CHAPTER 1

There comes a time in life when one feels helpless and desperate, and then all you want to do is just hide somewhere or just run away from everyone and everything. I felt the same, just a few days back but I guess God send somebody to save my ass. And the ungrateful person I am, instead of showing gratitude, I am sulking.

"But Ma'am it's not even close to complete." whimpering is all I can do in front of my guide because I am short of time, they just announced it yesterday and expect me to be okay with it. I am not exactly the laziest person alive, in fact, I love what I do but I seek perfection and perfection needs time.

'I actually don't believe that they think of me even as a human being?'

"I know Ziva but think of it as a golden opportunity. People are always not this lucky so please just, try to complete it and present it in front of them because I know you can....... you can always ask for more time to work on it if they approved to support you. Okay?" her words sound more of a reassurance to herself than to me. She is such a sweet lady, but even higher authorities pressurize her way more than she can take, I don't want her to feel bad about this. This is the least I can do as her scholar.

"Okay, then I guess, I should get back to work and prepare the demo software to present to them.....And…. Mrs Gill one more thing, exactly at what time will they be arriving?" I asked her while praying it to be after the lunch break because lunch break will buy me a few more minutes.

"3:00 pm sharp" she replied after checking her phone to confirm it. I took a breath of relief. And take her to leave.

I advanced toward my working area. I have already run the samples for analysis last night which I am sure will be done by 2:30 pm. Should I just take a minute and thank God for helping me so much. This presentation will provide life to my half-dead project if everything goes well. If they like my work, there are chances that I might be able to nurse my baby (my work).

"Thank you, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much God. YOU are the best. And I LOVE YOU. "

I reached my laboratory, this place is my escape from the world, I own it. Well, not practically, because it's the university's property and assigned to me for the time being. I literally lived here for the past 13 months. I am giving so much to this project but I was kind of lucky at the start. Initially, the government was funding everything as this project is indirectly related to the defence for enhancing their accuracy and effectiveness. But, unfortunately, 1 month ago, they seize all the funds assign to our department due to internal politics.

I checked the time, it's 10' a.m. right now. I still have 5 hours before they arrive.

I begin working on my presentations through slides it will be easier for them to understand it, plus my energy will be saved if everything they need to know will already available in a chronological manner. Side by side I will present the latest analysed samples report to prove my alternative hypothesis is supported by the results. Let's just hope that they like my work until now and support me to complete my remaining work.

*after some time*

"Coffee?" comes a distant faded familiar voice from the direction of the glass door of my workplace. I don't even need to look in that direction, I believe, I can recognize this voice even if I have prolonged amnesia.

"Aahh...Joe.... you know me sooooooo well ... coffee is exactly what I need right now. I have no idea, what will I do here without you?" I turned toward her and pass my biggest-toothed smile as she smirked while passing my coffee mug to me.

'ohhhhhh heaven…' I close my eyes for a second to enjoy the aroma of coffee around me.

"Bitch, you will not survive a day without me." She replied cockily but well, I can't neglect the fact that she is cent per cent right. So, instead of commenting back, I enjoyed my coffee. Nor that she is expecting me to counter her. She knows very well, that I know better.

'Ghoshhhhh I soooo in need to rest... my eyes... are burning.' Most probably because I am staring at the screen for so long now. I guess I might have eye drops in my bag. I will put them as I finished the work.

"You know... they are making you do overtime work?" she sat beside me, I looked toward her and all I can see is a genuinely pure concern. She is always like this from the very start, possessing a strong personality. She is one and only of her kind. She is caring and cocky at the same time. She can make you eat like a grandmother and can also make you cry for being careless just by using words no weapon required.

"Bahahaha... you think, I can't handle this Joe, don't underestimate the power of a common girl" trying to sound hilarious in serious situations to lighten up the mood is reasonable and my speciality. But I know that no number of jokes can shake her concern over me... psychology honours have it's own drawbacks.

"Yeah .... yeah, I know but please make health, your priority... ok?" she squeezed my shoulder before turning to leave.

Joe is a small frame human being with a beautiful kind heart, long straight dark brown hair, and deep brown almond-shaped eyes. she is soft-spoken, helpful, observant, and caring but she surely knows how to make people know where they belong? if they get on her nerves. Her strength and intelligence are no match for her size.

"you know ... I love you verryyyy verrry much " I confess cooingly. It makes her turn and looked at me as if I turned green in colour and possess 5 eyes, 4 noses and, 8 lips covered with ornaments made up of bones.

'hahahahahhah' her expression always makes me laugh and I am dead sure a sarcastic comment is awaiting toward my side. But before she could reply we heard a distant ugly voice...

"Ziva, delegates are here, Mrs Gill asks you to be prepared." Our affectionate emotional moment was not long-lived because Miss Ruby invaded it. She can probably intervene with me, even if I am working at the centre of earth or space. Ruby and I work under Miss Gill, so we are supposed to be friends but unfortunately, her competitiveness doesn't allow her to mingle with me.

I turned towards Ruby, but she was nowhere in sight. She is not a bad person, I guess. She just dislikes me and showed it openly. Her competitive personality, helps her to be a scholar in the university, that's why maybe she is competitive towards me too.

"Ok, thanks" I thanked the air and checked the clock, it's already 2:45 pm.

'On time I wore my coat and took my laptop and turned toward Joe to get an appearance check...

"Am I looking presentable?" Usually, I am never concerned about my looks but this presentation is crucial for me, the appearance must be in check.

"All good… All the best and stay calm" there she goes becoming grand maa now, My sweet friend.

"Thank you, I will try to be " I quickly hugged her and ran toward the conference room.

To be true 'I AM NERVOUS.'

On reaching the conference hall I arranged everything and, checked the connections, everything is perfect.

"Now I can rel......."

*Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo

Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo

Baby shark! *

"S***, that scared me" I place a hand on my chest to soothe my heartbeat, Gawddd I can hear my heartbeat in my ear.

"My phone, where did I keep my phone" when will I leave this habit of tossing my cell phone randomly in the bag and every time it keeps ringing till I search every corner of the universe for it. To my luck, it is every time in the last pocket.

'Mrs. Gill…'

"Hello," I automatically know they have arrived. My heartbeat is racing, I am excited and nervous and worried and anxious and whatnot…

"Ziva, please come to my cabin" she sounds extra sweet. OKAY...I think delegates are around here somewhere

"Okay, ma'am?" I replied

"Yes, come fast" and she cut the call...

'let's see what's happening.' I ran towards Mrs Gills's Cabin. Doing some Pep talk in mind and chanting

'EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY

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