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*

Haya

What I felt when I heard that I was going to be a Khalla (In Sha Allah), was a feeling that couldn't be described in words. My twin sister, my eternal best friend, was going to be a mother!

"Baby?" Yet, I was the one who broke the silence when the doctor unwittingly let slip the little fact. 

Farhaan Bhai sighed while nodding. "Yes. We just found out yesterday, guys. Hoor's pregnant."

But even in the shock (the delighted kind) of the moment, I still managed to notice Rohaan's awed expressions. His jaw literally dropped open, eyes wide. My gaze moved over to Arsal, and he had a big grin on his face. 

And then I looked at my mother, and I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. She had tears in her eyes, her hands pressed over her mouth. She looked up at Papa in disbelief, whose smile resembled the one on Arsal's face, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

When we were much, much younger, I used to claim that I was the most important person in Hoor's life, and vice versa. This was long before I realised the importance of our parents in our lives, Islamically speaking and even overall in general. When Mama used to say that she loved us more than anything in the universe, I used to argue and say that I loved Hoor more because I was her twin.

"Congratulations, Anabia." Looking unsurprised, Anaya Aunty walked over to hug Mama. "Once upon a time, I could never even have imagined that my son and the daughter of Hareem's best friend would be having a baby together."

"Congratulations to you as well, Bhabi!" Mama hugged her back tightly.

Papa and Faiz Uncle also congratulated each other with a hug.

My brothers congratulated Farhaan Bhai.

"The kid will be well protected from all sides, In Sha Allah." Rohaan told our brother-in-law. "With a gangster-like Mamu, he or she will have nothing to worry about." He grinned proudly.

I walked out, feeling overwhelmed. I wanted to cry, but privately. So I headed out of the hospital and stood under the starry sky. Allah, please protect my twin, her baby and her family. Ameen.

"Yo, Behaya." 

I wiped my tears, as Rohaan appeared next to me. "Not now, Ro."

"It's unbelievable isn't it." He stared up at the starry sky as well. "It feels like just yesterday that we were kids, messing around and causing chaos." 

This was a rare moment that Ro showed his sensitive side, and I was not going to do anything to make this side go back into hiding. I would never admit it out loud, but it was good to see him like this, every once in a while.

"I just hate hospitals. That's why I came out here, to get some fresh air." I was like Rohaan in many ways, and admitting my feelings was as hard for me as it was for him.

"We may not be twins, but I know you, Behaya." 

We stood in silence for a while, before I turned to look at him. "We're going to teach the kid pranks?" 

He laughed. "Is there any doubt, Behaya?" 

"Not even one percent, Badrooh."

*

Hooriya

I sat on the hospital bed, waiting for the doctor to clear me to go home.

"Hoor." 

I looked up and saw my mother enter, a tear rolling down her cheek and a smile on her face, almost like an oxymoron. She came over to where I sat, and wrapped her arms around me, sobbing softly.

"Hoor, I'm so happy. Ma Sha Allah. May Allah bless you, your baby, your whole family. Ameen."

I blinked. "You guys know?"

She nodded. "I don't think the doctor realised that this was a news not yet broken out."

"I wanted to tell you guys in a special way." 

"I wish it was in circumstances where your life hadn't been at risk, but the news is so special that you don't need special methods to tell us." She placed her hands over my cheeks, and leaned forward to kiss my forehead.

I grabbed her hand and made her sit down beside me, before leaning against her. She wrapped her arm around me and I closed my eyes. A tear trickled down my cheek and my shoulders shook with silent sobs.

"Hoor..."

"How am I going to manage all this?" I whispered. "I'm scared, Mama."

"You are a responsible girl, Hoor. I have faith in you that you'll manage everything to the best of your abilities. I won't say you'll be perfect, because no parent is perfect; but I know that you'll be the best that you can be."

"Pregnancy itself is scary."

"I know, meri jaan. Trust me, I know."

"Yet, you chose to have four kids, Ma Sha Allah." I smiled. "I mean, I know that Haya and I were a two-in-one package, but still, you had two more."

