"Today was eventful, to put it mildly." Rameen chuckled, securing her seatbelt. Sila nodded, in complete agreement. She glanced at the backseat. Both Haleh and Amal were uncharacteristically silent; their typical mood after having the time of their lives at a Zarrar Hassan concert. They enjoyed the show, and that was evident enough. Sila couldn't share the sentiment. She had long stopped vibing to Zarrar's music but she wouldn't be ruining it for those who still found it dope.

"Nothing we haven't seen before if you don't count that spoilt brat with a thing for car honks." Her genial expressions turned bitter. Anger flashed in her eyes as the recollection from just a few hours back came crawling back on the curtains of her mind. That loudmouthed dick. What did he even think of himself? He insulted her car and her profession; two things Sila loved more than her proverbial firstborn.

"I enjoyed the show, not gonna lie." Amal put in and Haleh nodded along. Sila glared at them, not the kind of behavior she'd expect from the people she had just pulled a favor for but whom was she kidding? Amal lived for the drama and Haleh, even with her goody-two-shoes appearance thrived in it more or less the same way; best friends for a reason.

"You two were this close," Amal brought her thumb and forefinger to put the point across. "To rip each others' throat. I don't remember when was the last time I saw you this worked up over something. You are dramatic but not violent but with that man, you looked damn well close to inaugurating your criminal record."

"He deserved my wrath and lots more. Bloody entitled rich tool." Sila put the car onto the road. Her car ran over it as if there was no car more well-behaved than it and Sila forgot all about the fact that this piece of junk was the reason she got into an argument with that man. The roads were clear, as clear as Karachi's traffic could allow but they weren't stuck in a gridlock, that got to mean something. Nothing at that moment could dampen her mood but somehow, the face of that wannabe financial adviser ruined the whole vibe of a tranquil night.

"I just hope he never comes in front of me ever again. I have no plans of landing myself in jail. I have a feeling I won't survive there."

"I feel I have seen him somewhere," Haleh told them, raking her brain to untangle this puzzle. Sila snorted. "On a road? Arguing? Because he seems pretty well versed in that. Rich brats have weird hobbies."

"Not really but somewhere else. I'll let you know once I figured it out."

"I'd rather you don't. I have no interest in knowing more about him."

Haleh shrugged her shoulders. Rameen was scrolling through her phone when she looked up. "Who's up for Chinese take-out?"

"Are you kidding me, Reen? That shouldn't even be a question."

Sila agreed. Chinese take-out, this night got even better. She deserved nothing less after that show on the road. As if on cue, her phone flashed with a call. She gave it a fleeting look and picked it up.

"I hope my last-minute arrangements paid well and you guys made it."

Sila smiled at the voice coming from her air pods. "Thanks once again, Zarrar. And yes, we did make it, right on time."

"Did you enjoy the show?"

Not really. She wanted to say but kept it to herself. Now, she'd look ungrateful telling him he needs to have some versatility in his melodies and music style after he'd just pulled some strings and got them entry into his show. Rude. True, but rude nonetheless. "I did. My friends did as well. You really did us a solid."

Amal and Haleh were attuned to her conversation and Sila could see that from the rearview mirror. She rolled her eyes. Nosy Nikkamis.

"Come on, Sila. I gave you my word all those years back and I'm nothing but an honest man. And who doesn't like loyal fans?"

"Now, you're getting ahead of yourself. Who said anything about being a fan?"

Amal and Haleh pointed at each other. Sila didn't even consider it worth a response. Zarrar's response was a hearty laugh. Sila just smiled.

"Oh, you're. I'll see you around. Have to rush to the airport."

"Good to see life is keeping you busy and booked."

"You'll never see me complaining. I love this life. Bye, Sila. Always nice to talk to you."

"Same here, Zarrar. All the best for the next show. Bye."

The call ended but Amal and Haleh stayed glued to where they were. Sila glared at them. "Gosh, you two are embarrassing."

"Excuse me, one of our gal pals is friends with the Zarrar Hassan and he calls her straight after his show to chit-chat after getting her and us entry through one of his shows. Please, don't ruin our moment. We feel special." Haleh grinned. Rameen chuckled at that, still immersed in her phone. "Watch it, Haleh. You might as well start drooling."

