Hayder was going for a meeting when he received a call from Hyra. Since Hyra never called him herself, Hayder immediately answered the call.

"Kya hua, Hyra? Tum theek ho?"

(What happened, Hyra? Are you okay?)

"Woh, haan main theek hoon... Woh, Hyader, humare hotel ke samne jo beach hai main waha chali jau?" Hyra asked hesitantly, but there was hope in her voice as well.

(Yeah, I'm fine... Uh, Hyder, can I go to the beach in front of our hotel?)

"Beach?" Hayder was about to refuse immediately, but then he fell silent. He didn't want Hyra to go alone, but for the first time, Hyra had asked something, and Hayder also wanted Hyra to gain confidence.

"Achha theek hai, lekin khayal rakhna, aur samundar mein mat jana, kinare hi rehna." Hayder told her.

(Okay, but be careful, and don't go into the sea, stay on the shore.)

"Ji, theek hai." Hyra agreed happily.

(Yes, alright.)

Hayder still wasn't entirely convinced, so he thought that he would finish the meeting quickly and then go to Hyra.

And perhaps Hayder's fear wasn't unfounded. He had just left the office when he received a call from the driver assigned by the hotel.

What the driver told Hayder was beyond his expectations. Hyra had gone near the sea and drowned, but the rescue team saved her, and now she was being taken to the hospital. Hayder immediately rushed to the hospital.

Hyra was admitted, and Hayder was in the waiting room. He wasn't allowed to see Hyra yet, so he sat outside in silence. Waiting in the waiting room was perhaps the most dreadful day of his life. He didn't know how Hyra was, whether she was injured, if she was okay. He was compelled to wait. And waiting at that moment was the heaviest burden for Hayder.

But Hayder managed to compose himself when the doctor told him that Hyra was out of danger, and the baby was also fine. Hayder was allowed to meet her when Hyra gained her consciousness.

When Hayder entered the room, Hyra was lying on the bed with a drip attached to her hand. Her face was extremely pale. Hayder's heart ached at the sight. He couldn't imagine how much pain Hyra must have endured. It pained him even more to think that he couldn't take care of her. Hayder wanted to envelop Hyra in his arms, but seeing her fragile state, he restrained himself and pulled a chair near her bed, sitting down.

Hayder held Hyra's empty hand and brought it up to his lips, gently kissing it. "Theek ho?"

(Are you okay?)

Hyra nodded her head lightly.

"Kaise hua yeh?" As soon as Hayder asked, tears welled up in Hyra's eyes, which made Hayder concerned; he felt Hyra had been scared by all this.

(How did this happen?)

Hayder didn't want to cause her any more distress, so he didn't ask further.

•••

On the breakfast table, only the sound of utensils clinking against plates and cutlery could be heard, but between the two people having breakfast, there was a profound silence.

While sipping her tea, Kubra glanced towards Sarim, who was also reading the morning newspaper while eating. Kubra wanted to say something, but she couldn't figure out what to say. After summoning up courage for a while, Kubra finally called out to him.

"Sarim," her voice was quite low, but Sarim had heard her, and he looked at Kubra, setting aside the newspaper.

Feeling his gaze upon her, Kubra became nervous. She had called Sarim over, but what should she say?

"Woh... woh mujhe baba ke ghar jana tha..." When nothing came to mind, Kubra hesitantly said, averting her gaze from Sarim.

(I... I wanted to go to Baba's house.)

"Theek hai, main tumhe drop kar dunga, shaam mein tumhe pick bhi kar lunga." As Sarim folded the newspaper, he said.

(Okay, I'll drop you off, and I'll pick you up in the evening.)

"Lekin tumhara office toh opposite mein hai, tum late ho jaoge." Kubra knew Sarim's office is far from Mirza House.

(But your office is opposite, you'll be late.)

"Doesn't matter." Sarim simply shrugged his shoulder.

It was a small thing, but the way Sarim himself was dropping Kubra home made her feel a sense of happiness in her heart.

•••

Hyra was discharged by the next morning. Only then Hayder took a relief breath. Hyra was fine, just a little shaken up. 

Hayder helped Hyra to sit on the bed, weariness etched into her features. Hayder wanted to say something, anything to ease her burden, but words failed him. Instead, he sat beside her and gently hugged her, offering a silent reassurance.

Hyra finally spoke up, her voice soft and tentative. "Hayder, I'm sorry."

Hayder thought that Hyra was apologizing because she had gone into the sea despite the fact that he told her not to.

"Koi baat nahi, lekin agey se dhyan rakhna. Samundar ki lehre bohot tezz hoti hain, Hyra, maine issi liye mana kiya tumhe waha jane ke liye..." he kissed her head and told her.

