Jazaki Allahu khairan Ayesha Sheerin for this beautiful cover!! I loved it!!

NO AWARDS!

Yes you read it right. None of my books are going to participate in any awards now. It's a burden for no good reason. I remember how it feels when you want your favourite author to win so you vote as much as possible. Even when you are tired you keep voting although it's a very boring thing and when you are not able to make your author win even after so much efforts you feel bad. And I don't want my readers to feel like that. I write for myself and for your comments not for awards. So I have decided we will not take part in any awards which requires votes! If there is any award based on the story then why not! I have even added my book for wattys but that's all. Please don't nominate me from now on. If you want to make me feel good then just read my book and tell me what you think about it. I'm not saying comment, I always say I love when someone messages me so do that if you don't want to comment. I don't want anything else.  I hope that's fine with you all.

Enjoy:)

Leslie liked her cousin's post on Facebook. She was going through the new feeds on Facebook from past ten minutes. Soon she was bored so she went to Instagram. She was watching some Video when she received a call from Urfi.

Leslie was still upset with Urfi so she didn't answer her call but when Urfi called again she answered it only with the intention of scolding her.

"Leslie." Urfi said as soon as Leslie answered the call.

It was evident form her tone that She was upset about something. Leslie forgot everything after hearing her voice.

"Urfi what happened?"

"Leslie why me? Was I not a good child? Did I hurt someone? Why did Allah took my parents away from me when I was just five? Why did he take My grandma away just before I was about to turn ten? A day before my birthday. Did I turn out to be a very bad adult?"

"No Urfi."

"Then Why did he take My grandfather three years ago? Why always my people? Why always me? I was always trying to help people. I was always nice to everyone around me. I tried my best to be a good student. Then why? Why is he testing me so much?"

"Urfi everything will be fine. Trust God. He will make things better."

"Do you still think?"

"Yes."

"Why is Zeeshan not written for me? And if he was not written for me then why did Allah bring him in my life? That was still fine but why did he allow me to fall for him? Allah was  watching all this happen but he didn't stop it. He is still watching me lose my faith and not helping. Why!?" Urfi broke down in tears this time.

Leslie stood up from her bed, worried for her friend. She went towards the window to get some fresh air.

"Urfi everything will be fine. You will find a soulmate soon. He will help you forget everything. God will make it possible. He can do miracles. Just be patient Urfi. Don't lose your faith Because without that you have nothing. You said me that remember?"

"Yeah." Urfi said wiping her tears.

"Urfi you have already wasted a lot of time behind him. If you truly love him then pray for his happy life and move on. Go away from them for your inner peace. Slowly you will be able to move on."

"Ok."

"Urfi you have your whole life ahead of you, don't let past ruin it. Your future deserves your happy present. Work for your future forgetting about your past. You will do that?"

"Yes."

"Good. Do this for your brother. Just like you even he lost everyone. Just like you even he is all alone. He needs you Urfi. Stay happy for him. Forget everything so that you can have a better life for him. For him your happiness is his ray of hope for better tomorrow don't lose it for anyone."

"You are right. You were always right. Leslie I'm sorry. So sorry for hurting you so much. You were always right. I was so mean to you but you never stopped helping me. You were always there for me to show me the right path. Sorry."

"Stop saying sorry. I'm your friend so I will be there for you always. Till my last breath."

"Thank you."

"Where are you?"

"In my room."

"Ok I'm coming home stay there."

"I'm going to pray now."

"It will take me half an hour because I'm a mess. I need to be presentable before leaving the house."

"It will take hours Leslie. It's a long prayer for my inner peace. Why don't you come after two hours?"

"Ok. I will bring your favourite Donuts as well."

Urfi smiled,"ok."

"Bye then. Take care. I'll be there soon."

"I'm waiting."

When Leslie disconnected the call she had a smile on her face. She was very happy for her friend. She was always praying for her friend. For the first time few days ago she went to a local church to ask God to guide her. Maybe that's what worked. Leslie started planning for their perfect future. She was going to help Urfi forget Zeeshan and start a new life. In half an hour she had planned everything from their career to retirement, everything.

