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*

Haya

We were sitting in the living room, surrounded by Arsalan's presents, the morning after his birthday.

"I'm twenty, not six. I don't need all these presents." Arsal muttered.

"Arsalan, I swear, you always have the most unique complaints." I shook my head. "Ro, for example, would think that these are not enough."

"Guilty." Rohaan admitted.

My phone buzzed and I glanced at it.

<Aariz: I'm here.>

<Haya: Give me five minutes. I'll be right there.>

I tried to keep the smile off my face, but siblings are siblings. They don't miss anything.

"Tell Aariz Bhai that you're with family right now." Ro spoke up.

"Technically, he's her family now too." Arsal pointed out.

"Oh, shush you and your logic." Ro tossed a cushion at our younger brother. 

I stood by. "Goodbye, brothers." I headed out of the living room and rushed up the stairs. 

I wore an emerald green long dress, belted around the waist, along with black leggings and black knee-high boots. Grabbing my black purse- well, technically Hoor's pre-marriage purse that I 'borrowed' from her room- I headed out. "Parents, I'm out. Allah Hafiz." I called out as I ran back down the stairs. "Arsu, lock the front door!" I called out, stepping out onto the threshold. I made my way down the front path to where Aariz's car was parked. But before I could get in, he got out. I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Assalam Alaikum." He greeted me with a smile.

"Walaikum Assalam." 

"I should go and greet your parents before we go. It doesn't look good for us to just drive off."

My heart warmed. This was one of the things that mattered to me the most in a spouse: that he respected my parents and family. I didn't care about shallow or materialistic things, but respect meant a lot to me, whether it was directed towards me or my family. And of course, I will respect him and his family as well. Marriage is a two-way street.

We walked towards the house, and I rang the doorbell. I had a key, but I loved to make my siblings get up to do some work for a change.

And Rohaan scowled when he saw me. "Where's your key, Behaya?" His expressions changed when he saw Aariz behind me. "Assalam Alaikum, Aariz Bhai." 

"Walaikum Assalam." The two shook hands, and Ro stepped aside to let us in.

"Arsu, do me a favourite and call the parents." I said, entering the living room.

"Assalam Alaikum, Aariz Bhai." Arsalan shook his hand.

"Walaikum Assalam."

Arsal then excused himself and walked out.

"How have you been, Rohaan?" Aariz asked him.

"Me? Perfection as usual, Alhumdulillah." Rohaan joked, making me roll my eyes. "Don't be jealous, Haya. Blood should be proud of blood, not envious."

Aariz laughed, good-naturedly. "It must be nice having siblings." 

"It must be nice having that very incorrect misconception." I smiled at him.

"See, Bhai?" Rohaan dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "No gratefulness for the blessings of Allah." 

"Hoor and Arsu might be blessings...you are a test of my patience." I shot back.

Our parents came downstairs then, preventing further Word War 1 millionth. Papa had been working from home in his study, while Mama had been looking through the trunks in the loft, in the small storage space beside my art studio. Apparently, she was looking for some dresses of hers to alter and modernise for me to take along.

"Assalam Alaikum." Aariz greeted them. After they all greeted each other, he continued, "I'm taking Haya out for breakfast. Would you guys like to join us?" 

"Depending where you're going." Rohaan immediately spoke up.

Mama gave him a not-so-discreet glare, before turning to Aariz. "Thank you so much for the offer, beta, but you two go ahead. I was thinking that Arsal and Rohaan can make breakfast today since they owe us."

I smirked at Ro.

"Haya and Hoor will just compensate later." Mama looked at me with a smug expression.

This time Ro smirked at me.

"If you guys are sure..." Aariz glanced at me. "Shall we?" 

I nodded. "Let's go."

The two of us headed out after saying goodbye to my family.

"What was that about?" Aariz asked as we walked towards his car.

"My parents were a little upset with each other, so my siblings and I made a little plan to unite them. It succeeded, but Mama faced some anxiety over it, and now we have to pay for it."

"Your family seems really amazing, Ma Sha Allah." He smiled, lightly linking our fingers together.

