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Comment challenge: 400! This time, no update until target is met!

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"Rohaan, nobody will come between us, right?" -Yamna

"I'd like to see them try. But tell me, hamster. Would you fight for us?"-Rohaan

"I may be timid and shy, but I'd fight the whole world for you and Chipmunk, and don't ever doubt that, Detective!" - Yamna

*

Yamna

I sat facing Rani Khurana, my heart pounding hard with nerves. Beside her was Mr. Hassan from HR.

"Ms. Yasin, Muse Publishing has zero tolerance for bullying and harassment. I heard your side of the story as an outsider when you didn't realise who I was, and that further convinced me to step in myself." Ms. Khurana began. "Your being in a probation period is irrelevant. Nobody should have to tolerate what you did."

"Ms. Yasin, we have taken statements from all parties involved." Mr. Hassan added. "That includes Emily."

Let me guess, they denied it, and these two believe them. A sarcastic voice in my head said.

"Mediation is naturally the first step, but it would be unacceptable for one party to be targeted, the way you have been." Ms. Khurana continued. "I would like a written statement for you, first and foremost, and then we will proceed from there."

"They claimed I'm not a team-worker. That's not true. They never gave me the chance." I spoke up.

"Mention all of that in the statement." Mr. Hassan advised me.

With that, I took my first step towards standing up for myself in a legitimate manner at work.

*

Anabia

"Fareeda Khalla is visiting." I told Rehann, hesitatingly.

"Who?" He looked puzzled.

"Mama's cousin. The one who got settled in Toronto." 

He stiffened and his jaw clenched. "Right. Her."

"She wants to visit for afsos, as she couldn't visit earlier after Mama's... death." I still found it difficult to say the two words together. Mama's. Death. Sometimes it still felt unreal. "Plus, she wants..." My words died down in my throat.

"She wants what?" He asked, wearily.

"She wants to meet our daughters-in-law." I finished the sentence.

Rehan was not a person who held grudges, or who doesn't welcome guests. But Fareeda Khalla had been there during Haya's Nikah, and she had witnessed the drama that had happened with Arsal. And she did not have kind words to say about my youngest child, which had made my husband furious. 

*

FLASHBACK

The guests were starting to leave after Haya's Nikah, and I was satisfied because everything had gone smoothly. Alhumdulillah.

"Anabia! Anabia!" A shrill scream made me turn.

I turned to see a woman my mother's age marching towards me, her nostrils flaring. From what I knew, she had accompanied some family friends, but I couldn't recall her name. "Yes, Aunty?"

She was creating a scene, causing people to stare at us, even the bride and groom.

"What's the point of all this drama?" The woman gestured towards the stage. "When you have no respect for the laws of Allah."

I blinked, startled. "Excuse me?"

Rehan immediately excused himself from where he was with friends, and came to my side. "Sorry, what's the issue?" He frowned, placing a protective hand on the small of my back.

"Shall I tell you both amongst all these people? Trust me, you both won't ever be able to face anyone again." The woman said, accusingly. "When you have openly given freedom to your kids, what's even the point of this Nikah drama?"

My cheeks were burning and I looked at Rehan, trying to see if he had any idea what this was about, but he looked just as clueless.

"What's the meaning of this?" My mother-in-law walked over to us, standing on my other side. "Why are you creating drama at my granddaughter's Nikah?"

"Do you even know what your beloved grandson was doing, Nina?" The woman continued. "He was abusing the laws of Islam, and of our culture. Astaghfirullah, he was kissing a girl...on the mouth...right in front of your house."

I stared at her in disbelief. "That is a vile accusation and I will not tolerate you defaming any of my children like that! Please leave immediately."

"Control your children, before they corrupt others in the social circle." The woman glared at me and Rehan before storming off.

I felt a gentle hand on my arm and turned to see that Haya had appeared right behind me, looking at me in concern. Hoor had also made her way over, and I saw Rohaan also making his way over, with a bowl of kheer in his hand.

"Where's Arsal?" I asked quietly. It wasn't that I didn't trust my kids. In fact, I just knew that he couldn't have even thought of doing something like this. He was my sweet innocent Arsal. As for Rohaan, even though he acted like a bad boy, even he would never cross his limits.

"She wasn't talking about me. I've been raiding the kheer." Rohaan spoke almost defensively. "And she couldn't possibly mean Arsal." 

