In the Crowd

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In the Crowd

Damn my boss, his previous secretary, and the whole of his company. I will find another job, somewhere where the boss won't be a complete douche. Yes, I believe in myself, thanks to the large amount of love I feel for myself.

He doesn't though. He had laughed when I had told him that.

But who cares about what he thinks? Not me. Not even the dust at the sole of my worn out pumps.

I sighed and sat down at a two-person table in the cafeteria. I was sitting beside a huge window, which had taken over a whole wall, making me feel like I was sitting on the pavement outside. I smiled, but it faded away soon. The cafeteria was nearly empty. Probably because everyone had jobs and was busy with their work, except me, who was sitting here doing nothing. 

No worries, Zahra. You will have a new job soon.

"No one in their right mind would employ you."

"Well, then I'll get employed by someone stupid. They'll be nicer, I'm sure." I sighed and looked away from the old mister who was looking at me rather uncomfortably, probably wondering if there was something on his forehead for I had been staring at him for too long.

The waiter brought my order and I heaved a sigh. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I was fired. Fired. I was jobless now. I picked up the cup and chugged the whole of it down in seconds. The hot liquid went down my throat, calming me a little but not enough.

I didn't have a job. Again.

What would I say to my sisters now? That I had lost yet another job?

Obviously.

I told my subconscious to just get lost and tried to focus on something else. After some more futile attempts, I paid the bill but didn't leave. I needed to stop worrying. I had to calm myself before heading home or my sisters would be equally worried, something that I didn't want. 

Taking some deep breaths, I started looking around and began to lose myself in my surroundings, something I was very prone to.

That boy is so adorable! But that sir over there certainly isn't. He looks forbidding. Reminds me of Mr. Zaheer. Mr. Zaheer is such a–

No, no, no Zahra, don't think about him. Look at that couple, they look so cute together. And here you are, still single.

"Well, I'm young." I muttered, trying to tell this damned voice inside me to just go to hell.

Ha ha. Very. You're almost thirty now.

"Go away; I don't wanna talk to you."

Well, you have no one else.

I rolled my eyes at it and threw a glare at the child who was howling like mad and trying to kick his mother.

Idiot boy!

A group of men passed the window, laughing loudly.

Why are they so happy, anyway? Here I am, worrying my head off and these silly humans are –

My heart jolted as my eyes fell on a boy on the other side of the road, barely visible between so many legs. I waited until the men had passed before looking at him again. He was about thirteen, sitting by the roadside, worn out shoes all around him. He, himself, was mending a shoe, and looked immersed in the task at hand. Innocence practically dripped off his face. A smile made its way to my lips.