You Are Not Alone

I have applied

Khizar was sitting with his father and uncles, discussing the new project they were offered. He was persuading his father to accept the project by describing the benefits this project will provide.

"You said, the company contacted us at their own will for this project," Ahmed Laghari asked his son after listening to his complete presentation on this project, Khizar nods at his father.

"Paracha group has a good reputation in the business society, I don't find any reason to not work with them." Hisham Laghari, the youngest brother of Laghari, give his decision in Khizar's favor.

"They do have a good reputation, but what I know about them is that they are two brothers owing this brand name but are running their business separately." Yahya Laghari took part in the discussion, Khizar agreed with his uncle and feed them more details about the Paracha group.

"Yes, both brothers are in the business of hotels and they own and run them separately, but to us, Taj Hotel management has contacted which is owned by the younger brother his name is Ali Paracha but this project is led by his son Hadi Paracha."

After Khizar finished, all were now looking at Ahmed Laghari, whose decision was considered final. Ahmed Laghari sighed and leaned forward on his desk.

"There is no issue in working with them, profit figures are good, but what is making me worry is that project is big and they want to complete it in two years, and we all know the economic situation of the country if due to any reason we won't be able to meet the deadline it might hurt our reputation in the industry."

"Dad, you are right, but we all know how businesses run, when we will sit with them in a meeting, we will definitely discuss all points." Khizar tried to convince him, Ahmed Laghari looked at his son's face thoughtfully, and it was evident from his face that he is very much interested in working with them, his brothers were also willing, Ahmed Laghari decided to go for the majority's opinion.

"Okay fine then, Hisham you and Khizar are assigned to this project, if needed any help then let me and Yahya know" they all nod their head and moved to discuss other projects that were in the process when Yahya Laghari received a message on his phone. He picked up his phone and read the message which was sent by his daughter, Pareeshay.

"Khizar now for what you guys fought?" showing Khizar her message Yahya Laghari asked his nephew.

"Nothing much important, she asked me where to apply for the job and I just mentioned my friend's name who owns a gym and now she has to go to his gym for the job, I said to her he is not in the city at the moment when he will be back, I will talk to him about you, But no she has no patience and that's how we got in an argument," Khizar tells them the scene behind their fight and shrugged his shoulder.

"You all are adults now, stop disturbing us" after having a huge argument with the house ladies, Ahmed Laghari was not in the mood to deal with their childishness.

"I didn't do anything, your daughters are the ones to be blamed as they never allow you to rest" looking at his father and uncles he scrunches his nose, not appreciating his father's comment.

"No, my son, you are wrong here, admit that, any mess they are creating they know they have your back and we are fully aware of this how much you support them hiding from us." Hasham Laghari reciprocated his words at him, Khizar has no other way to stay silent after getting his secret open, he rubbed his hand on his hair, while the brothers laughed at his sheepishness.

-----

Pareeshay was lying in her bed and was muttering under her breath, blaming Khizar, when Shajia stepped into their room.

"Stop now, since evening you are giving my brother bad titles" Pareeshay raised her head to look at her cousin and rolled her eyes at her. She sat on the bed and rested her back on the bed crown.

"Oh, don't you say a single word in his favor, according to him his friend is out of the city for three days, and when today I called, he said he will come the day after tomorrow. I'm doubting now whether he is sincere to me"

"Well, he doesn't lie, and especially when it's you he would never do that, my brother has no plan of dying early" Shajia sat on the bed beside her and offered her the box of fries.

"Forget everything, and enjoy the fires, I sent Taha to buy them for us" Shajia informed her cousin proudly

"You again blackmailed him?" all cousins in Lagahri's house know that Shajia knows a secret about Taha who he is afraid of getting revealed.

"He left no other option" she shrugged her shoulders.

"I am curious, what is his secret actually?" Pareeshay took a bite of fries and asked her.

"No"

"Hey, tell me I promise will not tell to anybody." Pareeshay forced her.

"I had already promised him not telling to anyone." Shajia looked at her.

"Oh, as if I don't know you. Come on tell me, or I will not talk to you" Pareeshay warned her and it worked. Shajia told her his secret.

"Now keep it with you, if anybody got to know about it you will die"

"Yeah yeah, my lips are sealed" doing the act of closing the zip on her lips, Pareeshay assured her.

"Well, I pity him" after munching on her fries, she felt sympathy with Taha.

"Sometimes I do too" they both looked at each other and laughed, clearly understanding the meaning behind it.

"I have applied for the internship" once they stopped laughing and were taking long breaths, Shajia told her.

"When did it happen and where have you applied?" Pareeshay was shocked.

"Announcement was on the university's notice board, I liked it, so I took details from the admin office and applied, but I was not sure that I will receive the call, they called me for an interview and the internship is for three months, if they liked my work, they may offer a job contract but for now it is an internship," Shajia explained to her.

"Uncle and Aunt allowed you?" Pareeshay asked her.

"Dad gave permission to all of us that day, and mom, well let's say she is an obedient wife" Shajia winked at her at which Pareeshay pursed her lips to stop her from laughing.

"Best of luck" Pareeshay patted her on the shoulder.

"I just wish mine also get soon" resting her face in her palms she sighed, Shajia laugh at her expression.