Part Two: Let's Do This

Part Two: Let's Do This

Mar 9, 2017

One thing for sure, she always despises morning. She thought that the best remedy is to have a good cause that would make her woke up with excitement. Such good cause has never happened. She would trudge herself to the bathroom, entirely working on automatic, took a quick shower and do her Subuh prayer. Even after all that her body just relentlessly wanting to be on the bed right away and it is only after she gets her caffeine fix for the day that she would start be thinking clearly. Screw addiction.

The house is quiet. Mum must be reading the Quran in her room. Mum always read in low voice. She would miss how soothing it sound when she has not been home for long. 

She just starts her semester break yesterday. It was supposed to be a week of laying around and just be with mum before she starts looking for a part time job. Not until some advertisement, her roommate found saying that this boutique she loved was looking for a part time personal chauffeur. Funnily, it specifically said that they need a female university student and only last for as long as the said student were on semester break. The money is good and all accommodation would be provided if they need to go for few days trip. She went for the interview and was only asked for her identity card number before a female interviewer named Maria asked her some personality questions? It was like they need a specific kind of personality and was good when was told she do not even own a car.

Today is the day that she is going to start hew new job. 

"Why are you all dressed up?"

"Mum, I start my work today. Remember?"

Mum looked so surprised. She must have forgotten it. Well, she did not forget stuff but every now and then she would forget some random things which she found endearingly funny. 

"Really?? I didn't prepare any breakfast for you! What time should you go? It starts at 9 am right?"

Mum quickly glanced at the clock only to realise she did not have any time to prepare anything. She was panicking.

"It's okay mum. I'll just grab some sandwich on the way. It's going to be half an hour ride with the bus to that place so I'll just eat on the bus"

She held her mum hand and squeezed it a little to comfort her. Her mum squeezed her hand back and sit beside her at the small dining table. 

"I'm sorry"

"You don't have to, I've been missing the sandwich on Baker's Bee for the longest time"

"No, I mean, for you to have to work like this"

"Mum, you know that I hated it when you say things like that"

Her mum kisses her forehead and stay a second longer before letting go.

"I love you"

"I love you more, mum"

***********

Morning had not been her forte. Moreover, she loved to spend her morning peacefully or in another word, sluggishly. She would take an entire half and hour just to have a breakfast. Not including the time that she would spend to make one. Maria had truly outdone herself as when she had finally agreed to choose that condominium as her new home, Maria had Tesco sending her groceries. She is such a good PA. 

She was halfway through her breakfast, cross-legged on the floor by the two-meter high glass panel. There is still half an hour before 9. 

It would be quite a day today.

***********

The condominium is of sleek and modern design that she seriously doubt is anything family material. The security was thorough. She had to actually showed her IC and the guard took some time to check something on the PC which then she realised he was doing a facial recognition by referring to a passport photo she sent together in her resume. The safety is too thorough for her own comfort but the staffs were very warm with welcoming smiles and kind eyes. She still has five minutes before nine. 

She had no idea what her new employer would look like and Maria had told that it is okay since her new employer would recognise her instead so she just have to wait in the lobby. 

At exactly 9 am a woman probably in her mid-twenties with a plain black baju kurung matched with a colourful flower motif on her shawl approached her.

"Tihani?"

"Yes, that's me"

Tihani mustered up a confident aura though she feels a bit insecure realising that she is a small time girl and in front of her is a big hit. Well, she did not know much about her except for how she is one of the biggest names in Malaysia fashion industry, but just having her in front surely give an audacious vibe. Even in a simple baju kurung with a flower motif shawl.  

"Nice to meet you, I'm Raudhah, and you're gonna drive me all day long today"

She smiles a cheery smile that Tihani swear makes her younger at least by three years old. 

Part One: Let's Do This

Part One: Let's Do This

"Does the heights appeals you?",

Maria asked while her eyes still fixed on her phone. Too engrossed checking the mails and replying the one needing immediate attention. She was too busy for her own good. Or that is what her mom always say. Always on her phone, always tending to her employer, always need to do just one more thing for "work" like she is some kind of assistant specially made to cater her employer every need. For the hundredth times, she had explained, that she is indeed a personal assistant. 

