Winged Dreams

Chapter 33: Turning Pages

5th April, 2016

[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

Surah Al Baqarah

Chapter 33:

Turning Pages

"Australia, London, Malaysia, Singapore, Tanzania, Doha, Africa, Canada, even Antarctica! Take me anywhere but here."

"Why would I take you to Antarctic? I'm not running this company to plan the weddings of penguins."

"Boss, you get the point. I'm not going."

"Give me one solid reason and I'll send someone else."

"It's too short a notice. I can't pack my bags and just leave."

Mr. Tandon grinned, and replied, "When you're an event manager, my boy, you don't get to submit such excuses."

"Then, how about I say I'm getting engaged?"

He raised an eyebrow at that, and Asif looked at him, trying to maintain an innocent face.

"You're getting engaged?"

"Sort of. Mostly."

"You're getting engaged tomorrow? Or in the coming week?"

Asif looked away at the question, and replied, "No."

"Well then, congratulations on finding the right girl even if you're not engaged yet. However, the fact that you're going to get engaged sometime in life still doesn't convince me to cancel your tickets."

"That place is freaking hot, I'm allergic to such climate!"

"It's not as hot as the Sahara. Besides, you were fine at a temperature of 45 degree last time."

"I don't like the people there."

"Hate the people, not the place," he replied, highly amused by his employee's tantrums.

Asif groaned, wondering where in the world his smart comebacks had disappeared.

Probably they'd all gone away with his brain.

And heart.

"So I take it that you're going?"

"Boss, why don't you give me one good reason why Manish can't go instead of me?"

"It's my nephew's wedding, that girl finally said yesterday and he wants to get married in less than a week. We need someone who is spontaneous, and is willing to work on his toes. What sort of an uncle will I be planning weddings for every Tom and Harry and messing his own nephew's big day? I'm not taking the risks."

Asif sighed, getting up from his chair and standing face to face with the boss. He placed both his hands on the guy's shoulders, and ever so slowly, said,

"My only question is, WHY CAN'T YOU SEND SOMEONE ELSE?"

Mr. Tandon laughed, and patting Asif's cheek, he answered, "If you're attempting to hear a compliment from me, then no, I'm leaving."

As he walked towards the exit, Asif said, "Was that your way of saying you don't trust anyone as much as you trust me?"

"Was it?" Mr. Tandon grinned, and shrugged, walking out.