"I always wanted a big family, and I was happily willing to go through those nine difficult months again and again, just so I can have that big family."

"I don't know what I want." I stared off into space, absent-mindedly. "I suppose a boy and a girl will be perfect."

"No matter what, may Allah fill you life with happiness and peace. Ameen." 

"Ameen." 

She kissed the side of my head. "I love you so much, Hoor. I pray that your children are as amazing as my kids have been. Ameen." 

"Even Ro?"

She lightly pulled my ear. "Leave me poor Rohaan alone, all of you." 

"A part of being a member of this family is to tease the living daylights out of Rohaan." I grinned.

She shook her head, but she was also smiling.

There was a knock on the door.

"Your father wants to see you." Mama whispered softly.

I nodded, sitting up straighter.

"Come in, Rehan." 

When my father entered, I couldn't meet his gaze. I felt my cheeks turning pink. But when I felt his hand run over my head, I felt tears in my eyes automatically. I looked up at him just as a drop rolled down my cheek. 

He sat down at the edge of the bed. "Your Dado has been endlessly praying for this day. According to her, I should have been a grandfather at least five to ten years ago, had I married on time." He gave me a small smile.

I giggled. "Had you married earlier, you wouldn't be married to Mama."

He looked thoughtful. "Hmmm... Sounds tempting."

Mama lightly slapped his back, but kept her hand there. 

"You're okay, right?" My father asked me softly.

I nodded. "Alhumdulillah."

He got up again and then leaned down to kiss my forehead. "May Allah bless you with good health and a long life. And I wish the same for your family. Ameen."

"Ameen." Mama repeated, squeezing my hand.

After they walked out, Haya walked in. She quietly took her shoes off, got on the bed beside me and wrapped her arms around me. I smiled tearfully, absorbing the relief I felt at having my twin sister around. Every happiness was incomplete in my life without Haya.

"I love you." She whispered. "And I will love your baby-in fact, all your kids- like a mother-like aunt. In Sha Allah."

"I love you too, Haya. And what do you mean 'all my kids'? Slow down a little." 

She laughed. "Well, it would be unfair to promise all my love for just one baby. Any baby you have will be equally loved by their Haya Khalla."

"And they'll love you too just as much." 

"They, huh?" She grinned, mischievously.

I whacked her arm. "Shut up."

She laughed harder.

*

Arsalan

"Tahira." 

She stopped in her tracks as she headed down the corridor. After saying goodbye to everyone, she was leaving. She turned to look at me, questioningly.

"Thank you." I whispered. "You saved my sister's life." 

"I don't need a thank you, Arsalan. I did what was my duty as a human." She shrugged.

When she called me 'Arsalan', rather than 'Aslan', it stung. "It means everything to our family, so yeah, I feel like I have to thank you."

She gave me a small smile. "Congratulations on the good news, by the way. May Allah bless Hooriya and her family. Ameen."

"Thank you." 

Without a further word, she turned to go. I wanted to stop her, but I knew better. It hurt me so much, being in the situation that we were in, but I knew that it was the right thing to do at this time. God, why is this so difficult?

Jaw clenched, I stood in the middle of the hospital hospital with my head bowed for God knows how long.

I love her. A thought popped up in my mind, making me glance up sharply as if someone had actually spoken the words beside me.

*

Haya

"Assalam Alaikum."

I looked up, surprised, and saw Aariz had just entered the hospital waiting room, and was now greeting my parents. 

"Walaikum Assalam!" My parents greeted him back, looking equally surprised.

"I was at work when Haya messaged me about what happened at the B&B. Is everyone okay?" Aariz's gaze flickered towards me, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Everyone's okay, Alhumdulillah." Mama nodded.

Aariz chatted with Papa for a while, and when Farhaan Bhai walked in, he also joined the conversation. I pretended to focus on my phone, but I kept sneaking glances at my husband, and occasionally, he met my gaze as well.

"Haya." Mama's voice made me turn to look at her. "Weren't you going to get yourself a drink earlier?" 

What? No...Oh. I realised what she was trying to do, and I stood up. "Yes. A drink. I'm thirsty."

