When Hesham had put the couch in his living room, he had no clue that it would one day be used as his and Zonish's safe cocoon. He couldn't count on his fingers how many heart to hearts they have had lying there, snuggling into each other. Telling their deepest secrets, rawest emotions, sometimes talking, sometimes letting the silent speak, sometimes just lingering innocent touches and sometimes hungry kisses so fervent, that they forgot to even breathe.

It was one such evening, both of them were lazing around on the same couch and the topic today was childhood embarrassments.

"Hejab was such a snitch though. Always telling Baba that I was bunking classes and one day I got so angry when Baba called me into his study. She was there too and I called her a bitch right in front of him. He was already pissed and then he shouted! Manners! I just gave my sickly sweet smile to Hejab and asked her what was the problem with my Bitch Aapi. I was grounded for a week after that."

Zonish couldn't help laughing at the memory. She was lying hugging Hesham and it seemed like he was equally enjoying the hilarity of it.

"You were a menace to society."

"As if you were any less. Don't make me remind you of that one time when you got into a brawl with a guy over food and Izaan had to patch you up so that Atif uncle won't find out."

"I told you that in confidence, Zoni, not for you to manipulate me with it."

"Whatever. I can't forget how you were looking so smug that it was the exact moment you thought was Izaan's career line awakening. That he had to be a doctor."

"It was!"

She couldn't stop the giggles that left her mouth and Hesham, even though was now used to her laughter, still felt his heart softening at the sound of it. Of how carefree she was about it now. How she was so herself when they were in this safe haven of theirs.

"I love it when you laugh so freely."

Words got out of Hesham's mouth on their own. Zonish was silent for a moment and then she raised her head so that she was looking straight into his eyes.

"You love me more."

"Damn straight."

The surety with which he said that was what Zonish loved about him. But she loved him more.

"Can say the same for you."

"Then say!"

He was being demanding and Zonish couldn't stop the smile on her face.

"Yeah, okay. I love you."

"It's no biggie, Zoni. I would be in love with me too if I were you."

"And I take my words back."

Their usual banter was back and as they got on with it, Hesham realized that Zonish's hand was in his. He looked at the intertwined fingers and then at the woman in his arms.

Everything fitted just so right.

_______

The usual clutter at the coffee house was becoming a norm for Safwa. Something she enjoyed a lot. The heavenly aroma of baked goods, the calming warmth of the coffee and the old music playing in the background, especially of Strings.

It was her scene and Kepoch was her in every way possible.

But more than anything, these days, what she loved the most about this cozy setting was the occupied table to the side, close to the window.

She glanced in the way and sure enough found Izaan scrolling through his phone while his coffee was right by his side.

Safwa smiled and giving Nabeel some instructions, slowly reached Izaan's side.

"Just fifteen minutes more."

He looked up from the screen and nodded at her.

"I can wait. It's no problem."

"Where are we actually going?"

She asked, taking the seat next to him and Izaan immediately pushed his phone aside. His whole focus was on her and Safwa reveled in that.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Honestly?"

He nodded, prompting her to say what she wanted to say.

"At this point I'd just want you to take me to a freaking court and get done with it. I hate how Elaf and Hesham can't stop rubbing it on my face that I'm the single one even though I fell in love first."

Izaan was aware of all the teasing and inside jokes. He knew she was saying this in a light mood, not actually serious about it but what were the chances that he was?

"That bad?"

He played along.

"Don't even ask."

He was going to. That was the plan. His residency was concluding very soon and he was going to get super busy during that. Not that he was free these days as well. But right now, Safwa and their relation was his top priority and now that they were finally at a steady place, he didn't want any delays. Delays were never good. Making someone who was as sure as Safwa was even worse. And he himself was sure too. This wasn't going anywhere. This relation. Their love. It had stayed and it would stay. Every test. Every walk over troubled waters. And it would bloom too. With every day spent together, with each other, growing, getting on with years.

