© All copyrights belong to StarsAndMoon1447 on Wattpad

*

Someone pointed out correctly that physiotherapists are technically not doctors, which is true, however they can qualify as doctors of physiotherapy. Still, to avoid further confusion, I will be amending Aariz's profession to an orthopaedist, in-training to be an orthopaedic surgeon. I have already amended this in the story.

*

Haya

I suppose that there were worse things in the world than getting caught kissing your husband in a lift by your grandmother. It was just that I couldn't think of any of those things at this point in time. Not even one single thing.

Aariz scratched the back of his ear as we stepped out of the lift. "I'm gonna go and do some work.  Allah Hafiz, Nina Dado. I'll see you later, Haya." He rushed off.

Dado looked amused. "Why am I even surprised? You are Rehan and Anabia's daughter."

Now I was mortified. "Dado! That's not an information that I needed to know!"

"At least your situation was still relatively innocent." My grandmother just chuckled.

My face was burning. "Dado, please stop..." I buried my face in my hands.

"Just be grateful that it was just me, bachay." She ran a hand over my head. "Rehan could have been with me. I have been in that situation, and it's not fun."

"Right, I don't want to know the details. Thanks." I leaned my forehead against her shoulder.

"I'm glad you're happy though." She kissed the top of my head. "Alhumdulillah." 

"Aariz is very good to me, Alhumdulillah."

She smiled. "As annoyed as I am at Rebecca, I always had good vibes from Aariz. My instincts have always told me that he's the right choice for you."

*

Anabia

I was feeling a little restless. Since suddenly leaving yesterday, Rehan hadn't been back. I was wondering if all was okay with my kids. The only reason why my husband would be away this long would be if there was an issue with our kids. Otherwise, I'd practically begged him to stay home, and he had kept refusing.

I grabbed my phone and dialled Arsal's number. I felt a little guilty using his attachment towards me as a way to get him to tell me the truth, but I knew that he was the only one who would. If there were issues, Rehan was not going to tell me until they were resolved.

"Mama! Assalam Alaikum!" My youngest child sounded happy to hear from me.

"Walaikum Assalam, Arsu. How are you and Rohaan? Everything okay at home?" 

There was a brief pause, which confirmed my doubts. "Yes, Mama. All is well." 

"Has your Papa left yet?" 

"Papa? Umm...uh...I don't know."

I sighed, closing my eyes. "Arsal, what's wrong? Please tell me the truth or I'll worry myself sick."

"Nothing, Mama. Nothing's wrong!" He sounded like he was panicking.

"Promise me." 

There was silence once again.

"Arsalan, please tell me. I'm feeling very restless. Is everyone okay?"

"Mama...it's Hoor Appi." 

My heart almost stopped. "Hoor? What's wrong?"

"I don't know the details, but Dado says that it happens sometimes in this condition. But Hoor Appi is in the hospital and..." 

"Why was I not told?" 

"Because you yourself aren't well." He replied. "Mama, please don't tell Papa that I told you."

"Arsal, don't worry, sweetheart. I'll make sure he doesn't get mad at you. Thank you for telling me." I reassured him. "I'll speak to you later. Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz, Mama."

I leaned back on my pillow once the call had ended. I remembered very well how much I needed my mother while I was pregnant, especially during my first pregnancy. I wasn't even angry that nobody had told me. I was feeling so damn helpless, being here when my Hoor was suffering. For a while, I just lay back on the bed and cried. I wanted to be there with Hoor right now so badly, but I couldn't even walk at the moment. 

Composing myself, I called Haya.

"Assalam Alaikum, Mama. You okay?" She was trying to sound cheerful, but I could almost hear the anxiety in her voice.

"Walaikum Assalam. How are you, Haya?" 

"I'm good. Alhumdulillah." 

"Are you at the hospital with Hoor?" 

There was a brief pause. "How did you...? Oh, for flip's sake. Arsal, right?" 

"Are you at the hospital?" I repeated.

"Yes, Mama."

"Please take the phone to Hoor and let me speak to her via video call, Haya." 

"Mama, I don't think that's a good idea." 

"She needs me right now, Haya. Please take the phone to her right now." 

"Okay..." 

I tried to remain calm. I didn't know myself how I would react at seeing Hoor, but I knew that I had to be strong for her.

Haya changed the call to a video call, giving me a brief smile before holding the phone over Hoor. My heart sank as I saw my pale, weak eldest daughter, but I tried not to let my emotions show.

