Shahbaz's house was buzzing with children and adults. After a very long time, his siblings had all gathered under one roof. In the last few months, Faraz had problems with his wife that had kept him distant from the family. Now that he was reunited with his wife and children, Shahbaz had decided a celebration was in need. However, there was still concern regarding his sister. He was never close to Nawal as such as Faraz had been. This is why he brought them together. Knowing well, Faraz was ignorant of her problems. It was time for brothers to step in. He, on the other hand, was at a very awkward situation when Salman had always been his childhood friend and Nawal his sister. He couldn't exactly accuse Salman for the events that took place when knowing partly his sister was to blame. Which is why it was safe to let the matters be taken care of by Faraz. The big brother.

Although, right now Faraz was furious as Shahbaz briefed him details of Nawal's life.

Clenching his jaw, Faraz glowered, "Why wasn't I informed of this?"

Shahbaz leaned back against the dining table, he folded his arms in front of him and raised his eyebrows, "Were you fit enough to take care of Nawal's life when your marriage was in trouble."

Faraz looked away, a muscle spasm clearly seen at his temple, "Is Salman coming today?"

Shahbaz slowly shook his head, "I don't think so."

Faraz eyes glared at him accusingly, "That friend of yours has done enough damage in her life."

"He is your cousin as well."

"To me he is my brother in law. Period. And I will bring some sense in him if he doesn't take care of her."

Shahbaz smirked, "I knew I could count on you."

Faraz baffled stared at his young brother.

Shahbaz clasped his older brother's shoulder, "You see dear brother, you have always been our protective brother" he shrugged nonchalantly, "And yeah I have tend to rely on you when it comes to looking after Nawal or Arbaaz."

Faraz said profane words that according to him described Shahbaz pretty well.

Shahbaz's nose wrinkled, "Shhh... we have children running around here."

"I heard that, Faraz," Samreen said from the threshold of the dining room, her hands on her hips and shaking her head disapprovingly.

Shahbaz couldn't stop his laughter.

"Wait till I get back to you," Faraz said as he made his way to his wife. Encircling his arm around her shoulders, he calmed her down, "I was just flattering my brother of how nice he is."

She glanced incredulously at him.

"Phuphu is here! Phuphu is here!" chanted Liyaanah.

"Please take care of her," Faraz whispered, giving Samreen's shoulders an affectionate squeeze.

"Don't worry," she disentangled from her husband's embrace so she could greet Nawal.

Meeting Nawal after months was a big surprise. Yes she had become big with pregnancy, her baby bump was prominent. There was tiredness etched on her face and her eyes were devoid of any happiness. In fact, for the first time as long as Samreen remembered there was bleakness in Nawal's eyes.

Samreen smiled and hugged her sister in law tightly, "It's been so long."

Nawal hugged back, she blinked several times to stop her tears but when Faraz hugged her. She couldn't stop herself. The tears outpoured. Her shoulder's shook as Faraz rubbed her back. Kissing the crown of her head, he said hoarsely, "Why don't you and I go and talk in the guest room?"

After settling Nawal on the bed, he gave her a glass of water. When she took first few sips, Faraz then said, "Why didn't you tell me what happened?"

Nawal looked deeply in the half empty glass of water, "You had your own problems, bhai."

"Doesn't matter Nawal. You know I am always here for you."

She sighed, "I guess I have to learn to fight my own battles." She looked up and smiled disdainfully.

Faraz took a chair from the desk and dragged it in front of Nawal. He then sat on it, "Nawal until I am alive you don't need to unnecessarily burden yourself. You are not alone. You have us. Even if you would have said to Shahbaz you need help, I am sure we would have found a way."

"Shahbaz bhai would have blamed me."

Faraz asked solemnly, "What happened Nawal. I trust you and I know you will tell me the truth. Why did you meet Daud in secret?"

Nawal narrated the events of the months prior to the divorce.

Faraz leaned back on his chair and folded his arms in front of him, "If Salman was being an ass why the hell you didn't tell us. I would have made sure to show his place. Daud was definitely not answer to your problems. Instead you should have approached your brothers if you were too worried to talk to Mom or Dad."

Nawal's shoulders drooped and her head bowed down, "I know. I realize my mistake now."

"And why didn't Salman come with you? How can he abandon you like this in this condition," he was annoyed and frustrated. He narrowed his eyes, "Don't tell me you took the bus to come here?"

Nawal shook her head, "No I drove Khala's car. And he knows. I told Khala and him about today, last night."

Faraz curled his hands into fists on his lap, "Now there is no point of you staying there. Come and live with me. And I will bring some sense in Salman."

"No bhai, its fine. I am fine for now." She bit her lip to stop it from quivering, "But...but..." She faltered.

"But what?" he leaned forward, peering at Nawal's face.

"What if this divorce is finalized? I will need a place to live. You know Mom ...." Her voice trailed off.

"Come and live with me." Faraz said without a moment's hesitation.

"I plan to look for work right after I finish this semester. I have been working really hard bhai so that I can get good job offers."

