When Sarim came back from the parking lot, he found Izaan and Hesham sitting there silently. He took his seat and folding his hands behind his head closed his eyes.

"That's some fictional shit that happened to you."

Hesham was still amazed at the turn of events. When he did a check on Ruman and found out he was married, not to Elaf and that Elaf had left Durranis years back, he didn't know what to make of it. He just knew that his best friend was one lucky asshole. He was unsure of Sarim's next move but boy he was in for a surprise.

"You didn't mention that you already knew where she was, which was right under your nose, might I add."

Sarim grinned. The contentment behind it wasn't hidden from Izaan and Hesham. Izaan moved forward resting his face on his fists.

"She's changed."

Sarim nodded.

"Oh, she has. If someone who was just familiar with her from back in time saw her today, they wouldn't recognize her immediately."

"But her spirit is the same. She hasn't lost the spark in her."

"Not entirely. "

Izaan's focus was now on his empty mug. He was in deep thoughts. There had been countless times for the three best friends to enjoy deep talks and comfortable silence. That was what always glued them together. They didn't need words most of the time to understand each other.

"We all have gone through life changing experiences in these six years. Looking back, it feels so natural but at the same time so overwhelming. The people we were. The people that we are now. Some of us had it harder than the rest but nonetheless it was pretty huge for us all."

They couldn't deny how right he was. Among them all, Izaan was the one who often resorted to letting his silence speak for him. His words were always calculated and it was rare that he expressed something so openly. But they knew where he was coming from. Today, sitting on their old table, all five of them, with all the signs of the changes they had seen and gone through, it was hard not to think on these lines.

"But now we all are together, not lost in the haze like we were a few months back. That got to mean something."

Hesham, always the light in the dark tunnel.

"That's probably why it seems worth it. Whatever it was."

Hesham patted his arm and then raised an eyebrow at Sarim.

"So what now? Should we start preparing for the wedding?"

Sarim laughed, shaking his head. Always way ahead. Hesham Baig and his ways.

"That's too early. Also, it's not the time for it."

"Timing has always been the problem, Sarim."

Sarim smiled. He was aware. He was so aware of this. Delays, bad timing, and nothing coinciding for them to make it work.

"I know but it's time for Elaf to find herself. What she's lost and what she can build from the pieces."

"And you're going to help her with that?"

Izaan asked.

"Not exactly. You see, she doesn't need much help. Just a bit of coaxing and there she is."

Seemed like both of them were expecting this answer only. They gave him encouraging nods. Hesham sighed and then laughed.

"You two are really out there trying to get your name in some hopeless lovers hall of fame."

Sarim gave him an amusing look.

"And you're any better?"

"I'm a free man."

"Who quivers before he picks Zonish's call."

"Well, that's Zoni."

"Figures."

Sarim stood up and looked around.

"It's almost closing time?"

Izaan nodded as he also left his seat. Hesham was still seated there. He had no intentions of getting out of his toasty warm place.

He leaned into his chair and saw Sarim walking around before his eyes fell in the direction of the parking lot and a smile graced his face.

Hesham scoffed. So husband yet not a husband.

He saw Izaan helping Safwa's crew in getting the place sorted and scoffed again.

Another husband yet not a husband.

Thank god he was a free man.

He grinned not realizing his own words were going to come bite him soon.

___

Among many things from years back, Nusrat Aapa's warm personality and her delicious cooking was something Elaf hadn't forgotten. The woman was absolutely delighted to see her. She hadn't asked her many questions and Elaf was thankful for it. But she kept on filling her with random pieces of information about Kirmani House, happenings of the past years and Elaf kind of enjoyed catching up.

Kirmani House hadn't changed much. The same lush green lawn and silent ambiance. Even the faces of the household staff were familiar. It felt surreal. At least somewhere life had stayed true to how Elaf was used to it.

Safwa was basically silent the whole time. She was more observing than expressing, something Elaf was sure she had learned from her ex boyfriend and forever lover.

After the dinner, as per the norm, they came to Safwa's room.

Elaf sat on the bed looking around while Safwa was talking to Yusra over the phone. Elaf was attuned to their conversation all the while getting a fill of the safe sanctuary of her and Safwa.

It should've been a one minute call at the most but Safwa took fifteen because she was that much invested in talking to Yusra and getting to know how she was doing. That felt oddly wholesome to Elaf. This was Safwa. So mindful and full of love for the people she cared for.

