Rehan's P.O.V

"Kis ka phone tha?"   (Who's phone was it?)  Baba asked Ahad Khalu. He had gotten so weak, the man who would be able to do almost everything was now bound to his bed, as every single bone hurt. I breathed out heavily as I held onto his tightly afraid that if I did let go, he would disappear.

Khalu forced a smile on his face, "Mahi ka tha, Roza ki shaadi ke thayaari ke li jaaldi aan parda." (It was Mahi, she is here early to help with Roza's wedding preparations.) Mahi is here? Azlaan didnt tell me that she was planning to come back home as well.

"Usko pata hain mera baare mein?" (Does she know about me?) Baba asked looking slightly concerned. All of us turned to look at Khalu as he asked this question, Khalu took a deep breath in as if he was getting ready to lie, "Ahad."

"Ji," (Yes) The one word sent the room to silence, "I told her to stay at home though, I know she wants to come to see you Bhai but the cir-"

"She still was something of mine before the divorce." Baba cut him off in anger, "She was my first niece and the light of every room. I do not care about that stuff, and you know that so why would you ask her to stay away from here?" He was right, it was not fair of Khalu and Khala to do that to Mahi, before the marriage, before the divorce, she had a role in this family too, just as much as her own.

"Baba," I try to calm him down, "Khalu, if you are keeping her away because of me, then don't."

"Rehan," Khala said, "I just thought-" Of course it. was her idea. It is not like I am unaware of how she. has. been. treating Mahi after the divorce. Jannah and Roza tell me everything, and I find it truly baffling how cruel she has been to her.

"Khala," I say firmly, "I am telling you, as well as Baba and Amma, let her come." Khala shrunk back at my tone, and Khalu almost broke into a smile as he saw me still defending her. Mahi and I may not have the same relationship as we did before, and yes there are complications between us but that did not mean I was about to let our families bully her or hurt her in anyway.

"Right," Khala whispered as Amma rubbed my back comfortingly.

"Sajal," Amma said her name softly, "Woh saab ki laadli hai, toh kyu usko itna tang karti ho?" (She is everyone's favorite, why do you bother her so much?)

"Sorry," Khala said to us, "I was just thinking for the betterment of the situation."

"Keeping her away will worsen it." Amma said, "And especially if she knows, I can only imagine how much she wants to come here and see Zaid. You know how close they are." There is another truth. Baba and she have always been super close, even after the divorce, I do not understand what is going through. Khala's mind right now, because it is all wrong.

"Let me call her," Khalu said letting out a relief sigh. His smile slightly fell, "She isnt answering," She probably thinks it was me who asked her to stay. away. I stand up gently pulling my hand out of Baba. "Rehan?" Khalu called my name, as I began to walk out of the. room. "Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back," I say brushing off his question, but everyone in that room knew exactly where I was going. . .

To Mahi. 

.  . .

Mahinoor's P.O.V.

After having my second mental breakdown since I came back home, I decided to take a hot shower to relax myself, as well as to mask my red swollen eyes from all the crying I had done. I just wrapped a towel around my body and walked out of the bathroom when I heard. Rehan's voice frantically calls my name and knocks on the front door.  

"Mahinoor!" He yelled through the wooden door as he slammed his fist against it harshly, "Mahinoor, open the door."

Panicking I grab a robe close by to cover myself, rush down the stairs, and open the door, "What?" I ask scared, "What happened? Is Khalu okay?"

Rehan grabbed my arm and pulled me back inside of my own house ignoring my questions. "Rehan!" I say taking my arm out of his grip, "I am asking you something, why are you not answering?" This was no joke, my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest due to how fast it was beating. 

"Baba is fine, I am here to bring you to him." What the fuck? Am I some sort of package? I take a step back from him as I pull my robe closer to my body ashamed at the state I was in standing infront of him. "Khalu told us that Khala asked him to tell you to stay here even though you flew in early after learning. about his health condition. Baba wants to see you, Mahi."

