Mr Kazmi wasn't ready to allow Zaryab in his home but other than him no one was against this decision. Even after his father's disappointment Daniyal brought Zaryab to Qasr-e-Kazmi. He was scared because he was the very first and only innocent witness of his mother's blood clad dead-body.

"Come here." Shifa knelt and opened her arms. Zaryab slowly hugged Shifa and she cried but kissed his head. "You're not alone Zaryab. We're your family." She whispered lovingly.

Before becoming a mother she already became a mother of a four year old. Kissing his head one more time she breaks the hug and wipes his tears. "Today I'll make chocolate cake, you like chocolates. Right?" She asked and Zaryab nodded but happiness was missing from his eyes.

"What else do you like Zaryab? I'll cook everything for you." Shifa asked and Zaryab again started crying. "I want my Mommy back." He wasn't loud but requested helplessly. Shifa also started crying with him and Daniyal picked Zaryab in his arms.

"Let's go to the park then we'll have ice cream too." Daniyal wiped Zaryab's tears and then looked at his wife. "Shifa get ready, we three are going to have ice cream."

"Hmm, take both of them." Mrs Kazmi passed a small smile and Daniyal nodded.

<><><>

After a few Months

The nine months pregnant Shifa was sitting in the hall of Qasr-e-Kazmi, Zaryab was sitting with her with a pencil in his hand and an open book in front of him. "Zaryab, listen to the sound carefully, it's Jungle, spell it correctly, J U N G L E." Shifa politely pointed to his mistake and he rubbed the words before nodding.

"Mummy,"

"Ji beta?" She asked and put a pillow behind her back. "Will you come to my school tomorrow?" He asked and Shifa nodded with a big smile.

"Of course, I'll come with Dad, how can we miss your performance?" She kissed his cheek and then gestured towards the book. "Finish this work, then only ryming words will be left." Zaryab nodded and started writing. Shifa just inhaled while pressing her lips together tightly.

"Ya Allah." She exhaled and closed her eyes. "Kya hua?" A voice grabbed her attention and she turned behind.

(What happened?)

"Back pain badi Amma." Shifa muttered and the old lady threw a sharp glare at her. "Kisi ki baat to tumhe sun'ni nhi hai, qasam khayi hai tumne ki jo baat koi bada kahega wo to kisi haal nhi manogi. Subah se keh rahi hu jaa kar araam kar lo, itni deyr tak na bethi raho lekin tauba hai aaj kal ki ladkiyon se, ek baat Jo Maan le wo bado ki. Chaar kitabe kya parh li in ladkiyo ko to hamari baate samajh hi nhi aati." Scolding the daughter-in-law of the family full of anger Badi Amma walked back to her room and Shifa focused on Zaryab's notebook. She understood the meaning of a lesson once Maryam preached to her. Instead of words consider the intention of the speaker, and Badi Amma's intention was exactly opposite to her rude words.

(You have taken an oath that you will not listen to whatever an elder says. I have been saying since morning to go and take rest, don't sit for so long, but you so called well educated girls the present days have a repentance to accept what elders say.)

"Come on Zaryab, complete this fast. Mummy needs to take rest beta." She slowly caressed his head when Daniyal came back home with a tired face.

"Aaj bohot deyr laga di." She smiled and he sat down beside Zaryab after muffling his hair. "There was some work."

(Too late today.)

"Khana laga du aapke liye?" She asked and Daniyal nodded while standing up from his place but stopped for a moment. "Aapne khaya ya nhi?"

(Should I serve dinner for you?)

(Have your meal or not?)

"You already know I don't have dinner without you, I was waiting for you."

"Hazaar baar kaha hai khana time par khaa liya karo lekin samajh nhi aata na aapko?" Daniyal's scolding brought a few creases on her forehead.

(You have been told a thousand times to have your meal on time, but you don't understand. do you?)

"Kya ho gya hai? Sab mujhe kyu daant rhe hain?"

(What's wrong? Why is everyone scolding me?)

