"Based on the information the software presented, the person who purchased the shares is a member of Al-Taajir group," Lee told his boss. Lee was Jalaludeen's closest agent.
Jalaludeen glanced down at a folder and murmured, "Trace it."
"Sir, do you have a specific individual on your mind?"
He let go of the folder and groaned as he slumped on the chair. "Trace it, and I'll stomp that guy underfoot,"
---
"Abbu, you must not allow this to happen." To confront her brother, Farida loudly stormed into the kitchen. He was supposed to meet Zara today.
Aabid did not care a bit about his situation and just asked, "What should I do?"
"The switch. It cannot be accepted,"
"If that's what they want, I guess I don't mind,"
"However, you are aware of how unfair it is."
"Farida, everything isn't fair. In fact, since I never wanted to do it in the first place, the entire situation is unfair to me. So we shouldn't be discussing fairness" Aabid said as he poured a cup of coffee.
Farida sighed, dejected because she knew he wouldn't make an effort to make things right. She nonetheless believed it was her obligation to aid Saliha in befriending Aabid.
She softly said, opening the cupboard that held the snack supplies, "Father is looking for the culprit that took those shares instead of you.
"How do you know that?"
"Who do you think it is?" she instead asked, ignoring his question.
"It could be anyone," Aabid said as he sipped his drink and checked the time.
She gave him a brownie, which he gratefully accepted.
He said, "Thank you," and patted her on the back. "I'm heading to work now. Don't be sneaky and exercise caution. Do not make a fuss about today either."
Now that her brother liked her again, that gave her a sense of security. It appeared that their friendship had grown stronger over time.
---
Aabid arrived at the booking he was assigned at around 4 o'clock. He slouched on the seat and gave a lackadaisical attitude to the waiter's questioning because he had no desire to meet with Zara.
His attention was diverted when his phone notified him of a message from his secretary, Aydin.
[The director has planned an immediate meeting with you, sir,]
The director was his uncle, Yeccef's father.
"Did you not tell him that I'm having a meeting with a Loharani right now?" Aabid asked when he called.
(Sir I have. Seems he is in a bad mood today,) reported Aydin. (What should I do now?)
"Well, I'm going to head off right away, but make an effort to learn more."
Zara emerged as soon as Aabid tucked his phone away in his pocket. He hardly raised his head as she sat in a chair that the waiter had pulled out.
"Hi," she greeted.
Eventually, Aabid made the decision that it was time to look at her.
"Hello,"
"I'm your blind date,"
"Well," he relaxed on the chair, still looking at her, and continued, "Not really a blind date, since I already am aware of you,"
She almost froze, embarrassed. She wore a bright pink maxi dress that loosely clung unto her body, and a small veil that revealed her covered bosom. Aabid had noticed the star shaped necklace that laid on her chest, sparkling with rhinestones.
"True…"
"Good. Well, what would you be eating?"
She caught sight of the smiling waiter who was waiting for them. The menu was given to her by him. She decided on their rice and mustard sauce after carefully reading it. Peppered mutton and sour yogurt were also the typical side dishes included.
When the waiter had gone, he inquired, "What is your name?"
"You mean you don't know my name?" she raised an eyebrow.
Aabid kept staring into her face without saying anything. The pink lipstick suited her face, he thought. She continued fidgeting with her phone.
"My name is Zara," she told him and looked away from her phone.
Just as the waitress brought the food unto the table, a voice echoed, "Zara?"
This caused both Aabid and Zara to look up at the person.
"Oh. Safeeya!" Zara exclaimed, surprised to find her there.
"Hi," Safeeya greeted and turned to look at Aabid. She wore a shocked expression. "Hello, Aabid,"
He only said, "Hello," and looked at his watch.
"You know Aabid?" Zara glanced at him and inquired.
To change the subject, Safeeya nodded and said, "I hope you are doing well. I spotted you from a distance and wanted to say hello."
"Safeeya, I'm doing great, and you?"
"I guess I should get going now. We'll talk soon," Safeeya swiftly departed after saying that, leaving Zara to ponder the situation.
Zara spooned her food, not failing to appreciate it's taste.
