Muslim Wife’s Boundaries 1: First exposure to the Corporate World

To begin with Nusrat is 25 years old, who got married to her husband Adeeb about 2 months ago. Recently, Nusrat returned back from the UK to India after completing her Masters and was eagerly searching for jobs.

Since getting hitched, she hasn’t been able to spend much time with her husband (Adeeb), as he left for Canada two days after the wedding and wouldn’t be back for the next year. Considering this situation, it was tough for the newly married Nusrat, who was able to spend only one night with her beloved, where the couple lost their virginity to each other.

Being the first time for two inexperienced people, it was rather a matter of going through the motions than actual satisfaction for our heroine. After the departure of her husband, she has been looking for jobs to continue her career, as well as to keep herself busy.

Nusrat was a Muslim girl coming from a very conservative background (explains why she saved her virginity till marriage). Nusrat had a fair skin complexion, with body measurements of 34-30-34 (C-cup). She was of Indian origin, and loved to wear the cultural Salwar Kameez and Saree.

One day while chatting with her friends online, she stumbled across a job posting about a position, which is related to the line she desired to work on. Having come across such positions in so many companies, she didn’t give much thought and mailed her resume to them.

A few days later, Nusrat received a call from an unknown number in her cell phone, which she picked, “Hi I am Ashraf calling from HR department of Jalal & Co. am I speaking with Ms. Nusrat?”

Excited, she replied, “yes, this is Nusrat speaking!”

“I believe you have sent us a resume for the position of Manager at our firm a few days back – am I right?” asked Ashraf. “Yes Sir, I did,” replied the girl hurriedly.

“Great! You have been chosen as a potential candidate for the position of Manager at our company. Therefore, you are requested to attend an interview session with the Managing Director tomorrow at 11 AM,” said Ashraf.

“Wow, I would definitely be there. Can I get the address of your office?” enquired Nusrat. “Sure, please note down. It is….” said Ashraf. After some closing pleasantries, the conversation was over, leaving behind an excited girl waiting for her interview.

The next day, sharp at 11 AM, Nusrat was present at the office of Jalal & Co. and was sitting outside the HR department. Right on cue, a young man got out and came to her and introduced himself as Ashraf. After some common pleasantries, the youth directed her towards the way to the office of the Managing Director. Slowly, the HR person knocked on the door and a voice came from inside, asking them to come in.

The room was spacious, with a set of three-seater sofa on the right, and a couch chair on the left. In the background, there was a large painting of some unknown artist. A few paces in front of the painting, sat a middle aged man, probably in his mid-forties, in front of a big table. Ashraf introduced Nusrat to the man as the candidate for the Manager role, and wished Nusrat good luck for her interview and went out of the room.

The MD introduced himself as Mr. Zaman and asked Nusrat to sit down. The interview started with some basic talks such as education and prior experiences, and slowly moved towards the position in question. Almost everything matched with the type of job Nusrat sought for and was happily acknowledging the duties. Suddenly, the conversation hit a bump when the MD mentioned that the job would require her to travel to various countries, and meet and work with clients. This caused a little confusion within Nusrat, as she was unsure if she could do this. Also, before making such a big decision, she needed to consult with her family, especially her husband. Nusrat told Mr. Zaman that she will consider the offer and will get back to them.

That night, Nusrat called her husband over in Canada and explained the pros and cons of the situation and was finally able to make Adeeb agree to her joining Jalal & Co.

Next day, Nusrat called up Ashraf in the HR department and confirmed that she would take the job. Ashraf was quite happy with the affirmation and told her to begin work from the upcoming week.

Dressed in fashionable Salwar Kameez, Nusrat went for work. She was happy to meet up with new colleagues and took pointers on the culture of the organization. One of her female colleagues remarked, “You are one lucky girl to be able to travel various countries, while we are stuck in a desk job. Use your opportunity well dear.”

While she was breaking ice with her new colleagues, Mr. Zaman was passing by and welcomed her and asked her to come to his office. Once inside, professionalism kicked in and Nusrat was notified on the tasks that were expected of her. She listened carefully and noted down in her small notepad all the instructions.

Over the course of a month, she worked very hard and got herself on the good books of her MD. She delivered flawless works under the designated timeline. In no time, all her colleagues were referring to her as the “beauty with brains.”

One afternoon, she got a call in her intercom from the MD who asked her to come to his office. Feeling the urgency, she hurriedly went to his office. Once there, she was asked to sit down, while Mr. Zaman described to her the first international assignment, which would require them to travel to Vietnam, where they would meet with their clients from Germany.

During the conversation, Mr. Zaman told her that they were the 2nd most important clients of the firm and required them to agree on three matters, which would ensure business for the next 2 years with these clients. This is indispensable for the profitable survival of the firm. This scared Nusrat, as she asked shakily, “how am I going to make them agree on all three matters – and this is my first international deal?”

“You don’t need to worry, Nusrat. I will accompany you on this business trip. It will be my responsibility to make them agree on two of them, while for the main one – I am counting on you,” Mr. Zaman said. He further added to fuel her butterflies “don’t make me regret my judgment on ***********ing a competent Manager for the firm.”

Throughout the next week, both Nusrat and Mr. Zaman worked on the presentation of the three points and were confident with their works before travelling to Vietnam. On the day of her flight, she talked with her husband, who gave her confidence who gave her all the confidence for her first business trip. She on-boarded the plane and travelled in the business class for the first time in her life.

Once arriving in Vietnam, Mr. Zaman and Nusrat were received in a luxury car, courtesy of their German client. Nusrat felt that she was in heaven. After arriving in her hotel, she was amazed with her room and couldn’t wait to explore the offerings.