Chapter 3 : Norah Versus Shazlin

The culmination of the crisis began when Zara cancelled Shazlin's appearance in a women's program on television and replaced it with her niece, Norah.

I still remember the day when Shazlin told about what had happened. She came out of Zara's office with red teary eyes. Without looking at me, she hurried into her office.

"What's wrong Shazlin? What has Zara done to you?"

"Zara has replaced me with Norah for the interview ..." explained Shazlin.

I was really surprised by what Shazlin had told me because I knew Norah very well. Every time I saw Norah, she would remind me of Amanda in Ugly Betty. I didn't know what Zara had in her mind. I just hoped everything would go smoothly.

On the day of the event, Zara made another surprise.

Tap! Tap! Tap! I could hear the sound of Zara heels approaching my office.

"Uh, oh..." said Shazlin who happened to be there. My heart rate increased. I was sure Shazlin was too. I could not expect what Zara wanted.

"Oh! Here you are Shazlin! What are you doing here with Marina?" asked Zara. It was hard for me to tell whether she was calm or angry as both sounded the same.

"I ...."Shazlin wanted to answer but Zara cut her halfway.

"Shazlin, Marina. Could you two go to the studio today?" Zara gave us an instruction. Although it sounded like a question, it was actually a command and the answer could not be 'no'. Only 'yes!' 'yes!' and 'yes!'

Shazlin and I looked at each other. Had we been able to use telepathy, I would had known what Shazlin was thinking at that time.

"What for Zara?" I asked slowly.

"What for?" Zara repeated what I said. Her face wrinkled. A little reddish.

"Yes. I thought Norah is the one going," Shazlin asked.

"I want you to guard her" Zara explained.

"Guard her?" Shazlin I and asked simultaneously. Again, we looked at each other. But this time with a wrinkled face.

"Yes. Why? Is there any problem?" asked Zara.

"No. But... " Shazlin tried to discuss.

"That means no problem. Let's go now!" Zara left us who were still shocked at what we had just heard. I talked briefly to Shazlin about what Zara had told us. Suddenly, Zara's personal assistant, Suzie, entered my office.

"I heard that you have just been asked to go to the studio?" asked Suzie.

"Yes, to be Norah's bodyguards!" replied Shazlin. Suzie laughed when she heard it.

"Come on. Don't worry. Being Norah's bodyguard is not that hard. Just make sure she doesn't fall. That's all. I'm sure no one wants to kidnap the woman. Okay, I have to see Zara. Good luck!" Suzie quickly went out of the room.

I looked at Shazlin who still looked puzzled. But no words came out of her mouth. Maybe what Shazlin had in mind was the same as what I was thinking - 'What Suzie said was true'.

I tried to convince Shazlin and myself that the task given by Zara was very easy. It was easier than anything Zara had ever given.

*****

When we arrived at the studio, Shazlin and I were asked by Zara to 'control' Norah in a waiting room. At the time, Norah was busy reading a tabloid magazine which was full of supernatural and ghost stories.

Zara appeared stylishly dressed. Her eyes glazed over the room. Then, she studied our faces. She began with my face, then Shazlin and finally Norah, who did not really pay attention to Zara. She was still busy reading the magazine.

''Shazlin" called Zara.

"Yes, Zara?"

"Can you put on make-up on Norah's face?" that's another instruction given in the form of a question.

"Yes," Shazlin replied. She sounded convinced. Luckily, Shazlin knew how to do it.

While waiting for Norah to get ready, I took a magazine on the makeup table and read a few articles just to kill the time.

"It's ready!" said Shazlin.

"Wooooo..." that was what I said when I looked at Norah's face.

"How? Beautiful isn't it?" asked Norah.

I was in a dilemma. To be honest, my answer was 'no' and I knew that although technically it was Shazlin who put on the make-up, the idea came from Norah.

"Not too much?" I asked Norah.

"No…It's okay! It's fine!" she answered.

"I don't feel good about this Marina..." whispered Shazlin.

Norah seemed ready for the interview. I admitted at the time that she looked fine and interesting. Just the make-up looked superfluous. While waiting for the show's presenters, we talked a little bit to a crew who was busy getting the set ready. His name was Sean. He looked handsome and friendly. But, somehow, his face changed when she knew Zara was there.

"What's happened to him?" I asked Shazlin.

"I once read a blog in which there was a mention that Zara does not like the media to talk to his staff, I think that's the reason why he suddenly turned silent," explained Shazlin.

I looked at Zara who was sitting a few meters away from us. She was sitting on a purple chair. Purple was her favourite colour so I was sure it was her who requested it before she came to the studio. Since she was wearing a sunglasses, we could not guess what was playing in her mind.

"We are back in Women's Today and as promised, we have Norah Nasrul from La Nona to talk a little bit about La Nona's latest product. Everyone is talking about it about right now!" the first presenter, Effa, started the discussion. "For your information, Norah Nasrul is an advisor at La Nona. We are very happy to have her with us today. So Norah, how are you?"

"I am well, thank you so much for having me today."

"Okay Norah, can you explain a little bit about this new product. I was told that La Nona has developed a new cosmetic-grade raw material based from passion fruit," the second presenter, Norish began questioning.

"Yes, it is based from passion fruit," Norah started her explanation. I had to admit, Norah provided a very good explanation. I never thought that she could have done it.

However, the interview was interrupted by a loud sound of ringtone. Norah checked her pockets and took out her red phone. Everyone in the studio looked at Norah. I believed the audience at home was also wondering what was happening.

"What's going on right now?" I asked Shazlin.

"I do not know Marina. I'm not sure. But I don't feel good about this..." said Shazlin. There was a 'I told you she would do something horrible' look on her face. I tried to be positive. I told myself that it was probably one of the gimmicks planned by Zara because at that time, she was still sitting static like a statue on the purple chair.

"It seems that Norah has been so busy lately, huh?" said Norish to Norah, who was still busy reading something on her mobile phone.

"Is there anything that you would like to share? Any comments from La Nona users about the ...."

"No!!!!!!!!" Effa did not get the chance to finish her words when Norah started to scream like a maniac.

"Norah.. What has happened, Norah?" Effa and Norish tried to calm Norah down. She started to cry loudly. Norah stood up and walked away from the set.

"Norah.... Please don't go!" called Effa and Norish.

Shazlin and I looked at each other. Then, we looked at Zara. Zara took off her sunglasses. Her face turned red. She looked really angry!