I looked at Rehan, my heart sinking, before I shook my head, blinking back tears. "No, she couldn't. This is clearly a misunderstanding." I glanced around, trying to regain control of the situation. "I apologise for this everyone. This is definitely a misunderstanding. Please carry on, as you were."

Where's Arsal?

"Of course it's a misunderstanding!" My mother-in-law said. "What's a wedding without drama, and I suppose this was the drama."

Where's Arsal?

I knew the guests didn't believe me, but they all had been leaving anyway, and soon the ground cleared, leaving behind just the families of the bride and the groom.

Where's Arsal?

One particular witness to this had been Fareeda Khalla.

*

*NEW SCENE*

I was sitting outside, staring up at the sky. I felt a reassuring hand on my back, and looked up to see Rehan. Feeling tears in my eyes, I shook my head. "What has happened? How could Arsu...?" 

He didn't say anything, and I had a feeling that he wanted to defend Arsalan.

"He has no excuse, Rehan." I stood up. "Don't defend him, I beg you." 

"Exactly!" A nasal voice interrupted our conversation.

We turned and saw Fareeda Khalla, Mama's cousin walking towards her. "What kind of a disgraceful person humiliates their parents like this, with no regards for their reputation?" 

"Fareeda Khalla..." I began, unable to hear such words against my son, despite my anger at him.

"People say we are old-fashioned thinkers, but that's why it is recommended to recite supplication before intercourse, so that any potential future children do not get influenced by Shaiytan." She said, without a hint of shame in mentioning such a subject.

My cheeks burned with humiliation. 

"Your son has gone astray. He is a disgrace to his parents' upbringing. Khadija kept praising him, and what a sensible, sharif boy he is, but his so-called 'sharafat' has been exposed to the world." Fareeda Khalla continued.

"That's enough." Rehan spoke quietly, but his voice seemed almost heavy with rage. "You cannot speak about our son like that." 

"Rehan, beta, believe me, it hurts me to say such word about your son. You two are lovely people, Ma Sha Allah, as are the other children of yours... but Arsalan..."

"Fareeda, let's go." Mama rushed towards us, looking anxious.

My mother somehow managed to lead her cousin away, but the harshness of Fareeda Khalla's  words hung heavily in the air between us.

*

PRESENT

"She wants to stay with us for a couple of days." I winced as I spoke those words.

"Hell no." Rehan shook his head. 

"If she is asking herself, how can I refuse?" 

"You need to to think of your family, Anya, and that's how you can refuse. I do not trust her. She's going to cause drama between my family, and I won't tolerate it." 

"It's been a decade since we saw her. Maybe she has changed?" I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.

"People don't change at this stage of life. In fact, their personality and characteristics have developed too strongly, with no hope of changing." He said. "We don't stay at home anymore anyway, and I'm not inviting her here, where my parents are."

I sighed, not knowing what to do. 

"She's welcome to come for a day trip." He said, begrudgingly. "But I don't know if I want her to meet my daughters-in-law."

"She has met Yamna." I pointed out. Then, speaking jokingly, I added. "Fareeda Khalla adores you. She won't say anything to Yamna because Yamna is technically my sasurali, and she wouldn't want to risk offending you."

*Sasurali: from the in-laws.

"And Tahira?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

That was what I was worried about. "Tahira is a lovely girl. I'm sure that she'll win Fareeda Khalla over." 

"Anya..."

"I promise, I will do my best to protect my daughters-in-law from any bitterness, or any sign of family politics." I reassured him.

I was definitely worried more about Tahira than I was about Yamna. I knew that Fareeda Khalla would not dare risk offending Rehan, and to cause trouble for Yamna meant that not only would she be impacting the life of our son, but also the life of my husband's beloved niece. A double attack.

But if she remembered that Tahira was the girl that Arsal kissed at Haya's Nikah, then all hell will break loose. 

I have to keep Tahira safe from it.

*

"Fareeda Khalla asked me if she can stay with me for a few days." Saim later told me over the phone.

"And?" 

"I don't know. People don't willingly bring poisonous snakes into their homes, in general." 

"Saim..."

"I know, I know. Mama would have scolded me for talking about our elder like that." 

"Rehan has point-blank refused to let her stay overnight at ours." 

"I don't want to let her stay at ours either. Laila and I have created a family-politics free environment at home, for our sake as well as Shayaan's. I don't want any nastiness..."