They were in his car, talking about their day, her office happening and then the coffee house, his hospital monotonous routine, but somehow, talking about these very normal and mundane things with each other was always something both of them enjoyed. Cherished.

"Wow. You really sensed that I wanted to come to the Seaview today?"

Safwa explained as Izaan pulled the car on the familiar track leading to the Clifton area and from there towards the Seaview.

When they got out, the salty wind welcomed them with open arms. Folding the edges of her pants, Safwa started walking along the shoreline feeling alive after days. This was always the charm of this place. It makes something so alive inside of you.

"It's spring time."

She said as Izaan matched his steps with her.

"I just love the weather when it's just before November and March. It seems like everything is blooming, getting a happy ever after."

Happy ever after.

The thought hit close to the heart. Izaan stopped.

"Safwa."

She stopped as well.

"Yeah?"

"About what you said before. Of me taking you to the court and getting done with it."

She was silent but her confusion could be read on her face.

"Let's not rush that much into it but let's go with it. Properly."

Safwa narrowed her eyes and then left an exasperated sigh.

"Izaan Shoaib! Are you proposing to me?"

He chuckled and then sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. Safwa face palmed.

"I think I'm only trying to do that."

"Proposing making something I said as a joke the reference point. Only you, Izaan! Only you!"

She was both laughing and shaking her head.

"You actually want us to get married?"

"What's with the tone of surprise? I was always going to marry you only. I thought that was a given."

"Just how many weddings are we going to have this year?"

"Now who's being a spoilsport? Besides, it's the wedding season in Pakistan. No one will mind if one more gets added to the list."

Safwa could agree with his logic but she still couldn't believe it.

"So, we are actually doing this?"

"I think we are."

She pushed her hair behind her ears and now that her shock and exhilaration had finally subsided, she started taking it seriously.

"I want you to know that we are going to do this the proper way. Those two might have given you the idea that you know that's it but since my childhood I have been fascinated with the idea of getting married and I'm very serious about fulfilling my childhood fantasies-"

"You want a grand wedding."

Safwa squealed.

"Yes! I want a grand wedding!"

Izaan held her hands.

"Okay then, let's have a grand wedding."

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry or just melt into his arms.

"So, Safwa Kirmani, will you marry me?"

She didn't have to contemplate but the realization made way to her mind at that very moment.

They had their declaration of love standing here on the same shore too.

And he took her to here only to start with this new beginning of theirs.

"Yes, Izaan Shoaib, I will marry you. On a spring day. We will have our happy ever after."

The wind kept on rustling their clothes and hair, as if hugging them. The waves to some distance reached the shore with equal enthusiasm. It seemed like everything was ashore.

Like their love.

___

The serene calm morning of a March day was glowing with the first few rays of the spring sun. The window was letting the morning air inside, fluttering the curtains and giving its greetings to the sleeping couple on the bed.

The loud ringing of the phone had broken through the serenity. Sarim's eyes flinched. And then they opened. Elaf also squirmed in her place which was right on his shoulder.

"Why did you set the alarm?"

She asked in a groggy voice.

"I didn't."

He mumbled. He already knew it was an incoming call. But the onslaught of the sleep was making his mind hazy. He hadn't even picked the phone when another shrill ringing joined the one already going off. Elaf jolted up straight on the phone.

"What in the name of God!"

She picked up her phone and at the same time Sarim did too.

"It's Safwa."

Elaf informed him.

"It's Izaan and Hesham."

Sarim did the same and with both curiosity and a bit weariness, they both picked up their phone.

They were both facing each other when the people on the other side started filling them in with what was the latest happening. From worried faces to smiling ones, they both were happily listening to the most awaited news for the last six years.

"Izaan and Safwa!"

Elaf exclaimed excitedly as soon as the call ended. Sarim was already grinning.

"Yes!"

"About freaking time!"

Sarim could agree with that. For how long all of them had waited for this. Elaf hugged him feeling overwhelmed. Her best friend had gotten her happy ever after with another friend of hers. Finally.

