Zaryab and Zeedan were sitting opposite each other. A few books and notebooks were resting on the table and they were lost in the pages of books. 

Zeedan was looking at the wall clock now and then but Zaryab did not lift his eyes from his paper even once in those two hours. Shifa entered the room with two mugs of hot chocolate milk and some freshly baked cookies loaded with almonds, raisins and cashew nuts. This was the only way to feed nuts to these brats. She drew out time to cook for them and always added something nutritious to their fast foods. She loved cooking ever since, but now it wasn't her love anymore, it was a necessity. Her children loved junk food but she couldn't see them destroying their healthy bodies to satisfy a little organ called the tongue. She was deceiving her children for many years by feeding them pizza with homemade sauces and pizza base with loads of veggies and cottage cheese instead of processed cheese, and soda cans were replaced by milkshakes or homemade fruit drinks with added soda water to satisfy their desire to have something fizzy. 

She was giving her best as a mother just like she had given her best as a daughter, a wife and a daughter-in-law.

"Take a little break." placing the tray of milk and cookies in between the boys she announced but Zeedan shook his head and hurried up. "I wanna go to Nanu, I'll finish this homework and go." he just glanced at his mother and Shifa couldn't help but embrace him tightly as if he were a teddy. An underweight teddy with big hair. "Mera pyara bachcha... Take a break. I'll tell Dad to wait for you. He won't leave you here." Kissing his head Shifa moved back and looked at Zaryan who was already picking up a cookie while his eyes were still fixed on the maths problem. 

His brows furrowed, and his facial expressions were serious... No one could say he was a 10-year-old. Munching on the cookie with his right hand he wrote something with his left hand and Shifa muffled his hair lovingly but he grimaced while pushing her hand away. "Mumma please, let me study." without lifting his gaze he muttered with irritation.

"Zaryab take a break beta."

"Don't disturb me," he muttered while putting the half-bitten cookie back and Shifa looked at her both sons. They both were unexpectedly bright students. Zaryab was crazy about maths and physics. In his free time, he used to watch YouTube to gain knowledge about maths and physics. It wasn't usual for a fifth-standard student to learn those topics but he enjoyed that.

Zeedan was half like his mother... Good at studies and half like his father best in communication skills. He knew the art of winning hearts with his words. He used to give speeches and participate in debates. He was the youngest student to be selected to represent his school in a science exhibition on a distinct level. He was Shifa's little heart. She loved him more than anyone in this world, even more than his Father.

"Mumma," Zaryab finally looked up. "Yeah?"

"Can we calculate the distance travelled between two places without even measuring?" Zaryab asked and Shifa thought for a moment then grabbed a pencil from his hand.

"See, we have an expression for this. Speed is always equal to the distance travelled divided by the time taken." sitting beside him Shifa started explaining a concept that was going to be introduced in his schools after almost two years and he was listening to everything carefully.

"Now I understand." he smiled. "Mumma, we know the distance between the sun and the earth... We know the time taken by Earth to revolve around the sun... So we can calculate its speed using the same formula... Right?" Zaryab asked and Shifa gave him a loving look. 

"Umm... Yes, you can but you will have to do some big calculations. Earth revolves around the sun in a circular motion, so the distance here will be calculated by finding out the circumference of Earth's orbit. Moreover, you don't know anything about SI units of measurement... So, leave it for now." Shifa didn't want to demotivate this boy so she halted him from doing some more research.

"But I wanna know, tell me." he pleaded. "okay, I'll tell you. But now close these books and enjoy your holidays, I'll bring some higher standard books for you and then teach you from them. Fine?"

"Fine." he grimaced and closed his books. "Wanna go to Nanu?" Shifa asked and Zaryan nodded with a big grin and excitement.

"Done!" a loud voice of Zeedan forced Shifa to look at him. He was looking so excited. "What?" she asked and Zeedan closed Zaryab's GK book and showed a drawing to his mother as well as Zaryab. Both of them looked at him with confusion. 

"I solve the problem. My homework is done now I'll get a cycle." Zeedan jumped happily while he was holding a drawing in his hand. Shifa laughed and opened her arms, her son hugged her tightly and she kissed his head. This little boy was working hard to complete the homework given by his Nanu and finally, he was done. Shifa already knew the answer but never told him because she wanted to teach her son the value of hard-earned income, here his income was a long-awaited bicycle. "You're such a nice boy."

