Chap 6 Firewall
Asad parked his car, always at the same place, he went out from his car with soft smile, 2 days without seeing her, it was a torture for him. Weekend should be banned in the week, he was so happy and so impatient to see her. He came inside and saw her her at the counter, her back facing him. he cleared his throat:
-good morning miss farooqui, he sang
She didn't turn back, she was still arranging the glasses on the shelves.
-Miss farroqui? he repeated, nothing change. Is she angry or something? He though, he tried to remember their last conversation, she was fine last time he saw her, they were smiling when they left each other.
-Excuse me, he said a little bit irritated
Then, she turned back , smiling.
-yes sir?
But she wasn't Zoya, she was another girl. He was surprised, Zoya used to always waited for him every morning, but today, she was not there, maybe she was in the kitchen.
-yes , sir, can I help you? she repeated
-ummm, I'm looking for miss farroqui, can you call her please?
-Miss farroqui? I don't know who is she? Wait I will check, if someone booked a table at this name.
-she's working here, she's not a customer.
-working here?? I'm sorry sir, it's my first day and I don't know everyone, it's too early, and today we are a few and I'm the only girl at this time. I can take your order sir, have a sit , I'll bring you the menu.
-No no it's ok, I just want a coffee and leave, please, quick.
-Ok sir, how do you like your coffee?
He closed his eyes and saw Zoya raised her eyebrow saying:
like every day, black coffee, without sugar, milk or honey , bitter and black
He smiled at this though and respond :
-black coffee, please
She nodded and left him. Asad was worried, she never missed a day, like him.
-where are you miss farroqui? he muttered
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He joined his office, with a heavy heart, he missed his Zoya, he was addicted to seeing her every morning, and 3 days, withour seeing her smile or earing her endless debate. He untied slighly his tied, he suffocated. He opened his files and tried to concentrate, but he closed it immediately, her image was still clear. He grabed the phone and dialed her number, but he froze.
-what should I say? he though, I will text her
Salam Alekoum Miss farroqui, where are you ? I didn't see you this morning, AAK
-No no , it sounds rigid, he erased his message and tipped a another one
Hi Miss Farroqui, I'm sorry I can't come this morning, don't wait for me, have a nice day. AAK
-idiot, the new girl can tell her that I came this morning, idiot, he erased again
Hi Miss Farroqui, I didn't see you this morning in the coffee shop, Hope you are fine? Take care, Asad
-that sound OK, I don't know,he hesitated and sent it without looking, now I've just have to wait.
He opened once again the files, but his mind was only with Zoya.
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1 hour later
Asad checked his phone, every minute, he even called himself to see if his phone is working. Time passed and he got no answer from Zoya. He tried to divert himself by some phone call or meeting, but nothing worked. At first, he cursed Zoya for being irresponsible and disrespectful, but after his fears grow up in him, until he decided that it's too much to bear.
-Enough, I'm going to see her.
He grabbed his coat and ran, but in his hurry, he collided into someone. He lost his balance and they felt on the floor together. His eyes wide opene with surprise
-Zoya?? he whispered
-hi Mister khan, she smiled, surprise
He blinked 2 times to be sure that he wasn't dreaming at all, in fact, it was truth, there she is, in his arm, in his office.
-what..what are you doing here? Are you OK? Why did you come? Everything is alright
-calm down,I'm fine and I will explain, but..
-but what, he interrupted her
She came closed and said little embarassed :
-not in this position, everyone was looking at us, Mister khan
He looked left and right, everyone stopped working. Indeed, they were in delicate position, she was on the top of him, her hair all over his shoulder and his arms around her back. They got up quickly and mumbled "sorry".
-you don't have anything else to do, he shouted to his workers
After everyone left, he took her arms and pushed her in his office, he crossed his arms annoyed and looked at her.
-I'm sorry, I didn't see your message, it's my first day here, so my senior was all the time with me and I didn't get time to answer
-you working here? How ? I mean...
Before she can continue, Prasad knocked on the door.
-May I comin' sir? Oh I see you meet our new engineer , Mister khan meet Miss Zoya farroqui, miss Farroqui, this is Mister khan, owner of Dilshad's compagny.
-Nice to meet you sir , she extanded her hands and smirked:
He shook her hand with a look "you are impossible"
-nice to meet you too miss farroqui, Prasad, can you left us, I need to have a private interview with Miss farroqui, said Asad without breaking eyes look.