"I'll come with you." Aariz said, before glancing around. "Can I get you guys anything?" 

When everyone politely declined, Aariz and I walked out of the waiting room.

To my surprise, he casually placed an arm around my shoulders as we walked, and I smiled up at him. His arm around my shoulders tightened and I wrapped my own arm around his waist. As we stepped inside the lift, he leaned down and pressed his lips softly against mine. We exchanged the briefest of kisses, but it was enough to turn up the heat between us severely, leaving me longing for more. 

"Are you okay?" He asked with concern, pressing his lips against the side of my head now. His arm was still around me and I still clung onto him.

"I was nowhere near the B&B."

"Yes, but I can imagine how stressful it must have been for you to hear about your twin being in that situation."

"I don't stress over past stress. She's okay now, and that's all that matters. Alhumdulillah."

Our lips brushed again, pulling apart just as we heard the 'ding' of the lift doors as they opened. We stepped out, this time hand-in-hand. 

Even though me getting a drink was just an excuse Mama used to give me time alone with Aariz, I ended up getting a hot chocolate, and Aariz insisted on paying for it.

"Let me buy this for my wife." Placing a hand on the small of my back, he looked down at me, emphasising the word 'wife'.

He got himself a cappuccino and we headed towards an empty two-seater table. My one hand was wrapped around the warm takeaway cup of hot chocolate- we had opted for takeaway cups, rather than the china ones. My other hand rested on the table, and he reached out to place his own free hand over it. Our gazes met. I took a sip of my drink, my gaze remaining on him, and then I licked the inevitable trace of froth from above my upper lip. 

His gaze was on my mouth now, and he raised it slowly to look into my eyes once again.

And somehow we ended up from having coffee together in the café, to heavily making out in the backseat of his car. 

Attraction was at peak, but the best part of it all? It was halal.

*

Hooriya

"I'm so happy for you, Appi." Arsalan gave me a genuine smile. "Ma Sha Allah." 

Rohaan ran a hand over my head, Papa-style. "May I always be the favourite Mamu."

Arsal rolled his eyes and I laughed.

Farhaan was taking me home finally, and my family had remained at the hospital till the last minute, only leaving when we were.

"Where's Haya?" I asked.

"She went for a drink with Aariz." Mama gave me a knowing smile. "She messaged me that he'll drop her off."

I looked at Papa teasingly. "How are you doing with all these changes?" 

Mama slid her arm through his and looked up at him with a fond smile.

He shrugged. "I need time."

I giggled. 

"Hoor, your phone." Farhaan held out my phone and I saw that the screen had lit up, indicating a message.

I unlocked it and read the message. 

<Haya: Sorry I left. 🙈>

<Hooriya: I'll remember this. 😒>

<Haya: 😬>

"Shall we go, Hoor?" Farhaan asked me, gently.

I nodded. After hugging my parents, and saying goodbye to my brothers, I got into the front passenger seat of my husband's car. We were going to stay with my in-laws for a few days, as per Anaya Aunty's request.

As we drove off, I lightly pressed my hand against my belly. It hadn't yet properly dawned on me that I was pregnant. I was in a state of disbelief. I glanced quickly towards Farhaan, and I couldn't help smiling. Our baby. But that reminded me of something else: his baby. "How is the B&B?"

"We had to relocate guests to another accommodation, and it has to be closed for renovation and investigation into how this happened." He looked tensed as he replied. "I don't understand. We only recently had a health and safety inspection, and they cleared it."

I placed a hand over his forearm. "It's okay, Farhaan. Alhumdulillah, nobody was harmed. The damage is fixable, and soon we'll be up and running again, In Sha Allah."

He stopped at traffic lights, and pressed the back of his hand against my stomach. "You're right. The damage is fixable. It could have been much, much worse."

Butterflies fluttered in my belly at his touch. I pressed my own hand over his. Family. Our sweet little family.

*

In our bedroom at our in-laws' place, I thought about how far along we had come.

Once upon a time, I never dared entered this room, but I stood outside in the hallway, giggling over the fact that it belonged to my crush. And now, not only was I married to that crush, but I was expecting his child.

