For as long as Rashid was working in this house, he'd become accustomed to the chaos Hesham's room would be in whenever Sarim and Izaan visited. Not that Hesham was any better without their aid, he was a messy person who always knew how to locate his things in the pile of his mess; making it all the more difficult for him to actually make an effort in tidying up his room without any assistance.

It wasn't just the mess Rashid was habitual to, the roars of laughter and whining, the feigned outcry of defeat and what not. This trio wasn't quiet to begin with and Rashid had become okay with that.

But today was different. Since the time they'd come and gone to Hesham's room, there was an awkward silence. No shouting and no calls for Rashid for more snacks. It was weird and Rashid was scared.

Upstairs, in Hesham's room the situation was as tensed as Rashid had sensed it. Hesham was sitting on his beanbag with his eyes focused on Izaan who was leaning against the wardrobe with his hands tucked in his pant pockets. Sarim was agitatedly drumming against the table close to the window to release the tension he was feeling. What started as playful had turned serious the time they had entered through the door to Hesham's room. It was maybe the realization that there was no escaping from questions and legit feelings. No one had opted for broaching the subject. It could go either way from here. It wasn't awkward. It was just tensed.

But for how long?

"Will you enlighten me what you two are actually waiting for?"

Sarim was annoyed now. He was the kind of person who didn't like unfinished business especially among people who he held dear to his heart. He always wanted them to resolve the issues, not that they had many to begin with but this situation was different from anything they had dealt with.

Hesham looked at Izaan. There was a determination to his stance and it irked Hesham.

"You must know what's happened the past week."

Izaan didn't look up, just nodded slightly.

"I don't think that was something for you to go disappear. Breakup was mine and Safwa's not yours."

"I didn't disappear."

Finally. He talks.

"You went on a vacation to the morgue?"

Hesham's snide tone earned him a glare from Izaan. Sarim was sitting there with a straight face.

"I was busy."

"You were avoiding."

"And why would I do that?"

"Ask yourself. If I said out loud you'll not like it."

Izaan eyed him and ease he saw there made him uncomfortable. He got up making Hesham heave an exasperated sigh. Who said words were needed here. This little exchange had told both of them what they wanted to know and convey.

"I need to get going. As I said I'm busy."

Izaan's way of dealing with the issue was rubbing both Sarim and Hesham the wrong way. Sarim wasn't trying to show it but Hesham would never hide it anyway.

"Just so you know it wasn't what you do think it is."

Izaan shook his head.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Ass.

Hesham reached him in two strides.

"Listen to me carefully then. Mine and Safwa's breakup has nothing to do with you. If you're under any false impression I'm here to break it you that you have to stop doing that. You also have to stop shutting us out as if that would solve anything."

The slight shove at the end was the point where Sarim knew this was going to get messy.

"I understood our equation and I took a stand. End of it. There's no need to play the blame game here, Izaan! Stop being the fool you aren't!"

"Stop trying to dictate me."

"I'm trying to enlighten your highness."

"You both need to calm down!"

Sarim came in between them trying to ease out the situation. Both were determined here. Both weren't going to get back from their stance and Sarim was stuck in between. The issue wasn't about them not understanding each other. Nah, that'd be so normal and stereotypical. It was about understanding the other person more than he himself did and then telling him what the hell was going wrong here. Izaan was clinging onto his inhibitions while Hesham wasn't going to let him get away with this.

"Just because for the first time you're confused about something in your life doesn't mean you've to ruin it for others as well."

Others. No points for guessing whom he meant here. Hesham wasn't fighting here for himself but for Safwa. He was in a real dilemma. Both Izaan and Safwa were dear to him in their own way. He knew both had feelings for each other and now one was trying to deny those feelings just because it was the easy way out. Not on Hesham's watch though.

"Just because for the first time in life you're sure about your emotions doesn't mean you have figured out everyone else's for them as well."

Ouch, Izaan Shoaib.

