Running a hand through her hair, Sila gave herself an appraising look in the mirror. Satisfied that it was a good hair day, she began her work makeup routine when she felt shuffling behind her. Her reaction was a slight shift to the side, not taking her eyes off the mirror as she continued her precise, deft movements.

He pushed his damp hair from his forehead, his arms flexing. Sila slanted her eyes at his freshly shaved face and his towel-clad torso. He raised an eyebrow at her, aware that her disdain had nothing to do with him stepping into her space. She huffed and went back to the task at hand. Both of them wordlessly fell into what was now their morning routine.

Or not.

"I see you're still miffed at our conversation from last night." He commented, turning to her. His arms folded on his front, accentuating his lean yet athletic build.

"Argument asterisk." She corrected making him sigh.

"It was just a thought."

"You said and I quote 'I'm going to give Baba hell if he doesn't cooperate'. A thought? Really?"

He bit his lower lip as if in contemplation to come up with anything in his defense. Sila looked away, reminded of how many times she had had the same mouth on hers, kissing a path down her neck, whispers of nothing innocent and—

FOCUS!

With all that expertise this mouth had, it still couldn't cancel out the absolute bullshit that came tumbling out of it sometimes.

Deep in thought, she played with her delicate neck chain, not realizing that it was his turn to shift in his place. His mind flashed numerous accounts of the thin material embellishing his handiwork (mouthwork, asterisk) and—

FOCUS!

It was the time he put the head on his neck to work not the one on his—

OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!

"I still don't think my suggestion was that outrageous." He said, tuning out his treacherous mind.

Sila wanted to facepalm. They were so over it. An hour and more of going back and forth on this very subject last night and he still had the gall to say he was in the right.

"You know what? The first thing I do in the morning will not be arguing with a half-naked man."

"Up until now, you've enjoyed this half-nakedness every chance you got, wishing that the remaining clothes also vanish."

"You wish."

"I actually do and I have no qualms accepting that, unlike someone else."

She rounded at him. "We are steering away from the actual issue."

He went toward the closet, retrieving his clothes. "There's no issue, not for me at least."

Sila threw her hand in exasperation.

In her heart, she knew he was just a bit, a smidge....right. But it was her pride and self-dependency that was making her battle it out with him.

The weeks where he was neck deep in work weren't for naught. Turned out, Jahan's new hotel launch was nearer than they had anticipated, hence the workload.

At a recent dinner at Jahangir Residence, Faseeh announced it to his family. The new hotel was ready to venture into the market. His family was already privy to the development but it still was a surprise seeing the location was not their usual pick in major cities so, they weren't expecting the construction to be completed this soon.

Jahan Bhurban Hotel was going to have its mega launch in a few weeks. The small quaint hill town at some distance from Murree was not a cookie-cutter ambiance for a 5-star luxury hotel but it made sense why a conglomerate like Jahan would invest in something like this. Murree and its surrounding hill towns were a tourist attraction round the year. A perfect getaway in scorching summer months and not less appealing in winter for the snow-covered aesthetic.

As expected, the preparations for the big launch were underway and in a traditional Jahan fashion, the genre was to go all out. The D-day was going to have a range of events in corporate, public, and charity sections.

And that's where she and her husband's latest argument stemmed from. The moment Aahil got his hands on the launch schedule, he had just one opinion he was willing to die on.

EFvent to helm the responsibility of all the events.

He was even excited for it, beaming, if she was honest. But that was where Sila had to intervene.

"I swear to God if you give your unsolicited advice to Uncle Faseeh—"

"I won't have to. If my Baba is the shrewd businessman he claims he is, he'll know I'm right." He said from inside the dressing room, his voice carrying a tinge of matter-of-factness. Sila hated when he acted this way as if he was above everyone else and knew the best.

"But it won't look good on me!"

"You are still at it?" He returned, in his work clothes, adjusting his shirt and looking at her questionably.

Sila made a face but chose to remain silent. She knew Jahan's operations team would have a look at the most promising event management companies to choose for their launch, the best in the business. EFvent had a repertoire of impeccably managed events to its credit but its comeback was still fresh as compared to other seasoned sharks in the water, AJ included. In such circumstances, bagging a deal with Jahan was too good to be true.

And if Aahil put in a word for her company, that'd be going against the process, using the nepotism card, something she didn't, even in her dreams, want to be accused of. She knew moral values were fickle in this ever-running world but she also knew if the Jahan officials looked through EFvent's portfolio, they'd find nothing not to be impressed by. But that was IF they gave EFvent the chance.

