Firdaus

 "Why is the email yet not sent to Mr. Collins?" I questioned, sternly.

"Sir actually there was a problem with the-"

" What excuse are you going to give me Janet?" I yelled. " You know that how much important is Mr. Collins to us, don't you?"

"Sir I am really sorry for the delay. I will send it now." Janet, my secretary answered.

"Better it is sent. As fast as you can. Leave now." I ordered.

Mr. Collins was the CEO of Collins & company. We are thinking about opening a hotel in California, but there are things to be discussed before it is confirmed.

There are files in front of me, scattered in front of me, on the desk. I start to go through the first file which I saw when my phone starts to buzz, in my pocket.

"Assalamualaikum Rafa." I answered. Well Rafa is the nick name for Rafa, Rehan uncle’s elder son. We are good friends though.

"Walaikumasalam Asad. How are you man?" He replied.

"All good. Alhamdulillah’s. What about you dude?" I asked.

"Allhamdullilla Asad. How’s everyone in the family?? And before you ask about mine, all are fine in my family. Allhamdullilla." He said.

"Allhamdullilla. What makes you call today??" I questioned.

"Business man! Business. I am faxing you some important details that you wanted to know about the place which you are looking for in California. It has every detail, even the number of the owner. Go through it and let me know if you want to know any other information." He answered my question.

"Thanks man. Thanks for doing it, even when you have your own business to handle." I thanked.

"OH, let it be Asad. I can do it even when I have things to take care of." He boomed.

"Okay man. Stop being so loud. I will go through the information then." I uttered, as the fax machine dinged, and it started to print the information sent to it.

"Fine then. Allah-hafiz."

"Allah-hafiz Rafa." I replied and took the paper with information on the fax machine.

Going through the information, I am pleased. This is exactly the place I am looking for the hotel. Well let’s see what the dealer has to say on it. I would personally have to go there though.

I once again go through the paper. It’s perfect. I open my drawer to keep the paper when I see something. A photo. I am not shocked though, because it has been there in my desk for years. I had forgotten about the photo as I got busy with my CEO post in my company. Although I don’t want to see that face again but I can never come up to throw it in the bin. Remembering about the person my anger starts to build up in my body, as I quickly shove the paper in drawer and shut it loud.

How can I forget her? I close my eyes, controlling my building rage. When there is a knock on the door.

"Come in." I answered.

" Sir you have the meeting with governor today. At 1 pm. Should I schedule your booking at the restaurant, for the meeting?" Janet asked.

"Fine do it Janet. Send the address to my driver and the governor." I directed.

"Right away sir. And yes, sir the mail has been sent to Mr. Collins."

"Better then." I replied.

"What do you think about the proposal, Mr. Purohit?" I asked the governor.

"You want to build a factory in Nizamabad for manufacturing furniture’s, and you want me to pass the bill for building the roadway for your factory?" He asked.

"Yes Mr. Purohit. I don’t want to waste my time with poor road facilities affecting my transportation. A good roadway is a must." I replied.

"Okay then. I will pass it up, what is my share in it?" He questioned, curiously.

"I will help your son who is standing in elections for MLA, next month. " I answered.

"Sure?" He asked, smiling.

"You have my words Mr. Purohit." I replied with a smirk.

"It’s a deal then." He stood up to shake hands with me, which I accepted.

After the meeting we had our lunch and left the restaurant.

**

At home...

"Assalamualaikum Ammi (mom) " I replied while getting in.

"Walaikumasalam Asad. How was your day?" she replied, smiling at me.

"Fine Ammi. What about you and where is Abbu (dad)" I asked.

"Mine was good beta(son). He is in his office." She replied.

"Where is Elnaz?" I asked, inquiring about my little sister.

"In her room Asad. Come I am preparing the table for the dinner." She said.

"Yeah Ammi, after I freshen up. " I replied walking towards my room.

After I freshen up, I went to the dining room where my family is waiting for me.

"Assalamualaikum Bhai (brother)" Elnaz chirped.

"Walaikumasalam Elnaz. Assalamualaikum Abbu " I greeted my dad and sis.

"Walaikumasalam beta. How was work today?" He asked.

"Fine Abbu. Just got my deal done with the Governor. Even i might go to California to inspect the land which I would be buying." I informed him.

"Good. " Was all he said.

"How was college Elnaz?" I asked her.

"Awesome Bhai. Today were the results you know" she replied.

"OH. What is your rank then?" I questioned.

"Any guess?" She smiled, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Ya Allah! Elnaz did you passed or not?" I asked, with a face of shock, but smiling inwardly as I know that she would have scored good marks.

"What? I got outstanding grade Bhai. You are so bad. How can you think I will fail?" She shrieked, while slapping my arms.

“Ha ha ha ha I can baby panda. Who knows you could have copied in your exams? Or worst the examiner wouldn’t have worn his specs while checking your paper" I teased.

"You are such a tease Bhai. Go I am not talking to you." She puffed as my mom and dad started laughing at her.

"Okay come on I am sorry.......baby panda" I teased a little more, to which we all started laughing.

" now I am not talking to anyone..." she puffed her face more, as she turned it away from all

" okay I am sorry..." I replied trying to smoother my laugh. But she didn’t reply.

"We are sorry Elnaz. " we all three said in unison. After that she smiled slyly and looked at me.

"Not like that Bhai, you have to give me something" she said.

" what do you want baby panda? I asked.

"Look daddy he is teasing me again" she whined.

" Asad don’t tease my baby girl." Dad replied, faking a glare at me, then smiling.

"Okay... now on a serious note... what do you want Elnaz?" I asked her, rather sincerely.

"First promise you will give me." She smiled with lifting her brows at me.

"First tell me what it is then I will promise." I told her.

"Why because you can’t do it right... let it be you won’t be able to." She said while lifting her brow.

"Okay. I promise. What do you want?" I asked her again.

"When you would be going to California, I want you to bring..." she trailed off looking at Ammi and Abu.

"What is it Elnaz? Bring you what?" I asked.

Then I saw mom nod at her as she turned towards me. I watched both the woman’s suspiciously, thinking what they are up to.

"I want you to bring Firdaus Appi from California." She muttered, happily.

"What? That won’t happen" I replied as I looked down at my plate, acting to eat my dessert.

"Why not Asad. While returning bring her with you. It has been four years now. And both Elnaz and Firdaus want to meet each other. As well Rehan Bhai won’t send his daughter alone across here." My mom reasoned.

I looked up towards her, but before I could utter a word my sister started pleading me as well as daddy.

" please Bhai. Please .... daddy say him na." She whined.

"Asad ... bring Firdaus while returning from California." He ordered, to which I solemnly nodded.

"Yeah!!" Elnaz's voice boomed through the hall as she roared in happiness.

After dinner I went to my room and started to go through my mails and important papers on the table. About an hour after I felt sleepy, to which I went to bed. While lying as I kept my phone near the lamp, I thought about the day today. So, I have to bring her with me while returning.

"Firdaus" I uttered as I drifted to my sleep.

*****