-Yes, sir.
The door closed, Asad looked at her angrily.
-I know, I know, but I swear I only got the answer saturday and I decided to give you a surprise, what do you think? she teased him putting her hand on her hips like a model.
He sighed loudly.
-I know you don't like surprise, but tell me the truth, it's a good surprise, she smiled innocently
-Miss farroqui , go back to work, don't miss your first day
-you are so boring Mister khan
He looked at her firmly
-should I remember to whom you are talking? Go back to your work Miss farroqui, he ordered her
-yess boss, she replied standing like a military
He putted in hand on his eyes exasperated by her antics, he just showed her the door without talking. She retreated back and closed the door, but a few secondes, she came back, just her head was visible behind the door and said:
-I'm happy to be here, and she left
-I'm happy too miss farroqui. he grinned happilly
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Zoya was in heaven , finally, she waited a long time for this opportunity to work for what she was made for. And the destiny chosen to work in Asad's compagny, she knew that he didn't selected her, and she was only selected because of her degree. Her new work asked a lot of things from her, but she was so enthusiastic that she didn't care about the huge tasks. She will work in computer departure, the group was constituted with Nikhat responsible for managment of the database, Farhan, Akshay, both responsible for computer maintenance and Akram their senior responsible for security,
establishment of network and programming. In Zoya's contract, one clause stipulated that she will be tested for three months before a permanent contract. She will be in charge of security and programming. Nikhat was happy because she won't be the only girl in this man world. Zoya was confortable with all, they used to joked a lot, Zoya was friendly with everyone except Akram, she felt something weird, he was strict and tacky, something was fishy with his behaviour toward her at the beginning she thought because he was his senior, . But he didn't treat the other like her, may be because she was new but with time, her doubts was confirmed.
At the beginning, Akram talked normally to her, he was directive, she didn't mind, but when they used to be alone, he came close to her, much to her discomfort under the pretext of showing her. On first day, he used to brush her arms accidentally, and with time, he let his hand longer on her than accepted. She just responded by pushing her hands away or avoiding to stay alone with him, he made her feel really awkward.
One week later, she decided to asked Nikhat about him, she just responsed:
-stay away from him, he just liked girl, he likes flirting with them, he even tried with me, but when he knew that I was engaged to farhan, he stopped. Just tell him to stop or talk to Prasad sir, he managed.
Zoya just nodded and decided that next time, she will talk him if he tried again.
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Days after, Zoya was never alone with Akram, and he never try something in public. He was just hard with her and required a lot from her , but she always managed to finish in time. At her surprise,Akram recongnized her hard working and always complimented her when she does the thing correctly. He was professionnal and she appreciated this side from him. I guess he changed she though.
By the end of the day, everyone left except Akram and Zoya those used to work a lot. Zoya was tired, she started by folding her stuffs when Akram called her:
-Zoya, I'm checking your new firewall, and I'm still able to going trhough
-It's impossible, I checked it a hundred time before
-come and see then, he turned the computer
Zoya can't understand, she was sure about a new filter, she checked before giving to Akram. She sat on the chair and started typing on keyboards, when she felt hand on her shoulders.
-you are so tensed, let me help you,he said seductively
She stood up quickly and looked at him tensed
-what are you doing sir?
-Nothing I'm just trying to relax you, you looked so tensed,
-I'm fine, she said dryly
-Zoya, we could be more than friend if you abandon yourself a little
-I'm not interesting , I'm just here for work Sir, and please stay away from me, I won't say it again
-I saw you flirting with the other, touching their shoulder, laughing and joking and why not me, Zoya?
-You misunderstand everything and you are wrong, I'm just friendly that's it, I'm just here for work and I love my job .
-Don't forget that you are still in test period and if I want I can decide to not conduct your contract
-it is a threat? asked Zoya angrily
-no just a warning, be nice with me, he started carressing her forearm, warna.. , he stopped and grabbed her hand hardly.
- warna kya ???
-Is there a problem?
Akram and Zoya looked toward the door and found Asad looking at them seriously.
-Mister khan, both said in shocked
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Precap:
Asya dance
"dance ise kehte hai miss farooqui..." said Asad looking intensely at Zoya
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