ABOVE & BEYOND : IF WE ARE MEANT TO BE

CHAPTER 1

DUAA

"Have a great weekend, Mr. Ainsworth" I bid goodbye to the old man as I opened my car door, happily looking forward to the weekend after the long week. I was already exhausted. All I wanted to do right now was go home and sleep. Sleep for the whole two days. That's it. And be ready for the surprise/new responsibility Mr. Ainsworth said I was gonna have on Monday. Not having the energy to think further I started driving. I swear I could sleep while driving now. God, I wish I had a tesla!

Quickly shaking my head I said "alhamdulillah for everything" under my breath cause I truly was grateful for everything god has given to me. I had a happy family, a house, a car and an amazing job.

I love my job even though it could be exhausting sometimes. Like today. And it is extra exhausting when you don't get to drink your cappuccino in the morning because your favourite cafe was closed and also when on this particular day the vending machines of your office don't work. I wanted to go to the nearest cafe during the break but today's schedule was way too busy.

I started working for the "Ainsworth oracles'' company almost one and a half years ago. God, it feels like yesterday. It was one of the most well known companies in the country with a lot of international headquaters. This company owned restaurants, clubs, shopping malls, bars and many other things. Sometimes I still can't believe I work here considering how hard it is for hijabi girls to find a job in a non-muslim country. Watching my other hijabi friends struggle to find a job, even a part-time one, had already made me doubt myself.

Will it ever be easy for us? This was the question that runs through my mind every now and then. That's why I always try to be grateful. The story is actually a bit funny about how I got this job of mine. I still remember that day precisely, 15/07/2021, about two years ago. I was going home after hanging out with my best friend all day. As I was walking I saw an old man crossing the street. It was all normal until I saw a car coming towards the man at a high speed. My eyes widened, everyone started shouting at the car to stop but the driver didn't. So much was happening in a second. I didn't have the time to think and without my own realisation I was running towards the man as fast as I could. I pushed the old man and the car passed us after 0.1 seconds. "OW, WATCH WHERE YOU GOING." I shouted at the car before turning towards the old man. "Are you okay?" He looked at me as if he had seen a ghost. Everyone started rushing towards us. I heard someone calling an ambulance. Who was hurt? The old man wasn't bleeding. I thought before my vision got dark and I couldn't hear anything.

I struggled a bit before opening my eyes and when I did I realised I wasn't in my room nor at my home. I quickly sat up, panicking. "Calm down, young lady. You're at the hospital." I heard a deep voice and found the old man sitting across the room. My hands automatically went towards my head. I didn't have my hijab. I quickly put on the hood of my hoodie. Thank god I decided to put on a hoodie today. In a second I saw the old man walking towards me. He stopped right in front of me and offered me his hand. "Henry Ainsworth." He said calmly. His surname sounded familiar, I thought. I looked at this hand then at his eyes which were bright green. I placed my hand on my chest. "Duaa Wahed." He raised an eyebrow before shoving his hand in his pocket. This kind of interaction always puts me in an awkward position. I don't wanna give anyone the impression of being rude nor I wanna explain the whole history why I can't touch certain men.

"Religious purposes." I clarified simply. He nodded his head and gave me a small smile. "So Duaa.." he pronounced my name correctly which was unusual because people normally go like do-a. "I suppose you know I know I'm the reason you are here." My head was feeling a bit heavy. I remember running towards him, to save him. I hit my head on the street. That is all I remembred. The realisation suddenly hit me. "Oh my god, are you ok, sir? Did you get hurt when I pushed you." he chuckled before speaking. "Young lady, if I was hurt I wouldn't be standing here. And for that, thanks to you. You saved my life today. Not many people do it nowadays especially while risking their own lives. I'm grateful for that. I owe you my life." Shaking my head slightly I looked back up at him. "No sir, you don't owe me anything. If death was written in your fate it would have happened at that moment. But it didn't." If I had known him better I would say he was a bit taken aback. "So you believe in fate, huh?" "Yes, I do. You don't?" he shook his head. "I believe people just face the consequences of their actions. Either it's good, bad or shitty. Isn't it right, dear Duaa?" I nodded as we both smiled at each other. "But I do owe you a thank you though. So tell me what I can do for you." "don't worry, you don't have to do anything. I'm glad that both are safe." He sighed heavily before pulling a card out of his blazer's pockets and handed it to me. "Duaa dear, since you're not letting me do anything for you, take this." "what is it?" "This is my card with my personal phone number. Not many people have it, you can say. So, if you need anything in the future, just let me know. I would be more than happy to help." I looked down at the card and smiled. "Will do."

At that time I was 22, in my fourth year of university, desperately in need of a part-time job. But I didn't ask that to Mr. Ainsworth. I wanted to try by myself at first. But I was getting rejected completely, despite having so many certificates and diplomas. And the reason was obvious.

Two months had already passed and the story was still the same. One evening, after finishing my prayer, I sat still on the prayer mat, debating in my mind if I should call Mr. Ainsworth or not. In the end I decided to call and that was probably the best decision I've ever made in my life. I told him I needed a part time job since I was still studying. He asked me what I study and I said financial economy. We sat up a meeting two days later. And after  a brief interview session he hired me as his personal secretary. He told me I could work from home as I go to the university.

After I finished my university, I became Mr. Ainsworth's full-time secretary. And after working at "Ainsworth Oracles" for almost a year I became the manager of the company.

After driving for almost 30 minutes I finally got home and as I assumed my family still hadn't had dinner. Dinner is the only meal we get to  have together since we have to leave for work early in the morning. "Oh my god, you came so early and I wasn't starving at all!" my brother mocked me. I rolled my eyes and hit his arm with my purse. I aimed for the face but couldn't reach him. When he became this tall again? The moment he turned seventeen he went from 165 cm to 182 cm in a heartbeat.

I went to the kitchen and started chugging down the water like I've been running around the Sahara desert for a week. Meanwhile my dad came into the kitchen, observing my tiring face and I already knew what he was gonna say. "Don't tire yourself so much. I know work is important but you know what is more important? Settling down, having your own family." I internally rolled my eyes and as expected my mom jumped into the conversation as well. "Your dad is absolutely right. Just because we live in this country doesn't mean you have to be like them." "I'm not being like anyone, mom. I'm just tryna live my life." "yea, sure. This isn't real life for your kind information. I had you when I was your age. I still can't believe you rejected Mr. Khan's son's proposal. Do you know how...." I let my dramatic brown mom finish her speech as I came into my room and locked it.

Ohi, the famous Khan my mom was talking about earlier. I have known him my whole life I guess. Last time I saw him, he was shoving his tongue into a white chick's throat. We went to a mutual friend's birthday party that day. And not to mention his drinking and smoking habits. But my parents really don't know it. For them, after marriage all men abolish their haram habits. Which is obviously not the case. The moment i finished my university, marriage became the biggest topic in my family but good for me, my ignoring skills are bigger than that.

Don't  get me wrong, I'm not anti marriage. I would love to get married one day and have kids. I'm just not finding the right man and I highly doubt I'll find one in this generation. My relationship with my parents is one of the most precious things in my life. They may seem pretty strict and dramatic but deep down I know they support every decision I take. At first I used to get so annoyed by their behaviour, especially when they didn't let me go out like all my other friends. But now I'm so glad that they were strict with me growing up. I also try to understand their point of view, considering how toxic the brown community can be. But in the end I love them to death.

Removing my hijab I let my long dark brown loose free and changed into a comfortable t-shirt before heading towards the dining room.