"I mean, knowing me, are you even surprised? I originated from this family. Of course we're awesome."

He laughed. "I have no doubt about that."

"You are not meant to make my head bigger, but to deflate it, doctor." 

"So, you want me to lie?" There was a twinkle in his eyes.

"What's with the buttering me up?" I questioned.

"I'm just stating a fact. Just like, I'm now stating my opinion that I don't think you can beat me at cricket." He gave me a teasing smile. 

"Excuse me? You take that back!"

"See? I tell it like it is; the truth, with no intentions of buttering involved."

I narrowed my eyes at him and he laughed harder. "Aariz Abdullah, I take that as a challenge and I accept it."

"We need to assemble two teams."

"You can keep Ro. He's only good at football." 

We talked and laughed throughout the car ride to the the restaurant where we were going to have breakfast. It felt natural, and I felt relaxed. No formalities, no hesitations. Just me being myself with my husband.

*

Farhaan

My siblings had returned from the Pakistan as changed people. Faizan was quieter, but Aizah was bubblier. It was like they had switched personalities back there.

"What happened?" I asked them curiously.

"I learnt so much about life back there." Aizah smiled nostalgically. "There's more to life than materialism."

"I think she's gonna be a hippie." Faizan cracked a smile.

"And what happened to you?" I turned to him.

"I found her, then I lost her, and then it was home time again." He sighed.

"The mysterious Miss Sameer?" I asked.

"Yep. Didn't see her again after the coach trip." He looked dejected. "I know who she is, I know who her family is, but I'm not resorting to social media stalking."

"If it's meant to be, it'll happen, Faizan. Why don't you speak to Mama?" Aizah suggested.

"Mama will get prematurely overexcited, and that's not right either." Faizan sighed, laying back on the living room sofa of our parents' house.

"Speaking of excited...I can't believe that I'll be a Phupho, In Sha Allah!" Aizah clapped her hands together like a child. "I can't wait! Ma Sha Allah, this is such a beautiful news to come home to!"

"Mama must be already preparing, huh?" Faizan glanced at me.

"You know it. She already has a list of things that we'd need."

"Stop mocking her. You'll be the one thanking her when the time comes, In Sha Allah." Aizah said, defensively.

"I have no doubt about that." I agreed.

For a long time, the three of us sat around and discussed the recent happenings in our lives, yet my twin sister and our younger brother remained quiet secretive about what happened in Pakistan. I wonder if they'll open up to me anytime soon.

*

As Irrevocably approaches its conclusion, I will find a way to briefly discuss the stories of the side characters, but I do not planning on writing these in details. Maybe I'll add bonus chapters at the end.

*

Rohaan

"I need your advice." 

I looked up and I rubbed my ear. "Am I hearing things? Am I the one being approached for an advice?"

Arsal sighed heavily and sat at the foot of my bed. "I'm thinking of following Chachu's path. I want to do my Masters abroad."

I looked suspiciously at him. "Running away is not the solution, kid brother."

"I don't see a solution. I don't want to get married yet, now that I have thought about it. I just turned twenty, for God's sake! And I don't expect Tahira to leave behind her newfound life and start over again. She has already struggled so much just to get here."

"So, you're going to leave for her sake?"

"Education is a valid reason to leave."

"Why don't you just stay here? She works at the B&B, but it's not like you often see her." I pointed out. "Even if you see her at special events like Behaya's wedding, just remind yourself to remain near people, and to not go off with her alone. I'm sure you're capable of that, Arsal."

"It's hard to be around her and to not think about her."

"Do you stop thinking about her when she's not around?" 

"No." He mumbled, staring down into his lap.

"Then your logic makes no sense." I shook my head. "Arsal, you had a chance to study at one of the best universities in the US, but you refused because you wanted to remain at home. You didn't want to move abroad, because you yourself didn't think you could handle it. Can you manage it now? Has something changed?" 

He shook his head.