"Koi kitna bhi daant le asar to aap par hona nhi hai."

(No matter how much someone scolds you, it will not affect you.)

"Bas bhi kariye Deni, soo saaso se zyada khatarnak saas hain aap, kitne taane dete hain." She rolled her eyes and walked towards the kitchen to heat up the dinner.

(Just give me a break Deni. You're more dangerous than a mother-in-law. You're so sarcastic.)

<><><><>

Daniyal helped Zaryab in his remaining homework while Shifa ironed his uniform for tomorrow and after performing the motherly duties she put Zaryab to sleep beside herself. He had a habit of sleeping after hugging his mother and after coming to Qasr-e-Kazmi Shifa didn't bother to change this habit of his. He sleeps after hugging Shifa tightly.

"Slept off?" Daniyal asked in a whisper before turning off the lights and Shifa nodded. He opened his arms and she shifted Zaryab to the edge of the bed before adjusting herself in her husband's arms.

"Are you alright?" Daniyal asked and Shifa sighed then shrugged. "Feeling something odd, a different kind of pain in my back otherwise I am absolutely fine."

"Champ you've made mumma tired." Daniyal looked at her belly which made Shifa smile. "Jaldi se aa jaa mere sheyr, dad bohot besabri se intezar kar rahe hain." He placed his hand on her belly and felt a movement of the little life growing in his wife's frame but it took away Shifa's smile.

(Come quickly my lion, dad is waiting impatiently.)

"Deni, why do you want a son?" This was the first time in these nine months when Shifa voiced her question. Daniyal took a deep breath and smiled while letting it go.

"Shifa, jab main chhota tha baba mujhe itna pyaar krte the ki batane ke liye mere paas alfaaz nhi hain. Baba ne mujhe sirf chalna nhi sikhaya unhone mujhe zindagi mein naye raaste banana aur bohot sare raasto mein se behtreen rasta chunna bhi sikhaya hai. Main apne chhote se hath ko jab baba ke bade se hath mein dekhta tha to sochta tha ki ek din main bhi baba jesa hi banunga, bahadur, mazboot aur nidar... wo mere super hero the, mere ideal the wo aur aaj bhi hain. Ab main chahta hu baba ki jagah main hu, aur meri jagah mera beta... Main ehsas karna chahta hu ki baba ko kya mehsus hota hoga jab unka beta unke sath hota tha... Main khud ko baba ki jagah rakh kar jeena chahta hu." Shifa tried not to show her overwhelming emotions but her eyes turned wet and lips engaged with a smile. This man left her answerless most of the time.

(Shifa, when I was little baba loved me so much that I have no words to express. Baba not only taught me to walk, he also taught me to make new paths in life and choose the best path out of many. When I used to see my small hand in Baba's big hand, I used to think that one day I too will be like Baba, brave, strong and fearless... He was my super hero, he was my ideal and he still is even today. Now I want to be in place of Baba, and my son in my place. I want to feel what Baba must have felt when his son was with him... I want to put myself in Baba's place and live.)

"Lekin beta hi kyu? Ye kaam ko aap beti ke sath bhi kar sakte hain na!" She whispered and Daniyal shrugged.

(But why only a son? You can do this with a daughter too.)

"Hmm... But... I never thought about a daughter." He was honest and his honesty scared Shifa.

"Agar beti hui to?" She whispered Daniyal stayed silent for a while then smiled.

(What if it'll be a daughter?)

"To koi baat nhi, wo bhi meri dil ka tukda hogi."  He was really happy and Shifa shook her head.

(Then she'll also be the chunk of my heart.)

"Hamare dil ka tukda." Shifa corrected her husband and both smiled dreamily.

(Chunk of our hearts.)

<><><>

After praying tahajjud followed by Fajr namaz she woke up Zaryab and Daniyal too. "I'm going to make breakfast, you help him in getting ready." She told her husband who nodded with a sleepy expression but then looked at her face which was telling another story. "Shifa, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm." She muttered and walked out of the room but Daniyal was sure she wasn't fine.