"Come here."

She looked at him. He had covered the distance between them. Holding her hand gently, he stroked the back of her palm. Tension left her slowly as if his mere touch was the magic trick. She leaned into him, relishing the warmth.

"I have something to show you."

Not taking her dubious expressions into account, he led her toward the couch. His laptop was placed on the side table. He opened it and made her sit close by.

Sila saw his movements with both wariness and concealed interest. What was he up to?

He moved his cursor and after a few seconds, turned the screen toward her. Sila's eyes widened. "You made a..."

"Powerpoint presentation." He stated as if it was the most obvious thing to do. Sila didn't know whether to laugh or cry seeing the seriousness with which he was engrossed in the task. Aahil glared at her, which effortlessly made her attentive toward whatever he wanted to show her.

"I asked Mrs. Sahira to send me the details of potential options Jahan is looking for in the launch event management."

"How? She's not an easy person to put up with. I can't imagine you asked her for something like this and she said okay and mailed it to you."

Aahil grinned. "I happen to be very charming."

"Covinning asterisk." Sila deadpanned. Aahil ignored her jibe with a flick of his hand and pointed to the screen. "Anyways, she emailed me this and as you can see, EFvent is among the four companies we are considering."

"That doesn't mean EFvent will be given the contract just like that."

He shook his head, muttering something which suspiciously sounded like 'Tough cookie' to her. She opened her mouth to protest but he didn't let her.

"The first is Trellis by Munim Zakir. Now, I did some research on this guy because I vaguely recalled him being talked about at our place over the dinner discussions some years ago. Turned out, that the last time he worked with Jahan, he was out of line with our employees and one thing that I can vouch for is, that my Baba HATES misconduct of any kind. So, you can say the chances of this guy getting to work with Jahan are nill."

He then moved his finger to the next entry. "AJ. Well, if you look at their recent work, you can see they took quite a hit after their star employee left them."

"You're obnoxious." Sila swatted his arm away.

"It's the truth. They're struggling without you, Sila."

They were. She was in contact with Shifa and Mujahid and through them she got to know about the state of AJ these days. Shifa was contemplating a change of job and so was Muji. But admitting it in front of this imbecile would only give him the incentive to go on.

"So, you won't expect Jahan to hire them for such a grand occasion. Two down, one to go which is this..." At that, he moved to the second last entry and his face darkened. Sila arched an eyebrow.

"Mauve by Fawzi Sani. Now this is the guy we should be slightly wary of because..."

"He's damn good. Mauve is one of the leading Pakistan-based event management companies in Dubai. His stats are ridiculously amazing and he is always in demand for high-profile events, exactly someone Jahan would want to assign this task." Sila concluded for him, not giving him a chance to interrupt her.

He closed his laptop and proceeded to get up when she stopped him by holding his hand.

"I'm such a spoilsport, right?"

"Good to know you're at least self-aware."

His indignation only made her laugh lightly. She placed their intertwined hands in her lap.

"Aahil, I'm not doubting mine or EFvent's capability but let's be real here. There's a contender better than us so what's even the point in hoping for things to turn around? Also, I refused Uncle Faseeh when he offered me to be with Jahan. Imagine, the owner of one of the biggest hotel businesses in the country and I didn't accept it, all because I had faith in my ability to make it on my own. In what light will it present me now if you go and put a word for EFvent just because I'm associated with it?"

His hold on her hand tightened, the grip reassuringly firm. "But Sila, since you've joined EFvent, their events have remarkably improved and they were already good. That's the kind of work we need for the inaugural. It's not like I'm campaigning for someone not worthy of this chance. If my pestering can make Baba—"

"If," She stated, calm yet earnest. "It comes by pestering, I don't need it. Also, imagine, if you go ahead and convince Uncle Faseeh to give us the contract surely, Elma will get to know one way or the other. That will give her the clear idea that just because I'm associated with the Jahangir family,"

His displeasure immediately made her amend her words. "I mean I'm part of the Jahangir family, which gives her a full ride on everything Jahan organizes. Through me, she can bag as many events in the future as she wants. This is one of the reasons I left AJ. Ajwa wanted to use me as a key to unlock unlimited work opportunities with Jahan. This will not send out a good message, Aahil. I'll never use the family name to my benefit. That just feels wrong to me."

He didn't take the argument further but he wasn't happy as well. Sila pulled him to her, wounding her arms around his neck. "For now, your unflinching belief in me will suffice. You don't have to unleash your petulant tendencies."

