For a good few minutes, Zahra was utterly speechless. She looked so comical with her eyes wide and her mouth agape that her friend couldn't help laughing at her expense. But after some time, she sobered up a little. Finally, the girl found her voice and asked, "Is that the list they are checking? But, I thought you said we'd got e-mails?!" "Who knows, maybe they are lazy like you or too excited to see their names figuring on the exclusive list of the lucky few," Avi commented sarcastically, her eyes carrying a dreamy expression.
"You're a lucky one, Zee. I mean, that's like the country of the Walworth's... literally! I saw your name on the list when I came here today, and even I couldn't really believe my eyes, they're pretty sharp, you know. It seemed almost too surreal. But, thank god, it's true, Zee. I'm elated for you."
"Why? Is it because you'll finally get rid of me, hmm?" Zahra asked teasingly, when the news had somewhat sunken into her brain. "Oh! I seriously wish I could." She rolled her eyes at her overdramatic comment. "Not gonna happen, honeybun. But, seriously, I can't believe this is happening! To me! My luck's looking up... maybe." Her face fell in gloom. "Don't talk rubbish. Be a little optimistic, alright!" Avi didn't like the uncertainty in her best friend's voice. For a change, something nice was happening to her, godda**it!
"Did you read the... specifications of the job?" "Yeah. You are going there as a trainee for one year. And I think they would be retaining a few of you over there, for good, afterwards. Our side is doing better than them, you know. So, if you are lucky enough, who knows, you might even land yourself a nice-paying post at the headquarters itself! I so envy you girl, you'll even get to see the one and only, 'David Walworth'!!" Zahra threw an empty, drawl look towards Avi.
"And since you look like you don't know a thing about him, I'll just give you the basic facts. First off, he's the son of Michael Walworth and smokin' hot CEO of our Company," Avi counted upon her fingers. "All the girls here are mad over him. He's a huge trouble magnet. He's not really goody-goody with his father, right now. He's been getting the 'Best Young CEO' award since the last five years. And... he has an exceedingly short fuse."
And at that instant, Zahra knew that an encounter with the guy would be one huge mistake. "There're some cons of you leaving, though." "Really? Such as?" Zahra asked with an eyebrow raised incredulously. "Such as not seeing me for a long, long time." "Oh, I see. I was actually counting that as a blessing, by the way." The girl winked and smirked good-naturedly. "You're just not seeing things in perspective right now. I understand." Her friend shook her head sympathetically. "Okay, doctor, what about the others?"
"We won't be able to discuss Pakistani serials that easily. Calling and texting just can't do, right? We won't be able to hug each other at every cute moment between the hero and the heroine." "Yeah, that'd be such a shame." "Besides all that, there's that 'hot dude', our HR manager, Adam Khan. You won't be able to ogle at him, you poor thing... so sad," Avi clicked her tongue exaggeratedly. "Shut up! It doesn't matter, coz you my dearest, will give me detailed updates whenever you see him in a new handsome get-up, alright."
"Send me photographs too, sometimes, will ya? That'll be your duty from when I leave," Zahra told her sternly. "I'm not going to bother myself about that. You'll just have to do without the visuals. Do you know... he helped compile the list of people good enough to be sent there? Yeah, babe, you're under his radar." "Wow, I think you just made me feel extra special."
"Don't get your hopes up though, 'short girls' just aren't his type." Zahra scowled at her friend and after giving it a thought, she said, "But still, I'm just a lowly subordinate to those people. Why would the guy even send my name there to be considered with the brainiac employees?" "I don't know, maybe, in spite of your shortness, he's got a crush on you," Avi joked, waggling her eyebrows for emphasis. "Oh! Don't be silly, I'm not so short, and you sound like a high school girl with a hyper-active imagination saying that," Zahra replied but couldn't help smiling.
"By the way, Zee, I was kind of wondering, will your parents let you go that easily? I mean... with all the boundaries they have in place?" Avi asked, her forehead creased in deep thought. A dejected and desolate expression took over the other girl's face, as her lips turned downwards in melancholy. Her parents! Why didn't she think about them earlier? They would never let her go. All her hopes went down the drain. She couldn't leave them either. But... she would be paid more, that too in dollars! Wouldn't that be a great monetary boost for them? Zahra's father was a now retired clerk in his friend's company. They weren't exactly down in the dumps, but they weren't in the pink of financial health either. Her salary just helped them get by.
Zahra's parents did not want her to work for long, since they felt bad living off on their daughter's money. She had lectured them over it many a times, but they refused to acknowledge her assertions. Also, they were a bit protective of her. They didn't let her go out much, on her own. Not because they wanted her holed up in her home, only because they just had no other ray of light in their bleak lives. And they couldn't afford letting it go out. Besides, they had planned to get her married safely, since it was their duty, but it was not known to Zahra yet. And the people to whom they had agreed to give their daughter in marriage, insisted that the girl should not move out of the city or go abroad, in any case.