Mr Kazmi was highly against Zaryab's adoption, he was hating the idea of raising a boy whose mother created a blunder in his happy family. He clearly told Mrs Kazmi that if she wants to show her love towards Zaryab then no need to talk to him. Poor lady was unable to do anything, and poor Zaryab was getting the love of only Shifa and Daniyal, he was not getting the love of grandparents from Mrs and Mr Kazmi, but Anwar and Maryam were loving him like their own grandchild. And to compensate the love of Mrs and Mr Kazmi, Shifa was giving some extra care to Zaryab. She was doing everything for Zaryab like a real mother, even many times she was ignoring herself to make him happy.

"All the very best for your performance. Don't be nervous on the stage." Shifa kissed Zaryab's cheeks after combing his hair and he smiled happily.

"Mummy, Will you come to my school, today?" He asked and Shifa looked at Daniyal for approval and he also nodded. "Yes. We'll." He muffled Zaryab's hair and Shifa huffed while combing his hair again.

"Come on Zaryab, wear your shoes and go to the car. I'm coming." Zaryab jumped off from the bed after getting the instructions. "Zaryab, first of all go and greet the elders before going out of the home." He heard Shifa's instructions and ran out from the room.

"You're not looking fine. Take a rest." Daniyal's arm wrapped around her waist and she rested her head on his chest. "Deni, take a day off, I'm not feeling well. Today, I don't want you to go away from me."

"Fine, I'm coming back after dropping Zaryab, then I will be with you." Kissing her head he took a step back and Shifa sat down on the edge of the bed.

Daniyal already knew that it would not be easy to raise someone's child, he knew it was a big responsibility and he was trying his best to fulfill his responsibility but he didn't want to neglect his wife and child because of Zaryab.

"Dad," Zaryab muttered when they were in the way to the school. "Yeah?" Daniyal hummed without looking at him.

"When I greeted dada (grandpa) he didn't greet me back. Isn't it a bad habit?" The innocent question of Zaryab was putting a big question mark on the morality of Mr Kazmi and Daniyal was answerless but he didn't want Zaryab to take his father as a negative person.

"Beta, Dada is not in a good mood these days, once he'll be back to his happy form he'll love you the most."

"And there comes the school." Daniyal gestured and picked the school bag from the back seat. "Finish your lunch, don't leave a single bite, otherwise I'll not buy you a chocolate." Daniyal picked Zaryab in his arms and walked towards his classroom. It was a kindergarten where parents were allowed to drop their children to the classroom.

"Will mummy come today? I want her to meet my friends." Zaryab repeated his question and Daniyal thought for a moment then nodded. "We both will come." He replied and let Zaryab go to his seat.

The drive back to the home was difficult for him... The road was empty but his mind was full of thoughts. Today he had a dream which was unusual for him, he rarely have dreams.

Many years ago when he was in love with Adeena he had a dream that she committed suicide, he ignored it as he thought it was just a dream, nothing else. But after many years it turned true.

And almost one year ago, the day he met Shifa he had another dream in which Shifa was a beautiful woman in her late thirties or early forties, she was sitting in a beautiful garden with her two children. Daniyal was relaxing at a distance but he knew that those children were his own blood and flesh. After waking up from that dream Daniyal was feeling awkward because at that point Shifa was just another rude and ill-mannered girl for him. And for him it was just another weird dream, but now he could see the interpretation of that dream as their beautiful future.

But today he had another dream and it was something different. He saw himself in a garden. It was his own garden with numerous small flowers but there was a golden coloured rose in the middle of many ordinary roses, there were no thorns in that very rose and its fragrance was different from others. Daniyal smiled and plucked that golden rose. From nowhere Zaryab came and asked for that rose. Daniyal smiled more and handed over his precious rose to Zaryab but very soon he disappeared from his eyes. Now Daniyal was shouting helplessly and searching for Zaryab moreover his golden rose.

