Boss Ladies

I'll tell you how I've been there too, and that none of it matters ~ Albatross.

Jalal looked up the list of merit posted on the website and found that he had the option to choose between Agra and Delhi. Agra seemed more convenient to him, but he did not want to decide anything unless he spoke to Rukaiya about it. He wanted to include her in the decision-making so that she could talk to his father if needed. He knew his mother would not be very enthusiastic about him leaving home. Jalal entered his father’s headquarters well after lunch to be awkwardly greeted by the employees at the cubicles as he asked his father’s secretary to see Rukaiya. He did not know that she had a personal office. The last time she was an intern and working from the cubicle was when he had visited. The secretary informed him to wait in the lounge because she was in a meeting with the managers. Jalal, instead of sitting in the lounge area, roamed about the corridors, checking the boring posters on the wall, motivational quotes and stuff, the closed door to his father’s office and the water filter before he heard her voice and turned. The door opened, and the managers flocked out, some looking grim, others scared, some even apologising.

“How can such silly mistakes happen in such reputed institutions? What is our goodwill if you can’t handle such complexities? Do you want to get sued by the clients?” Rukaiya’s voice was firm. Jalal could not see her, but as the managers left, the secretary peeped in, telling her he was here before he walked into the small office.

Rukaiya was sitting on the other side of the desk, with an open laptop and a few files, with a frown across her face, and Jalal noticed the picture kept on the mantle behind her, along with her recognitions, and a picture of her with the mothers and him. 

“Is it a bad time?” For the first time, Jalal was seeing Rukaiya angry. Honestly, this side of her looked intimidating. Rukaiya immediately flashed a smile like she was never in a bad mood.

“Not at all, but has the sun risen from the west today?” She teased him, “Why are you in the office?” He smiled back as he sat across the desk and opened his laptop. “Well, I needed your advice.” He logged in and showed her the options. Rukaiya stared at them and back at him.

“Which one do you want?” She asked. Jalal shrugged, “Of course, Agra.”

“Yes, that will be better, you can also stay in your own place and…” Rukaiya nodded as he shut the laptop and nodded. Rukaiya insisted he should take Hamida there for a week, to make sure the apartment he had under his name was livable until he settled down. Jalal insisted he could manage and find a servant to stay with him.

Rukaiya was proud of him. She beamed with joy and wanted to share the news with Shakti and Heer. Jalal insisted he wanted Ajabdeh and Pratap to know first. Rukaiya insisted Ajab would be happy beyond imagination as she observed his reaction. He only smiled, but more so politely than anything else at her name. Was he really moving on? Rukaiya knew in her heart that, apart from going away from her and finding his dream job, it would be good for Jalal to make new friends, too. 

“Umm… Ajab called me yesterday.” She added with a smile, “I told her about this job.”

“Oh, what did she say?” Jalal asked nonchalantly.

“She was apologising for not being there, so we promised to hang out once she comes home.” A sudden realisation hit Rukaiya as she arched her brows and gasped. “You won’t be home anymore…” Jalal shrugged with a smile on the tip of his lip. “I will miss you too.”

“At least I don’t have to share my pizza.” Rukaiya chuckled. 

“You wish! You will order one for me every time…” Jalal said in a very serious tone, making her smile.

“You know what’s odd…” Jalal got up and started pacing the office. “Pratap called me too…”

“Yesterday?” Rukaiya frowned. Jalal nodded. “He was saying the same thing… more or less…”

“Well, they must have had a discussion…” Rukaiya nodded. 

“Or a fight.” Jalal looked amused. “I will be grateful if both of them return after two weeks with minimal damage.”

“ I hope they get along… at least for the sake of the families…” Rukaiya insisted. Jalal nodded.

Jalal started hovering around her office as she resumed work. His eyes fell on an envelope sitting amidst the stacks of letters on her desk as he picked it up. Inside was a photograph of a man. Jalal looked bothered as Rukaiya smiled.

“Is Phuphi at it again?” He asked, concerned.

“Well, someone sent her this. She has a yearly subscription, which is not ending soon.” Rukaiya laughed as Jalal eyed her.

“Did you consider it?” he asked, a little worried. Rukaiya shook her head.

“I know my worth, I deserve better.” Jalal could not believe the words coming out of her mouth as he felt overwhelmed. He picked up the envelope, shoved it in the dustbin and gathered his things.

“I will see you at home.” Rukaiya nodded at him.

Jalal made his way to the parking lot where his car was parked and immediately dialled Ajabdeh’s number without second thoughts. Ajabdeh was in a meeting with the Panchayat for the girls' school when she eyed his number on the caller ID. Her heart skipped a beat.

“I have to take this.” She excused herself in a hurry and rushed out of the office to the open courtyard, praying that he did not disconnect the call.

“Hello?” She managed breathlessly.

“Guess what Rukaiya just said?” His voice seemed cheerful. Ajabdeh could not believe her ears. She was happy with Rukaiya’s newfound confidence. After gushing about it, an awkward silence followed, and Ajabdeh stammered that she was in the middle of a meeting.

“Ajab?” He stopped her. “I am moving to Agra.”

“What? When?” Her brows arched in surprise.

“By the end of this month…” She could sense the happiness in his voice. She could also hear what was unsaid between them. By the time she would go home, he would not be there.

“Can we visit you?” Ajabdeh suddenly felt like they deserved a proper closure, but was conscious of it. “Rukaiya and me?”

“I don’t think I will find time away from the course.” Jalal smiled. “But if you are in town, we can surely hang out.”

“See the Taj.” They said in unison, and an awkward silence followed.

“Umm… don’t tell Pratap, I will tell him myself.” He insisted. Ajabdeh agreed. “And thank you for making him call me up. I really didn’t want us to drift… for whatever reasons.” Ajabdeh’s brows arched. “I didn’t…” Jalal smiled. “I know he is not someone to randomly call me up. And that his words were not really his thoughts…”

“I have to go…” Ajabdeh said, eyeing the doorway to the office.

“Yes, me too… take care Ajab…”

“You too, Jalal.”