"Look, I know you, man. I know you messed up once, and that you won't do it again. But I personally don't think that there's any need for you to run off abroad, unless it's something that you really want to do yourself, and that you're not just doing it to get away from her."

"I don't want to go. I'm not you, Ro. I cannot manage on my own, I know myself."

"A little elder brother wisdom? Never underestimate yourself. In the right circumstances, you can surprise yourself. Otherwise who would have thought that this little grasshopper would dare fight me? But you did, when I said a word against her- which I'm sorry for, by the way."

"I need to stick around and deal with these feelings maturely." He nodded, seemingly speaking to himself.

"You're back at uni now, so focus on education. Focus on your future and what you want to do." 

He raised both eyebrows at me. "Since when are you so wise?"

"You underestimate yourself, and people underestimate me." I shrugged.

"Well...." He grinned. "I wouldn't say they underestimate you. They just know you, that's all."

"Get out of my room, Arsalan."

He laughed. "What's your plan?" 

"I'm gonna play the new zombie game till my eyes can't stay open."

"No, I mean in the long-term. Are you not going to do Masters?" 

"This is my final year at university. I need to focus on this before I can even think of further education." I sighed. "Education is like medicine: bitter but necessary."

"You and Haya Appi are the same, yet you act like mortal enemies." 

"Two like-minded people often clash. Now get out, Arsal."

Arsal stood up. "Thanks, Ro."

"Don't ever tell anyone about this conversation. People would think I've gone soft."

He laughed. "I'll take this secret to my grave."

The moment he walked out, I grabbed my phone, reading the message again.

<K: If you want to learn how to ride a motorcycle, meet behind the Blacksmith Warehouse at 1.>

I got up from the bed, questioning myself and my decision. 

<Rohaan: I'll be there.>

I cracked my knuckles nervously, before pulling on a black jacket. Spraying on a strong cologne, I then slipped my feet into black boots before making my way quietly out of my bedroom. It was late at night. 

"Where are you going?"

My hands curled into fists and my jaw clenched. "Go back into your room, Arsal."

"It's past midnight."

I whirled around. "It's not your concern. Go back inside."

"Ro..." He was standing in the doorway of his room, looking at me with a mixture of concern and bewilderment. "Don't do anything stupid. You narrowly avoided legal trouble with your friends the last time."

"I know what I'm doing, Arsalan. I can take care of myself."

"I can't let you go." He said, stubborn.

"You can't let me go?" I repeated his words in disbelief. "Have you completely forgotten that I'm the older one here?" 

"You're my brother and if you do something stupid, I'll stop you."

I laughed humourlessly. "You'll stop me?" 

He sighed, looking defeated. "Rohaan, too much has happened already. Don't be an idiot and cause another problem, okay?" He headed back in his room, but just before he closed the door, he looked at me again. "You act tough, but I know that at the end of the day, you'll do the right thing."

"What are you, the personification of my conscience?" 

"I think a good family should be a personification of each other's conscience." He shrugged. "Family drags you out of the fire, and not watch you throw yourself into it."

"Writers." I grumbled, making my way down the stairs. But as I grabbed the car key and was about to unlock the front door, doubts bombarded my mind.

What am I doing? I'm not a bad boy biker of a cliché book. I'm a guy from a decent desi family, who doesn't go around riding bikes at night. My hand wrapped around the carton of cigarettes in my jacket pocket. Or smokes.

I sighed. Arsal had gotten into my head, that little grasshopper. Shaking my head, I headed back upstairs. Might as well call it a night.

*

The next morning, I was still in bed when my phone vibrated like a frickin' maniac.

"What the f**k?" I groaned, reaching out my arm to grab it, squinting at the screen.

Hoor.

"Hoor, do you not know me?" I complained, answering the phone. "It's too early 'o' clock for me."

"Ro...you know how awesome you are?"

"Allah khair kare. Mujhe to laga subha subha makhan sirf nashte main milta hai." 

*"God help me. I thought buttering was only done early in the morning over breakfast."

"I need your help."

"You're married. Ask Farhaan Bhai."

"Ro!" 