When the call ended, Safwa silently sat on the other side of the bed. She looked sideways at Elaf who was playing with her hair.

"They really have grown quite long."

"Happens when you don't visit hair salon as much as you used to."

"It goes well with your back-after-six-yeas-fully-changed vibe."

Elaf closed her eyes and then smiled. That was so Safwa.

Safwa folded her legs and made herself fully comfortable on her bed. A cushion was in her lap and she was watching Elaf intently.

"I lost my phone."

"Is that an excuse?"

Elaf shook her head.

"No, it's just a small detail. I lost my phone before moving to Sukkur. Ruman destroyed it. Yeah."

Safwa's face contorted in an expression of pain and rage. Elaf held her hand.

"Just so you know that was his reaction to me using my sharp tongue."

"I would strangle you if it wasn't."

Elaf smiled lightly. Safwa hadn't tried prying her hand away. It was encouraging.

"Then Sukkur happened. Those long years weren't easy, you know. Just so you know I'd never misspell ' struggle' after that. I might always write in bold capital letters."

Safwa didn't know what to say. She shifted closer to Elaf.

"Then we moved back and I kind of found a tiny semblance of stability. Baba's health and getting a job was my top priority."

"I understand that..."

"No, Safwa.."

Elaf cut her shaking her head.

"It's not like I didn't want to reconnect."

"Then?"

Elaf sighed. It was deep. As if she was trying to contain something within her as well.

"I was not doing fine. Emotionally and financially. It was a whole mess. My life."

She looked somewhere in the nothingness.

"I know you are disappointed that I didn't reach out. You were disappointed then too when I didn't make wise choices. But I never had much of a choice. I was trying to save so much and in doing so, losing everything was a given."

Safwa hugged her sideways, not interrupting her. It was good that she was venting. Getting it out.

"I didn't want to burden any of you then and didn't want to do it six months back too. My baggage was mine to handle."

"You know having people close to you while you navigate shit helps?"

Elaf shook her head.

"It wasn't always just being there. Not with all of us. We have always been more than that, Safwa. You know it. I know it. You all would've gone way out of your way to help me when you were going through problems of your own. We have a close knitted squad. There was no way in hell everyone wasn't knowing, he wasn't knowing."

Safwa's hand stopped. Pulling away she saw Elaf.

"Remember that day at the hospital?"

"When we last met?"

"Yes. I realized something that day."

Safwa was no stranger to this. She could tell what Elaf was going to say.

"I was in love. When I closed the door of that hospital room six years back, I was closing a possibility. Of happiness. Of so much. But it wasn't for me at that time. He was flying away in a few days to finally live a life he had worked so hard to get. I couldn't come in between that. I couldn't let him leave such a bright opportunity just because his friend was dealing with life and its shitty ways. You know he would've stayed if I asked him."

He would've. Safwa had no doubts.

"I was so stuck in my life and he was going towards a new one. How could I ruin that for him? I closed that door. I knew this would be the end of us. I would never be able to tell him what he meant to me."

She wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I didn't want any of you to save me when you were fighting your own battles but I didn't want him, especially him to sacrifice anything for me. That was his golden chance at life. At everything."

She looked at Safwa.

"I had his hoodie for a long time. I never thought of giving it back. Even when we packed our stuff from our old house, I kept the hoodie close. I could give it back to him that day but I thought why? It's mine now."

Safwa's heart broke seeing her pained face.

"But it wasn't mine. It was a memory of his and I couldn't keep it. So, when I gave him his hoodie back, he smiled and then shook his head. 'Keep it for the cold days' he said. But I couldn't. Because it meant keeping the hope too that we will meet some day again. It's winter again, like it has been every year I haven't seen him. I didn't have his hoodie with me and I certainly didn't have him in my life and It was so cold. I was so cold."

She leaned into Safwa who didn't hesitate from embracing her.

"The other day when he held my hand. I felt warmth for the first time in years. A person who has gotten so used to the cold of life and when they all of a sudden get a glimpse of what they have lost, the warmth that was once a part of them. It's not easy running away from that. Not that his persistence makes it easy. He's one determined asshole."

Safwa laughed and Elaf chuckled.

"He's always been sure of what he wants."

"And his surety gave me the push too. So, here I'm."

