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*

Jasmina

I was fighting hard against the irritation that I'd felt when Fariha's son Saad had interrupted my walk with my husband at the beach in Karachi.

Fariha must have spotted some sort of displeasure on my face because she looked at me apologetically. "I'm sorry, Bhabi." 

Naturally, that made me feel guilty, and I gave her a weak but reassuring smile. "Don't be silly. It's okay."

She began to wipe the chocolate from Saad's face with a tissue while he was still in Fawad's arms. "I swear Saad, you have most of the ice cream all over your face, rather than in your tummy."

Saad was giggling hard as Fawad tickled his stomach.

"I'm a little tired. I'm going to have a seat somewhere." I said.

Before anyone could reply, I made my way towards the stairs that led to a small seating area with picnic benches and fairy lights. A few people were seated around eating and talking, and I found an empty bench and sat down with a sigh.

What is wrong with me?

I brightened up a little when I saw a message from Hafsa. Sometimes you just need the smallest of excuses to talk to your best friend.

<Hafsa: How's Shehr-e-Quaid?>

Karachi was known as 'Shehr-e-Quaid', the 'City of Quaid, as the resting place of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is located here. 

<Jasmina: Pretty. But Hafsa, I'm starting to feel like I'm crossing the border into typical Bhabi/Mumani. I'm starting to feel these weird resentments, and I hate that. I don't want to be that person, yaar.>

<Hafsa: Jazz, you'll NEVER be that person, trust me. Fariha is a lovely person, and you are too good to be nasty to mean people, let alone such a wonderful person like her.>

<Jasmina: If I become like that, I authorise you to slap me and bring me back to the good side.>

<Hafsa: You won't become like that. I trust you. I KNOW you.>
<Hafsa: But more importantly, she's your beloved husband's younger sister. You won't do anything that would ultimately hurt HIM, right?>

She had a point. I'd do anything for Fawad. I'd never do anything that would hurt him. He'd already been caught between me and his family too many times, and I couldn't add to that.

Soon, everyone joined me.

"I want a burger! Please, Mamma!" Omar was pleading with Fariha as they approached.

"What about that ice cream?" Fawad sat down beside me and whispered to me as Fariha talked to her kids.

I shook my head. "I don't feel like it anymore."

He frowned slightly. "You okay?" 

"Yeah, I'm just tired." I averted his gaze, glancing down at the table-top that seemed weathered, being so exposed to the elements and all. 

"Let's get back to the hotel." Fawad suggested. "We'll pick up dinner on the way." 

"I'm not hungry." Saad muttered.

"What did I tell you?" Fariha scolded him. "I'm only allowing ice cream before dinner this one time, but you must have your dinner as well. You promised me and you shouldn't break your promise, beta!" 

We got up and walked towards the car park, to the rental car. Fariha seemed to be a bit wary of me, and it made me feel horrible. As I said to Hafsa, I really didn't want to be that stereotypical Bhabi/Mumani who couldn't stand her nand and her kids around. I had always had a good friendship with her, and I didn't want any issues between us.

And don't you ever forget what your brother did to her. Someone from your family has caused her so much pain. She should be the one holding resentments, not me.

As the boys chatted excitedly to Fawad, I grabbed my sister-in-law's arm just before we got to the car. "I'm sorry, Fariha. I guess I'm tired so I'm feeling a little moody." I whispered. "I have a feeling that I'm coming across as someone who doesn't want you here, but it's not true. Please believe me."

"Don't worry, Bhabi." She smiled softly, but I saw that pain in her eyes again; the one I'd seen when Ahad Bhai had refused to marry her.

I felt like the guilt and self-loathing would consume me as I saw a tear escape her eye, just as she turned away.

*

I sat in bed that night in our hotel room, waiting for my husband to join me.

I tried to put myself in Fariha's shoes and imagine how she must be feeling. In our society, it wasn't easy for a woman to manage without her husband, especially a single mother. People made life very difficult for you; looking down on you, pitying you or criticising you. I felt grateful to Allah for my husband. I'd lived independently in London as a student, but the feeling of having my husband by my side, supporting me through everything, was absolutely incredible.