Hesham's answer was a humorless chuckle. He took a step back. Sarim had taken one forward but before he could do something Hesham had punched Izaan right on the side of his face.

"Abay! No violence!"

"It's not violence! It's easier than talking!"

Hesham's reasoning had gone over Sarim's head but he hadn't gotten time to respond to how lame it was because now Hesham also had a shiner all thanks to Izaan.

"This is also violence!"

He reminded Izaan who shrugged his shoulders.

"Didn't you hear him?"

"You're the doctor here, Izaan!"

"Even better! I'll patch him up."

Sarim didn't know what to say to this. He was trying his best to break up this fight as easily as Hesham and Safwa had broken up but it was looking like quite a task. Boys! Instead of talking out they, after all resorted to fist and knuckles. Typical. But the point was getting across this way as well. In a better and less time consuming way. They weren't prone to fighting like this. It just happened to happen this way.

"Stop throwing punches you assholes or at least try not to throw those in my way! I'm the mediator here! I don't deserve this!"

"Life's unfair, Sarim my boy!"

With that another punch had been thrown making Sarim more pissed that he was. He wasn't able to break up the fight and in the consequence both Izaan and Hesham had got pretty proofs of their strong fists, Sarim Himself had a cut on the side of his face. So much for talking things out.

"ENOUGH NOW!"

Sarim finally came in between the two of them when they heard the commotion from outside making them turn towards the door.

"This is getting ridiculous! Why you're always taking me to Hesham's house like this? You both have broken up, Safwa. It's not that hard to come to terms with."

Elaf. Hesham and Izaan both looked at Sarim with raised eyebrows as if he was supposed to know why she was here. Sarim just shrugged his shoulders.

"Will you shut up for a while? I told you there's something I need to tell him. It's not that hard to cooperate."

Safwa. Now the looks have directed towards Izaan as if he was supposed to know why she was here. Izaan just rolled his eyes. Why would he know?

Before they could register what to do next the door to the room burst opened and both Elaf and Safwa entered inside. Elaf was the first one to spot them. Safwa also followed suit and now both of them were eyeing the mess and the three musketeers.

"Looks like we interrupted something."

Elaf mumbled and this made the guys come back to their senses. They immediately left each other and stood like they were middle schoolers and it was an inspection day.

"Were you guys fighting?"

Safwa's tone was stern. Yes, totally an inspection day with the head of disciplinary team upon them.

"No."

Hesham lied immediately but the way his arm had just left Izaan's side in a scuffle, this wasn't convincing. Safwa's expressions had become even sour.

"I don't think so we were fighting."

Izaan's response lacked the always there clarity. And both Elaf and Safwa weren't even convinced. They had seen him and Hesham in the prefect wrestling position anyway. WWE coming home.

Elaf smirked. That's when Sarim knew it was time to get the situation under control.

"Define fighting!"

Elaf shook her head with the same smirk.

"We don't have to. Till now it is clearly visible you guys were greeting Eid to each other. Fighting? What's that? Don't know it."

She then turned to Hesham.

"Where's your first aid kit?"

"Not in here."

"Then why you setup the wrestling arena in here?"

Safwa was quiet now. Her narrowed eyes were moving among the three of them.

"Rashid!"

She called and in no time Rashid was in the door grinning like a hyena.

Today's mood was bonkers.

"Can you bring the first aid here?"

Her polite request had Rashid scrambling to get the kit. Safwa sat down on the bean bag seat. An old looking box was tucked to her side securely. Izaan scrunched his brow in confusion but Safwa just looked away.

"You don't look quite alright. What's the matter?"

Sarim had picked on Safwa's somber mood so had everyone else.

"I need to show you guys something but I guess patching you up should be our first priority. Fighting life five year olds? You guys have really lost it!"

"Just so you know I was the mediator."

"Some solid mediating you were performing here."

Sarim shrugged his shoulders.

"I tried my best."