I groaned. "What do you want, Hoor?" 

"I don't feel like driving. I need you to drive me somewhere." She pleaded.

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, let me bring my taxi along to drive you."

"No need for sarcasm." 

"Again. Ask the husband, not the brother." I said.

"I'll buy you lunch." She spoke quickly, probably afraid that I would hang up.

That caught my interest. "From?"

"Wherever you want."

"Deal. Where and when do you need me to drive you?" 

.*

"Shopping?" I glared at my sister as she got into the front passenger seat beside me. "Are you kidding?" 

"Look." Hoor turned to me. "Farhaan and Faiz Uncle have purchased a building for the first branch of Rose Luxe Hotel. I want to buy something for Farhaan to congratulate him. I didn't wat to drive, and I couldn't ask Farhaan to take me to buy a surprise for him. I mean, come on."

"You should have asked Arsal. Or Haya. Or literally anyone else."

"I wanted a male opinion, and you were the first person that I thought of." She shrugged. "It'd be too awkward asking Faizan Bhai."

"Sometimes I hate being this cool. Everyone has too many expectations from me." 

"I love you too, Ro." She grinned.

I took her to a local shopping centre and parked in the multi-story car park. 

Wearing a knee-length, long-sleeved red floral dress with black leggings and flat black ankle boots, Hoor resembled our mother so much right now. Having recently had a fringe done, her hair was pulled up into a high-ponytail, reminding me of old photos I'd seen of Mama pre-marriage.

"So...congratulations on the new building." I looked at her as we walked towards the covered bridge that led towards the shopping centre.

She smiled. "Thank you."

We took a while in a department store in the men's section. Hoor was seriously fickle, and it was so hard for her to decide that I ended up taking charge and selecting a wallet and a Boss perfume for my brother-in-law. 

"These items are too usual." She looked confused.

"We guys are not usually too picky." 

She narrowed her eyes at me. I grinned cheekily in return.

She then went to make a payment, while I continued to look around. 

*

Hooriya

When I got into the car beside Ro, he handed me something. "Here."

I looked down and saw a mini teddy bear with light brown fur. "That's cute!" I looked up at him, questioningly.

"For my nephew or niece." A shade of pink covered his cheeks and he looked away.

Tears filled my eyes as I held the little bear. "Oh my God, Ro. This is so adorable! Thank you!"

"Don't mention it. I mean it. Never mention it." He said from between gritted teeth as he started up the car.

"You're such a softie, Ro." 

"I told you: don't ever mention it." 

"My baby's first toy." I ran a finger over the bear's head, smiling fondly.

He remained silent, but I saw a ghost of a smile on his face.

*

Haya

"The wedding venue is done." Mama was on a video call with Nano as she crossed off things from her list. "Haya's bridal outfits are ordered, she just needs to go in for a fitting closer to the date. We are going to go for food-tasting to the venue, so we can decide the menu for the mehndi and the baraat. Mama, don't forget to bring that necklace, the one with the rubies." 

"I have my own list, don't worry." Nano replied. "What about the outfits for the rest of the family?" 

"I personally would love to fly out to Pakistan and buy myself and Rehan perfect parents-of-the-bride outfits." My mother sighed dreamily.

"Why don't you and Papa go?" I suggested. "You get staff tickets, as does he based on the fact that he's your spouse."

"There's too much to do here. I can't leave it all behind and go dress shopping." My mother literally had a pen stuck through her bun, just in case she suddenly had an idea that she needed to write down. 

"Come." Nano said. "Pamper yourself for a change."

"Oh, Mama, if I come there, I'd be anything but pampered. I'd be too worried about home."

"We are not a bunch of babies, Mama." I rolled my eyes. "We can handle a few days alone. But think about it; this is your second and last chance of being the mother of the bride. You have to look exceptional."

"Haya..." She looked at me with a 'You're-being-ridiculous' look.

"Come on, Anabia." Nano encouraged her. "You and I can go shopping together."

"Plus, it might be nice for you and Papa to get away together." I whispered, hoping that Nano couldn't hear.