(It's okay, but be careful next time. The waves in the sea are very strong and fast, Hyra, that's why I refused to let you go there.)

"Main nahi ja rahi thi, lekin..." Hyra started explaining, but then she paused.

(I didn't go there, but then...)

"Lekin?" Hayder asked. He also wanted to know how all this happened.

(Then?)

"Main kinare pe thi jab mujhe laga meri payal nahi hai, shayad wave ke sath woh beh gayi toh main bas ussey dhoondne gayi thi..."

(I was on the shore when I felt my ankles were missing, maybe it got washed away with the wave, so I was just looking for it...)

"Tumhara dimagh theek hai?" Hayder pulled away from the hug and looked at her.

(Are you out of your mind?)

"Tum samundar mein payal dhoondne gayi thi? Samundar hai woh, Hyra, swimming pool nahi ki niche tumhe mil jati payal. Beh gayi thi toh beh jane deti." Hayder had no intention of scolding her, but there was firmness in his voice along with surprise.

(You went into the sea to find anklets? It's the sea, Hyra, not a swimming pool where you find your anklet at the bottom. If it got washed away, you should've let it go.)

Hyra bowed her head down. "Badi ammi ki payal thi, aise kaise behne deti." In a small voice, Hyra replied, her eyes downcast, and the way her words trembled, it was evident that tears welled up in her eyes.

(It was your mother's anklet, how could I let it go like that.)

Upon her hearing this, Hayder fell silent for a moment, then he spoke, his voice softer this time. "Jo cheez chali gayi, chali gayi, tumhe uske piche nahi jana chahiye tha konsa tumhe mil jati."

(What's gone, is gone, you shouldn't have chased after it.)

"Par payal..." Hyra still felt embarrassed for losing such a precious item. Hayder's parents' belongings were more dear to him than his life itself. Their room remained the same, and he still maintained his father's car, driving it himself. He had entrusted Hyra with his mother's anklet, hoping she would take care of it, and she had lost it.

(But the anklets...)

"Tumse zyada zaroori nahi. Tumhe ya bachhe ko kuch ho jata, Hyra toh socha hai mera kya hota? Dubara aisi koi bewaqoofi na karna." Hayder couldn't believe he had said that so easily. He had kept only one thing of his mother's, and that was the anklet. Everything else, he had saved for Kubra and Shahzaib, but he had kept that anklet. Now, even that was gone. But it was also true that it wasn't more important than Hyra. If anything had happened to Hyra or their child because of that anklet, Hayder couldn't imagine it.

(It's not more important than you. If something happened to you, Hyra, have you ever thought about me? Don't do such foolish things again.)

Hayder wasn't angry with Hyra, but when Hyra fell asleep after taking medicine, he went to the washroom to take shower, and saw anklets on the basin, the ones for which Hyra had gone into the sea, he felt his temper rise. She had forgotten the same anklets she risked her life for. Hayder felt like scolding Hyra for real this time. Had she not paid enough attention to notice that she hadn't worn the anklet yesterday, and for that, she had put her life in danger.

•••

Kubra had thought her mood would freshen up at Mirza House, but little did she know that Minal and Burhan had come today with Zara's marriage invitation. While she was happy to meet her aunt, seeing the card made her heart sink.

She didn't even open the card; what was the use? Wherever Zara's name would be associated with someone else, she couldn't bear to see it.

"Main chai leke ati hoon." She placed the card on the table and made an excuse before retreating to the kitchen.

(I'll bring tea.)

From behind, she heard Hanif Mirza asking about Zara. "Zara khush hai?" 

(Is Zara happy?)

Kubra came to the living room with tea, and Shahzaib had also arrived from the office. She had called him on the way, so he had come from the office early. He was also surprise to see Minal and Burhan. and then he looked behind Kubra with hope. Perhaps Zara might come with her, but he withdrew his gaze with disappointment. Even if Zara had come, by what right would he look at her?

"Shahzaib tum pehle hi ajana, itne sarey kaam hote hain..." Minal was affectionately speaking to Shahzaib. There were many people at her house to help with preparation, but Shahzaib and Hayder were dear to her like her own sons. That's why she wanted both of them to be there for Zara as her brothers.

(Shahzaib, you come early, there's is so much to do...)

Kubra and Shahzaib both looked at Minal. Kubra cast a hesitant glance at Shahzaib, but his face remained impassive, revealing nothing.

"Main fresh hoke aya," Shahzaib said, then left. As he was leaving, his gaze fell upon the card placed on the table. Zara weds Hamshaad.

(I'll come after freshening up.)