Safwa didn't know how to respond to this so she put her focus on the first aid kit Rashid had just brought. She was about to open it herself but Izaan beat her to it. In no time he had transformed into the medical student Izaan Shoaib and the person he was dabbing with soaked cotton was none other than Hesham Baig.

Safwa just leaned into the seat some more.

"You really should start spilling. They aren't that badly hurt you know."

Elaf had took another cotton swab and was now sitting next to Sarim trying to disinfect his gash. He was thankful for it because he had no mood of interrupting Izaan and Hesham's re-bonding moment. Twats!

"I don't know what was going on before we came but it's good that you two are also here. I have to show you guys what I found today."

Safwa extended the album and the box and placed it in the middle of the table.

"This is phupho's memory box. Before you give me your judging eye, Izaan I know I shouldn't have brought it here but what I have to show you all couldn't wait. Cooperate!"

Izaan who raised an eyebrow immediately leaned back in surrender. Safwa nodded in his way and continued.

"It contains everything Phupho holds dear to her heart, my baby pictures included and I was going to show those to Elaf today but got the shock of my life by what I found inside."

Hesham picked up the box and looked inside. The others gathered around him sans Safwa who was letting them all have a peek inside.

There were few photographs and by the grainy background they could tell how old they were. From the 80's to be precise. There were landscapes of nothern areas, concerts of Nazia Hassan, vintage Karachi in its full glory and two people which were a constant.

Atif and Bisma.

They were both in their youth, late teens to be precise. Just two teenagers living life to the fullest. Safwa's father, aka Issa Kirmani could also be seen in few of the shots with them but mostly it were just Bisma and Atif.

And it wouldn't take a genius to decipher what was going in these pictures. They were visibly in love. The kind which makes itself known even though no action of that sort has been done. They weren't all mushy. Just two or three pictures of them holding hands. They were mostly laughing, looking at each other with heart eyes or just vibing with the mood. It was like a vintage love which fades over time but in the pictures it's as evident as the first ray of sun at the dawn.

Few pictures had tiny scribbles on the back. Hesham took one and read it.

"Today's take home lesson: Atif can't sing along and it's a blessing. He shouldn't be allowed to."

The picture was from a small musical show.

The next picture had something similar.

"Frere Hall adventure."

The famous Frere Hall. They were sitting in an old ford escort and by the looks of it they were up to something. Issa was also in the frame and his smile was making the picture all the more beautiful. The trademark 80s hairstyles and clothing but somehow everything was looking picture perfect.

In the next few minutes all of then had gone through the whole box and what it contained. There were so many hints scattered on these memories from the past but none of them wanted to voice it out just yet. They were absorbing what they'd just seen. A peek into a life goneby. A glimpse into something which once was but not even a semblance of it could be felt now. The Atif and Bisma from now were not even remotely close to the Atif and Bisma from these pictures.

"So..."

Hesham looked up at Safwa who nodded.

"Phupho and Atif uncle sure have a history together."

"Right..."

The others hadn't found it appropriate to comment on it as this was mainly Hesham and Safwa's call to make whatever they wanted to think of this. Any opinion at this point would be unnecessary unless they ask for it.

"What now?"

Hesham asked again. Safwa eyed him, opened her mouth and then closed it again. Unknown to her, her facial expressions were telling a story she wasn't able to say it out loud.

"You guys should know more. This isn't enough."

Izaan Shoaib and his impeccable ability to read people, especially Safwa Kirmani. He had guessed Safwa's dilemma.

"Izaan is right. This isn't something to start making plans on. You need more details."

Elaf. Another sane voice.

"I wasn't going to do anything! Hold your horses."

Safwa was offended. Cute.

"Don't deny the matchmaker in you who was just making an apperance."

"Whatever."

"The point stands, Safwa. I know by looking at these pictures it seems like this is the love story that should've a better end but honestly though, what else do we know? How did they ending up parting ways? What had conspired between them? Nothing. And don't even forget we're talking about two adults here who are fully capable of making their life decisions so don't just plunge into something you have no idea about."

