My first day at AmTech was going splendidly! I was so in awe of the latest technology that was available and the endless possibilities that stood before me. I was part of a very interesting project dealing with genetically inheritable chronic illnesses. For instance, if both the mother's and father's families came with a great history of type 2 diabetes, the risk that the future baby would have diabetes was high. We worked on the development of enabling the fetus to develop without the diabetes gene as far as possible. It was still a work in process, but what a worthy cause.
So engrossed in this new and exciting world, I had almost forgotten about my lunch appointment with Mr Brody. I needed to retrieve my diary, there were no two ways about it. We had agreed to meet at a The Coffee House which was just a 5 minute walk from AmTech. Upon arrival, I began to scan the café, uncertain as to what I was looking for. My eyes stopped on a tall, dangly looking gentleman. He seemed to be around 50 years of age. He wore a pinstriped suit, large glasses and was sitting hunched over the screen of his laptops. Disappointed in myself for stereotyping, I still couldn't shake the feeling that it was him and decided to just enquire in any event. Ii walked over to the table and gave it a shot, " Um, Mr Brody?" He immediately turned back to face me. "Yes," came his immediate response, " You must be Malaa'ika." He nodded. Uncomfortable with the idea of a handshake, I greeted him with a smile and quickly sat down on the opposite chair. He smiled in return and with some level of understanding. He began scratching in his bag, that occupied the chair next to him, and within a moment, pulled out my long lost possession, my diary! I felt a wave of relief flood over me. "Here you are madam," he said as he handed my book back over to me, "your possession." I grabbed the book a little too abruptly to which Mr Body laughed. "You seem pleased." I laughed too. " Yes I am, thank you so much sir. You've saved me a great deal of heartache. This coffee is my treat, " I said as we placed our order of 2 hazelnut lattés. "No no the coffee is on me. However, if you do want to give me something in return then please reconsider accepting my offer on the writing post."
Sigh... This was what I was afraid of. Not saying no ( I did that on a regular basis) just the fact that I was saying no to something I have only dreamed of doing. It had to be done though.
"My Brody, I am honoured, truly. It's just that I've already begun work at AmTech Medical and I am really enjoying it over there. I really do not have the time nor the capacity to take on another job. Certainly not with the working hours at the Daily Reader. You've mentioned that you guys operate 12 hours a day. I'm sorry that would be impossible for me." I expected him to be annoyed or neutral, instead my words just seemed to make Mr Brody smile. He seemed convinced that he was winning and I just grew more and more confused at his expression. I remained silent thereafter, waiting for a response. He eventually said, "So what you are saying miss is that you cannot accommodate this 12 hour job in your already occupied day? Is that correct?" I nodded. "Am I also correct in saying that if it were possible, you would happily accept this opportunity?" I smiled, "Absolutely. Although, I wouldn't be able to write openly and let people see me through and through. I guess in that way, It's a good thing that I cannot take the job." He nodded while typing some notes on his keyboard. Strange. After a few seconds, he looked up to face me and said, " okay so this is my final proposal: You write me a weekly column, something quirky and short. You do it at your own pace and email it to me. You do not have to come in to the office at all, but rather work as a freelance writer connected to our paper. Also, we will allow you to chose an alias name that will appear on your column giving your written word a writer without exposing your true identify. Please think about it as this is a one time deal. Take it or leave it." I couldn't believe this was happening. I had set my mind on rejecting the offer, no matter what it was. This however, was more like a dream than a reality. It was too compelling to turn down. And before I could convince myself otherwise, I blurted out, "I'm in."
The rest of my day went by within a distinct atmosphere of euphoria. I was still in awe of this new opportunity I had just acquired. I was still not sure how it was going to work but I was really excited to find out. Alhumdulillah I felt blessed.
Mr Brody had told me that my first column will be due each Wednesday of the week and would run in the Friday paper. I had decided that I wanted to start this week and get right into it. Also, I had to think of an alias name by tonight. Besides all of that, I had two days to go and I still had no idea what I was going to write about!
When I finally reached home that day, it was 6 pm. I was so exhaust yet sleep was nowhere in my eyes. I finished the bit of paperwork that I had left from the lab work of today and then whipped up a quick tomato based pasta. Throughout the evening though, I kept thinking of this alias thing I had to get done tonight. My name itself had the beautiful meaning of angel, which I wanted to incorporate into this name. But the edge in me needed to be represented too. I just didn't know what that edge was. Before getting to bed, I sat to pray my evening prayer. The moment I finished with Amen, I had this flashing vision of my parents in a black and white scale. A bittersweet memory of their presence yet there immense absence. This was something that quite literally defined my life so far. I finally knew who I was : Greyscale Angel.
I immediately emailed Adam Brody. His response was positive and I couldn't help but feel content. I knew I had to sleep, but life was too exciting for that right now. I tried, believe me I did. I switched all the lights off, drew my comfiest sheets, at some point I'm pretty sure I even counted sheep! But nothing seemed to induce sleep. Eventually I decided not to fight it. I turned on the light, slipped on my spectacles, switched on my laptop and began writing, one letter at a time...
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Thank you so much for the continued love and support. My writing thrives upon your encouragement! Please let me know what you love, what you don't really like, your predictions for the story ahead. I want to know Everything basically! I look forward to the interaction. All my love. Happy reading x
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Greyscale Angel
RomanceA writer shines through black and white. Black ink upon white paper. This is my canvas, words are my art. They said I was mysterious, that my past makes me dark. No one saw the light in me, no one but him. He said he saw my light, I say, he was my l...
