"Assalamu Alayekum Zeeshan."

"Walekum assalam Baba." Zeeshan said before moving his phone from right ear to left ear.

"How are you son?" Mehmood asked.

"Good. What about you?"

"Alhumdulillah."

"You are planning to come here?" Zeeshan asked.

"I have some work there, so maybe I will come after few weeks."

"Ok."

"So how is life with Noor? You two still fight for no reason Or things are ok between you two?"

"I only met her once and it was kind of awkward."

"It has been seven days since you both are living in the same house and you only met her once? How is that possible? I talked to her more than four times."

"We both are busy "

"Or you are hiding."

Zeeshan did not reply but looked down. Mehmood shood his head before saying,

"Zeeshan, you cannot hide your whole life. You cannot run from your family. They are your mom's family Zeeshan. That's not fair."

Zeeshan still did not reply and was listening to his father carefully.

"See Zeeshan, Noor's father did a lot for you. He was the one who found you that day and took you to the rehab. I know you were rude to him last time you met him and you are guilty about it but you were not in your senses. He wants to meet you and you are running from him. You think that's right? You are being more rude and disrespectful this time."

"I know."

"Ok fine, You were a drug addict. So what? You have changed now. You have cleaned yourself Zeeshan. Now you are not only drug free but also a very good doctor. Zeeshan are you even listening?"

"Yes."

"Zeeshan your family loves you even with your past. It's not a crime to have a bad past. It's you. Move on and allow people to move on and forget. Your behaviour will remind them that your drung addiction changed you....... Zeeshan?"

"Yeah."

"Now, like a good boy go and talk to your cousin. And you always say that your Grandfather is your biggest support, right?"

"Yes."

"Then go and sit with him. Talk to him. Spend some time with him. Tell him about your day.  He was there for you when you needed someone."

"Yeah."

"Now go and talk to them Zeeshan."

"Ok."

"So now AllahHafiz. Take care son."

"AllahHafiz."

Zeeshan disconnected the call before sitting down on his bed. He thought for some time about what his father said. He knows his father is right but it's not easy to move on. He is scared to know what his family thinks about him now.

After being drung addict for a year he was now free from drungs but he was still stuck in this world where people never forget and forgive.

After thinking about his life for few more minutes Zeeshan stood up and left his room. He was not thirsty but he wanted to drink water. Drinking water always makes him feel better. Whenever he is stressed or sad he drinks water.

He stopped near the door when he saw Noor in the kitchen. He looked down and started thinking if he should go inside or not. But before he could decide, Noor noticed him standing there.

"Zeeshan?"

Zeeshan looked up and Noor smiled. He smiled slightly before entering the kitchen.

"You want something?" Noor asked.

"Water."

"Take it yourself. Feel at home Zeeshan! It's just like your own house."

Zeeshan smiled before shaking his head. He went towards the fridge and pulled out one bottle of water.

"You want tea?" Noor asked,"I'm making it for Phuphajaan and Dadajaan."

"No, thank you."

"Coffee?"

"I don't drink tea or coffee."

"That's really good. Then you get addicted to them. Addiction is not good." Noor said.

But after few seconds she realised what she said. She closed her eyes and Zeeshan looked away. Noor rubbed her forehead before slowly looking towards him.

"I didn't mean that."

"I know. It's ok." Zeeshan said before he started walking towards the door.

"Zeeshan!"

Zeeshan stopped but did not turn around. Noor raised her eyebrows before saying,

"You are still scared of me."

Zeeshan turned around and frowned before asking,"What?"

"Yes. You were the one who always use to give up and stop fighting because you were scared of me! And even now you are scared of me that's why you are hiding from me! Come on Zeeshan you cannot let a girl scare you who is six years younger to you."

"Noor why will I be scared of you? I'm not scared of Billi."

Noor's eyes became wide and her mouth dropped open.

"Bander! How dare you Zeeshan!?"

"You provoked me to say that!"

"Stop this blame game! You insulted me first!" Noor said.