"Reen, you are really not my favorite person today, just so you know."

"Little mercies in life, as I always say."

"No, but seriously! All this makes me warier of Danish if anything." Amal grumbled. Sila and Rameen shared a look and then both rolled their eyes. Amal continued, unfazed. "We could've got a perfect singer x career woman trope for Sila had Danish not been in the picture. But life is a bitch. You can't just have good things. Imagine the lifelong free entrances to Zarrar's concerts, meeting him occasionally, and bragging to everyone about—"

"Hold your horses, Amal. Or I'll throw you out of my car. She already isn't your fan."

Amal scowled. Sila couldn't help her laugh. "Life is either a porno or a rom-com for you, isn't it?"

"I have a nice imagination, thank you very much."

"Then let your imagination flow and stay quiet for a while, please? I've been waiting for you all to shut up so I can put my playlist on. Don't interrupt my music." Rameen's warning had its desired effect. Amal leaned into her seat as the music filled the silence.

Sila smiled at the first song that came on shuffle. Zarrar's top-selling number from his debut album, the song which had made him a star overnight. "Unsaid." The song was called and its lyrics might have been about a love you never spoke of, but more than anything, its melody was Sila's undoing. She could listen to this song on a loop all day long and wouldn't get tired. So, as per the norm, she shut the world around her, focused on the road ahead, and let the haunting beauty of Unsaid fill her with all the emotions she didn't even know came from where.

Driving back to his place after Adan stopped him for dinner, he was in a somewhat better mood. Misam was home and Aahil had always maintained that his easygoing charm balanced Adan's annoying. So, staying for the meal wasn't that bad of a choice. He talked to his brother-in-law, enjoyed his niece and nephews' company, and after bidding them all goodbye, was on his way back. For Arsh and Zain, Phupho's place was their second home. So, leaving them there for a sleepover wasn't out of ordinary.

So, there he was, alone, driving with his eyes on the road—thankfully, and his preferred music playing and filling up the silence spaces. He had lots on his mind and then he was blank, an amalgamation he hated.

But what came on shuffle, he hated it more—more than anything that ever got hated by Aahil Jahangir. Unsaid by Zarrar Hassan. A humorless chuckle escaped his lips. He shut the music system off with more force than necessary. The mood back to square one, just like he was, for years, making rounds of the square, his footprints imprinted there.

𝄞

Adan loved her nephews for many reasons. They were her brother's kids and it was an established fact since childhood that Adan and Faran were not just siblings but best buddies as well. Faran was two years older than her, an age difference that doesn't cut it to the point where you'd call your brother with honorifics. Both were each others' trusted confidants.

Then Faran got married to Nawar. There was never any typicality between Nawar and Adan, much to everyone's relief. Both the women loved each other as long best friends. Saba had always maintained that her family; her kids were precious because for them family came first and Adan could proudly say that was indeed the truth.

Her love for Arsh and Zain also ran deep for this very reason. The kids understood their family values without anyone teaching them. Hanah was their little sister more than their cousin. They were protective brothers to her and always indulged her in every mischief and activity. If her daughter turned out to be a pro gamer, she'd give all the credit to Arsh and Zain because they were the ones to introduce her to video games. Even right now, they were immersed in their controllers and scores. Adan gave them a satisfying look and leaned some more into the couch. Her eyes darted to her side. Misam was totally focused on the night news bulletin. Adan narrowed her eyes and brought his arm around her. Misam smiled without even taking his eyes off the TV.

"Hectic day?" He asked.

"Kind of. The morning was for the clients and the evening for my brother. Adan's life in a nutshell."

Misam gave her a sideways glance and held her hand. Adan raised an eyebrow. "Why do I feel whatever you're about to say, I won't like it?"

"I feel the same but that doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about the necessary. Don't go overboard with Aahil."

"He complained to you, didn't he?"

"No. He didn't. You know us, don't you? We talked about Real Madrid and how they were just embarrassing in the last game."

Adan made a face. Aahil and Misam's love for that club never made sense to her. But it was one of the many things they bonded on. In the beginning, Adan felt a smudge of jealousy but curbed it instantly. She couldn't get worked up over the friendship between her husband and her brother. That'd be absurd. She just wished she also had something with her brother they could bond over. Sadly, that never quite happened.