It was infuriating how people tend to judge women. I wouldn't even be surprised if Fariha was blamed for her divorce, even though her husband had been a useless, unhelpful cheat.

If I was in Fariha's place, and I had travelled somewhere with my brother and sister-in-law, I would feel out of place as well, even though he was my elder brother and Bhabi was so sweet. I would feel like a third wheel, and that was an incredibly awkward feeling, as I could imagine. I'd unintentionally made her feel like that by my immature behaviour, and I had to make amends for it.

I got out of bed and changed into my loose kurta. Grabbing my dupatta, I began to walk out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Fawad's voice stopped me. He was standing in the bathroom doorway, a towel wrapped around his waist, while drying off his hair with another one.

"I have to see Fariha." I replied, before continuing to walk towards the door.

"Mina."

I stopped, but didn't turn back around.

"What happened?" He covered the distance between us in a few long strides before wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me towards himself.

"I acted like a horrible Bhabi, that's what happened. And now the guilt won't let me rest."

"I sensed something was wrong, but I didn't think that there was an issue between you two."

"I don't know if she thinks that there's an issue, but I know how I behaved, and I won't sleep until I've spoken to her about it." I freed myself from his arms and opened the door, before heading out into the hallway.

I'm meant to be away from stress, away from anxieties and worries. A voice in my head reminded me. Shaking my head, I cleared that thought from my mind.

Halfway to her room I realised I was barefoot when I thought about how soft the carpet was.

Fariha was in a family room with the kids just down the hall from us. I knocked on the door, feeling a little nervous.

Fariha opened it a few moments later, looking surprised to see me. "Bhabi!" 

"Can I come in?"

"Sure." She stepped aside to let me in. There was a large double bed and a bunk bed for the boys. I would have thought that Omar and Saad would have been asleep by now, but they were playing with their action figures on the floor.

Fariha and I took a seat on the sofa, and she asked her sons to go and play on the bed.

"Fariha, I owe you an apology." I began once the boys resumed playing on the bed.

She played with the tip of her ponytail. "I didn't even want to come. Bhai insisted that I did. This trip should have been about you two." 

"Look," I grabbed her hand. "I feel guilty enough already. Please don't make me feel worse. I'm sorry."

"You know, I hated it when Umair's siblings came along with us on outings." She said. "I don't mind family outings, but I just wanted at least one day out with my husband. I get it. The last thing you want on getaway with your husband is your nand and her kids." 

"Please forget about my stupid behaviour. I'm glad that you and the boys are here with us. The boys love their Mamu, and it's good to see the three of you happy and relaxed."

Fariha's hair was like Fawad's- so dark that they could easily be mistaken for a shade of black- and she looked like him when she smiled or frowned, but otherwise she resembled Fatima Aunty a lot. "I like the relationship that we have, Bhabi. I don't want anything to ruin it."

"Me too." 

She looked at me. "Tomorrow, you and Bhai can go out together. I'll take the boys swimming in the hotel pool."

"Are you still mad at me?" 

"Of course not! I wasn't even mad at you in the first place."

"Then we all spend the day together tomorrow." I smiled.

*

The boys must have overheard about the swimming pool at the hotel, because the next morning after breakfast, they started jumping up and down, asking their mother to take them swimming.

"Don't you want to go around the city?" Fariha asked.

"No! Swimming! Mamu, come on!" Omar grabbed Fawad's hand as we walked out of the dining hall.

"Wait a bit. You just ate. We'll go in a short while." Fariha told her sons.

An hour later, Fariha and I sipped fruit mocktails on the sun lounger by the pool, as the boys enjoyed splashing around in the pool with Fawad.

"In a couple of years, In Sha Allah, their little cousin will be joining them, probably climbing all over Bhai." My sister-in-law grinned.

I glanced at Fawad, smiling, and imagined the scene that she was describing. Our little kid, too terrified to touch the water, would be holding onto him for dear life. "In Sha Allah."