Farhaan got into the bed beside me, pulling the duvet over quickly. "It's getting cold now."

"Would you like me to warm you up?" I grinned up at him. 

"That's an offer I'd never refuse." He leaned over me.

I snaked my arm around his waist as our lips met. Our bodies tangled together, warmth spreading through us. My free hand tangled itself in his hair. His lips moved away from my mouth and towards my neck, and I gasped out.

And cuddling, kissing, we fell asleep in each other's arms, worn out by the eventful day.

*

Haya

I felt like we were teenagers in an English film, making out in the shadows just besides my parents' house. I had discovered that I enjoyed kissing him, and it seemed to be the same for him. We couldn't seem to get enough of each other.

But my phone buzzed, and I took it out.

<Mama: Haya, it's almost one. Are you going to be out much longer? At least let me know.>

"I... should...go..." I giggled as he kissed me after each word that I uttered.

"Your parents are going to think I'm a bad influence." He breathed hard, leaning down to kiss my shoulder. 

"No, they're pretty chill as long as we're married." I laughed lightly. 

"Your dad won't be furious about me bringing you home at one?" He kissed my cheek.

"You're my husband." I simply stated. I sighed and pressed my hands against his chest. "But I really should go. I'm tired."

"Yeah, I need to be up at eight too." He straightened up.

"You really shouldn't be here then." I frowned.

"Says the girl who caused me to be here."

"I didn't force you to be here."

"Not intentionally." He winked.

I rolled my eyes, but I also couldn't keep the smile off my face. "Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz, Mrs Aariz."

After exchanging another brief kiss, I turned and jogged towards the front door while he walked to his car.

I messaged Mama the moment I closed the front door behind me.

<Haya: I'm home now. 🏡>

My cheeks felt warm and I leaned back against the door. These were new feelings, strange but in a good way. 

I hurried up the stairs but stopped in the hallway when I saw my mother in the doorway of her room, eyebrows raised at me. "Assalam Alaikum, Mama."

"Walaikum Assalam." She whispered, glancing over her shoulder. "Haya, honey, you are married. Nobody will stop you, but at least tell us that you're going to be late, okay?" 

"Was Papa worried?" 

"You know him. I spoke to him and he finally slept, but he kept asking if I heard from you yet." 

"Sorry." I said, sheepishly.

She smiled. "Did you eat something?" 

"We grabbed a sandwich each." I replied. 

"Saba Chachi had lasagne sent over because she knew we were at the hospital. It's in the fridge if you want some."

"Okay, Mama."

"And everyone will be here for breakfast tomorrow morning. All the adults might then later go to Faiz Bhai's house to see Hoor. Everyone's worried about her."

"Technically, I am an adult too."

"You know what I mean." 

I laughed. "Okay, Mama. Good night." 

"Good night. Check if your window is shut. You have a habit of opening it." She reminded me.

"Mama, I'm not a child!" I laughed again, heading into my room.

And, of course, my window was open.

Mothers really do know best.

*

Rehan

"Rehan, everyone will be here soon, yaar. Get up." Anya pulled at the duvet.

"It's your home too. You can greet them. Let me lie in today."

"Rehan, come on. If you don't get up now, I will complain to Mum and Dad when they arrive." 

I sat up, smirking. "You're threatening to tell my parents?" 

Anya stood in front of me in her a pale blue trouser and kameez set. The dupatta was white with pale blue/floral patterns over it. She was already ready to be the hostess. Placing her hands on her hips, she narrowed her eyes at me. "You need to go and pick up breakfast."

"Send Rohaan. There should be some benefit to the parents when kids grow up." I stretched my arms up, before folding them behind my head as I leaned back against the headboard.

There was an urgent knock on the door. 

"Come in." Anya answered wearily.

An annoyed looking Arsal barged in. "Mama, I swear, one day I am going to punch Rohaan. Don't complain then."

"What did he do?" She asked him.

"He barged into my room and just headed into my bathroom to shower because he said that his shower doesn't have any hot water."