"I just think you need to step back and let him be, Adan. He's not a child. You needed to stop treating him like one."

"For that, he needs to stop behaving like one."

Misam ran a hand on his face. Adan, his great love, the dynamite firecracker of a woman he fell head over heels for. Theirs was an arranged marriage but they found love right there, sitting on this couch, watching her favorite movie and eating his favorite snacks. There wasn't much he disliked about her. Heck, it was hard for him to dislike anything about her but he wasn't a blind lover and mindless husband. He knew when to call her out. Her way of dealing with Aahil's situation was one of those times he knew he had to intervene.

"Misam, I know that things have been hard for him. After what happened. But this is no way of coping. He's wasting away."

Her broken whisper made him shift closer to her. There she was. From the outside, she often looked overbearing and difficult to put up with, her heart was the softest for the people she loved and cared for.

"He thinks that the whole world is against him. He thinks his own people don't care for him. That everyone is supposed to leave. Trust issues and I don't even know what other issues. Baba isn't his enemy. He's probably the one who's most hurt to see Aahil losing his potential. He masks his hurt with anger and disappointment but you and I both know that is a farce. Every person who loves Aahil and saw him doing what he's best at is hurt to see his downfall. I'm just trying to make him see the sense that what he's missing out on. Life hasn't ended for him. It hurts, Misam. Seeing my brother like this really hurts."

She rested her head on his shoulder as he proceeded to wipe her tears off her face. The kids were immersed in their game, much to his relief. He couldn't be able to explain to Hanah, Arsh, and Zain why her mother and their Phupho was bawling her eyes out.

"I know, Adan. I never doubted your love for Aahil. I just think that you can't fix everything in his life, not like this, not when he isn't willing to do anything about it himself. How long has it been? Almost five years? He is clearly not over what happened. It hurts you to see him losing himself, imagine how hurt he must be to lose something that was his whole damn life? His resistance shows he's been hurt more than we all know, more than he lets on. Forcing him into anything won't work. It will further stretch the wedge between him and you. And that's what I don't want. It will break you."

Adan sniffed, totally understanding his point. Her silence spoke of it. Misam didn't push it further. He knew she understood. Years of being around each other as life partners give you the expertise to understand each other's silence.

"The music show organized by NLC entertained group turned out to be a huge success. The event was organized at Beach View Club. The family atmosphere with various attractions to cater to every age group made the show the talk of the town. People got to see their favorite musical artists. Zarrar Hassan once again proved why he's called a youth music icon—"

Adan took the remote from Misam's hand and turned the TV off before the newscaster could say more. Her face showed her disdain. Misam pursed his lips. And he thought the mood couldn't get worse in here.

𝄞

"I'm not sitting through another rerun with you. Please, don't make me."

She gave him a disappointed glare, he matched it with one of his own. Huffing, she leaned into his side and kissed the side of his cheek. He closed his eyes. Hers shone with victory. He sighed. "You don't play, fair."

"What do they say? Everything is fair in love and war. I do love you but you are watching this with me."

"Yeah, no. Let's dissect first how problematic this saying is and—"

She covered his mouth with her palm, stopping him from saying anything further. "The intro theme just started. Stay quiet."

Pinching his cheek she gave him a sickly sweet smile and turned to the TV. The face of Shireen Khan was on the screen. Her famous monologue on the struggle of being a woman in Pakistan, her short hair; 80's trademark. Her speaking through her eyes and facial expressions.

"Damn, why she is just so perfect. I want to be her when I grow up."

"I don't think you can pull off a bob cut as she does."

"Are you implying I'm not beautiful enough?"

He pulled away and sized her up as if checking to answer her question. She swatted his arm making him chuckle.

"But really, she's just so inspiring. Her thoughts are as amazing as her looks and her acting." She said with conviction. Her birthday present was Shireen Khan's debut book. His gift; despite him teasing her for her love for the actress slash author.

"You know one day you're going to be a hot shot director."

"Now, that's far-fetched. We're in high school."

"Shut up, everyone and their mother knows you will be. I've already made bets—"

"You are betting on your boyfriend's future?"