***

"Zeeshan I was thinking something. You what to know what?" Noor asked.

"Yeah." Zeeshan said before putting a plate in the box.

They were moving to New York soon so now they had started packing their things. Naaz had many dinner sets, cups and glasses which she loved a lot. They decided to pack them first so that they don't break it later. That's why they were in the kitchen now packing them carefully. They knew it very well that Naaz can take anything but damage to her plates or glasses.

"As soon as we move back I want to start working with my father again."

Zeeshan kept the plate carefully before turning to face her,"why? You always wanted to take a break from work for your kids and had planned to start working once they are in school. Then what happened now?"

"That was the plan I made when I was a teenager. That time I didn't know where life will take me. Now we have financial crisis so we can make little change in that plan. And it's not like Iiman will be left alone. My mom is there or we can take help of a baby sitter. Actually I thought about it. Eman and Wafa from our group? They are teenage girls who go to school so I guess they will help for some money. That will cost us less and they will be with my mom so that won't be a big problem."

"No Noor. I don't want to be a typical husband but I won't allow you that."

"What is the reason?"

"You always, even before getting married had plan to take a break when you have kids. You planned to start working once they are in school."

"Look I will work and we will have some money to pay bills. Iiman won't be neglected .  My mom already has three kids so we cannot give Iiman to her but I have a plan. Eman and Wafa from our group are eighteen or seventeen so they can take up this part time job. We won't have to pay them a huge amount. And they will have my mom so that won't be a problem. You want me to say that again?"

"No noor. You are going to hurt my self-esteem and ego if you do that. It will make me feel like a losser. I'm not stopping you from working but I don't want you to change your plan because of me. Take care of Iiman like you always wanted to. You want to be there for your kids then be there for her. Raise a nice child and I will take care of the bills."

"But zeeshan."

"No noor. Please trust me."

"Zeeshan think about it."

"Please Noor."

Noor stared him for some time before finally giving up,"what can I do if you say please? This was the first time you said that."

Zeeshan smiled,"Give me some more time I will come up with a plan."

"Ok."

"Trust me Noor."

"Ok I trust you."

"Thank you "

They started working again after some time. It was important to be careful and alert while packing Naaz' treasure so they had stopped working while talking.

"Zubiya didn't come today." Noor said after some time.

"I was going to say the same thing."

"I wonder where she is."

"She must be having a good time with her mom."

"Well I hope everything is fine."

"Why will anything be bad?" Zeeshan asked while keeping the box aside and taking a new box in his hand.

"Her father. I don't trust him. From past one Zubiya had spend a lot of time here and now she is a family member."

"You are too negative Noor. "

"I agree. That is true. But I'm still worried."

"Then call her mom."

"I don't want to interfere in their lives. They will think I'm nosy."

"Then stop worrying."

"That's kind of difficult."

"You don't want to call her mom and you don't want to stop worrying. Great choice."

"Just pray that she is fine."

Zeeshan stop mid way while keeping the plates for few seconds before slowly keeping them in the box.After few minutes he cleared his throat "Noor I wanted to ask you something."

"Go Ahead."

"Can you help me with something."

"Depends on what you need help in."

"It's a good thing."

"Still tell me first."

"Ok." Zeeshan was feelings embarrassed. He was trying to ask her about something from past many days but he was hesitating to say it. But he thought it would be better to get over with it than dragging it further. "Can you teach me how to pray?"

Noor's eyes became little wide. She looked at him for few seconds before saying,"sure."

"Ok." He said nodding his head before resuming his work.

Noor was still shocked about what he said. She did not see that coming. It was a nice thing and she was happy for him "wow. How did this happen?"

"I follow few islamic accounts on Instagram and read few articles. Many people say it brings peace so I want to try."

Noor smiled,"they all are right. Good choice. I will teach you everything I know."

"Teach me only what I ask you."

"Whatever."

"Now go and bring all the glasses."

"You are too bossy. You should start your own business."

