She was impatient about when she would get out of the plane and feel the ground again. Shehryaar kept comforting her and said that if she fell asleep she would be able to feel much better. But every time she closed her eyes and tried to relax herself, a nauseating feeling rolled in and she jerked her eyes open to prevent from throwing up.

After twenty hours of flight, the steward made an announcement that plane had reached San Francisco and it was going to land in ten minutes. Zoha was much relieved to hear the good news. She secured the seat belts and laxed back. Shehryaar kept the window blinds open. He said he loved looking out when the plane was landing. It was his favorite moment. Zoha could only look for couple of seconds and then she backed away, because it made her dizzy.

When the plane had fully landed, everyone unbuckled their belts and rose altogether in some sort of excitement of being back home or perhaps visiting California for the first time. Zoha's reaction was neutral. She was part confused and part lost in the newliness of everything. She looked out the window again and this time the plane was on the ground. She could see miniature people walking and driving the golf cart with packages stuffed in the back space. There was a set of stairs connected to one side of the plane.

"Zoha, you okay?" Shehryaar said as Zoha was gazing out the window while everyone was taking out their carry-on from the luggage compartment and heading down the aisle.

Zoha shook her thoughts and responded. "Yeah I am fine."

Shehryaar had already taken out the carry-on. He was holding the handle, waiting for Zoha. There was a queue of people standing behind him, looking over his shoulder to see what was causing the lack of movement.

"Let's go," he said, curtly smiling.

Zoha woke up from the seat and hesitantly walked out to the aisle.

"Ajeeb lagraha hai?"Shehryaar asked, leaning close into her ear and then following her eyes react to his question.

Zoha looked at him with bewilderment.

"I know exactly how you feel. But I promise you will feel better as soon as we get out." He grabbed her hand from her side and locked it in his grip.

When they reached the exit which was the entrance on the way in, they met with pretty stewardess, wearing a twinkling, sweet smile on her red lips, seeing everyone off the plane. Shehryaar gave her a smile and said thank you as he passed by her. She in return said, thank you for flying with us.

As they walked down the boarding tunnel, Zoha kept looking on the side, the view of the airport. Her first experience of riding in the plane was clung to her memory. She couldn't dismiss the feeling of flying above the clouds and feeling weightless. For a while she forgot about everything and got immersed in the new journey of her life. The tears in her eyes dried out and new sparkle of wonderment filled them. That's when she looked at Shehryaar and thought to herself, you were right. This change has already made a big difference to me. And it had to, because it took her away from things that saddened her.

As they reached the immigration, Shehryaar scanned Zoha's green card and spouse visa and then scanned his own American passport. When they were done, they went to collect their stuff. Shehryaar fetched a trolley and waited by the carousel. As soon as he saw his suitcase, he pulled it out on the side and placed it on the empty trolley. Zoha helped him point them out before they passed by them to make it easier.

"Do we get out after this?" Zoha asked, as she was tired of standing for a while.

"Yeah," Shehryaar said.

"Will we see barey abbu?"

"I hope we see him on the first sight. Since it's weekend it might be crowded out there."

"I am excited to see him." Zoha smiled for the first time after a long trip.

Shehryaar smiled seeing Zoha smile. He fixed the heap of suitcases and one luggage on the trolley and drove it towards the exit. Zoha kept along with his pace.

When they finally managed to make through the doors without getting stopped for any other checkings, they met with the sight of bunch of people, waiting for their loved ones to come out. Zoha ran her gaze all over the place to pick out Zafar in the crowd. She couldn't see him anywhere. They walked further out where there were less people and looked everywhere possible.

Shehryaar halted and fumbled out his phone. As he scrolled down the list of his contacts, he heard the footsteps approach in his direction and then say, "Arey Shehryaar."

Shehryaar turned off his phone screen and lifted his head up. "Daddy?" He grinned. "I couldn't see you. Was about to call you."

"It's pretty crowded. I was standing in the back so I could see you when you come out."

Shehryaar hugged his dad. And Zafar hugged him back with a friendly pat.

"How was the trip, beta?" he asked, enthused.

"It was good."