"You don't exactly seem hopeful of a positive answer, Zee. Is it too evident that they'll say no?" Avi asked worriedly. "I don't know, really. I was just thinking how they'd react to it. They don't even let me get out of their sights for long and... sending me abroad, that's just totally impossible for them," Zahra said with a sad look in her eyes. "And the neighbors? They would give them a hell of a time. They don't exactly have nice thoughts about me, you know." "Don't worry dear, we'll work it out somehow, OK. Who cares what those bl**dy neighbors even think? Nobody!" Avi replied, making a face. "Now, check that e-mail real fast or I'm gonna do it for you, got it!" she consoled and threatened her bestie, all in the same breath.
ððð
Trapeze, CLYDESVILLE.
Like every other day, a fine fettle, sophisticated, and elite crowd sat daintily munching on their hors d'oeuvres at 7 o'clock at the 'Hotel Le Fantastique' in the upscale part of the city. Many bigwigs, influential personages, and executives from the top-notch organizations were regulars in this fancy hotel. Tonight, one of them was David, as in... the younger Walworth. He sat enjoying a hearty meal quite peacefully with his new muse, a front running model of the time. They made small talk with each other, without a care in the world. The man seemed contented, for a change, but there was no saying about his mood. It could go wrong in the flash of a second. Even the waiters approached his table with caution, so as not to disturb the tête-à -tête between the couple, for they did not want their heads to be blown off.
The model-girl seemed quite eager to get nearer than necessary towards the younger Walworth, and be seen going out hand in hand with him. The paparazzi were always moving about, it would be great publicity. But the man seemed reluctant to leave. She insisted, he gave in. He called for the bill. After paying the money, he was just about to leave, when a girl barged in through the front door, followed by an anxious doorman. She was clad in a very cheap looking, knee-length, figure hugging red dress, her salon hair sticking out from every which way as she hobbled on in her high-heels towards the famous banker's table.
"Oh! There you are David, I was so worried about you, you know," she ejaculated breathlessly in a loud, shrill voice, grabbing everyone's attention towards herself. "Sir, I'm very sorry. I tried to stop her, but, she proclaimed that you had invited her. She was causing too much ruckus, so I had to let her in," the doorman articulated. "Your job is out the door, so get on it. You're not responsible for anything that goes on inside," the blonde butt in. He gave his young master an apologetic look, and left without saying another word.
"Anyway, what was I saying? Ah yes!" By now, she had the undivided attention of the whole crowd that had gathered there. David just kept staring at her with his mouth wide open, unable to say a thing. "I was so worried about you, babe. You told me to wait for you at the mansion, but, you never came. Were you too busy? Maybe, I should've called you before coming here." She dramatically faked a concerned expression. "I'm sorry for intruding on your privacy like this, but, who is this sl*tty-looking girl with you?"
"That's enough!" the model exclaimed, getting up from her seat. "I won't take any more of your insults, you abominable creature! First you disturb our peaceful meal, and then you claim my boyfriend as yours! And Dave, you are just sitting there saying nothing to defend me?! Just great. I get it. You should've told me before, you have such horrendous taste in girls! There was no need for two-timing." She began gathering her things to leave, making the blonde smile evilly. "Whoa, whoa! Hold on, love. Nobody's going anywhere, okay," David said, trying to make peace. "Just sit down, alright. And you! Keep standing, I didn't allow you to sit." The blonde kept seated. "Who in the world are you?! I don't know you. And, why would I tell you to wait for me, at my place?"
"Oh, now, why would you? Because you were too busy challenging me... in your room the other night." She had dropped the bomb. And it all came tumbling into his mind. The challenge. He seriously hadn't expected her to be this crazy. "What??!!" his girlfriend exclaimed, seething. "Is this true, Dave? Is whatever she's saying, true?" "Of course not," Dave negated the allegations feebly, letting out a nervous laugh. "Nothing has ever happened between us. I'm telling you, I don't even know her."
"You are a terrible liar, honey. Your face says it all." And his face really was giving his lie away. It was flushed pink with guilt. "Better go with what I say. It would really do you good." "What f***ing controversy is this? I just don't wanna hear any more of it." The model girl had had enough of this lying game. "You are a deceitful liar, David Walworth," she accused testily. "I thought we were doing great. But, of course, you didn't think that. You should've just let me go, you know. We're done, forever." "Oh! Get a grip on yourself. It was way before we started going out together. Now, don't act like such a drama queen. I know you don't wanna leave without me." "Don't be so confident, big boy. Cheat, or no cheat, we're done. Go win that challenge." The model-girl snickered, and left.