"Assalam Alaikum, Mama." Hoor whispered.

"Walaikum Assalam." I gave her a weak smile. "I know how you must be feeling right now, honey. Trust me, I get it. But every single moment is going to be worth it when you hold your baby, In Sha Allah. I can tell you that. I know that it doesn't feel like it right now, but when the baby comes, you'll forget it all..." 

Hoor was in tears. "I need you so much, Mama." 

"I know I'm not there, physically, but my duas are with you, Hoor. And just call me anytime you need to talk." I said, trying to retain the façade of strength.

"I'm so sorry to stress you out right now, Mama." 

A tear ran down my cheek. "Don't be silly, Hoor. After Allah, your mother is the first person you can openly express your stress, worries and pain to. I'm here for you, albeit over the phone. Talk to me, let me know how you feel. Maybe that will be of some comfort to you."

"I don't know how long I'll last this way, Mama."

"You are brave, Hoor. You are strong. Remember, a mother isn't given such a high status for no reason. This is the most difficult stage, but focus on the end result. I've had my fair share of difficulties while pregnant, but I promise you, I regret none of it." 

She smiled. "Thanks, Mama. Talking to you always makes me feel better."

"I love you so much, Hoor. Remember, you are surrounded by so many loved ones, Ma Sha Allah. You are not alone. We're all here to support you, okay? I may not be there, but you still have your Nano, Dado, Mumani or Chachi. And your mother-in-law is wonderful too. They all understand. They're all there to guide you."

"I love you too. And yeah, Mama. I'm blessed. Alhumdulillah." 

When the call ended, I knew that I had one more call to make. I dialled the number and patiently waited. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam, Anya. You okay?" My husband replied.

"I'm okay, Alhumdulillah. You have something to tell me, honey?" 

*

Haya

Hoor looked visibly better after the video call with Mama. She was still smiling, long after the call had ended.

"That's all you needed: your daily dose of Mama-affection." I grinned at her.

"Did you tell Mama about me?" 

"No...I think..."

"Arsal." We both said the name together.

"That little grasshopper." I rolled my eyes.

"He really can't keep anything from Mama, can he?" Hoor smiled fondly. "But I'm glad she found out. Talking to her made me feel so, so much better."

"I'm glad." I squeezed her hand. 

"But someone needs to go to her immediately. She acts brave in front of us, but I know that she must be worrying." My twin turned serious.

"Nano, Mamu and Mumani are going there." 

"Good. Her maikay waalay will cheer her up." She giggled.

"Yeah, maikay waalay have the tendency to do that." I whispered.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "All good?"

"Yeah, I just realised the value of my maika, now that I'm married."

She closed her eyes, a satisfied smile on her face. "We're lucky to get such great in-laws, right? Alhumdulillah." 

I was lucky to have Aariz. I had noticed that his father wasn't much involved in his life, so I was yet to decide how he was. But Rebecca Khalla was making all attempts to ensure that the role of a stereotypical Saas was filled in my life. "Alhumdulillah."...for Aariz.

*

Rohaan

I whistled as I mopped the kitchen floor. It had started to look quite dirty, and I couldn't bear it any longer.  I'd started off with taking the garbage out and dumping it in the wheelie bins, along with the pizza boxes that I dumped in the recycling box. I'd then wiped down the counters and was now doing this.

"Ro!" 

I looked up and saw Arsal in the doorway of the kitchen. "What?" 

"Help me! Papa's going to kill me." 

I scoffed. "Bro, that's my dialogue." I grinned. "What did you do?" 

"I told Mama about Hoor Appi."

I burst out laughing. "Oh...I see now. You need help with your funeral arrangements?" 

He frowned. "It's Mama. I couldn't lie to her." He walked towards me.

"Back away!" I held out a hand. "I just mopped the floor there."

He blinked, before shaking his head. "Ro, you're used to being in trouble. What do I do?"

I shrugged. "Just be honest. Tell him that it's Mama and you couldn't lie to her. He'll understand."

"Wait...are you cleaning?" 

"Yes, I am. And it's good that you're here. Get started on the living room." 

"But..."

"Arsalan, is it only Mama's job to clean the house?" 

"No." He muttered. "Fine."

*

I wish I could say that we were exceptional sons, and that we cleaned up the whole house.

Instead, while cleaning Arsal found a game that we'd lost, and the two of us started to play it.

"I feel like having a burger." Arsal muttered hours later. "I've had too much pizza lately."