Zeeshan went to the kitchen counter and kept him hand on the  counter and Noor folded her hands who was standing on the other side of the counter.

"I did? And you were very sweet to me, right?" Zeeshan asked.

"Yes! Who else is so nice to you!?"

"You are still the same Billi."

"Alhumdulillah!"

Zeeshan shook his head before saying,"And I was planning to be nice to you!"

Noor frowned,"Why will you plan something that is impossible!?"

Zeeshan stared her for few seconds before saying, "I just love wasting my time."

Zeeshan turned around and left the kitchen. Although they had a fight but Zeeshan still had a smile on his face, because even after so many years and so many life changing events there was one thing that was still the same,his and Noor's relationship.

***

"And I thought she is a nice lady now.' Zeeshan said with a small smile on his face.

Wildan laughed before saying,"I told you. Anything can change but your equation with Noor. But what I don't understand is why are you smiling?"

"She made me realise that maybe, just maybe there is a chance for everything to go back to normal."

Wildan smiled before saying,"InshaAllah. I'm sure Noor will change your life."

"She already did. I had a peaceful life once."

Wildan rolled his eyes before saying,"You can say anything to insult Noor, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Even you know your life has nothing to do with peace yet you said that because it was Noor."

"Ok, Miss. Noor's lawyer. Five percent peace that I had in my life is now taken away by your client. Happy now?"

Wildan shook his head before laying down on the bed, on which he was sitting earlier. Zeeshan did the same before asking,

"What happened to your promotion?"

"No news yet."

"Don't worry. You are a very good employee. You will get promotion soon."

"Yeah. But now even if they don't promote me it's fine."

"Why?" Zeeshan asked frowning.

"Some other company is offering me a job."

"And you are leaving this one because they don't give you promotion?"

"Yes, somewhere. But mostly because they are offering me more money."

"Oh. Soon to be millionaire."

Wildan smiled before asking,"What's up in your hospital?"

"It's a mess."

"Why? What happened?"

"I might lose my job."

"What!?" Wildan asked

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Long story."

"Zeeshan!"

"Some other day. Now I don't have energy to tell you everything."

"Ok. Don't worry InshaAllah everything will be fine soon.

"I hope so."

They were quiet for few minutes. Zeeshan was lost in his thoughts and Wildan was thinking of a way to help his friend. After few minutes they were still doing the same when someone knocked the door.Zeeshan stood up and Wildan sat bolt upright. Zeeshan opened the door and saw Noor standing there.

"Where is your mom and Dadajaan?"Noor asked.

"They went to Anbreen Baji's house." Zeeshan replied.

"Without me?"Noor asked frowning.

"They probably wanted to save her and her soon to be born girl from you."

Noor raised her eyebrows before looking up at him. Narrowing her eyes she said ,"No one asked your opinion."

"I'm just telling the truth."

Noor narrowed her eyes again and looked away. Her eyes fell on wildan and wildan smiled. She instantly looked back at Zeeshan. Zeeshan was shocked to see an innocent expression on her face which he had not seen in years. They were always fighting so all he saw was her angry face.

Wildan stood up and went near the door where his friend was standing with his cousin.

"Assalamu alayekum Noor."

"Walekum assalam." Noor said softly.

"You did not recognise me?"Wildan asked.

Noor slowly shook her head.Zeeshan narrowed his eyes because Noor's innocent face could only create suspicion in his mind.

"I'm wildan."

Noor's eyes became wide instantly which made Zeeshan frown.

"His friend?" Noor asked pointing at Zeeshan.

"Yes."

"You are still with him? Now this is talent."

Zeeshan rolled his eyes and Wildan smiled.

"I know." Wildan said.

"Now enough of insulting me. Noor leave."

Noor looked at him before slowly shaking her head. She started walking towards her room. After she was gone Zeeshan closed the door and looked at Wildan. Wildan raised his eyebrows before asking,

"What?"

"Nothing." Zeeshan said walking towards his bed leaving behind a confused Wildan.