As Fariha continued her excited chatter, I couldn't help checking my husband out- thank  God for sunglasses! His bare biceps, his hard chest, all covered with water droplets that sparkled in the sunlight. He kept a close eye on the boys, even though they had their brand new inflatable floats that they had purchased from the hotel poolside shop.

"They're happy, Ma Sha Allah." I glanced at Fariha.

"Ma Sha Allah." There was sadness all over her face. "I just wished that their father could also have given them this happiness." 

"Well, they have their Mamu, Ma Sha Allah." I sat up. "They'll never feel the absence of their father in his presence, In Sha Allah." 

"I know, and I'm really grateful to Bhai."

*

Fariha took the boys to the changing rooms to help them change, and Fawad got out of the pool after a quick lap. He pushed back his wet hair with both hands and grabbed the towel I'd kept on the lounger by my feet.

I stared up playfully at him over the top of my sunglasses. "I don't think I can handle this much sexiness, doctor."

He grinned at me as he rubbed the towel through his hair, spraying droplets of water on me on purpose. I squealed, jumping up.

"Fawad!" 

"It's hot. I thought you could use something to cool you off." He winked, stepping right up to me and putting a hand on my waist, discreetly.

My pregnancy hormones were on overdrive, seeing him in this state. I wanted to kiss him so badly, but we needed to respect our culture by avoiding PDA. Besides, the boys and Fariha could come outside any minute now. I needed a distraction, ASAP.

"Umm... so what now? Where are we going?" I asked.

"Well, there's an amusement park that the kids wanted to go to." He looked thoughtful. "We can even visit Quaid-e-Azam's tomb, or even the Pakistan Air Force Museum. They'd love that." 

"We can ask Fariha." 

We walked towards the changing rooms.

"Are you having a good time?" He asked me.

My long orange and peach summer dress ruffled in the gentle breeze and I pushed back a stubborn lock of my hair away from my face as I looked at him. "I am." I admitted honestly. "We're having a great family time, as well as sneaking in some private couple time. It's perfect."

As we got to a stall, he pulled me inside with him.

"Allah! Fawad, what are you doing?" I gasped as he shut the door behind us.

"Sneaking in some private couple time." He winked at me before leaning down to kiss my neck.

"Fawad, if we're caught..." 

"We're in a private, enclosed space and we're married." He muttered as his lips brushed across my skin, trailing up from my neck to my jawline. "Nobody has a right to say anything." 

Our lips met and I stopped resisting. I'd been wanting this since the moment I'd seen him step out into the pool area, shirtless. His wet body dampened my clothes, but I didn't even mind that as I lost myself in my husband's embrace.

"I've corrupted you." I laughed weakly as we paused for air. I pressed my back against the wall of the stall, trailing a finger from his chest, down to his stomach, then back. "You used to be such a well-behaved, good guy." 

Grabbing me by my hips, he lifted me up and kissed me again. "Do I taste mango on you, Mina?" He raised an eyebrow, pulling back just a few inches.

"It was a mango mocktail." I shrugged. "It was delicious. Now stop talking and keep kissing me." 

"Yes, ma'am." 

Once again, we were engaged in a passionate lip-lock, the desire for each other rapidly building up inside us.

"Seriously, I should get out of here." I pushed him away slightly. "I don't want things to go further in a changing room stall, and since we can't exactly go back to our room right now, let's put a brake on things right here."

"Spoilsport." He shook his head in mock disappointment.

We exchanged a final kiss, this one lighter and sweeter, before I stepped out of the changing room stall, smoothing down my dress almost subconsciously.

My eyes widened as I saw Fariha standing a few feet, both eyebrows raised as she saw me exit.

I blushed so hard that it felt like all the blood in my body had somehow found its way to my cheeks. "He... he forgot his towel." 

Although she looked a little embarrassed herself, she smiled cheekily. "Did you have to go inside and give it to him?" 

"Where are the boys?" I glanced around for them, hoping that she'd forget about this.

"Saad got stuck while attempting to put on his shirt." Fariha rolled her eyes. "And Omar put his the wrong way around." 

I couldn't help laughing. "Aww, that's so cute."

