Mahinoor's P.O.V.

"Sh," I hushed Shehnaaz as she screamed at the top of her lungs as Tejo finally got the time to shower. Rocking her calmly as best as I could, I walked over to the door of her bathroom, "Tejo, is she hungry?"

"Probably," She called through the noise of the water running, "There is a formula bottle prepared in the fridge just warm it up."

"Okay," I reply, Naaz's cries got louder the further I got from her mother's room. "Please," I whispered to her slowly getting overwhelmed by her cries.  Grabbing the bottle out of the fridge. I quickly warm it up in the bottle warmer, and sit down on the couch. Naaz struggled in my arms, but I finally got her adjusted and rubbed the nipple of the bottom gently across her lips when she realized it was food, she quickly latched on and greedily began to drink. Sighing in contentment I leaned back on the couch as she lulled herself to sleep, as she drank the bottle.

I looked down at her, as she knows was completely calm, compared to the chaos she was merely a minute before I had no idea how Tejo handled her, but. . there were moments where all I felt was anxiousness as I handled her. This was the only moment Tejo had left me alone with her but still... it was a lot.

I gently took the nipple out of her mouth, readjusting her so her head was on my shoulder and I rubbed her back. The house looked really good, it was perfect just the way Tejo had planned,  and. there was still an hour before Bhai brought her back home, and forty minutes before the guests began to pule in. Walking around the house. with her in my arms, I admired the family pictures they had taken a few months ago. . .

I remember that I wanted to do a cute couple photoshoot with Rehan but. . .he had decided against it.

There was a lot that Rehan never wanted to do, and there was a lot that he began to not like about me too It was all sudden as if he lost . .

Tejo's phone suddenly went off disrupting the. peace. I had just begun cherishing, rushing over with Naaz in my arms I quickly answered it without looking at the ID not wanting to. wake her up again. "Hello?" I say quickly.

"Nehmat," It was as if time stopped. . . I could recognize his voice from anywhere, "I just wanted to let you know that Azlaan and I are keeping true to the schedule and are about to pick Jiya up from her friend's house to take her to the mall." Unwillingly my heart began to race, "Have the guests begun to come in yet?"

Rehan. . .I hadn't heard his voice in over a year. "Hello?"  I didn't know if he knew I was going to be there because Tejo had definitely not told me that he was with Bhai. "Nehmat,  can you hear me?"

Quickly turning around I speed walk over to the bathroom and slide the phone underneath the door. "Who is it?" Tejo asked curiously but I kept quiet as I walked away into Naaz's room. Gently laying her down in her crib, I shut the door softly.

'Just get the hell away from me Mahi!" Old memories flashed through my mind. 

'It's all your fucken fault!' My heart rate sped up as my Apple watch began beeping. It helped me watch my anxiety, 'Why did you not listen to me!'

"Mahi," Tejo came to kneel infront of me concerned, "Mahi, tum theek ho?" (Mahi, are you okay?) Her voice came through as if she was speaking in slow motion. "Mahinoor!"

Sobs began racking my body,  as Tejo hugged me tightly in only her towel.  "I'm here Mahi," She whispered wrapping her arms around me tighter.  "I'm here." I clung to her, as her voice was the only thing that was making it through my mind. "I got you." I do not know how long we both sat there, but all I know is that even after a whole year,  I was not ready to meet him. I couldn't, not after how everything ended. . .

Gathering myself after a little while I decided to leave before everyone came, especially Rehan.

"Tell her, I'm sorry." I say to Tejo as I grab my back, "Give her my present, and let me know if she likes it."

Tejo smiled at me sadly, "Don't worry, I will." Breathing out shakily I hugged her one last time and began walking to the door when the doorbell rang. "That must be the guests." She said, "One second."

She quickly unlocked the door and revealed, Bhai's mom. "Tejo!" Oh no, how will I leave now? She hugged her tightly and greeted her with love. "I love the idea of a surprise party for our little baby," Her gaze met mine, "Oh it is amazing that you are here Mahi!" She rushed over to me and hugged me just as tight.

I look over at Tejo desperately who has a defeated look on her face. . .I am so stuck here.

I just hope I do not break down, how I did before. .  Not in front of him.