Wasn't it something weird? Daniyal could ignore this dream too if the previous two weren't reflecting the reality but now he was unable to understand the meaning of this dream. Struggling with these thoughts he reached home. Unlocking the main entrance with his keys he stepped in slowly, he didn't want to disturb anyone and he also wanted to sleep now but as soon as he walked in the hall all his slumber vanished. Badi Amma and Mrs Kazmi were looking in a panicked state. Badi Amma was going to Shifa's bedroom and Mrs Kazmi was coming out of it.

"Kya hua?" Daniyal asked and Mrs Kazmi noticed his son.

(What happened?)

"Thank God you're back. We need to take Shifa to the hospital immediately." Mrs Kazmi's words scared Daniyal, he knew that this time would come one day but right now he was nervous or scared or maybe worried.

"Is she alright?" He almost ran towards his bedroom to see his wife.

<><><><>

Maryam, Badi Amma and Mrs Kazmi were sitting outside a room, Daniyal was standing at a distance and biting his nails for the last half an hour. His eyes were fixed on the white door which was never opening but suddenly Mrs Kazmi smiled and gestured for Daniyal to come near. He was clueless but rushed towards the ladies. "Yeah Ammi?"

"Listen, it's a crying voice." She whispered and Daniyal looked at the door. "I wanna go inside." He muttered but no one was allowed to enter in the labour room other than the patient and the medical staff. In the time being a middle aged lady in the uniform of a nurse came out with a baby wrapped in a blue towel.

"Any guesses? Is it a girl or boy?" She asked and everyone looked at each other.

"Boy." Daniyal and Badi Amma said in unison but Maryam and Mrs Kazmi just waited with some more patience. "It's a girl." The nurse handed over the baby to Maryam.

"How's the mother?" Mrs Kazmi asked and the lady nodded with a smile. "She's fine." And then everyone's attention was grabbed by the little beauty present in Maryam's arms.

"She's an exact copy of Shifa." Mrs Kazmi whispered while taking her granddaughter in her arms and Maryam nodded with tearfilled eyes. She was remembering the time when she held her little doll and now daughter of her doll. Time ran so fast for her. She couldn't stop her tears of joy. All three ladies were adoring the baby but Daniyal was standing near them silently. Neither he said a word nor came near to see his daughter.

"Daniyal, apni beti ko nhi dekhoge kya?" Maryam asked and he spread his arms towards his mother who carefully handed the little baby to his arms.

(Daniyal, won't you see your daughter?)

"Allah paak, shukarguzar hu main is neymat ke liye." Holding the sleeping doll near his chest he whispered and tears appeared in his eyes. He didn't know why he was crying but he was unable to hold back his tears. Removing the specs with his right hand he cleared his tears with the back of his wrist and again wore his specs. "Masha Allah," he smiled and kissed the forehead of his daughter with tearfilled eyes.

(Allah Pak, I am thankful for this blessing.)

"Mummy's copy, you don't have a single feature of dad." Daniyal kind of scolded his daughter and everyone laughed at that genuine complaint.

There was something in this baby that Daniyal was unable to avert his eyes from her face, she was sleeping peacefully in her father's arms who was still crying without knowing the reason himself. Mrs Kazmi informed her husband and Maryam did the same work resulting, in only a few minutes both the men were there to meet their granddaughter who was still sleeping in his father's arms.

Mr Kazmi placed his hand on Daniyal's shoulder. For the first time he averted his eyes from his doll and looked up with a smile yet tear filled eyes. "Baba." Daniyal stood up and gave his daughter to Mr Kazmi which disturbed her slumber, she was so peaceful in her father's arms and she started crying.

Everyone gathered near the baby and it was the first time when she opened her eyes in this world. Mrs Kazmi and Maryam looked at each other then at Daniyal who was in awe. The gray eyes covered by the specs met with the pair of other gray eyes which were settled on a beautiful doll-face.