"I'm guessing Bhai needed help with his shirt as well?" She doubled over laughing.

"Fariha!" I shook my head. "Bade bhai hain aapke!"

*"He's your big brother!"

"Behave, Fari." Fawad's voice made me jump as he came out of the stall behind me.

"Yeh baat mujhe aap donon ko kehni chahiye." She winked at him, her eyes sparkling.

*"I should say that to you two."

Omar came out, looking down at his shirt. "Mamma, is it okay now?" 

"Yes, it's fine." Fariha ruffled his damp hair. "How's Saad doing?"

"He was making faces at himself in the stall mirror." Omar replied, causing us all to laugh.

Fawad took my hand in his as Fariha headed into the stall to get her younger son, while Omar fiddled around with her phone.

I loved how I felt like they were my own family. I felt that I belonged with them, and it was a really good feeling. I was also really looking forward to the arrival of our baby, so he or she could join our family trips with us. It would be fun to go on holidays, even a mini break like this one, with all our kids.

Despite my initial hesitation, I now felt that it was a great idea to come to Karachi with Fariha. We all needed this break, and we were all enjoying it very much.

*

We spent the rest of the day visiting the tomb of Quaid-e-Azam, and an amusement park. Saad and Omar had the time of their lives, but they were so worn out that they fell asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel.

Fawad carried Omar and Fariha carried Saad up to the our floor.

"Good night." Fariha said to us after the kids were in bed.

"Good night, Fari. Let me know if you need anything." Fawad told her, before we made our way down the hall towards our own room. As he unlocked the door, he looked at me. "How are you doing?" 

"I'm exhausted." I admitted. "But it was nice today." 

"Are you too tired to go downstairs to get a cold drink with me? They have one of those lemon and mint mocktails that you like so much." 

"Are you asking me out on a date, doctor?" I slid my hands up his shirt, placing them on his bare waist.

"Do I have a chance?" He placed his hands on my hips.

"Let me go take a shower first. It was hot outside and I need to feel fresh." I took my shoes off and slid my feed into the hotel slippers. 

"You want company?" A corner of his mouth lifted up in a smile.

"I would definitely not mind it." A mischievous smile lit up my own face. "My back is getting harder and harder to reach with every passing day, as the baby grows." I patted my belly.

He unbuttoned his shirt, walking towards me, backing me up until I was stepping back into the bathroom.

To be loved in such a manner, I must have done some real good in my life.

*

I dressed in a long black dress with long lace sleeves. It was my 'just in case' dress, if we were to ever get an opportunity to have a date, I mean. I used pins to keep my hair off my face, but allowed it to flow down my back. Adorning my eyes with eyeliner, I then put on my silver chandelier earrings and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The dress didn't emphasise by baby bump too much, but I could still tell that it was there. You are getting harder and harder to hide, my sweet angel. 

"You ready?" Fawad stepped up to the mirror behind me, wearing black formal trousers and a black button-down shirt. 

I turned to him, smiling. "Take me on this date, jaan." I held out my hand.

He took my hand, smiling as well, tugging me closer. "Ma Sha Allah, you are so beautiful, Jasmina Fawad Ali." 

"Aap mohabbat main biased hain." I straightened his collar. 

*"You are biased in love."

"Biased or not, doesn't change the fact that I think that you're so damn beautiful, Ma Sha Allah." He pressed his forehead against mine.

"Chalein. Mujhe bhook lag rahi hai." I pouted slightly, as I tugged at his sleeve.

*"Let's go. I'm hungry."

"Abhi to dinner kiya hai, yaar." 

*"We just had dinner."

"I'm eating for two. And the second person in this equation is your baby." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Do not judge." 

He laughed. "Never. Come on, let's go."

*

We sat on a two-seater sofa by the pool. Soft music played in the background, and fairy lights reflected beautifully in the pool water.

I chewed on some dried fruit, as I stared at the pool water, absent-mindedly. 

The waiter came and set down our refreshing lemon and mint mocktails in front of us, before heading back.

"If you could have a choice to have an alternative life, what would you wish for?" I asked randomly. "And no, no answer that you give will amount to ungratefulness to the blessings of Allah. It's just for fun."