"Mama has always maintained relationships. I just want to welcome her nicely and have her trip go without any issues or dramas. She's our buzurg after all." 

"You know, often by saying that, we give them the green light to do whatever they want. Age is not a reason to cause drama in other people's families." 

"We'll handle it, Terror Twin. You protect your family, and I'll protect mine." 

"Don't worry, Ana. She dares cause drama in my nephews or nieces' lives, I'll be right there to protect your family too." 

"And vice versa, Saim." I smiled, emotionally. "I love you, Laila and Bunny with all my heart, and I won't tolerate anyone ruining your beautiful family, Ma Sha Allah."

*

Yamna

It felt almost strange at work.

No smirks, no sneers, no harassment. They didn't even look my way.

I suppose this is what happens when the big boss gets involved. I felt a happy smile on my face as I sat at my desk. I turned my laptop and commenced my work.

As I was working, I hiccupped. And then I couldn't stop. Oh God, Chipmunk, not right now.

I grabbed my water bottle and drank from it, but it took a few minutes for the hiccups to stop.

And then I got a sudden urge to pee. It was so bad that I got up and rushed to the restrooms. Chipmunk was really starting to make its presence fully known through these symptoms. 

I swear, less than half an hour later, I wanted to pee again.

Chipmunk, you're cheeky like your Papa.

As my day came to end, after a long time, I left work happy. No dramas, no issues.

Alhumdulillah.

*

Tahira

Work was busier as summer holidays had started and the hotel was fully booked, full of demanding and often rude customers.

"What the f**k do you mean that you don't serve alcohol here?" A man sneered at me.

"It's the decision of the owners what they want, or don't want, to serve at their establishment." I kept my tone calm and professional.

"But...but how does one run a hotel business without alcohol?" The man genuinely looked confused.

"I'm sorry, but that's the hotel policy." I turned and walked back towards my office.

Like Yamna, I'm not immune to work nastiness myself. The amount of times I've been sneered at, and accused of given this position because I was the co-owner's Bhabi, is unbelievable. I had often reminded them that I had taken a decade to work up to this position, long before I was Hoor's Bhabi. But people just don't give up, and therefore that's why I could empathise with Yamna so well.

"Tahira, room 7319 is complaining about the air-conditioning not working." My assistant manager, Hailey told me. "And room 5001 is complaining about the Wi-Fi not working."

"I called the guys regarding the AC hours ago!" I shook my head. "Let me call them again. Did you speak to IT about the Wi-Fi?" 

"They said that they're working on it."

"That's what I was told about the AC." I rolled my eyes. 

The moment I reached my office, my intercom rang. Sighing in exasperation, I answered it. "Yes?"

"Ms. Anwar, Mrs. Rehan is here to see you." 

I frowned, confused. "Okay, take her to the VIP lounge and offer her a drink. Be respectful, and make sure all staff is respectful to her. She's Ms. Hooriya's mother."

"Yes, Ms. Anwar."

By the time I reached there, Mama was seated comfortably in the air-conditioned VIP lounge. This lounge was reserved for frequent guests, who held gold or elite membership with our hotel. 

"Assalam Alaikum, Mama!" I had recently started calling her that, because I felt genuine affection and warmth from her.

"Walaikum Assalam, Tahira!" She smiled. "I'm truly being treated like a Boss Woman here."

"You are the mother and mother-in-law of the co-owners, after all." I sat down opposite her. "What can I do for you, Mama?" 

She pursed her lips together and remained quiet for a few seconds, before finally speaking up. "Honey, a decade ago, we may have gotten off to a shaky start, but you need to know now that you are very much a very important part of our family now." 

"I know, Mama. You all have not made me feel otherwise."

She nodded. "Do you have the time to talk to me for a while?" 

"Of course, Mama." 

"Tahira, I have a relative coming over, from my mother's side. She was present at Haya's Nikah." She looked pointedly at me. 

*

FLASHBACK

I quickly booked a cab as I left Haya Appi's Nikah, with Aslan walking me out. "Aslan, I know you're worried about me, and I appreciate it. But I'm a grown adult. I can watch out for myself."

"Of course you can, I don't deny that." Arsalan nodded. "But as your friend, I am worried, and I can't deny that either."

"There's no need to be worried. I'm free now and I'm happy." I placed a hand on his arm, but almost immediately removed it. "Sorry." I looked down awkwardly.