"I'll think about it." Mama took off her reading glasses, rubbing the bridge of her nose. 

"There's not much time to think." I said. "There's barely three weeks till my wedding."

She looked up, her eyes filling up. "I really didn't need that reminder."

I went to sit beside her and wrapped my  arms around her. Even Nano looked emotional as she witnessed our moment via the video call on the iPad. "Don't worry. I'll often be around to annoy Badrooh."

Speaking of the 'devil', he entered the room. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam." Mama and I replied.

"Your Nano is here too." Mama gestured towards the iPad.

Rohaan leaned down. "Assalam Alaikum, Nano."

"Walaikum Assalam, mere chand ka tukra." Nano said. "Ma Sha Allah, getting more and more handsome every day."

*"A piece of the moon [a term of endearment]."

"Nano, put on your glasses and check again." I teased.

"Her lack of glasses protect her from witnessing Behayai." Ro slapped the back of my head, lightly.

"I should go now." Nano said. "Kamran insisted on taking me for a drive today, so I have to go." She blushed.

"Aww cute, Ma Sha Allah!" I smiled.

"I'm glad you're happy, Mama." My mother also smiled at her.

"He has an impressive car." Rohaan said. "I can't wait to drive it when I'm there the next time."

"Your adorable little dreams are so sweet...and unrealistic." Mama looked at him.

After the call ended, I looked at my brother. "We were trying to convince Mama to go to Pakistan to get herself and Papa their wedding outfits."

"They're getting married again? Cool. So, a month long honeymoon after that? Maybe two months?" Cheeky Rohaan chuckled.

"Besharam!" Mama's cheeks turned red.

*"Shameless!"

"For my wedding, you Humpty Dumpty." I rolled my eyes. "But she's not listening."

"Boss Woman, go. We'll handle everything back here." 

"You just want the parents away, don't you?" Mama stood up, picking up her notebook.

"I mean, if you can kill two birds with one stone..." Rohaan laughed. I nudged his ribs with my elbow, and he turned serious. "Mama, trust us. We'll be fine."

"Trust you all? After the little stunt you pulled that left me stranded all dressed up?" She narrowed her eyes pointedly at my brother. "I still don't know who the mastermind was."

"And why am I being looked at so suspiciously?" He questioned.

"Because you are really good at scheming. I have to give you that. And if this one wasn't yours, I'd be seriously disappointed, Rohaan." She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Is that a trick to try and see if I'd confess?" 

"Suspecting each other runs in the family." I grinned.

*

Hooriya

I placed the teddy in the spare bedroom, the room that was going to be the baby's nursery after its birth. From your Ro Mamu.

I headed to my room and changed into comfortable grey trousers with a long-sleeved black shirt with 'Sweet Dreams' written on the front in white letters. It was so good to be at home in my night-suit during the day.

As I sat on my bed to binge-watch some show on the plasma TV, my phone rang.

I glanced down at it and saw Farhaan's name. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam. Hoor, I need a favour from you." He sounded like he was speaking in a rush.

"Sure, what's up?" 

"The B&B has been cleared for reopening. Would you mind going over and looking after things today?" 

I resisted the urge to groan. All I wanted was to sit here watching TV, while eating something delicious. But it seemed like I had wished for too much.

"Hoor?" 

"Sure, I'll go." I sounded a little irritated to my own ears. 

"I'm sorry, Hoor. If I was anywhere near there, I would have gone myself." 

"Come on, don't apologise. I'm responsible for it too. In a way more than you now, since you're busy with the hotel." 

"Thank you. I'll make it up to you, I promise." 

I was starting to realise that being a businessman's wife wasn't like in the books that I read. It wasn't about a rich, sexy billionaire sweeping you off your feet and taking you on helicopter rides that overlooked the skyline of London. No, it was more like a rich, sexy billionaire drowning in work and his wife barely getting to see him. At this rate, we'll meet at Haya's wedding functions next.