"Funny because I was going to use proper facts to convince Baba. I'm good at negotiations."

Sila chuckled at that. "You were putty in Haleh and Amal's hands in exchange for some pictures that had already been sent to your sister. Had you been a bit wiser, you wouldn't have to come into such a lousy negotiation with those two."

"I didn't think that through."

Sila patted his shoulder. "Clearly. Now we really need to hurry up. We haven't even prepared breakfast yet."

"I have a better plan than breakfast."

But Sila was already out of the bedroom. "I have no intention of ruining my makeup."

"You can reapply!" He suggested, still perched on the couch.

"Or you can go low on the horny scale."

"Will a please suffice?"

"Will you get your ass here so that we both can eat?" She hollered.

"Now, be specific. Don't give a gentleman hope."

Sila closed her eyes but her shoulder shook with the silent laugh. He reached her side and spun her around.

"You're a menace." She placed her hand on his shoulder.

He flicked her nose. "And you're beautiful."

They got to their routine, talking all the while, not a hint of their argument was there. It was their normal.

𝄞

Rolling the paperweight between his fingers, he leaned into his chair and regarded the ongoing meeting with stark detachment. He usually stuck out like a sore thumb anyway but today, his half-assed attention was more evident than ever, so much so that he got a warning look from Faran. He straightened in his seat, but not before sighing inwardly.

His plan seemed to be in jeopardy and his excitement down the drain. As directed by his father, he was to be involved in the inaugural, helping Faran oversee the operations with Jahan's team. He could see his father's less-than-subtle attempts at assimilating him into the family business. The old him would've balked at the prospect, leading to a famous Baba-Jahangir|Beta-Jahangir showdown, his mother would be subdued for days, his siblings worried and angry (Adan) and his grandmother done with everything.

He never prided himself as a mature person. That was the thing about being the youngest in the family with a considerable gap with your siblings. You think the pampering is your birthright, and some spoilt tendencies become entrenched in your modus operandi. That would explain his spats with his father and his disregard for responsibility, adding in the baggage he carried everywhere like a second skin and there you go—the perfect recipe for disaster, Gordon Ramsay would kiss your hands.

In spite of your endless privilege, in your heart, you are also aware of how flawed your patterns are, the fickleness of your escape routes, and the mounting pressure of what you're running from. And if a person, made from all the antonyms to your synonyms, stands right in front of you (preferably on a road, tearing you a new one) and by the work of sheer luck (and Pakistan's flawed political system and the people's ability to have their nose in the things that do not concern them) becomes a part of your life, your better half (literally and figuratively, your are half, she is better at everything) then you have to put a stop to your shenanigans and take a breather.

She hadn't reformed him. Far from that. But he knew that marriage was a huge responsibility and no matter how much he hated being where he was before she came along, how much the what-ifs chased after him making him run amuck and breathless, he had to stop and try.

That's what he was doing. For now, it was enough. He hoped it was.

The discussion going on was not much different from what he and Sila talked about in the morning. Mauve was the clear winner here, as Sila had said it would be. And Aahil could do nothing to back EFvent, respecting Sila's decision.

It would've been pretty dope, working with her again, now when she no longer was just a lil miss perfectionist aka Fireball but his missus as well but damn everything. Fawzi Sani might be a big market magnet, but his Sila would send the man packing with her sheer work ethic and innovation. More than missing out on being on the same team with her again, he was miffed at this lost opportunity, when he knew she was damn good.

"Fawzi is already looking forward to our call," Sahira said, winding up the presentation. "His confidence is refreshing."

"Repulsive asterisk," Aahil muttered under his breath. Beside him, Adan closed her eyes regretfully. She refrained from rebuking him. His insufferable meter was at 100 today, which translated to caution: do not engage.

All eyes were now trained on Faseeh, who was to give the final verdict. He was in deep contemplation.

"Can we roll back a bit?" He said. Sahira got to it promptly.

"What's the matter?" Faran asked.

"The comparison between the past six-month performance of the four companies." He continued, making sure that his core team was duly attentive to what he had to say. "Mauve's record, by far, is better than the remaining three. But looked at the reviews."

He went to the next slide. "Look here. Its customer feedback is 9/10 for corporate and charity events but the same is not true for public/entertainment faction. They lack there."

Now that he pointed it out, they all went through the stats on their tables rather quickly. Faseeh's keen eye had picked up on a very crucial detail. Mauve's entertainment events didn't have the same fanfare as its other operations.

Faseeh scrolled further down, stopping at another labeled slide. "This is exactly what I'm talking about."