I nodd, "I-I" Breathing in heavily, "Just give me five minutes."

"Yeah,"

Rushing upstairs I throw on some sweats, and put my hair up in a bun before running back downstairs. "Let's go." 

"You first." He said gesturing me to go infront of him. Awkwardly walking past him, I try to mentally brace myself as to what I am about to walk into. It has been so long since I had seen any. of them, the last I had visited Amma kept me bound to our house, and it felt so wrong that she kept me hidden in my room. 

I wanted to see Rizwan, Jannah Api's son and wanted to see Nayab, Aryan Bhai's daughter. I. had seen both of them when they were so little, I bet they had no memory of me whatsoever. 

Rehan and I walked down the street in silence, "When did you come here?" I asked wanting to. fill in the awkwardness of everything. 

"Yesterday morning," He answered, 

"Right,"

"When did you find out about Baba?" He asked, 

"Um, last night." I answered, "Roza told me, and Amma was already asking me to come down earlier because Roza's wedding was only weeks away. I was avoiding it because. . ."I stop myself from oversharing, "Work wouldn't allow me." Translation, Amma was and probably is going to drive me crazy the entire time I am here. 

Rehan thankfully didn't push the matter, but instead held the door open for me, as we walked inside their house. Memories began to flood my mind, as I looked around, each corner of this house held a special memory for me, I didn't think that it would be so overstimulating. . .

"Mamu!" Rizwan said rushing over to Rehan as he clung to his legs. My heart skipped a beat, he is so cute. . ."Where did you go?"

Rehan leaned down and lifted him up, "I went to go get your Khala." Rizwan looked over at me smiling, "This is your Mahi Khala."

"Hi!" He waved his cute little hand in the air, "Wow, you're so pretty Khala!" I blushed, kids dont have a filter, do they? "Right Mamu?"

"Yeah," He agreed, 

"Hi," I whispered gently touching his face, "You are no less handsome Mister."

He giggled, "Thank you,"

"Hey!" A little girl said storming into the room, "Thaya, you were holding him this morning now it's my turn." This must be Nayab. "Thaya!"

"Stop being a sore loser," Rizwan said to her causing her to pout.

 I lean down to her height, "I can lift you if you want," 

"Who are you?" Ouch, 

"Mahi Khala," I say,  "I am your dad's younger sister."  

Nayab looked over at Rehan who nodded, a small smile took over her face as she extended her arms for me, "Okay Khala!" I lift her up in my arms, "See I'm not a sore loser, right Khala?'"  

"No," I chuckled, as we both began walking to Zaid Khalu's room. Nayab kept looking at my face intently, "What's up?"

She smiled shyly at me before resting her head on my shoulder. Rehan and I entered the room, and it felt. as if everyone's eyes were on us right away. "As-Salaam-Alaikum," I greet everyone hesitantly as I set Nayab on the ground. 

"Wa-Alaikum-Assalam," Kinza Khala said smiling at me, before pulling me in a tight hug. "Kaisi ho tum?"  (How are you?)

"Theek," (Fine) I whisper, "Aap?" (you?)

"Tum aagi ho, tu theek hoon." (Now that you are here, I am better.) She replied as she pulled away. I smile softly at her, as Jannah Api, Jamal Bhai, Aryan Bhai, and Mehru Bhabhi greet me. I slowly. make my way to Khalu who was. watching me carefully the whole time. 

I swallow harshly as I sit down beside him taking his hand in mine away, "Khalu," I didnt want to cry, but unintentionally my voice broke, "Kya kar liya aapne?"(What has happened?) I had always told him to take care of himself but he always took care of others before himself.  