"I'll order some. The usual?" I looked up at him.

"Sure." 

I headed into the kitchen to grab some soft drinks. The sun had set and the house was now dark, and just as I turned on the kitchen light, I heard a creak upstairs. I looked up at the ceiling. "F**k."

Nobody was home but me and Arsal. I quickly typed a message to my brother.

<Rohaan: Remain quiet. I think someone's upstairs.>

I heard more creaking and my heart pounded harder.

Arsal rushed into the kitchen wide-eyed and pale. "What...?"

"Shh." I put a finger to my lips.

It was now obvious that we were now hearing footsteps upstairs.

"Papa's not home, right?" Arsal grabbed my arm, moving back slightly behind me as he glanced towards the kitchen doorway.

"Call the police. I'll be right back." I whispered.

"Ro, don't be a hero. Let's just leave the house and call the police." 

"This is my home. I have to protect it." I told him as I headed outside to the foyer. "Leave the house and call the police, Arsal." I opened the wardrobe in the hallway and pulled out an old cricket bat of Behaya that I knew was still kept there. 

"Ro, don't be stupid. They might have weapons."

Ignoring him, pumped with adrenaline, I headed upstairs clutching the cricket bat. The sound was coming from the direction of Hoor's room. I walked forward and taking a breath, pushed the door open. 

A man in a ski mask was halfway out of the window and glanced at me startled.

"You son of a b***h!" I yelled, running forward.

He jumped out, using the tree beside the window to climb down. He looked empty-handed, but the fact that he had broken into our home was bad enough for me. Fuming, I closed the window and walked around the entire upper floor, making sure that nobody else was there. My gaze fell on the Ayat-ul-Kursi hanging on the wall of the hallway. Allah had protected us.

What if Arsu had been home alone?

*

Papa arrived just after the police.

"You two okay?" He asked, glancing at me and Arsal in concern.

My brother and I nodded in unison.

He pulled us in a group hug, holding us there for a few moments.

The police got our statements, gathered fingerprints, patrolled the house and recommended that we get more CCTV cameras around the house, before leaving.

"Nano mentioned nazar. Could it be that?" Arsal wondered out loud as we walked into the family living room. "Too many things are going wrong." 

*The concept of 'nazar', i.e. evil eye, is something that Muslims believe in. It could be caused by jealousy/envy, and that's why Islam advices people not to display their happiness/good blessings openly. An evil eye can cause misfortune*
-If you don't believe in it, it's fine, but be respectful that it's our belief. Also, it's not something only Muslims believe in. It is believed in various cultures/religions around the world.

Papa sat down on the armchair, his head in his hands.

"I never say this, but Arsal's right." I added. "First Mama, then Hoor Appi, and now this..." 

"But don't stress out, Papa. We're fine. Alhumdulillah." Arsal sat on the armrest beside him, patting his back.

Our father stood up, composing himself. "I need to go and check if anything has been stolen."

"The guy was empty-handed." I blurted out.

Papa frowned. "How did you know? Did you actually see him?" 

Oops. See, again we are in a situation where I am the one who has to use the dialogue: 'Papa's going to kill me!'. I cleared my throat. "It's a funny story, really. You'd eventually laugh about it and be proud of me."

"I'm listening." He crossed his arms over his chest. 

"We heard the creaking sound, and I took Beha...Haya's cricket bat and went upstairs..." I stopped as I saw his expression.

"What were you thinking, Rohaan?" 

"I wanted to protect by home." 

"By risking your life?" His voice rose. "What, do you think any item in this house, or this house itself, is worth more than your life?" 

"Papa, you know Ro is very protective of his family and home..." Arsal tried to help me out.

"Are you saying that this house is more important than your brother's life?" 

"No, but..." 

"Arsal, it's fine." I cleared my throat. "Papa, I acted impulsively, I know. It was all in a rush of adrenaline, and I wasn't thinking straight. And I'm not going to lie, I'll probably do this again if this happens again. I am very protective of what's mine, so whether it's family or an actual building, and I will not tolerate any harm to anything that's mine."

"You're not to risk your life for a materialistic cause ever again." Papa warned me.

He's not going to be happy about my decision of being a detective. If I can't convince him, who would convince Boss Woman?

*

Haya

Aariz and I went home together that day, late at night. I'd spent the whole day at my twin sister's side. 

"I'm knackered." Aariz muttered as we stepped inside our home.

"Me too." I groaned. "Sitting in that stupid chair for so long is tiring."