Sarim had also given his verdict. It seemed like they all had been waiting for just Safwa's face to show them the sign of what she was thinking and they said bye to the notion of keeping their opinion to themselves.

In all this the most silent person was Hesham. His face was giving nothing and it was evident he was in processing mode. Taking all this in. How he'd react to it would be visible soon but for now he was thinking.

"So you guys are telling me not to do anything about it?"

Safwa was still not sure how they could suggest that.

"No, we are just saying you should know more about the matter before approaching your Phupho. Same goes for Hesham."

Elaf held her hand caressing it softly.

"How?"

"Why don't we ask Nusrat Aapa? She's been a part of your family for so many years. She was there to take care of Bisma auntie no? And then she took care of you as well? I think she would know."

This was the longest sentence Hesham had spoken since the time Safwa had given him the memory box. And his suggestion was the best. Nusrat Aapa. Yes, she'd know about it. She always knew everything.

"I'll ask her as soon as I get home from here."

"Yeah, do that."

Hesham's tone was confident. He still had to think this through but after the initial shock he was finally coming around and by the looks he wasn't reacting badly to this revelation. Instead he was curious, not like Safwa but not that far away as well.

Safwa was disappointed. The way she had literally dashed to reach here and tell Hesham and the rest of them everything, it didn't have the kind of reaction she was expecting. Maybe because all of them weren't looking at it like she did. They were right at their place as well but she wasn't that wrong either.

"Come on, Safwa! Don't be like this!"

Safwa just shook her head at Elaf.

"Why all you guys have to be sane? I thought this one here,"

She pointed towards Izaan.

"He was enough for this rational thinking. You were supposed to back me up."

Elaf just laughed in return and hugged her sideways. Safwa reciprocated the hug. Her mood had gotten better somehow.

"Where do you keep your crisps, Hesham?"

Elaf asked looking around. Hesham smirked.

"Not in this room anymore. I don't trust people."

Sarim wasn't offended at all. He did manage to tackle Hesham and get a pack out of him. Hesham's being careful was justified.

"Don't be shy! Give it to me!"

"Sarim or crisps?"

"What the hell?"

Elaf asked confused while Sarim wanted to whack Hesham on the back of his head.

"Take Sarim because he will obviously give you the crisps anyway like he did the other day. By choosing crisps you get only crisps but by choosing Sarim you get both."

His negotiation skills! What an ass. Elaf shook her head at him and got up.

"Don't fret! I'll ask Rashid myself."

"Good luck with her, mate."

Hesham whispered to Sarim who pushed him to the side.

"I think we all should follow Elaf. I'm famished. Today was hectic."

Hectic would be an understatement. From having a wrestling round with Izaan to coming to know what his Dad was up to in his youth, Hesham sure had quite a day.

They were all in the dining area of Baig House. Rashid was happily preparing snacks for them all the while conversing with them as well. The conversation was more on the lines of refuting Hesham's claims of his colorful love life. This kid was a riot; Rashid would never stop saying this.

The huge glass window of the space opened into the garden. They were closed right now so the vision from outside through the glass was soothing to the eyes. Standing in the secluded corner, Safwa looked outside at the lush green scenery and sighed. Her mood had considerably gotten better but she still wasn't at peace. She hadn't started the topic of Atif Uncle and Bisma Phupho again but that didn't mean it had gone off from her mind.

"You need to stop thinking this over, you know."

She didn't turn around. It was somewhere in her subconscious that if she was standing here all alone deep in thoughts then he'd certainly come. It had never happened that he didn't.

"You must be thinking how childish of her."

"Not quite. I just think you were going pretty fast."

"I had every reason to. They loved each other, Izaan."

Izaan glanced at her. Expectant eyes asking him to say something which will make it better for her.

"But you don't know if they still do."

He couldn't say something to make her feel better.

"They can be."