She nodded innocently. "With his best friends. Let's see who wins. I hope I do. I don't have an outrageous allowance as they do."

"I don't know if I should feel offended or honored."

"You should be offended and kick their ass, no matter if they will win in a hands-on fight but you can always try. That's not what I'm getting at though. When you go big and famous in the film industry, that's a given that you will get to work with Shireen Ma'am."

"Ma'am? Your mannerism jumps right out when it comes to this woman. Otherwise, you are just as bad as Mahad and Aahil."

"You're again distracting me. I was saying that when you do end up working with her or anything, you are obliged to call me right away and I will rush to get to you both and if by any chance, that's not possible, get a picture with her for me. You two are my favorite humans in the world so I will love to have it on my photo wall. And if even that can't happen, just get me her autograph on my favorite book of hers. I will not settle for anything less. Do we have a deal?"

He looked at her face and then at her outstretched hand. Something tender flashed in his eyes as he held her hand in his. "We have a promise."

"Yes! I for a fact know you don't break promises. What did I ever do to get you Osama?"

He laughed and pulled her into him, kissing her forehead. "Nothing. We just fit together, Alina."

She beamed at that and turned back to her drama. But her smile soon turned into a horrified expression. He took his glasses off and placed those on the table. She narrowed her eyes at him. He couldn't see without his glasses.

"What? Stop glaring at me. As you said, everything is fair in love and war. I don't agree with the saying but sitting through some 100th rerun of this show is a war for me no matter how much I love you. So, I'm not watching. One way or the other." He pointed to his eyes. Alina gasped.

"You don't play fair!"

"Lina."

Mahad's voice took her out of memory lane. She glanced at the book in her lap and then around. He had stopped the car right outside her place.

"That's me." She pointed at the residence and proceeded to unbuckle her seatbelt.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, peachy." Faking a smile in front of someone who could read you well was hard but she tried. Mahad didn't buy it, though. As expected.

"You always get like this whenever you run into him."

She shook her head, her smile now showing her pain. "I know right? I should get used to it seeing we live in the same city, run in the same circle, and have the same friends."

Mahad pursed his lips. He was calculating his words. This topic wasn't something to just blurt whatever came to your mind, he and Aahil established that long back. "I still think you two should sit and talk about it."

Alina didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She chose to just smile. "I don't think that's a good idea. And even if it is, I don't get to make this choice. You know that, right?"

That much he knew. Alina saw his resigned expression and came closer to hug him. He was her person, one of the very few people she could trust with anything. "I'll see you around, hun? Thanks for the dinner."

"You know spoiling people I love is my love language. You had years to get used to it but always the same tone of gratitude. Drop it, Lina. And yes, I will see you around."

"I will keep that in mind. Do you want to come inside? Coffee?"

Mahad's eyes filled with mischief. " I don't think you got time for that."

"What—" She followed his gaze and looked outside the window. The car parked there had her shake her head with apprehension.

"God, why me? I don't want to deal with this right now." She dropped her head in her palms. Mahad laughed lightly beside her.

"Come inside with me. I'm not being polite right now I actually do mean it. Help your friend out, Mahad Lashari."

He shook his head. Ass. "As much as I love you, no. I very well know what will happen the moment we are through that door. You're fine, damn, more than fine but you're also one of those women I find attractive but don't want to ever hit on at the same time. That just feels wrong to me. So, no, I'm good here. "

"You're just a pansy, Mahad."

"And you're on your own, kid."

"And I don't like Taylor Swift at the moment. Bye, useless and good-for-nothing friend."

"That's Aahil. Bye, Lina. All the best."

She opened the car door and got out. As soon as she did, Mahad zoomed away making her curse him some more. She saw the parked car and sighed. She was a fool to ignore her calls. Didn't she know how persistent that woman can get?

With slumped shoulders, she opened the main door to her place and instantly, came face to face with her, who sat on the couch.

Alina sighed. Again. "Hi, Mom."

Mahwish gave her daughter a disappointed look. "Alina Asfandyar! I've been trying to contact you for the whole week. Where the hell have you been?"

Alina placed her purse and book on the table and sat down to take her shoes off. "I was busy with work."

"That's an excuse. You were avoiding me."

