Alina looked around at the almost empty ambiance of 3-C. A chuckle escaped her lips and got lost in the steaming coffee.

"What?"

Osama asked but his lopsided smile gave him away instantly. Smug bastard. Alina shook her head. "You know, for someone connected to me through the phone all the time, you're acting cavemanish."

Osama shrugged, taking her hand in his. It was cold, one more reason for him to hold onto it. Not that he needed any.

"Am I?"

She nodded, but her hold on his hand tightened. Osama brought it close to his lips, kissing it softly.

"I've got to do this after months. Sue me, for all I care."

She couldn't argue with this logic. As decided, he was the one to pick her up from the airport, and their first stop was, obviously, 3-C. This milestone in their relationship deserved to be celebrated and what other place could be up for the occasion?

The ringing of her phone proved to be a nuisance. Osama didn't have to look, knowing too well, who it was.

"Time's up, lover boy." Alina got up, with a grumbling Osama close behind. Usually, Mahad's pestering would've fallen on deaf ears but they had an important thing to do.

"Is Mahad at Jahangir Residence?"

Alina asked as she fastened her seatbelt. Osama nodded. The easygoing smile on Alina's face was replaced with a worried scowl. Osama glanced at her and took her hand in his, once again, the purpose entirely different this time but the hold, was the same.

"He's better than before, Alina."

She chewed on her lip nervously. She'd gotten these reassurances time and again when she was in Milan. She had seen Aahil through video calls too. So, she knew what to expect but still, she felt unprepared to see him this way.

"Shall we?"

Osama asked gently. Alina gave him a meek smile and nodded. They had seen the worst of it, Mahad and Osama. And both of them were as optimistic as ever. That had got to mean something.

𝄞

Aahil watched Mahad fumbling with his phone. The scowl on his face made Aahil roll his eyes.

"They've met after weeks. Give them some privacy."

Mahad glared at him. "And since when do I take directives from you?"

Aahil chuckled derisively. "Since forever. Someone gotta keep you in check."

Mahad looked at him from head to toe with such judgment, that Aahil wanted to punch his nose. This bastard. But he kept his composure. Jahangir Residence could do with one asshole at a time.

"Yeah right," Mahad snorted. Aahil narrowed his eyes. These days, he was detached from his surroundings, for the most part, on purpose but trust Lashari to make him break character.

"What?" Mahad asked begrudgingly when Aahil's gaze remained on him, searchingly so.

"What's the matter with you?"

Mahad made a face. "What are you getting at?"

"You're more insufferable than your usual and that's saying something. The stick up your ass is annoying the fuck outta me. Pipe down or get lost."

Mahad chuckled. "Once you stop being a little shit, feel free to give me a speech on attitude 101. Till then, respectfully, shut your trap."

"Woah!"

The voice broke their stare down. Osama gave them an are-you-kidding-me stare while Alina stood between them. A standard Lashari-Jahangir spat was always on the cards. Naive of them to forget that.

"Do you two ever stop?" Alina scolded, smacking Mahad's arm. He flinched away, expecting to see her dishing the same treatment to Aahil.

She stood before him, tears shining in her eyes and the next thing Mahad saw, with a sigh, was Alina throwing her arms around Aahil, trying her best to control her tears.

Couldn't call her out on this. Mahad accepted albeit with a scowl.

"Lina—"

"Aahil Jahangir, you stay quiet for your safety!"

Alina said through her tears. Aahil looked helplessly at Osama but it was Mahad who got up from his place.

"He's fine, Lina. Didn't you just see us tearing each other a new one?"

She scowled at him.

"I'm fine, Lina," Aahil reassured her now that she wasn't throwing daggers at him. He had reiterated this sentence so many times, but still, it refused to be believable to himself.

Alina made him look at her and the smile he gave her, broke her heart for him. It wasn't just the physical ordeal. Every person in the room knew that.

"Are you even talking to her?"

Aahil paused, looking at his hands in his lap. He was doing that a lot these days.

"Not much. She's being careful around me. Hurts like hell but it's nothing I don't deserve."

Alina rested her hand on his shoulder. The support was much needed.

"Have you talked to her?" He asked hopefully. Just talked. Not about him or their relationship. He just wanted to know if Sila had people to open her heart in front of. Alina was his safest bet. Osama, Mahad, and his family weren't his preferred sources. He knew how much Sila valued her girls. They were her trusted confidantes. But his Saalis hadn't been as forthcoming since their trip to Murree. Even Haleh had stopped visiting.