<><><><>

After a Month:

Daniyal stepped in the room in a hurry. He opened his cupboard to drew out the clothes he brought from laundry yesterday but stopped for a while and looked at his wife.

"Kya ho gya? Tayyar nhi hona kya?" He asked when saw his wife lying on the bed silently, she lifted her gaze towards her husband then again shut her eyes.

(What happened? Don't you have to get ready?)

"Shifa, tabiyat theek hai? Koi problem hai kya?" Sitting beside her he asked and kissed her forehead. Shifa kept watching him for a long time and her eyes filled with tears.

(Shifa, are you alright? Is there any problem?)

Today, the Qasr-e-Kazmi was decorated with pink ribbons and balloons because it was a small party to celebrate the arrival of Miss Alshaf Kazmi. Shifa was happy till the morning and now when Daniyal came back to the room after satisfying himself that everything is done he found his wife crying. He looked at Alshaf, she was wearing a cute pink dress and sleeping peacefully beside Shifa. Bilal took Zaryab to the park so that he could enjoy and doesn't feel excluded in all these hustle and bustle of home. Shifa's new dress was hanging in the dressing room, she was so excited to wear that till morning but suddenly her tears!

Even after thinking about everything Daniyal found no such problem to make her cry.

"Shifa batao to kya hua hai? Badi Amma ne kuch kaha hai kya?"

(Shifa, at least tell me what happened? Badi Amma said something?)

"Deni my result is out." She whispered and Daniyal's expressions shifted towards normal. At least Shifa's health was fine and there was no such matter which could be problematic for future of his family. But he was not happy after seeing Shifa's condition, he know that Shifa had given her exams when she entered in the third trimester of pregnancy. Her health wasn't well at that time, moreover she was giving her time to Zaryab as well as home.

"Failed?" He asked sadly, he was truly disheartened due to this news. Shifa sat down on the bed and wiped her eyes. "No," she whispered and Daniyal took a breath of fresh air.

"Backlog?" He asked in a hushed tone and grabbed Shifa's hand between his both hands. If she passed the exams still crying it only meant that she was failed in one or two subjects.

"No Deni, do you consider me such a duffer student?" She asked with rage and pulled her hand from Daniyal's grip. "Then what's the reason behind these tears?"

"Deniiiiiiii..." She cried like a child and Daniyal first time felt that he had to handle two little girls, one is actually little and the other is overgrown yet a child.

"What?" He understood till now that there weren't be a serious matter and Shifa almost cried without tears or without actually crying, she was kind of frustrated and disheartened. "I passed the exam but with second division."

"Really?" Daniyal asked with an expressionless face, he was trying to conclude how to react, he wanted to congratulate his wife but she was not happy. "Deniiiiiiii..." She wanted to cry but couldn't, she just rested her head on his shoulder and Daniyal sighed while pulling her in a hug. This hug wasn't like a hug of a husband but a protective embrace of a father.

"Ji saheba? Kya masla hai?"

(Yeah madam, what's the matter?)

"Aapko samajh nhi aa rha kya masla hai?" She huffed and shifted away Daniyal was actually unable to understand the matter. "Zindagi mein pehli baar meri second division aayi hai, main topper to kbhi nhi thi lekin itni buri student bhi nhi thi... First division se kam to kabhi score nhi kra mene."

(Can't you understand what the matter is?)

(For the first time in my life, I have got a second division, I was never a topper but I was not such a bad student either... I have never scored less than the first division.)

"Begum, You not only performed well as a student, but as a caring mother, a responsible daughter-in-law as well as a lovely wife. I'm so proud of you, second division is not bad at all." He smiled and again grabbed her hand in between his hands but Shifa pulled her hand from his grip.

"What? Second division is not bad? Deni are you kidding me? Second division means 45% to 60% and I've scored 59.59%; only a few more points could lifted up my division. Why didn't I study well at that time? Why...?" She was busy criticing herself and Daniyal was watching the wall clock.

