After the formal announcement, the time was to celebrate and there was a small party afterwards. Jerika was not in the mood to go in the party.
“Ma’am… what are you doing here? Don’t you think we should go?” Martin asked Jerika. He knew that Jerika was upset because of the announcement. He knew that her boss really worked hard for the job but still she was not given the prize she deserved. Martin was feeling bad for Jerika and he knew that Jerika carry her sentiments and emotions too close to her. She easily surrenders herself to her pain and to her emotion and withdraws herself from all others. Martin had worked for Jerika long enough to know her character and her weakness. Martin knew that Jerika was the only woman working in the station and that was disadvantage for her because when at work place only men are present then it becomes difficult for any woman to work fairly but Jerika was still working with everything inside her and struggling for fair stance at the station and within the project. It was obvious to feel bad but that does not allow you to take your back from the real things.
“Where do you think we should go?” Jerika asked. Jerika knew where this conversation will go. She knew that Martin was concerned for her and for him too. This project was important for him too but Jerika knew that not going to that useless party will be the best thing to do. Jerika had a feeling that not going to that futile thing will be best for her and for the peace of her mind.
“To the celebration hall” Martin said. He knew that Jerika did not like the things Martin was saying but it was for her own good too and partially for him too. That project was important for him too and he was on the project until when Jerika was o it. If somehow she gets away from it so he has to so it was very important for Jerika to hold on to the project no matter what and Martin needed to ensure the same thing.
“No Martin… I will go to home… I am very tired and I think I need rest and a good long sleep” Jerika said to Martin. She knew that Martin will not let her go so easily but she only wanted to go. Jerika knew that Martin was really good with words and he will soon say something which will somehow persuade her to go to the party she did not want to go.
“It does not matter ma’am who is the Project head. The project is still in your hands” Martin said and he was right but it was still not enough for Jerika to persuade and Martin saw that in her eyes and in her smile.
“I do not think so” Jerika smiled and said. It was nice of Martin to try but it will not work so easily. He cannot persuade Jerika to go so easily.
“Ma’am… working in this project was the first thing you wanted and when you were selected for this project, you yourself said that you wanted nothing more than that remember” Martin said. He tried to give Jerika reason but Jerika was not ready to listen she had a past with Antoine Mark which was unknown to Martin so it was fine for him to say that the project was important and all the other thins but the project head was an archenemy to Jerika. He betrayed her in the past. He was nothing but a big liar to her and she had no desire to face him and to congratulate him for the things he did not deserve and Jerika was sure that all the success he was getting was because he stole it from someone else. Someone Jerika knew… someone who was close to Jerika and to Antoine too in the past but then Antoine showed his true colors and everything was ruined. Jerika will never forgive Antoine for what he did to her and to that man. She was not there because she had no choice but she chose it to be her only choice.
“Yes… but things are different now” Jerika said. Jerika could not explain to Martin how things were different but Martin was not going to give up and Jerika knew it so Martin continued.
“But the project is same and it is still the work you wanted to work on. It is one of the life times opportunities… please… do not give up” Martin said.
“I am not… I am not… I am not giving up on this project… I am just not in the mood to attend the party” Jerika tried to explain Martin and she wished that he will let her go and not continue this conversation but Martin was in no mood to back off.
“It will not reflect well upon the management if you will not come” Martin asid and this time Jerika knew that he made a valid point. The management was monitoring Jerika and Jerika knew it. She noticed that the changes occurring in the station and she knew that somehow it was all connected. Someone was keeping a close eye on each and everything and reporting to the management. It will surely not reflect well if she refuses to go to the party. It was not just the party for management but a celebration in management’s eyes and management like controls. Not going to the party will simply could be taken as a disregard to the management decision and Jerika did not want to fight unnecessarily.
“You know what you should be my boss… look at you trying to order me” Jerika said mockingly. She was just joking but looking at Martin’s face it was evident that he was taking it in the wrong way and Jerika did not know how to take her words back she just said.
“I am suggesting the things for your benefit ma’am. I am sorry if you thought that I order you” Martin said. He apologized because he thought that he was not speaking in correct manner and he somehow managed to offend his boss.
“Naahhh… I know you are right and I hate you for that. Okay!!! What could go wrong? It is a party… maybe it will cheer me up” Jerika said straitening things with Martin. Martin too relaxed on learning that Jerika was not angry on him for his adamant nature.
“Sure…” Martin said with a smile.