We headed to our bedroom.

"Haya?" 

I looked at Aariz as he put away his laptop bag inside the wardrobe. "Yeah?" 

"Your Dado isn't offended, right?" He looked uncertain.

"I'm happy with you. You are affectionate towards me. Yeah, she's definitely not offended." I giggled. "Although, she did tease me a bit." In a mortifying way.

"Your family is wonderful, Ma Sha Allah." Aariz said, unbuttoning his shirt.

I smiled. "Ma Sha Allah." I looked at him. "You know, you are now included as my family, so that applies to you too."

"Is that right?" 

I shrugged. "Yeah, I suppose." I sneaked a peek at him. Shirtless Aariz was a very attractive Aariz, and he was making my heart pound harder. 

We had some brief moments of blissful silence, with our gazes locked and small smiles on our faces.

"Weren't there things that we needed to tell each other?" I asked.

"I'd rather shower first." He grabbed a towel and clean clothes. "I'd rather not be smelling like the hospital when we talk." 

"Good plan. I agree. I smell of the hospital too." I wrinkled my nose.

"Great. Shower, order food, talk." He nodded.

*

"How did you get into this field?" I asked, scooping up some egg fried rice into my spoon.

"Well, my love for cricket is what got me interested in the musculoskeletal system. And then, it was the cliché desi father encouraging me to get into one of those 'top fields', i.e. law, medicine or engineering. I thought, 'what the heck?', and I chose medicine."

"Ugh, just the thought of all that studying is a nightmare for me." I sighed. 

We sat on some throw cushions on the  floor in our living room, the food placed on the coffee table in front of us. 

"Ma Sha Allah, your art is amazing. It's your passion. I can tell." He glanced up at the painting above the fireplace, one that he had purchased from me as Cric_doc.

I smiled. "I remember sitting on the patio deck at my paternal grandparents' house, along with Chachu. While he did his painting, I used to randomly paint as well across the canvas paper. I used to love mixing colours, blending them together. Often, my parents came to pick us up and found my clothes covered in paint, as well as my face, arms and legs." 

"That's adorable." 

"Not in my mother's opinion." I giggled. "I mean, she'd find it hilarious now, maybe, but she wasn't amused then." 

He laughed. "Okay...art or cricket?" 

"I'd have to say art. As much as I love cricket, if I had to picture a world without one of these, I'd prefer the world with art and without cricket, rather than the other way around." I turned to him. "If you had a choice, would you have become a professional cricketer?" 

He chuckled. "I got into this profession with a 'what the heck?' attitude, but I love it now, so no. I'm fine as a doctor."

We ate in silence for a while.

"Haya, I know art is your passion, but I need to ask you something genuinely." He broke the silence, looking serious.

"Sure."

"Me or art?" He whispered out the words, but the intensity of his gaze was so heated and strong that it made me breathless.

"What?" 

"It's a genuine question. What are your more passionate about?" 

I blinked, taken aback. But the answer was crystal clear inside my heart and mind. "If I had to choose a world without either of these options, I'd sacrifice art without thinking twice. But I can no longer picture a world where you're not in my life."

He moved closer to me, resting his forehead against the side of my head. "There are things that I need to tell you, Haya. Things that you have to know." He repeated his words from the lift.

"There are things that I need to tell you too." I repeated my own words as well.

"Is that right? Like what?" 

"You tell me first." I tilted my head sideways to look at him.

"Ladies first." He had a teasing smile on his face.

"Age order, oldest first."

"Let's finish our meal first." 

"Why, you need the energy to have a conversation with me?" 

"It depends on the conversation." 

"Any hints? Spoilers?" 

"Nope." He adamantly shook his head.

"You're such a tease." 

"Any hints or spoilers from you?" 

"Nope."

"Then I suppose it's truly a match made in heaven." He winked at me.

*

Arsalan

The burger plan was cancelled. Papa quickly made some aloo bhujiya, while Ro and I heated up frozen parathas. 

After dinner, Ro went upstairs, and I sat in the living room, blankly staring at a new book that was delivered to me today. 

Papa came and sat down beside me. "You told Anya, right?" 

I swallowed hard. "I did. She's Mama. I couldn't lie to her."

To my surprise, he placed his arm around my shoulders and pulled me forward to kiss the side of my head. "How are you holding up, Arsu?" 

I shrugged. "I'm fine."

"I know you miss her, and I know that lately I wasn't around much. But if you ever need to talk, I'm here, okay?" 