He opened EFvent's six-month performance sheet and looked through it appreciatively. "Corporate has always been EFvent's strength, am I right?"

Sahira nodded in affirmation, interested in where this was going.

"But look at their stats for entertainment events, they have far better customer reviews than Mauve, especially their recent events are quite impressive."

Aahil's boredom had left him long back. He was the most attuned to his father's speech, maybe more so than any other person in the meeting room.

"They are quite a rage these days. Elma's comeback is being hailed as a success. The changes in her staff are paying the intended benefits." Someone spoke from the front, probably the marketing head.

Faseeh gave a fleeting look at the stats before him and then turned to his team. "We'll give the corporate and fundraiser events to Mauve while the entertainment section will be covered by EFvent."

That wasn't a proposal, but rather a statement. They all knew this was it. Faseeh waited for any objection, or suggestion. Nothing came. Everyone could agree that was needed. A new hotel inaugural was a serious matter for business and they couldn't play around. Faseeh had chosen the two best in business for their respective specialties. This was going to be fun.

As the meeting dismissed, none of the team members paid any heed to the shift in the youngest Jahangir's countenance, sans his own family.

Aahil leaned into his seat as everyone else filed out of the room. The Cheshire cat grin was back, the insufferable meter still on 100, now on the opposite end. From filling the room with negative energy to lounging as if he had settled his coming generations for good.

Adan rolled her eyes, Faran smiled knowingly, and Faseeh shook his head, not out of anger but out of love. He wasn't a man to mix personals with professional commitments. His decision wasn't skewed, he had chosen the best according to their credentials but he had to admit, his son was riding high on luck today and the credit for it went to his daughter-in-law's dedication to her work.

"Are you coming?" Adan asked but he had his phone out already.

"Give me a second." He told her, the lack of his usual bite was as surprising for Adan as it was for Faseeh and Faran but guess his good mood was enough to make him forget his quirks.

A rare sight but a welcoming one.

𝄞

When Danish came to his new workplace, he had, not even in his dreams, anticipated a run-in with Sila during one of the lunch hours. The restaurant was a lane away from Danish's office and a five-minute drive from Sila's. She was there with her colleagues, and Danish with his. They exchanged greetings, clearly surprised that their workplaces were not that far away. The promise of catching up with each other over lunch one of these days was made in haste, not to be taken seriously.

But the next day, both of them ended up sitting at a table, enjoying the meal while talking about their lives. Some promises do get their fulfillment when they are uttered without any expectations or baggage.

"Dareer is doing a nice job at reminding you of the lack of fun in your life. I totally support his ways."

Danish shook his head. "Not you too. I do know how to have fun."

"Debatable, Danish," Sila stated, relishing the Penne Pasta. She sipped her Diet Pepsi, then as if reminded of something, looked at him. "So, the trip to the bowling alley the past week was for this purpose?"

Danish grimaced, his salad momentarily forgotten. "Precisely., but I kind of kicked his ass."

"That's not what his Whatsapp stories entailed." Sila stifled her laughter. Danish couldn't help his chuckle as well. "Okay, yeah. He kicked my ass."

"That's more like it. You told me the new job has been a good experience so far."

"Well, a workplace is a workplace after all, but it gets a bit better if you have a nice environment, something my previous experience lacked big time. This one is nice. What about EFvent? I've heard Elma Faiq is not an easy employer."

"That's what I had also heard but I think the rumor mill needs to calm down a bit. Elma is good, a thorough professional if I'm being honest. I like working for her company. She's not my direct boss but that guy, Mr. Ansari is far better than the nightmare Shakeel was."

Danish knew all about the hell Shakeel had given Sila during her time at AJ. The man wasn't in the good books of any person close to Sila and Danish was, once there as well.

"Which means both of us did end up with better new jobs. I count that as a win."

Sila agreed wholeheartedly. She regarded Danish as she chewed on the last bit of her lunch. Initially, she wasn't sure about this. Her and Danish's history was rocky, to put it mildly, and even though, both of them were civil and more than ready to give it a try as friends they once were, the awkwardness was there in the beginning.

But they soon got their rhythm back. It reminded Sila of their identical aspirations in life, their like-mindedness that prompted them to get into a relationship. In hindsight, that decision was rushed. You need more than that to work things romantically. Maybe, that was also one of the reasons she and Danish didn't work out as a couple.