"Why would I do that?" She replied busily. Why wouldn't I do that? Scratch that, Why couldn't I do that? Her mind screamed but she didn't let her inner thoughts show on her face.

"That's what I don't understand. My only child, why wouldn't she want to see her mother? It broke my heart, you know. But as you said, maybe you were indeed busy. This is the reason I didn't want you to opt to work behind the camera. You were working well as a model. Why did you have to listen to Tina Khakhwani. You know—"

"Did you have your dinner?" Alina asked her, conveniently putting an end to her spiel. Mahwish shook her head. "I ate. I just wanted to see you and spend some time with you. Is that too much to ask for?"

She shifted closer to Alina and held her face. Alina was supposed to feel the motherly warmth. It had been weeks since she saw her. But that was her relationship with her parents. On the surface, it didn't look anything out of ordinary but that's about all the dysfunctional families and their torn relationships with their kids.

"No, Mom. It's not."

Mahwish smiled triumphantly. "Perfect then. I need to leave for a fundraiser. It started almost an hour back but I thought coming here was more important. Always the same thing, Alina. Mother makes the effort to see her daughter. I expect you home over the weekend. Your father will also be back from his trip abroad. Dinner and catching up. Yes, seems like a plan."

"But, Mom."

But Mahwish was already by the door. "No excuses, Alina. I didn't come here leaving my fundraiser to get a No for an answer. Dinner, over the weekend. Bye, I'll see you soon."

With that, she was out of the door, and in no time, Alina heard the unmistakable sound of her car leaving. She sighed and leaned on the couch.

If that wasn't the crux of her parents' presence in her life. She smiled dejectedly when her eyes landed on the book on the table. She picked it up and caressed the autograph lightly. Closing it, she kept it close to her heart and closed her eyes.

𝄞

It hadn't happened before that he'd stop outside his parents' place and contemplate going inside. But running into past lovers and fulfilling a promise you once made to them, even though they hadn't kept any of theirs, can make anyone take a step back and rethink everything.

He sighed and ran a hand on his face. He was right, breaking promises wasn't his thing, and long back, he had made a promise to himself that he wouldn't ever remind her of them. Then why did he do that today? He could've just given her the book and that's it. Why did he have to say those words to her? Not like that would change anything. Nothing would be able to change their reality. They were over. She made it clear.

It was futile thinking along these lines. The reason why he didn't want to go back to his place. Jodi would know his mood and would leave him alone with his thoughts, something he really didn't want. Going to Aahil was also not a good idea. He had his own plat full with his family trying to sort his life. Then there was Mahad Lashari who wasn't on Osama's favorite list today.

So here he was, knowing too well his parents would know he was upset the moment they saw him but that had been his to-go coping mechanism. Going to his parents the moment he felt life swinging away from its axis. He had no qualms about accepting that.

He walked through the gate and then stopped outside the hallway. He could already hear his mother talking to someone. He hoped that was his father but soon his suspicion got proven right.

"Do drop me a text when you reach your place."

"Don't worry, Auntie. Thank you so much for the dinner. And don't forget the event on Friday. I will be here right at 3 o'clock."

He closed his eyes. Luck really wasn't by his side tonight.

"Osama?"

His mother's voice made him sigh and turn around to face her and the guest.

Zeb's face broke into a smile seeing her son while Rimsha shifted in her seat, suddenly conscious of her appearance. Nothing new. Osama had that effect on her no matter how much he disliked this.

"I was sure you'd stop by tonight. My boy always knows when his mother's missing him." Zeb proceeded to hug him. Osama returned it with the same warmth. Rimsha stood there awkwardly and when he nodded her way, she gave her a nervous smile.

"I invited Rimsha over for dinner."

"And I was just leaving. See you around, Auntie, and you too, Osama. I've already said bye to Uncle. He'll think I'm still here." Chuckling, she picked up her purse and waving at them, went out of the house.

The moment she went out of sight, Osama turned to Zeb with a knowing look. "It's the second time I came home and found you two hanging out together."

Zeb scowled. "What's wrong with that? You can also hang out with her seeing you are from the same profession line. I won't mind. Turns out, I'm more open-minded than you."