"But why did they inform us with the crack of dawn?"

"It's 11 AM, Elaf."

"Not my fault that I'm a newly married woman and I don't exactly appreciate waking up early."

Sarim chuckled at that and hugged her back.

"I'm so happy for them. In fact I'm so happy for all of us."

As they should've been. They all were on the path towards happiness after all.

____

Safwa wasn't kidding when she demanded a grand wedding from Izaan. There was so much to do that the elders decided on a date which was almost a month away. Enough time according to Elaf but even that wasn't enough for Safwa. She had her sole focus towards her upcoming wedding and she was monitoring everything by herself. Elaf was there to help, so were Irma and Zonish but all of them were now getting tired of how Safwa was stressing over every tiny detail.

From her clothes to the food, from the décor to the music, she had her in-put in everything and even though it was so endearing seeing her gearing up for her big day, it was also worrying how she was totally devoted to it forgetting everything. She wasn't slowing down and Elaf had had enough. Now was the time to pull the only person into this who could calm Safwa like it was a cakewalk.

When Izaan entered her room that particular night, she had a catalogue opened in front of her. Izaan could see fancy photos peeking through it. He didn't ask what it was. He just pushed it aside and lay down on her bed pulling her along.

"Are you tired?"

Safwa asked as she rested her head right next to him and looked up at the ceiling.

"No, you are tired."

"I didn't even do anything all day. I was so confused with what to decide."

Izaan pushed a fringe of her back. Clear brown eyes stared back at him. The shine in them was making his heart flutter with this realization and that he was finally the reason for it, not for the sheen of moisture he had always caused to gather there.

"Safwa."

"Yeah?"

"When you said you wanted a grand wedding I didn't know you were going to take it so seriously."

"Why shouldn't I? It's a once in a lifetime kind of thing for me."

"It sure is, I don't question it. It is the same for me as well. But look at you. You are supposed to enjoy all this and all you are doing is fretting over things that can be managed pretty well."

"Izaan-"

She whined when he shook his head and pulled her closer so that her head was resting on his chest. He held her hand in his and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

"I want you to live every moment of this phase. I want to see you happy. Do whatever you want to. Just don't make it so dire. Just go with the flow and see how even the imperfections start looking beautiful to you because it's the matter of the heart."

His words always had the same effect on Safwa. She melted right there.

"They teach you all these heart talks too, Mr. Cardiothoracic Surgeon?"

"Well, I improvise those and they are exclusive. Just for you."

The smooth talk. He had his moments.

"Well, I'm flattered."

She snuggled into him and he immediately hugged her, patting her head. It put her at ease.

Maybe he was right. She should tone down on making everything perfect and start enjoying the chaos this phase was with all its highs and lows.

____

Safwa understood the truth behind Izaan's word when she finally let herself be at ease during whatever followed next. And that was the best decision to take. Weddings were chaotic business and nothing ever came with your expected and anticipated outcome. She had stopped looking for perfection and instead laughed at every order gone wrong, every demand twisted to another alteration and every plan somehow never being executed on time.

But all that didn't matter when she finally sat beside Izaan during their Henna function. When she saw her friends and family around. When Bisma kissed her forehead and caressed Izaan's. When Memoona and Shoaib gave all their parental love to them in the form of their best wishes. When she saw Abba's beaming face as both she and Izaan sat beside him. When Nusrat Aapa put her favourite sweet into her mouth. When they all posed for a group photo and when the whole family along with friends were on the dance floor in the middle. Everyone was coaxed to move along by Ibtihaj, Ibsam and Maryam. There was laughter and confetti of everything wholesome around.

When Elaf settled her attire for her just moments before the Nikkah, Zonish whispered that Izaan was going to have a field day seeing how she was glowing with a halo of brightness around her. Irma helped her sit on the decorated seat and Hesham was her Wali when the Nikkah was done.