"Nawal you have a baby to worry about. Forget about work right now. I will look after your expenses." Faraz reassured her.

Nawal's eyes burned with tears, "No bhai. I don't want to be a burden on you or anyone."

Faraz cradled her face in his hands, "Sisters are not burden for brothers."

The tears that threatened to spill, flooded, "I don't deserve this kindness."

Faraz sat on the bed beside her and encircled his arm around her shoulders. "My sister deserves much more than kindness."

Nawal curled against his side. Her head on his shoulder, "Thank you bhai. Thank you so much."

Faraz patted her arm, he will be attending a much needed urgent meeting with a certain Salman Siddique. He couldn't bear to see tears in his baby sister's eyes. He had warned Salman once to take care of her. It was time to remind him again.

****

Sitting in his car, arms stretched to the steering wheel, Daud glanced at his parent's home. He sighed, he really didn't want to go through another argument with his parents. In the last few months all his parents did was reprimand him for his actions. His head fell back to the headrest of the beige leather car seat.

For months now he had been trying to approach Nawal. At first when he called, she never answered his calls. Then she blocked his number whether on calls, text messages or even on What's App. All he knew was that there was no reconciliation between her and Salman and she was still living in Salman's home. Thanks to his father who was able to give this piece of information. It was infuriating that he wasn't able to communicate with her. He wanted to clear all the misunderstanding. It may take some time before he is able to talk to her. Until then, he was waiting as a simmering kettle about to blow the whistle.

Coming back to the problem, here he was in front of his parent's home who invited him over for Sunday brunch. He flinched in distaste knowing what the next three hours would be like. The non-stop advices of his parents.

Daud get married.

Daud it's about time you sort your life.

Daud stop being angry over matters that have no solution.

He was a man of his own principles. He was fed up of always following rules. Now that he had broken some rules. He was ready to break them all.

Exhaling, he climbed out of his car. It was time to meet his parents and face their fury once again.

Lost in his thoughts, he pressed the door bell, immediately his mother opened the door. A pleasing smile greeted him. Now that was a surprise. He was about to greet her when his eyes landed on the movement behind his mother's leg.

There standing clutching his mother's leg was Yousef.

His son.

****

"I am stuffed," Nawal breathed heavily, her hand resting on her protruding stomach as she leaned back on the dining chair.

"What about dessert?" Fiza teased.

Nawal held up her hand, "No not now. Maybe in a while." She grinned then, "It's so good to be surrounded by family. I missed all of you so much last few months."

Samreen smiled back as she picked a dish of biryani from the dining table to take it back in the kitchen, "It really has been long. Once your exams are done Nawal let's do some just girls gathering. Our husbands will take care of the children." She winked at Fiza.

Fiza giggled, "I do want a day off. Since I gave birth I feel all I do is looking after the little one."

But that wasn't true, Nawal glanced at her brother Shahbaz, who was rocking his baby son Rayyan in his arms. Since the last one hour, she noticed how much her brother fussed around the baby. Nawal smiled observing her brother.

"Shahbaz bhai is a great father." Nawal thought out loud.

Fiza bit her lip, "Yes I can't complain. He is always there for the baby. In fact, the first few weeks he was the one who changed Rayyan's nappy and rocked him to sleep when I was too tired."

Nawal's eyes filled with wonder, will there be a time that Salman look after their daughter? Her eyes dropped to the spoon in front of her. Fidgeting with it, she realized only last ten weeks were left in pregnancy. Time was passing by fast. Not once Salman cleared the misunderstanding. He was nice. But perhaps, he cared just so that she doesn't blame him for her health. There were moments when she truly believed he loved her and the baby but then there were times he was his aloof self again. She just didn't know what to believe and what not.

The thought of living as a single mother terrified her. Although, in the past few weeks her firm belief in her Creator had strengthened her understanding that if Allah gave her this burden it was surely she can be a single mother. This is why she was working hard day and night. Getting a degree with good grades will be the first step towards supporting herself and her baby. Once the baby is born, she will ask Seema if she could mind the baby during the hours she worked. She planned to then save enough to rent her small flat and live independently.

Life had taught her a lot. Never had she been a person who thought practically. But desperate times required desperate measures to be taken. She may have lost everything in the last one year. Her happiness, her bright future and her honour. One thing was still intact was her self-respect and she will work hard to maintain that.

****

Daud's heart hammered in his chest. His eyes couldn't believe what he was seeing. Slowly, he bent down to the height of his son. A soft smile touching his lips.

"Yousef"

The toddler ducked his head behind his grandmother's leg.

"Come in Daud. Yousef is a shy child. It will take him time to be comfortable in front of you," Chloe gathered the little boy in her arms as she stepped aside for her son to enter the house.

Daud wasn't able to take his eyes off Yousef. He touched the dark blond hair of the toddler and said in awe, "He has grown."

The little boy nuzzled his grandmother's shoulder, his arms tightening around her neck. Baffled, Daud stared at the little boy. Surely, Yousef was well-acquainted with his mother. When did they bond? Why wasn't he ever told?