Osama opened his mouth to argue but then thought against it. Rimsha's interest in him wasn't news to anyone in his house. But he didn't want anything that could give her the idea that they had a chance together. She was a wonderful person and that was an added detail. Even if she weren't, he knew he couldn't give her the emotional stability in a relationship she deserved. Not when he apparently wasn't over his last relationship.

"Where's Baba?" He changed the topic and Zeb wasn't a fool to not realize it. She gave him a disappointed look which he ignored.

"He's watching TV. Did you have dinner?"

Osama nodded as both of them made their way to the TV lounge. Mikaal had already seen his wife and son coming and that made him stub his cigarette and give them a nervous smile.

"Really, Baba?" Osama rolled his eyes. Mikaal raised his hands in surrender. His smoking was always the bone of contention between him and his son.

"He just needs an opening and he'll use it," Zeb added, taking a seat close to Osama.

"You two love teaming up against me, don't you?" Mikaal had already gone back to the news on the TV without waiting for a reply.

"We have to when we know how dangerous some of your habits are. I really can't believe you spent half your life associated with the healthcare profession, Baba."

"Yes, tell him." Zeb sided with her son, much to her husband's dismay. He chose to stay silent, mostly because he knew he was in the wrong and wouldn't be able to say much in his defense.

"Why are you upset today?"

Zeb asked after a while. There it was. Osama didn't reply right away. He had to make a wise excuse.

"Let me guess. Alina?"

Busted already. Osama closed his eyes in pure agitation earning a knowing look from Zeb. "That's what I thought. How's she? It's been a long while since I met her."

"Why don't you invite her over? In fact, invite her and Rimsha together. My past and my potential future according to you; in the same room. Sounds glorious."

Zeb couldn't help her laugh. Her son could be sassy whenever he wanted to be. She ruffled his hair. "I never said I see you and Rimsha together in the future. She's a nice girl and I enjoy her company. If someday you start thinking of her that way, I will be happy for sure but being your mother, I know right now you aren't ready for that kind of commitment. Give your mother some credit here."

Osama instantly felt ashamed of his outburst. Damn, he hated being like this. Calm, contained, and composed was his trademark but a certain woman has the ability to turn him into a blithering mess. He hated it but that was about it. He couldn't change that.

Alina Asfandyar lived in his mind rent-free. He couldn't change that even after years. Beside him, Zeb had sensed his unease, even though he was silent. Her heart went out to her boy. Love hadn't been kind to him. But it's not like she could blame his definition of love as well. This was a dilemma they were in for years now and it seemed like nothing had changed.

𝄞

Much to Aahil's surprise, there were crickets from Adan the following day. He expected her to call on him or pull some other plan of hers into action but she hadn't done any such thing. Instead of being relieved, he was suspicious. It wasn't in her nature to leave the playing field.

So, tired of waiting for her next move, he put on his big boy shoes and came to her house only to be told by the househelp that Adan was out shopping with the kids.

As if on cue, he got a call from her. Aahil made a face but picked it up nonetheless. "What?"

"Can you come to Dolmen? I have just got a call from the office. Something needs my immediate attention and Hanah has chosen this time to be difficult. She's adamant she won't leave without her shopping. Help me out here before I lose my calm and go monster mama on my kid."

"Stay put and don't you dare say anything to honeypie. It's not her fault she's born into a family of workaholics."

"You are doing a damn great job at being an exception."

"Then you guys wonder why I'm so loved by the three of them." He bragged, getting inside his car which earned him a tired sigh from Adan.

"Whatever. Just be here."

"On my way."

𝄞

One thing all of them could vouch for, Rameen loved her family even though she no longer lived with the lot of them. Their issues were her issues and she took it upon herself to resolve those for them. The reason she went to her parent's place right after breakfast and when she came back, Unaiza was with her. Rameen hadn't forgotten what Farman's sister-in-law said to Unaiza the last time and how upset that made her, so much so that Unaiza didn't even want to attend the wedding preparations. So here Rameen was, ready to take Unaiza to the best shopping experience. Sila had nice taste in clothes so she had to tag along. Amal and Haleh couldn't just stay home when there was the prospect of wedding shopping. So, all five of them got into Amal's car and drove to Dolmen. They made a conscious effort to not take Sila's Dabba this time around. They hadn't forgotten the show that the car put them through the last time.

