Chapter 8: Games.

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"If you can't win the game, you have to cheat."

-Mackenzi Lee (The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Montague Siblings, #2))-

*

The anniversary was in two days and everything was going according to the plan. Because it was a private event with only family and business associates invited, the lawn of the Zaeef mansion was enough. The event planners worked with Amyrah and Aanabia to execute a perfect plan for the evening while Vardah worked on the security. Zamaairah, Kayan and Yazdan helped with the food items while the rest helped here and there.

The parent and grandparent Zaeef's were strictly not allowed to help out, letting the children handle everything. Their only duty was as babysitters of Kavyaan, Kashaf and Yasharah.

"Anyone seen Sahl?"

Zamaairah looked up from the kitchen counter where she was marinating chicken wings, to see an unfamiliar person standing by the door. She was gorgeous with hazel eyes, black hair that fell to her waist and wore an oversized t-shirt with jeans.

"Outside." Zamaairah replied, pointing to the door before frowning. I don't think I know her.

"Thank you." With that (and without introduction), the woman walked out of the kitchen. Zamaairah frowned for a moment before shrugging and going back to her work. The kids (and Karmaan) wanted to eat chicken wings so she decided to make them. Humming softly, she went back to work.

She was done in under half an hour after which, she called the kids and Karmaan to have lunch. While the Qaidah was over looking their lunch, Zamaairah headed outside to meet Vardah.

Somehow after helping Zamaairah put up the lights outside that day, Vardah had stuck around with her. They had become friends really quickly and she found that Vardah was a rather blunt person.

"Hi." Zamaairah saw Vardah walking towards the west wing, with a furious look on her face. While Zamaairah preferred more of aesthetic colored clothing's and hijab, Vardah preferred a more monochrome color; specifically black.

The black attire of hers did nothing but make the entire expression look more, murderous.

"What's wrong with you?" Zamaairah turned around to see Amyrah staring at Vardah too.

"Who is that woman?" Zamaairah and Amyrah exchanged glances and turned back to Vardah.

"What woman?" Vardah let out a deep breath and pointed towards the path she just walked, rather stalked through.

"The woman with a bright personality and black hair and good lord, why is she so happy?" Vardah shuddered visibly making Amyrah stare at her before bursting into laughter. The same one I met in the kitchen?

"Was she by chance, looking for Sahl?" Zamaairah decided to take the chance. I mean if I have to die, might as well die while satisfying my curiosity. Vardah glowered.

"The same one." She bit out and by then, Amyrah sobered up.

"Come on, I'll introduce you two to her." The woman walked ahead of them. Zamaairah and Vardah exchanged looks before following her.

They walked towards the backyard where the boys were playing basketball. Zamaairah immediately looked for Safwah and saw him running after Kayan.

"Zuwailah!" Amyrah called out and Zamaairah's eyes turned to see the woman turning to them from the middle of the game. She was the only female playing.

"Yes Bhabhi?" she called out and Amyrah gestured for her to come over. The woman turned to the boys and yelled something before all eyes were on Amyrah. Safwah however, as soon as he saw Zamaairah, grinned. The boys coughed lightly, looking everywhere but at Safwah or Zamaairah.

Zamaairah saw it but ignored it. Probably them just teasing. Her attention diverted back to Zuwailah who was now standing in front of them, glistening under the sun.

At this point, Zamaairah was convinced this woman was ethereal.

"Meet Vardah Siddique, our chief of security." Amyrah introduced Vardah who smiled forcefully at Zuwailah. Zuwailah on the other hand, grinned back at her.

"Ah so that's your name."

"You've met?" Amyrah questioned while Zamaairah watched the interaction with keen interest.

"Yeah. I was held up by the security this morning and she came in. She said I had no verification so I can't enter. I had to call Sahl to verify for me." Vardah rolled her eyes.

"I was doing my job."

"I know. It's okay. Sahl always has my back."

"And I'll have your neck," Zamaairah heard Vardah whisper under her breath. If they weren't standing so close, she wouldn't have heard it. She stifled a laugh just as Zuwailah turned to her.

"And this is Zamaairah." Zamaairah smiled.

"Chief of culinary?" Zuwailah questioned her and Amyrah frowned.

"Chief of culinary?"

"Yeah. I saw her in the kitchen making food so I assumed she was working." Zamaairah could only smile insecurely as her heart ached. They don't know about Safwah and just because one new woman said it, doesn't mean you are any less family, Zama. Even without Safwah, you are still family.

"You girls wanna play?" before anyone could correct her, Kayan called out to them. Amyrah nodded back slyly before turning to the girls. She turned to answer Zuwailah but Kayan calling her distracted her.

"Lets go." She said pulling the two of them to the game. Vardah smirked at Zamaairah who laughed.

"I don't understand what that smile means but I sure as hell know its nothing good."

"Right." Vardah winked.

"Vardah and Zama, my team." Safwah called out and the two girls walked over to him and Yazdan.

"Alright then. Amyrah, Zuwailah and Sahl in mine." Kayan said. "We are switching to volleyball by the way."

Zamaairah turned to Safwah who grinned at her.

"Stay close." Zamaairah rolled her eyes at his protectiveness.

"I can play well, thank you very much."

"Lets go!" it was Kayan's team to serve first. Zamaairah felt relieved that she was dressed in an oversized t-shirt and sweats with a hijab, else running would be very much restricted.

The ball flew up in the sky as it came spiraling towards Vardah who hit it with equal force. It went to the other side and Zuwailah fell to the floor trying to hit but to no avail. It bounced perfectly on their side, getting Vardah a score.

Vardah grinned and turned to Zamaairah who laughed, high fiving her. The latter had a feeling there was more to the game than what it seemed. The game has began.