"And what about this boy?" Zaryab asked and Shifa clenched her nose, "You're a Nakchada (picky) boy," but opened her other arm and Zaryab hugged her too. Three of them laughed and got one more kiss from their mother. 

"Now finish these cookies and milk then wear your shoes, Dad must be coming in only ten minutes." stepping down from the bed Shifa instructed both of them and packed their stuff.

Going downstairs she glanced at Alshaf who was present on the swing which was installed by Daniyal especially for his daughter because she demanded it. "Alshaf, come downstairs. I'm making soup for you," yelled Shifa and stepped into the kitchen.

This girl was the most stubborn and picky among the three, sometimes it became difficult for Shifa to show her polite nature to this girl, and many times she wanted to beat her but never did so. If Alshaf wanted something then she wanted it at any cost and if she came to her stubbornness then no one could change her mind other than Zaryab. She wasn't a cup of tea for anyone, not even for Daniyal. When she showed stubbornness She did exactly the opposite of the instruction no matter how harmful it could be for her. 

"Alshaffffffff..." Shifa yelled. She wanted to slap this girl but controlling herself. Alshaf demanded soup but the boys demanded cookies, so Shifa went with the majority and told them to make soup tomorrow, so Alshaf was sitting on the swing with a puffed face.

"I want tomato soup." said the little girl while standing behind her mother who turned and glared at her. "Itni zidd achhi nhi hoti hai Alshaf, agar ek din bhaiyon ki choice ki respect kar logi to kya ho jayega?"

(Alshaf, this much stubbornness is not good, Alshaf, what will happen if one day you respect your brothers' choice?)

"But I want soup."

"We want many things but we should think about others too. Stop living like an individual, learn to live like a family member. What will happen if I or your dad stop buying you dolls because we don't want them... We think about your choice, right? So why can't you alter your choice for your loved ones?" this speech was hiding a good amount of anger but Alshaf ignored it, just like her father. "Sorry." and she walked out of the kitchen. Shifa took a deep breath and let it out with anger.

How could a seven-year-old be so stubborn? 

Pouring the soup into three bowls she walked to the bedroom of Mrs Kazmi. "Alshaf, do you want to go to meet Nani and Nanu?" asked Shifa and Alshaf nodded.

"Aap bhi chali jaiye Shifa."

(You also go, Shifa.)

"Nahi Ammi main aram krungi," she muttered while going upstairs but not before instructing Alshaf to come upstairs after having soup so that she could change her clothes.

(No ammi, I will take a rest.)

Picking up her mobile phone she dialled a number and looked at her left arm. Removing the small circular bandage from her under elbow she threw it in the dustbin and waited for the call to be received from the other side but couldn't get a reply. Meanwhile, a smiling face appeared in the bedroom who was lifting his daughter on his shoulders.

Seeing tension on his wife's face he let his daughter go to the other room and sat down beside her. "What happened? Have you done the blood test?"

"Hmm... I did. But..." she pressed her lips together for a while. "There was some issue in the machinery, it was taking some time to generate the report so... Maybe after an hour," she muttered.

"Shifa, even if the test result will be positive why are you so worried?" he held her hand. "Deni, I, neither physically nor mentally, am ready for one more pregnancy. We already have three kids, and we have a great responsibility of these three, another child will eventually take a share of their time, and I don't want to neglect these three." Shifa put her opinion but Daniyal sighed. 

"Don't worry, at least let the test confirm," he muttered. She was tensed this morning. After missing her period, she tested her pregnancy at home which confused her. Two tests showed negative and one positive.

After a while, Shifa called on the same number and heard the ring again, but this time the call was received from the other side. "Hello"

"Riya, is the issue resolved?" she asked

"Yeah Ma'am, it is." 

"That's great. I gave a blood sample, what about the report?" Shifa raised a question. 

"Ma'am, Dr Anju is already making a report, I'll forward it to you within a few seconds."

"Hmm, be quick," she muttered and cut the call. Within a minute her mobile pinged, and she quickly opened WhatsApp showing a report. Reading the result she passed her mobile to Daniyal and covered her face with both hands. 

Daniyal smiled after glancing at the mobile screen and then towards his wife. "Shifaaaaaaa... " he pulled her in a hug.

"Dad... Dad... Let's go to meet Nanu." Zeedan came running inside the room and saw his father embracing his mother in the same way Shifa embraced her kids. The little boy giggled. "Is mumma a baby? Why are you embracing her?"

