Forever Starts Now | Z.M.

Just Another Day (Part 1)

I've got scars,

even though they can't always be seen

And pain gets hard,

but now you're here and I don't feel a thing

Urdu Translations:
Kuch Kenna chahte theh- Wanted to ask something
Baji- sister
Jaan- a popular endearment meaning 'life'

Nikita's POV

I stared at the laptop intently. There was a bunch of numbers on the screen, splattered across a spreadsheet. This was supposed to be the budget sheet of a new project, and on any given day, it wouldn't take me a minute to understand it; it would've made perfect sense, but today was a whole new thing. I stared and stared, but every single thing failed to get into my head.

I couldn't help but zone out from time to time. This was getting maddening to be honest.

"I swear I left you in the same position an hour ago." Stella exclaimed as she entered the room with a pile of files in her hand. "Did you give the budget a look yet? You think you can get the job done with that much?"

She took a seat on the chair opposite to mine and all I could do was stare guiltily at her. How do I explain I hadn't even read one figure? I swear ever since I had come back from Manchester two days ago, I had hardly been able to concentrate on one single thing.

Trust me when I say this, it wasn't because of lack of trying. I just couldn't will myself to focus, no matter how much I tried. I was almost on the brink of giving up.

"Sorry Stell, I was thinking about some things, and couldn't give it a look. How about I check it out after-" I paused to glance at my watch.

My eyes widened in surprise. How was it lunch already? Wasn't it just a while ago that I had come to the office? Seriously, what was even going on?

"After lunch?"

I was really pushing it now. I sure hope she was in an agreeable mood. I don't know what I'd do if she says no, I was just so sick of bad news.

She nodded her head making sure to send a smile way.

Thank the heavens and my lucky stars.

"Don't worry about it. I know how upset you were that your engagement party got postponed."

I gave her a tight lipped smile. That would be putting it lightly.

"How's your uncle doing now? Any better?"

Oh, that's right; she was on the guest list as well. One of the hundred people we had turned away at the party.

"Better?"

Geez that sounded like a question. Why was I suddenly sucking at lying? I was supposed to be an expert at this.

"He's better than before", I corrected myself before I blurted out something wrong. "Thank you for asking."

We made small talk for a while, and as soon as she left the room, I tried to dive into work. I was already in bad terms with everyone at home, I couldn't afford to have a similar situation at my work place. My phone rings before I could read one line, and I answer without looking.

"Hello. Who's this?"

"Baji, it's me."

Oh Lila! I push the phone out of my ear to look at the screen just to double check. Definitely Lila.

"Hey, little sister! How's it going? How's the fam?"

She took a deep breath, and waited a few seconds before answering, as if almost having to think about what exactly to say.