"Zoha, how are you, beta? You don't know how happy I am to see you." Zafar patted her head and kissed her forehead. "How was the trip for you? The first time huh?"

Zoha smiled widely. "It was good. But I missed Pakistani food."

Zafar laughed. "You sure will."

"We only got Pakistani food until Dubai and then after that it was a torture." Shehryaar laughed too.

"Well you will get used to it. There are variety of other dishes that you might like," Zafar said.

"You know mummy made crepe for the breakfast when we were leaving. Zoha loved that," Shehryaar said.

"Really? When did Saliha learned that? She never cooked it for me."

"I was surprised when she did."

"Let's get settled in the van and then we will talk throughout the way," Zafar said.

"Yes." Shehryaar started pushing the trolley and drove it till they reached the parking lot.

It was a cold day of November. The air was dry and chilly. Zoha pulled her sweater sleeves longer to cover her hands that had grown callous.

"Don't you want to wear the coat?" Zafar asked Shehryaar.

"I think I might need one. It's cold," Shehryaar said.

"That's why I brought one." Zafar went in the back seat of the van and grabbed the coat. "Here." He handed it over.

Shehryaar immediately slipped it on as he received it and tucked the buttons up.

"Zoha, why don't you sit in the van while we load the trunk," Shehryaar suggested. "Your sweater doesn't look enough. Daddy can turn on the heater. It will be warm inside."

"Yes, beta. Shehryaar is right," Zafar added on.

Without saying anything, Zoha sat in the van and Shehryaar slid the door close.

****************

The home was thirty minutes away from the airport, but due to the weekend highway traffic, it took them nearly an hour. Zoha in the back seat fell asleep waiting. She was cold despite the heater. She kept huddling in her sweater to stay warm.

When they finally made it to the home driveway, Zafar sighed and said, "home sweet home."

Hearing that Zoha woke up. She started looking around to see where they have come. The neighborhood was quiet and spacious. The road was smooth running down the street, where there were barely any cars. On one side there were bunch of trees, almost looking like woods. And on the other there were houses lined up, with similar architecture.

"You woke up?" Shehryaar asked from the front, glancing in the rearview mirror.

Zoha's lips barely moved. She was enthralled, looking at the beautiful surrounding. She couldn't believe that this was her new home. It appeared far from real.

"Is this where you live barey abbu?" she asked.

Zafar paused in his action, hearing Zoha speak after a long silence. "Yes."

"This is beautiful."

"Well it's your new home." He smiled.

"I love it already."

Zoha covered her head with the dupatta and wrapped it properly so it didn't blow away. It was also really windy.

Shehryaar opened the door for her and she stepped out onto the gray concrete floor.

"I told you," Shehryaar said to her.

"I didn't expect this," Zoha replied.

"That's why it made it more surprising and beautiful."

Shehryaar took her hand in his and ushered her to the doorstep. When Zafar opened the door, a thick fragrance welcomed them inside.

"How does it feel to be back home, son?" Zafar asked, flipping on the lights.

"It feels like forever." Shehryaar breathed in the homely vibe. It refreshed a smile on his lips.

"It has been really empty without you."

"I know. It must have been."

Zoha was standing in the living room, curiously gazing at the new place. Everything appeared so wonderful to her.

"Now I am glad you guys are here. It will be even more livelier than when you were here with Zoha," Zafar said.

"And soon it will become more noisier with a new guest." Shehryaar dropped the hint.

Zafar was jollily smiling, unable to decipher the meaning of 'new guest.' Zoha thought he might have guessed it already. But he had not.

"Dad, you are going to be a grandpa," Shehryaar clearly stated in crystal words.

"Really?" Zafar was surprised.

"Yes."

"That's an exciting news. I am so happy."

"That was the new guest I was talking about," Shehryaar said.

"I didn't think about it at all."

"Well congratulations!"

"You too, son."

Zoha blushed as they congratulated each other.

"This house will feel more like home with my grandchildren," Zafar said.

"In Shaa Alah."

Zafar took off his coat and left it on the sofa.

"By the way I have a surprise for you both," Zafar perked.

"Oh what is it?" Shehryaar excited.

"Go check your room."

"It's in the room?"

"Yes. Check."