"No your mumma is not a baby, but do you want a baby brother or baby sister?" Daniyal asked and Shifa suddenly looked up at her husband's smiling face. 

"Yes yes yes... I want." Zeedan jumped happily and Shifa elbowed her husband. "Deni, the report is negative." she huffed in a whisper. 

"Hmm... I know but I want the next report to be positive," he muttered to get a glare from her. "Then get yourself pregnant and bear all the pain." She muttered while gritting her teeth and for a moment Daniyal changed his mind because only he knew how hard it was for him to tolerate Shifa's mood swings during and after those two pregnancies. 

"Mumma... I want a baby sister."

Zeedan demanded and Shifa glared at her husband but then turned towards Zeedan and nodded. "Afifa Aunty will bring one, then you all can play with her. Okay?" Zeedan smiled happily.

"Now three of you go downstairs, and greet Dadu and Dadi. Dad is coming in five minutes." Zeedan walked out and Daniyal chuckled after seeing Shifa still glaring at him.

"Kya ho gya? Ab main apne bachho se baat bhi nhi kar sakta?"

(What happened? Now I can't even talk to my children?)

"Kal aapke bachho ka result aa rha hai... New uniform aur stationery lene ki tayyari kriye." she was indirectly telling him to focus on the already present kids instead of another one but Daniyal chuckled. He also didn't desire another kid but he wasn't disappointed if he got one, moreover, he was happy to tease his wife and this was an old topic to tease her.

(Your children's results are arriving tomorrow... prepare to get new uniforms and stationery.)

"Take a rest, I'm going." he slowly punched her cheek and she glared at him but he smiled and pulled her other cheek which eventually brought a smile to her face.

"I'm going."

"Okay." she nodded, he was about to step out of the room when a voice stopped him. "Deni?"

"Ji?"

(Yeah?)

"Baba ki medicines na bhuliyega."

(don't forget Baba's medicines..)

"Aur kuch?"

(Anything else?)

"Hmm... Ammi ki eye drop..." she smacked her forehead as she forgot that.

(Yeah, Ammi's eye drops.)

"Aur kuch?"

(Okay? Anything else?)

"Umm... Nhi aur to kuch nhi..." she muttered but then suddenly stood up. "Arey... Deni Papa ko ye de dijiyega, main unke liye knee cap layi thi.." separating one pair from two Shifa passed one to her husband and kept the other aside for Mrs Kazmi.

(Umm... No, nothing.)

(oh, yeah... Pass these kneecaps to Papa, I brought them for him.)

"Jesa mohtarma ka hukm... Aur kuch?"

(Your wish my command. Anything else Madam?)

"Nahi, bas aaj ke liye kaafi hai. Wapas aate waqt bacho ke liye ice cream aur fruits le aaiyega."

(No, enough for today. Just bring some fruits and ice cream for the kids while returning.)

"Aur mohtarma ki khidmat mein kya hazir kar du?"

(And what my dear lady wants me to present to her?)

"Hum to Chand taarein mang lete lekin Janab e aali jo bhi de sakein kaneez ko sab manzoor hai," she smiled, she had learned a great amount of Urdu in these years. 

(I would have asked for the moon and stars, but whatever Mr Husband can give, everything is acceptable to this lady.)

"chand taare laane ki hesiyat nhi hai is adna se gulam ki. Is nacheez ke paas to faqat ek adad dil tha wo bhi ek arsa pehle begum saheba ko nazar kar diya... Ab to is zaat ke alawa kuch nhi hai faqeer ke paas jo aapki shaan mein peysh kar sake." it was one of the finest and cheesiest lines delivered by Mr Kazmi which forced his wife to roll her eyes. 

(This humble slave cannot bring the moon and stars. This mere man only had a heart that he presented to his wife years ago.

Now he is only left with this vitality to present to you.)

"Ek plate Gol gappe pack kra ke le aaiyega." from moon and stars she directly jumped to the roadside chat stall and his husband chuckled while stepping out of the room. Shifa lay down covering herself with a blanket.

(Bring a plate of gol gappe.)

<><><>

"Nani, where is Nanu?" asked Zeedan and Zayan in unison when Alshaf's arms were already becoming a necklace of Maryam's neck.

"He is taking a bath, coming back in only a few minutes," Maryam replied and embraced her granddaughter. She saw little Shifa in this girl and felt lucky as life had given her a chance to enjoy Shifa's childhood, Alshaf got all the love that Shifa had missed in her childhood.