Jerika went to the celebration hall with Martin and Martin gets busy with his lot. Jerika tried to avoid Antoine as much as she can but when she was alone to grab a drink for herself, he came into her direction. When Jerika noticed that she knew that it was too late to run away and now she has to listen to his stories and to his lies. Jerika drank the full glass in one go and she knew that it will hit her hard. Above that, she grabbed another glass of wine because she knew that she will not be able to handle Antoine without alcohol.“I never expected to see you here after such a long time” Antoine said. Jerika looked at Antoine who was standing beside her, putting one of his hands in his pant pocked and grabbing a champagne glass on other. Jerika knew he was trying to bluff his position and his smile and his whole existence was false… Jerika’s head was boiling with anger and her heart was thumping too fast. Jerika could feel her blood pressure growing
“The nature of this project!!!” Antoine asked to Jerika but he was more focused on people surrounding them and whispering about them. They were having nice gossip. A new Project Head fighting with the most potent colleague, what kind of message does that fight implies.“Yes!!! This is the similar project on which you were working two years back and then that accident happened and now when everything is prepared and when we just needed to launch it, you emerge as our leader” Jerika said. Antoine did practically nothing for this project and the headship was platted to him on the silver plate. It was just not right. It was completely unfair and everybody knew it but no one will say it because everyone was selfish and sycophant.“Either you are too drunk or too insane. You yourself just said that whatever happened two years ago was an accident and it was that. I mean whole world knows that so why are you trying to find the things in it which i
Jerika left and Antoine was clearly embarrassed by the whole scene created by Jerika. Everybody watched the fight between Jerika and Antoine and everybody was talking, whispering about it. Everyone got the hot topic for the day to discuss and Antoine was clearly embarrassed by everything. He placed his glass on the counter and went to balcony to get some air. His mind was repeating the Jerika’s words again and again. He had no idea what to do and how to solve the differences between Jerika and him. In the midst of his thoughts, Antoine’s phone blinked. He got someone’s message.[Meet us at conference hall now. Need to discuss the project detail and about the further proceedings]Antoine read the message. He breathes heavily because he did his job brilliantly and he knew that the management will be very happy by him.Antoine went to the conference hall and he saw the Mr. Riley sitting there.“You did not come to the party sir”
“You did not come to the party sir” Antoine said while taking a seat in the nearby table.“It is okay… I am enjoying myself from right here” Mr. Riley from the management said.“I did my job” Antoine said. Mr. Riley’s instructions to him were clear that firstly he needs to see if Jerika could be trusted and if not then anyhow she was needed to take out from this project. The means for removing Jerika was not important. Mr. Riley was ready to go to any length; he just cared about the ultimate result but Antoine did not want blood on his hand… not any more especially not Jerika’s. he was already guilty of killing his one friend… he did not know what he will do with other but he hoped for one thing that a day will come when Jerika and he will mend their differences and go back normal. It was a hope… a false hope because that was the only thing Antoine could do.“Oh… yes…
Brian woke up again and he still found himself lying on the hospital bed. He remembered his accident and also that someone hit him on the head earlier. Brian looked around to find someone. He wondered who hit him and why? There was no one in the room. His head was hurting. He tried to stand up and ran away but before he could make his escape, the nurse came inside.“Where do you think you are going?” the nurse said looking at Brian trying to get out of his bed. The nurses were anxious because of Brian. Whenever he gets up, he starts of going out… he tried to go away. It was like a constant eye was needed for him who can take care of him all the time.“I am not safe here. Let me go” Brian said trying to stand up but the medications on him were still making his head funny. It was like he was drugged. Was he really drugged?“It is a hospital… the safest place” the nurse said helping Brian to lie back on his bed. He
Jerika grabbed a glass and pour herself a drink. She put on some nice music and sat on floor in front of her couch resting her lead on it. She was reflecting on past two years and way before than that when she heard her door bell ringing. She avoided looking at it. She decided to ignore it. Whoever must be, the person will go away itself. Jerika was in no mood to entertain anyone right now but the door bell kept ringing. The only thing which was irritating Jerika was the fact that the continuous ringing was spoiling the atmosphere and the soft nice music Jerika played but still she did not get up to look at the person who was on the door because she had a hunch who it could be. If she was thinking the right person ringing the door then she must not open the door at all, even to make him go way because that will be a difficult task.The man did not stop there. The man was adamant in talking and meeting with Jerika and he knew how to pursue her to talk. The man went around the
“Still it is good news after all. I thought this day was the worst but something happened at least” Jerika said. Jerika really and a tough day and she just wanted to get over with it but this day gets better… all thanks to Daulat and then to Brian too. She was so thankful that Brain woke up and she was also thankful to Daulat who came all the way to tell her the good news she needed to hear the most.“I will not be so sure about that and you should not be too. Do not get your hopes up so easily” Daulat said. Daulat doubted Brian’s actions so he did not want Jerika to have high hopes for him because that will in the end only end up hurting her.“Do not say that. Do not ever say that. I needed this” Jerika said. Jerika was not sure why Daulat was trying to take way the happiness for Jerika. Jerika found a reason to be happy after so long time and it felt good that she was having a reason to feel good for. Jerika hoped that
“The things did not go according to the plan” Jerika said and she was saying the right thing. Jerika planned everything and she had everything prepared if she would have been appointed as Project head but that was not the case. Jerika was not sure how to go forward from here but Brian’s news was definitely a boost up for Jerika and she can definitely find a better way to move forward now. Definitely something or other will happen which will ultimately help her to get the truth and things to be done as she wanted them to be.“That is not great news!!! What happened?” Daulat said. Daulat knew that Jerika worked hard for that title but still she was not awarded wit it so it must be very heartbreaking for Jerika.“Nothing… just” Jerika said but the she stopped in the middle. She did not know what to say. She remembered what she said to Antoine before leaving the celebration hall.[You are such a bastard but let me be