"Then let him shower, Arsal. What's the big deal?" She sighed.

"He shoved me out of the way as I headed towards the bathroom to shower! Mama, I'm sick of his Rohaanish behaviour!"

"And you came here to complain about him?" 

I chuckled. "Oh look, Anya. He is your son."

Anya looked at me unimpressed, before turning back to Arsal. "I'm trying to host a breakfast for your grandparents, both uncles and their families, and there's not a soul around who is helping me, so please, for the love of Allah, sort this out amongst yourselves like mature adults." She turned to me. "And I told you to contact the plumber again. Yaar, he never takes me seriously, and only listens to you."

We heard the sound of whistling in the hallway. 

"Rohaan, get in here." I called out, firmly.

Rohaan walked in, freshly showered and eyebrows raised. "Toddler complained again?" 

I got up from the bed. "You both have fifteen minutes to get ready. In fifteen minutes, you need to be out of the house to pick up breakfast, Rohaan. And Arsal, you need to be downstairs helping your mother set things up. Anya, wake Haya up, and tell her the same. Let me make myself very clearly to all of you: Anabia isn't the only one hosting this breakfast. We all are. Get ready and do as I have asked you to immediately." As the boys headed out, I turned to my wife. "I'll call the plumber, and I'll be down there in twenty."

"The kids get fifteen, and you get twenty?" She smiled.

"I need to make a phone call, so that's five minutes. Plus, I'm the father, so I get to bend the rules a little." Chuckling, I walked over to the wardrobe to grab a fresh outfit.

To my surprise, a few seconds later, I felt her hand on my bottom, before she ran it up my back. "You know, you're still so sexy to me. And when you get all authoritative...haye."

I glanced down at her, a small smile on my face. "Sexy to only you."

"Isn't that all that matters?" She tilted her head and whispered softly.

"You are all that matters." I leaned down towards her. 

Just as our lips were about to meet, I heard a loud thump and the sound of Arsal shouting.

"Yaar, your kids..." I muttered under my breath and strode towards the door before pulling it open roughly. "What now?" 

Rohaan had Arsal pinned against the wall.

"Allah! Tum loug baday kab hogay?" Anya appeared by my side, placing a hand on my upper arm.

*"When will you people grow up?"

Rohaan released his brother.

"He asked me to go and pick up the breakfast instead." Arsal muttered, rubbing the back of his head. "And when I refused, he shoved me against the wall."

"I'll go pick it up." Anya said in a cold tone that she only used when she was absolutely fed up. "There's no need for any of you to go. I can handle hosting breakfast myself." She turned and walked back into our bedroom.

I glared at my sons, who both looked away sheepishly. "If she goes to pick up breakfast, you both will be facing my wrath. Remember that." 

"I'm going." Rohaan muttered, heading towards his room. 

Anya returned, holding her car keys and purse.

"Anya, he's going." I grabbed her wrist.

"Rehan, we really don't have time to waste. I'm going to..."

"Anya, he's going, okay?" I spoke gently, placing my other hand on her cheek. "I'll be downstairs in a few minutes and we'll arrange everything, okay?" 

She seemed to calm down as she looked up into my eyes, and she nodded.

Why does it feel like we're still raising toddlers?

*

Anabia

"I still don't understand why you needed to go through all this formality." Laila told me. "We're here after hearing about what happened at the B&B. This isn't a party, Anabia."

"Everyone wanted to check up on Hoor, so I thought we might as well have a get together." I poured out the channay into a large bowl. "Haya, take this inside please."

"Okay, you need to stop asking the bride to do some chores." My brother's wife grinned, pinching Haya's cheek, lovingly.

 "Seriously, Bhabi. Our Haya needs to be pampered now." Saba added, putting the puris into a hotpot, wrapped in foil paper. 

"I was pampered during Nikah, and now I'm on break from being pampered till the wedding now." Haya grinned. "It's fine, Mumani and Chachi." She took the bowl and headed inside.

As Saba walked out with the hotpot, Laila turned to me and put a hand on my upper arm. "I've known you since secondary school, Anabia. I can see that you overstress about everything. This all is a family thing. You don't need to be so formal, and you certainly don't need to impress the in-laws anymore. You already own their hearts."