In a daze, he turned to the kitchen, a habit he had to sit on the kitchen chair and talk to his mother while she cooked. But he halted in his steps when he saw someone unexpected bending down and opening the door of the oven checking the fish pie being baked.

Susan was different. Clad in a black hijab, her porcelain flawless skin glowed and her grey eyes sparkled like jewels. There were many times during the past months that he wondered where she disappeared.

Susan straightened, her eyes widening, the man she least expected to see ever was standing in front of her. Fear lurked her heart, her eyes darting at her son who was securely in his grandmother's arms. She hurriedly took Yousef from Chloe and said breathlessly, "It's time for Yousef's nap."

With quickened steps, she rushed to the guest room. Distancing herself from the man who had given her deep scars but still her heart yearned for him. Perching on the guest room bed with Yousef on her lap, she closed her eyes. Her lips pursed, how will she face him after so many months?

Daud was utterly shocked, speechless, and unable to ask what he really wanted to ask. He cleared his throat and then probed, "Do they come here often?"

"Every Sunday." His mother took out the salad bowl from the fridge.

And then he didn't wait for any more information from his mother. He strode purposely to the guest room. He entered the room with tenacity. Closing the door behind him he stepped closer to her.

"Where were you?"

Susan said through gritted teeth, "What do you care?"

"Of course I care."

Her eyes blazed, "As far as I remember you are the one who kicked us out of the apartment."

"It was a mistake. I was just too angry." He noted the change in her. Her poised demeanour was astounding.

"Times have changed now. It doesn't matter anymore."

For a long moment, he stared at the woman in front of her. Confident, sure of herself and most of all a protective mother. It was impossible not to see how strongly she clutched the child to her chest.

"He will always be my son."

She shook her head vigorously, "No Daud. He is MY son. Only MINE. Where were you when he needed you the most?" she laughed contemptuously, "You were too busy chasing after a married woman."

Daud's single eyebrow raised inquisitively, "So you have been keeping track of me."

"No I have been trying to be vigilant."

"Susan let go of your anger and come back to the apartment."

She glared.

Grey eyes clashed with blue ones.

"Never."

She stood up, perching the toddler on her hip, she walked past him but he grabbed her wrist pulling her to him.

"Don't you dare touch me." she hissed.

Their breaths mingled. His pungent scent, those alluring blue eyes and his strength racing her heartbeat. But she couldn't be weak anymore. She was a mother first. And for her son, she would remain firm.

His eyes roved over her face. Those hypnotic eyes, clear skin and deep pink lips that reminded him of the long ago forbidden night spent in her arms. He immediately released her.

"I made a mistake once. But no more. You have no right to touch me."

"But I have rights over Yousef."

"You lost all your rights the night you ordered us to leave." She fired back.

"I said I wasn't thinking straight then dammit." His voice raised.

She stepped back, "I don't want to argue in your parents' home. They are nice people. I will just leave."

He strode to the door, "No you stay. I know I am not needed here."

As he walked out of his parent's home, he was well aware he wasn't needed anywhere.

His already broken heart shattered further.

But broken hearts could be mended.

Love conquered all broken hearts...

*****

Nawal's swollen feet were aching her as she walked down the lane towards her home. The books were a little too heavy that she was carrying in her arms. The weather wasn't helping much either. It was a very warm day, unlike the typical Irish weather. Pregnancy hormones made her even warmer at times. She was sweaty and clammy. After an exhausting day at university, sometimes she wished she could just fly back home.

She was lost in her thoughts to notice a car stopping next to her. Her heart skipped a beat when she sensed someone following her. A shadow looming over her. But the familiar voice slowed her pulse.

"Nawal!" called out Salman.

She spun around, he took the books from her. "Get in the car."

She didn't argue instead, she slid on the car seat. Her head leaning against the headrest. Closing her eyes, she let the air condition blast cool air soothing her warm face. She sagged in relief.

"Your books are so heavy. Why didn't you take Ammi's car today?" he asked as he buckled his seat belt.

"She had to go grocery shopping," she murmured tiredly.

Gazing at how exhausted she was, he couldn't take it any longer. "How many more weeks before you end this semester?"

"Two." She whispered, her eyes still closed.

He had to find a solution to this problem once and for all.

And he did, the next evening, Seema presented Nawal a small black box when she was busy studying with books spread all around her bed.

Perplexed, Nawal asked, "What is it?"

"Check it yourself," Seema handed the box to Nawal.

Nawal gasped when she lifted the lid of the box. Bewildered, she looked at Seema, "Car keys?"

"A gift from Salman."

Her jaw clenched. Instead of being delighted, she was furious. As fast as she could in her large form, she went up the stairs to his study.

Without knocking, she barged into the room and glared, "I don't want a car. I don't want anything from you. I told you what I wanted."

He calmly set aside the pen he was writing with, "And that is?"

"I want you to listen to me."

Not breaking the eye contact with her, he said, "I am listening."

She blinked several times, "What?"

"I said I am listening."

Now that he was ready to listen. She went completely blank.

------------------