"Both assumptions. So it's better to be sure first then go on about it. You don't want to drag both yourself and Bisma auntie in an awkward situation. Right?"

She was convinced. Damn him for always talking sense.

"Yeah. Right."

Her answer had come with a pout. Izaan just smiled shaking his head.

"You've been missing, Izaan Shoaib, by the way. Where were you the whole week?"

He looked sideways.

"Just away. Here and there."

"Those days when you don't wanna socialize? Something like that?"

It was the half truth but admitting the other half to even himself was a task.

"Yeah."

Safwa raised her hand and touched the cut on the side of his face where Hesham's punch must've landed. It was bandaged up weirdly. Must be Hesham's work of art.

"This was for the time you ghosted them?"

"It was. There were other reasons too."

"I hope they get sorted soon."

Her hand had gone back to her side. The loss of the touch had made its impact more known than Izaan was hoping for. She was now talking about something which was making sense to Izaan but still couldn't get to him. He was just looking at her.

A week.

A long, long week.

A week he had tried everything to blame himself for everything.

And the same blame was coming on the surface. Hesham had assured him it didn't happen because of him but still Izaan Shoaib couldn't brush off the fact.

He was finding it hard with each passing day to stay away from Safwa Kirmani. When he was with her they'd be under a halo Izaan would gladly call his safe heaven. And basking in the glow of this heaven was his fear. His longing. Yet his destruction.

There was so much going on his mind. Hesham knew. Somewhere Sarim also knew. But this one here was oblivious.

And maybe it was a good thing.

Maybe her ignorance was his bliss.

Because right now moving forward and accepting whatever was happening between them was not something he'd be able to do.

He wasn't the reason, Hesham said.

But he had no reason, Izaan concluded.

It had happened without his trying and now he was slowly coming to terms with it.

But for how long she'd stay ignorant?

And for how long he'd run away?

Sarim put another crisp in his mouth and walked to where Elaf was standing looking ahead at Izaan and Safwa. He stood next to her. Elaf hadn't made any comment. Just put her hand inside the packet and took her the crisps.

"Something is going on there."

She whispered for only Sarim to hear.

"I was worried why you weren't picking on it."

Sarim's casual approach had her giggling softly. But then her expression got somber.

"Don't tell me the breakup and the fight today was because of this!"

She pointed her thumb in the direction of Izaan and Safwa on the other corner of the dining area.

"Not the way you're thinking. Hesham had already decided to end things before he came to know about this thing going on between the two. And as far as today's fight is concerned, well it was more for making the bulb in Izaan's head go off. Nothing that serious."

She was exasperated.

"I can't with you boys! How can knuckles and punches be an equivalent of talking things out?!"

"Even I don't know. But it works fine for us."

"Weirdos!"

She snatched the whole pack from him now munching on the crisps more vigorously. Sarim didn't complain. He was never going to.

"Safwa has no clue yet and by the looks of it Izaan is in denial. This isn't going to be easy."

"That's what I said to Hesham but let's hope for the best. "

His assurance was welcomed with open arms as Elaf pushed the packet to his side a little. Both were silently enjoying their snacks not even aware of Hesham who had just come out of the kitchen. He eyed the two couples and sighed. Walking right back into the kitchen was a wise choice at the moment.

"Hesham Bhai. Should I take the trolley outside?"

Hesham shook his head stopping Rashid.

"Wait a bit."

"Why?"

"The atmosphere outside has fifth wheel energy oozing out. Not recommended for singles."

"Hun?"

Hesham ruffled Rashid's hair even though he was older than him.

"You and I are the pair of fifth wheels for today, Rashid. What a time to be alive."

Needless to say Rashid's notion that Hesham had one or two screws loose strengthened.

________

"And here we go."

Elaf picked up her bag from the side and turned to Safwa. The car had just stopped outside Elaf's house. It was time to go back home. They had left Hesham's place after the snack party and as decided Elaf was to be dropped first because she had promised her mother she'd be back before dawn.