"And I'm never letting you go now. One time was enough. If you pull something like that again, I don't know about Sarim but I'm not gonna spare you."

"You almost strangled me."

"Hush. Always the dramatics with you."

They both stayed that way for a while when Elaf looked at her.

"What about you?"

"What about me? I'm handling the business quite fine. My coffee house is running nicely. You saw the place right?"

"I was a ball of nerves so I don't think I did justice to the place. Will visit again just to get the full experience."

"I will take you along tomorrow. No biggie."

"Safwa."

Safwa sighed defeatedly. She knew this was what Elaf meant.

"Nothing, Elaf. It's the one thing which is where you left it. That is nowhere. We both are doing fine in our lives and we occasionally meet because as you said we have a close knitted group. I'm on good terms with his family, actually more than just good. But that's it. We never tried reconciling in all these years. He has some baggage up his sleeve. Something to do with his brother and also whatever Phupho made him realize is also somewhere there I think. I wanted to try again at one point but then I changed my mind. You can say there's no hope for us."

Elaf didn't agree. She had seen the silent communication at the coffee house. She knew there was hope and lots of it. They just had to talk and sort this for themselves. But that was something they had to do on their own otherwise it would never mean what it should mean.

Safwa knew Elaf's feelings weren't one sided. Sarim was as in love with her as she was with him, if not more. The guys had never told her this but she was also a close friend to Sarim and had realized this long back. But it wasn't her truth to tell. It was something both Sarim and Elaf would have to realize and work on.

Both the best friends left it as it is and talked. Talked about everything. They talked till it was time for Elaf to go home. They were adults now and there was no concept of night overs in here.

The essence had remained the same but they had grown up.

__

The cloth market in Saddar was a narrow alley. On both sides the shops were so closely situated that there was hardly space for passersby. The bundle of unstitched fabric was the first thing to spot whenever someone entered inside. The merchants would be in pleasant moods during the spike in business hours and would look practically exhausted when the tide would be on the low side.

The scene wasn't unfamiliar for Ibsam. He remembered how his father used to bring them in turns to his shop. The twins had a flare for ruckus but their antics used to make the merchants from neighboring shops laugh. He knew the best Shawarma spot from here was at a five minute walk. There were more instances than he could count on his fingers when all three of them stopped there to enjoy the juicy goodness. He also remembered how Izaan used to buy him an extra one because Shawarma had always been Ibsam's favourite stall food.

Parking his car right outside of the market, Ibsam entered inside through the barred gate. The people around paid him no heed. Not because they didn't care about what an anomaly he was with his without any crease suit and sleek looks. They had given him looks but then got used to it.

It was his fifth visit in the last month anyway.

He followed the same pattern that he did whenever he came here. Walked straight to the small shop in the middle of the market, greeted the merchant who wouldn't even look his way and sat down on the stool.

He'd stay this way for an hour or two. Without uttering a word. Without once addressing the shopkeeper. He'd sit there with downcast eyes and then the same way would get up and leave when he realized that it was enough trouble for the day.

The same happened today. He looked at the time on his watch and then got up.

"Allah Hafiz, Baba."

He mumbled and started walking away.

Shoaib looked up from the accounts book at the retreating back of his son.

Ibsam had been coming to the shop for a month now. His approach was cautious. He didn't utter a word to make it awkward. For an outsider, it would look like a dealer was here but the reality was far from it.

He was coming here to be granted forgiveness. To be accepted again.

But that wasn't something Shoaib was capable of doing.

Not yet.

He hadn't just left home. He broke a family. The same family who was bound by love and had stood through so much just because they had each other.

So, just like every other time over the past month, Shoaib got back to the heavy volume in his hand.

But just like every time Ibsam left, the weight felt some more than he was used to.

____

Corporate world and its workings weren't Safwa's most favourite thing about her world. She loved the business aspects, understood those and used the knowledge to her use but she was almost wary how she had to attend gatherings full of plastic bondings and fake shiner smiles.

She hated pretending and here she had to come to just do that.

It was a brunch Mr. Asif Yar was hosting. The venue was the rooftop of a famous restaurant. Dressed in her formal best which was not too sober and not too chic, just the right amount of everything telling of the fact that she was here on a business brunch not a friends get together and not a reception function as well.