He looked thoughtful for a few moments as he leaned back on the sofa, sipping his drink. "If I could have an alternate life, I would not be the eldest sibling. I'd prefer to be the youngest, and I would shove all the responsibilities on the eldest."

"Are you taunting me?" I giggled, poking his stomach with my finger.

"No, Mina... sometimes so many responsibilities at once feel..." He paused, as if searching for the right word.

"Burdensome?" I suggested. "And you can admit it in front of me. I won't tell anyone." I placed a hand on his back, rubbing up and down. 

He looked at me, and suddenly I could vividly see the difference between him and me. He had been his parents' firstborn, the elder son. He had to be the responsible one, the mature one. He was the one who had to become a strong support for his parents, especially now that they were aging. Meanwhile I had been kept away from all responsibilities. Arhaan Bhai, on the same boat as Fawad, handled everything... or even Ahad Bhai. If responsibilities appeared in the form of rain, then I was constantly sheltered by an umbrella that had been held over my head by my parents and brothers... and now even Fawad. 

"Burdensome. I shouldn't be saying that, but it does feel that way sometimes." He nodded.

I leaned my head against his bicep. "I may have been the youngest in my family, but I'm your wife now, and hence, I've unofficially entered the 'eldest' category by association. You can share your responsibilities with me now, Fawad. You don't have to take all this burden alone." I slid my hand through his after he set his glass down on the table.

He kissed my forehead, letting his lips linger there for a few moments. "You have no idea how much I appreciate you saying that, Mina. But I want to keep you away from burden, not to force responsibilities and troubles on you."

"Isn't that what spouses do, though? Share the burden, responsibilities and problems?" I asked. I looked up at him, and reached up to rub a thumb over his lips. "Share your responsibilities with me, Fawad. Maybe I can't decrease the load, but maybe it'll ease the burden on your shoulders."

"What about you?" He asked. "If you had a choice for an alternative life?" 

"I would be a doctor." I laughed. "Now I just feel like the odd one out in both families."

"Or the unique one." He pointed out.

I shook my head. "So biased."

*

It was two in the morning.

I was sitting at the desk in the hotel room, eating chocolate covered waffles that I'd ordered from room service. I'd been craving them ever since I'd seen a poster for them downstairs as Fawad and I had been returning back to our room after our date.

"Mina, what are you doing?" Fawad sleepily raised his head up from the pillow, squinting his eyes in my direction.

"I'm eating waffles."

He reached for his phone and glanced at the time. "At this time?" 

"I was craving them." I shrugged. 

He got up and walked towards me. Playfully he wrapped an arm around my neck from behind, before leaning down to kiss the top of my head. 

"Fawad?" 

"Hmm?"

"Our reality is beautiful as it is, Ma Sha Allah. I don't want- or need- an alternative. After all, our pasts, who we are, paved our life as it is today. And being here as your wife, with us expecting our first baby; I don't want anything else."

"Me too, Mina. If wishing for an alternative reality risking what we have today, then I don't want it. My relationship with you is one of the biggest blessings of my life, and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world. I love you so much, Jasmina Fawad, and no alternative reality can be better than what you and I have." 

"I love you too." I spoke softly, turning my head to allow him to lean down and place his lips softly over mine.

*

We were all quite relaxed when we got back to Lahore.

The relaxed mood disappeared the moment we pulled up into the driveway of the Ali family home, and we saw Ahad Bhai waiting in the garden.

"What's he doing here?" Fawad looked annoyed.

"Boys, go inside." Fariha told her sons, who immediately ran inside, looking for their Nano.

Fawad walked up to Ahad Bhai. "What do you want?"

"I want to speak to Jasmina." Ahad Bhai looked unfazed, staring right back at him. "She's my sister. I have a right to see her." 

"Get off this property." Fawad glared at him.

"Jazzy is an adult, and she can make her own decisions. Allow her to decide whether she wants to see me or not. Don't control her." Ahad Bhai snapped. "I want to talk to her and I won't leave until I do." 

