As evening approached, the guests at the Siddiqui house left. The mature sisters along with Chloe were cleaning the kitchen. Chloe was packing the left over foods in fridge storage boxes. Ghazala was washing dishes and Seema was clearing the kitchen counter.

"Where did Nawal go?" Ghazal frowned, "She should be helping out."

Seema smiled, "Manal wanted to go out to get hot chocolate from the nearby Butlers Chocolate café so she along with Nawal have gone there."

Ghazala's frown deepened and muttered, "Why didn't she ask me?"

"Because you were in the toilet and I let them go." Seema shrugged nonchalantly.

Chloe was observing Ghazala, after a moment of silence, she finally spoke up, "You know Ghazala you should give the girl a break. You are always after her."

Ghazala sighed and her shoulders drooped as she soaped the plate, "I know but I fear that she would make mistakes that most make during their youth."

"Baji, I honestly admire her. She is a very lively girl and I always enjoy when she comes over. She is never a bother at all." Seema walked up to her older sister and leaned forward to turn off the tap.

Ghazala turned to look at her sister in bewilderment. There were still few dishes left, why did she turn off the tap?

Taking her older sister's hand, Seema urged her to follow her and sit on the chair by the kitchen table. Chloe also sat down as well. Looking solemnly straight into her sister's eyes, Seema said humbly, "I really like Nawal. I want to make her my daughter in law."

Ghazala's eyes widened, "What?" her hand flew to her mouth stifling her gasp.

At that precise moment, Salman had come to the kitchen to drink water and stood frozen at the words that were uttered by his mother. He eyed his elder Khala in anticipation, unable to move.

Ghazala and Seema were oblivious to his appearance but Chloe was able to read his face. She could see a longing in the young man's eyes. She smiled knowingly, understanding it was not only Seema's wish but rather also Salman's desire to have Nawal as his wife.

"Yes, Baji." Seema nodded, "If you agree I would like to ask for Nawal's hand for my Salman."

Ghazala eyes filled with tears and said in a hoarse voice, "I had never imagined." Then she laughed in merriment, "Salman would be an ideal husband for her. Someone who is mature enough to take care of her."

Seema wiped Ghazala's tears, "So is that a yes then?"

Ghazala smiled amidst her tears, "Yes of course." She nodded and then her forehead creased, "But I would not want to tell Nawal yet. Let us wait. I want to do istekhara first and then talk to Nawal."

Seema eagerly nodded, "Of course I understand."

"I will do istekhara and speak to Shabbir and then inshaa Allah give my final answer. But oh Seema you have made me so happy" Ghazala stood up and hugged her sister. Both sisters were crying and Chloe smiled.

"I can hear wedding bells," she said mischievously. Both sisters started giggling.

Salman sighed in relief and left the emotional scene knowing it wasn't long before Nawal would come to this house as his bride.

****

After the office hours, a meeting was held among Salman and the secret investigators at the Irish Halal Food Centre.

"After reviewing the whereabouts of the top management in the last one month, we have come to the conclusion that five of the managers are involved with Mr. Daud," Peter stated handing out the report copy to Salman.

Clenching his jaw, Salman took the report and briefly scanned it through.

"The investigations have revealed that these five men have regularly been meeting Mr. Daud Siddiqui in the last month." Niall tilted his head and pointed out the report, "there have been transferring of large funds in their accounts as well."

Salman's eyes flickered between Peter and Niall, "hmmm.... thank you gentlemen. Anything else I should be aware of?"

Peter sombrely gazed at Salman, "There is more."

Salman nodded in encouragement.

There was an eerie silence.

"Yes?" Salman couldn't wait any longer.

"Your biggest investor and supplier has been involved with Mr. Daud."

Salman's eyes shot up. That explained everything, the uncountable complaints in the last one month. The delay in payments. The suggestions that there are other better companies in Dublin that they were interested in. It all made sense now. It seemed Daud was determined to create trouble for them.

Slamming his hands on the table, Salman muttered, "That fuckin piece of shit"

****

The next morning Salman was in a rage. Five termination letters were typed and signed. He called in Mr. Ali Khan the senior operations management in his office. The nervous balding man in his early fifties hesitantly entered the office room.

"You called Salman?" Ali asked. He had rarely been to meetings with Salman. But one look on Salman's face and his forehead started sweating. The older man fretted whether Salman knew of his involvement with Daud.

Salman threw the termination letter across the office desk and nodded at it, "This is for your Mr. Khan."

"Wh...what is it?" he strutted unwilling to touch the dreadful envelop.

"Your services is not needed anymore." Salman calmly said.

Ali's eyes eyebrows rose, "Don't do this Salman. Please... please...it's not my fault. I ... I ... can't afford to lose this job."

Salman stood up from his chair and turned his back to Ali. He looked out the window with his hands in his pockets, "That you should have thought of when you alliance with Daud." He spun around and hissed, "I don't want traitors. You are dismissed."

"But... but..."

Salman glared and Ali's voice died in his throat. Tears welled up in his eyes, with shaking fingers he clutched the letter and left the office.