***

By the time they had finished playing, it was late in the afternoon. Kayan's team lost by a large margin much to their distaste. Everyone departed to shower, change and pray while agreeing to meet after dinner for another get together session.

Safwah showered and changed into a pair of sweats and t-shirt before heading out of the bathroom, drying his slightly longer hair. Really need a haircut.

He settled on the chair, overlooking the balcony of his room in thought mainly about Zamaairah. The events of the afternoon played in his head like a broken record. Her laughter, her smiles and damn that girl can play. He also didn't miss how well his t-shirt fits her, an unknown warmth spreading through him making him chuckle.

His phone vibrated with a message, effectively breaking his trance. He picked it up to see Karmaan messaging on the group. Magrib at the prayer room now. We are waiting. With a sigh, Safwah stood up and began his journey downstairs to the prayer room.

Three hours and a lot of things later, Safwah let out a frustrated sigh when he was asked to shift for the millionth time.

"Just sit down!" he muttered but still shifted to the other side of the circle. It seemed that as the numbers added on, he was the one who had to shift. Yazdan set with his wife and Kayan with his while Zuwailah, not so bluntly, called dibs on Sahl. Safwah frowned at their interaction but said nothing. If he likes her, he likes her. It's not like I can make him like someone else anyway.

"As salaam alaikum," immediately Safwah's head snapped up to Zamaairah, smiling at them. He replied her salutations and watched her walk over. Vardah followed her and Karmaan shifted to leave two chairs between Safwah and himself. The women took seats in between.

"Why are you late?" Karmaan questioned Vardah who shrugged off her black jacket. Its really hot and she still wears a jacket. See, psychopath. As if Zamaairah could read his thoughts, he caught her eyes that clearly said stop. He grinned at her sheepishly.

"She's wearing jacket in the middle of Australia heat, if that's not psycho then I don't know what is." Safwah whispered making Zamaairah roll her eyes.

"In case you didn't know, she's on duty tonight." Zamaairah replied.

"I don't want to know. Tell my brother that but right now, I highly doubt he wants to know anything about anyone else," Safwah gestured to Sahl who was having a conversation with Zuwailah and the two of them seemed pretty invested in it. Zamaairah smiled.

"At least he's having the time of his life."

"What are you wearing for the anniversary party?" she was caught off guard with his question. Was that a weird question?

"Clothes I guess?" her reply made Safwah laugh genuinely.

"I know, Zum, I know. I meant what color?" Zamaairah thought for a moment before throwing him a sly grin.

"You'll find out." She knew exactly why he wanted to know but there was no way she was risking her relationship with Safwah to be exposed just because he wanted to wear matching clothes.

"Alright. Anyone up for scrabble?" Safwah shrugged and leaned onto his chair as he watched his siblings react to his sisters question. Kulthum set in the middle by the large bonfire-pit-converted-table with scrabble opened on it.

"You not going to play?" his eyes twinkled at Zamaairah's question while he said nothing. Wait, my love. He held out his hands towards Zamaairah who stared at him.

"Your hand," he said and she looked around frantically. Surely if anyone saw us, this would be scandalous. Instead of taking her hand, he simply let his touch hers on the arm of the chair.

Zamaairah saw this and smiled softly saying nothing. The two of them set in comfortable silence until it was broken by Karmaans voice. Zamaairah looked at Safwah in alarm who shrugged with a knowing smirk.

"See. That is not even a word!"

"Just because you don't know it's a word, doesn't mean it isn't."

"I agree with Karmaan."

"Hey!"

"HEY!"

"Wallahi!"

"Good lord no!"

"Why are they arguing?" Zamaairah questioned, leaning up from her chair to see the commotion better. The brothers, Kulthum, Zuwailah and Amyrah were playing scrabble while Aanabia and Vardah were on their chairs, merely taking in the drama.

"Sahl must have used a word that the rest don't know and hence the commotion." Safwah explained. It happens every time they try to play a game of scrabble. Sahl has an advanced vocabulary than any of us, which is why.

Zamaairah let out a soft laugh, melodic as Safwah turned to her with glittering eyes. You are so beautiful.

"Ah right. I wanted to ask if you've had any panic attacks recently? Or anxiety attacks?" he questioned and she shook her head.

"Not recently." Safwah smiled, satisfied with the answer. He didn't retract his hands from her chair and she didn't say anything about it.

"Alright guys. Cut it out. This is why we don't play scrabble!" Yazdan, being the mature one spoke effectively silencing everyone else. Karmaan glared at Sahl who glared back. Safwah, seeing this, decided to add a few cents of his own.

"It's not your fault Karmaan. Sahl eats a dictionary for breakfast, don't stress it." At his words, Sahl turned to glare at his twin as the others burst out in laugher. The mood changed from tensed into a light one immediately.

"And that's how we diffuse the situation." Safwah said, standing up and stretching.

"Are they always this competitive?" Vardah questioned from where she stood. Safwah turned to her and frowned. I thought she was with us the whole time. No?

"Yes. We are born in the family where competitive streaks run high. You should have known from the games we've played." Safwah informed her, politely this time (it may have something to do with Zamaairah raising an eyebrow at him, making him polite).

"Ah." Vardah muttered with a secretive smile. Safwah knew she was up to no good but didn't question her. Despite his dislike for the woman, he knew she'd never compromise her family's security.

"Alright. Enough for one night, guys. Let's head inside." Aanabia said as she stood up. Yazdan immediately walked over to his wife and held her hands. Zamaairah watched them with a soft smile while Safwah watched her. His eyes followed her gaze and a feeling of guild crept into his heart. We cannot be that, even if she wanted it.

****

Hellooo. As salaamu alaikum, my panda's!! 

Hope you all are doing well. :)

| R - C - V |

xx,

Aalihha.