"Mummy ko sataya to nhi na aaj aapne?" Maryam asked in a hushed tone and Alshaf broke the hug while shaking her head.

(You didn't trouble mumma today, right?)

"Main to kabhi bhi nhi satati." she shrugged, "Hmm, aap to meri achhi beti hain, aur achhi betiyan to kabhi nhi satati." Maryam caressed Alshaf's head while adjusting her on her lap but this little girl furrowed.

(I'm not a troublemaker.)

(Hmm, you are my good daughter, and good daughters never trouble others.)

"Really Nano? Do good daughters never trouble others?" Alshaf asked with curiosity and Maryam nodded. "Yes, never!"

"To mumma mujhe kyu satati hain? Isn't she a good girl?" Alshaf asked and Daniyal chuckled but Maryam was in disbelief, eventually she also laughed at that amazing question.

(then why mumma troubles me?)

Alshaf wasn't entirely wrong. Her mother troubled her.

Alshad hated milk but Shifa forced her every day to drink a glass full of it.

Alshaf hated to go to school but her mother forcefully sent her to school daily.

This little girl hated homework but her mother forced her daily to complete that.

She loves to watch Barbie movies but her mother never allows her to watch three movies back to back.

This little girl wants long hair just like her mother and grandmother but her mother chopped her hair to shoulder length.

Alshaf loved to do gardening but her mother kept her away from soil and dirt. 

And the list could go even longer. "Your Mumma troubles me too," Daniyal added but Maryam gave him a disapproving look.

"Go and greet Mami, then tell her to call Billu Mamu to bring Milk and snacks while coming back home." Maryam let Alshaf go and looked at Daniyal.

"Galat baat hai Daniyal, bacho ke sath baith ke Shifa ki burayi na kra kro, wo bachhe hain, unhe samajh nhi ayega ki tum mazakh kar rhe ho, is cheez ka un par negative effect hoga."

(You are doing wrong Daniyal, do not speak ill of Shifa in front of children. For you, it's just a joke but they are children, they can take it seriously, and this thing will have a negative effect on them.)

"Umm... Maine kabhi is bare me nhi socha... Ayenda ahtiyat krunga." Daniyal understood. No matter what, elders are always elders, they give us the best advice even when we consider ourselves the most intelligent. 

("Umm... I never thought about that... I'll be more careful next time.)

Before the discussion could be stretched two voices attracted Daniyal and Maryam's attention. "Nanuuuuuuuuuuuu" Zeedan and Zaryab yelled when saw Anwar coming out from his bedroom. Till a few minutes ago no one could say that these boys were even present in the home but after seeing their favourite person they sprang with joy.

"My tigers." Anwar sat down on the sofa embracing both of them but Zeedan furrowed. "I'm Lion, Nanu?"

"No, you're a cub. You'll become a lion after you grow a beard and a moustache." The overbearing man's anger was at rest in front of his grandchildren however his tone was still cold. 

"Nanu," Zaryab showed his smile and gestured to Anwar to come near, he leaned and Zaryab whispered something, in reply Anwar whispered back to him. Daniyal and Maryam looked at each other trying to understand what was going on between them but no one knew it.

Then it was Zeedan's turn. "Nanu, tell me that riddle one more time." Asked the little boy with brown eyes and Anwar laughed with the thought that the boy was going to take more time but decided to repeat the same question which was Zeedan's homework. 

"Listen to me carefully, this is the last time and if you've failed then you're not getting any cycle," Anwar instructed and Zeedan suppressed his smile. "So, there was a Japanese ship carrying many people, including a merchant who had a big and precious diamond. Suddenly, A big wave knocked the ship, and everyone was worried as they thought that this might be the last day of their life but luckily the weather became fine. After a few hours, the merchant noticed that his diamond had been stolen from his luggage. He had seen only three people near his luggage, one was the cook, and two others were the captain and the sailor. All three accused were called for the interrogation. The Captain said that he was handling the ship's navigation after it was distracted due to the storm. The sailor said that the storm turned the flag upside down so he was fixing it. The cook said that the storm tossed the ship due to which all the utensils were fallen so he was cleaning the kitchen." Anwar took a pause.  

"Now tell me who is the liar?" Asked Anwar and Zeedan held his hand in front of his father. Daniyal drew out a few folded papers from his pocket and put them on his son's hand. 