"I do. Not as frequently as before. She's...." Alina didn't look him in the eye. "She's closed herself in a shell. Doesn't say much. If you're lucky, you can only make her give you monosyllable answers about her health and her life there in Murree. We've tried. The only consolation is, that her Uncle and Aunt are taking good care of her. Especially her aunt. That woman dotes on her like a mother."

Ammi's adoration for Sila was no news to anyone. But Alina's words were a sledgehammer to the heart.

He was the reason Sila lost herself. He had brought her to this.

And what a fucking loser he was, that she had still opened up to him. Still told him that she couldn't forget his words, couldn't move on from that night, couldn't try to work on their relationship just yet that she needed time and... effort from his end.

Even when she was the most broken, all because of him, she hadn't shut him out the way he did, when all she wanted was to reach out to him and provide him with the support to tackle his demons.

If seld-loathing was a sport, he'd have won the Olympics by now.

But the self-repulsion was the only thing he could do without any restraint.

"Hey, Romeo. Look up."

Mahad's voice left no room for anything else. Aahil raised his head. His bloodshot eyes were enough to scare anyone but for his friends, this wasn't the first time he had lost himself this way. It was just heartbreaking that it had to happen twice.

"That's right." Mahad leaned forward, his countenance all hard lines and no-nonsense. "Now listen to me. You are going to throw this loser-in-love attitude out of the window and focus on your rehabilitation. That is your biggest obstacle in going back to Sila. Get your health back and then get your woman back. In the meantime, don't stop trying to reach out to her. In short, just try, man. This devdas stint looked good on Osama, I'm not sure if you can pull it off."

Osama looked close enough to grace that with a reply but resorted to just rolling his eyes. He turned toward Aahil.

"Sans the last line, he's right, Aahil. You've lost enough. Time to get it all back."

"And you will find us right next to you every step of the way." Alina hugged him sideways.

This blessing had always been with him. His family and friends—his support system, always there to uplift him, fight for him, and even fight with him for his sake.

Why did he never appreciate it more? Never realized what he was blessed with? Always looking over his shoulder. Always ready for the other shoe to drop.

Heartbreaking but soothing at the same time. They stayed. They endured his every attempt at self-sabotage and deflection.

They were still there, arms wide open, lips curled into a smile.

When would he be ready to do the same?

Embrace not evade.

Easier said than done.

But needed to be done.

𝄞

Yesterday, Maniza had asked her twice if she was fine. The same question Amal and Rameen posed during the breakfast today. Even Sila picked up on her somber mood during their one-minute call.

Slight smiles and silence. That had been her response. Or some excuse on top of her head. I'm not feeling good these days. Changing seasons, you know. Upset stomach and overall fatigue.

She didn't know if her lies were convincing. She had no idea what she'd tell her friends if they sat her down and demanded answers.

She had yet to utter a word to them about the life-changing truth she'd come across. Dinbanu hadn't tried to ambush her, respecting her boundaries. She was glad for it, grateful even. Baba Jaan...Agha Lashari hadn't visited Wadia House. Mrs. Wadia must've conveyed her decision to him. Against everything she's known, she still hoped that they wouldn't pressure her into talking to them.

Talking, that was the most upheaval task lately.

She slung her tote over her shoulder. Her steps slowed some more as she walked the pavement, not in the mood to book a ride home. She hadn't even gone to work today, even after making it to the gate.

Well. Yeah.

She was lost. Not literally. But figuratively? Of course.

Lost because the weight of the truth was too much. Overbearing. She was still coming to terms with it.

Sila, with all her chaotic overreactions to the crisis, had a knack for resolving her matters with the same perfection she put into her work. Amal would grumble and curse but solving the problems came naturally to her. And Rameen. Haleh had never seen someone so calculated and precise even amid a storm.

She was nothing like her friends.

Or, she had never anticipated something like this to hit her. A tornado that had stripped her of her reality.

Eventually, she'd had to confide in her girls. They'd be the shoulder she could cry on. She needed that.

But before that, she needed closure.

She wasn't a child. She couldn't let Mrs. Wadia and Agha Lashari treat her as such. She was already cool if they were giving her time to cool down.