.  . .

We all were hiding in the designated spots that Rejo had given us as we heard Bhai unlock the front doors as we heard the door open we all jumped out in the open and said "Suprise!"

Naaz giggled clapping her hands and she ran over to Jiya who seemed to be emotional. She leaned down lifting Naaz into her embrace hugging her tightly. "I don't know what to say," she said quietly looking over at Bhai she began to cry who wrapped his girls in his arms in a tight embrace as Tejo ran over to them to join her family. We all clapped for them and then it happened. My gaze met Rehan's as he was already looking over at me. My chest began to seize up again, just as tightly as it did when I heard his voice over the phone.

Furrowing my eyebrows I took a deep breath in as my nails dug into my palm I clenched my fist as tightly as I could to keep a sense of my reality. "Thank you." I heard Jiya say alittle more confidentially. It snapped us out of the weird place that we had gone to. Breathing out heavily, I softly smiled as Jiya came around to hug everyone she smiled brightly at me before hugging me tightly. "I love you, Massi." She was a smart girl. She stopped calling me Chachi a year ago and resorted to calling me Massi.

"I love you too," I said back to her kissing her cheek gently. "Love the blush by the way." I winked at her causing her to laugh.

"See Baba?" Jiya teased him, "Only you and Chachu have a problem with my makeup." Of course, Rehan had to agree with his best friend instead of educating him with logic. Jiya is heading into her teens letting her experiment with a little bit of makeup won't harm anybody.

Bhai playfully rolled his eyes at her before encouraging everyone to grab a drink or something to eat before we cut the cake. Bhai came over to me followed by Rehan and said "Thank you for helping Tejo with Naaz."

Rehan took out his phone avoiding speaking to me.

Nothing new there. 

"She's my niece too," I said smiling at him. "But I do have to get going Bhai." I wanted to leave. "I was promised by work I wouldn't be disturbed but I have to go back and grab some papers to grade for tommorow."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "At least stay for cake."

"I-"

"Leave it Azlaan." Rehan interrupted our conversation. "She has been here long enough hasn't she?" Ouch. "I mean helping with the decor and everything. I am sure she has other things to get to." Of course, he wanted me to leave. He hasn't said a word to me since he got here but he wants me to leave because I reminded him of the past he didn't want to be reminded of.

"Who's leaving?" Jiya said walking over to us. "Chachu?" She guessed.

"Massi," Bhai answered.

"Why?" She asked me, "Come on Massi, I just got here and I really want to open your present in front of you."

Inhaling sharply I say, "How can I say no to the birthday girl?" I know he wanted me to leave but this isn't his party. This wasn't his house and I wasn't a stranger here. I was just as much of a family as he was so...why am I running?

I won't run.

. . . 

After cutting the cake we all gathered in the living room as Jiya opened her gifts from all of us.

Jiya pulled out a new iPad gifted from Rehan who was smiling at her. "This is awesome!" She exclaimed getting up to hug Rehan. "Thank you Chachu how did you know I wanted this?"

"Remember what I have always told you?" Rehan smiles at her softly. "Heart too?" He lifted his hand up making half a heart.

"Heart," Jiya said finished holding up her hand against his. Rehan hugged them before she went on to open more. Next was ironically mind. It took me a while to make hers. Jiya slowly ripped the wrapping paper off of the photo frame and went quiet. It had taken me a whole two months to draw and paint this... 

Jiya turned the frame around and showed everyone. Tejo gasped covering her mouth...

It was a hand-drawn portrait of their family. "Mahi, that's beautiful." She said emotionally.

"This is the best present ever Massi." Jiya's voice trembled. She hugged me tightly, "I'll never forget this."

"I'm glad you liked it," I whispered to her.

Jiya went on to open the rest of the presents and thanked each and every one who got her something. Smiling at her excitement each time. I remember the time when Rosa and I couldn't wait for our birthdays because that meant we would finally get what we waited for all year.

"Remembering our childhood?" Tejo asked softly.

"Mhm." I hummed, "Those were the good old days am I right?"

She chuckled, "Definitely."

Everything was perfect, nothing went wrong. . . I don't know what we were all so eager to grow up for. I wish I could go back and time and really enjoy the moments I had with my family...