"I'm fine, Papa. I need to toughen up anyway. I can't be a weak-hearted grasshopper all my life. I need to be..." A lion. "Stronger."

"Expressing your emotions, especially in front of your parents, does not make you weak. Anya and I have always made sure that you all felt comfortable to come and talk to us." He patted the back of my head. "Nevertheless, remember what I said. I'm here. You can come talk to me whenever you want." He stood up and began to walk out of the room.

"I don't want to be in this house." I blurted out. "I want to go live with Dada Jaan and Dado for a few days." 

He turned to face me, frowning. "Arsal..." 

"I don't like it here without her." I struggled to control my emotions. 

He looked thoughtful for a few moments, before nodding. "If that's what you want, sure. Ask Ro if he wants to go too."

"I will." I immediately got up. "Thanks, Papa." 

*

<Haya: Have you two lost it? Are you going to leave Papa alone at home?!>

<Rohaan: He's hardly home all day. He basically only comes to sleep.>

<Haya: Yes, but...no. I don't like this.>

We hadn't even told Haya Appi about the almost burglary. 

<Rohaan: We suggested to him that he should come and stay there too, but he refused.>

"Arsu! Come on, let's go!" Rohaan called from downstairs. 

"Coming." Grabbing my overnight bag and my university bag, I headed out of my room and down the stairs.

"Drive carefully, Rohaan." Papa came into the foyer, holding a mug of coffee. "Do not order too much junk food while there; eat whatever's cooked at home. Clean up after yourselves. Be considerate towards my parents." 

"Papa, you sure you're okay with us going?" I asked, hesitantly.

"I'm not home all day anyway. I'd feel better if you were at my parents' place." Our father replied. "Take care of yourselves, and take care of your grandparents as well, okay?"

"Allah Hafiz!" Ro and I called out before heading out.

"Allah Hafiz."

*

Haya

I woke up in the morning, fuming.

My brothers were staying at our paternal grandparents, leaving Papa on his own. He was already so stressed out; he shouldn't be alone.

"Good morning." 

I looked up and saw Aariz enter the room, already dressed for work. "Good morning. What happened to our conversation last night?" 

He grabbed his phone and came over to sit on the bed, showing me the screen. "This is what happened."

I saw a photo of myself fast asleep on the sofa. "Oops." I grinned sheepishly up at him. "Sorry."

"It's okay. We have a lifetime to have conversations, In Sha Allah." He pocketed his phone and buttoned up the cuffs of his shirt. "What are your plans for today?" 

"Job application for galleries." I sat up, leaning back against the headboard. "I have a fairly decent knowledge of art history, so I'm hoping that I'd fit in somewhere."

"I have faith in you. You can do it, In Sha Allah." 

I put my hand over his. "You're so good, you know that? Ma Sha Allah." 

"Not to brag, but I've been told that a lot." He grinned.

I rolled my eyes. "By yourself in front of the mirror?"

He laughed. "I have to admit, that's a good one." 

I smiled. "No jokes though. Aariz, I'm grateful to have you as my husband. Alhumdulillah."

"I believe that I'm the lucky one in this relationship." His voice was as soft as his gaze on me. "Tonight, we'll definitely have that conversation." 

"In Sha Allah." 

He kissed the top of my head. "In Sha Allah. Allah Hafiz, Haya."

"Allah Hafiz." I smiled at him.

I grabbed my phone and messaged Papa.

<Haya: Let me know if I can do anything. I know Ro and Arsal have gone to Dado's. ❤️>

*

Rehan

And then there was one.

I arrived home late in the evening to a dark, empty house. I wasn't used to this. I was used to a lively, noisy home filled with my loved ones. Even when it was just Rohaan and Arsalan, there was at least some sign of life in this house.

And now, it was nothing.

And once again, I couldn't visit Anya today. After quickly going to see Hoor, I had to go to the office for back-to-back meetings. I hadn't even had time for lunch.

After a shower and Isha prayer, I came back downstairs and heated up the aloo bhujiya from last night. Making toast to eat with it, I turned on the kettle to prepare for my post-dinner coffee.

I had just sat down in front of the TV when I read Haya's message. 

<Haya: Let me know if I can do anything. I know Ro and Arsal have gone to Dado's. ❤️>

I smiled to myself. 

