The Niqabi and her Ceo

1

Taqwa

I once read that as humans we die twice. Once when life is seized away from us and the other as we watch the person we love the most depart from us. I believe that, I had been dead for a while now. It's hard to revive myself but after constant prayer and therapy. I believe I am getting there. This my test from Allah and by his hand I will pass it.

It had been three years since my whole family passed away in a brutal car accident. Mama, Baba, Ali my brother and his wife Rua. It had been pain but it was even more knowing I was left with the responsibility of Ali and Rua's two kids. Raes who was 12 at the moment and Aziza, 4. If things weren't upon us already my poor niece and nephew were thrown into foster care. I had been trying to get them back till date but things hadn't been easy.

At all.

I used all my savings to buy food and clothes for the three of us. I sold my jewelry and Mama's to pay for my tuition at College. I had only graduated 10 months ago, Alhamdulilah after acquiring a degree in Islamic Studies. That was the best feeling to study more about my religion, I wanted to become a Professor of Islam but I didn't know if it was possible anymore.

I do trust Allah, his plan is the best for me. The only thing that was a priority was getting Raes and Aziza but of course for that I needed a stable job which was coming through InshaAllah. A house, after selling our old house I bought an apartment, check. Of course I could pay for school and all. If I did get the one of job from today's interviews.

I slip on my jilbab before putting on my Niqab. Yes, I was a Niqabi. I had only made that decision two years ago and it was my best yet, wearing it not only made me feel safe, it made me feel free. I wanted to please my Rabb.

After eating my burnt toast of a breakfast I make my way out of my apartment. I first had an interview at a publishing company, a restaurant, stock and lastly Zuti enterprises. I really do hope they would hire me because the qualifications were not really specific, besides I didn't have a suitable work experience I had just quit my job at the movie theatre.

Forget about it Taqwa!. I scold myself before closing my eyes inhaling the fresh scent of autumn. I looked around at the alley of my apartment index, one of the reason I chose it was because of the amazing gardening. If there was thing I was in love with, it was gardening and flowers in general. I loved nature.

I put on my wireless pods clicking on to Omar Sulieman podcasts. I'm not even gonna lie Muslim Central is one of the reasons I'm pulled out of the dark. Learning about Islam and various tests of Prophets had only made me feel more at ease.

Lost in the Khutbah, I suddenly lost my balance my bumping into a rock. I'm so clumsy. Wait, only it wasn't a rock. It was a person. My cheeks redden and I look up at the files that flew around. My files and his files had gotten mixed.

Oh My God.

The person I bumped into was a man who had a mighty scowl etched on his face. My eyes are wide as I start picking them up but it had rained and they were already wet.

"Do you realize what you've done". The man says anger laced his hard voice.

"I'm so sorry"I apologize.

"It doesn't matter because it's happened already". He's even more angry at my apology and I know that the papers must have been important unlike men that were just scribbles of my qualifications which I already had on my phone.

"I am really so sorry"I stand up wiping my Jilbab. It's when I take a good look a him that I realize how handsome he is. Eyes blue like the ocean. Pink lips. Obsidian black hair. A very very sharp jawline. He could easily pass as the most handsome man I'd ever seen and I'd be a fool not to notice his cologne and Armani suit.

Lower your gaze. Of course that's when I'll remember after I've checked him out completely. "If there's anything I can do"I say breathlessly.

"Nothing. You've done enough"he gruffs.

"I'm so sorry"I keep apologizing noticing the way he repeatedly runs his hand through his gorgeous hair.

Taqwa!!!

I look down. "You can't see amidst all the clothes on your face huh?"

My eyes are wide. Here's when I'm pushed to the wall, a comment about how I look, my religion and especially my Niqab. I'm trying my best not explode in anger but I can't help it. He's said it. The Islamaphob comment.

"Excuse me"I say and he scowls. "How many times have I apologized? A lot. It was mistake and you have no right to disrespect me like that, I refuse to stand for that. My papers also got soaked but I'm not complaining so do me a favor and learn some manners"

I end in one breath. Clearly looks aren't everything.

I don't wait for him to say anything when I walk away. I hope I never see him again.

*
I could say the other interviews went well. The pay weren't very high but I could literally settle for anything right now. I needed it that bad. I'm currently standing in front of Zuti Enterprises, getting a job here would be a dream. I was applying as the assistant of either the COO or CEO. I wasn't sure but I could imagine the thousands of applicants. It not only offered a high pay. Zuti Enterprises was the company to work in. I needed this Job. So much my lip started to bleed, yes I bit it that hard.

The place was very welcoming, everyone smiled and I nodded in reply. I walk over to the receptionist and she gives me the information. I was going to be interviewed by the CEO himself, I was very nervous but I was determined to prove myself.

I'm at floor 93 and immediately I step out I know it's gonna be competitive. I'm definitely the only covered woman in the room. I sit amongst the seat and I notice the eye from each of the ladies, knowing only one of us would get the job.

We hear a sob and we all look up too see a woman making her way out of the office. Could I be more nervous?.

"What did she expect"The man beside me whispers. "She's completely underdressed, we're applying to be an assistant not his mistress"

I just nod, shocked at her outburst. I didn't want to engage in a conversation about someone. Before she could say anything my name gets announced and I quickly get up. I didn't want to be late not a first impression.

The woman who announces my name pats my shoulder. "Good luck, be yourself". She must've told everyone that.

I knock on the door softly before I finally received an answer. I swallowed the lump in my office as I gather my next to no guts to enter the office.

I couldn't believe my eyes as I blankly stare at the CEO.

It was the man I bumped into earlier.