"What are you going to do today?" he asked, swallowing bits of fish from a fork.
"Nothing much. Just gonna watch movies till I fall asleep, I guess," she mumbled, licking the yoghurt off her lips.
After Aabid had eaten barely half of the meal, he stood up and said to Zara, "I need to leave right away. Have a nice supper, young lady."
Zara was shocked that he was leaving already and stated, "I don't understand, we barely even chatted."
"Sure, we did. Please say hello to your sister." Aabid winked, "I think you can keep yourself company? I believe we meet soon."
When he flirted in that way, her body almost trembled. She was astonished beyond belief that he had affections towards her. The flag was green.
"Sometimes, yes," she slowly replied.
Aabid only sighed and turned his head away, content with the direction this was taking.
She looked into his black eyes and inquired, arms crossed, "When are we meeting?"
He said with an infectious smile, "I'm afraid you won't get me till about past 9pm."
Laughing, she turned her head away, knowing where this was going.
"What are the chances of that occurring?" She giggled, and they both knew it was a rhetorical question. Before grabbing her handbag and walking away from him, she shot him a mischievous smile.
Aabid scoffed, his hands still in his pockets, and walked back to his car to drive back to work.
---
After reading Aabid's response to the Islamic event she had shared with him, Saliha quietly wiped away her tears as she shut off her phone.
[Don't send me Islamic messages,]
The embarrassment flowed all over her. She was indeed proven to be worthless by all the people around her, except her dad and beloved friends.
She immediately prepared to visit ma'Nosheen for advice.
The moment the driver parked in front of the rusty gate, Saliha moved out, anticipating to meet her aunt. At the mere sight of her, Saliha teared up, eager to tell everything that went on.
After listening to her niece's troubles, ma'Nosheen gently patted her on the back and said soothing words to her. She felt terribly sorry for Saliha who had to go through such dejection since at a young age.
"Saiha, I will always remind you that you are beautiful and smart,"
"You're the only one who says it, how come?" Saliha said in a teary voice.
Getting up, her aunt made her way towards the snack cabinet that was just next to the kitchen door. "Perhaps the rest are blind then," the old woman giggled.
Saliha also laughed as she roughly cleaned her eyes.
"Listen to me," ma'Nosheen mumbled as she offered the girl biscuits and poured her tea. "Don't you associate with people who belittle you, young woman. Because you don't need pessimists around you!"
Saliha quietly listened to what she was saying and sipped her tea as she did.
"And as for what happened between you and the man, only the Lord knows what it means. But don't let it weaken you… the union will certainly happen if it is fated. And if it is not, then whatever you do… nothing will occur,"
"Okay." Saliha nodded, trying to feel better than she miserably felt earlier on.
"Now smile as you look at me. And believe that a good tale awaits you."
---
"You are invited to the monthly innovation meeting, which I requested they invite you to through email. Why didn't you attend it?" Aabid was questioned by the director, who glared icily into his eyes.
Aabid said, "I haven't received any emails, sir."
The director rubbed his temples as he sighed in frustration.
"Even without email, do you not pay attention to the schedule of events?"
Aabid was silent. He displayed no remorse. "How significant is it?"
"How significant is it? Are you mocking me when you say that?"
"I didn't realize I would be anticipated there because I just joined this branch, is what I'm trying to say. I didn't plan to say anything else beyond that" He clarified, coldly.
After another five minutes of talking, Aabid walked off in a grumpy mood. He entered his office without delay, where he sat down at his desk to start an online meeting with the Beijing branch. Though Aabid had not intended to say more, he found himself growing increasingly agitated
(Are you aware of the Istanbul shareholder meeting that is going to hold?) Yeccef, his cousin had inquired just after the conference call.
"Of course, who wouldn't be?" Aabid responded, acknowledging the importance of the shareholder meeting.
(I just felt to remind you because I learned that you missed both yesterday's and today's meeting.)
"Ah. I see; don't be alarmed. I don't frequently forget crucial information," Aabid replied before ending the conversation.
Because the schedule and email were under the director's team (Yeccef's father), he had purposefully ignored them. Aabid was well aware of his mistake, but he could not admit that to the director without losing face.