Safwa was talking to an acquaintance who was mainly asking her about Bisma. Bisma was supposed to join Safwa but she bailed out at the last moment because she had a dinner to attend with Atif the same night. Safwa found it cute. Atif and Bisma were aging well together. At this point in their life, both had started prioritizing each other over their other commitments and that was so nice to see. They always preferred spending time together rather than indulging in meaningless gossip the office parties were always about. Safwa loved that about them.

Turning away from Mrs. Aalia, Safwa started walking towards the table to get herself some water when she felt it. The lingering feeling of being watched. She had felt eyes on her the whole time and she didn't know what to make of it. She wasn't the kind of person to run away from confrontations, so making her mind she finally looked around only to be shocked seeing the person standing at a mere distance from there.

Maryam Abdad wasn't a stranger to Safwa Kirmani, for one both of them moved in the same circle. Maryam's father was one of Bisma's associates though they did business together only once but this is the thing about elite class and its ways. You always know people or have mutual friends with them, a community in its own.

Safwa had seen Maryam once or twice before but the real introduction of her was at a gathering just like this where Safwa had seen Ibsam with her. Safwa already hadn't conversed with the woman and now after seeing who she really was she tried her best to avoid running into her.

She never really had a proper encounter with Ibsam but she was well aware of how much pain his family had gone through because of him. Memoona auntie was still the same affectionate woman she had always been but the way her family broke because of Ibsam had left a mark. Abba was angry with the situation and more so on his inability to do something about it.

But more than anyone else, Safwa had seen how the turn of the things affected Izaan. She was never told what exactly had happened but Izaan breaking up with her had another reason other than Bisma's words directed at him. He was somehow holding himself responsible for what had happened with Ibsam.

So, it was totally natural that she didn't feel comfortable the way Maryam was practically glaring at her. Safwa scowled and then throwing every caution out of the window, reached the railing where Maryam was standing leaning against it.

"Can I help you?"

She asked politely but the scowl on her face was anything but it. Maryam wasn't deterred by it. She leaned some more in the railing and shrugged.

"Not really. So far, you've only caused problems for me."

"Excuse me?"

Maryam looked away and then took a step back.

"I was just trying to figure out what they see in you. What's there in you that makes you so special for them even though you don't have any meaningful relationship with them anyway."

Safwa's scowl deepened. She was no fool. She understood right away what Maryam was talking about and it annoyed her. It annoyed her to no extent. Maryam turned back on her steps and got away from there. Safwa sighed.

There goes her good mood.

____

What followed after that reunion in Kepoch was easy. It was almost akin to falling into a routine, the one you were once so accustomed with.

Safwa and Elaf took no time in becoming the best friends they had always been. Safwa's visits of Elaf's place were frequent, and she often took Elaf back home with her. Elaf was now the regular at Kepoch along with the guys. Hesham was the same, cracking lame jokes and making his friends either laugh or roll their eyes. Izaan was as silent as ever but his smiles had deepened with every visit.

As far as Sarim and Elaf were concerned, they were juggling well between professional and personal lives. He had kept his word and not once an ounce of Elaf being his closest friend got out for anyone's speculation. He was that professional in his dealing and Elaf was thankful for it. He was mostly at the main building anyway so it also helped.

He was a strict head and she had always been a hard working one on the team. Things were running smoothly until this morning.

Sarim called in that he was running a fever and couldn't come to the office. Elaf showed no sign of concern when Mr. Raza told them the news, rather delightfullly much for Elaf's chagrin.

She did her daily work without a scowl on her forehead but internally she was not feeling so calm. He wasn't well and she wanted to see him.

But that meant seeing his family as well and that was something Elaf was a bit jittery about. It wasn't anything new. She would feel the same way meeting anyone she once used to know.

At the end of the day, Elaf picked her bag and slinging it on her shoulder, took the folder from the desk. She was scheduled to present these reports to Sarim today but he hadn't shown up. So, this was her excuse for seeing him. She'd say she was there for work. It wasn't needed but she didn't want to go barreling in there with the sole reason that she was worried about him. It would be too much.

The distance from the workplace to Malir Cantt. was long and the whole ride through bus Elaf was busy in her own thoughts. A month back she would've never even dreamed of getting what she was living now. When glimpse of Sarim Haider and here she was, with her whole life turned upside down but for the better.