It entirely didn't matter when she held Izaan's hand right after the Nikkah. When he saw her with those eyes, so full of love so soft. When his hand held hers and when he dropped a chaste kiss on her forehead.

When she found all her friends giving both of them teary smiles. Telling them that they were finally here, at the pinnacle of their love story.

Grand or not, when it's about hearts, everything just falls into place.

Izaan Shoaib was always right.

And he was right for her.

____

Elaf pushed her phone in her clutch and with a deep sigh, started walking towards the huge balcony of Kirmani House. The Nikkah function had just concluded downstairs and everyone was sitting together. It was such a jubilant atmosphere and she didn't want to think why her husband was so adamant of calling her on the balcony.

She pursed her lips remembering how she was so painfully annoying last night. Well, that's what you get for an uncalled for romantic mood. She might be looking ravishing but she was tired and she loved a pissed Sarim. It was hot. Not her fault. But Sarim Haider was also one determined man. They both kept going at each other, teasing and probing, playing the dangerous game till they were right where they wanted each other to be. Bothered and so tangled together.

She slid the door of the balcony and found Sarim leaning against the opposite wall. Elaf rolled her eyes.

"What?"

Sarim raised an eyebrow at her annoyance and took deliberate steps towards her. She wasn't deterred by it. She was Elaf Daud for a reason. Now his wife who could match his every move with her own.

"You really didn't have anything to say right?"

She asked when Sarim was right in front of her. His face a mere inches away. She felt an arm snaking around her waist and even though she didn't let her composure crumble, the warmth of it was both comforting and combusting.

"Do I really need reasons to see my own wife?"

He asked and Elaf looked up at him. The collision of their gazes was the point where they knew there was no going back. It was always their undoing.

"Not at all."

"Exactly."

He rubbed his thumb over her lower lip and she couldn't stop a smile coming to her lips.

"That's a lot of lipstick."

It wasn't. Her makeup was in complete moderation. But she didn't mind hearing this from him. It was way deeper than the surface excess of lipstick anyway.

"So, won't you wanna do anything about it?"

Sarim matched her smile.

"Oh, I'll do enough."

"Then do it!"

She didn't have to ask again. The familiar crashing of their lips as Elaf was gently pulled into the wall was enough to fulfill her demand.

Oh, she loved this man and everything that came with him.

________

The one thing Irma never had to worry about in any gathering was Zimal's whereabouts. Her baby was a social butterfly and also had a collection of Mamus, Mamis, Khalas and Nanos to keep an eye on. Irma was talking to a bunch of Safwa's friends from the corporate world and she was relaxed because she could see Zimal was sitting with her Hesham Mamu and Zonish Mami.

"So, Zimal how happy you are that to got to dressed up so many times?"

Zonish asked, pushing Zimal's silky hair out of her face. The wedding ceremony was just about to end and almost everyone was just lounging around, deep in conversations. Elaf and Sarim were out of sight. Hesham had wiggled his brows when Zonish asked if he knew where they were and she knew she didn't want to know. Izaan and Safwa were on the main seat and were still accepting the congratulations from people. Zonish was actually soft seeing them how they were such a perfect match the way they were communicating there as well.

"Very happy. I got so many new dresses."

"And you looked so beautiful in all of those."

Zimal scrunched her nose cutely at Zonish and that made Zonish smile too. The packet of crisps in Zimal's hand was forgotten by her for a while and that's when her not so precious Hesham Mamu stole a crisp or two earning glares from both Zonish and Zimal.

"You are incorrigible."

Zonish swatted his arm away and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"Izaan Mamu also got to be a groom just like Sarim Mamu."

Zimal exclaimed when her eyes darted towards the center of the hall.

"Well, I was the first to be a groom among the three of us."

Hesham didn't like being excluded. Zimal narrowed her eyes at him.

"But you were a broom, Mamu."

Zonish couldn't stop her laugh seeing how offended Hesham was.