"Safwa."

Elaf called out to her who was sitting there lost in her own thought. Amir Uncle, Safwa's driver was waiting for them to say their goodbyes so he could drive back.

"Hun?"

"Don't think too much about whatever you found today. Give it sometimes and give yourself some rest. Have dinner and sleep."

The way Elaf was saying this made Safwa feel so warm.

"You're babying me."

"As I should. Don't forget what I've just said."

Hugging her sideways, Elaf came out of the car and waiving her bye saw it zooming out of the street of Jauhar.

She took hurried steps towards the entrance of her house. The house key was with her just in case still she rang the doorbell.

"Elaf! Finally!"

Yusra exclaimed once she'd opened the door. Elaf raised an eyebrow. She knew Elaf was with Safwa the whole day then why she was looking so relieved?

"Mama, I'm not late."

"I know you aren't but...just say it's not a good timing."

"Why?"

Yusra sighed and pulling her to the side pointed in the direction of the TV lounge.

The good mood which Elaf was sure would stay for sometime now, evaporated in the think air the very next moment. From the ajar door of the lounge, Elaf could see Mrs. Bilqees Durrani aka her Dado and that good for nothing cousin of her. What was his name? Something about Roman? Yup Ruman.

"What are they doing here?"

"Came to meet us."

"Who told them we were missing them anyway?"

Yusra wanted to face palm. This kid was sometime too much.

"Enough of whining, Elaf. Go and greet them."

Elaf knew she had to. The huge window in the lounge opened to the side of front door and she knew they must've seen her getting out of Safwa's car anyway. Morphing her grimace into a cheery smile, Elaf entered the lounge.

"Asslam Alaikum."

She bent down in front of Mrs. Bilqees who patted her head but there was as usual no warmth to it. Ruman was looking at her with interest. Elaf couldn't share the sentiment. There was nothing in this guy which interested her.

"Wa Alaikum Assalam. What's this time to come back home?"

It wasn't even past 6 yet. Elaf looked at the clock and just shook her head. There was no point explaining this to Dado.

"She was at her friend's place Amma Jaan."

"What for? Girls shouldn't be out of their houses without their parents. You two have been acting so casual regarding this. Have you ever met this friend of hers?"

"They've. Both Mama and Baba know her well now since she also comes and stays with me sometimes. Her phupho has also talked with Mama and seems like both trust each other with their girls. I don't see the issue anywhere, Dado. With due respect, of course."

Mrs. Bilqees had expected a snarky remark and she got one. Yusra had gone to damage control mood.

"Elaf! Go and check on the dinner. We aren't letting your Dado and Ruman go without having it. Go!"

Elaf nodded and giving a furtive glance to Daud left from there. He was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes. Elaf felt a sudden jolt of regret. She should've controlled her rage. Not that she had used harsh words. It was just her tone but she couldn't help it. It was true. In the last few weeks she and Safwa had become the best friends they always wanted but never had and both Bisma and Elaf's parents were aware of their ongoing bonding. Elaf didn't like Dado talking so suspiciously about Safwa.

She had come to the kitchen and was now giving final touches to the dinner Yusra had managed in such a short span of time. The guests must've come unannounced.

"I'm sorry you have to get to work shortly after coming home because of us."

The voice had startled her. She turned around and found Ruman standing at some distance from her. He had a friendly smile plastered on his face too bad the person in front of him didn't want to be his friends. There was a reasonable distance between them and the door was also fully opened. Elaf was thankful this wasn't as creepy as it could get. Guess Ruman did have a bit of his mannerism working.

"It's no problem. Dado has come after a long time so this much arrangement was necessary."

She turned back to cutting the vegetables for the Salad.

"Your friend's car was pretty expensive."

Damn! Huge windows in the TV lounges should be banned. Elaf concluded.

"Yeah, her family is pretty loaded. What about it?"

"Nothing. I just think we should make friends from the same financial class as ours. This kind of friendships don't go on for long."