Salman didn't know how to forgive. Once the trust was broken, he never gave another chance.

But he was not done here... this was a start he had to get rid of four other managers today. It was a long day ahead.

****

Around 5pm, the senior accounts and finance manager cried in front of Salman his hands joined together in a plea, "Salman have mercy. Please ... Salman..please."

But Salman was ignorant of the tears all he could see was Daud's face mocking at him. He had to get rid of all those who were willing to provide that scumbag valuable information. He was not ready to take any risk when it comes to the operations of his company. He had great plans ahead and he surely didn't want Daud to hinder his plans.

"You are wasting your time," Salman said indifferently.

Mustafa wiped his tear stricken face with the sleeve of his office shirt, "You are a heartless man Salman. A selfish man. You don't care about others. I have small children and a pregnant wife."

Salman leaned forward on his desk and glowered, "I don't care for liars and cheaters. Get out now."

Mustafa stepped back, "This habit of yours will bring you down to your knees one day. You will see and you will regret then."

And then he was gone.

Salman was not a fool to fall for the man's words. But Mustafa was right, there will come a time when Salman will regret his unforgiving attitude...

****

Rolling the pen on his fingers, Daud quietly listened to the frantic telephone call from Mustafa. Seated at his new office chair, his eyebrows knotted in concentration and disapproval, "Mustafa, do not worry when I am here your children and pregnant wife will not go hungry."

"You really mean that Daud? You will hire me?" Mustafa said in doubtfully.

Daud nodded slowly, "Do not worry I will. Now I have some thinking to do. I will talk to you tomorrow."

He cancelled the call and dropped his phone on the office desk. Resting his head on the black leather chair, Daud went through all the different steps Salman was taking to ensure his protection. But Daud was one step ahead. Salman may protect himself from all angles at business frontier but who will protect his heart.

His gaze flickered at the wall clock. It was too early. He had to wait...

****

"Woww, someone is really working hard to study huh?" Arbaaz exclaimed leaning at the wooden threshold in Nawal's room.

Nawal didn't bother to look up from her management book, "Go away Arbaaz, I have work to do."

Arbaaz ignored his sister's order and chuckled softly entering the room, "Since when did you become so studious."

"I have exams coming up after the Christmas holidays. I am studying for it. If you want to waste time go play your Play Station but don't bug me now."

Arbaaz arched an eyebrow and stood beside her desk chair, "Really? That's too bad, Faraz bhai was here and was asking if we wanted to go ice skating with him."

Nawal's head shot up and a pleasing smile graced her face, "Bhai jaan is here? Why didn't you say so? And Ice skating?" she pushed him out of the way and rushed out the room, "That I am not missing for the world."

Arbaaz laughed in the empty room. When it came to fun his sister never wanted to be left out.

Nawal skidded down the stairs, "Bhai jaan" she shouted.

Faraz looked up and smirked at his very excited sister. Nawal breathlessly said, "Are you taking us to ice skating?" her eyes pleaded.

"I am my dear. Now go and get ready." Faraz scanned her flannel lounge pants and t-shirt.

"Phuphu, phuphu," Liyaanah said pulling her aunt's t-shirt. When Nawal glanced at her niece, Liyaanah continued, "We going issse skarrrting," she squealed.

"I know." Nawal squealed back, "Come with me and help me get ready." She winked, "You do know how to apply make up on me don't you?"

Eagerly, Liyaanah nodded, "Yes yes I am a bigggg gurrrlll."

Ruffling her hair, Nawal took Liyaanah's hand and together they went up the stairs to get ready.

Ghazala was quietly watching the scene and once the girls were out of the room, she turned to her eldest son, "How is Samreen?"

Faraz smile slid away and he sighed, "She is fine, Mom but it's just that sometimes..."

"Sometimes?" Ghazala urged.

"I feel maybe she is going in depression or becoming moody. She ends up getting angry easily or other times she is just too upset. That's why I decided to bring Liyaanah and Daniyal to the ice skating so she can get some rest with the baby."

"Support her Faraz. It's not easy for her managing three children and they are all so young. She is still healing from birth."

Faraz looked away and didn't reply.

"Have patience with her my son. Be her support and you will see, she will come out of all this when she sees how much you care for her." Ghazala advised.

"I am trying Mom, I am. But she is never pleased with whatever I do for her." Faraz said quietly.

"It's not her fault beta. She is just expressing her frustration. Give her some time and she will come round."

Faraz nodded although he doubted his mother's words.

****

Later that night, Nawal laid down on her bed sleepily browsed through social media applications on her phone. She had a wonderful time ice skating. She was fairly good at it doing it nearly every winter. While Liyaanah had fallen countless times and each time the little girl giggled. Faraz was good at ice skating and he had pushed the baby skating carriage where Daniyal was squealing in delight. And Arbaaz was showing off his skills throughout the time trying to attract young teen girls who were gushing at his ice skating. But it was a tough exercise. Now her body ached. Taking a hot shower, she was snuggled under the duvet ready to go to sleep.

Her eyelids were slowly closing and the phone was slipping from her fingers when the text message alert startled her.