"Who taught her this? And why am I the only broom while those two are grooms? Where is justice in this world!"

Zonish's laughter only grew and Zimal was also grinning as if she did something remarkable. Hesham couldn't stay mad for long as well.

"You get to call me broom but will that make me your best Mamu?"

Zimal pushed her pack of crisps away from his reach and contemplated. He didn't know how to stop his laugh. So he didn't even try. He joined Zonish and Zimal just grinned at them.

____

Safwa had visited Izaan's room many times, as he had visited hers. But never she imagined that one day she'd be sharing it with him. Every part of it would be as Safwa as it was Izaan. Her clothes would hang along with his in his closet, her things would be scattered on the dresses along with his stethoscope and folder.

Apart from being Izaan's wife and sharing his life with him, another aspect she loved about this new phase of life was getting to live with the family she always called hers even though she had no relation with them, just a bond she formed with heart.

The way she fit in this family was something which left even Izaan surprised. She was already Memoona's dotted daughter in law. She was Shoaib's companion to discuss the political scene and stock exchange. She was now a good friend with Maryam who visited everyday like it was a routine. Ibtihaj was already all praises for her and Safwa had even formed a stable bonding with Ibsam as well.

She fitted like she was always there.

It was a week after their wedding. The post marriage clutter was slowly getting sorted. Safwa rubbed her damp hair with the towel. Izaan was getting home in about ten minutes. His schedule wasn't as hectic as she had expected but he had told her that ease on the duty wasn't something permanent.

She came to the table where her phone was on the charge. A new message from Izaan asking her to come outside had her scowling. She had received it just a minute back. Hurriedly getting ready to look presentable enough, Safwa ran outside. Memoona was in the kitchen and by the looks of it, she was already aware of Izaan's presence. If her smile was any indication.

When Safwa came outside of the house, she was expecting him to be waiting in his car but instead she got a shock of her life as she saw him leaving against his old bike. There were two helmets perched on top of the handle. Izaan's reply was a big smile as he saw her surprised form.

"I thought you got rid of it?"

Safwa exclaimed as she dragged a hand over the hard contours of the vehicle.

"I was supposed to. But then I didn't. It was precious to me. Not just as my first bike but also it had memories attached to it. I kept it in the backside of the Verandah for years."

Safwa knew what memories he was talking about. She was there in those memories. They were as precious to her as they were to him.

He silently extended the helmet towards her and Safwa felt her heart soaring high. She was going to relive her most precious memory as his wife, when she was falling in love with Izaan as just someone in his life.

They drove through the same roads of Karachi. Stopping. Getting stuck in traffic. Safwa's hands were on his shoulders. She was reliving and living. Drowning in the memories and making new ones along with it.

Their final destination was Kirmani House.

The plan was to meet Nusrat Aapa and see how she was doing but before that Izaan pulled her in the back alley of her house. The same way silent. Without any prying eyes.

Safwa stood there when he held her from her waist from behind, just like he did all those years back.

"I love you. I never stopped. Never will."

She turned into his arms and pulled him closer through his neck.

"I love you too. Always loved you. Always will."

They were the same people who had decided right there that words weren't always necessary.

But sometimes they are important. To seal a promise. To keep one. To never break it ever again.

They were reviving the very promise.

Izaan pulled her some more into him and his lips lingered at the corner of hers, the same place where he had left a goodbye.

Now he was starting a new beginning from there.

Tracing the corner with his lips he finally took the plunge and the rest was history.

Safwa Kirmani got her first kiss of love from Izaan Shoaib at the same place they had promised a forever to each other.

Their lips moved in a perfect rhythm, there was no eagerness to it, just the stability of eons, the surety that this wasn't going anywhere, it was theirs, for them, with them. 

____

Sarim loosened his tie as he dropped himself next to his wife on the couch. Elaf was waiting there for him. He had an important meeting tonight and that made him call back home to tell her to eat her dinner and don't wait for him. She didn't listen. She hated eating alone. So, she used this time to work some more on the play she was writing these days.