She needed to draw some boundaries and stick to those strictly. They had already abused the hold they had on her. She deserved to know the truth that affected her the most. Who would've been more impacted by the reality behind her parents' death than her? She could overlook every other thing but this stung the most.

And delaying this conversation didn't bode well with her stance. She had never shied away from confrontations. She wouldn't even now.

With her head held high, she took out her phone to open the InDrive app when a text awaited her.

Do you plan on walking home? Rather stupid of you. You can contemplate things once inside your room.

Her head whipped around. When another message popped up.

If you want help. I'm always available.

Haleh gulped her unease and quickened her pace. There was a taxi stop right at the end of the road. She couldn't wait for a ride. Not after this.

As luck had it, she had managed to negotiate a reasonable fare with a driver. Once he opened the door for her, she wasted no time in getting inside the vehicle.

The driver immediately pulled it on the road. Haleh's phone pinged with another text.

Smart girl.

She gritted her teeth and blocked the number. The stalkerish care for her was creepy and not at all appreciated.

She had enough on her plate already.

𝄞

It had been just a while, all four of them together when Aahil's new routine knocked at the door. His medication schedule, and his occupational therapy hours along with other rehabilitation procedures he was going through.

It was a rude awakening that no matter what, things had changed. Aahil's life wasn't the same anymore. He wasn't the same.

After spending some time with the Jahangirs, the three of them made their way out. Osama had just gotten a call and had to leave. Shani and Neha were gearing up for a mega release of their movie and the coming days were hectic for Osama.

"Ex-Devdas didn't look pleased to part with you. Nauseating, if I'm honest." Mahad said as he took the wheel. From the passenger seat, Alina raised an eyebrow at him.

"Aahil wasn't wrong to call you out on your snark today. What's the matter with you?"

Mahad pursed his lips. Oh, if only he could share that with his friends.

He had to admit. He was insufferable lately but in his defense, never before did he have to try this hard to reach out to someone, and even then, he was shot down.

Haleh refused to hear from him and even though it was not easy, he had to give her space. It was just a bummer that he was being accused of something he had warned his grandfather against, time and again.

"So?"

Alina probed and that brought him out of his thoughts.

"So? This is me, good ol' Mahad. You guys are raking your brains over nothing."

Alina eyed him suspiciously. "If you say so but if anything's of the matter, you know I'm here, right? And so are Aahil and Osama."

Mahad raised an eyebrow. "Aahil has his hands full. You and Osama won't have much time for anyone else. Big claims, Lina."

"Mahad Lashari, I swear to God—"

He chuckled, holding her by her arm from one hand while the other was on the steering. "All I'm saying is, I'm fine. Don't worry. Do you want to eat something before sleeping the jet lag off?"

She shook her head. "Not really. Sabah Auntie's teatime snacks are a whole buffet. I'm full. Just want to sleep now."

"Let's get you home then."

Dropping Alina at her place, he drove toward the office building. Lost in his thoughts, he opened the door to his cabin. He wasn't surprised to see his grandfather there.

The old man gave him a faint smile in reply to his greeting and returned to the file he was reading. Mahad wanted to remind him that the folder containing the meeting agenda for today was on the shelf behind but he refrained from doing so.

His grandfather was overly distracted these days. He was also not home for the most part. His stay at Karachi had never prolonged the way it did these days. For those who knew Agha Murtaza Lashari and his patterns, this was unusual. He only left his home when it was absolutely necessary. His abhorrence for limelight and love for mountains demanded that he stay put.

Under normal circumstances, Mahad would've been pissed beyond measure if someone caused his grandfather distress. He would've shown that person their place. No questions asked.

But here, he was unable to do any such thing. A first.

"You need to get some rest, Dada Jaan."

He implored. Agha Murtaza Lashari stared at his grandson. His worry made sense but this matter wasn't of trivial importance.

"Dinbanu called. Haleh is still not ready to talk to her about this matter."

So, obviously, the chances of her reaching out to him were slim to none. He hadn't voiced that out but Mahad didn't need his explicit words to know that.

Her silent treatment, no matter how justified, was making things difficult. That day, he had fought his grandfather but the more he thought this through, the more agitated he got.

"She needs to know that the truth puts her in grave danger. Talking to her is necessary."

Nothing his grandfather hadn't said before. They were still clueless about the source of Haleh's information and how much did she know.