David saw red! How dare she slight him like that in full public view!! Dragging her to a quiet corner, he began to let his rage loose on the only girl now left behind. "Look what you did! See!" He grabbed her wrist with a brute force, twisting it mercilessly and making her recoil in pain. "Who the he** do you think you are?!" he said with clenched teeth. "What did you think, you'd come in just like that, spout absurdity, and I'd applaud your guts?! You're f***in' mistaken, woman. Now, get out of my sight, before I slam my fists into your artificial face. I don't want to argue with worms like you. You're better off beneath my shoe."
"You haven't seen enough of me, Mr. Walworth. I'll carry out my challenge, and you'd be none the wiser," the blonde shouted, her knees shaking, and her hands quivering. She was pretty ruffled up after witnessing his angry side. "Yeah, yeah, you're a pro at lame threats. Now move before I get you thrown out of here." "Oh, you'll see how lame that'll be." The blonde stormed out of the Hotel, her heartbeats going wild in her chest. She was walking on the sidewalk when a pair of hands grabbed her, and took her to a corner, muffling her cries.
"I don't mean you harm, girl. Don't put so much of a fight," the man said. "Why did you grab me like that when you don't?!" she enquired, angrily. They were in an alleyway, and it was dark. All she could make out of the man was that he had long hairs, and a tall, lanky built. "I heard you challenging that Walworth," he let out in a British accent. "That's none of your business." "It's as much my business as it's yours."
"Why don't we make a deal?" he asked. "I don't do deals with strangers in the streets, okay. Now let me go." The girl began to walk away. "Not so fast, girl. I'm not done speaking yet. Have some patience. No one needs you that urgently, trust me." "And why should I, exactly? You've done nothing to earn my trust. I don't even know who you are!"
"You will know in a minute. But, before that, let me propose what I want from you. You hate that bl**dy Walworth guy, right?" "With my life!" the girl muttered spitefully. "Well then, we have something in common. I've some... let's just say, old grudges with him. He's miffed you, you want revenge. I want revenge. Our motives are similar. Then, let's work together to bring him down."
"And how exactly, you intend to do that? He's a big guy with a thousand and one connections throughout the whole country, even outside it. "I'm not so small myself. Anyway, you'll work for me, and I'd give you money and other things, whenever and whatever you ask. All you'll need is a makeover and a fake degree." "What kind of a makeover?" "An extreme kind of splendid makeover. But, you won't regret it, trust me."
"And why should I trust you?" "Because I'm a 'Hawthorn'. Ever heard about them?" "Wait! You're the 'Hawthorn'?!" "The one and the only." "Prove it." "Just step into the light, will you?"
"You done inspecting me, now? Come on, let's have some dinner. Lavish food will wipe away those remaining doubts in your conniving brain about yours truly."
ððð
Bangalore, INDIA.
As it turned out, things were difficult for Zahra at first, convincing her parents and promising them that she'd call them every half hour. Assuring them that she'll be fine there, her Amma and Abba (Urdu for parents) finally said yes. It was clear to them that it was important to her, so they put a stone over their hearts, and agreed to let her go.
After much insisting from her best friend, Zahra had already begun packing her things, but she turned the whole bag upside down each time she had closed all the zippers, because she had to look for something that wasn't there in the first place. It was nerve-wrecking! As the day came nearer, she started getting frantic and worried at every little thing. Avi told her to 'chillax' and just enjoy those nice times with her parents now. But that was a really bad idea because every time she went near them, they started getting emotional, which she just couldn't handle, at least not right now.
Finally, she packed her bag for good! She was leaving in two days now and every time she thought about it, her excitement jumped up in meters or liters or in whatever way they measured it. The day dawned bright and sunny. Zahra reached the airport at 10:00 a.m. She was to leave in an hour. Her mother had been crying so hard for so long that her tears had now all dried up. And her father remained so silent that she feared he had actually lost his voice. It pained her to see her parents mourning like that. But, she didn't want to create unnecessary drama, just when the lady was beginning to announce the arrival of the plane.
After the final security check, Zahra said salaam to her parents and walked towards the airplane with silent tears in her eyes. Avi ran towards her, hugged her once again and said in a husky tone, "I'm gonna miss you soo much Zee. Do have fun for both of us, and don't start worrying again, OK." "OK! I got it. Now go. And yeah, I'm gonna miss you too," Zahra replied, her voice faltering. She had never been a girl of too many words. It was better for her if she was left alone to deal with her emotions, and not forced to speak out.
When she got into the plane, Zahra was in a turmoil, because she wasn't feeling sad anymore! It was selfish, she knew, but she couldn't help herself. She was going to lead a new life altogether, and it made her feel perked up in anticipation of what she had in store for her. Taking her seat, she finally realized, how happy and excited she was. In fact, there was no measure for it now. Her excitement had reached to the power of INFINITY.