<Rehan: I'm okay, jaan. Don't worry about me.>

But it felt weird. There had been times when I had been alone at home, like when Anya and the kids went to Pakistan, or when they stayed over at Saim's, but this was a weird kind of loneliness. Two of my people were in hospital. I was worried about how my other daughter was being treated by her in-laws. My home had been invaded, with my boys in the house, and Ro hadn't considered his own life for a second while defending this place. Arsal was clearly missing his mother a lot, so much that he couldn't even bear being here. And I'm sure that my regular absence didn't help much.

I dialled the number of the one person who I felt like talking to the most right now.

"Assalam Alaikum, Rehan." Anya sounded cheerful today.

"Walaikum Assalam. Ma Sha Allah, you sound happy." 

"I was taken around in a wheelchair outside to the garden today. It was so nice and refreshing! And they have a library here, so naturally, I wanted to go there..." She continued talking almost endlessly.

I sat back and listened to her with a smile on my face.

"Rehan?" 

"Hmm?" I finally started eating my 'meal'.

"How's everything at home? Is Hoor better? How are the other kids? Allah, I can't wait to come home so I could pamper them all so much, In Sha Allah! I miss them so much."

"Just them?" I teased. "Begum, thoda hamare bhi naaz nakhre utha laina, aapki meharbani."

*"Wife, pamper me a little as well please."

"If I'm not mistaken, it sounds like you're missing me." 

I laughed. "Are you kidding? I get to skip meals, not sleep enough and work late into the night without being told off."

"Rehan!"

"Just kidding. Kind of." 

"Stop stressing me out!" She sighed. "Are you coming tomorrow?"

"I thought you wanted me to stay away." I grinned. "It sounds like you are missing me."

"I'm bored."

"And I'm your entertainment?" 

"You're my husband. It's illegal for you to let me be bored."

I sighed. "Oh, Anya. It's true that there comes a time when one truly needs their spouse. When one truly values their spouse."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm bored too." 

She laughed. 

We continued talking long into the night. I put the phone on speaker while I washed the dishes and made coffee. With her voice echoing in the kitchen, it was almost as if she was here. But then she started getting sleepy.

"Anya, go to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow, In Sha Allah."

"Talk? Are you not coming?" 

"I'll let you know. There are a few things that I need to do around here." I replied.

Like getting more CCTV cameras fitted around the exterior of the house.

"Okay, let me know, but no pressure. I understand. I love you." 

"Love you too, Anya." 

The call ended and I took the coffee towards the living room.

The sound of the key in the lock of the front door made me pause. The door opened accompanied by voices. 

Rohaan, Arsalan and Yasin came inside, laughing and chatting about something.

"Assalam Alaikum!" They all greeted me loudly.

"Walaikum Assalam." I raised both eyebrows at them. "What are you three doing here?" 

"We thought you could use the company." Rohaan grinned. "And we brought Chachu along for a guys' night in."

"There goes my peace." I chuckled.

"Sorry, Dad." Rohaan patted my shoulder. "We're ordering pizza tonight." 

Arsal walked up to me. "Sorry. I was inconsiderate and selfish."

"No, you weren't, kid. I asked you to tell me how you felt, and you did." I ruffled his hair. "I'm going to turn in. You three enjoy."

"Oh no, Bhai! You're a part of this." Yasin said. "Ro, Arsal, get me coffee too. Come on, Bhai." He practically dragged me by my arm and led me into the living room.

"Brilliant." I shook my head.

"Admit it. The raunak was gone and you missed it." Rohaan teased me.

"I prefer my peace." 

"He definitely missed the raunak." Yasin joined in. 

The three laughed, and I couldn't resist chuckling either.

*

Aariz

I entered our home that evening and was surprised when a delicious aroma entered my nostrils. "Haya?" 

There was complete silence in the flat.

"Haya, where are you?"

As I stepped deeper into the flat, she appeared at the end of the hallway. "Assalam Alaikum." She wore dark grey jeans and a long cream sweater. Her hair was pushed back by a slim hairband. 

"Walaikum Assalam." I walked towards her, mesmerised. 

She had no make-up on, and her outfit was casual. Yet she looked like the most beautiful person in the universe to me. "I made pillao." 

"You did?" 

She shrugged. "I found a recipe online and made it. It turned out slightly mushy, but at least it's edible." 

I chuckled. "I'm sure it's delicious."

"Get freshened up." She smiled sweetly at me.

I headed up to my room, and rushed to have a shower. As soon as I came out, I changed into formal black trousers and a black button-down shirt. Heading to the wardrobe, I took out the ring box.  It was a rose gold heart-shaped ring with diamonds encrusted in it. "I'm going to tell you tonight, In Sha Allah." 

