Veil of Lies

Antalya Awaits

★ Mustafa

Already a week has passed by since the event. Although I don't have any grudges against anyone, my doubts were increasing about Katrina. I checked that USB only a few hours ago that day, how could it be ruined only after two hours?
Nevertheless, Alhumdulillah the purpose of the event was fulfilled; guests and employees had a great time without indulging in the forbidden actions. And I couldn't be more relieved because if my company's image would have gotten stained by mere mistakes then hard work of my employees would have went running down the sink and I definitely wouldn't be more upset than that.

Besides that, the conversation I had with my family is still disturbing me. I have loved them wholeheartedly but yet they question me if I have a problem with them or not? It do make me heart ache, imagining the consequences they may face in the hereafter. But what can I even do?

My role is to just warn them. The rest is up to them.

Nevertheless, as a reward out of gratitude towards everyone who helped me pull it off, I decided to arrange a company trip to Antalya; a city which has historical sites, mountains, greenery, luxuries and coastal areas making it a great choice to visit during late-August. Although I really hope every do like it.

Today, I had a meeting with the head of all the departments, discussed about the trip and upon their agreement, the meeting was dismissed.
When everyone left the meeting room, I also came back into my office and threw myself on the chair.

' ugh I'm so exhausted... maybe I am getting old. ' I thought to myself as I wiped my face with my hands before I heard the door blasting with its full power as I just flinched and looked up to see who it was. Emir.
" Hey Mister CEO brother! Ready to take over the world or are you just here to grace us with your presence tonight? " Emir claimed with pure joy and enjoyment as he spun around and took out a plastic rose from his pocket and ended the dynamic entry with a dramatic pose.
Looking at Emir being so energetic makes me feel like an old man.
" Aslam-o-alaikum. " I greeted with a smile.
" Walaikumsalam Mustafa. " Emir put that rose inside his pocket and sat down on the chair infront of me.
" Where did you get it from? " I questioned.
" What? " He asked again before I signaled with my eyes to his pocket.
" Oh! I accidentally broke that rose from Nazli's showpiece of roses she had on her dressing table's mirror. " Emir grinned before sitting comfortably on the chair. Green cardigan with an off white shirt and the same shade of green coloured pants, it'd be reasonable if they'll hear that Emir was the one who designed the most saled carpets last year considering that his choice was good in everything, including attire, food, colours, styles and everything. And choices for himself? Even if a colour combination sounded weird, It always look good on him.
" Want one? " Emir questioned as he took out a Ülker chocolate and putting other in his mouth already.
" No thank you Emir, I am fi- " I was replying with a smile when I was interrupted by a person barging into my office once again.
" Emir! You broke the cup once again, it's the fifth time for the sake of Allah! " Abdul Aziz came, approaching with visible rage in his eyes and voice as he closed the door and started coming closer to Emir while he just stood up and start taking steps back.
" That was a mistake Abdul Aziz. Learn to accept people for their mistakes. " Emir said as he ran behind my chair.
" Emir. It has been five days in a row ever since you have started breaking cups for some reason. Are you trying to set up a record or something?" Abdul Aziz raised his voice alittle more.
" I am not trying to set a record, it is just the cups' way of exiting. " Emir grinned widely while it just irritated Abdul Aziz more and before the things for worse, I stood up and looked at both of them. They seem to understand and got silenced. Emir continued eating his chocolate while Abdul Aziz sat infront of me.
" Allah Allah! Are you both kids? Here I am drained and you both are bickering like seven year old boys fight over a toy truck in a playground. " After declaring with visible irritation, both of them had an apologetic look on their face and when things got settled, Emir started the conversation.
" By the way, Mustafa. " Emir said while sitting besides Abdul Aziz before continuing. " Nazli told me to tell you she had doubts. About Katrina... "
" Did something happened? "
" The one who put that USB in the projector was Katrina. " I looked up at him then at Abdul Aziz.
" She only helped me once with the presentations which I showed you few days before the event. Katrina never came in my office after that... as long as I remember. " Abdul Aziz testified while I just sighed.
" We will see about that. Right now, just focus on the company trip we are having at the end of the month. " I opened my laptop before Emir exclaimed.
" Company trip? Trip? Where? When? Are you serious? " The sequence of questions were asked by Emir in a loud voice before Abdul Aziz made him sit back down by dragging his shirt.
" Antalya. " I told him while he just smiled so brightly.
" I finally get to draw something after so many weeks! " Emir joyfully claimed and stood up. Upon seeing my puzzled expression, he elaborated " I always get new ideas for paintings whenever I travel. " He declared before leaving the room before Abdul Aziz questioned him.
" Where are you headed off to? "
" To drink Tea. " Emir said before he sprinted off downstairs while Abdul Aziz just chased behind him.
Looking at our current selves and our friendship still being lively always refreshes our memories from University. But finally, I got some peace now and can work.

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