Saad nodded, acknowledging Ozias's guidance. "Thank you for your advice. I'll consider my options carefully," he said, standing up from the chair and preparing to leave the cozy wooden cottage.
"Of course, young one. Remember, the path you choose should be one that resonates with your spirit," Ozias replied, his voice gentle yet filled with wisdom.
Saad bade the old man farewell and exited the cottage, feeling the cool breeze of the virtual world against his skin.
Now that he was out of the cottage, his expressions changed. He was frustrated beyond words. This was too much. He had wasted so much time having stupid conversation that only made him question even more.
With a sigh, he initiated the log-out process, disconnecting himself from the game. As the world of Gaia slowly faded from his vision, he removed the virtual reality headset, setting it aside on the desk. Rubbing his eyes, he glanced at the digital clock on the wall. It was 1 a.m.
He realized he had stayed well past his bedtime. With a resigned shrug, he lay back on his bed and closed his eyes, the events of the day playing in his mind. Fatigue enveloped him, and before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.
The next day began with the familiar sound of his alarm, jolting him awake. Saad reluctantly dragged himself out of bed, his mind still filled with the echoes of the virtual world. He got ready mechanically, the remnants of his dream world fading as he prepared for the challenges of the day ahead.
----
The factory floor hummed with the sound of whirring machines, each rhythmically punctuating the air with a metallic buzz. Saad's fingers moved methodically, guiding the fabric through the needles of the sewing machine. Yet, his mind wasn't focused on the task at hand. Instead, it lingered in the virtual realm, where the echoes of his recent encounter with Ozias still reverberated.
He knew that he needed to make time to do extensive research. It's been only three months since the game's release but of course those who had played the beta version, made videos about and even wrote multiple posts on the official CWS website. He was so preoccupied that he didn't even notice that Farooq had come up and was standing there watching him make mistakes and daydreaming.
"Saad! What in the world are you doing?" Farooq's voice cut through the ambient noise, his tone sharp and impatient. Saad's hands faltered, a sudden jolt of anxiety coursing through him. He glanced up, meeting Farooq's stern gaze.
"Yes?" He was obviously startled and Farooq seemed like he was thinking of chewing his bones out like a demon. He leaned down and aggressively patted and Saad looked down on the jeans garment, not trying to find the problem with it since Farooq obviously wanted him to find it. "Can you see it now?! Or do I need to open your damned eyes myself?"
Saad could feel eyes on him but obviously no one stopped sewing and the sense of shame crept up like a slithering wet snake up his back. It sent unpleasant tingles in his body. He stared at the zipper and in seconds he realized what he had done wrong.
He had misaligned the zipper teeth and now the jeans jacket looked like a mess and Saad felt his heart drop.
"I-I'm sorry. It won't happen again," Saad stammered, trying to regain his composure while being really polite. There was no way he could raise his voice and get punishment. His heart was beating faster and he felt nervous.
"Won't happen again? Why did it happen in the first place? Are you a moron? Does your mind still work or is it full of straws?" Farooq had whacked him with small ruler on his shoulder. Farooq never hit them hard enough to leave a bruise but it was humiliating. It felt like he was just an animal being tamed.
"I am sorry. It's my fault. I will make it right." He uttered, head still down and the machines still were humming and their rhythmic sounds didn't stop even for a second. No one was trying to stand up for him. It wasn't that they were bad people or didn't care or didn't want to help him but rather, they knew how futile it would be.
Saad was already aware of it. So he felt no resentment. He knew that Farooq would keep on scolding him for few more minutes and keep insulting him but, it will pass as long as he didn't try to defend himself.
"It better not. We can't afford mistakes like these. The orders need to be completed on time, with no room for error," Farooq admonished, his voice carrying the weight of his authority. "But what worry would you have. All you know is to ruin it. You can spread your hands for the pay but can't work?! If you can't focus on work, then get lost. I am sick and tired of all of you making mistakes. You worthless insect!"
Saad nodded meekly, the rebuke sinking deep into his chest. He focused intently on his work, attempting to shut out the scolding as best he could. However, the mistake seemed to have tarnished his confidence, his fingers trembling slightly as he resumed sewing.
As the day progressed, Saad's colleagues offered sympathetic glances, understanding the pressure he was under. During the tea break, they huddled together, sipping their hot chai in small plastic cups.
"Saad, don't worry too much about Farooq. He's always like that, you know," one of his coworkers, Yasir, whispered, trying to console him.
"I know, but it's just frustrating. I try my best, but it's never enough for him," Saad replied, his voice tinged with dejection. "He talks just so harshly, just because he is on good terms with the chargeman."
Another coworker, Nayaz, chimed in, "You're doing great, Saad. We all have to deal with his temper. Just keep your head down and focus on your work. You'll get through it."
"Yes, just focus on work. He is just a bitter guy." Zafar said offering him dried cheap biscuits with a smile.
Saad managed a faint smile, grateful for the kind words amidst the stifling atmosphere of the factory. He knew their words were meant to encourage him, yet the weight of Farooq's constant criticism still hung heavy on his shoulders, tugging at his spirit even as the workday continued.
---
Saad's weary body felt the burden of the day as he trudged towards the bicycle stand, yearning for the solace of his humble abode. The relentless heat in the factory had left his clothes damp with sweat, clinging uncomfortably to his skin. The noise of the bustling city, the clamor of vendors, and the blaring horns of passing vehicles formed a chaotic symphony in his ears, amplifying his sense of exhaustion.
As he approached his bicycle, the sinking feeling of inconvenience struck him when he noticed the slight deflation in his tire. Brushing it off initially, he mounted the cycle, only to realize the sluggish resistance as he pedaled forward. The realization dawned upon him that a puncture had deflated his tire, creating a arduous obstacle in his already challenging day.
The ride to the cycle mechanic felt like a relentless battle against the world. The wind howled with a ferocity that flung dust into his eyes and mouth, leaving a gritty taste that irritated his parched throat. The muddy streets was just another hurdle, splattering his clothes and face with a fine layer of grime. With meager amount of money in his pocket, he negotiated the repair cost with the mechanic, a transaction that left him with a few coins clutched tightly in his palm. It was good that he knew the guy or else it would have been impossible.
As Saad cycled back home under the fading evening light, the absence of his roommates, Haroon and Amir, imbued a strange sense of solitude. It was a rare moment of tranquility amidst their cold war, leaving him to contemplate the events of the day in relative peace. After performing his ablutions and savoring a simple meal, he opened his old laptop, eager to get information about chimerical world system. As he delved into the depths of the game lore and mechanics, the sudden blackout plunged him into darkness, the whirring of the fan halting abruptly in the oppressive silence. The unannounced load shedding was yet another problem, casting a shadow of frustration over his already hard day.