I pocketed the ring box, sprayed on some cologne and headed out. 

Haya stood in the kitchen, scooping out rice onto a platter. 

"That smells so good that I'm sure you can hear my stomach rumbling." I walked over to her. She had chopped up salad in a bowl, and there was a jug full of mango juice with ice on the counter.

"I hope it tastes good too." She wrinkled her nose at me.

"Let me set everything up. You cooked it." I told her. "Go have a seat, and I'll bring it in." 

"If you can please take the salad and the juice inside, that would be better." 

We both took the food inside the living room, where I could see that she had already set up the plates, cutlery and glasses.

As we sat down to eat, I realised that although the rice was indeed mushy, it was delicious nevertheless.

"Please don't get food poisoning." She almost pouted as she looked at me.

"It's delicious, Haya." 

"Promise?" 

I chuckled. "You want me to pinkie swear?" 

Her eyes brightened and she held up her pinkie. I hooked mine around it, chuckling again. "I pinkie swear that the pillao is delicious."

She giggled. "God, I feel like such a child. Hoor and I used to do this all the time." 

"You are so cute, Ma Sha Allah. And I'm so whipped." 

Her cheeks turned pink and she took a sip of her mango juice.

*

"A question keeps popping up in my mind repeatedly: where is it?" I said to Haya, as we sat side by side in our bed that night.

"Where is what?" She wrinkled her nose. "Did you lose something?" 

"Is it in Scotland? Or was it the stairwell at the Leisure Club? Or maybe in your art studio in the attic of your parents' house?" 

"I really am lost. Can you please elaborate?" 

I turned to face her, propping up on my elbow. "I'm trying to figure out where is it exactly that I fell in love with you, but there's no clear answer."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Maybe I fell in love with you the moment we met, when you instantly started talking cricket with me. I thought, 'a girl after my own heart'." I continued, taking her hand and rubbing my thumb over her wrist softly.

She smiled softly. "The staircase in the Leisure Club. I was wearing Hoor's dress because it was a fancy tea party." 

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring box. "I know that you're not really interested in jewellery, Haya, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted to give you this as I tell you that I'm unconditionally and irrevocably in love with you." I flipped open the box, my gaze locked with hers. 

She held out her left hand and I slid the ring into her ring finger. It fitted perfectly, because I used one of the rings she wore during our wedding to get the measurements. "Aariz..." 

"Even if you don't feel the same, it's okay. I just wanted you to know how I felt."

"This is the thing you wanted to tell me?" 

I lifted up her hand, kissing her knuckles as the ring sparkled in the light of our bedside lamps. "Yes." 

"What did you think I wanted to tell you?" She leaned forward, running her other hand through my hair. "It certainly wasn't about your shampoo brand that makes your hair smell so good." She kissed my jawline.

"I thought it was about my body wash because you keep using it." I teased. "But seriously, what did you want to tell me?" 

She ran her fingers from my forehead, downwards over my face. My eyes closed in the process, and I gently grabbed her wrist, kissing her right over her radial artery, where I could feel her pulse. 

"I'm in love with you too, Aariz." She admitted. "And I think I can pinpoint exactly the moment that I started to realise it truly."

*

HAYA

FLASHBACK

SCOTLAND

"We are not having breakfast together. Take another table, because I refuse to eat with you." I dramatically tossed my hair over my shoulder and opened the door of our lodge.

An empty golf-cart was passing by and the driver stopped and asked me if I needed a ride to the main area of the resort.

"Sure. Thank you!" I got onto the middle row of the golf-cart.

"Sir, would you like to come?" The driver asked Aariz, who came out of our lodge while pulling on his leather jacket.

"It's okay. I'll walk. But, thank you." Aariz replied.

The driver started driving the cart and I turned sideways to see Aariz walking behind us. He had a constant smile on his face as his gaze remained on me. I turned back to face the front for a while. But then I turned back again, unable to stop myself. I turned back to the driver. "Sorry, can you please stop here? I'm going to walk the rest of the way too."

The driver, an almost elderly Scottish gentleman, smiled knowingly, his blue eyes twinkling. "Of course, Miss."

I got out and the driver rode away. I turned to face Aariz, who raised both eyebrows at me. I shrugged. "I prefer a morning walk." I started to walk ahead of him.