"You look like you've been bulldozed out of the ground."

Sarim just smiled tiredly at her jab.

"I sure do. It was a tiring day."

"I can see that. Should I set the table?"

"You didn't eat?"

"Nah. I can't eat alone."

Sarim wasn't pleased but his eyes had found the scribbles on her journal and he looked interested.

"You worked on the play in the meanwhile."

"Oh, yes. I did and it's coming out fine so far."

Sarim folded his arms behind his head in a perfect relaxed manner.

"Tell me."

Elaf shook her head. He was tired and famished as well. He just needed rest now.

"Some other time."

"But I want to know now. Come on. Don't leave me hanging."

Elaf sighed knowing too well how persistent he could be when he wanted something. She opened her journal and pushed it towards him.

There was a proper sketch scattered on the page with a big bold heading on top.

"AMANTA"

Sarim couldn't make much of what Elaf had written given it was just points and nothing proper. He looked up at her to explain and she was already gearing up for that.

"Amanta is a story of several women in different eras. Their different struggles in all those with their body image, misogyny, patriarchal themes, their internalized learned problematic behaviours, beauty standards and their status in the society. I will write about 12 women from long ago. But Amanta will be the name of each one of them. Because the woman spirit this play is going to present is named Amanta. It's like an ode to all the women out there who are trying to make their way through everything."

Sarim was deeply listening to her explanation and when she became silent, a huge smile was his answer.

"This is brilliant. Can you imagine how powerful this will be as a play? You are working on a masterpiece, Elaf. Mark my words. "

Elaf didn't meet his eyes. She was flushed. Trust this man's trust in her and her abilities.

"I'm just working on it. Let's see where it goes."

She stood up to go to the kitchen when Sarim called after her.

"This is gonna be your IT play and you also know that."

"Geez, you are just too much."

She shook her head but his trust was making her trust it too.

_____

Roshna pulled the curtains of the room aside to let the fresh air in. Satisfied with how beautiful the weather outside was, she turned to the bed and found Kumail already awake. She gave him a warm smile, warmer than the sun outside and he reciprocated it.

His surgery was a complicated one but it was a success. The tumor was out of his skull but it left its telling signs. It was a brain surgery so Kumail's sensory abilities along with his motor function were affected. For the first few weeks he was weak and not able to do much on his own but now, slowly, he was making progress. The doctors had him completely under their observation to see if the place where the tumor was needed anymore work. To their relief it wasn't a malignant one. They were sure that Kumail would be able to live a full life after his recovery was completed.

Roshna was filled with gratitude. Yes, this wasn't part of their life plan but it could've been worse than this. She was thankful that it wasn't. Now it was manageable and she was managing it fine.

She sat beside him as he leaned on his pillow .

"I still can't believe Izaan and Safwa got married."

Roshna's smile deepened. Izaan had come to invite both of them. Kumail was surely recovering but he was doing fine and they both attended the ceremony. They didn't stay for long but enough to see the beautiful union of two beautiful souls.

"It was a long time coming. You are a fool if you think they weren't going as far in their relationship as they are now."

Kumail smiled. It was still surreal to him that his always unsure friend was now living his proper love story with a happy ever after.

His eyes trailed the way Roshna's expressions were changing as she talked about the wedding ceremony.

"Roshna, remember when you said to me once?"

She stopped immediately and gave him a confused look.

"About what, exactly?"

Kumail focused on remembering the details.

"About somewhere being another universe where our counterparts live. About love stories which don't get their completion here, might get a happy ever after there."

Roshna remembered that. But she also remembered how big on romance novels she was in those days. There was no need for a parallel or distant universe to get your stories fulfilled.

She held Kumail's hand and brushed his hair aside.

"That was then and now I know how pathetic it was. Total sadist. This is our universe, Kumail Javed. Our tiny infinity. We live here. Together. We make it beautiful by being together and we fight everything together as well."

