***

We were watching the movie when we heard the knock on the door. It just made us jump on our place.

“Who will be there at this hour?” I asked...it was actually making me scared. It was almost midnight.

“ Don't worry it must be bhai...” She said and went to open the door. It was her brother they talked a little at the door and came in, Shifa also asked him to join us, and he said no in such a rude tone as if he is the king. What did he think of himself....nobody is desperate here to watch movie with you Mr shehreyar?

The movie was a scary one and it literally made us cling to each other in fear. Nevertheless, we watched it and decided to head to sleep. Shifa had told me that tomorrow Sana aapi will return and whatever you have heard about her was enough for me to get excited to meet her.

I also got to know that she was to get married to Imran bhai, one of my phupo's son. They will get married 2 months later. Honestly speaking that would be the first ever wedding I attend and the mere thought of it was making me zealous.

The alarm was blaring loud asking for the person lying next to it to wake up but that person was way too tired to even open his eyes.

“Ugh...stop it.” He groaned and kept the pillow on his head. Few minutes passed and then realization of the time made him wake up reluctantly. It was time for the morning prayer and after doing the necessary things and wudu he went to Masjid. His love was for his god...he had everything he would wish for, and he had to thank his god for that because it's him who gives and it's him who can take everything away. His merciful and giving nature is beyond imagination.

Shifa and Irfa also read fajr namaz and went to the lawn for some fresh air. The dawn was approaching slowly. Reddish and purplish color of the sky was making it look like a painting. The soft and cold breeze was playing with their clothes and hair.

“Irfa I never thought that my garden is this beautiful in the morning....it's so refreshing.” Shifa said with a beautiful smile on her face. The serenity of the surrounding making her mind fresh and relaxes just like the one beside her.

“You know Shifa at mamu's place there was a stream that flowed behind the house. I used to spend most of the time there, really nature is so beautiful.” Irfa said with sparkle in her eyes.

“Hey don't worry we have pool here.” Shifa said with a wink making her chuckle softly. They kept roaming here and there and after some time Irfa went near the pool and set its edge with her legs in the water and some did Shifa. They started talking again and isn't it said girls' can never go out of talks.

“What's going here?” Shereyar's cold voice echoed and their head snapped towards him. As usual there was a frown on his face. Irfa mentally rolled her eyes at him.

“Bhai we were just relaxing.” Shifa said smiling.

“Shifa it's quite early it's pointless to come out of the house...it's still quite cold.” He scolded her and she made a pout. It was getting hard for Irfa to control her eyes that were urging to be rolled.

“Go inside.” He said and also went inside.

“Sorry Irfa he is quite grumpy sometimes.” Shifa apologized.

“It's fine.” Irfa said.

___________

Getting ready for his office he had asked Shifa for water, and he didn't know what was taking her time to bring the water.

“Shifa...shifa get me a glass of water.” Shereyar yelled from upstairs.

“Irfa listen give this water to bhai dad is calling me.” Irfa was going towards the lounge room when Shifa asked her to give the water to Shereyar.

"Ok” She said. Taking the glass of water and went upstairs. Standing outside his room she was contemplating what to do.

'Should I go inside or knock or wait here...' she thought.' No I should wait here.' She turned around and straight away bumped into someone. The galas slipped from her hand and all the water spilled on the person who was none other than Shereyar. She heard him groan and looked up only to find his fierce gaze boring holes in her.

“What the hell? Are you out of your mind?” He yelled at her. His dress was drenched and the file he was holding was wet with water dripping from it. Horror-stricken she spoke stuttering,

“I am...am s...sorry I d...didn't... Sorry”

“You idiot...are you blind or what....damn it my file...where is Shifa?” His anger and frustration level was crossing the sky. He wasn't even listening what she was trying to say and was continuously scolding her. She could feel her eyes moistened as the memory of her being scolded by people came crashing to her mind. Her musings ended when he called Shifa shouting at the peak of his voice.

“Ji bhai(yes bro)...bhai what happened?” Shifa asked in a worried tone looking at his furious face and half wet clothes. Assuming that it was something related to Irfa she panicked.

“This girl....leave it.” He glared Irfa who was frozen on her place. Shifa tried to gesture her to go, but she wasn't looking her way, her attention was totally on him.

“Shehry what happened?” Saba asked coming towards them.

“This girl-” He couldn't complete his mother's glare shut his mouth. Casting a last blazing glare at her he went inside his room leaving the three behind with tense faces.

“Be careful both of you...” Saba said and went away.

