From contract to ishq - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

At four o'clock, Yaram Shah sat alone in his spacious office on the top floor of Shah Enterprises, the Karachi skyline shimmering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. He couldn't believe he was actually considering this. Minahil Raheem's employee file lay closed on his polished desk.
He'd studied it long enough to piece together her story: twenty-two, single, with only a high school certificate listed. She'd bounced between odd jobs-retail, call centers-before landing this data entry role in accounts receivables six months ago. It was clearly a step up for her, a stable job she'd likely fight to keep.What could he offer to convince her? Money, obviously. Money and a temporary nikaah. That was the plan.His hand reached out, flipping the file open again. Her photo, taken on her first day, stared back at him.
A soft smile, hesitant but warm, framed by light brown hair. She wasn't a head-turner, not in the conventional sense, but there was something about her that had been messing with his head for months. He'd told Zain he didn't know her-pure nonsense. He'd noticed Minahil the moment she started, her quiet focus at her desk drawing his eye. If she weren't an employee, he'd have approached her long ago. She was that captivating.His body reacted as he studied her picture, a familiar heat stirring. Minahil wasn't classically beautiful.
Her face was gentle, almost serene, with bright eyes and dimples that softened her expression. But her lips-full, soft, and inviting-set his insides ablaze. They hinted at an earthy allure that was far more dangerous than mere beauty. Her hair, thick and silky, fell in soft waves around her shoulders. He'd first noticed it months ago, imagining his fingers sinking into it as those lips closed around him. The thought had become an obsession, haunting him relentlessly. He'd never crossed the line with an employee, and knowing he couldn't touch her had driven him to the edge for six months.
Every time she caught him watching, panic flickered across her face, and it only made things worse. It reminded him she was off-limits. He'd waited, biding his time, hoping for an opening. Her teasing remark in the break room-"Kya mein H.R. mein apply karoon?"-was the crack he'd been waiting for.Yaram tried to rationalize the drastic step he was about to take. Zain's argument made sense: his first duty was to Shah Enterprises. If securing the presidency meant a temporary nikaah, so be it. It wasn't forever-just long enough to lock in the board's trust and let this attraction run its course. He briefly considered other women, but the thought left a sour taste. If it weren't for Minahil, he wouldn't even entertain this insane idea. He was sharp enough to find another way, but no other woman sparked this pull. At thirty-five, Yaram had never met anyone who challenged his bachelor status. He didn't mind the idea of marriage, but no woman had ever felt indispensable. With his uncle set to retire in three months, time was ticking. If he was going to do this, he needed to act fast.He stared at her photo, waiting for his better judgment to protest. Instead, a slow burn ignited in his gut, and a deep satisfaction settled over him at the thought of finally claiming her.
The next morning, Minahil sat at her desk in the accounting department, immersed in data entry, when a familiar heat prickled her skin. She glanced up from her computer, expecting to see Yaram Shah striding toward the elevators. He wasn't there. Confused, she scanned the room.Her breath caught. He was standing at the edge of mahogany row, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the accounting floor-or, more likely, on her. His dark eyes locked with hers, intense and unyielding. Alarm surged through her, and she quickly looked back at her screen, trying to focus.This was new. He'd never just stopped to stare like this, silent and deliberate. Her fingers trembled over the keyboard, his image burned into her mind. The shaking worsened until she couldn't take it anymore and glanced up again.He was gone.
She exhaled, her heart still racing.At two o'clock, her desk phone rang, startling her. She picked it up, dreading another call from a bill collector. Yesterday, one had called her at work, and the humiliation still stung. Lowering her voice, she snapped, "Aap mujhe is trha tang nai kr skte. Mujhe mere rights pata hain. Dobara yahan mat phone karna."She hung up gently, her stomach twisting. Her financial situation was spiraling, and getting calls at work was a new low.
The next morning at eleven, her extension rang again. The phone rarely rang-most of her work was via email-and two calls in two days set her nerves on edge. Worried it was another collector, she glanced around to ensure no one was listening.Picking it up, she said, "Minahil Raheem?."A smooth female voice responded, "Miss Raheem?""Ji, mein hi hoon," Minahil replied, bracing herself. Maybe the collectors were trying a new tactic, using a woman this time. She squared her shoulders, ready to push back.The voice continued, "Mein Yaram Shah ke office se Areesha bol rahi hoon. Yaram Sir aap se milna chahte hain, agar aap ke paas time ho."Minahil's stomach dropped. Yaram Shah.
His name alone sent a shiver down her spine. It used to just unsettle her-his intense stares always found her, making her feel exposed. But now, it terrified her. Bill collectors calling her at work, her impulsive quip in the break room-"Kya mein H.R. mein apply karoon?"-it all felt like a perfect storm. Her insides clenched. She needed to learn to keep her mouth shut before it cost her everything.Fear gripped her. If the company found out about her debts, it could be disastrous.
Working in accounting with financial troubles was a red flag-she knew that. It was basic business sense. But it didn't add up. Yaram Shah was too high up to deal with something as minor as an employee's debt. Her paychecks were signed by his uncle, Ahmed Shah, the current president. HR should handle issues like this.So what did he want? Surely it couldn't be about her teasing comment... could it?Swallowing hard, she replied, "Ji, theek hai. Kis time aun?"The woman's voice was calm. "Abhi aa sakti hain?""Abhi?" Minahil's voice wavered."Agar aap ke liye mushkil hai, mein Yaram sir ko bata doongi, aur hum koi aur time select kar lenge."
Minahil's mind raced. She could go now, but she didn't want to. She was scared. Whatever this was, it couldn't be good. But waiting was worse. It was Friday-letting this hang over her head until Monday would drive her mad. The stress would make her sick."Mein abhi aa sakti hoon. K-kahan?" she stammered."Executive corridor, right side 5th room. Ek minute mein milte hain."The line went dead, leaving Minahil clutching the receiver, her nerves in knots. She stood quickly, smoothing her kameez, and headed towards Executive Suite . Yeh sab jaldi khatam kar dungi, she told herself. It was probably nothing, just a small glitch.She reached the fifth door, which stood open.
Inside, a woman in her fifties sat at a desk outside another office. Minahil tapped lightly, and the woman looked up with a warm smile."Miss Raheem, Yaram sir aap ka wait kar rahe hain. Come with me," she said, standing and crossing the carpeted room. She knocked briefly, and a sharp voice barked from inside, "come inside."The woman opened the door. "Minahil Raheem aap se milne aayi hain, sir." She smiled at Minahil and stepped back, gesturing for her to enter.