Hello! How is everyone?

Seems like many of you didn't get any notification last week! Chapter 1 was published last Sunday and this is the second chapter. Make sure you read that one before this!

I hope you enjoy it:)

Life was never meant to be predictable, it was never meant to follow our lead. It is supposed to be different than our thoughts, it is supposed to be difficult and at times horrible only so that it gives us beautiful memories in return, only so that ultimately we find happiness and peace for to feel the peace we must first know what is unease. 

Haajar looked to her right and then to her left. There were three big boxes and a small box surrounding her. She signed before looking up at Alessia who was talking on the phone. 

"Everything is fine darling. You know I wished for a change so I got it. It's time to start afresh and begin a beautiful journey. It is going to be amazing! I cannot be more excited. Life is beautiful." Haajar looked up at her and frowned deeply. "Do not worry. I will find a way out. Starting may be rocky but I am certain we will end with a bang! See you soon. Miss you too. Take the first flight home. Bye! Haajar? Haajar? Where are you?"

"Exactly where you left me."

Alessia turned around and smiled widely. "Oh, hi. There are so many boxes. I never realised I had so many things in that office. Is the small box yours? I don't remember holding a small one."

"I got it but it is your stuff from my desk." 

"Oh. Okay. Where is your stuff?"

Haajar lifted her bag up in the air before looking away. "It fits in your bag. Did you have anything there? Good actually. You didn't have to pack. For a moment I thought you decided to stay. Do you want to stay? If you want, I don't mind it. It is your life, your decision."

"I am fine. What is this place? Where did you arrange for a place in such a short time? Were you really planning to leave the firm?"

"I have been planning that for years but never did it. I guess I grew fond of that place. My journey began from there when it was just a small room with three people, it felt like a child but growing up it became mean, rude and selfish. So it was time to move on."

"I must say you are a great mother." 

Alessia laughed before pointing at her. "I love your sense of humour and your boldness. I couldn't even look up at my seniors."

"You must have a human as a boss, I have a nightmare," Haajar whispered before picking up a box in her hand. "What is the plan now? What are we going to do?"

"We are starting our own firm. Just you and me. We will rock it. We will be so much big than them. Just wait and see how we grow and touch the sky. Get ready for sky rocking success miss Haajar Cader." 

Haajar stared at her for a few seconds, wondering what to wonder before walking to a table. She kept the box on it and looked around. It was a small apartment with just one more room. It was dull but had a couch and a table, which was all it was about. "Where did you find this place? You drove here directly. How were you aware of it?"

"This was my first apartment! When I started working I was living here. Love this place. I was still living here when I met Jacob. It feels good here. It feels like home. When we got in the car, I did not know where to go. At the top of my head, I thought we will go home and think about what to do then I realised there is a better place! Welcome to your new office!"

"Office? It's a residential building. Can this be done?"

"Anything and everything can be done! We just need to begin, which we are doing now. So let's make a list of things we will have to do to get a kick start. Let's sit and think."

"I wish you had done that before storming out."

"You seem cranky? Is everything alright? Period?" Haajar frowned, deeper than earlier. Shaking her head she sat on the couch, opened her laptop and was waiting for it to illuminate when she sighed and closed her eyes. Before she knew the week had passed and she had no clue where her life was heading. Over the weekend, she wished to be alone and in peace but nature had other plans for strong summer heat brought her cousins home with some guests. 

"We are sorry for dropping by unannounced," Aman said as he took the glass of water from Rahemat. "It is really hot today. We were heading home but my car suddenly broke down, luckily we were in the neighbourhood."

"It is good that you came here. It is too hot to stand outside. Do you want some more water?" Aman shook his head before smiling. Soon Sufyaan joined them with a smiling Afzal by his side. 

"Assalamu alaikum!" Exclaimed Afzal. "How is everyone doing? Why were you partying without me?" He pointed at Aman before sitting on the chair.

"We were not partying. We got stuck in the heat." Sufyaan clarified before taking a seat next to Rahemat, who was smiling at Afzal. "They never include me in any plan! Yamina was not home so I called them to invite them home but guess what they already had a plan without me. Speak about loyalty."

"Says the man who only contacts us when his wife is not home," Sufyaan said rolling his eyes making everyone laugh. "I thought you were visiting Raiyan today. Why didn't you go?" Sufyaan asked Afzal who shook his head in return.

"I went to his house and came back. His mother seemed very disturbed and I did not want to add to it with my presence. Even Raiyan seemed lost somewhere. I think something happened. The guy looked pale and worried to death."

"I hope he is fine. His brother's death is taking a toll on him. They were not on talking terms so I thought he would recover soon. Of course, he was his brother he was going to be affected but I did not expect this. Maybe regret has taken over him. Who knows what is going on in his head." Aman expressed his thoughts making other speak as well. 

"I feel it is not just about his brother, " Sufyaan said after a while, "I feel there is something more to it. I have no idea what but he seems to be distracted by something else. Allah knows what is going on with him."

"He is the same guy whose brother was supposed to get married to noor, right?" Rahemat asked which made Aman shaking his head in a yes. "Okay. How is he on such good terms with you guys? Is Noor or Zeeshan aware of it?"

"They are," Aman replied, "They have no problem because Raiyan was the one who helped us. He is the reason they are married. He is a good human who was wronged by his own brother. He was barely eighteen at that time but he decided to help Noor. That shows character, strong and positive character."