Shehryaar looked at Zoha and started walking in the direction of his room. Zoha followed in his footsteps, anew to every corner of the house. When he reached there, he grasped the knob and glimpsed at Zoha, who wore plain expression. Then he opened the door.

Shehryaar and Zoha walked in and gazed at the elegance surrounding them. The bed was spread with white sheet and fluffy blanket with heap of different sizes pillows. On the rug in front of the tailboard, there was a heart shape embellished with red roses. And on the top of chester drawers, there were votive candles, lit up. Above the dressing table, there were two helium balloons floating, one saying Congratulations, and the other one saying, Welcome Home.

"This is so beautiful." The words escaped Zoha's lips in astonishment.

"Did daddy do all of this?" Shehryaar wondered, amazed at the unexpected decoration.

"I love our new room," Zoha said.

"Everything has changed. Even the furniture."

"Really?"

"Yeah. When I was here it wasn't like this. There was a different set of furniture."

"Barey abbu might have bought the new one."

"He did. And I can't believe it."

Just as Shehryaar was examining the new furniture, Zafar knocked at the door and came in.

"How does the new setting of your room looks?" Zafar said.

"New setting? Dad, you changed everything. Even the furniture," Shehryaar said.

"I thought to buy you the new one for your wedding. The old one was old style."

"And this decoration? You did this all too?"

"I actually called in to get it done yesterday. I am not good with those things," Zafar chuckled. "Do you like it?"

"Barey abbu, I love it so much. It's so beautiful," Zoha said.

"Thank you, beta. I am glad you do."

"Thank you so much, dad. It all means so much to us." Shehryaar enveloped Zafar in an effusive hug.

"It's my pleasure." Zafar patted-hug him.

"I really like this new style. Not too fancy. Simple and stylish." Shehryaar parted from Zafar.

"First I looked online. They seemed alright. Then I visited the stores. It was better to first hand see the furniture and feel the material."

"When did everything move in?"

"It was a week ago."

"Not bad."

"Yeah."

Zoha listened to their conversation, without saying much. She was just really tired from the plane trip. She needed to lay down on bed and relax her back.

"Well you both get fresh, while I will set the table for lunch." Zafar spoke Zoha's thoughts out loud.

"Yes," Shehryaar said, without sounding rude.

"At the table then." Zafar grinned.

"Dad, I need to get my carry-on from the van. It has Zoha's and my stuff in it," Shehryaar remembered.

"Oh sure. I will get you."

"You can give me the keys and I will get it myself," Shehryaar offered.

"Okay."

Shehryaar followed Zafar out of the room, as he went to claim the keys.

*******************

Later when Shehryaar brought the carry-on inside, Zoha unzipped it and picked her most comfortable pair of shalwar kameez, although the weather was too cold for it. She asked Shehryaar if there was a heater in the room. He said, there was. But he had to use tools to turn it on. To Zoha it sounded like no for the moment, since it required him effort and he was apparently too tired to do it.

When Zoha changed into her different clothes, Shehryaar went to the bathroom to change.

For lunch, Zafar had cooked white korma and rice. He even bought the fresh naan roti, baked in brick oven from outside. Zoha was surprised to see that Zafar knew how to cook. He never mentioned that he cooked or even that he was good at it. She was curious to see how it tasted. The warm smell of desi food had permeated the cold air.

"This is for you." Zafar served the plate to Shehryaar. "And this is for you." He placed the other plate in front of Zoha.

"Thank you, dad. You didn't have to do that," Shehryaar said.

"Ah it's nothing." Zafar settled back in his seat.

"You take first. And we will follow."

"Actually let Zoha start. She is the most quietest and maybe the most hungriest." Zafar laughed.

Zoha warmly smiled at Zafar's humbleness. "I am kind of hungry but it's not that bad that I have to go first," she said.

"Don't be shy. This is your home now," Zafar said. "Everything happens the way you want." He secretly winked at Zoha.

Zoha laughed. She always loved having Zafar at the table with her because he always made the food taste even better with his jokes and his stories. He was the friendliest person ever.

"Now, madame, will you start?" Shehryaar teased.

"Let her take time," Zafar meddled.

"Yes of course. We can wait."