"I get this from my mother, even though she now tells me to take it easy." 

"You and Rehan Bhai need a weekend getaway." She suggested.

"Maybe after Haya's wedding. We only have a few weeks left now and I just want to spend the maximum amount of time with her." I blinked back tears.

She wrapped her arm around me. "You are blessed, Ma Sha Allah. Your husband is still crazy about you, and your kids are devoted to you. You have a whole family with you, including all of us, Ma Sha Allah. Don't overburden yourself, Anabia. It's not your stress to carry alone."

When Laila and I walked in with the remaining items, my mother-in-law shook her head at me. "Anabia, what is this, my darling? You've gone all out again. You spent a good portion of the day at the hospital yesterday; you should have just relaxed."

"Samjhayein na apni bahu ko, Mum. Meri sunti nahin hai." Rehan grinned at me from where he was sitting beside his father.

*"Make your daughter-in-law understand, Mum. She doesn't listen to you."

"She's like Mama. She goes all out as well." Saim laughed.

As we all settled down, Mum looked at me. "How is Hoor? My Allah knows, my heart has been in my throat since I heard about the incident." 

"She didn't have to stay at the hospital. The doctors cleared her to go. Alhumdulillah, she's okay." I replied.

As everyone discussed the incident at the B&B, I found myself eagerly awaiting the day that they all found out about my Hoor's good news. I still remembered how many of the people in this very room had been excited to find out about my first pregnancy with the twins. I remembered how we got my mother and parents-in-law to read out the gender of my twins. 

After the food was done and between making tea preparations, I headed down the hall to the room where I'd stayed each time shortly after I had given birth. I'd stayed there the longest after the twins were born, because when Ro and Arsal were born, I was too busy worrying about leaving the other kids alone upstairs at night.

I closed the door and walked over to sit down on the bed, absorbing the silence. My head bowed, I closed my eyes. There was already a whirlwind of emotions inside me due to Haya's upcoming nuptials, and realising that my second daughter was going away as well. The situation with Arsal was clear now, but it had made that storm inside me stronger. And the final straw was yesterday, finding out that Hoor had been hospitalised. Again, she was okay, Alhumdulillah, but the moment that I had been told that there was an explosion at the B&B, and that a child of mine had been rushed to the hospital due to that, my heart had almost stopped. 

The wetness on my cheek made me realised that I was unable to control the flow of tears. I wanted to freely cry without worrying my husband or kids. I wanted to just let out all my emotions in the form of tears. I wanted to get that heaviness off my chest, formed by the mixture of emotions. 

I lay down on the bed, closing my eyes. My shoulders shook, and I pressed my dupatta over my mouth to muffle the sounds of my sobs. 

"Mama?"

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry harder. I sat up, wiping my tears using the back of my hands. I composed myself and got up. "Haya, what is it?" I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.

Haya was walking up to me, and she looked at me concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. What is it, Haya?" 

"It's Hoor." She held out her phone towards me.

Frowning in concern, I took the phone from her. "Hoor, are you okay, meri jaan?"

"Mama..." Hoor was sobbing. 

"What's wrong?!" I asked alarmed.

"Mama, I'm so sick of throwing up!" She said. "No pun intended. I feel empty, so why am I throwing up so much?" 

An automatic laugh escaped my mouth, and I returned back into the room, with Haya following me. "Hoor, are you serious? Honey, I don't know how to reassure you. This is a part of pregnancy." 

"What time are you guys coming over? I need you." 

"We'll be there in an hour or two." I said. "But you can talk to Anaya Bhabi, you know that. You've known her all your life, and you know how caring she is." 

"I know, Mama, but there's a bit of a formality when it comes to talking to a mother-in-law." Hoor said. "I feel childish complaining about this."

I smiled. "And you don't feel childish complaining in front of me?" 

"You're my mother. It doesn't matter if I'm childish."

Haya was grinning. 