He squeezes my hand almost comfortingly, when in reality it was him who needs comfort, "Tum nahi thi naa, isliye yeh hua." (You weren't here, that's why I fell sick) I giggle softly at his hand to wipe my tears. "I'll be fine as long as my family is here with me." He had completely thinned out. The once large man, who had the power to fill the room with his humor and light, was now dimmed out by the sickness that had begun to consume him from the inside. 

"I'm here Khalu," I promise him. "Anything you need, just call me, I'll come running."  During these past few years, he has been my biggest supporter, and there is nothing that I won't do for him now that he needs me. . .

Nothing. 

. . .

"Mahi!" Jannah Api said calling my name as I helped Khala set the table for everyone, as it was close to dinner time now.

"Yeah?" I say looking up at her,

"Have you seen all of Roza's outfits?" The answer is no, because before. I could Amma began spazzing at me.

I shake my head, "No, I haven't. That is one of the reasons I am here early as well, we all know Roza's taste in clothes is a little-"

"Hey!" Roza protested, "Api, stop."

Jannah Api and laugh together at her constant denial of having a bad choice in clothing. I swear even when we were younger she used to come out of her room wearing four different types of patterns. "Okay," I say quickly not wanting her to have a meltdown right here, "Come have a seat here, Api and I will bring the rest of the dishes." I interrupt her as the two of us walk back into the kitchen. 

"She is still such a baby," Api smiled lovingly, "I have no idea how Salaar is going to handle her."

"Agreed," I lift up the last of the dishes and follow her out. "Speaking of babies, Rizwan and Nayab have gotten so big."

Her smile broadened even more, "I know, they are only a year apart but at times it feels like Nayab has more maturity than he does."

"Girls tend to build one at an earlier age," Amma said scaring the two of us as she appeared out of nowhere. Her eyes met mine, "Or so I thought." Ouch. 

"Amma," Roza said her name disappointed, "Stop.'

"What did I say?" She asked acting oblivious to the fact that she totally called me immature, "All I said-"

"Amma!" I snap, "Seriously stop."  She raised an eyebrow at me, "We are at someone's house, I really do not need you to remind me that I am a fucking divorcee."

"Mahi-"

"Just STOP!" My hands shook in anxiousness, "I came here to help you with Roza's wedding, and I am here for my khalu. You are ruining our relationship Amma with this constant blaming." She sat back shocked, "Do you even hear me saying ever that I want to come back for you? No." I question and answer for her, "Because you make my life hell, why do you not do the same for Rehan?"

She had no answer. 

"Mahi," Rehan said my name softly. 

This was all his fucking fault. My own mother has turned against me thinking that I hurt him, anger tears blurred my vision, "Fuck off." I spat out so venomously that I failed to recognize my voice.  The room fell silent, "I hate you Rehan."

"Mahi!"

"I hate you too!" I snapped at her. 

"Mahinoor!" Baba grabbed my arm roughly turning me to face him. "Apologize now."

"Baba do you not see-" I cannot beleive he is not taking my side right now. I was so happy, so happy I was able to see everyone again until Amma had to step in with her jabs. 

"Apologize!" He yelled cutting me off.

 I flinched back at his tone, "Baba," I whispered, "I didnt do anything!" 

'This is all your fucken fault!' Rehan's voice echoed in my ears. 'If you just had listened to me.' I covered my ears with my hands wanting to drown out his voice.  'It's all your fault!'

"I didnt do anything!" I repeated, and suddenly I felt a stinging sensation spread across my cheek, as my head turned to the side slightly because of the unexpected blow. 

"Ahad!" Zaid Khalu exclaimed, "What are you doing?"

My hand came to touch the sensitive skin on my. cheek, as I looked up at him with instant regret in his eyes, "Mahi," He reached over but I took a step back not wanting to be touched. My eyes met Rehan's who kept quiet in the corner. . . "Mahi,"

Rushing out of the dining room, I ran out of the house. . .into the coldness of the night, and kept running. . .running. . .having no idea where to go. . .

But all I knew was I didnt want to be there. . .

Anywhere but there.