Chapter 4: Beautiful Green Eyes.

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"Siblings that say they never fight are most definitely hiding something"

-Lemony Snicket, Horseradish-

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It was late in the afternoon and the sun hung low in the colorful sky. The Zaeef main house was bustling with people, mainly the helpers. The boys threaded carefully past them as they walked towards the living room with Kayan in the lead and Karmaan right at the back.

"I get the hype about the anniversary party but why are we calling so many people?" Karmaan questioned as he stared at the chaotic scene in front of him in horror.

"Not many people, just business partners, family and friends." Replied Kayan.

"Yeah. Many people."

The boys arrived the living room shortly and Kayan took an abrupt halt, making Sahl hit his back and Karmaan veered off to the side of the doorway. Safwah almost hit Yazdan who had stopped shortly after Kayan.

"Ow." The boys reassembled themselves in a proper manner before Kayan turned to them with an amused expression. Yazdan was the only one who understood, the rest stared at him in confusion. Kayan said nothing and began walking to their family.

In the middle of the large living room were a gray sofa set and a clear coffee table. On the sides were large vases filled with colorful flowers while on the table set a tray of cups filled with tea.

"As salaam alaikum," Kayan said loudly causing everyone to turn to them.

Safwah shook off his hair and turned to the people in the living room. He grinned at his grandmother and mother, his sister-in-laws until his eyes landed on familiar green ones. She was standing by the large glass windows with Yazdan's 4 month old daughter, Yasharah in her arms.

"Wa alaikum mus salaam," she replied with a grin just as Yasharah began waving her hands in the air. Zamaairah laughed and turned her attention to the baby.

Safwah stared at her in amusement and bewilderment. The afternoon sun behind her formed a halo, making her look even more angelic. I didn't expect her- what is she doing in Australia? He felt a bump on his shoulder and turned his head to see Karmaan grinning at him. He rolled his eyes at the younger brother before looking at the other brothers. All their eyes were discretely on him. He sighed. They will get me caught soon.

"Boys! Come sit and have tea with us." Amyrah called them out. Kayan smiled lovingly at his wife before taking a seat beside her. Amyrah immediately leaned onto her husband in familiarity. Yazdan took his seat beside Aanabia who smiled at him affectionately. He placed a kiss on her cheeks before chuckling. His wife blushed very brightly making others laugh too.

Sahl took a seat on the other sofa and Karmaan followed him. Safwah stood still, staring at Zamaairah until he was pulled down by Sahl to take a seat.

"So Zama, when did you arrive?" Kayan questioned, sipping tea. Zamaairah walked over to the baby bouncer and placed Yasharah in it before taking a seat on the floor beside her. She looks so beautiful. She hasn't aged a bit. When was the last time we talked? A week ago? A month? I don't remember.

"Zama! Sit on the sofa, dearest." Chided Qaidah and Zamaairah shook her head with a laugh.

"Its alright, ma." Zamaairah replied making the rest smile at the familiarity of her calling Qaidah, ma. "I arrived an hour ago, Bhai."

"And how is work?"

"Alhamdulillah good. I transferred out of US to UK where Ayisha is staying. She is interning at the hospital there so I am staying with her."

"That is good news. How is your father?" At the question of her father, Zamaairah stilled. Qaidah raised an eyebrow at the silence and Kayan cut her off.

"Mom. Uncle passed away last year." Kayan informed the elder women. Grandmother Zaeef gasped and Qaidah shook her head sadly. She held out her hand for Zamaairah who took it gladly.

"I am so sorry, Zama. I didn't know."

"It's alright. Not many people knew."

"And your stepmother?"

"Left her for good, I hope." Zama muttered the last bits to herself but Safwah heard it alright. He saw the little flinch she did at the question of her father and stepmother. He had witnessed her flinch multiple times because of it and how he wished, he could hold her in his arms right now to soothe the ache.

"Don't worry about the past. Its gone now. You have us," Qaidah reminded her and Zamaairah smiled brightly. If anyone saw this woman right now, they'd never believe what she has gone through.

"Yeah. I have been seeing so many pictures of baby Yasharah that I had to come meet her!" Zamaairah said poking Yasharah's little nose. Yasharah scrunched her nose up and frowned at Zamaairah who laughed at her antics.

"She is a calm child," Amyrah told her. "I am glad she didn't take after her cousins. Kavyaan was the loudest when he was her age."

"Did she inform you she was coming?" Sahl whispered to Safwah who turned his attention to his brother from his wife.

"No. I didn't talk to her recently." Sahl and Karmaan stared at him incredulously.

"Are you sure you both are married?" Karmaan questioned sassily making Safwah hit his head.

"Yes. Don't annoy me or you will have no one to convince ma and abba to let you join the army." Safwah blackmailed. Karmaan rolled his eyes and then smiled sheepishly.

"I love you brother!" he whispered back with a laugh. Sahl shook his head at the duo's bicker.

"The bigger issue would be with you, Saf." Sahl reminded Safwah who nodded.

"I know." Safwah knew telling his parents would be the hardest part. But he had absolutely no plans on how to break the news to them. After all, it's not easy to have a son married for over a year without their knowledge. In my defense, I was working half the time and then well- half dead? Or something along those lines.

"Right. Since you all are here, lets go over the guest list." Amyrah stood up with her iPad in her hands while Kayan groaned from beside her.

"Do we have to do it right now?"

"I emailed it to all of you brothers last week. And the only one who got back to me was Yazdan. Thank you Yaz. I am very disappointed in you Sahl." Amyrah said, pointing the stylus at Sahl who held his hands up in surrender.

"I am locked out of my mail for now. Security issues." He replied and Amyrah smiled at him.

"Than its fine. And since everyone else didn't reply, lets go over it now."

Zamaairah played with Yasharah as everyone else planned the party. Yasharah began to fall asleep over the loud chatter of everyone just as Zamaairah began to feel her jetlag coming.

"Zama, don't sleep here. Go upstairs, change and then sleep." Qaidah told her and she nodded in reply. Safwah glanced at her to see her eyes drooping. She'll fall asleep real quick.

Since the women were busy with the planning, Karmaan was asked to guide Zamaairah to the West wing where the maids would show her the room. Karmaan stood up and threw a smug smile to Safwah before turning to Zamaairah.

"I can help with the luggage," Karmaan told her and she shook her head.

"Its fine. They took it already. Just guide me to the room, please." Zamaairah bid everyone goodbye, ignored Safwah and followed Karmaan out of the room. Safwah stared after her in confusion. What did I do?

***

How are you guys? 

Stay Safe! Take Care! 

| R - C - V |

xx,

Aalihha.