Zoha laughed again, as she took some rice in the plate.

"By the way, barey abbu, you never told me that you cooked?" Zoha asked, taking interest.

"I know." Zafar rubbed his hand against each other over his plate. "I didn't think I cooked good, so never talked about it."

"I couldn't imagine you in the kitchen making all of this."

"I have been cooking from a while now. Before Shehryaar left for Pakistan, we helped each other. Then when he was gone, I stepped up my game and took it seriously. Who was going to feed me."

"That's really good," Zoha said.

"Yeah. I think I am getting better at it. Let me know how it tastes."

Zoha poured some white korma on the rice and selected the spoon from the holder in the center of the dining table. Taking the first bite, she luxuriously chewed on sumptuous rice that she missed on the plane.

"This is really good," she said.

"Really?" Zafar said.

"Yes. The white korma tastes spicy and delicious."

"I am glad it turned out better than I thought."

"It definitely did," Zoha praised.

"Where did you get the recipe from?" Shehryaar jumped in.

"We have this dish in our restaurant too. I took it from there," Zafar said.

"That's smart."

"Why not."

After the exchange of few words, they all ate silently. There was only the noise of clinking spoons and chewing. Zoha loved the food so much that she couldn't resist from taking some more, breaking her habit of eating less.

When they were amid their lunch, Zafar's phone vibrated on the table. He dropped his spoon in the plate and read the name on the screen.

"Saliha," he said, finishing the bite in his mouth.

"Mummy?" Shehryaar said, looking up.

Zafar took the call. "Hello?" he said into the phone.

"She must be wondering about us," Shehryaar guessed.

"We didn't even call her," Zoha said, speaking low.

"I didn't remember."

"It's good that she called us or we might have forgot."

"Everything is good. I went to pick them," Zafar talked to Saliha. "Now we are eating lunch."

Zoha looked at Zafar as he was talking.

"They were really tired that's why they might have forgotten to call you," Zafar explained. "Do you want to talk to Shehryaar?"

Shehryaar briskly looked again and dabbed his mouth with the napkin.

"Here, your mummy wants to talk to you." Zafar passed the phone to Shehryaar.

"Assalamalaikum, mummy," Shehryaar spoke. "How are you?" He pushed his plate off the edge of the table.

"Your bari ammi was trying to call you, but no one was picking up. It kept going on voicemail," Zafar told Zoha. "She was worried." He talked low so Saliha couldn't overhear their voices in the background.

"I didn't get any call. Maybe Shehryaar did," Zoha concerned.

"I'm sorry, mummy, I got caught up after leaving the airport. Didn't check my phone," Shehryaar said to Saliha. "Otherwise I would have definitely informed you that we reached." Shehryaar haphazardly glimpsed at Zafar and at the food on the table.

"It's alright now," Zafar said, directing his conversation to Zoha. "She must have called on the wrong time."

"Yeah we were eating lunch. It's afternoon here," Shehryaar said. "Zoha is good too. She is eating. Want to talk to her?"

Zoha wiped her mouth with the napkin and prepared herself to talk on the phone.

"Yeah I will give it to her," he said. "Here, Zoha. Mummy."

Zoha took the phone from his hand and sticked it against her right ear. "Assalamalaikum, bari ammi. How are you?"

"I am good," Saliha replied. "How are you, beta? Koi problem toh nahi hui na?"

"I am fine, bari ammi. I felt little sick, but Shehryaar took care of me." Zoha looked at Shehryaar for his reaction over the conversation. "What are you doing?"

"Just came to bed. It's one am."

"And how is Manal?"

"She was missing you both so much. The house feels so empty without you." She sounded down. "There is no one here."

"I miss you alot too." Zoha didn't say much because she had no words.

"I know, beta."

"What did you do all day?"

"Nothing much. Cooked, watched some movie with Manal since she was insisting me and then relaxed."

"Is Manal sleeping?"

"I don't know. I didn't check on her. Do you want to talk to her?"

"Since it's late I don't want to disturb her. When I call again in the day I will talk then."

"However you like."

"Do you want to talk to barey abbu?" Zoha asked.

"You are eating right? Then I will talk to him later."

"He is done eating."