"We'll be there very soon, okay? Hang in there, Hoor. It's all new to you, and you're panicking. But Allah will automatically give you the strength to go through these nine months."

"You had three pregnancies, Mama! One with twins! If I'm ever rude to you, or disobedient, please disown me."

I laughed again. "Yes, I said something similar to your Nano when I was pregnant with you and Haya."

"Come as soon as possible, okay?" 

"Yes, Miss Bossy." 

Once the call ended, Haya turned to me. "What's wrong?" 

"Nothing." I began to walk towards the door. "Is the tea ready?"

She rushed forward and closed the door, standing in front of it and blocking it. "Were you crying?"

"Haya, please step aside."

"If you don't tell me honestly, I will call Papa."

I sighed and placed my hands on her shoulders. "Haya, some people vent out their emotions verbally. Some people cry it out. I'm the latter, and I need to do this to feel lighter, okay? Don't worry. I'm okay."

"You promise you'll tell me if there's something to worry about?" 

"You really think I'll burden my kids with something to worry about?" I gave her a small smile.

"We're not children, Mama. We can handle it." 

"Woh hain na, Ma Sha Allah, mere sukh dukh ke saathi. You don't worry." I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and led her to the kitchen.

*"He's there, Ma Sha Allah, my partner in happiness and sorrow."

"You guys are such amazing parents, Ma Sha Allah. You sure Ro isn't adopted?"

"Haya!" 

She laughed.

*

Hooriya

"You really didn't have to do all this, Aunty." I said as my mother-in-law set up the breakfast on the coffee table in our bedroom.

"Oh, honey, it's no trouble." Anaya Aunty said. "I brought you porridge, just in case. It's the safer option."

"Mama, you should have called me to get it at least." Farhaan kissed the side of his mother's head, before sitting down beside me.

"It's no trouble. The excitement of being a grandmother has given me extra energy!"

I smiled at her. "Please join us."

"And be a third wheel between a husband and wife? I'm good, thank you." She ran a hand over my head. "Besides, your family is coming. I need to check on the arrangements." She exited the room, softly closing the door behind her.

I lifted up a spoonful of porridge and put it into my mouth. It tasted a little bland, but at least it didn't trigger feelings of nausea inside me.

"Is it okay?" Farhaan looked at me concerned, as he ate toast with omelette. 

"Yeah, thank God." I rolled my eyes. "I called Mama earlier, probably causing her to panic. I was so fed up of vomiting."

"I can't empathise, Hoor, since I'll never be in that position, but let me know what I can do to make things easier." 

I smiled at him. "Thank you." I glanced down at his plate. "Can I try a bite of that?" 

"At your own risk." 

I tried. Taking one bite, I nodded. "I think I'll be..."

Nope. The smell hadn't done anything, but the taste triggered it.

Oh no.

I got up and ran straight to the bathroom.

Farhaan followed me and held my hair and rubbed my back as I threw up.

Never, ever disrespect your mother ever again, Hoor. Ever. 

*

Anabia

It was the middle of the night, and I was downstairs in the living room, attempting to read a book. But my mind refused to focus on it.

When we'd visited Hoor's in-laws, she had taken me up to her room, and she had cried with her head in my lap for a long time. I'd wanted to bring her back with me, but I didn't think it was fair to Anaya Bhabi, considering how much she was taking care of Hooriya.

I dozed off on the sofa, with a throw over me. My book slipped from my hand, falling onto the floor. But even in my sleep, my anxieties plagued me; sometimes in the form of nightmares, sometimes in the form of brutal, heart-wrenching questions.

I hope Hoor has a safe pregnancy and delivery, with both her and her baby being in good health.

I hope all my kids and their families remain safe.

But what bothered me the most was the thought of how much my family depended on me, relied on me. Hoor was married, Haya was soon going to move in with her husband, In Sha Allah... but what about the boys? I had to nudge them, push them into getting anything done around here. The boys needed to learn to be more independent, and I needed to teach them.

I got up, forcing myself onto my feet. Putting the book away into the bookshelf, and folding the throw, I headed out of the living room, turning off the lights. The hallway lights were on which could be turned off from upstairs as well.