So, now when they were doing it like friends, Sila was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was. It was a stroke of luck that their workplaces were in close vicinity and they ran into each other occasionally. The smidge of doubts Sila had about rekindling her friendship with Danish went poof in the air when Aahil seemed more than okay with it, encouraging as well. Sila's belief that she'd never meet someone as easygoing as her husband strengthened some more but she'd be doomed if she gave him the ego boost.

She and Danish were in the middle of another anecdote of Dareer and Bushra's antics to get Danish out of his shell when Sila's phone pinged on the table. She checked the incoming text. Her face immediately broke out into a wide smile.

The Rich Husband: Can you keep a secret?

Me: I've been keeping your lunacy from the whole world. Try me.

The Rich Husband: You just like to gatekeep me. I understand the possessiveness.

Me: Weren't you busy today?

The Rich Husband: Never that busy for you but I prefer when I'm busy with you.

Sila pursed her lips. The cheek on this guy!

The Rich Husband: Are you blushing right now?

Me: No!

The Rich Husband: Hard to believe but we'll see to it once both of us are home.

Me: Didn't you have a secret to share?

The Rich Husband: That I have. I get easily distracted when it comes to you.

Me: Don't put that blame on me. It's not my fault that you can't control your hard-on.

The Rich Husband: You're awfully concerned about my hard-on 😏

Me: Aahil! Istg!

The Rich Husband: And I riled her up again. Okay back to the point. Guess who's going to Bhurban with me?

Me: A trip? 🤔

The Rich Husband: Don't be silly. I love Bhurban but that will not be my pick for our honeymoon.

Sila was momentarily taken aback but his casual approach regarding everything in life no longer surprised her. She said trip, he translated it to honeymoon, no biggie.

Me: Yeah, I forgot your trust fund. Should've mentioned a place outrageously expensive.

The Rich Husband: Now you know the drill. You're again distracting me, though. All I was trying to convey is, that EFvent got the part of the event contract.

Sila's eyes widened.

Me: You're kidding me!

The Rich Husband: Wouldn't even think of it.

Me: Oh my god! How did it even happen?

The Rich Husband: My lips were sealed as you directed. Maybe, EFvent is that good that Faseeh Jahangir CHOSE the team for the entertainment section of the inaugural. But what do I know? 🤷

Me: I don't even know how to respond to this! This is unexpected!

The Rich Husband: But I do. We celebrate tonight! Be ready! And congratulations. Hate to be that guy who shouts I told you so but...I told you so, Wife. I just love it here!

Sila wanted to say more but Danish's amused cough interrupted her. She looked up from her phone, just now realizing how invested in the conversation she was, forgetting everything else, even her own surroundings.

"I'm so sorry. It was—"

"Aahil." He stated with a knowing look. She couldn't help her chuckle.

"I figured that." Danish gestured for the bill as Sila schooled her expressions, but whom was she kidding? It's hard to conceal your unbridled joy no matter how much you try.

As they got up to leave, with their talks resumed, Danish couldn't help looking at her beaming face. There was no longing in his heart, just tranquility and satisfaction.

"He's good for you." He said. Sila stopped, processed his words, and looked away, her smile stayed intact.

"I think he is. But don't let him know. That will inflate his ego some more and I swear to God it's not easy, dealing with him when he's being an insufferable know-it-all."

Her words didn't match the fond expression on her face, as if she were endeared by his vices as well. Danish kept that to himself, but it made him feel lighter than he had in months.

"This was fun. Next time we should call Reen too. Her bank is not far."

Danish's face fell, the shift was minute but Sila picked up on it right away. "I'm game for it but you should ask Reen."

"Why?"

He made a face. "She's not talking to me these days."

Sila raised an eyebrow. "Because of..."

"Yup, precisely."

Sila sighed but it wasn't out of exasperation, more so for the love she felt for her best friend. "Oh, Reen. You know how fiercely protective she is for the people she loves. She'll come around."

"You think so?" Danish wasn't convinced.

Sila nodded as if he was doubting the most obvious thing. "Come on, Danish. You also know she will. Just so you know, she might be giving you a cold shoulder but she still never lets anyone talk poorly of you. Just give this some time."

"That's what I'm going to do. By the way, by anyone, you mean Haleh and Amal, right?"

Sila's reply was just a laugh. Danish grimaced. "I don't think their opinion of me will ever sway."

"Don't sound too sure." Even though she tried to reassure him, she also knew Haleh and Amal's Anti-Danish club wouldn't disperse anytime soon. Danish was also aware of it but he didn't care much. His main concern was the silent treatment of their other best friend.