•••

"Sumaya se kehdo dinner ki taiyyari kare. Aaj kitne dino baad sab sath mein dinner karenge." Hanif Mirza said, his happiness visible on his face seeing everyone together after so many days. Only Hayder and Hyra were missing.

(Tell Sumaya to prepare dinner. After so many days, we'll all have dinner together.)

"Baba, hum dinner tak nahi ruk payenge, abhi toh aur jagah card dena hai." Burhan apologized,

(Baba, we won't be able to wait for dinner, we have more places to visit.)

"Kubra, tum aur Sarim toh yahi dinner karoge na?" Hanif Mirza looked at Kubra hopefully,

(Kubra, you and Sarim will have dinner here, right?)

Kubra wanted to say yes instantly, not missing the gleam in his eyes, but she hesitation, she wss not sure what if Sarim would have another business dinner tonight.

"Ji, baba." But she didn't want to break Hanif Mirza's heart, so she said yes.

(Yes, baba.)

"Ek toh jabse Hyra gayi hai ghar itna khali lagta hai. Hayder ko bhi pata nahi jya zaroorat thi Hyra ko sath le jane ki." Hanif Mirza complained, his voice tinged with longing. When even one member of the house is absent, it feels incomplete, and Hyra wasn’t just anyone—she has become the life of the house. Her absence had truly left the house feeling hollow.

(Ever since Hyra left, the house feels so empty. I don’t understand why Hayder had to take her along,)

•••

Sarim had stayed back for dinner, and Kubra was quite pleased to see him conversing openly and warmly with Shahzaib and Hanif Mirza. Otherwise, she was afraid his demeanour would remain reserved even at dinner.

"Mom agayi hain." Sarim suddenly said, which Kubra didn't understand for a few seconds, and then she looked at Sarim, who was driving the car.

(Mom's here.)

"Kya?" When Kubra understood what he said, her eyes widened in surprise. "Kab?"

(What?)

(When?)

"Sham mein. Main issi liye toh tumhe jaldi lene aya tha," Compared to Kubra, Sarim's expression was quite calm, as if it were a rather normal matter.

(In the evening. That's why I came to pick you up early.)

"Toh mujhe bataya kyu nahi? Hum itni derr waha khamakha ruk gaye..."

(Then why didn't you tell me? We unnecessarily stayed there for so long...)

"Baba ko dinner ke liye mana karna theek nahi lagta," Sarim shrugged.

(It didn't seem right to refuse Baba for dinner.)

"Aur mom wait kar rahi hongi ghar pe uska kya? Kya sochengi mom? Itne din baad ayi hain aur main apne ghar pe...." Sweat started to form on Kubra's palms and feet. She was truly feeling embarrassed. She hadn't spent a lot of time with Azma Randhawa, and now, she had already created the impression in Azma's mind that she was unaffected by her arrival.

(And mom must be waiting at home, what will she think? She came after so many days and I wasn't at home...)

Sarim cast a glance at Kubra, who looked so anxious as if a student awaited their results before they were announced. There was a mischievous smile forming on Sarim's face, which he suppressed with his teeth.

"Haan yeh toh hai. Mom gusse mein bhi lag rahi thi aaj." Sarim teased her, but Kubra didn't catch humour in his voice, and her face turned white.

(Yes, that's true. Mom seemed a bit angry.)

"What?"

Before Kubra could think or say anything, they had already arrived home. Kubra took small steps as she followed Sarim into the house. She expected Azma Randhawa to be angry with her, and she was contemplating apologizing in her mind.

"Tum log itni jaldi kaise agaye?" Azma Randhawa looked at them and asked, making Kubra feel like she was being taunted. She subtly positioned herself behind Sarim so that Azma wouldn't notice her, but Azma already saw her.

(How did you guys come so early?)

"Assalam-Alaikum, Mom." Kubra stepped forward and greeted Azma with a bowed head.

"Walekum-Assalam," Azma hugged her warmly and asked her to sit with her.

"Ghar mein sab kaise hain?" Azma was asking in a quite normal manner, her face not showing any signs of anger.

(How's everyone at home?)

"Theek hain... Mom, I'm sorry, mujhe maloom nahi tha aap arahi hain warna main na jati..."

(They're fine... Mom, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming otherwise I wouldn't have gone...)

"Arey, koi baat nahi. Achhi baat hai jati raha karo. Waha bhi sab miss karte honge na aur tum bhi yaha akele rehti hogi." Azma's response was contrary to what Kubra had expected.

(Oh, it's okay. It's good that you go there. They must miss you, and you must feel lonely here too.)

Kubra glanced towards Sarim,

"Kya hua?" Azma asked

(What happened?)

"Kubra apki daat ka wait kar rahi hai, mom." Sarim informed her.

