"that moment when he defend you!" 

~unknown~ 

++++++=

Iqraam

I walked into the office reciting the dua's that ammi always asked us to recite when starting any day!

I nodded to the people as I walked into my office

I owned a motor co-operation

We made, initialized and sold the best race, sports, highland and other cars but the main dealings we're race and sports cars

I did other  businesses too but motor corp was my love and passion

"As salamu alaikum, Sir" greeted me  voice as I entered the office

I smiled as Ruqayyah stood there with all the files and books

"Meeting with Mr. Agarwal in 10 minutes" she said and i nodded

i walked into my office and set at my desk

the door knocked and i looked up to see her standing there

"Can i come in?" she asked and i nodded

"Your files on the meeting- all prepared and checked- this deal is ours!" she said and i stared at her

how did she manage?

"I came early and with huge help from everyone- got it done" she replied and i nodded 

i checked the time

since the meeting was in our conference hall, it was easy for me to be there- 

I got up 

"I think we should head out now" i said and she nodded following me out

I took out my phone and handed it to her

She gave me a quizzical look

"Answer all incoming calls, text messages and emails-" i said 

she stared at me blankly

"Its nothing personal there- just office work- except for my ammi and sister- so no problem" i said and she nodded smiling slightly

i walked inside and greeted me was the biggest surprise of my life- 

Mr Agarwal.... i knew him- he who owned those buildings........ back years back- 

I smiled at the memory

not my best one but not my worst one either- 

"Good morning sir" my employers stood up and so did Mr. Agarwal and his PA- 

I think the world is running short of clothes- someone please donate her some clothes!

"Morning ladies and gentlemen, please take a seat" i said and turned to Ruqayyah- 

she stood there motionless

"I assume you have met my PA Ms. Ruqayyah?" i asked and they nodded smiling up at her

"Now lets start the meeting shall we?" i asked and they nodded

i took my head chairman seat and switched on the powerpoint

I wanted the deal and i must have them- 

"jee- ji nahi- umm- i really don't think so- ma'am- par- par-:" she stammered in hindi and i walked to her

she had left half an hour ago and she was on phone?

my phone?

she looked up when she saw me

"Who?" i asked her

"Just a second ma'am-" she said and nodded before handing me the phone and looking down

"Hello?" i said without checking the contact name

"salaam to you too!" replied ammi and i face palmed myself

"Salaam ammi" i said and she chuckled on the other hand

'Your PA is nice" she said as i walked out motioning for her to follow me

'Ammi dont start again" i said as i opened the doors

"what? i was just thinking about your marriage!" she said and i rubbed my temples

the department supervisor came to me with the department files and i started to check them

"Ammi you have not yet met her! you don't even know her!" i said and motioned her to take the files 

she took it at once

i walked towards the front desk

"Who cares- i want a daughter-in-law and thats about it!" she said and i chuckled as i walked out of the office stepping into cold afternoon air of Durban. 

"Hold up ammi-" i turned to Ruqayyah who had followed me out with a notebook, laptop and pile of folders yet she was walking with such poise- masha allah-

"We are heading to the main firm where the cars are made so be prepared for media" i said and she nodded

I put the phone back on my ear as i walked to my car- CEO Parking- 

I unlocked my aventador and got in 

"Hop in" i said to her as i opened the door of the passenger seat

"Yes ammi-" i said as i put my blue tooth on- 

"As i was saying- i am going shopping with Iqra and i expect you here- in 20 minutes!" she said and i whined 

"Ammi- i can't- i have work- i need to finish work and i need to see the preparations!" i said as i drove out of the car park

the firm was just around the corner so it was not going to be a long ride

"Mohammad Iqraam Ibrahim! Don't let me come to work and talk to you!" she warned and i, out of nowhere- started laughing- 

"Quit laughing!" she huffed and i laughed even more

"Ammi calm down- you don't sound good when you growl-" i said and she huffed again

"Okay Your highness- i will be there-" i said smiling as i pulled up in the car park of my firm

"Oh and bring that PA of yours- i would like to meet her" she said and thats when i realized that she was right beside me

i screwed my eyes shut and turned to her

i slowly opened my eyes and met her gaze- her eyes were dancing with amusement- 

I smiled slightly

"I-uh- I am sorry-" i said rubbing my neck

Usually i am alone- my PA's hardly accompanied me around but now since my workload has doubled, i need a PA around me all the time- 

"Its okay-" she replied

it was hard to read her face- she was wearing a niqab and i could not judge whether she was laughing at me or smiling or frowning!