"Mehmaan aane shuru ho gye hain, tayyar ho jao, is baare mein baad me baat karte hain." He didn't know what to do in this matter so talked about something else but Shifa huffed.

(The guests have started arriving, get ready, let's talk about this later.)

"Aapko sirf aur sirf mehmano se matlab hai, meri koi fikar nahi hai aapko." Daniyal blinked blankly, was it a mood swing? After the birth of the baby he was silently and patiently tolerating his wife's mood swings, she usually stays in a happy mood but any minor thing could irk her.

(You only care about the guests, I don't care about you.)

"Shiifaaaa" a knock on the already open door grabbed their attention and before Daniyal could grant permission to the one standing on the doorway, she was already in the room.

"Shifaaaaaaa...." Opening her arms she almost ran towards Shifa but stopped for a moment and looked at the sleeping Alshaf. "Aww meri shonu monu, bilkul mujh par gyi hai cute si pyari si bachhi..." kissing her cheek Afifa babbled and then looked at Shifa then again at Alshaf whose little lips trambled. "Sooja beta sooja warna hum baate nhi kar payenge." Afifa whispered and surprisingly the little figure slept after wiggling a few times.

(Awww, my cutie pie... You are just like me, pretty and beautiful.)

(Keep sleeping my dear, otherwise we will not be able to talk.)

"Tujhe kya hua chehre par 12 kyu baja rakhe hain?" Shifa just opened her mouth to say something but before she could reply Afifa continued. "Yaar Shifa result aa gya, allah ka shukar hai main paas ho gyi. Yaar main to bilkul baal baal bachi hu, agar 2 -3 points bhi kam hote to fail ho jati... mene to mannat maani thi paas ho gyi to 11 garibo ko khana khilaungi aur dekh yaar main paas ho gyi. Yaar I'm so happy main paas ho gyiiii... Mene to shariq se kaha hai mere pass hone ki khushi me kal dinner bahar karenge." Afifa was overjoyed and Shifa was looking at her without blinking, her face was still pale which suddenly turned Afifa's expressions towards worry.

(What's wrong with you? Why are you looking pale?)

(Yaar Shifa our results are announced. Thanks to Allah, I have passed the exam. Dude, I have narrowly escaped, if even 2-3 points were less then I would have failed... I had vowed that if I passed, I would feed 11 poor people and look, I have passed. yaar i'm so happy.I have told Shariq that we will go out for dinner tomorrow to celebrate.)

"Begam saheba apne result ka matam mana Rahi hain." Daniyal said in a hushed tone and Afifa's expressions saddened, she was not acting but actually feeling sad for her bestfriend. Sitting beside Shifa she pulled her in a side hug.

(My wife is mourning for her result.)

"It's okay yaar, I know it was difficult for you to manage your pregnancy as well as studies but don't worry, you can give compartment exams. Study well this time. I'll baby sit this cutie pie you only focus on books." Afifa did not break the hug and Daniyal kept smiling while watching the scene.

"No... There is no backlog." Shifa break the hug. "So?" Afifa's eyes widen up and lips formed an 'O'

"Fail?"

"Pagal hai kya, Affo?" Shifa gasped and told about her marks.

(Are you mad, affo?)

"Ji bilkul. Aapko ab pta chala hai? Mujhe to pehli mulaqaat mein hi pta chal gya tha! Sali saheba hamari pehli mulaqaat yaad hai?" Before the friends could say Daniyal interrupted and asked the last part to Afifa. This time Shifa couldn't help but laughed out loud. How could she forget that meeting?

(Yes of course! Do you get to know it now? I find it in the first meeting itself! Remember our first meeting, dear sister-in-law?)

"Jiju aap bohot bure hain." Afifa fake huffed and Daniyal was about to say, okay now I believe his wife's words stopped his tongue.

(Jiju you're so bad.)

"Don't you date to say a single word against my husband, he's much better than your Chomu." Daniyal laughed and pulled his wife's cheek, after her weight gain he was enjoying it already but Shifa huffed.

