Grabbing one of my favourite drinks cold coffee from the food court of the metro station I stepped towards the exit. Luckily the radio station was very near, so I didn't have to walk much. I was already exhausted after my exam and Kabeer's comment on me. There was a time when I had good opinions about Kabeer, he was not my friend ever but from the last year, I started feeling his attention towards me. Till the end of my B.Sc I talk to him twice or thrice but after graduation, I talked to him practically not only with him but we all classmate talk to each other for discussion regarding future education strategies. Just it! Nothing more or less. Regardless of my unfriendly behaviour with he started talking with me in a friendly manner. And my misfortune we both took admission in the same university for a masters degree, but thankfully our subjects were different, from day first he was trying to come into my good books by providing me with some unwanted help and many times trying to show himself as a generous one. But there is a big difference between trying to show himself as a generous one and being one. Since that time I'm avoiding Kabeer and he is practically behind me like a tail, I don't know why I had a feeling that he was taking me as a challenge because I was not from those girls who were impressed by his looks. Maybe I was hurting his ego by not giving him that amount of attention that he was waiting for.

Though Mr Bani Kabeer Khan wasn't a matter of concern for me, I'm an expert in avoiding him.

But now I got a new matter of concern...

No one else but my colleague or better to say, senior

The Daniyal Kazmi...

In a single encounter with him, I understand that he is not a good man, I hate his over-friendly nature. He was way too casual in the very first meeting with me as a colleague. That's so unprofessional but what could I do because I need this job and he appears from nowhere in my professional life as a senior.

Well... Passing all the inconveniences of my path I arrived at the peaceful place where I got a new identity for myself; The radio station

Living as RJ Khushi was not less than a blessing, people are sharing their problems and feeling with me and I'm attempting my best to guide them. It's like a dream come true for me. But, unfortunately, I couldn't introduce myself as RJ Shifa!

"Shifa" That was a loud call from David Sir. "Come to my cabin" 

"Yes sir, coming" I answered back in hurry, and my heart already skipped a beat because David sir usually doesn't call anyone in his cabin and when he calls someone in his cabin it means that was the last month of that person on the radio station.

I couldn't afford to lose this job!

I couldn't be a burden on papa and Hamdan Bhai!

"Sir, you call me?” I asked meekly while entering the cabin and he nodded. I honestly prepared myself to face a good amount of insult because when it comes to David sir, no one could expect politeness from his side.

"Shifa are you noticing your timings? You're coming late for a week and leaving earlier" Sir scolded me and I was silent.

"I'm sorry sir," I muttered with casting my gaze down "It's my college exams tha- "

"It's none of my business whether it's your exams or anything else! Your salary is approximately equal to a full-time staffer but your working hours are equal to a part-time worker, even less." He yelled and I silently listen to that. I wanted to answer back that I only give fewer hours in radio station, other RJ(s) make their script in office but I prepared myself at my home that's why I come only for recording. But I decided to stay quiet because my reaction could develop another problem for me 

"I'm giving you last chance. Start focusing on working hours" I slowly nodded holding back my tears due to my insult. "Sir, I'll give my best" I muttered without lifting my gaze.

"Show me your script for today's show" I nodded at his rude order and yanked my diary out from the bag, and passed him after opening that last sheet which was filled with my nicely written draft 

"Improve this even more," David sir pushed the diary towards me with full of anger which made me jump on my spot. And a tear slipped down from my left eye which I wiped in no time. "Back to your work, why are you still here?" I immediately stood up and scooted out from the cabin, and I was shocked, few of my colleagues were standing there listening to the drama of my insults.

That's embarrassing!

Some of them had a smile on their faces like they were enjoying the drama, but few were looking upset for me.