"Fawad, it's okay." I put my hand on my husband's arm. "Let me talk to him. I don't really want to, but if that's the only way he'll leave, I don't mind doing it." The fact that my words probably hurt my brother deeply, hurt me too, but I tried not to let it show.

"Mina, don't let him intimidate you." He looked at me over his shoulder, before turning back to face my brother. "I'm right inside. One wrong move and I won't spare you." 

He and Fariha walked inside, with the latter tossing me a worried look.

"What do you want?" I kept my expressions neutral as I turned to face my brother. Internally, I was worried. He looked like he had lost weight, and that he hadn't been sleeping much at night. Dark circles under his eyes, messy and overgrown beard, and messy hair. This wasn't the Ahad Sheikh that we all knew, the one who definitely cared about outer appearances. 

"I want to say that I'm sorry, Jazzy." 

I rolled my eyes.

"But... I also want an opportunity to talk to Fariha alone... and you're pretty much the only one who can help me with that." His words stunned me.

I couldn't even speak for a few moments because I was so taken aback. "You want to talk to Fariha alone? Are you insane?" 

"She deserves an apology."

"She deserves never to see you again!" I snapped.

"I'm still your elder brother, Jasmina. Lower your voice." He warned me.

"I have lost all respect for you, Ahad Bhai." I crossed my arms over my chest. "You've made too many mistakes." 

"You deserve forgiveness after the Jibril drama, but not me?" 

"Because, first and foremost, I didn't lead Fawad on. He knew about the whole situation all along." I couldn't even believe that he was comparing our situations. "Secondly, you knew that Fariha had two sons, you knew their ages, and you agreed to marry her knowing all that. Then you called off the Nikah on the day itself, using her kids as an excuse."

He looked irritated. "Just give me a chance to explain things to her." 

"Explain what?! You explained everything already, Bhai! How else do you want to hurt her?" 

"That's none of your business. This is between me and Fariha."

"Are you in your senses?" 

Fawad returned back outside, wrapping an arm around me protectively. "You need to leave now, Ahad." 

"I'm talking to my sister." Ahad barely looked at him for a second, before turning his gaze back to me.

"Your sister is my wife, and I will not tolerate you giving her anymore stress." My husband said. "And you're currently on my family property, so get the f**k out of here." 

Ahad Bhai stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets and turned to walk away without another word. As I watched him leave, I felt tears in my eyes. I wanted to rush up to him and give him a hug. He was still my elder brother, and he did not look well. He looked miserable and lonely. I still loved him, and it broke my heart to see him like that.

"You okay?" Fawad pulled me into his arms.

I looked up at him. "He wants to speak to Fariha properly."

"Absolutely not!" Fariha had followed her brother outside and looked pretty upset. "What does he want to talk about now?" 

"He says that he just wants to explain himself."

"Explain himself?" She scoffed. "He doesn't deserve even a second of my time." She was trembling with rage now. "In fact, the only thing he deserves is being six feet under. If he dies, he'll do everyone a favour because he'll quit hurting people!" 

I felt like I'd been slapped. "He's still my elder brother, Fariha. That's not fair." 

"He's useless!" The rage and the pain that she had probably been bottling up for a while came spilling out, as if a dam had burst inside her. "He's a useless brother, a useless son, and a useless waste of space and oxygen. He's better off dead! I hope he suffers every day for the rest of his pathetic life!" 

I had frozen with shock. 

"Fariha, that's enough." Fawad spoke quietly but firmly.

"Do you disagree? Pretend for a second that he isn't Bhabi's brother. Would you still defend him, Bhai?" Fariha turned on him.

"You're crossing the line, Fari." He replied. "You shouldn't wish death upon someone, no matter what. And you know how harmful a badua is."

"Doesn't he deserve it?" Fariha had a right to be angry, but this was just ridiculous.

"We're no one to decide what someone deserves, especially not when it comes to life or death." I was fuming as well. "I get that he hurt you, and I'm furious with him for that, but he's still someone's son and brother. He's still loved. Losing him will destroy my parents, my family, despite his behaviour."