"I'm very happy as a doctor."

"You can start your own practice."

"Who will invest?"

"Loan."

"Glasses."

Noor made a face before walking towards a small cupboard hanging on the wall. She removed all the glasses from it slowly and carefully. She was helping Zeeshan when someone knocked the door. She gave Zeeshan the glass in her hand before leaving the kitchen to open the door.

She was in a good mood, excited to meet her family. She was planning to do a lot of things but little did she know that her plans will be crushed little by little.

"Daneen!" Noor exclaimed in horror when she opened the door.

Daneen tried to smile but wounds on her face didn't allow her. Her left cheek was black, her lips were unnaturally red with few cuts and she had a band-aid on her forehead.

"What happened Daneen?"

"I don't have time for this. Can you please take care of my girls for few hours?"

"Yeah sure but what happened?'

"Noor don't ask anything now. Please."

"Ok." Noor said nodding her head.

"Just for two hours max to max."

"Ok."

"I will leave now. I'm already late" Daneen said before she looked at Zubiya,"Zubiya take care of your sisters."

Zubiya who had tears in her eyes nodded softly.Daneen handed her youngest daughter,Asbha to Noor. Zubiya was holding her three years old sister Dainisha's hand. Daneen soon left. Noor brought the girls inside and told Zeeshan everything. This was the first time Dainisha was without her mom so she cried a lot. After some time Noor took Iiman and Asbha in the room as they might start crying seeing her cry. Noor tried to make them sleep but it was not easy. Asbha was new to Noor and Iiman was not in a mood to sleep. After forty minutes they both were sleeping and Noor felt like she had won the world war. Noor slowly closed the door before coming down. To her surprise Dainisha was no more crying. She was playing with Zeeshan.

"They both slept?" Zeeshan asked Noor.

"Yes Alhumdulillah."

"Good. She stopped crying as well."

Noor nodded her head before saying,"I don't understand what we should do."

"This is too much. She should complain now."

"I know. But we cannot force her. It's too complicated."

" I know."

"There has to be some way to help her."

"There must be."

Noor was going to reply when her eyes fell on Zubiya who was surprisingly quiet. She was sitting in one corner lost in her own world. Noor and Zeeshan exchanged glances. Noor stood up and went to her. Without saying anything she picked her up in the air and came back to the couch. She sat next to Zeeshan and made Zubiya sit on her lap.

"What happened Zubi?" Zeeshan asked.

She looked down but did not say a word.

"Darling don't worry everything is fine." Noor said massaging her head. Zubiya looked up at her. Noor smiled before pulling her near. Zubiya rested her head on Noor's chest before she started crying.

"She is crying." Noor whispered to Zeeshan.

Zeeshan placed his hand on Zubiya's shoulder,"Hey, zubiya don't cry. You are a strong girl. Look even Dainisha is not crying."

"She will start crying if you don't stop."

"Come on Zubiya."

But she did not stop crying. She kept on crying for a long time. She was very mature for her age as she made sure she did not create any noise which will worry her sister.  Soon even she fell asleep in Noor's arms. Dainisha was the only one awake but after her sister fell asleep it was difficult to handle her. Somehow Zeeshan distracted her and started playing Snake and ladder. Noor was holding Zubiya close to her heart and slowly rocking back and forth.

"Oh no snake bit me again!" Zeeshan exclaimed.

Noor looked up and smile seeing a smile on Dainisha's face.

"You are losing Uncle."

"I'm so sad." Zeeshan said making a fake sad face.

Noor smiled again before kissing Zubiya's forehead. After some Five minutes Zeeshan's phone started ringing.

"Dainisha will you please wait for one minute. I will answer the call."

Dainisha nodded her head. Zeeshan smiled before taking his phone in his hand. He saw it was wildan's call so he smiled again before answering it.

"Wildan we are meeting tomorrow no matter what!" He said cheerfully. Soon his smiled vanished and a serious expression took over before he frowned. "Wildan what do you mean?.....URFI?....What the hell are you talking Wildan?......How is that possible?.....I'm coming."