She got off at the stop. From here on she'd have to hire a taxi. Elaf chuckled. The perks of posh areas.

The driver dropped her at the entrance of the colony. She was pretty sure of the lane but the house had somehow become vague in her memory given the fact she had visited just a handful of times and six years is a long time.

She adjusted her Shawl on her shoulder and settled the folder in her arm. She was silently walking on the pavement. The environment was so different from the lively neighborhood she was living in these days. It was a colony and people weren't as invested in each others' lives as she was used to for the past six months.

Elaf remembered the gate. She turned the corner when she felt a soft fluffy ball of fur brushing her side. She barely stopped a shriek escaping her throat but the thing around her legs wasn't that mindful. The dog gave her a scared mewl and Elaf melted then and there.

She bent down on her knees and stroked the dog gently. He was literally trying to hide himself in her and Elaf felt like scooping in her arms. He wasn't big. A small pup.

"Are you lost?"

She asked. He had gotten better by now. Her eyes darted around and found a bunch of teenage boys looking at her. When she looked on questionably, they ran away. Elaf scowled at their receding backs.

"They were teasing you, weren't they?"

She asked and bending some more held his collar. There was a name tag attached. She squinted at it because they were right under the slanted rays of the setting sun.

"Dodo. Seems like someone misspelled it. Shouldn't it be Dogo?"

The dog was not looking at her. Elaf smiled and caressed his head.

"Hi, Dodo."

His answer was a happy yelp and a body roll. Elaf grinned.

"You're so cute but a bit lazy. Let's ask around to see where your family is. Maybe the people I'm visiting would know? What's say?"

She would look pretty comical making a full fledged conversation with a dog but she had always been pretty good with pets. Her Khala had a pet cat Mr. Grumpy and that moody ginger cake hated everyone but her. He'd settled himself in her lap and demand tummy rubs. Elaf was more than happy to oblige.

She tried making Dodo walk with her but it seemed like the dog was exhausted or was still shaken by the way he was just treated by the rowdy boys. Elaf picked him up in her arms and started walking towards the lane she was pretty sure the house was in.

____

"The fever is gone but you need to eat something. These tantrums suit Zimal, not you."

Irma exclaimed, keeping the thermometer on his bedside table. She had come back from the office a while back and upon knowing that Sarim had skipped office today due to fever, she was immediately in his room.

"I'm fine, Irma. It's far better than it was in the morning."

"It's winter. No matter how meager as compared to the kind you're used to, but winter nonetheless. Try being a bit careful, hun?"

Farwa exclaimed from the other side of his room where she was checking the medicines he had taken in the morning. Sarim sighed. He loved the caring women he was surrounded with but they were overdoing it. He wasn't a kid. That was Zimal.

"Where is Zimal?"

He asked. She was by his side the moment she'd come back from school and Sarim wouldn't deny she was a great company. Her exaggerated tales about her school chronicles and her complaints about her two best friends who had a fight over gummy bears was something Sarim had laughed out loud on.

"Downstairs. She was looking for Dodo. Said he was getting good at side and seek."

Irma smiled but it soon turned into panic because Zimal's crying voice wasn't difficult to hear.

"Why is she crying?"

Sarim asked, already out of his bed. He was the first person to hold her when she was in the middle of the stairs. He picked her up looking for any injury but found none.

"What happened?"

He asked, pushing her bangs away from her forehead. Her face was drenched with tears which was enough to worry Sarim.

"Dodo! He's missing!"

"Missing?"

Sarim looked around. Irma and Farwa were by his side.

"He was just here in the lounge when I came back from the office.

Irma exclaimed trying to calm her crying baby but Zimal was inconsolable. She was too attached to Dodo. Sarim saw Manzoor Baba coming through the door and asked in gestures. Manzoor Baba shook his head.

Dodo really was lost.

They were right now in the living room and Sarim and Irma were trying their best to calm Zimal. Manzoor Baba was looking all over the house again to have a glimpse of the furry little thing but to no avail.

"It's the doing of those big boys! I know it! They used to eye Dodo so weirdly whenever Nanu and I took him out with us on walks! They knew Nanu wasn't home. They are scared of him!"

She exclaimed between her hiccups and Sarim felt his heart breaking. She was the most precious thing for their whole family. She had made them a proper clan. Nauman had softened a lot over the years just because of this munchkin. She didn't have a father always present in her life and both Sarim and Nauman understood this. This made them even more protective of hers.