''Phewwwww... bach gaye.(we are safe)'' Shifa said in a dramatic tone at which Irfa just smiled, the fake one. His tone was really harsh and it had brought back all those harsh memories. It was just a mistake, but he was way too much in anger to listen her. He was rude.

“I am sorry Irfa I shouldn't have sent you.” Shifa apologized walking beside her.

“It's ok no problem.”

___________

It was afternoon when Sana entered the house. The first thing she did was shout on top of her voice and call everyone in the lounge room.

“Assalamoalaikum every one...mamma baba Shifi... Where are you all?” Her loud voice made Irfa come inside as she was the nearest and a smile broke on her lips. The girl standing in front of her was beautiful, elegant with a constant smile on her face.

“Assalamoalaikum aapi. I am-” before she could complete she was again taken in a bone crushing hug. What's with this family and bone crushing hugs. She thought and gasped for air.

“You are Irfa... Mashaallah you are so pretty.” Sana said making her blush on her words. Finally, she left her and literally Irfa felt like she got breath after a long time.

“Jazakallah.”' She replied.

“Assalamoalaikum aap” Shifa screamed running inside and hugged her sister with all her might.

“Walekumassalam jan.” Sana replied hugging her back.

“How was your flight?” Shifa asked moving back and making Sana sit on the sofa.

“It was good. Now let me talk to Irfa.” Sana gestured Irfa to sit next to her, and then they talked for hours, Sana met with her parents after some time and again continued talking with Irfa. No doubt everyone in this family was a sweetheart except him.

“Gentlemen I would like to draw your attention that if this contract gets successful most of the people of below poverty line would be benefited.” I said, and I was sure that it will be ours. No doubt that the stunt she had pulled in the morning was going to affect my contract but then it's me we are talking about.

“Mr siddiqui we will be privileged to do the contract with you.” One of them said.

Alhamdulillah. I sighed.

“Thanks gentlemen hope we work well together.”

“Of course we will Mr Shereyar. Everyone wants to work with you, we cannot risk this partnership.” One of them said and a smirk formed on my face. Being The Siddiqui has its perks. But most importantly it was my Allah's will.

I came out of the meeting room and my mood was good now...at least her stupid act was out of my mind. O don't know if I overreacted...mom said I did. She had ordered me to behave nicely with her...like really. I can't help if I don't get along strangers. My nice behavior and love is only for my family, and she isn't family.

She is family.

Why baba brought her?...she is just mess. Her mere presence had created a havoc in me. I don't know why I was reacting this way... I shouldn't give a damn to her. Suddenly my phone rang and the person's name made me smile.

“Assalamoalaikum Khizir....how are you bro?” I asked smiling.

“Walekumassalam bhai... I am fine.” Khizir replied as usual in his cheerful tone.

“Guess what?... I am coming back for ever.” Khizir shouted and really this was the best news of the day.

“Come fast...” I said and after talking for some more time hang up. My best friend was coming back, and he wasn't going to go away now. We had studied together from the beginning. We were toddlers and now we are grown up men but our friendship is same as it was. We did our higher studies in London, he stayed there for masters while I had to come back.

The day was quite good for the ladies of the house. They had spent most of the time in telling Irfa about the family and things she had missed out. She had almost forgotten about the morning's incident. It didn't matter to her whatever he thought, the love and kindness of the others were enough for her.

The evening had approached and the two new best friend were getting extremely bored and then Shifa's mind worked and an idea popped in it.

“Irfa, lets bake something.” Shifa said enthusiastically making her nod at her.

“OK but what?let's make chocolate muffins.” Irfa suggested.

“That's a great idea.” Shifa agreed and they got involved in baking. The process was quite easy but their batter fight was taking them way too much time to complete. They hadn't noticed that it was already dark. Finally, after some throwing and ducking they decided to bake.

Shifa being Shifa had to do some mischief, so she took some batter and applied it on Irfa's face making her gasp.

“ Hey...” Irfa shouted and applied some on her too. The battle begun again and this time it was more fierce.

Irfa had some batter in her hand and as soon as she threw it towards Shifa, she ducked it.

“What's this?” Shereyar growled and the two literally froze on their places.

“I am so sorry I didn't do intentionally.” Irfa said nervously. A cold environment formed between the three which was broken by Shifa's loud laugh.

“Stop it Shifa.” he shouted and went out leaving the two in a state of frenzy. None spoke later, they cleaned the mess and set the muffins to bake in the oven.

___________