Sila and Danish left the restaurant with ease surrounding them. Their paths no longer coincided, their role in each others' lives of a mere side character but for the first time in months, they didn't feel congested in each other's presence.

Some things have to start over to reach their true potential.

𝄞

"You did the absolute right thing, Sila," Adan said from her seat. Sila who was perched between Mrs. Irshad and Sabah, acknowledged the praise with a nod.

"Baba doesn't like to mix the professional and personal aspects of his life. Just because someone is used to having his way by his brat tendencies, doesn't mean you have to comply with it." Adan continued, her target a certain Jahangir who didn't look the least bit fazed with her 'praise'.

"As if he wanted to put a word for a wrong thing. Your father would be an absolute fool to not choose Sila's company for the job. Good thing I raised him better than that and even better, he raised your brother the same way."

Mrs. Irshad wasn't hailed Aahil's biggest cheerleader for nothing. He high-fived his grandmother from his place.

"So, it means your first trip as a couple is for business purposes? How unromantic." Nawar leaned into Faran as she expressed her opinion. Aahil noted the lack of reaction from his mother and grandmother at the PDA. So, this rule applied to just him and Sila? The double standards.

"At this point, romance is better anywhere else than in this house." He drawled. Sila wanted to throw the cushion at him to shut him up but he had his eyes set on chaos, there was no stopping him.

"You're still stuck there, hun? Let me remind you sitting with your husband and getting caught red-handed in the middle of God knows what are two different things."

His grandmother's reminder didn't ruffle any feathers. He shrugged. "Good thing we have our separate place. Small mercies in life."

Mrs. Irshad narrowed her eyes at him. His mother didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He turned to his brother and sister. "How did you two manage it?"

"Managed what?" Adan was confused but Faran had a knowing smile on his face.

"The initial phase of your marriage, seeing Faran Bhai and Nawar Bhabhi live here and you would be found lounging here every other day."

"It wasn't every other day you—"

"Every twenty-four hours then." He amended, dismissing Adan's protest. She huffed. Misam held her by her arm, ready to burst into laughter any moment.

"Good for us that your siblings don't have your insolence in them."

He gave Mrs. Irshad a challenging look. "Let's see." Turning back to Faran, he raised an eyebrow. The guy sighed and leaned forward.

"Our family owns a chain of hotels. Do your math."

Aahil's lips curled into a devilish grin while the gasps of their mother and grandmother were loudest in the room.

"Faran?" Sabah was in disbelief. He looked slightly guilty but then shrugged. "He's not that far off, Dado, Mama. You people are nosy, not to forget he also lived here that time."

"And just so you know, I walked in on them in the kitchen. Core memory unlocked just that it makes me want to bleach my mind."

He then directed his gaze to Misam. "Your turn."

Adan gave a warning glare to her husband. Misam ran a hand through his hair in a clear dilemma. He gave in at the end, much to Adan's chagrin. "Well, your sister needed pointers on how staying home with me was far too fun than visiting her parents' place every other day. That's it. I'm not divulging more than that."

The cushion that was Sila's projectile, was used by Adan after all. She hurled it toward her brother who was in fits of laughter. "You are a jerkface asshole!" She then turned to her grandmother. "Are you seeing this, Dado? This is how over-pampering pays you back. In peanuts that too in the place of his brain, if we are being honest."

Aahil folded his hands behind his head in a perfectly laid-back manner. The disbelief on his wife's face gave him more satisfaction than anything. He winked at her, mouthing 'I'm good.', making her shake her head in exasperation.

Right on cue, Faseeh entered the TV lounge, done with a conference call. "What's happening here?"

"Not much. We were just appreciating your youngest son's overwork and discussing the names for the addition to your grandchildren."

The peel of laughter around made Sila want to hide behind Sabah.

"At least we will not have to fly out of the country on a couple's getaway to get some." Aahil shot back. More laughter followed. Sila abruptly got up.

"I'm going to check up on the kids."

She immediately realized her mistake. "I mean Arsh, Zain, and Hannah." She hastened to clarify, making it worse. The amusement on everyone's face was enough to make her beeline out of there but not before shouting behind her shoulder.

"Gosh, I hate this man!"

Aahil saw her retreating back and then at his family. "Don't take her words seriously. She's smitten actually."

With that, he didn't wait for anything else and moved to follow Sila out of the room.

"We can see who's actually smitten, son," Faseeh called after him but Aahil didn't stop to grace that with a remark. He had a wife to mollify.

Smitten and all that jazz.

𝄞

Continued in the next part