Chapter - 2

Faizan

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A piercing sound of alarm echoed inside the eerie silent room, it did reach my ears but failed to wake me up from my semi conscious state. And like every morning exactly at 8 am, I heard the familiar ring tone of my phone indicating the arrival of a call.

It finally managed to earn a movement from me, I shuffled my hand on the night stand, struggling to grab the device without opening my eyes to received the call.

I jolted up on my bed when the piercing high pitched voice stung my poor ears, sleep disappearing from my eyes, making me sober almost immediately.

"I'm up", I was quick to inform, voice extra deep and groggy considering the fact I just woke up, as I hung up the call and threw the phone casually, somewhere on the bed, ignoring the awaiting struggle I might face when I would be in a rush to go for work, later.

I spent few minutes stretching my sore muscles and yawing heavily to over come my laziness and then made a beeline towards the washroom tiredly. Although, I was exhausted everyday but managed to offer the morning prayers on time.

Could you blame me? I had to work my ass off throughout the day. Although, I was a general manager but I was the one running around from one department to another, let alone the floors, like a faithful obedient dog, I was. The thought had me sighing heavily.

No, I wasn't a workaholic, rather  I was forced to act like one, who would want themselves to be scolded like a toddler in front of the employees, definitely not me, hence, I tried my hardest to stay away from troubles.

But no matter how much I gave my hardest, I ended up getting scolded every other day by none other than my older brother who was too strict with me, and my parents never interfered because they believed he was disciplining me, making me stronger.

Sometimes the work load was too much that I had to being it home, apparently we had a family rule to return back sharp at 8 p.m to have dinner together and finish my work  untill late at night. This was also one of the reason waking up early in the morning became hard for me.

After my morning routine, I decided to wear a pastel purple button down, paired with black dress pants. I wasn't really fond of formal suits, moreover, I would be abandoning the blazer anyway. I tend to sweat a lot, and running around made it more difficult, even inside the air conditioned building.

I styled my hair in slicked back, I really liked long hairs but my father didn't allow it and I had to maintain a decent style which was approved by him.

I wore my favorite watch which was gifted by one of the most important person in my life, grabbed my work bag and car keys, as I expected that piece of electronic device hid itself somewhere in the sheets, I managed to found it in the gap between head board and bed, how it ended up there was beyond me as I descended down the stairs.

Upon noticing, I was late and every family members were already present, I almost flew my way towards the dinning.

"Assalamu Alaikum, everyone", I greeted, receiving it back, "Walaikum Assalam", as I settled beside my mother who offered a smile, everyone else was busy in their own world.

"Chachu (uncle)", little Zayan threw himself at me who was on the other side.

"Hey buddy", I cradled his little body in a warm hug as I showered him with kisses which earned me heartfelt giggles from the youngest family member.

"Eat quickly.. Otherwise, you will be late for school", I tried to baby talked with him which had the little bean to giggle even more.

"You are late again, Faizan", came a sweetly voice from bhabi, she offered me a smile which didn't really reach her eyes but it got unnoticed by everyone other than myself. I knew she acted all sweet but deep down she was bitter, I had no idea why, though.

I studied business and was a topper for a reason. My sharp eyes could read people just by their simple body movement. Might be my hidden talent.

"Yeah.. Was tired a little", I mumbled with a smile anyway.

"Try to wake up early, Faizan.. Breakfast and dinner should be your priority as family time, no matter what", came a stern voice from my father.

"Yes, dad", I muttered nodding my head curtly.

Mom placed a aloo parathas on my plate followed by mixed pickle and egg omelette. Needless to say, I hated mixed pickled with passion, I preferred curd as a dip instead. I contemplated whether to ask mom for curd while staring at the food but seemed like mom already noticed my hesitancy.

"Samaira forgot to mention curd on the grocery list, Faizan. I will send someone to get it today", she said.

"It's okay mom", I offered a smiled as I digged in, ignoring the churning in my stomach. I just ate the parathas and omelette

"Faizan.. Are you free during lunch hours?", my elder sister asked, her voice void of any emotion like usual.

"Not really, apa", I said softly, no mater how emotionless she was, I loved her dearly, she was my only sister after all.

And yes, my sister and brother-in-law lived with us and work in our company itself. In fact  my sister was the COO.

"Well, whatever it is just leave it and help Munawar, as he was having some difficulty with his project", she said more like ordered.

"It's fine, Tasnima, he has his own stuff-", my brother-in-law tried to deny but was interrupted by my elder brother.

"He can help you out, Munawar. It's his duty", Junaid spoke from the other head of the family seat. Yeah! Duty! I wasn't any different from an employee anyway.

"But bhaijaan-", Jiju tried to speak again but was stopped by the raised hand of the CEO, which was my brother.

"I can help you, Jiju.. Just mail me the details", I assured with a  smile because it was my elder brother's order and I could never deny my elders, it was against my family ethics.