I changed into black high-waisted trousers and a salmon pink blouse, along with black wedge professional shoes. Grabbing my essentials, I walked out. I suppose it's better to distract myself with work. At least I'll be doing something productive rather than eating and watching TV series. I groaned internally as I thought about how much I wanted the second option right now.

I dreamt of a romantic married life. I got thrown into the cold world of business.

When I arrived at the B&B, I saw Tahira frowning as she typed away on the computer screen at the reception desk. "Hey, Tahira. All good? Don't tell me there's a double booking again." I set my bag down on the desk and moved to stand beside her. She was looking through the company email, the one formed for customer services feedback, complaints or enquiries.

"Do you understand this?" She pointed at the screen,  an email from a weirdly named email address.

One strike, but you survived. Maybe you'll survive strike two as well. But three strikes and you're out!

"Is that junk?" I frowned. "Or a threat?"

"It sounds like a threat." Tahira muttered. "Strike one could be the gas explosion in the kitchen?" 

"It can't be..." I stared off into space, speaking to myself. "Yes, it can be. We only recently had a safety inspection, so everything was in order..."

The two of us exchanged a wide-eyed glance.

"I think someone is trying to sabotage your husband's business." She spoke after a few moments.

*

Mikael Bhai's jaw clenched as he studied the email.

"Can you find out who sent it?" I asked my cousin-in-law.

"Sure. It might take a while, but I have connections who can trace this." He looked at me.

"Legally?" I asked, doubtfully.

He smirked. "Do you think I'm some sort of a criminal hacker mastermind, Hooriya?" 

"If I was a computer genius, I'd consider that option." I shrugged, grinning.

He chuckled. "Don't worry about this. I'll find out and let you or Farhaan know."

"Let me know. Farhaan doesn't know yet. I'm not sure if he'll take it seriously."

"I've known that guy his entire life, Hooriya. And after the gas explosion that almost risked your life, if he doesn't take it seriously, he's not the Farhaan I know." Mikael Bhai straightened up. "I'm gonna be in Farhaan's office upstairs, okay?"

"Sure. Let us know if you need coffee or tea or snacks." 

"Thanks, choti Bhabi." Giving me a warm smile, he walked off.

Tahira leaned closer to me. "I don't mean to offend you in any way, but people in your in-laws have good genes."

I looked at her surprised, then laughed. It was nice to see Tahira warming up to me like a friend.

She blushed. "Sorry." Lowering her gaze, she turned to focus on the computer again.

"I totally agree, Tahira." I giggled.

And the two of us continued to giggle like two best friends in secondary school, even briefly forgetting the fact that we might just have been threatened.

*

"So, it is a threat?" Farhaan asked Mikael Bhai.

"Seems so. This email was sent by someone based in a rival hotel." Farhaan's older cousin explained. "I would report this, and not completely disregard this."

"This person, or people, could have caused fatalities here!" Farhaan's voice rose. "Hoor ended up in the hospital!" 

I sat on one of the chairs, staring up at the cousins wide-eyed. "Farhaan, forget what could have happened. Just report it, for the sake of our staff, our guests, of everyone."

"Yeah, Bhai, don't take it lightly." Mikael Bhai patted my husband's shoulder. "Business rivalry can be real dangerous."

Farhaan looked at me. "And I really can't risk danger lurking around the B&B." He sighed. "Fine. We have to go to the police."

*

Anabia

I entered our room with a freshly ironed shirt of Rehan's, ready for him to wear to work this morning, but stopped in my tracks when I saw him already ready. "Oh. I ironed this for you."

"There was no need." He spoke quietly, without looking at me.

Arsalan's birthday was the day we had called a truce, but I knew that our issues were not over yet. I knew Rehan hadn't forgiven me yet, and I couldn't really blame him for it. "Rehan..."

"I'll probably be late today. Don't wait for me for dinner." He pulled his work jacket on, straightening his tie.

I walked over to him, smoothing down his lapels. "I thought we could talk things through?" 

He didn't look at me. "I don't really have the time for that yet. I'm busier these days because I need to take time off for Haya's wedding."

"Too busy to talk to your own wife?" I kept my tone light and teasing.

