I skipped the stairs in between to get down faster, and my pace quickened as all I heard was dead silence below. Inaya had taken it upon herself to lead Kainaat back to our room, so there was one less thing I could worry about.

And then, I saw him.

Abaan stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His hair were shorter than ever and a wave of nostalgia hit me when I looked him. His well-groomed physique was now a bit more mascular, and when he turned, his face did not have that madness which I last saw three years ago.

I stood between dad and Tayajaan, and crossed my arms,

"Abaan."

He looked up and nodded my way. My father inhaled a sharp breath and asked,

"Why are you here?"

Abaan shrugged, "It's my sister's wedding?"

I balled my fists and tried to calm myself down, "Did she ask for you?"

He closed his eyes and started again, "Zaidaan, she is my only sister. Our only sister."

And despite myself, something in me moved, and for a minute I let my guard down. But then I remembered the way he had pointed a gun at me, at his own brother, at his own flesh and blood, and the ounce of mercy that entered me just faded away.

I turned around and walked away, letting the elders handle the situation. I did not have the heart to be harsh, I did not have all that energy left. And he was right, it was our only sister's wedding. And I was no one to throw him out and create a scene just days before my Inaya's wedding.

As I reached my room, I entered to find a wide awake Kainaat,

"What happened?"

I sighed and closed the door behind me, "He's here. And you have nothing to be worried about. Please, do not stress yourself out,"

I hurried to add before she could worry and ask questions. I didn't know why, but for some reason, for once in ages, looking at Abaan didn't make me feel the fear I felt for my wife.

For once, a part of me assured me that maybe, just maybe, my brother had been returned his humane heart from wherever he had lost it.

Then again, it could be wishful thinking.

***

The next morning left us with five days to the wedding, and two days before the guests started pouring in. Since it Kainaat belonged to both sides, she was still confused as to which side she belonged,

"I actually should be at my home you know, it's my only maamu's only child's wedding."

I shot her a smirk and said, "And it's also your only husband's only sister's wedding too."

Inaya, who was seated across us, guffawed at my words,

"poor Bhabhi."

Kainaat rolled her eyes, "No, I'm just gonna be enjoying the fun from both the sides. See, I can hide Sami Bhai's shoes and get money, and I can also not let him get to his room and demand money again. The only poor person is going to him, me and Fariyal will take all the money."

Inaya laughed, "I support you. If I could, I'd refuse to be in his room until he pays you."

The duo high-fived, and I shook my head, wondering how cruel these two could get for poor Sami.

We were seated in the living room and Inaya and Kainaat were discussing the hall decors. Husna and Fariyal were taking up the responsibility of the decorations on the Walima and Haldi on their side, and Kainaat and my mum, under Inaya's commands, were to keep everything perfect on the day of her Nikah and Rukhsati, and Haldi on our side. The Mehendi function, it was decided would be conducted at our home, and both the families would be under the same roof. Husna was, I had heard, going nuts about the preparations and would be coming over the next day to assist with the mehendi function.

Muskaan was running around the house, exploring how big it is, and was the life of her grandparents' eyes. Mehek was quietly asleep beside Kainaat, and her mother's palm was gently placed on her tiny tummy.

"Muskaan," I called out when I saw her running in circles, "Be careful!"

She spared me half a glance, shooting a toothy grin, "Okay, Dadda!"

The almost three year old had many names to call me, and I fondly shook my head, before panic surged through me as I saw her loose balance and fall.

Kainaat had seen it too, and was up on her feet in seconds.

But before either of us could reach her, two arms caught her before she could face the ground.

I stood in my place, unable to move as Abaan lifted her up in his arms, and in a tone that previously did not belong to him, he asked her,

"Are you okay, Muskaan?"

My daughter's lips were nearly wobbling, but at Abaan's warm expression, she nodded at him.

He then walked to me and handed Muskaan to me, and I caressed her hair, pecking the top of her head.

With that, he nodded in Kainaat's way with his gaze lowered, acknowledging her presence and she took a step back in shock, while Inaya blinked in surprise,

"Oh."

I shot my sister a glare, and that shut her up.

Muskaan stared at Abaan and extended her hand, showing her gratitude. The guy in question, her father, was taken aback by the action and not knowing what to do, stood in a stance, wondering if he should touch her again.

Seeing his hesitance, I gave him a look of encouragement, and Kainaat muttered,

"You can, you know..." she trailed of.

And Abaan hastily, but gently, took Muskaan's hand in his. And when she smiled, he gace her a small, almost guilty smile, and kissed the back of her hand,

"You're beautiful,"

There was more that he wanted to say, it was evident on his face, but he let go of his child's hand, and turned his back to us, walking away.

Moments of silence passed before Kainaat took a shaky breath,

"Did he change?"

Inaya snorted behind us, "No, its all a show, I refuse to believe him."