"No you were correct Affo, bohot bure hain ye."  Daniyal sma ked his forehead and looked at both friends who were not in mood to stop chatting.

(He's so bad.)

"Tayyar ho jao meri beti ki maa, ghar mein mehmaan aa chuke hain." Daniyal literally joined his hands in front of his wife and she smiled and nodded. "Aap bhi tayyar ho jaiye, mehmano ko to aap hi handle karenge na."

(Get ready my daughter's mother, guests are already arrived.)

(You too get ready, you have to attend the guests.)

"Haa jiju, Shariq bechara bahar betha hua boor ho rha hai, aap zara company de dijiye use."

(Yeah jiju, poor Shariq is getting bored sitting outside, give hume a company.)

"Kyyaaaaa... Tu us chomu ko bhi le aayi? Aur wo begairat insaan aa bhi gya? Mene sirf tujhe invite kra tha. Deni usi isi waqt bahar ka rasta dikhaiye." Shifa said the last part while pointing towards the door. Daniyal and Afifa both laughed at her irked behaviour.

(Whatttt? Why did you bring that Chaumu too? And that selfless person has also come? I had invited only you. Deni, show him the way out right now.)

<><><><>

After a few hours the function was over, only Kazmi's and Shifa's parents were present in the Qasr-e-Kazmi. Anwar was smiling and seeing his daughter's daughter ignoring what everyone was talking about.

"Papa ko to dekhiye. Mujhse to kabhi dhang se baat bhi nhi kari aur nawasi ko dekh ke hase jaa rhe hain." Shifa pulled a face and whispered to Daniyal who was sitting just beside Anwar. Daniyal suppressed his smile very well and Shifa rolled her eyes but...

(Look at papa, I don't remember if he smiled like this while talking to me but while seeing his granddaughter he's showing an ear to ear grin.)

"Tum itni pyaari thi bhi nhi." Shifa blinked a few times and Daniyal burst out in a guffaw. Shifa huffed but smiled too because she was not only a daughter but a mother too. Maybe it is the only relationship in which one feel happy to be a step back. She was happy that her daughter was even more beautiful than her.

(You're not that cute.)

Alshaf became an apple of everyone's eyes, she was a calm and cute baby who doesn't cry at all, she just cry a little when feels hungry otherwise she only smiled and plays with her parents as well as grand parents.

Zaryab was too happy to have Alshaf, he was waiting for her to grow up so that they both can play together, he sleeps with a hope that next morning Alshaf will be a little bigger than the previous night but this girl was not growing at all due to which Zaryab was disappointed.

Badi Amma was also unhappy, according to her Shifa and Daniyal weren't good parents, especially Shifa. As a mother she was not taking care of her daughter properly. And to compensate the so called careless nature of these new parents the old lady was over-pampering the newest member of the family by daily massaging her with baby oil, wrapping her in a baby towel and giving bath to the little girl carefully. While doing all these works she never let a single chance go to scold Shifa that she became a mother but she does nothing carefully and perfectly.

"Kazmi Sahab ijazat dijiye, hum bhi chalte hain." Anwar stood up while taking his leave and Mr Kazmi nodded.

(Kazmi Sahab, i would like take my leave now.)

"Ji zarur jaiye, aur jate jate ye sare cheezein bhi wapas le jaiyega." Mr Kazmi pointed towards the loads of gifts, clothes and toys brought by Anwar and Maryam.

(Yeah sure, and take all these things along while going back.)

"Kazmi Sahab wapas le jaa kar hum kya karenge Inka? Ab aapki aur hamari umar to hai nhi in khilono se khelne ki bachhe kheel lenge." Anwar replied with a smile and Mr Kazmi gave a disappointed look.

(Kazmi Sahab, What will we do with these things after taking them back? Now you and I are not in the age of playing with these toys, so let the children play with them.)

"Mene aapse bola bhi tha kuch le kar aana ho to aaiyega hi nhi."

(I already told you to stay at home if you can't come empty handed.)