"That was the reason when he asked for a job we could not say no and I guess that was a great decision. He is very good at what he does. His father has trained him well. It feels he was born to rule the business world. Unfortunately, his brother took that from him and now he works for someone else."

"Someone else?" Afzal frowned immediately. "He works under the best man! He has a great boss! The best!"

"Who is a bit of a show-off," Aman said raising his eyebrows making everyone laugh again. Just like the living room the laughter filled the kitchen as well where the girls had too much to talk about. "I do not believe they fought for that. I really thought they are better than that." Zyva said making Kehara smile. 

"They are not! They are in their forties but our husbands are still competing like kids. Sometimes I really wonder how they work at the office? Don't they fight a lot? I feel bad for Afzal at times."

"Oh, he does not need that. He enjoys his life to the fullest and does not care what they do. When I was working with them I used to find it fascinating how much he loves what he does and enjoys every minute! His best friend is totally opposite thought. Sometimes it takes everything to make him smile. As his employee, I always found him dull yet I married him. Love truly is blind." Kehara laughed before shaking her head. She then turned to her aunt and asked," Where is Haajar? Is she still upset about the job? It was upsetting. She was very excited."

"She is better than before. She is fine I guess, a little disappointed but okay. She hides in her room but she always did that so it's normal but yeah she wishes things were different. Allah has a plan, something better was written for her."

"Undoubtedly," Kehara said," Where is she though? Wait I will give her a call. No, she is here. How are you love? Is everything alright?"

"Salam. Yeah, everything is fine. I was just feeling sleepy. Weekends are all about that, isn't it? By the way, I was calling Amal she didn't answer. Where is she?"

"Home when we left. She stays in her room for most of her time. Keyaan tries to bring her out but then they end up fighting so he stopped trying but he is always there to cheer her. You two had some plan this evening, right? Are you going somewhere?"

"Just for a walk. We both are feeling low so we thought of getting some fresh air."

"Why is she upset?" Zyva asked Haajar who was about to reply when Kehara said," She lost her purse. She loved it a lot. Her grades were low this semester and then her purse went missing so she is upset about it all. She makes me worry a lot at times but then I guess teenagers are difficult and emotional. What do you think Haajar? Is she doing fine?"

"I think she is. She is emotional and sometimes too quick with actions but she is a strong person who knows how to handle things. Do not worry baji, she will get through it."

"You are with her which keeps me calm. I am so grateful that you are her best friend. If she had been attached to someone else, especially someone her age then I would have been more worried but with you, I know she is in good hands. Thanks, Haajar."

"You do not have to worry about her. She is fine, now tell me how is Keyaan doing? I haven't seen him in weeks."

"He is too busy with her projects. He can do them later but once the teacher tells him something is to be done he gets to it immediately. That's a great quality but I wish he gave himself some time and peace."

"He enjoys doing that so he is happy. It seems like he loves school and studies which is weird for a thirteen-year-old but well he is Keyaan, "Zyva said making her smile. 

"That is true, he enjoys everything but I wish he relaxes a bit as well but then maybe that is my way of thinking. Maybe he is relaxed because of all that hard work. We cannot speak for our children."

"We cannot and we should not," Valiqa said with her eyebrows raised, "or else your kids snap." Haajar immediately frowned making Zyva laugh. Haajar gave a faint smile to Kehara before her phone started to ring. Excusing herself she went towards the window and answered the call. "Ye, Ma'am."

"Oh hello, Haajar. How are you? Sorry for disturbing you on the weekend but do not worry, I am not here to ruin it. Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your work and loyalty. Do not worry a lot, we will make it big sooner than you think. I am setting a website for us and also making an online flayer that we can send out to people. I am attending a marketing class too, so hopefully getting to the top won't be a problem. You must be wondering why I am attending the marketing class and that is because we need to get in the market. Without marketing no profession works so we need to learn how to market ourselves and our firm. Also, we need to find a name for our firm and I came up with a few. Tell me which one sounds the best  Legal, A and H associates, H and A associates, firecrackers."

"Firecrackers? You joke a lot."

"That was the most serious one. We are going to shine brighter than that and bring so much happiness to people. It is the perfect name. What do you think?"

"I think we should keep thinking. Why don't you let me think for some time and you take some time as well then we will discuss on Monday? What do you say?"

"Yeah, whatever you want. I am happy with anything and everything. You give it a thought. We will discuss it on Monday, no issues. Have a great weekend, I am going to pool with my children, do you want to join us? We would love that."

"Sorry but I have plans or else I would have definitely joined you."

"No worries, maybe next weekend. See you on Monday then, Bye-bye"

Haajar closed her eyes and shook her head before looking up at the sky asking why, for which she did not get an answer but an answer was being created for her. The rest of the day was spent with her guests and the evening with Amal. Before she knew the day ended and sooner than that Monday approached which she detested with all her heart. But she was not the only one who detested it, she was not the only one who hoped it never arrived. Raiyan had a bigger battle to win, which was not giving him any peace. He found himself in the office before any soul could make it. He was alone in his room staring at the ceiling wondering what must be his next step. What must he do to preserve what is his, to get what he wants and to find peace in his heart? What must be done? Was the only question that mattered.