Sarim left Zimal in Irma's lap and stood up. He'd look for Dodo himself. He was walking outside of the living area when he stopped in his tracks and behind him Zimal jumped in her mother's lap.

Elaf stood at the door, very confused with the way they all were eyeing her and with a very sleepy Dodo in her arms.

"Dodo!"

Zimal shouted and it seemed like that made the dog aware of his surroundings as well. He struggled to get out of Elaf's hold. She gently left him on the floor.

"Oh, You're fine! Thank God you're fine!"

"He is. Don't worry."

Elaf told the child in front of her. She had anticipated finally meeting Zimal but not under these circumstances.

"Did you find him?"

Elaf nodded and just like a while back her Mamu had pushed her bangs aside, Elaf did the same.

"In the street. I think few teenagers were teasing him but he's a brave boy, this one."

Zimal nodded vehemently, in full agreement.

"Must be the same boys I was telling my Mamu about. I will personally go and complain to their parents. They can't bully my Dodo like this. He's so smol."

"He is. And he's cute."

"Thank you. And also, thank you for saving him. I owe you a treat. Do you like gummy bears? I have some. My friends started fighting over those so I decided it was only just that I don't give any of them anymore if they were only going to make a fuss about it."

She was so cute. Safwa had talked about Irma's daughter being an absolute sweetheart and Elaf could see.

"I love gummy bears. Thank you, Zimal."

"You know my name?"

Elaf didn't know how to respond to this but she didn't have to. She saw Irma reaching their side with a wide smile. Sarim was standing behind her with a familiar smile on his face.

"Because she's the one who gave you this name, Zimal."

Irma came closer and Elaf got up from her bent position.

She was engulfed in a hug and Elaf felt her eyes getting teared up. What was the deal with all these people making her want to cry?

"Damn, Elaf! I was sure that if you didn't come in a day or two I was going to call on you myself. I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, Irma. I really did."

Irma broke the hug and looked at her face. Looking for changes and by the looks of it they showed. Elaf shrugged her shoulders. It was okay. They weren't that big of a deal.

"Elaf! That's a new name. I have never heard of it!"

Zimal was amazed. She herself had a unique name so she found it fascinating whenever someone else also did.

"Just like mine!"

She giggled and Elaf felt her happiness infusing into her. Elaf being the person who had given her this name had made her immediately interested in her.

Sarim was watching the whole exchange standing there. He saw Elaf coming towards Farwa and after greeting her the ladies moved inside the living room. Elaf stopped and looked over at him. He gave her a reassuring nod that he was okay. She understood and followed Irma inside.

Sarim picked Zimal in his arms. Dodo was by their side.

"What do you reckon should I call her?"

"She has a name."

"No, Mamu. Don't be silly. I can't call her that. Mama says it's bad manners. Should I call her Khala like I call Safwa Khala?"

Sarim thought for a while and then shook his head.

"We will decide this later. This is too early."

What he didn't tell her, he didn't exactly like her calling Elaf Khala. It felt incomplete and wrong in a very touching way. Sarim shook his head.

Hesham was right. He was down too bad.

Elaf had hoped an hour or two would be enough and then she'd be back home but The Haiders weren't having any of it. Farwa Auntie had told her without dinner she wasn't going anywhere. Irma had lots to tell her and hear from her. Zimal was a bit shy around her, seeing she was a new face and Nauman uncle met her with an entirely different persona Elaf had seen years back.

As they all sat down for dinner and conversation flew, Elaf realized how she had never thought a day like this would come. The last time, in that hospital room, she had wished to be among them, to never leave but had to and now she was back where she had left off and somehow everything and every person had changed yet what remained the same was their wholesomeness.

Irma had taken her to her room after that. They talked about her work, Mohid's role in Zimal's life and all this made Elaf respect this woman more than she did before. And she had always respected her.

Saying them all bye with the promise that she'd visit again soon, Elaf got inside Sarim's car as he was going to drop her home.

"Zimal is one cute kid."

Elaf exclaimed and Sarim agreed.

"She is. I'm not saying this because she's my niece but it's true. She is the most hilarious yet cute bean out there. You should listen to her stories. She's good at all the gestures and dramatics."

"Sounds like me."

"She has your temper as well."

"I don't have a temper."