And how much she was willing to forgive. If any.

Mahad remained silent. He had nothing to add. He was in an ordeal that had affected him more than he had expected it to.

The ringing of Dada Jaan's phone was ominous in the silent room. He glanced at the screen and the next thing Mahad knew, he had answered the call without wasting a second more.

"Bachay!"

Mahad's eyes widened. Couldn't be...?

But the endearment and the grave expression Dada Jaan's relief had morphed into vouched that it was indeed Haleh on the other hand.

"But—"

He started but what was said on the other side made him sigh deeply. "Okay, Bachay. As you say. Take care."

Dada Jaan ended the call and looked at Mahad. "She wants to meet."

"To talk?" Mahad asked when he knew their conversation had gone in an entirely different direction.

"I don't know." The old man said dejectedly. Mahad's jaw clenched.

"I will be there whenever that happens."

"Mahad—"

"I will be there, Dada Jaan." He emphasized each word. Agha Murtaza knew that further argument was futile.

In just five minutes, he had heard two loud and clear decisions from two equally stubborn people.

𝄞

Leaning against the headrest, Sila ran a finger on the rim of her teacup. The plate of cookies Ammi had brought her was on the side table. Her usual breakfast. She had never been able to stomach a heavy meal in the morning and Ammi had always been mindful about it.

Taking a sip of the piping hot concoction, Sila tried to immerse herself in the blessing that Chai was on a brutal winter day in the valley. Or the cookies from her favorite bakery down the road, when they melted into her mouth and reminded of her simpler and easier times.

But her treacherous heart took the liberties once again and her head turned in the direction of her phone.

He'd said he'd call today.

He hadn't specifically told her the time. Not that she was waiting.

This was bizarre. She was bizarre. This whole situation was bizarre.

Their conversation from yesterday came rushing back in bits and pieces. She should've been wiser than to bare her heart before him the way she did but Ammi hadn't been wrong when she called him her crisis response.

He was. And that was, probably, the most heartbreaking thing about this whole ordeal.

She had always had her doubts about giving this a chance. Sometimes, understanding her emotions was difficult. Tug of war between her heart and mind. The cry to mend the broken and savegaurd the unscathed. And the reassurance a voice in her heart whispered to her. Let him in and he'd do right by you. And then, came the angry shout. Don't place your heart in the palm of his hand once again, Sila. The pieces of his previous onslaught are still missing and you don't even know where to look.

And then, that night.

She was defeated. On her knees.

And that's what she's told him yesterday.

She'd expected him to give her his silence. Or his broken admission that yes, she was right, he had done this to them.

But for the first time, Aahil's voice hadn't shaken. His resolve also didn't.

As if she were talking to her husband before everything came crashing down. He hadn't missed a beat. Sure of himself, his intentions, and what he needed to do to put everything back into place.

She'd missed that Aahil.

Dearly. Painfully.

The man she had fallen in love with, lawed but who never let his flaws empower him enough to succumb under their pressure.

But that was just one aspect. He had a long way to go. And she was not going to measure his steps for him. She tried doing that before and it left her with more pain than she

Sores and blisters, the imprints of her blooded feet, marring the way toward their happy ever after.

That was a huge price to pay for loving someone.

She shook her head to get rid of the unwanted thoughts and opened her phone. The group chat had been less happening. The new development was Alina's return to Pakistan. Sila had yet to ask her how it felt, to successfully tackle the long distance. Haleh hadn't said much there for a few days. Someone had mentioned she was not well. Sila had asked her about it over their call but Haleh had deflected.

And Sila didn't know how to prob her. She'd never faced this problem before.

Amal had been broody, Zahra's arrival had her worked up. Sila hadn't had a long discussion with her on how to tackle this mess.

Rameen, even though the most connected to her, was not forthcoming either. After a decade or more of being her best friend, Sila knew something was up. She just didn't know what.

She had never been this detached from her people. Or her own reality. She had never stayed off work for this long. Even her jobless stints fared better than whatever this was.

She was losing her life. In every sense of the word.

And when she probed herself to find her motivation to get it all back, she came empty-handed.

As pathetic as it sounded, love had done a number on her.

And before their relationship, before the love that got lost in the echoes of opposite ships in the sea, before anything, she needed to pull herself together.

She had lost so much.

She couldn't lose herself, more than she already had.

𝄞