"I've spent weeks worrying about you, Tahira." His voice was heavy with emotions. "There was a time that I even thought that you..."

"What? That I died?"

His jaw clenched as various emotions seemed to dance around his eyes, with pain and sorrow heavily emphasised. 

"No. Uh-uh. Nobody in that family is worth me harming myself for." I thought about my so-called family. My mother and her obsession with my stepfather, to the point where I was completely ignored.

"Yeah, but I didn't know that, and honestly, Tahira, I was freaking out!"

I blinked at him in surprise, taken aback by his sentimental outburst.

"Outside my family, you are the only one who made me feel like I could be courageous and strong if I wanted to be." He explained. "You encouraged me, made me feel better about myself. So how could I not have worried about you after your sudden disappearance?"

My eyes filled up and I glanced away. As a tear rolled down my cheek, he immediately reached forward and wiped it using his thumb.

"Don't cry. You've cried enough, yaar." He whispered.

"You don't understand, Aslan. Nobody has cared about me the way you have, and it's not right because we...we don't...this is wrong." I shook my head again. "I can't...we..."

"Do you feel anything for me?" He asked, his gaze never leaving mine.

I stared up wordlessly at him.

He slowly took my hands in his, clasping our hands together, palm-to-palm. My hands tightened around his, our gazes still locked intensely. He took a step closer and leaned down towards me, his lips brushing against the fresh drop of tear on my cheek. I inhaled sharply, closing my eyes. He then moved towards my lips, which parted slightly. My breath seemed to be caught in my throat and then I felt the  slightest touch of his lips against mine, sending sparks through my entire body. 

"ASTAGHFIRULLAH!"

He jumped and pulled away from me, turning around.

"Aslan!" Gasping, I ducked behind him, mortified. The potential consequences of this immediately dawned on me, making me want to die of shame. What had just happened?

*

PRESENT

I jumped now, the regret and horror that I had felt since that day nibbling away at my mind again, like termites on wood. 

"I'll have your back, Tahira. As will your father-in-law." Mama reassured me. 

Suddenly, I felt tears in my eyes.

"Oh, honey, don't cry. I know that I was too upset when this happened, but that's all in the past." She moved over to sit beside me, placing her hand on mine. "Before she comes, I wanted to talk to you and reassure you that you'll always have mine and Rehan's support." 

Now, I was actually crying as I leaned against her. She wrapped an arm around my shoulders. 

*

Rohaan

I opened the front door of our home, looking in confusion at the woman standing on our threshold. "Yes?" 

She smiled widely. "You are Anabia's older boy? Rohaan? Ma Sha Allah! " She wore black wide-legged trousers and a magenta long-sleeved shirt. Her grey hair was in a bun, and she wore half-moon glasses.

There was something familiar about her, but I couldn't remember how I knew her. "Yes."

"I'm Fareeda. I'm your Nano's cousin." She explained.

"Assalam Alaikum!" Nope, I still didn't remember her. 

"Walaikum Assalam!" She looked past me into the house. "Is Anabia home?" 

It felt almost like a trick question. "No, she isn't." I noticed her suitcase beside her, but I didn't comment as I stepped aside to let her in. "I'll call her."

"Oh, it's okay. Don't worry about it. She'll come when she comes." She waved dismissively, walking into the house, leaving the suitcase on the threshold for me to bring inside.

If we had been expecting guests today, especially from Mama's side, Boss Woman would have told us about it. Hell, she would have been here right now, making preparations and stuff. It felt odd for Nano's cousin to just turn up here like this. I messaged her as I followed the woman inside.

<Rohaan: A woman named Fareeda has just turned up at our door with a suitcase.>

"Ma Sha Allah, you are a true copy of your father." Fareeda Nano sat down, crossing one leg over the other. "How are your sisters doing?" 

"Alhumdulillah, they are well." I also sat down.

"And what about that beghairat brother of yours?" She asked so casually. "Who did he marry?" At my confused expression, she continued, "I was there at your sister's Nikah, when your brother crossed all limits of beghairati."

I was fuming, hearing her call my brother shameless. "Arsal is at work." 

I heard the sound of the front door unlocking and opening, and a few moments later, Yamna appeared in the doorway. "Assalam Alaikum, Ro..." She looked up and saw Fareeda Nano. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam!" Nano's cousin and I replied in unison.

"Yeh...?" Fareeda Nano narrowed her eyes, as if trying to figure out how she knew Yamna.