Being a personal assistant to a perfect employer she has never asked for surely left her with no choice but giving her best. She has been eagerly wanting to be good because not as what her mother thought, her employer is indeed a nice human being. A nice, workaholic human being.

Her employer pays well and for the routine 2 weeks yearly vacation, she gets with flight tickets all on the company expenses truly made her work bearable.

Maria was too busy to even realize that the one being asked is not answering. Maria did not realize that since she is still a bit too fixed to her phone. She is so going to have eye problem. The lady in ivory white top matched with a long cardigan and a pair of black palazzo pant slowly walked across the living room in silence totally oblivion to the question. Her left hand stretch out and her index fingers grazing the textured walls. She stilled for a moment, turning her head slightly to the right, soaking in the minimalist design of the living room. Mostly fixed to the large luscious white carpet and a big L-shaped couch.

On the other side of the room, a large 54 inch plasma tv adorned on top of a steel cabinet. No fancy speakers nor DVD players. Only the tv with a comfy couch in front of it.

She then turned her head and continue walking towards to the two meter high curtain. Her curious fingers graze the material and her lips quirk a small smile adoring the blue pastel colour. She click on a switch placed beside the curtain and slowly the curtain lifted up automatically. She walked to the center of the room, as the curtain lifted up, revealing a massive glass panel stretching through the entire room.

The height had placed the people on the ground an ant small. Cars stilled on the traffic and people had moving all over the places. A bustling city. Everyone with issues of their own, mostly oblivious to others. But from here, it is quite. Leaving the stories made up in our own little mind figuring not even a fracture. The quietness may implies emptiness but how can it be when it is in the middle of almost two millions people.

"It does", she finally answered.

Maria stop fumbling over her work and turn her gaze to her back. Maria's eyes soften and her lips form a loving smile. Grateful that her employer has finally found a nice place to settle in after weeks of moving around. Even more grateful that she finally choses this one after rejecting few others before.

"I'm glad it does. So, in two days, Wardah would be launch officially. All major cities has now been confirmed and each one premise has been placed with a trained promoter. Will you.."
"Maria, has all the monthly expenses for the Maahad been settled?"

Maria stunned a while having her report interupted. Being the efficient girl she is, she blinked away the confusion and quickly gathers her focus.

"Yes, as soon as the bills were out, as usual"
"Fatimah and Yusuf has confirmed to attend the dinner"
"I will notice the restaurant"
"Who had attend Father today at the Maahad?"
"Asyraf"
"Good"

She then put her handbag down on the floor and turn around fixing her attention to Maria.

"Have Syafiqah took a couple of photos of this place. Come tomorrow night when I'm having dinner with my family. Put up good words about the kid who had designed this"
"Noted"
"About earlier, I will attend Wardah's grand opening"

The question had not even been asked yet now have been answered. Maria again seems confused but as usual had easily understand her employer like she has always been and that is thought to be one of the reason Maria have lasted more than two years now as her personal assistant. Even with the perks, it was jarring to hear how her employer keeps on changing her PA's because they just can't work with her. It was said that this job is tough but since Maria only know a tough game. It proves to be one tough game but she has never been so satisfied with her life that she is right now. She really does love her job.

"Ok. By the way, that girl that you choose to be your driver, she has confirmed to be able to serves you tomorrow. It seems like her semester break has started yesterday"
"Great, have her come here and meet me at the lobby by 9 am"
"Noted. Is there anything else?"
"No. You can go home now"

Maria gave her a small smile and turn around heading for the door. It was a tiring day indeed and now she need to be resting adequately since tomorrow would be a big day. It dawned on her why does her employer still insist having the family dinner tomorrow when she supposed to focus on her new clothing line being nationally launch. Wardah is a big deal. A year of thorough and personal hardwork deal. Just about a step more to the door she heard her name called and quickly turn around.

"Maria"
"Yes"
"Thank you for everything"

Maria can never be familiar with such honesty in the thanks she get from her. Not when she is being so sincere when Maria simply doing her job, living up to everything she has gained from the job.

"Your welcome Miss"


_________

i kept this in my note for far too long. pray that i will finish. i just want to finish the story.