"And I'm not offended that the visit was for me but you didn't once ask me how I was doing."

Elaf sized him up and shrugged.

"You look pretty fine to me."

"Ouch. See. Brutal."

Elaf shook her head and then got reminded of something.

"I've left the folder on the table. Go through the documents because they are needed in your next meeting."

"Elaf."

"Hun?"

"Let's make the rule a two way thing."

"How so?"

"If we can't talk about our personal life in the office we won't discuss the office in our personal life and you never have to form an excuse to come to see me or anyone else."

Elaf didn't feel this good ever on getting caught.

"Deal."

He stopped the car at some distance from her house when she turned to him.

"What did you tell Zimal when I was talking to Farwa Auntie and Irma? I knew she asked you something about me."

Sarim scratched the back of his neck.

"That's a secret."

Elaf narrowed her eyes.

"You are a menace."

"See, the temper."

"Good night, Boss."

"Hey! What did I say just now?"

"What did I ask just now?"

She raised an eyebrow and leaving Sarim alone with his amusement got out of the car. She herself couldn't stop smiling.

____

"What was your deal with going there and saying all that to her, Maryam! What do I do with you!"

Ibsam was not happy with what Maryam had just told him. Meeting Safwa that too in a creepy way and then saying those things to her was way below the belt.

"I wasn't thinking straight."

Maryam's meek voice angered him some more.

"Then why were you there in the first place?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. He had some nerve. Being angry with her like this and when all she was doing was mopping his mess.

"You're the one to talk! Isn't it all because of you?"

"Then leave it up to me to figure out!"

"You have been trying to talk to your father for a month now, Ibsam. It isn't working."

She had a tired edge to her voice and Ibsam could relate to this. He was so tired. Not of trying but of living like this, with this guilt and repentance.

"I know it was low of me to dump all that on Safwa like that but I swear I meant no harm, Ibsam. All my life I've never been hated and knowing that the people I so want to have an amicable bond with hate me, it's not a nice feeling."

Ibsam held her head when she shook her head.

"I never knew Baba was trying to pull you away from your family. I thought he was just giving you a chance to shine professionally. If I knew I wouldn't have agreed to it. You know I wouldn't have."

Ibsam knew that. It was mainly the reason why her father hadn't told her the whole thing and when Ibsam came to know she wasn't aware, they were already in a stable relationship and that time, Ibsam didn't even care much.

"I love you. I know we had a weird start where you were just praising me and I was so used to your sweet words that I always wanted you by my side, gracing me with your words. But After marriage things changed. We saw the aspects of each other's personality that were ugly and we still stayed, Ibsam. That's love and as a person who loves you, I can't see you suffering silently. You messed up. Big time but I'm seeing you repenting on all your choices, except for maybe marrying me. So, I want things to get better for both of us. I like your family. I love the bonding they share. I have never seen anything like that. They are angry with you. But they can't forever go on like this. Right?"

They couldn't. They were too nice for that but it didn't mean Ibsam was going to stop trying.

"Why don't you ask Safwa to help you?"

"You're again not using your head, Maryam."

"She's so close to Memoona Auntie and Abba. She can convince them."

"No, Maryam. We aren't doing this."

"Why not?"

"Because she was the person who didn't have to be dragged in the mess I created but I still dragged her. It caused her and Izaan Bhai to part ways and that's another baggage on my shoulder. I'm never asking her for this favour. Not after being a reason for her losing her love."

He saw Maryam's dejected face and sighed.

"I will keep on trying. I don't promise how far this will work but this time around I want to do it properly. I will go tomorrow and meet Safwa. Apologize on your behalf because I know you're too embarrassed to do that. Please don't pull any such thing ever again."

Maryam stood up clearly not happy with his approach but in her heart she also knew this was the right way.

_____

Safwa was informed about a guest who was here to meet her without prior appointment. When she asked the name, her response was a confused look. Why was this couple after her when she wasn't even a couple anymore with their brother.

She watched from her seat, Ibsam came inside and greeted her formally. She greeted back and pointed towards the seat in front of her.

"Sit."

He obliged.

"What can I do for you and mind you if you're going to throw meaningless blame at me, I'm rather busy and my door is open."

Sassy. Ibsam couldn't see how his mellow brother was so in love with this sharp woman but they evened each other out maybe.