"She...?" 

"Yamna. My wife." I told her.

"Yamna? Your Chachu's daughter?" Fareeda Nano looked almost shocked.

"That's right." I looked at Yamna. "This is Fareeda Nano, my Nano's cousin." 

"Come here." Fareeda Nano called her over.

Yamna obliged, and went to sit beside her. 

"Ma Sha Allah! She's very pretty." Fareeda Nano reached into her purse and pulled out some cash. "These are Canadian dollars, I'm afraid. I do not have British pounds."

"There's no need..." Yamna began.

"Of course there is! I'm meeting Rohaan's wife, as his wife, for the first time." Fareeda Nano smiled at her, before turning to me. "Call your sisters over! I want to meet them too!"

I don't know why, but I didn't have a good feeling about any of this.

*

Yamna

I was making tea for Fareeda Nano in the kitchen, when she came in.

"So, Rehan chose his own niece for his son?" She smiled. "I'm not surprised. But at least you got the good son."

I blinked, startled at her words. What was she trying to say?

She walked around the kitchen, examining it. "So, how is Arsalan's wife?" 

"She's amazing, Ma Sha Allah." I smiled.

"You get along well with her?"

"Yes, Alhumdulillah." 

She sat down on a barstool at the kitchen isle. "And what about your Nands? Do you get along well with them?" 

"Of course! I've always been close to Haya Appi and Hoor Appi!"

"When they were simply your Taya Jaan's daughters, yes. But how are they now as Nands?" 

"They are still the same, as loving as ever."

"Are they around often?" 

I felt like I was being interrogated. "Umm... yes."

"Beta, I know they are your cousins and that you have a good relationship with them, laikin jis ghar main Nandon ka aana jaana aksar rahe, to Bhabi ko sambhal ke rehna padhta hai."

*"...But the house in which the husband's sisters regularly visit, the wife should remain very cautious..."

"Why?" I was confused.

"Nandain apni hakumat jaari rakhna chahti hain apne maike main. Bhabiyon ki hukmarani woh kabhi nahin bardasht karti, bachay. It's natural." She spoke softly.

*"The Nands want to retain their control over their parents' house. They will not allow their Bhabis to have the power, dear."

I shook my head. "Haya Appi and Hoor Appi are not like that." 

"The closer they are to their brothers, the higher the chance that they can change with time." She said. "I'm speaking from experience, dear." She grabbed a banana from the fruit basket. "And be careful of secrets. They will keep things from you, and they will ensure that Rohaan keeps things from you too." 

"Assalam Alaikum, Fareeda Khalla!" Anabia Mama suddenly strode into the kitchen, followed by Tahira, who entered with less confidence.

"Anabia!" Fareeda Nano held out her arms towards my mother-in-law for a hug. "Walaikum Assalam! It's so good to see you! But I'm terribly sorry about Khadija. May Allah grant her a place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. Ameen."

"Ameen." We all repeated.

Suddenly, Fareeda Nano was in tears. "When I heard about her death, the ground underneath my feet seemed to have been snatched away! I was in such disbelief." 

"Yep." Anabia Mama nodded sadly. "It was all so unexpected, so sudden."

"Bas beta, yehi zindagai hoti hai. Duniya ki sabse badi dhokebaaz yeh zindagi hi hoti hai. Pata hi nahin chalta ke kab dhoka de jaati hai." Fareeda Nano said, shaking her head sadly. 

*"That's how it is dear, that's lie. The biggest traitor in the world is this life itself. We don't even realise when it betrays us." 

She turned and looked curiously at Tahira.

"Fareeda Khalla, this is Tahira, my Arsalan's wife." Anabia Mama introduced my sister-in-law.

"Assalam Alaikum!" Tahira greeted her politely.

"Walaikum Assalam." Fareeda Nano said. "Come inside with me, dear. My purse is in there. I need to give you money as I'm seeing Anabia's younger daughter-in-law for the first time too. I gave some Canadian dollars to Yamna as well, Anabia."

Anabia Mama looked carefully at me, before following Fareeda Nano and Tahira out.

Unbelievable! Fareeda Nano was trying to turn me against my Haya Appi and Hoor Appi! What a joke!

*

"I have decided to remain here for my stay in London." Fareeda Nano smiled at Anabia Mama. "After all, I'm Khadija's cousin. Would you have allowed Khadija to stay in a hotel?" 