"The Sailor" Zeedan yelled and opened the papers in front of his grandfather. Now Daniyal understood what his son had been doing for the last many days. "See Nanu," Zeedan showed the drawing of the Japanese flag. Then another drawing in which a ship was showing the Japanese flag at the top. 

"see... " Zeedan turned the flag upside down and Anwar laughed because the Japanese flag 🇯🇵 looks the same even if it is upside down. "Who told you the answer? Your mother. Right?" asked Anwar

"No Nanu, Mumma just told me to draw every scene of this story so that I don't miss anything." Zeedan told Anwar proudly. 

"Okay, you'll get your cycle." Anwar smiled and got numerous kisses from this little boy. "Nanu, tomorrow is my result day. What will you give me if I get the first position?" Asked Zeedan.

"What will you give me Nanu?" Zaryab also asked with excitement. 

"I'm already giving you a cycle." Anwar declared then looked at Zaryab. "Tell me what do you want?"

"Ummm... I don't need a thing Nanu, but you'll have to help me in making a working mini lighthouse." Zaryab's demand was something different but Anwar nodded.

"Nanuuuuuu..." Alshaf came running towards him and hugged him. "And what you want princess?" he kissed her forehead but Zeedan interrupted.

"Nanu, this cycle will be the reward for solving this riddle, I need a PS3 if I score the first position."

"what? No." Anwar shook his head "Only a cycle is enough"

"I won't talk to you." Zeedan huffed meanwhile Alshaf, who was standing on the sofa just beside Anwar, was making small spikes of the wet hair of this overbearing man. Zaryab was sitting resting his back with Anwar's arm and munching on a banana whereas Zeedan was busy bargaining with this overbearing man.

"Nanu, mene keh diya to bas keh diya, cycle aur PS3 dono cheeze chahiye."

(Nanu, I need both the bicycle and PS3, that's final.)

"Only cycle."

"No... Both things." Zeedan, being like his Billu mamu, asked with stubbornness. Maryam and Daniyal were seeing them in disbelief.

Was he the same Anwar who showed his smile rarely?

"Aapki mumma Aapke Nanu se ab bhi darti hain, aapko dar nhi lagta?" Maryam couldn't stay silent anymore. All three kids looked at Maryam then towards Anwar and burst into a guffaw. 

(Your mother is still afraid of your Nanu, aren't you afraid of him?)

"Nanu se kon darega?" Alshaf asked while laughing, still making countless horns on Anwar's head using his wet hair.

(Who could be afraid of Nanu?)

"Nanu is our friend." He was Zaryab who was now hugging Anwar's arm. "Nanu Yaarrr..." Zeedan made a little pout.

"Zeedan... Don't use this word." Daniyal instructed and his son turned towards him. "Dad... But you told me that I can use it only for friends."

"Hmm... So?"

"Nanu is my friend." he was again hanging in Anwar's neck who was stuck on the cycle but this boy wanted both things.

"Zeedan ab mujhe gussa aa jayega." For a moment a loud voice created a pin-drop silence in the room. Daniyal was ready to handle a crying Zeedan who would come to him after being scolded by Anwar but...

(Zeedan, now I will get angry.)

"Nanu mujhe to pehle se gussa aa rha hai... I want PS3 and Cycle too." His voice was louder than Anwar which was enough to make this overbearing man realise that his children were so Shareef (innocent). Even Bilal was an innocent boy in front of these devils.

(Nanu I'm already angry.)

"Nanu you're the best." Alshaf hugged him from behind. "Okay, what do you want?" Knowing very well the reason behind this buttering Anwar asked.

"A doll house with a bigggggggggg living room." opening her arms to make a big circle Alshaf demanded. "Fine, tomorrow I'll take you along with me. Buy whatever you want."

"You are the best Nanu in this world."

"Ye sab kya ho rha hai papa?" After all, Daniyal dared to ask and Anwar smiled, taking Alshaf in his arms he kissed her forehead.

(What's going on papa?)

"Jab tum is maqam par aoge tab tumhe pta chalega," Anwar said with a smile and Maryam remembered the time when her father was angry with her but he loved Shifa more than anyone else.

(You will understand after coming to this stage of life.)

"I'll be waiting. In sha Allah." Daniyal said in a whisper and Maryam looked at him. "It's a long time though." she smiled and they both again looked at Anwar who was enjoying with his grandchildren forgetting everything about his overbearing nature. No one knew the reason behind this drastic change but only this man.