(Kubra is waiting for your scolding, mom)

"Main kyu datungi?" Azma was confused. 

(Why would I scold her?)

"Woh kya haina, Mom..." Sarim sat beside Azma and put his head on her shoulder. "Kubra serial bohot dekhti hai which means zalim ka dusra naam saas hai uski nazar mein." He looked at Kubra and said.

(Well, you know, Mom...)

(Kubra thinks the second name for a tyrant is mother-in-law because of all the serials she watches.)

Azma kept looking between Kubra and Sarim, and upon hearing him, Kubra first stared at Sarim and then immediately started explaining to Azma. "Nahi, mom, main toh...."

(No, mom, I...)

But before she could say anything, Sarim started laughing, and only then Azma understood everything. And she laughed too, now she knows why Kubra looked so scared, then she lightly slapped Sarim's cheek.

"Bohot buri baat hai, Sarim. Tumhe iss tarah se nahi darana chahiye Kubra ko."

(That's very bad, Sarim. You shouldn't scare Kubra like this.)

"Mom, maine kuch nahi kiya. Iski imagination hi aisi hai. Sach keh raha hoon serial bohot dekhti hai yeh." Sarim explained himself quite innocently, then whispered the last sentence.

(Mom, I didn't do anything. Her imagination is like that. I'm telling the truth, she watches a lot of serials.)

Azma chuckled again at Sarim's explanation, and this time, a smile appeared on Kubra's face, too. Perhaps for the first time their marriage, she was seeing Sarim laugh so openly.

In her heart, Kubra thought that maybe Sarim had been missing his mom all these days, which is why he had been so quiet.

•••

Dawar had just entered his and Laraib's apartment, turned on the lights, and sat on the couch. After Laraib left, Dawar had thought he would stay at Mirza House, but he felt restless there, so he came back here. Even here, he didn't find peace, but at least he didn't have to answer his parents every day about when he would go to pick up Laraib.

His phone rang in his pocket, and he took it out to see that Nazish was calling. Dawar was angry with Laraib, but he was equally concerned about her well-being. He would ask about Laraib's well-being from Nazish over the phone every day. Many times, Dawar thought of putting aside all the resentment and talking to Laraib, but then he remembered Laraib's behaviour at the wedding. And her leaving like this.

"Assalam-Alaikum, Aunty." He had just brought the phone to his ear when he heard Nazish's anxious voice.

"Dawar, Laraib... ussey, ussey bohot takleef ho rahi hai hum ussey hospital leke ja rahe hain."

(Dawar, Laraib... she's, she's in a lot of pain, we're taking her to the hospital.)

"What? Main... main abhi ata hoon. Konse Hospital?" Startled, Dawar sat up straight and asked. After ending the call, Dawar immediately grabbed his car keys and headed to the hospital.

(What? I... I'll be right there. Which hospital?)

•••

When they took Laraib to the labour room, Dawar was unaware of his surroundings; he was solely focused on Laraib's well-being. Nazish called Rabia, and immediately, Rabia and Asim also arrived at the hospital.

Their wait was quite long. Hours later, when the doctor came out and announced that Laraib had given birth to a baby boy, everyone felt relieved and joyful.

Dawar hoped that now he would be allowed to see Laraib and the baby, but he wasn't permitted to enter the labour room. However, Nazish and Rabia were allowed to go, and both of them went in immediately. Dawar watched them with a sense of helplessness. It was his son. He wanted to meet him too, but he was told to wait here.

•••

You know earlier, when I posted a new chapter, I instantly started writing the next one (which explains how I used to update daily and sometimes twice, trice a day). But from few years now, things have changed. Now when I post a new chapter, 2 din toh mera rest mein jata hai, on 3rd day, I create new chapter, but leave it blank, on 4th day, I again open it and think what need to be written in this chapter, again I leave it blank, on 5th day I write one word, but I again leave it. 6th or 7th day pe kahi I start writing properly, which explains why I'm always late with updates now. Fir maine ab socha ki main ek day ap log se promise kar lungi because I always keep my promise, and that's why I promised to update on sunday😶 but nahi hua, because I didn't write a word. Then maine promise kiya Wednesday, because today I have week off toh maine socha 3 days would be enough, but again, maine kuch bhi nahi likha, lekin 2 baar promise nahi torhna tha so, afternood mein kahi I started writing, and here I'm now, Thursday ho gaya ik, but mere liye abhi bhi Wednesday hai cause I haven't slept yet🐒

Ab itna parh liya hai toh y'all know how rushedly prepare this chapter is. Main apni adat theek karne ki koshish kar rahi hoon but har kaam last moment pe karne ki adat bohot buri hai, jaldi nahi jati🥲

Khair, how was the chapter?

-Ufaq