"Actually, Khalla, Rehan and I live with my in-laws now." Anabia Mama told her. 

"Why, the bahus kicked you out?" Fareeda Nano laughed at her own joke. "Ek to hai hi paraye khandaan se, laikin shohar ki bhatiji ne bhi saath nahin diya?"

*"One of your daughters-in-law is from an outside family anyway, but your husband's niece didn't support you either?"

"Yamna and Tahira aren't like that." Anabia Mama shook her head. "Rehan and I made this choice for the sake of my elderly parents-in-law."

Rohaan and Arsal Bhai entered the room.

"Assalam Alaikum, Fareeda Nano." Arsal Bhai greeted her.

"Walaikum Assalam." She had a frown on her face. "Umeed hai sudhar gaye hogay, beta?"

*"I hope that you have changed for the better, dear?"

"Pata nahin kis beghairat ladki ke chakar main padhgaye thay tum." Fareeda Nano continued.

*"God knows what shameless girl you were having an affair with."

We all froze. It seemed that she didn't realise that the girl in question had been Tahira all along.

"Hum betiyon waale hain. Hum kisi bachi ke baray main aisa nahin keh sakte. Ghalti donon ki thi, nake sirf ladki ki." Anabia Mama said, diplomatically.

*"We have daughters. We cannot say such things about someone else's daughter. Both of them made a mistake, not just the girl."

Arsal Bhai's jaw was clenched, and I saw Rohaan grab his brother's forearm to keep him calm.

Tahira was staring down into her lap, her cheeks pink.

"Yamna, dear, take me up to my room. I'm so tired!" Fareeda Nano looked at me. 

I looked at Anabia Mama, helplessly, who looked uncertain herself.

"Well?" Fareeda Nano turned to Anabia Mama. "You don't want me here, Anabia?" 

"It's not like that, Khalla. I just wasn't expecting you today. I'll arrange a room for you." Anabia Mama forced a smile on her face. 

*

Rohaan

"Boss Woman, you okay?" I'd followed my mother upset, seeing her tense expressions.

"Your father had clearly said that she can't stay overnight." She looked pale. "I'm going against his word." 

"Mama, she put you in a difficult situation." I placed my hands on her shoulders. "Shall I talk to Boss Man?" 

She shook her head. "Rohaan, I'll talk to your father. But, do me a favour, sweetheart." 

"Anything." 

"Try not to leave Yamna alone with her. When I came today, I have no idea why, but I got the sense that Fareeda Khalla was trying to fill her head with nonsense." 

I smiled. "Mama, Yamna is a sensible girl. She won't fall for it."

"Yamna is a very sensible girl, Ma Sha Allah. I agree. But she's very young, and..."

"You're worried about her gradually coming under Fareeda Nano's influence?" 

She nodded.

"Give our Yamna a little more credit than that, Boss Woman. She did inherit her Tayan's wisdom, and there's nobody that you trust more than him, right?" I kissed my mother's forehead. "Beside, if anyone tries to poison my wife's pure mind, I will be right there to fight them."

"No fighting."

"You know what I mean." 

She laughed softly. "Rohaan, you always make me feel better, my chotay Detective."

*

Papa arrived shortly before dinner, and greeted Fareeda Nano politely and respectfully.

"Rehan, beta, maine to taye karliya hai ke main jab tak London main hoon, yahaan hi rahoon gi!" Fareeda Nano declared.

*"Rehan, dear, I have decided that till I'm in London, I'll stay right here!"

Papa glanced towards Mama, before turning back to Nano's cousin. "We don't stay here, Khalla."

"So what? I will live amongst your sons and daughters-in-law!" Fareeda Nano said.

"Khalla, they all work. You'll get bored here alone." Mama tried.

"Don't worry about me. I'll entertain myself!" 

My parents exchanged a look. They seemed to have a silent conversation, because Mama then sighed and said. "Okay. For your sake, I will remain here as well. I'd feel bad leaving you alone here." 

"Oh, brilliant! Problem solved!" Fareeda Nano laughed. "Tahira, be a dear and make me some chai." 

"I'll make it." Yamna volunteered.

"Tum kyun banaogi, beta? Devrani ko bhi to kaam karne do." Nano's cousin seemed amused.

*"Why would you make it, dear? Let your devrani do some work too."

Papa was silently fuming, I could tell, but he was too respectful to tell a buzurg to get the f**k out.

