Loving you

Kareem's POV

Typing hastily, Kareem didn't notice when his cup of coffee spilled over and completely ruined the file he'd been meaning to submit to his boss.

He reached out to have a sip of his coffee, only to feel the hot liquid all over his desk. He suspended his typing and completely diverted his attention to the coffee that'd spilled over his desk, only  to notice his drenched file. He picked up the file, and stared blankly at the mess that'd become of his hard work.

He breathed a sigh, there wasn't  enough time  to print a new copy.

"Kareem?" He hears a familiar voice call, turning around in his chair, he sees George, a colleague of his. " Mr. Derick has called for you". Kareem could already tell that it was about the file.

He nodds and begins heading towards Mr. Derick's office. His hands begin to tremble as he slowly opened the door. A similar mistake like this was made when he messed up a presentation with an investor , making the company suffer a loss for it.

He took a deep breath before stepping into the office. "Sir? You asked for me?" He asked awkwardly as Mr. Derick rose his head, glancing in his direction. Kareem could already feel the sweat beads beginning to roll down his neck as Mr. Derick motioned for him to sit down, his eyes fixated on Kareem as he approached the desk and made his seat.

"Hmm', Mr. Derick sighed as he slouched back on his chair. "Do you know why you've  been called here?" Mr. Derick asked, his deep voice echoing in the room as he stroked his white beard.

Kareem looked down at his hands awkwardly, was he called because of the file, or was it because of something else? "Well, you said I should submit a file regarding the project by 14:00 pm, today". Kareem said, still looking down at his hands.

"Hmm', Mr. Derick sighed again. "And, what is the time currently?" I glanced up to meet his piercing  gaze, staring intensely back at me.

Avoiding his gaze, I glanced at the wall clock, before returning back to the same intense gaze he was trying  to avoid. "It's 14:09 sir". He said trying hard not to sound nervous. It was officially certain that Mr. Derick called him to his office to remind him of his mistakes.

"Hmm', Mr. Derivk sighed again as he got up from his seat whilst stroking his beard. "So where is the file? You havent submitted it yet. Now you'll come up with some useless excuse as to why you have been inefficient. Do you agree?" He said turning his back on Kareem as he stared blankly at the view provided by the large window.

"Sir, actually I wanted to submit it but then my coffee spilled-"

"Coffee", Mr Derick said softly as he scoffed, turning  around to look at me. "I knew it". He said in a low tone. He was angry, furious even. This was the first time Kareem had seen Mr. Derick in such a bad mood, this couldn't be the result of just one late file.

"Sir, don't worry, I would print a new copy. It wouldn't take too long".

*Thud*

The loud thud caused by Mr. Derick banging his fist on the table made the whole room go silent. Kareem looked down at his hands nervously, his heart racing in his chest. He has only had this job for 6 months, he remembered how hard he worked to get it. Would Mr. Derick really be willing to fire him?

"The last time you made such a mistake, do you remember what I told you?" Mr. Derick said coldly, his eyes staring daggers at Kareem.

" You told me that that was my last chance, and that if I make the same mistake again, I should forget I ever had a job in your company". Kareem remebered how thankful he felt that he was given a second chance, but now, it seems as though he has used all his chances.

"Look Kareem, I gave you a second chance then, yet yet you still keep making the same mistakes ", he said through gritted teeth, not diverting his gaze. "I have had it with you! This company needs only efficient and hardworking employees, and you're not one of them". He said the last part coldly.

"Sir please, I need this job. I promise I won't make any more mistakes, please". Kareem said getting up from his seat as he approached Mr. Derick.

"What you need is A job, and that is most definitely not this one". Mr. Derick said as he turned to face Kareem, taking hold of his shoulders.

"Sir please, give me one last chance, I really need this job. Please sir". Kareem said with folded hands. He was on the verge of breaking down, he couldn't lose this job, he just couldn't .

Mr. Derick, tapping his shoulders lightly, said. "You lost your chance Kareem, and now you've lost this job", he stated calmly as he dusted Kareem's shoulders. "Go pack your things and leave! This company needs REAL workers". He said the last part low tone but still loud enough for Kareem to hear as he sat back down on his seat, completely ignoring Kareem's existence as he went back to typing on his computer.

Kareem made his way out of the office, numb of all sounds or entities around him as he made his way to his desk. He lost the job. No salary, no money and most importantly, no means of getting his mother's medicine.

He put all his things in a box  before making his way towards the exit, when he felt someone's hand tap his shoulder, he quickly spun around, only to meet with George . And suddenly, all his senses seemed to have returned. He could hear the loud typing coming from one of  the desks, someone gulping down water from their water bottle, and the quite chatting from some of the employees.

"What happened? What did he say? And why are you leaving with your things?" The questions Goerge asked, hit Kareem all at once as he finally turned his attention back to George, who was staring back at him with concern written all over his face.

"Mr. Derick, he fired me. He said I wasn't effecient and hardworking enough to work here", he said, trying to fake a smile, he stared at George for a while, wondering what must be going through his mind. "Well", he said, grabbing George's shoulder." I guess I should be leaving now". He said, adjusting the not-so-light box in his hand and putting it under his arm, turning around to leave when George stopped him.

"So, where will you work now?" George asked, the question obviously threw Kareem off. He didn't now what he'll do from there, he hadn't thought of a plan yet.

"I don't know. I'll figure something out". Kareem said, faking another smile as he walked out through the door, unaware of what he'll do next.