<><><><>

"Deniiiiiiiiiii." Shifa yelled after huffing "Ye bachhe maine chrome se download nhi kre, aapki bhi aulade hain ye." Shifa yelled out of anger but sitting on the ground floor Mr and Mrs Kazmi burst into a guffaw.

(I did not download these children from Chrome, they are your children too.)

"Coming," Daniyal yelled back while glancing at his daughter whom he was feeding breakfast with his hand. "Princess, we are getting late. Have it quickly." Daniyal passed her a sandwich and walked upstairs. Alshaf grimaced and started munching lazily.

"Be quick beta," Mr Kazmi instructed but Alshaf didn't want to do so. She wanted to sleep but her mother forcefully woke her up which was enough to irk her. She didn't want to attend the Parent-Teacher meeting Daniyal was as usual supporting his daughter to do whatever she wanted but Shifa didn't like this decision. She wanted kids to be with them when the teacher represented their progress report.

In no time Zeedan and Zaryab came downstairs, Zeedan was the one who hugged his grandmother and whispered something that brought a smile to Mrs Kazmi's face. "If you secure the first position then I'll give you whatever you want," she whispered back and Zeedan hugged her excitedly. Zeedan walked towards Mr Kamzi who was drawing out some money from his pocket. He passed ten rupees to Zaryab and ten to Alshaf, it was his daily routine to give this small amount of money to his grandchildren. Shifa and Daniyal came downstairs, "Ammi baba we are going, I'll go to the lab from school and Deni will take the kids to meet Papa, then I'll be back after having lunch so..." Shifa took a pause to see Alshaf who was only seeing the sandwich but not having it. "Don't wait for us for lunch, and don't forget your medicines. Alshaf we are already getting late because of you." without even taking a break Shifa said the last part to her daughter who huffed and pushed her sandwich away.

"Where are you going? Finish it."

"You just told me we're late." Said Alshaf and Shifa grit her teeth. She wanted to slap this girl hard. "pick this sandwich right now and go to the car. Alshaf ignored and walked outside.

"Alshaf, come back and greet Dadu Dadi," Shifa yelled but her daughter left.

"Kyu danti rehti ho bachhi ko?" Daniyal asked with disappointment but Shifa glared at him.

(Why do you keep scolding this little girl?)

"Aap bigad rhe hain ise, uski umar aur badtamiziya badti jaa rhi hain aur aapke liye wo bachhi hai. Zyada pyaar bhi sweet poison hota hai Deni, aap use sweet poison de rhe hain." Shifa threw a glare at Daniyal as well as her sons.

(You are spoiling her, her age and bad temper are getting worse but she is just a kid for you. Too much love is also a sweet poison, Deni, you are giving her sweet poison.)

"How long will you take to get into the car?" Yelled Shifa before picking up Alshaf's sandwich and walking out. Daniyal also walked after his wife but with an angry face. Zeedan and Zaryab looked at each other and ran out after greeting the elders and picking two sandwiches.

"Khatija... Aapko nhi lagta Shifa ka gussa badta jaa rha hai?" Mr Kazmi asked and Mrs Kazmi sighed.

(Khatija… Don't you think Shifa's anger is gradually increasing?)

"Nhi Kazmi sahab, gussa nhi Daniyal se shikwe aur duriyan bad rhi hain. Shifa bacho ko tameezdaar banana chah rhi hain aur hamare sahabzade uska baraks kar rhe hain."

(No Kazmi Sahab, not anger but distance is increasing in between them. Shifa is trying to make the children well-mannered and our son is doing contrast.)

The old couple was worried for their grownup children in the same manner that the young couple was worried for theirs.

<><><>

Holding the progress report in his hand Daniyal glanced at Zaryab who was standing beside Shifa keeping up his sensible yet cute personality. "How's his performance, Ma'am?" Shifa asked the teacher and Daniyal focused on the report card. 

"Again first position but..." The teacher stopped and gave a little fake angry look to Zaryab, "His Hindi is still weak but he is not giving it priority. See the score, 97+ in other subjects but 89 in Hindi, he would not score first position if his presentations and projects were not excellent."

