Chapter 1: Ticking Clock

Zaheer cursed the clock that didn’t seem to be moving and waited anxiously for the day to end. Today was one of those long boring days.Programming was definitely Zaheer’s speciality. He could spend hours by his computer, lost in his own little world. Today, however, he was stuck with paperwork.
Zaheer was part of the junior team that had, for the past few months, been working on an important project. The fun work, the actual programming, was all just about done. Now Zaheer was faced with the tedious task of formalising all their months of work into logs, spreadsheets, timesheets and PowerPoint presentations to be presented to the senior management in a week’s time. Yes, for Zaheer, this was the boring part. And thus it was that he came to find himself silently cursing the clock.
Zaheer was not the complaining type. He was always under the impression that if he worked hard enough he would get what he wanted. So instead of complaining about his incessantly ranting superiors who liked to throw their weight around by subjecting their junior staff to sometimes unnecessary work, Zaheer decided to trust firmly in Allah and resolved to be patient. Today, however, he could find very little patience with his seemingly unmoving clock.

A few minutes later (though it seemed like hours) the clock precisely displayed 5pm and Zaheer was more than ready to leave. He, along with his friends, gathered their stuff and began leaving. His newest colleague Sam looked sheepishly at the guys before muttering: “Finally this torture has ended.”
“Ended!” exclaimed another colleague, Lionel; “This will only be over next week! Brace yourself man, we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Zaheer already had one foot out the door when his boss Peter called him back. “Zaheer” he said. “A moment of your time before you leave please.”

Unlike the other upper management heads Peter was actually a nice guy. He genuinely seemed to care about others and didn’t walk around as if he owned the world. Down-to-earth, that was probably the best way in which Zaheer could describe him. And when considering most other people that worked there, down to earth was definitely a compliment.
Zaheer made his way inside his office waiting for Peter to close the door behind him. Peter’s office was big, yet somehow still cosy. Not expansive and aloof like so many offices, this office made one feel right at home. Curious, Zaheer took a seat and waited for Peter to begin.
“Sorry Zaheer” Peter said. “Im sure you want to leave already, I just needed to speak privately.”
“No problem” muttered Zaheer. With anyone else it probably would have been a problem for him, but Peter had Zaheer’s loyalty since he had helped him out on many different occasions.
“Well” Peter continued quickly. “There’s just no easy way to say this. Our department is facing some major cut backs in budget and staff. Im going to have to let some people go.”
Zaheer suddenly became very nervous.” He’s going to fire me”, he thought to himself.
Peter continued: “Naturally this is going to be very difficult since we all work together in such close teams. But these orders come straight from the very top and they want it all implemented immediately.”

Peter must have noticed Zaheer’s look of concern because he immediately tried to reassure him. “Look Zaheer, I’m not saying that you’ll be the one to go. I’m going to have to go through the whole evaluation process and find our weakest link. In the meantime I’m doing everybody the courtesy of letting them know beforehand so that they aren’t suddenly taken by surprise. First thing tomorrow morning I’ll be calling each one of them in to let them know. I just thought that I’d let you know first. I don’t know how all the other guys will take the news.”

“Thanks Peter for your honesty” Zaheer said to him. “I'm sure this must be really hard for you too. Don’t worry about the guys, we’ll all just deal with it you know. As for you, surely you’ll have to do what you must do. Even if I’m the one to go, its all just part of God’s will, right?"

Peter smiled at him. “There's that attitude that I sure do love. That's why I told you first, I knew I could count on you. I also just wanted to warn you. I know, when we had that talk, that you were worried about your future and all and I just wanted to...”
“Seriously”, Zaheer cut him off. “Don’t worry about it. God always has a plan. And I’m not really worried anymore anyway. I’ve lost the hope of that already. It’s been a really long time and I’m sure she’s moved on already. What can we do, right?”
“Well.” Peter said "If all you told me was true, then I’m sure that this story is not yet over. Stories like yours, well it doesn’t just end like that.”
Zaheer offered no further insights and Peter quickly caught on. Zaheer was clearly not in the mood for a heart to heart.

“Anyway” Zaheer continued as he began leaving Peter’s office. “Don’t stress about us, we’ll manage, we’re all young anyway and it’s a hopeful market out there. Thanks again for being forthright with me.”
“It’s my pleasure” Peter said warmly. “Be sure to give my regards to your mum and dad. “I will” said Zaheer as he began closing the door behind him. “Have a good night Boss!”

Leaving his office, Zaheer contemplated what had just occurred. Peter was by no means an ordinary boss. Zaheer had even invited him home on more than one occasion. About a year ago, Zaheer- the newest colleague at the time, had been sad depressed and seemed to be nursing a broken heart. Kind and helpful Peter had called Zaheer into his office and pressed him to confide in him. Zaheer, needing someone to talk to, had explained what had just happened and how things had just fallen apart between him and the girl of his dreams. He had confided in Peter the way one confides in a best friend or a sibling; explaining how much he cared for her, and how he could not afford, nor expect to handle any marriage situation at the time. Peter had listened intently and formulated various strategies in dealing with the situation. He firmly believed that having a happy personal life ensured an unprecedented rate of success at work; and thus continued to encourage all of his employees to, as he put it, 'get all their stuff worked out'. Over the course of time Peter continued to enquire about Zaheer's romantic entanglements, encouraging him not to give up on all his biggest dreams.

Brushing aside all that had happened, Zaheer tried his best to forget the possible ramifications of losing his job, as well as all of Peter's concerns.
As he was driving home he, not for the first time, lamented over Zahraa.