Unaiza was having a nice time if her slight smile was an indication and that was relieving for all of them. Sila, Amal, and Haleh were aware of Unaiza's history and along with Rameen they also wanted her to have a good time at Farman's wedding no matter what his in-laws thought. The rubbish in their thinking was their issue, not Unaiza's.

"I think we should check the next store."

Sila said after not finding anything eye-catching in the outlet they were standing in. The rest agreed. Haleh wanted to hit the food court. Amal wanted to get a new piercing. Rameen took Unaiza to the next store just when Sila's phone rang. It was a work-related call. She gestured for them to go ahead as she stayed behind to talk to her Boss.

𝄞

"Phupho really did ditch us, hun?"

Zain took a large lick of his ice cream cone as he commented on Adan's lack of responsibility toward them. Aahil chuckled and wiped the tip of his nose he had managed to smear the ice-cream on. Hanah was gobbling down fries happily while Arsh was immersed in his burger. Aahil had cracked this code long back thanks to these cute monsters that to calm their tantrums, fast food is the key.

"And Mamu came here on one phone call. Isn't he the best?" Hanah asked and both her cousins nodded, in full agreement. Aahil never knew this validation would make him feel like the most important person in the world but it did. He held his head high as the kids made plans for their next stop. They knew Aahil wouldn't have a problem so they had to use this opportunity well.

"Astagfar."

The exclamation came from behind them. Aahil wanted to ignore it but something told him he shouldn't. He slowly craned his neck and there it was, his lies, to bite him, no matter the charity. Mrs. Junaid looked at him and then at the kids. With each passing second her pupils were dilating.

"Chachu, is the lady having an attack?" Zain asked in a whisper. Aahil had never wished for a person to vanish from his eyes more than he wished that for Mrs. Junaid in that instant. But she was also one of her kind, she came close to their table.

"I see. Family time, hun."

Her gaze settled on the kids and Aahil felt a pang of protectiveness. Yes, he lied to her and made an elaborate story but he wouldn't let her look at the kids this way.

"Did you remember who their mother is?"

Aahil opened his mouth but his minions beat him to it.

"Mine is at the office. She ditched us!" Hanah cried.

"And mine is at home. She was planning on cooking vegetables today. She is going to be pissed when she knows we already ate, that too junk." Arsh added thoughtfully.

"Mine lives in the USA. She's friends with Iron Man and that's a top secret I vowed to tell no one but the avengers are real. I might get an honorary spot in the team too." Zain, the elaborate liar didn't come slow.

Mrs. Junaid looked like she'd swallowed a nasty bug. Her eyes were ready to pop out of their sockets as she looked between the Hanah, Arsh, and Zain and then at Aahil.

"Three women? Don't you have any shame left in you? This generation is going to the dogs."

"Dogs are cute. I will adopt two if I score nicely on my finals. Baba promised me." Zain again opened his mouth. Aahil hissed at him to stay quiet but Zain shrugged, not really the one to take instructions well.

"Mrs. Junaid, look—" Aahil opened his mouth. This lie had gone too far. He didn't owe the woman any explanation but he was afraid she would choke on mere air the way her face had gone red.

"You look so decent. I thought you were a nice guy but look at you. Three kids. All from three different women that too out of wedlock. The indecency of it all! End of the world. End of the world."

By then some people had gotten attentive to the commotion.

"Excuse me, he isn't decent, he's handsome!" Hanah corrected Mrs. Junaid, taking full offense.

"Out of wedlock. What did she mean by that?" Arsh was confused.

"Indecency? Did you also dance in your towel? Mama calls it indecency whenever I do that." Zain wanted to know.

Aahil felt a headache coming. He was also just realizing his niece and nephews were a piece of work. He was too blind in love to notice that. He needed the plan to get out of it.

"Why are you silent? Tell your kids. Tell them what you told me. You were so smug about and now look at you. Got nothing to say? Breaking all the moral values and pretending that you are above society. Oh—"

Mrs. Junaid was blabbering at that point but Aahil's eyes had zeroed in on someone across from the cafetaria. He calculated the odds and knew what he must do next.

"Found her." Saying that he didn't wait for anything and almost ran from there.