"Sorry Ma'am," Zaryab muttered but Shifa gave an apologetic look to the teacher and Zaryab both. It wasn't Zaryab's but Shifa's fault, she was not giving him enough time. This boy was studying Hindi from his grandparents and everyone knew how well Kazmi's Hindi was! If it was not Hindi but Urdu then Zaryab would be the topper. Well, he still was!

"I'll make sure to focus on Hindi too," Shifa assured and the teacher smiled. "Any other complaint or anything else?" Daniyal asked and the teacher shook her head. 

"No complaint at all, he's such a good boy but he is just in the books, Zaryab from next year you have to participate in extracurricular activities too."

"Yes, Ma'am." the little boy smiled happily, his parents were feeling proud to be with him. Daniyal and Shifa walked out of the classroom.

"Come here my tiger." Daniyal pulled Zaryab in a tight hug and Shifa kissed his head. "Let's go to Alshaf's class now," Daniyal suggested but Zeedan shook his head. 

"No, first in my class." and he ran towards his class. Daniyal and Shifa followed him holding a big grin as they were sure about the excellent performance of their kids.

"Good morning Ma'am." Zeedan greeted the teacher and his parents walked into the classroom. "Ahh... Zeedan..." the class teacher smiled. After a formal session of greetings, Shifa grabbed the progress report of her son and felt satisfied to see a great result. He scored 97.89% this year, 1% less than the last year.

Shifa glanced at the teacher who was already talking to Daniyal. "Ma'am, I'm first. Right?" Zeedan interrupted the elders to know the most important question but his teacher shook her head with a little sad face. "Third," she replied and Zeedan's smile was lost. He looked at his parents who were still looking happy but he wasn't happy at all. Tears gathered in his brown eyes but he didn't let him come out. 

Now what will happen? He will not get the cycle and PS3! He didn't get the first position.

"And how is his overall performance?" Daniyal asked and his teacher just smiled. "He is a fun-loving little prankster, but if a child is good in every field then a few pranks count as entertainment. Overall, he is an outstanding child. Sometimes, he does more than a little prank but that's fine." The teacher said. Daniyal and Shifa looked at each other. "Bilal ka bhanja..." they both said in unison and controlled themselves to laugh.

(Bilal's nephew.)

"No worries, he will become sincere with time." the teacher added but Shifa shook her head while signing a few sheets. "No Ma'am, he won't." Shifa and Daniyal again muttered this statement as everyone knew that the grown-up Billu, who was a father too, was the same prankster. Everyone looked at Zeedan but their smile vanished.

"Zee, why are you crying?" Zaryab and Alshaf asked but Zeedan wiped his tears "I did not score the first position." he mumbled. Shifa was in awe, Daniyal formally thanked the teacher for her time and stood up from his place. "That's fine," picking his 6-year-old lean boy in his arms Daniyal walked out of the class followed by Shifa and the kids.

"Dad..."

"Ji Dad ki choti si jaan?" Daniyal made him stand up on a pedestal and Zeedan cried, "I did not score well, I did not secure first position."

(Yes my little love?)

"It's okay! You have given your best. And you're so close to the first position." Shifa wiped his tears and cupped his face.

"Don't cry Zee, try to perform better next time." Zaryab came forward like a big brother but Zeedan wasn't in the mood to listen to anyone.

"What happened?" an unknown lady asked after seeing this boy crying, "Failed?" the man with her asked with sadness in his voice. Who could see this cute boy crying? But Daniyal chuckled as he remembered Shifa crying for her result.

"No, just he didn't secure the first position." Said Shifa and somehow Daniyal handled his son. He sent Zeedan to the cafeteria with Zaryab to have some snacks, Alshaf also demanded to join her brothers but Daniyal refused and They both walked towards Alshaf's class.

"Good Morning Maam" Daniyal and Shifa greeted her, there were a few more people present in the class so the teacher asked them to wait. Alshaf was standing near Daniyal who was sitting beside Shifa. "Come here." He pulled his little doll and made her sit on his thigh. "My little princess." he kissed her little nose because his daughter was looking like a real princess in this pink frock sent by her Hamdan Mama. She hugged her father resting her head on his chest and Shifa gave a disappointed look to both father-daughter duo. "At least sit properly when you're in the school. Deni, be formal," she whispered but Daniyal looked at his upset daughter who had two scolds from her mother since morning, this was the third. After a few minutes, the teacher called them and Daniyal noticed his daughter.