"Mama."

I jumped and gasped as I saw Rohaan suddenly appearing down the hall, dressed all in black. "Rohaan! You scared me!"

He had his wireless headphones on and spoke loudly. "Why are you still up, Boss Woman?" He held a can of an energy drink and took a sip before burping loudly.

"I don't even know where to start with you, Rohaan Rehan Tariq." I said in a disapproving tone. "Is this the time to be having an energy drink?" 

"I'm playing this important video game from players around the globe, and I need to stay up." He hurried down the hall, and I knew it was so that I couldn't tell him off further.

"Rohaan?" I called out after him.

He turned, clearly having heard me in the quiet hallway despite his headphones. "Yes, Mama?"

"I love you."

He came back over to me, after setting his can of energy drink down by the railings. "My God, Mom. What happened? It must be something major for you to voice out those words to me." He grinned teasingly at me.

I wrapped my arms around him, my eyes filling up.

"Mama." He gently rubbed the back of my head. "You okay?" 

"I just..." I pulled back, sniffing. "I just worry about you all so much." 

And again, the rare side of Rohaan came out. "Listen, Boss Woman, you don't need to worry about anything, okay? I'll take care of everyone, as long as I'm alive. Of you, of Papa, of my siblings; everyone. My mother should not be worrying about any one of us as long as I'm alive." He placed his hands on my cheeks and kissed my forehead. "I love you too, Boss Woman."

I smiled as a tear fell down my cheek.

*

Rehan

A knock on the door woke me up. It was light at first, but then it turned frantic.

"Papa, Mama, is everything okay?" Haya's panicked voice came from the other side of the door.

"What's wrong, Haya?" I called out, sleepily.

"Papa, it's twelve thirty in the afternoon!" 

S**t. I sat up straight, reaching for my phone and confirming that my daughter was indeed right. How the hell did I sleep through my alarm?

"Haya, don't worry, everything's okay." I reassured her, rubbing a hand over my eyes, before turning to look beside me. 

"Okay, Papa." Haya said, before I heard her walk away.

I was shocked to see Anabia still asleep. No matter what, she never overslept, no matter how late she slept. I reached out, my heart beating too fast, and placed my hand on her shoulder. "Anya?" 

"Hmm?" 

I sagged back against the headboard in relief, my worst fears disappearing in a poof of smoke. But then I felt concerned. "Anya, you okay?"

She turned onto her back, blinking sleepily at me. "What was Haya saying?" 

"Haya was worried because we both slept in. It's twelve thirty." I told her gently.

To my surprise, she didn't react as I expected her to. In fact, she snuggled into the duvet again, moving closer to me. "I need to sleep in today."

"You feeling okay?" I brushed some strands of her hair away from her face.

A few moments later, she sat up and nodded. "Yeah. So much has been going on lately. I really needed this lie-in."

"And I overslept because of you." I teased her.

She slid her hand into mine, resting her head against my bicep. "You are too dependent on me."

I kissed the top of her head. "You have spoiled me, Anya Rehan."

"Rehan?" 

"Hmm?" 

"I think with everything going on, I want to quit my job. I want to just focus on our family." 

I freed my hand from her grip, and wrapped my arm around her instead. "You sure about that?" 

She nodded. "As long as you think we'll be okay financially."

"We'll be fine, Anya. But think repeatedly before coming to a final decision, okay? No matter what, I'll support you, whatever you decide."

In almost two and a half decades of marriage, I knew her better than anyone else. And I could tell that something was deeply bothering her. But I also knew that sometimes it took a little coaxing to get Anya to admit her worries, because she hated burdening her loved ones with it. 

But I was her husband, and I was determined to find out what was worrying my wife. 

*

I have to admit that this family is very special to me, and I love writing about them.

Ro has such a sensitive side towards his family! 

The overall family dynamics are so fun to write, especially the sibling arguments and banters.

Looks like Haya's warming up to the idea of romance.

Arsalan realised that he is in love!

Poor Hoor is facing the symptoms of pregnancy, and is freaking out in the process.

Thoughts and comments?

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