"Don't be disheartened Shifa, according to new RAM (radio audience measurement) results, our Radio listeners are decreasing regularly moreover, RJ Rajesh has Resigned today only as he has got a good offer from other radio Channel, That's why David sir is angry, you're a great RJ don't be sad." That's the kind and sweet woman; Sheena Ma'am

"Thank you for your support ma'am" I smiled and she passed me the same smile. Holding my tears I went to my recording room, finding loneliness my tears uncovered themselves and I also let them fell to make my eyes lighten.

Yet,  Alhamdullillah (with god's grace) my new senior, Mr Daniyal Kazmi wasn't present there to relish the drama of my insult. 

I'm sure he would enjoy that spectacle and make my fun

''Shetan ka Naam aur liya Shetan hazir"

(Think about the Devil, and the Devil is here)

I grimaced and muttered with irritation when noticed him coming toward the recording room through the already open door. Wiping my tears I mask an egotistical expressions on my face at the same time he stepped into the room.

I'm not egotistic but I show myself rude and arrogant so that boys make distance from me.

"Assalamlekum Miss Shifa or better to say RJ Khushi" taking his seat beside me he greeted me like we were very well known for each other, but it was only second meeting of us, I looked away after a distortion.

"Ye aapka behaviour sab k sath aesa hi hai or am I special?" He asked and I practically wanted to smack his head to keep his mouth shut for a while, I was already gathering myself to sound and appear stable moreover his question made my blood boil. I wanted to cry loudly, no one ever insulted me like this except Shariq, in his sister's engagement

(Do you behave the same with everyone or only with me )

" If it's not a professional question then I would like to let it go" I replied rudely still looking towards the wall to avoid eye contact with him.

"So rude" He muttered and I turn to face him. "So don't talk to me." I almost shouted on him, he keep watching me for very long moment.

"Why are you crying Shifa? Is there any problem?" He asked and I was shocked for a moment, my name from his tongue made me remember Faraz, when he asked me why I was crying in Ramisha aapi's engagement.

"I.. I'm not crying" I hate to show myself weak in front of others, so I replied with fake rudeness and looked away. He left the cabin and I took a deep breath, trying to be calm as the recording session was going to start within fifteen minutes. Opening my diary in front of myself I started reading.

"Take this" I looked up at that polite order, he was standing near me passing a glass of water.

"No thanks" Mumbling that I again looked down

"It's okay. Don't be sad. Sometimes people drew out their anger on us" Placing the glass in front of me he said in hushed tone and I felt embarrassed! He got to know about my insult! What could be worse than that?

"Sir, I'm fine and thank you for your favours" I replied with a hint if rudeness, I was already angry at him for his over friendly manner.

"Itna gussa? Dekh Kar to nhi lagta ki aap ko itna gussa aata hoga"

( I didn't think you would get so angry)

"I'm not angry"

"Ah.. I can see" He muttered for himself but then sighed

"Na ghabra raste ki thokaron se aye musafir,

Dekh manzil khadi hai saamne tere intezaar main" I looked up on that couplet, my anger flew away and motivation took place.

(Don't be afraid of problems of the path,

Destination is waiting for you with open arms)

"It's only a small hurdle, don't waste your tears for this, make David sir feel guilty for scolding you" his voice was soft and I nodded in ignoring way.

"Now tell me one answer" I nodded "What's the opposite of irony?"

"What?" I ejaculated and shrugged with confusion "I don't know"

"Wrinkly." He replied with a silly smile and I couldn't help but laughed.

"Sir, it's a silly one" I muttered and he nodded with the same smile while pulling my diary towards his side. His couthy and informal behaviour always left me amazed.

"No need to Call me sir, call me Daniyal. Sir sounds very formal" He instructed me without looking at me, he was reading my script keenly. I picked the glass of water to take a sip but stopped in between.

"Hmm... You write very well but look here, you can improve this line by adding an urdu couplet, or any quote. Now it's like something is missing" He point out my mistake and I nodded.