"He destroyed me!" She said. "He called off our Nikah on the day itself, when I was all dressed up as his bride! For you and Ahad Bhai, that means nothing, but it has destroyed me and my family. My parents cannot face anyone in their social circle. Everyone is pointing their fingers at me, not Ahad. My first marriage ended and now this..." 

I shouldn't take her words personally. She's in a lot of pain, and she has never expressed it until now. A human with bottled up emotions can be like a volcano... ready to explode anytime. 

But then Fariha Ali crossed the line.

"The only thing he can do for society, for the goodness of people around him is die. I wish he dies so that I don't have to remember my pain again." 

I reeled back, my heart pounding uncontrollably. Images of my brother's funeral automatically shoved their way into my mind. Wrapped in a white sheet, my parents breaking down beside him. I even pictured the devastation on Arhaan Bhai's face. I pictured the way my heart would rip apart if anything happened to my brother. I cried out, terrified. 

But what really broke me was that Fawad didn't say anything else.

"Do you agree?" I asked him, incredulously.

"Mina, I don't wish death upon anyone." He didn't meet my gaze.

"That's not my question. You aren't directly wishing it upon him, but you wouldn't mind seeing him dead, would you?" 

"I'm angry at him right now, so my reply to that question would be a direct result of that." He said. "I can't honestly answer that question right now." 

"He's my brother." I spoke in a small voice.

They were silent, both unable to look at me.

"I fought him for you, Fariha." Shaking my head, I began to walk towards the gate, clutching my handbag against me.

"Where are you going, yaar?" Fawad followed me.

I didn't reply.

"Yaar, of course I don't want to see him dead. He's your brother, Arhaan's brother. He hurt her a lot, and I can't think rationally when it comes to him right now."

I stepped through the gate and glanced around. I saw Ahad Bhai walking down the road, head bowed, and fresh tears filled my eyes. I don't know whether pregnancy was making me extra sensitive, or whether any person would feel like this when they hear such harsh words about their sibling, but I wanted to cry at the top of my lungs and tell my brother that I forgave him. I'd give him another chance, but I wouldn't ever bear it if anything happened to him. "Ahad Bhai!"

He turned. I nodded at him to come back. 

As he began to cross the road, he did it without looking and a car sped past, almost running him over. I screamed, terrified.

"Mina." Fawad wrapped an arm around me to calm me down, and Bhai looked bewildered by my behaviour as he approached us.

I clutched my chest, momentarily feeling like the little scare had made me pee myself, but fortunately it wasn't the case.

"Jazzy, what's wrong?" Ahad Bhai looked worried.

"May Allah give you a long and healthy life, and protect you from all evil eyes and baduas. Ameen." I whispered out, my eyes blurry with tears. "I forgive you, Bhai. But everyone needs to know that if anything happens to you, it'll kill me too." I looked pointedly at Fawad.

"Is that what you're doing?" Ahad Bhai glared at Fawad. "You're punishing my little sister for what I did?" He turned back to me. "You're coming with me, Jasmina. I don't trust him. He'll definitely hurt you to punish me for what I did to Fariha."

I shook my head. "He won't hurt me. I'm the last person he'd hurt. As tempted as I am to go with you, I won't." 

"Jazzy..." 

"I forgive you, Ahad Bhai, but please wait patiently for forgiveness from the others, okay?" I smiled weakly at him, even as a tear ran down my cheek. "Don't ever come back here, okay? I cannot bear further hurtful words against you." I turned and headed back inside the Ali family home. 

Why do I always end up getting caught in the middle? Why am I the one always getting hurt, despite not being at fault in any of this?

*

In the original version, Mina goes away with Ahad, but now I wanted to show her growth as she realises that running away is not the answer.

But just because she's staying doesn't mean that things will be okay between her and Fawad.

Was Fariha justified with her overly harsh words?

Do you think it was right of Mina to forgive Ahad?

Even the thought of your sibling getting hurt is painful, but to hear someone wishing death upon them is devastating. Of course, it was going to hurt Mina.

Favourite part?

Thoughts and comments?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!