Now he looked at me, clearly annoyed. "Anabia, you know that we didn't just have a small argument, right? What you seriously considered doing, could have destroyed the family."

"I considered it, but I would never have done it!"

"You considered an extreme step for a mistake of Arsal's! You thought of yourself over the impact it could have had on our kids. When are you going to learn, Anabia? When are you going to grow up?" 

His words stung, true as they were. I closed my eyes as if to protect myself from the pain of the iciness in his voice.

"I'm putting up a façade of normality for the sake of our kids, but I'm not a saint, Anabia. I tried to forget about it, to sweep another mistake of yours under the rug, but I can't." He grabbed his wallet, car keys and phone and strode towards the door. "Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz." My dry throat barely pushed out those words as I sank down on the bed, still clutching his ironed shirt. 

How badly have I messed up my relationship with Rehan?

*

Rohaan

I was ready to head out to play football, but when I opened my door, Haya was standing there, pale-faced. "Haya, what's wrong?" 

She came inside, barging past me almost as if she owned the entire house and all rooms in it. 

"Oh, hello, Behaya? Get out."

She turned to face me. "I think we thought it was okay, and initially it was okay. But it's not."

"What are you talking about? Are you high on Calpol?" 

"I think our scheme only temporarily brought our parents together, only for Arsal's birthday. Painting over something doesn't make a difference if the foundation is damaged."

"What makes you think that?" I frowned.

"Papa just left looking almost furious." She whispered. "Oh, Rohaan. I'm scared now. What if they can't fix things? I don't want to leave for my newly married life worried about them not being the same ever again."

"Okay, now you're being dramatic." I shook my head. "They'll be fine. They'll always been fine, In Sha Allah. I just know it. I have faith."

She didn't look convinced.

"Look. This a** of mine has been kicked enough, but if it will help, maybe we can come up with another scheme?" 

She shook her head. "No, Ro. I think we should let them be. Give them space. And if, with time, we see no difference, then we'll have to speak to Dado."

Her worry was contagious, because my stomach started to sink. I sat down on the bed and looked up at her. "Behaya, what if they get divorced?"

She sat down beside me, and to my surprise she burst into tears. "Ro, I'm scared."

I patted her back, not knowing how to reassure her when I felt the same fear. But when I saw how vulnerable she looked, I reminded myself that younger or not, I was her brother and I considered it my duty to take care of my sisters/siblings. "Look, Behaya, I'm gonna count so heavily on you to be my partner-in-crime in fixing messes. So you need to remain strong, okay?" 

"Was Arsal's mistake that bad that things have reached this point?" 

"Look," I said. "Picture a pan with water, okay? When the fire is lit, the water boils, right? Well, Arsal's incident was the fire that heated everything up. With Arsal's repentance, that fire had been turned off, but the water is still hot as f**k. Now begins the cooling down period. It takes time, but we'll get there."

"Can we not find a fridge or freezer to speed up the process?"

I chuckled. "Let's not add to the analogy, okay? It's perfect as it is."

"For someone who doesn't like to read or write, that was pretty creative, Ro."

"What can I do, Behaya? Khoon main hai mere." I shrugged. "But remember. We're not going down without a fight, okay? We will step in if things escalate. I don't give a s**t about how much trouble I get in for that." 

*"It's in my blood."

"If one of them decides to leave?" 

"I will not let this family break apart without fighting till my last breath. I promise, Behaya. No matter how much we fight, you need to trust me with this, okay?" 

She gave me a small smile. "And I will support you."

I held out my fist. "Partners-in-crime?"

"Partners-in-crime!" She pounded my fist and laughed.

*

This chapter was a little more about Rohaan. Irrevocably will end soon, and I am paving the way for Ro's story.

Hot-headed, family man; Ro will do anything for the people he loves. His love for his parents and siblings is unconditional.

Will this new threat against the B&B harm Hoor & Farhaan?

So, Mikael returns. I'm still trying to figure out how to add his and Sophie's story in.

Thoughts and comments?

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