I sighed as i unlocked the doors. 

Just as i stepped outside, i felt flashes 

oh so they were here?

Unaffected by the flashes, she walked to me and showed me the ipad

"Breaking news" it read and i chuckled

"They are fast" i replied and she nodded

we walked towards the main gates and soon they were blocked out

"Sala let them in" i said and the guard nodded

the media stood infront of us as we stood high on the steps

This was a time to clear their doubts- 

i cleared my throat

"Think you can do this?" i asked her

i mean its her first day at work and she must not be used to this publicity- but she knew what she signed up for when she agreed to the challenges for this- 

she nodded and i turned to the media

"As salamu alaikum and a very good afternoon to you all-" i said and that seemed to catch their attention

"I am here to answer questions- any in fact- but i have a limited time of 10 minutes- so please cut short the Que and ask important questions!" i said and there was whines and groans but hey- timing is everything! 

"starting now" i added and stood there waiting for them to throw questions

it usually happened- 

i answered, i ignored and the rest- i left them thinking- 

"Sir-" said a man and i turned to him in the crowd

"Sir- is it true that you hired the PA just because she was a muslim?" he asked me

i smiled at him as the rest listened carefully

"Hmm Is it true- i really don't remember saying anything about religions- so where is the rumor that i hired her due to her religion?" i shot him back smiling 

he seemed startled as others looked at him for an answer

i knew there was no such rumor but i enjoyed seeing them like this- 

"Well, sir, to answer truthfully- no- no i did not see her religion or the way she was- but how well she carried herself and how well she did her work- efficiency is needed in order to make things sky high-" i answered smiling at him and he nodded

"Other?" i asked 

a young lady put her hand up

"why a assistant who wears a mask to cover her identity?" she asked me 

I smiled at her stupidity

really? i think i just answered the same question!

"Again as i said- i really don't care about whether they cover their identity or not- i want efficiency in work and when you have that quality- i will hire you- nothing more nothing less!" i replied

She nodded jotting down the points

i checked the time

5 more minutes

"Sir-" yelled a manly voice and i turned to him 

he seemed my age- 

"Is there a specific reason why she is wearing that mask?" he asked me

i turned to Ruqayyah

her fists clenched and her eyes on the ground

"That i can't answer- but i assure you that she can" i said smiling at Ruqayyah whose eyes shot up to me

I nodded to her to take the stand

now lets see how she holds herself infront of the crowd

Her eyes wandered to the crowd and it widened

i smiled at her

'You can do this" i whispered as i stood there beside her

she took the main stage and stared at them

"Can you please repeat your question?" she asked- her voice soft and slow

no hint of anger or envy in them- just plain voice

"Is there a specific reason why you are wearing that mask?" he asked 

she was silent for a moment and everything went silent

she seemed to take a deep breath before she spoke

"Firstly- its not a mask- its a niqab- my face cover that makes me stand out of the crowd-" she said and i smiled 

"Moving on to the main question- is there a reason? yes apparently there is- first is that i would like to please my creator and for him only i am wearing this- second- i do not want anyone to see my face except for my betrothed and its my own choice- talking about choice- i think we all have our differences and similarities- differences we can compromise- and just like that i think my niqab does not mean i am a cruel person or i don't talk to anyone- it just means that no men is allowed to touch me- yes however- i do talk to everyone and my niqab is my chioce and not anyone elses- so there- those are the reasons- the reasons why i wear niqab-" she finished and i stood there speechless

never did i think she could speak in such a beautiful way- 

masha allah- 

her voice's tone was smooth and not up or down- just smooth- 

woah- 

Maybe ammi was right? 

Maybe i needed someone like her?

woah no no i am not thinking of her- 

I checked the time

time to head inside and then shopping- 

somehow i was looking forward working with her- 

+++++++

How was it?

Ummmm hi?

salaam?

Peace?

I went to school at 8.20am- came back home at 11.25am! yupp that early

Lol

everyone has a sibling............ even this friend of mine is getting one- 

Just me alone........ :( :( 

Wait- I HAVE SIBLINGS!! on wattpad! :) :) :) (u gang) 

anywayss

i lov u all

muahh

~aaliyah~