A few moments later, I felt his fingers lace through mine, followed by his grip tightening on my hand. I looked at him, but he continued walking with his gaze straight ahead, a ghost of smile on his face. I bit back a smile myself, but I huddled closer to him until he freed his hand and wrapped his arm around me instead.

Amongst these mountains, fog and the beautiful nature, we were getting closer moment by moment. The beauty of Nikah meeting the beauty of nature. 

*

PRESENT

"I saw you walking behind us and I couldn't bear it for much longer." I admitted. "And then being so close to you, in such a romantic setting, made me realise that I'd rather be nowhere else in the universe. I'd rather be with nobody else but you."

"You want to hear something funny?" He played with a lock of my hair, twisting it around his finger.

"Hmm?"

"I confessed my love for you in front of your father before you."

I burst out laughing. "What?" 

"I was trying hard to convince him that I was the right choice for you, and the words just slipped out."

I laughed harder until tears came out of my eyes. "Is this why he didn't drag on that matter?" 

"I guess so." 

We both lay down on our backs and I snuggled up against him. "It's a story to tell our future generations and crack them up." I leaned up to look at him. 

"Future generations, huh?"

"Slow down, hero. We just confessed our love. One step at a time." 

"You started it..." He shrugged. "But I don't mind taking things slowly, one step at a time." He leaned down to press his mouth against mine.

We'd already consummated our marriage, but it felt different that night, knowing that we both were completely and irrevocably in love with each other.

*

**BONUS SCENE**

Rehan

I don't remember the last time I'd been in a situation like this. Actually, scratch that. I'd never been in a situation like this.

Waking up in the living room, surrounded by empty pizza boxes and a half-empty bottle of a fizzy drink. Rohaan was sprawled out on the two-seater sofa, snoring. Yasin had fallen asleep in the arm chair, his glasses fallen off into his lap. Arsal was curled up on the rug with a throw draped over him.

I got up and began to clear away the rubbish immediately. 

After performing the morning routine in the bathroom upstairs, I came back downstairs and was just making breakfast preparations in the kitchen when Yasin walked in. Patting me on my back, he said, "Bhai, this film marathon with the boys was great. We should do this more often." 

"You do it." I shook my head. "I don't have it in me anymore to stay up till after Fajr." 

"You know, you and Bhabi have raised a wonderful family, Ma Sha Allah. The kids adore you both. Do you know how worried the boys were about you?" 

"Worried? About me? Why?" 

"Because you were alone at home."

I chuckled. "I'm not a kid. I don't know why they worry."

"Apparently Haya told them off and they started realising that they shouldn't have left you alone."

"Haya? These kids of mine can't keep anything from each other, can they?" 

"They have a beautiful bond, Ma Sha Allah. You and Bhabi should be proud." He smiled. "I know, personally, how important sibling bonds are. I don't know what I would have done had I not had you as a big brother." 

"Anya and I both know the importance of a sibling bond. We tried our best to instil that into our kids."

"You guys did a brilliant job, Ma Sha Allah." He said. "And it worked so well that they accepted Yamna into their little sibling circle too." 

"Of course. Yamna is our kid too." I smiled at the thought of my sweet little niece. 

He looked at me silently, and spoke a few moments later. "I know you miss Bhabi. But just the way you keep telling your kids that you're there for them, you need to remember that they are there for you too. I am here too, the way you've always been there for me." 

I glanced at him and realised how much my brother had grown up. From that sweet little naïve boy, to this wise and sensible man. With a fifteen year difference, he had been no less than a kid to me either. I patted his back wordlessly. He didn't realise how much I had needed to hear these words. 

"Grasshopper ke bachay!" Rohaan's shout came from the living room.

"For f**k's sake. Now what?" I muttered before heading into the living room with Yasin following me.

Arsal had drawn glasses, moustache and a beard on Rohaan's face with a marker as he slept, and now Rohaan stood in front of the mirror, looking irritated.

"Arsal, are you two?" I looked at my younger son who was doubled over laughing. I glanced at my own younger brother, who looked amused. "When will they grow up?"

"When they do, you'll be wishing for these days again." Yasin grinned at me.

I didn't know about that, but all I could pray was that the bond remained as strong between my kids, even long after I was gone. 

Ameen.

*

A nice, long chapter! 

Aww, Haya and Aariz confessed!

There's so much drama going on with the family, now an almost burglary!

Poor Rehan, feeling Anya's absence.

I included some bonus Rehan and Yasin scenes as an Unconditionally throwback.

Favourite part?

Thoughts and comments?

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