Fiza herself has not seen this Fiza before, so confident and determined.All this is for Aman. Fiza says inwardly.Fiza gets back to work and studies all the projects under her supervision. She notes down the queries and the suggestions for the individual project. After she meets with the team members again, the team members realize that the 5'4" chubby simple girl is very good at her job and clear about her requirements. An admiration for Fiza begins to grow in them effortlessly.Fiza had a good first day in the office. She had a little talk with Shalini and Arif during lunch hour. After office, Fiza buys some paneer jalebi from a shop near her apartment. Aarav had said that this shop is famous for sweets.On the way home, Fiza calls Shabana and tells her every minute detail that happened in the office. Fiza's happiness is clearly audible in her voice. Shabana feels happy to find her daughter delighted in the unknown city.'You are such a hardworking and good girl; your dream will surely come true.''I have to, Maa.'I have to remove the false allegation against Aman. Fiza says inwardly. After reaching home, Fiza disconnects her mother's call. She wants to spend this time wholly with Aman.Fiza opens the door, turns on the light, takes a bottle of water from the fridge and sits on the couch to relax. A moment later, a familiar touch begins to press her shoulder. Even with her eyes closed, Fiza doesn't find it hard to recognize Aman's touch.'Thank you.''Why, thank you. You have worked hard all day; you must be tired. So, you deserve it.''You are so caring. I am lucky to have you in my life.'Aman doesn't reply. Suddenly Fiza feels restless. She opens her eyes and sits straight. Fiza thought in silence for a moment, then sighed and got up to freshen up.Fiza hears her mobile ringing from the bathroom.It can be none other than Arif. Fiza thought.Fiza comes out of the bathroom and checks her mobile. It was really Arif. Fiza smiles and keeps the mobile on the table. She switches on the lights of all other rooms and makes arrangements for tea. Again the mobile rings. The screen displays 'Arif calling .... '. Fiza smiles and picks up the phone.'Hello.''Why don't you pick up my call at one go.''I was in the bathroom. But why are you so anxious? We talked only this afternoon.''No, I was just wondering if you got home safely.'If I hadn't reached home, what would you have done from Kolkata?''Why won't you reach safely?''When you know everything, why do you worry so much?''Actually, Kolkata does not feel good without you.''Such cheesy words. In Kolkata, we rarely met or spoke over the phone. So, stop worrying.''I can't handle this insult.' Arif says dramatically.'So hang up the phone now.''No.''Bye'. Fiza disconnects the call and says, 'Disgusting'.Aman chuckles.'Why are you laughing?''Such a poor guy.''Really.''You treat him too badly; still, he cares about you.''He doesn't take care of me. He cares for my father's money.''You are also talking like your father. Don't insult someone who loves you. Maybe you don't love him; still, don't insult him.''He is trying to become my self-declared guardian. That irritates me. But why are we discussing Arif? Can't we talk about us?''Okay, calm down. No more discussion about Arif, but have you informed Shalini that you have reached home safely? She will be worried.''Sorry, I forgot.'Fiza messages Shalini that she had reached home safely.Fiza pours the tea into two cups and takes paneer jalebi on a plate.'Can we sit on the balcony and have tea together?''As you wish, ma'am.'(Continued ....)