Not going to the party!!!

After the formal announcement, the time was to celebrate and there was a small party afterwards. Jerika was not in the mood to go in the party.

“Ma’am… what are you doing here? Don’t you think we should go?” Martin asked Jerika. He knew that Jerika was upset because of the announcement. He knew that her boss really worked hard for the job but still she was not given the prize she deserved. Martin was feeling bad for Jerika and he knew that Jerika carry her sentiments and emotions too close to her. She easily surrenders herself to her pain and to her emotion and withdraws herself from all others. Martin had worked for Jerika long enough to know her character and her weakness. Martin knew that Jerika was the only woman working in the station and that was disadvantage for her because when at work place only men are present then it becomes difficult for any woman to work fairly but Jerika was still working with everything inside her and struggling for fair stance at the station and within the project. It was obvious to feel bad but that does not allow you to take your back from the real things.

“Where do you think we should go?” Jerika asked. Jerika knew where this conversation will go. She knew that Martin was concerned for her and for him too. This project was important for him too but Jerika knew that not going to that useless party will be the best thing to do. Jerika had a feeling that not going to that futile thing will be best for her and for the peace of her mind.

“To the celebration hall” Martin said. He knew that Jerika did not like the things Martin was saying but it was for her own good too and partially for him too. That project was important for him too and he was on the project until when Jerika was o it. If somehow she gets away from it so he has to so it was very important for Jerika to hold on to the project no matter what and Martin needed to ensure the same thing.

“No Martin… I will go to home… I am very tired and I think I need rest and a good long sleep” Jerika said to Martin. She knew that Martin will not let her go so easily but she only wanted to go. Jerika knew that Martin was really good with words and he will soon say something which will somehow persuade her to go to the party she did not want to go.

“It does not matter ma’am who is the Project head. The project is still in your hands” Martin said and he was right but it was still not enough for Jerika to persuade and Martin saw that in her eyes and in her smile.

“I do not think so” Jerika smiled and said. It was nice of Martin to try but it will not work so easily. He cannot persuade Jerika to go so easily.

“Ma’am… working in this project was the first thing you wanted and when you were selected for this project, you yourself said that you wanted nothing more than that remember” Martin said. He tried to give Jerika reason but Jerika was not ready to listen she had a past with Antoine Mark which was unknown to Martin so it was fine for him to say that the project was important and all the other thins but the project head was an archenemy to Jerika. He betrayed her in the past. He was nothing but a big liar to her and she had no desire to face him and to congratulate him for the things he did not deserve and Jerika was sure that all the success he was getting was because he stole it from someone else. Someone Jerika knew… someone who was close to Jerika and to Antoine too in the past but then Antoine showed his true colors and everything was ruined. Jerika will never forgive Antoine for what he did to her and to that man. She was not there because she had no choice but she chose it to be her only choice.

“Yes… but things are different now” Jerika said. Jerika could not explain to Martin how things were different but Martin was not going to give up and Jerika knew it so Martin continued.

“But the project is same and it is still the work you wanted to work on. It is one of the life times opportunities… please… do not give up” Martin said.

“I am not… I am not… I am not giving up on this project… I am just not in the mood to attend the party” Jerika tried to explain Martin and she wished that he will let her go and not continue this conversation but Martin was in no mood to back off.

“It will not reflect well upon the management if you will not come” Martin asid and this time Jerika knew that he made a valid point. The management was monitoring Jerika and Jerika knew it. She noticed that the changes occurring in the station and she knew that somehow it was all connected. Someone was keeping a close eye on each and everything and reporting to the management. It will surely not reflect well if she refuses to go to the party. It was not just the party for management but a celebration in management’s eyes and management like controls. Not going to the party will simply could be taken as a disregard to the management decision and Jerika did not want to fight unnecessarily.

“You know what you should be my boss… look at you trying to order me” Jerika said mockingly. She was just joking but looking at Martin’s face it was evident that he was taking it in the wrong way and Jerika did not know how to take her words back she just said.

“I am suggesting the things for your benefit ma’am. I am sorry if you thought that I order you” Martin said. He apologized because he thought that he was not speaking in correct manner and he somehow managed to offend his boss.

“Naahhh… I know you are right and I hate you for that. Okay!!! What could go wrong? It is a party… maybe it will cheer me up” Jerika said straitening things with Martin. Martin too relaxed on learning that Jerika was not angry on him for his adamant nature.

“Sure…” Martin said with a smile.