Elaf gave him her sweetest smile.

"Then you also shouldn't be trying act friendly with me. My Baba is an engineer in a firm and yours run a firm. We should make friends from the same financial class as ours."

Ruman's smile got deeper. This guy wasn't backing down.

"You're right but I guess you're missing a tiny detail here. We're relatives. And that's different. You can choose your friends but can't choose your relatives."

"I wish we could."

"Then I wouldn't be standing here, right?"

Straight forward. Elaf liked this trait in people but in him; let's just say she wasn't a fan.

"I'm glad you don't have any doubts regarding this. The dinner will be served in no time. Lounge is a better place to wait. So please."

She narrowed her eyes in his way. Her words again weren't harsh but they were to the point and seemed like Ruman had gotten it. Still his smirk hadn't left his face. He wasn't giving up.

"You're interesting, Elaf Daud."

"To bad I'm not interested."

She had said it clear cut. But he seemed unfazed by it. Taking slow steps he was out of the kitchen. Elaf wanted to bang her head somewhere. She had made it clear to him. He also didn't do anything which would make her uncomfortable. She knew how to keep people in their place but something about this guy was rubbing her the wrong way. Something she couldn't pin point.

She was thinking of getting back to her Salad when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and releasing a long breath picked it up.

"You guys are spoiling me!"

Sarim who was leaning against his pillow was taken aback by her sudden exclamation.

"I didn't call to hear a rant. My purpose was just to know if you've reached your place safely but I guess go on."

"Shut up, Sarim Haider! You guys have made me so habitual of the way you three go on about everything that I sometimes forget that there are guys who aren't like you, Hesham and Izaan."

"You mean the guys who aren't your friends?"

"Yeah, that too but the guys who are assholes."

Sarim wanted to laugh. She was pissed.

"What it is about?"

"My cousin! He's here with my Dado and honestly I have never been that annoyed by a man before. He's ...weird."

Sarim's brow formed into a scowl.

"He made you uncomfortable?"

"Not really. I just don't like his aura."

"If you don't feel like being around him then you shouldn't."

"It's not that I don't know men out there exist whom I can't get along with. I'm just very habitual to the easy vibe of you and the other two. That's why I said you guys are spoiling me."

"Oh trust me you love being spoiled."

"That I do! No denying."

He laughed at her assertion. Elaf Daud who was babying Safwa Kirmani just a while back was now acting like one in front of Sarim Haider and he wasn't complaining at all.

"I should get going. This Salad won't make itself."

"I can always help."

"Not in the way I want. You can't come here and chop this onion for me so bye bye Sarim Haider."

"Bye, Elaf Daud. Have a good time with your Dado."

"That's not happening and you should stop enjoying my misery."

"What to do? I'm always up for your dramatics."

She couldn't help laughing at this. Cutting the call she turned back to the Salad but the smile on her face hadn't left her face. Maybe this was what she needed to go through the disastrous dinner ahead.

Sarim placed his phone at the side table and folded his hands behind his head. Elaf's laugh was still reverberating in his ears.

And it was doing something with his heartstrings. A melody.

In Baig House, Hesham stood outside his father's study. He was going to broach a topic his father hadn't yet opened to him about and that was making him nervous. But this was the matter of what his heart was asking him to do and he was going to follow. He always did.

Riding his bike from DHA to Gulshan, Izaan Shoiab let the gentle breeze fill him with the freshness of it. He was feeling light and less troubled than ever. Maybe it was the aftermath of the shiner he had gotten on his face from Hesham's punch or the small talk with Safwa or may be the time after that where all of then just laughed and enjoyed the snacks. Reasons could be many. There was still a knot in his heart but it was loosening its grip and that was all good. As good as it could get.

With her head in Nusrat Aapa's lap, Safwa prepared herself to listen to the story of Bisma and Atif. It was going to be the deciding point for what she wanted to do next. But in her heart she knew everything was going to change. She could feel it.

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