"Thank you, Faizan", he offered a bashful smile, his eyes conveyed his gratefulness clearly, I gave a reassuring smile along with a nod

Little Zayan was blabbering and giggling, keeping me engaged for the rest of the meal. I was smiling and listening to him like always but bhabi's stern voice stopped the little one to speak further, saying he shouldn't talk while eating, making him pout, adorably.

I chuckled before placing a kiss on his head, "We will get ice cream after school", I whispered in his ear which made him grin widely, yet again.

After the usual breakfast, everyone left for work leaving behind my parents and sister-in-law.

I took Zayan with me to drop him off at his school because the little one didn't like to go with the driver assigned to him. Apparently, bhabi was too busy to drop and pick him up for whatever  reason, which I had no clue off. And Junaid was the ceo hence he was always busy.

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I reached the company headquarter, greeting back politely to everyone and straight away went to my small cabin consist of a simple desk just in front of the glass wall, a full length shelf consisting of numerous files and a long couch. A flower vase kept neatly at the corner beside the couch with fresh flowers in it, and some artistic  paintings in the wall.

It was simple yet sophisticated as I myself decorated the small space when I was promoted to the position. Being a Sheikh, my cabin was considerably smaller but I never heeded to that. I was satisfied with my small yet cosy temporary shelter.

There was a soft knock on my door and Lily, CEO's secretary came inside with a smile holding loads of files in her hands. I returned her gesture, sighing lowly.

"Let's get started", I mumbled under my breath like everyday since past three years, to encourage myself to do my best.

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After an usual busy day, I plopped myself on his couch, heaving an exhausted sigh, I checked my watch which showed it was 6 p.m and staffs are already leaving.

I managed to complete my work early, somehow because I was expected to see one of my important person for dinner who was whining to meet since past few days.

Generally, I would always hang out with my friends or anyone from outside during my lunch breaks so that there wouldn't be any problem but today, I had to help jiju during lunch and reluctantly cancelled my plans.

The person  I had to meet was furious and demanded to have dinner and I couldn't deny. I had very less number of friends and upsetting the person important to me, was unsettling for me. But there was an annoying dread in my heart, I had to take permission from my father in order to have dinner outside.

As I said, breakfast and dinner was strictly family time and I needed permission to do otherwise. But again, I had seen my brother and sister going out for dinner with an excuse of work, then my father would allow me too, right?

Drawing a deep breath, I dialed the familiar number of my father, hands already trembling due to nervousness.

"Yes Faizan", came the intimidating voice of my father. I didn't remember when was the last time he smiled at me casually or even talked softly with me or with anyone else for that it matters. That man was always dead serious if it was not necessary to smile, he wouldn't dare to curl his lips.

"Evening, Dad.. ", I started with a greeting trying hard not to shutter, getting a hum in response.

"Um! My friend wanted to um.. have dinner.. Can I go, dad?", I asked digging my teeths on my bottom lip.

"Don't you know you are supposed to have dinner with the family.. Who is this friend of yours? Is he/she more important than your family?", his voice was calm yet stoic.

"N-no Dad.. Of course not..-", I started, to defend myself but he interrupted me harshly.

"You could have had lunch with them.. Why dinner? It's clear you don't want to have family time", he accused without even listening to me, I literally wanted to bowl my eyes now. Disappointing my family was the least thing I ever wanted to do.

"No, Dad.. I helped Munawar jiju during lunch break and had to cancel my plans... It's okay I will cancel the dinner too.. Family is always important to me dad and you know that", I explained calmly.

"Good.. Come back home on time...you can go for lunch tomorrow or can spend the sunday with them", the line was cut after  that. "Okay", I whispered to myself.

I leaned against the back rest of the couch, defeated. It would be the hardest to explain the situation to her.

Sending a quick text, I gathered my stuff and returned back home. I greeted my parents who were in the living area and went to my room to chang into comfortable clothes and offer the night prayers before joining the family dinner.

"Faizan, I heard you wanted to go for dinner. Did you have a date, perhaps?", Bhabi asked in a chirping voice but I clearly heard a mock, concealed within perfectly.

"What are you even saying, Samaira.. Just eat quitely", Bhai said sternly.

"My brother knows his limits, bhabi..so don't blabber whatever comes in your mind", apa was the next one to defend me.

And I was on cloud nine, grinning widely like a kid who was given his favorite candy, at my two older siblings who just nodded. Jiju smiled gleefully seeing my happiness at such small gestures.

"I was just saying.. He is young and can get attracted to anyone", bhabi still tried to prove her point.

"Samaira.. My son, knows our traditional family rules.. So you don't have stress yourself", Mom said sternly, I knew she didn't like the fact what her daughter-in-law was trying to portray.

Where as father was quite all these time just having his dinner silently, like always.

After finishing my food, I waited for others to finish in order for me to return back to my room, and finally provide a needed rest to my sore body. My family has strict table manners.

It was 9.30 when I found myself lying on my soft mattress heaving out a tired sigh, fortunately, I had no extra work to do tonight and soon enough my eyes fluttered closed, as peaceful slumber conquered my concious mind.

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