I could see the annoyance on Mr. Rakib's face as my phone chimed with incessant texts every second.
"Sorry, sir. It's from a client", lies,"I will just text him if you excuse me".
My boss gave a quick nod.
I slid open the text.

Group Name- White collars👅🍆

Sidra: So what did you do? Did you reply to his       texts?
Nazlee: Well told you! that dude is a geek, don't flirt with him.
Masha:spill the tea Hun.
Zeenat: In a meeting. Ttyl. And please.SHUT.UP.

         
      I managed to drag myself to my  cabin after the meeting. My boss seems to get a slight depression if he doesn't victimize someone with his rants once a day .Perks of being single at this age I guess. 
I don't want to end up like him. Allah, when will I meet "The one" made for me?
Guilt washed my face.I quickly regretted for thinking this. Boss' wife died few years ago. He is only forty-two raising his young twins alone.I knows he is a good man and use to be very full of life when his wife was alive.
Lucky dead wife.

I took out my phone to reply to the girls. They are so eager to know how I ghosted yet another guy. It's like watching "FRIENDS" again and again, you know what happens next yet you just love it.

I  finally decided to quench the girls' thirst of tea.
Zeenat:  I didn't reply to his last sixty-four texts.I can feel it he is not the one. I tried to explain it to him nicely but he won't give up!. So I had to block him from everywhere.

Sidra: Aww. I feel bad for him. And girls, Ahmed proposed me!.

Zeenat: !!

Masha: WHAT! When?Did he talk to your parents first?

Sidra: Well that was the surprise. He talked to my parents first then proposed me just a while ago.

Masha: And you are texting us now!?

Sidra: My entire family is here to congratulate me , i was stuck with them. They are relieved by the thought of marrying off their 29year old daughter.

Nazlee: 30 this year. Just a friendly reminder.

Sidra: Oh puhleez. Not yet. And why are you pouting. Congratulate your bestfriend.

Nazlee: Well your one is going to be love marriage and mine is arranged. And I have no idea about his likes and dislikes yet. I'm afraid of ruining my own marriage. So yes i'm being jealous right now.

Zeenat: Isn't it the fun part?. You try to know each other more, pay attention to each other more. And it's been only 2weeks since you got married, you have enough time to get to know him.

Masha: She's always pouting. 🤦‍♂️

Sidra: Zeenat drop by my place today. Need to talk.

Zeenat: Aye Aye captain.

Sidra and I, are neighbors ever since we were in highschool.
There's a knock at My cabin.

"Come in".

Aleen walked in with her angelic smile.
" Ma'am these are the interns whom you will interview on Wednesday",
She handed the applicants' forms before leaving with a gentle nod.

I went through the applications quickly and came to instantaneous halt at one application. The applicant is too good to be glued on this paper. He is highly qualified for the job. Rare, young and talented.
This made choosing 1 out of 15 easier.
 

Sidra opened her door instantly when she heard the doorbell ring. As if she was waiting on the other end of the door for me. I took off her heels.

"Where is uncle and auntie? i don't hear Saim's voice either".

"Dad is still at work. Mom went to see your mom, next door and Saim tagged along to play video games with Ayan".

"Wish we could trade our brothers with each other. Ayan is so immature at times unlike Saim",I added as I took off my  blazer.

"Coffee?"

"Please".

Sidra made coffee for both of us while I made myself  comfortable on the kitchen counter.

"So what did you want to talk about?".

"I'm embarrassed to ask this but It would be a great favour if you let my cousin do internship in your company. No pressure but..".

"You know that's going to be difficult. There will be others too, who'd take the interview along with me so they have to agree as well..I can't promise you anything".

"He is really talented.."

I thought of the applicant that caught my eyes but then I  looked at hopeful Sidra, "fine, I would interview your cousin first".
I was surprised by my own statement.
Hope her cousin is as qualified as the applicant i've decided on earlier.

Sidra gave a grateful look before hugging me tightly.

" He is my maternal cousin. His parents are out of country so he would come here from Dhaka and stay here in Chittagong  till I get married. I would be getting married in 3months so he wishes to do an internship in the meantime".

"What about his classes?".

"He is taking a semester off".

                         I   went to bed in sweatpants that night.

"Good morning",smiled the stranger.

I smiled back and rubbed my eyes.

"My dearest sister",the stranger added.

I jumped onto my feet to realise Ayaan was the one giving his best to wake me up.
Glad didn't wake up next to a stranger. Need to stop fantasising about boys all the time.

"Sis, I promised to treat my friends to lunch..today. So..".

"Money is in my purse. Take 1000 taka".

"You are the best sis!", Ayaan hugged me tightly and kissed her on the cheeks.

"Eww".

Ayan ran out of the door before I could say anything more.

"Sis ! I'm hungry!", Ayin called from downstairs.
Whenever mom leaves early in the morning, which is almost everyday.I am in charge to make breakfast for my entire family.