"I'm actually here to apologize to you on her behalf. She was way out of the line and it was not at all the right way. I'm very sorry."

Safwa folded her hand in front of her and titled her neck. Her gaze was calculating.

"This isn't the only reason for why you're here right?"

He nodded and then looked at her.

"I'm sorry for my actions too. I played a role in breaking your relationship with my brother. I pulled you into a mess which wasn't yours and you weren't responsible for anything."

Safwa exhaled deeply. So, her hunch was right.

She gave him a pained look even though she was good at keeping herself in check when she was inside this office.

"Do you know your brother blames himself for your leaving?"

Ibsam looked away.

"He does. It's baggage he's carried for the past six years. It was the reason among some others for why he broke up with me. And do you know what he said to me?"

She was no longer looking at Ibsam. Her eyes were unfocused as she was living that moment again.

"He said he wouldn't stop loving me. That it was no one else for him after me. That he wouldn't be able to move on. A man saying this to a woman as he breaks them free of their relationship, you know what it does to that woman, Mr. Ibsam?"

She didn't wait for him to show any reaction.

"She can't love again. He can't forget. That man is no longer in her life but she can't give that empty slot to anyone because that was never empty. By saying those words he made a permanent mark in her heart."

She wiped a lone tear.

"I might forgive you. I might have already done that. But for the love of God try breaking your brother from this guilt that has made him deny himself of every happiness. That's it, Ibsam. Try this. You need it and so does your brother."

"I'm trying."

He didn't tell her that it wasn't going well and he didn't have to. She could see that.

It was all a bit heartbreaking.

She was right.

She was never moving on. Izaan and his problems would always be hers too.

___

"You sound so cheery it is almost nauseating."

Zonish laughed as she cleaned her table. Her phone was between her shoulder and ear.

"I'm! We got back together as a gang. This calls for celebration."

She chuckled as she made her way out of the room.

"It's honestly good to know."

"And you were right."

"About what?"

She said as she reached the dining area where Hejab and Saima were sitting. She gave them a cursory look and opened the fridge. The leftover fudge cake from last night made her mood even better. There was nothing better than good company and cake.

"You told me that when we get back together, it will look so natural. Because that's our vibe. Same thing happened. We all fell back into our routine without any doubts."

"You guys are really friendship goals and I'm not being sarcastic here."

She was back in her room and had settled on her bed. Her phone was still intact on her ear. It was a catch up call and it was going to be long as per the norm.

Downstairs, Hejab nudged Saima who looked at her questionably.

"What?"

"Did you talk to Baba about what I told you?"

Hejab pointed upstairs and Saima nodded.

"That I did."

"What was his reaction?"

Saima smiled.

"He sounded happy about it. Let's see how this goes. Mr. Baig is well acquainted with him. He said whenever they meet again he will try talking to him about this."

Hejab was visibly beaming. She glanced upstairs and giggled. No one could say she was a mother of two. She was just a cupid at that moment.

_____

Yusra peeled the peas with a smile on her face, more like a grin. Daud was sitting close on the bed reading the newspaper. She glanced in his way.

"Elaf is finally somewhat back in her element."

Daud nodded. The same smile which Yusra was supporting was now on his lips too.

"My baby has suffered so much. I knew it the moment her friend came back to her life she'd blossom like a flower. I'm just hoping that these trials are now over. She deserves to be happy."

Yusra wiped a tear at the corner of her eye but her smile was still intact.

Daud's had faltered though.

Because when regrets have a permanent place in your heart, you can't smile much.

____

Stopping the car in the parking area, Safwa sat inside and looked ahead.

People.

Some walking, some on wheelchairs and some walking with canes.

It made it more real that she was here.

She closed her eyes and batted her head on the steering.

"This is not your problem! This is not your problem! This is not your problem!"

But whom was she kidding?

This was her problem too because it was Izaan freaking Shoaib's problem.

Sometimes she hated herself for loving that man so much. This was one of those moments.

She looked around and just in the car parked beside hers, a little kid was eyeing her weirdly. Definitely her little debating session hadn't been private. Safwa ignored the kid's gaze and, saving her remaining dignity, got out of the car.

The entrance of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center was right in front of her. Also, the second home of Izaan Shoaib.

She sighed.

Fate would always bring her to this man and half of the time it was to solve his own problems.

Love was such a little nasty shit.

_____