Kumail could agree to that. He had just fought against a brain anomaly and that had made him lean towards the tragic aspect of love and its notion. But she was making so much sense.

This was theirs.

And they were going to live it to the fullest.

Together.

_______

Nusrat Aapa closed the huge doors of Kirmani House and locked it. The keys jingled in her hands as she extended towards Bisma. She took them but not before giving Aapa a teary smile.

With Safwa now settled in her new home with her new family and Bisma with Atif, Nusrat Aapa had shown the desire to go back to her family in a village of Punjab. Her nephew had contacted her and was more than willing to take her back to her place. She shared it with Bisma and Safwa and although both of them were sad at the prospect of letting Aapa go, they fully understood that Nusrat Aapa also deserved a break now. She had practically brought both Bisma and Safwa up. They owed it to her to now make her her choice and she did.

"Mrs. Kirmani always trusted me with Bisma. I was very new at the job. Coming here to Karachi and getting a job here was the highlight of my life. Then after Bisma, Firdaus always gave me the responsibility of Safwa. You two are practically my kids. I have seen you becoming the strong, fierce yet soft ladies that you are today. Never let go of your ability to stand for the people you love."

She hugged both Bisma and Safwa. They hugged her back. It was a goodbye they had never seen coming but it wasn't their place to have this decision.

"Keep in touch, Aapa. Call us frequently. Please, don't fade away now that there is a huge travel distance between us."

It was Nusrat Aapa. She was never going to stop looking out for her children. But Bisma still felt it necessary to let her know how important she was to them.

Till she got inside the taxi, Nusrat Aapa kept on looking at them and smiling. They all were crying too. But it was for the best. She deserved to spend the remaining days of her life among her people. In the place which was her home. She deserved this rest.

"I never thought there would come a day when this house would be empty."

Safwa said as both of them stood at the main gate, looking at the house in front of them.

In the process of never getting empty, the inhabitants of it must've never given a chance to so many things in life.

Bisma not giving a chance to love.

Safwa not finding a proper family she always yearned for.

And Nusrat Aapa not finding the peace she deserved.

The empty house was the proof of the progression the people of it had made.

So, empty houses aren't always bad.

Sometimes they make way for filled lives. Filled with happiness and content. Calm and prosperity.

"It will be closed for the time being. If the need arises, we will see what we should do about it."

Bisma held her niece. They were both looking at their once home.

But they had families who were waiting for them back home

And somehow, it made all the difference.

____

The escapade from a very monotonous life to the Seaview was the highlight of the weekend for all of them. The crashing waves and the air around. The people getting their fill of this more less a place just like them.

Zimal and Irma were to the side, making sand castles and laughing or groaning when the shape wouldn't come quite right.

Hesham and Zonish were bickering over something. The voice was getting drowned by the clashing waves of the sea nearby. But even doing so, both of them had a smile on their faces.

Sarim and Elaf were standing close, with their arms touching. But their hands were also intertwined. They were talking about Elaf's new play and Sarim's job which was right now in stable waters but there was no telling when the company would send him to another location.

Izaan and Safwa were walking along the shoreline. Izaan concluding his residency was the only thing they both talked about these days. His busy schedule and his never ending duty. The fuss before he was finally a certified acknowledged official heart surgeon.

Irma had asked them to join her and Zimal as the picnic party was going to start. They all gathered around and the talks flew. The laughter too.

All of them were still journeying through life, now hand in hand. There were still uncertainties lurking in the far future. But they intended to go with the flow.

Because they were all together. They had gotten over their hurdles.

They were ashore.

So was their love.

How profoundly fortunate it is to be the shore to someone's sea. No matter how winding, twisted, long, perilous the journey is, the end point is you. Always you.

And they were all each others' shore.

And the end point too. 

____________

Author's Note

The Epilogue will be up in a day or two. I don't want to say goodbye to them just yet. :'(