Sila had just gotten done with the call when she felt a hand on her elbow. She immediately whipped around and came face to face with the face she didn't want to face anytime soon.

"You!" She started but he didn't let her. Bending down to reach the shell of her ear, he whispered urgently. "Be a good sport and play along, eh? I swear to God, I'll owe you."

"What?!!" Sila had never been this confused her whole life but he just looked ahead, held her hand, and took her to the foot court. He stopped at a table where she could already see the three kids from the other day on the road.

"Here, this is my wife and these kids' one and only legal and clean mother."

Sila's jaw dropped, and so did the kids'. Mrs. Junaid looked ready to fall. "But...you said. You didn't. When I mentioned the out-of-the-world proposal from my marriage bureau, you said you have three kids and they are out of wedlock. You didn't even remember who their mother was. Astagfar!"

Mrs. Juanid's whining made it somewhat clear. Sila looked at all of them and then sighed. Playing along. Well. Here goes nothing.

She reached Aahil's side and stood next to him. Then she gave Mrs. Junaid a sweet smile. "That's what he does whatever he's out. And old ploy just to fool innocent people like you, Mrs?"

"Junaid."

"Yes, Mrs. Junaid. The thing is, men are weird. They love their fantasies more than their reality. Case in point? My imbecile of a husband. It was his fantasy once upon a time. Men and their minds. Gutter. Absolute filth. But then he got me and soon these three."

She pointed at the kids who were all totally invested in the drama in front of them, Aahil had already gestured for them to stay quiet and they had no plans of disobeying their uncle.

"A shaky marriage, three kinds, a house to run. His wild fantasies are his only consolation and I let him have his fun but not on the expanse of the respectable citizens. I apologize to you on his behalf. I'm also tired of his shit. I don't really see a future with him if I'm being honest. He's too lost in his own head and also, doesn't do anything. My father-in-law runs our house and I also pitch in as much as I can. Don't mind him, please."

With that she shifted closer to him, trying to make the ploy as much believable as possible. Mrs. Junaid gave Aahil a disappointed look. "I should've understood the moment you lied to me. I always maintained you look decent. This kind of debauchery didn't even look like your cup of tea. Men."

Sila agreed. "Yes, Men."

Then Mrs. Junaid leaned in closer and asked almost conversationally. "Three kids, hun? Still, you've got a killing figure. Mind sharing your secret with me?"

Sila hadn't even opened her mouth when Aahil beat it to her. "Cardio. And not from the workout."

Mrs. Junaid's face immediately colored. How Sila contained her laughter was between her and God. Mrs. Junaid mumbled under her breath and walked out of there.

"You said you run a marriage bureau! Keep slots open for me when I contact you after my divorce!!" Sila called after her.

"Get out of character. She's gone." Aahil told her and she shrugged. They turned to the kids who were still looking under the effect of what had conspired here.

"Wow, Mamu you are handsome and she's pretty." Hanah gushed.

"I have so many questions," Arsh mumbled.

"Listen Mrs. Junaid. I'm not their real kid. I'm kidnapped. I was actually born on Asgard! Thor is my father! They stole me!" Zain tried only for him to earn a glare from his Chachu. He shrugged. A bit of performance never hurt anyone. He had just gotten a manifestation.

Aahil made a face and turned to a smug-looking Sila. "Good to know you are not only an imbecile, unaware of basic citizen duties but also an elaborate liar. I have two sets of advice for you. Either straighten your act or get better at cover-up."

"Yeah. I heard you." He grumbled which made her smile widen. "You owe me, Richie Rich."

"I'm aware."

"And I'm not just talking about the favor I pulled for you just now. I'm talking about disrespecting my car and my money the other day. You owe me a big deal."

"You are mistaken if you think I will apologize for calling a piece of crap a piece of crap."

"Who said I need your apology? The fewer words come outta your mouth, the better."

"Then what do you need."

"That I'll think and let you know when the time comes but just for the record,"

She came close and stood looking right into his eyes. "You freaking owe me. Don't forget. And I wouldn't even let you."

Saying that she gave the kids a dazzling smile and went out of there.

Aahil didn't know about Zain, but he was sure he would think at least fifty times before lying again.

𝄞