"Aur mene bhi kaha tha aaunga to har haar main aur Khali hath main kahi nhi jata." Anwar cleared his stand and Mrs Kazmi also gave a disappointed look.

(And I also told you that I'll come at any cost, also I don't go anywhere empty handed.)

"To ek mithayi ka dabba le aate kaafi tha, in saari cheezo ki zarurat nhi thi."

(Only a box of sweets was enough. All these things weren't needed.)

"Okay, okay okay... Stop it now." Bilal stopped the friendly debate in a loud voice and everyone looked at him. "Papa, Uncle is correct. There is no need to bring gifts for attending a function." Billa added and Mrs Kazmi smiled then nodded.

"He's such a wise boy." Shifa rolled her eyes after listening her mother-in-law's comment and very next moment Bilal showed his original form. "So it's decided now that uncle and aunty will not bring any gifts on my wedding. Done." Everyone burst into a guffaw but Maryam smack her forehead and Anwar was glaring at his youngest son who was not willing to grow up any soon.

"Tumhari shadi ki baat kaha se aa gyi?"

(From where your wedding comes in between?)

"Shifa Aapi ke baad mera hi to number hai na." He grinned like a winner and Anwar glared at him. But everyone else laughed.

(Obviously it's my turn after Shifa aapi.)

"Shifa ko hum kuch din ke liye apne sath le jaye?" Maryam asked and everyone looked at her suddenly.

(Shall we take Shifa with us for a few days?)

"Why?" Everyone including Shifa asked in unison and Maryam shrugged... "Just... Because... Umm because of no reason, just so that she can stay with us." She replied after collecting some words to reason her demand and everyone shook their heads.

"No mumma, I'm not coming. I'll live here in my home only." This was the clear reply from Shifa which brought a big smile to Anwar and Maryam's face. What else did they want other than this happiness in Shifa's life? Nothing.

"Stay blessed always." Kissing Shifa's cheek Maryam hugged her and they all took their leave. After some more time Badi Amma, Mrs and Mr Kazmi went to their respective rooms leaving Daniyal, Shifa and Zaryab in the hall. Zaryab was sitting in Daniyal's lap, his arms were wrapped around his waist and he himself didn't know when he nod off while enjoying Daniyal's fingers running on his scalp. Shifa was adoring her daughter and playing with her.

"She's so cute na." Shifa whispered while kissing her daughter's forehead.

"Hmm, Masha Allah." He whispered back and kissed Alshaf's forehead. "She looks like you Ahmaq Aurat (idiot woman)." He pulled her cheek with full of love as well as force and Shifa grit her teeth while hissing.

"Deniiiiiii aap na..."

(Deni you're...)

"Bohot bure hain?" He completed the sentence and lightly pressed his lips on her forehead which suddenly vanished her little amount of anger she kept glaring at him but smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

(Very bad?)

"Bohot achhe hain." She whispered seeing directly seeing in his eyes and rested her head on his chest with a smile.

(Very nice.)

"Aap bhi Ahmaq nhi ho lekin ho bhi." He whispered and rested his chin on her head, they both laughed lightly without disturbing the kids.

(You're also not an idiot, but you're..)

"Let's go to the room, it's already too late." Daniyal whispered and they walked to their new bedroom which was upstairs.

This bedroom was bigger than the previous one, everything was better than the previous one but an element was unchanged.

The signature wall.

The space on the wall above the headboard of the bed was still reading حُب (Hubb), تَوَكُّل (Tawakkul) and صبر (Sabr). Removal of any of them will ruin the beauty of the wall, so as a relationship. Either it's a relationship with Allah or with other humans.

They were ready to preach to their children that a bigger picture of love always require a smaller amount of patience and trust!

<><><><>

The end.

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So...

A journey ends here but as I always say, it's not the end of the story, it is just the end of one chapter of life.

Feedback is a must.

(Feeling nervous and insecure.)

And...

Who wants an epilogue?

Your author,

_Naaz Jamal