I swear to God, I felt like I had been chucked into a desi TV drama. 

*

"Is she gonna keep on insulting me and Tahira?" Grasshopper snapped.

"Relax, grasshopper. Mama is handling it, isn't she? She's taking a stand for her." 

"How dare she come into our home and cause drama? And how the heck are you so chill about it?" Arsal glared at me.

"Our family will be fine. I have faith. I just know it." 

"You don't know how dangerous these people can be, Ro! Poisoning someone's mind is the best way to destroy relationships." 

"Boss Couple won't let it happen. Relax." I grinned. "Otherwise, I'll just grab my gun and threaten her to get the f**k out. I'm not as respectful as Dad."

"You clown." He muttered, shaking his head.

*

Yamna

I was in Tayan's study, resting my head on my arms, which were folded on the desk.

"I see that this room is already occupied."

I looked up and saw Tayan standing in the doorway, holding his laptop, a small smile on his face. "Tayan! You're staying here tonight too?" 

He gave a one-shoulder shrug. "If I have your permission, kiddo."

I giggled. "Tayan! It's your home!" I stood up. "Are you here to do some work?" 

"Yes. I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd get some writing done." 

"All yours." I moved around the desk. "I'll go to my room." 

"Sit." He pointed to the two chairs on the other side of his desk, close to where we stood.

I sat down, and he took the other chair, setting the laptop on the desk.

"Whenever you were troubled or upset, you use to find sanctuary here in my study. Particularly when Rohaan troubled you. Tell me, Yamna, did Rohaan trouble you?" 

"No, Tayan."

"What's bothering you, Yamna?" 

I pursed my lips together briefly, before I met his gaze. "Tayan, what if someone is trying to turn you against someone you love unconditionally?"

He frowned slightly. "You care to elaborate?" 

I told him exactly what Fareeda Nano had said about being cautious around Haya Appi and Hoor Appi as my Nands. "I don't believe anything she's saying though! I love my Haya Appi and Hoor Appi so much!" 

He didn't look happy at all.

"Tayan, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you by sounding like I'm doubting your daughters!" I was in tears.

He gave me a small smile, running a hand over my head. "I know, meri jaan. I'm not upset or hurt by what you're saying, sweetheart." He said. "Sometimes when people intentionally fill our heads, it is easy to get mislead. But you know your two Appis very well. You know that they adore their sweet Yum-Yum. Don't let anyone misguide you against them." 

I nodded.

"You know that I'm not saying this as a biased father, because you as well are nothing less than a daughter for me, Yamna." 

"I know, Tayan." 

He patted my head again. "My girl is very sensible, Ma Sha Allah." 

I smiled at him. "I'm glad you're here, Tayan. I missed you." 

"Is that so? How many times per week do you call me?" He teased.

Oops. I smiled sheepishly at him, making him chuckle.

*

Anabia

"So, is Rohaan's marriage to Yamna out of pity?" Fareeda Khalla asked me curiously, as I helped her settle into her room.

"What?" I looked at her in disbelief.

"There's no match. She's so simple, and our Rohaan is so handsome, Ma Sha Allah." She frowned, sitting down onto the bed. "Was it pressure from the in-laws that you married off your handsome, confident boy to that girl?"

"It's nothing like that. Our Yamna is a beautiful girl, Ma Sha Allah, and..." 

She continued, as if I hadn't spoken. "I always thought that Yasin was a bit cowardly. Is that why you married Rohaan to his daughter? You were afraid that Yasin wouldn't be able to handle such a huge responsibility?" 

"Khalla!" I gasped, glancing towards the doorway. If Rehan heard that, all hell was going to certainly break loose. I took a deep breath. "You can't stay here from tomorrow, Khalla." 

"What?" She looked horrified.

"Rehan and I have done everything to create out world without family politics, and since you have come..." I couldn't finish.

"You're going to kick me out? Is that Khadija's upbringing?" 

"Her upbringing is to do everything to protect my family, which I will." I said. "Even if it's from the nastiness of family politics."

She didn't look happy at all, but Rehan was right. I had to put my family first. If Mama was here, she'd understand.

*

This was a bit of a filler chapter, but it will also developed into the next plot...

Has Fareeda's words impacted Yamna?

Will Fareeda ruin Rehan & Anabia's sweet world?

Unfortunately, there are many people in the world, who would destroy someone's family's peace without any reason. 

Favourite part?

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