Incandescence

Chapter 18

I was sitting behind the table, looking at Sadaf and Sarah, who were seated in front of me. Anis had made him comfortable on the couch in the left corner of the room, giving me privacy to talk to my best friend and secretary. In front of me was the newspaper with the blazing headline and the story that featured the fire and news about me. I seethed inside with anger at who had talked to the media from the inside. I wanted to punch his or her face for all this shit I was in now.

"Let's go with the usual steps that we take Sadaf. Please make a statement on my behalf and then promise them an interview later in the week. That would diffuse the situation a bit before I decide on my next course of action." I said, while racking my brain for an alternative.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sadaf asked me, her intelligent eyes looking directly into mine.

"Yes! This is what I want to do." I responded and picked up the newspapers from the desk.

"Here take this along with you. I don't need to see this." She took the newspaper from me, passed a small smile to Anis and then left the room.

"Sarah, please hold my calls for today. Only transfer those which are urgent." I said.

"Sure. Do you want anything else? Coffee? Aspirin?" She asked as she stood up from the seat as well.

"No! I don't need anything just now." I said.

"Okay." She retreated from the room, closing the door behind her. Anis stood up from his seat and came near me, his eyes sympathetic.

"Are you alright, Alisha?" He perched on the desk near me, his face depicting worry.

"I guess so." I said and looked away; trying to blink back the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes. Anis moved closer to me and turned my face towards him.

"It's alright to cry, sweetie." He hugged my face to his middle, while silent tears ran down my face and then they burst into full. I hiccupped and sniffed as the tears fell down my face and soaked into his shirt but he held me closer to him, his hands massaging my head lightly. Those were the longest moments of my life when I sat, with my face pressed to his middle, as I cried my heart out. After what seemed like the longest time, I moved away from him and saw that he was holding out a handkerchief for me. I graciously accepted it.

"Thank you." I said in a teary voice and blew my nose.

"Feeling any better?" He asked me, picking up my glass of water from the table and offering it to me.

"Yeah! I am." I said and took a sip of the water. I really felt better and in control after the crying episode just now.

"I'm glad that you're alright." He smiled softly at me and adjusted my hair in a loving way. I glanced at the clock on the adjacent wall. It was noon.

"Don't you have to go to your office?" I asked him. I had taken up so much of his time already, I felt really bad.

"I will leave as soon as I'm certain that you're alright." He said.

"I am." I said, giving him a watery smile. "I can cope with this."

"Of course you can, Alisha. You're a strong girl and that's what makes you special."

"Thank you for your kind words, Anis. I think you should leave for your office now. I have kept you away long enough." I said, feeling guilty for keeping him here all morning.

"One day without me at the office won't make a difference and I had people overlooking work there but I guess you are right, I should get going."

"Yeah, that's what I was saying."