I really wish I could...when everything was perfect...when I didn't have Rehan in my life.

When I was just...

Mahinoor Ahad Ali.

. . .

"Tejo," I say softly as she feeds Naaz her bottle. "Mein jhaati hoon." (I am going.)

She nodded, "Thank you for everything."

"Stop thanking me," I say shaking my head. "You're my best friend, I got you."

She smiled, "I'll see you later."

"See ya." I smile at her as I walk away from her. Walking down the stairs I stop in front of Bhai and say, "Bye Bhai."

"Bye," Bhai said waving at me as I ignored Rehan. Walking out of their house I get to my car and throw my purse in the passenger seat. Pressing the start button, I wait for the car to start but instead k hear a weird engine sound. 

"What the hell," I mumble irritated at the stupid machine. I pressed it harder but it did the same thing. Stepping out of the car, I popped the hood and steam came out of it. I wave the smoke away from my face coughing as it got inside of my mouth. "Ew," I whine.  This cannot be happening right now. I want to go home.

Internally groaning I look around me. Walking back to their home I open the door and call out for Bhai. Who immediately comes to the door. "What's up?"

"Something is wrong with my car," I whine. "Can you please help me?"

He chuckled, "I unfortunately am not the car guy." He turned around, "Rehan." No. Rehan quickly appeared behind him his eyes found mine quickly.

"What?" He asked me directly. This was the first he spoke to me, not through anyone.

"My car." I said quietly, "There's something wrong with it."

Rehan sighed stepping out from behind him and walked out of my car without waiting for me. I followed behind him and handed him the keys. He tried starting it too but to no avail. Rehan stepped around to the front, "The motor is fried, when was the last time you got it serviced?" 

That was the thing I never had enough money to service my car after paying my rent and other things I had nothing left.  "It's been a while." I say sheepishly, "Why?"

Rehan rolled his eyes, "The motor is completely gone." He turned around to face me. "How have you been driving around?"

"It was fine this morning." I try to argue. "I didn't know that it was going to be like this now."

"Do you have a way to get home?" He asked me.

"I can just order an Uber," I say avoiding his gaze. "I'll have the tow truck take the car in the morning."

Rehan exhaled heavily holding out his car keys. I shake my head not wanting any favours from him. "No thanks." I take my phone out and quickly order an Uber.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes retracting his keys.  "Do what you want."

Of course. I walked past him and stood at the main gate waiting for my Uber. About five minutes later,  I got a text message about a cancellation. Groaning I shiver in the cold wind, I begin walking on the dark road. Bhai and Tejo's house was a 10-minute drive from my apartment making the walk about 25 minutes. I could make it but the fact that it was 12 o clock at night and it seemed like it was about to rain made the situation worse.

"Please." I whispered out loud, "Please don't-" and I felt a raindrop. Great, this is just what I needed. I didn't even have a jacket on, and my dress was made of cotton so it felt like the wind was going straight through my body.

Thanks, Allah Miyaji.

. . .

My mascara was now running down my cheeks, as the rain drizzled down on me. My teeth clattered against one another as I tried to keep myself warm by wrapping my arms around my body.  Suddenly a loud horn scared the absolute shit out of me. Covering my chest with my hand, I turn to see who it is, and low and behold it is Rehan. He drove up beside me, rolling down his window he said "Are you stupid?" He exclaimed, "What happened to your Uber?"

"Since when did you start caring about me?" I asked rolling my eyes at him. "Just keep driving Rehan." 

"Mahi." He said tiredly, parking the car he got out and grabbed my arm. "Get in the fucking car." he opened the back door and shoved me in.

"Ow!" I exclaim as he shuts the door in my face as he gets in he locks the door. "You could have been gentler."

"Learn how to listen."  He said before beginning to drive. "Where do you live?"

"Just turn left from here." I mumbled, "And you'll see an apartment complex."

"Fine."  The car ride was dead silent and he did exactly what I said. Quickly grabbed my things and stepped out quietly thanking him. He didn't say anything back not that I expected anything from him.  Even this supposed ride, after a year of not seeing each other and not speaking to each he had nothing to say nor did I.

Everything is finished... there is nothing left.