"She slept." He muttered, Shifa furrowed. How could this girl sleep within a few minutes? "Alshaf just stop this drama otherwise I'll slap you in front of your teacher and other parents," Shifa whispered with anger and Alshaf jumped out from Daniyal's lap.

"Hello, Mrs and Mr Kazmi, please have a seat." they occupied a seat in front of the teacher and tried to understand the reason behind the angry expression on her face. "I have been waiting to see you for a long time and thankfully you draw out some time from your busy schedules." there was sarcasm in that polite tone which was enough for Daniyal to furrow but Shifa tried to be gentle and ignore that tone.

"Is there any problem?" Shifa asked.

"Yeah, many problems, but you two are so busy." the teacher was angry, this time Daniyal was also worried because of this tone.

"Alshaf is such an ill-mannered and stubborn girl. Many time I personally asked her if she has any problem due to which she is not attentive to the class but she didn't reply just ignored me. She is always looking outside the window while the teacher writes on the board. Her behaviour with her classmates is also rude. God knows for what but she is so arrogant. And, if the teacher scolds her she cries for hours without taking a break. I wanted to discuss the behaviour of your child with you but... " the teacher left the sentence in between and passed the progress report towards them. Shifa glanced at the result. She was shocked. How could Alshaf score such a low grade? During her exam, Daniyal himself was coming home sooner to tutor her, she wasn't a dumb girl, she was very intelligent just like her brothers but she didn't want to study.

"Ma'am, If you wished to see us you could write us a note or call us, we can always draw time for our children." Said Daniyal and the teacher furrowed. 

"Mr Kazmi, if I'm not wrong you're the only one who sent that request letter for not to disturb you and wait for your appearance whenever you're free." The teacher said and Daniyal was confused. "What?" he muttered then looked at Shifa who was already looking at him, her eyes questioning when it happened, Deni?

"Have you sent a letter reading this?" Daniyal asked his wife who shook her head with the same confusion. "No, I haven't."

"Ma'am, maybe it was a misunderstanding," said Daniyal but soon every eye fell on Alshaf who was looking pale.

"Alshaf, Haven't you shown my note to your parents?" the teacher asked and Shifa glared at her with deadly sight.

"What? Did you send us a note?" Daniyal asked "Yes, and Alshaf got me a reply from your side." the teacher picked a folder from a drawer and searched for something in between many papers then passed it to Daniyal.

Hello Ma'am,

I got your note regarding my daughter's complaint. It's sad for me to come to know this. I assure you that you'll not get any complaints from her in the future. I am sorry to inform you that my wife and I can't come to meet you because of our busy schedule, we hardly get free time, so I'll come to meet you in person whenever get some time.

Thank you

Yours sincerely,

Daniyal kazmi.

Daniyal lifted his eyes towards his daughter. For the first time, he had anger in his eyes for Alshaf. The letter was signed by Daniyal Kazmi but it was not his signature. In the time being the teacher passed another paper towards Daniyal and he started reading it.

Respected madam,

I'm sorry for the delay in meeting you, but I cannot draw time from my hectic schedule. I will come to the school soon to meet you. Thanks for your time.

Daniyal Kazmi.

"I never wrote such notes." Daniyal cleared his point and Shifa also read those notes.

"No matter how busy we are, our priority is our children," Shifa muttered and three of them glared at Alshaf who was looking pale.

"Who wrote these notes Alshaf?" Daniyal asked with anger. These kids didn't know that their father gets angry too but Shifa knew about the anger of her husband. Alshaf's eyes filled with tears but for the first time, her dad didn't melt. "Alshaf who signed these letters on my behalf?" knowing well that it wasn't Alshaf's handwriting Daniyal asked loudly. This time Alshaf cried out silently. At the same time, Zeedan and Zaryab appeared outside the door of the classroom, and they were shocked to see Alshaf crying. Even after trying, they couldn't gather some courage to ask for permission to enter the classroom but the teacher noticed Zaryab and gestured him to come in. 

"I told your son to convert my message to you." Daniyal glared at Zaryab. Meanwhile, some more parents started to arrive in the classroom, so Daniyal asked for permission to leave but this time he assured the teacher to get in contact with her in person to know the progress of this girl. 

"Kisne likhe the wo notes?" Asked Daniyal when they were near the car. "Ghar chal ke baat karte hain Deni." Shifa grabbed her husband's arm and threw a deadly glare at Alshaf.

(Who has written those notes, Alshaf?)

(We can talk after going home, Deni.)

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To be continued...

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