I turned to her, "Go a bit soft, Inaya."

Anger rose up in her, her cheeks turning pink, "But why, all he ever-"

She stopped at my look, and huffed, before sighing and shaking her head,

"Okay, forget this. Muskaan, darling, come to phuppujaan."

Muskaan walked up to her when Inaya waved a bar of chocolate, and as Kainaat joined them, her question swirled in my head, along with the discreet whisper Abaan thought no one could hear when he let go of Muskaan's hand, which no one heard, except me,

I'm sorry.

And yet again, my heart couldn't decide on my brother.

***

"Kainaat!"

"Husna!"

I looked up as the two ran into each other, hugging the life out of each other and squealing like never before. I rolled my eyes and smiled, standing up to greet Husna.

Husna gripped Kainaat's shoulder's and analyzed her, "I missed you."

Kainaat pouted, "I missed you more, Husna! Oh my god, there's so much to tell-"

"Is that Muskaan?"

Husna's face formed an expression that could only say she would cry any minute. And in all her excitement, she picked up the toddler in her arms and kissed her face, scaring the child in the process. Before she could cry, Kainaat calmed her down and Husna placed a hand on her heart,

"This feels so surreal."

She then looked up to find my amused gaze, and sheepishly grinned, "Salaam, Zaidaan Bhai."

I chuckled and replied to her salam, before she proceeded to meet Inaya.

Once all the greetings had been passed, and my mother had stuffed Husna with sweets, she finally sat down amidst us.

Kainaat immediately held her hand, "Why did you not come when we returned? Why did you and dadijaan have to stay back?"

I leaned forward to listen to Husna's voice, her voice was naturally always lowered,

"Dadijaan was sick," She answered, before hurrying to add, "She's okay, nothing to worry about. We didn't want to tell you as soon as you landed back in the country." The guilt in her voice was evident, and I nodded reassuringly.

Muskaan had slowly warmed up to Husna, and soon enough, the three of them got to work, arranging everything per the next day's function.

Husna was a good interior decorator, having designed many of the theatre stages in her university. Husna had become a source of poetry, and I sometimes teased her by calling her a walking poetry wikipedia.

"So, Husna," I started as Kainaat handed her a glass of juice, and she carefully put Mehek beside her,

"What do you plan on doing next?"

She shrugged at my question, "Nothing, I'm done with masters too. I really don't wanna do anything right now,"

Me and Kainaat chuckkled at her response, and Kainaat nudged her,

"Isn't mamma getting you any rishtas?"

She rollled her eyes in response, gulping a sip before saying, "Don't get me started. Tayijaan is extra excited to introduce me to aunties in this wedding."

"And you?" Kainaat asked.

Husna shook her head a 'no', closing the topic entirely as she stopped Kainaat from arguing.

Inaya backed her up, "Husna should marry whenever she likes. Besides, it's not like she'll ever look old, she just keeps looking younger everytime I see her."

"You flatter me now just because you want me to send you Sami Bhai's pics."

I raised my eyebrows at that, and Inaya shoved Husna as the rest of us laughed.

If there was one person who never changed, then it was Husna. Despite everything, she was still the plain old, talk-less do-more, Husna. And to some extent that was a relief to Kainaat, for having someone she could crack old jokes with, apart from me.

As the sky dimmed and excitement for the festivities increased with the arrival of Asma Baji, and her kids, and the rest of my family from both the sides, Husna proceeded to go back to her home. Once she was gone, Kainaat let out a deep breath, a small smile lingering on her face.

I took note of how much more fresh she looked once she had met Husna, and happier too, and I held her hands in mine, turning her to face me,

"What is it about being with Husna that leaves you looking brighter?'

At my direct question, Kainaat cocked an eyebrow, "Why, is someone jealous?"

I rolled my eyes, "Why would I be jealous of your best friend of all people?"

Snickering under her breath, she let go of my hands and turned,

"Because you think she makes me happier?"

"I didn't say that."

She gave me a pointed look, "You did."

I shrugged, "I just said you look brighter, I mean, you're glowing.."

Kainaat gasped, "You mean, I generally don't glow?"

Putting a hand to my face, I started walking away, "Forget I even asked."

She laughed, following me, "Oh c'mon!"

The night was yet to fall, but as Muskaan figured her mammam was laughing, she joined in on the fun, and careful to not wake little Mehek up, the three of us silently chuckled until I somehow fell asleep, watching them play.

***

HEY GUYS!

Okay, I know the chapter is short but this is all that could be there in it, as of now. Im sorry about that, but heyyyy we have so many things left!

awh, we're going so fast with this book mashaAllah, please do keep commenting and voting for faster updates!

Alright, so I just posted the copyright, cast and synopsis of my book that I will be writing after Zaidaan and Kainaat's story, InShaAllah.

(don't worry, we haven't reached the end yet ;))