"Okay sir, I'll improve myself" that was a professional statement from my side and he nodded but his same instruction "Don't call me sir"

"But you're my senior" I state

"Think me as a friend" I was silent for a while then sigh "Sorry to say sir, but I'm not here for doing friendships..." He smiled and before he could say anything further our recording time was start.

"Hello friends this is RJ Deni along with RJ Khushi and we welcome you all in our program Shades of life" He started in his energetic voice and I smiled before reading the lines I had already written in the diary.

The recording was smooth. I forget about my crying and anger.

"Great job girl"

"Thanks" I replied with a hesitant smile and hurriedly stood up while glancing at time. I was getting late.

And....

My mobile started ringing...

"Shifa I was thinking to..." Daniyal sir was saying something while reading the next draft of script but my heart skipped a beat with the thought that his voice could be audible to mummy. It was mummy's daily routine she calls me at the time of college ending as well as at the time of recording ending, though for her it was ending of my tution lessons.

"Sir please... Just a minute" I requested him to stay silent and he hummed, but gave me a weird look.

"Ji mumma" I received the call

"Shaffo where are you" I gasped and smile wholeheartedly, if I was alone I would stared dancing by then, He was my Hamdan bhai.

"Hamdan Bhai... You're back, what a surprise. Why you didn't tell us that you're coming?" I fired all the questions in single breath and he chuckled.

"How much time will you take to come home?" He asked and I hold the mobile with the help of my shoulder while pushing my pen and some other papers in my bag.

"Half an hour, or it depends on arrival of metro..."

"Okay, come soon I'm waiting"

"Bhai wait... Bhabhi bhi aayi hain na?"

(Bhabhi has also arrived with you.. Right?)

"Tumhari bhabhi ke bina aa sakta hu? She is also with me, now come soon" I cut the call and looked towards Daniyal sir who was watching me and waiting for discussing for next day recording

(How can I come without your bhabi?)

"Sir can we discuss this tomorrow? Actually... I have some work at home" I demanded and "Sure" he nodded with a smile and I turn to go in hurry when stepped by him again "Shifa"

What's wrong with this man? Why he is not letting me go...

"Yes sir?" I turned to see him

"Your diary" he was still holding my diary and I smack my forehead

"Sorry...."

What? I said sorry...

But why?

"Sorry sir" This time I said sorry to apologize for the last sorry. What the hell I'm doing?

"I.. I'm thank you sir"

Hell with me... What the heck? What I was babbling?

He chuckled loudly and I smack my forehead with my palm, he was making my fun. I wanted to hide myself under the table...

"Go" and I nodded while turning to go.

"Your diary Miss Shifa" I turned and he was smiling to make my fun.

"Thanks" this time I muttered correctly and he nodded.

"Aesa kon aa gya ki aap Aesa behave kar rahi ho?" He asked and I smiled whole heartedly

(By the way who is this for whose arrival you're becoming mad)

"My elder brother, he lives out of the country and he is coming back after a year... So I'm excited to see him" I replied while putting my diary in my bag and he narrowed his eyes while standing up.

"Wow... Do sisters love their brothers this much?" He asked like a disbelief and I nodded.

"Don't you love your sister or sisters?" I questioned and she shrugged "I do not know about this feeling, I don't have any sibling" I nodded on his reply and we both moved towards the reception to sign out attendance.

"Allah Hafiz, see you tomorrow" He muttered while wearing his sunglasses and I nodded with a smile

"Allah Hafiz"

I stared my walk toward the metro station when a car stopped just beside me "If you need I can drop you to your home, it will take less time than metro" I turned to saw the owner of that voice

"Thanks, but I'll manage." I replied formally, how could I took lift from him, he was still a Stanger for me, and I never like his over friendly behaviour. "As you wish" Mumbling that he drove off from there.

I was so excited to meet Hamdan bhai and bhabi, Hamdan bhai got married one year ago and After his marriage he was coming back first time to meet us.

===============

_Naaz Jamal