Eid came a day earlier at the Ahmad household.

The smell of cardamom and saffron infiltrated the air as their mothers prepared desserts for the big day.

Someone shouted from the street outside, "the moon has been sighted!" Joyous shrieks erupted again.

Dahlia was sitting on a tool on their porch. Chin on her palm and eyes trained on her sisters. Rose was on the phone with her tailor, arguing about when he would deliver her clothes. Lily, Zinnia and Poppy were on the floor, animatedly chatting as the latter applied henna on their hands one by one.

The night before Eid was always a bittersweet moment for Dahlia. On one hand, she felt regret for all the things she didn't do in Ramadan - on the other, Eid with family was always a fun occasion.

Ibrahim plopped down on the empty seat besides her, the joy on his face similar to the children on the house. He bumped Dahlia by the shoulder after a while, pulling her attention away from their sisters.

"You're in a good mood," he said to her, voice only low enough for her to hear, the look on his facing teasing. "That's a rare look for you these days."

"That's not true," Dahlia replied, rolling her eyes. "I'm just extra happy today because you all are home for the holidays," she concluded, lips breaking into a smile.

"We live in the same house, you know. We run into each other regularly, anyway," he joked.

"I know, but you guys are so busy these days I feel like I barely see you anymore." Dahlia pouted. "Even Lily is working again."

Ibrahim furrowed his brows, suddenly looking thoughtful. "Why haven't you started anything yet, Dels? I thought you were planning to start working from around this time?"

"Come on," Dahlia sighed, her mood dampening instantly. "You're starting this too?"

"Hey, I'm not confronting you or anything," Ibrahim clarified "I was just wondering."

Dahlia broke eye contact and shifted her gaze back to her sisters. "You know, I'm just taking a break. Uni was hard for me," she said, shrugging.

"I know," Ibrahim continued. "But I get the feeling you're bored. I know you didn't plan to sit idle for so long."

"I have yet to find anything I like. And honestly, I'm not even sure if I want to work at all."

"Dels, if you truly don't want to, you know I'll support your decision. But are you sure that's what it is?"

"Of course!" she cried crossly. "Why would I say that if it isn't?"

"Hey," Ibrahim softened his voice again. "Once again, not attacking. I'm only trying to help. I know how hard this is. Starting something new is terrifying, I was terrified when I was about to take this leap."

"Were you?" she snapped, tilting her head. "Because you work for our fathers, you kind of took the easy way out."

He opened his mouth in shock. "That is low." Ibrahim cried, pointing a finger at her.

"I know, I know," Dahlia hastily replied, breaking eye contact, the tension between them dissipating. Her shoulders slumped, guilt filling her heart. "I'm sorry, Ibi. I'm just really confused right now. I need more time to figure things out," Dahlia finished, looking at her brother again.

"Alright, I just pray you can come to a decision before our hair turns white and your hip gives out." He placed his palms on his thighs and got up.

"Hey!" Dahlia protested the comment, swatting the back of her hand to hit her brother's shoulder.

She missed him by a hair as Ibrahim stood up. He smirked at her and headed back inside the house. The rest of their sisters were finally starting to pay attention.

"By the way, my hips are the bombs, okay?" she cried after him, pointing at her lower body. "Grandma says they'll bear good sons and survive the end of times!"

Kaveh was celebrating Eid in his home after four whole years.

Eids in London were celebrated in solitary. One time, Kaveh had even forgotten it was Eid because of his busy schedule. Only once or twice he went out with the few muslim friends he had in London.

But here, Kaveh couldn't forget it even if he tried to. The entire city was buzzing in anticipation for the big holiday.

The night before, his father dragged him to the Ahmad household.

He sat through it as he heard his father discuss every mundane thing with the Ahmad men for hours on end. Ibrahim was smiling and nodding along with their fathers for the better half of the night.

At some point, Salman called and told him to meet him outside.

He walked to their street with Ibrahim to find his best friend looking out of his car, eyes twinkling as he watched them come out.

"C'mon, get in," Salman shouted through the window. "We're meeting the rest of the guys."

Kaveh looked at him from a haze of confusion. He lifted his wrist to check his watch. "It's late."

"Uh-huh," Salman mumbled, his mind already shifting elsewhere. "Yo, Sasquatch," he called, looking over Kaveh's shoulder to address Ibrahim. "Join us. I'll let you sit on the floor mat, peasant."

"Where are we going?" Kaveh asked, getting in the car.

Salman shrugged. "Just around. Peasant, hurry up," he called again, eyes out the window as he watched Ibrahim crossing the sidewalk.

"Oh, shut up," he grumbled, shutting the door behind up.

After all of them were seated, Salman sped away.

They drove around aimlessly for a while. Kaveh's two companions bickered for the first half of the ride. After a while, they started sharing memes and laughing endlessly.

The world seemed to come to life as they left their neighbourhood and entered the city. The roads were still crowded. Every shopping mall was adorned with fairy lights and twinkling like a bride. Horns were still blaring.

They watched the city lights for a while. Salman soon drove them away from the chaos. The crowd thinned as they approached the outskirts. Gigantic ships loomed at the side of the roads. He could hear the lullaby of crashing waves.

They stopped once they reached the side the parking of the beach. The foams of the sea looked white in the dark. The tall lighthouse in the distant was blinking rhythmically. The scene in front hit him like a brick of nostalgia.

The guys met up the rest of their friends there. There were shouts of "Eid Mubaraks" as they embraced.

Seeing Ibrahim, their enthusiasms peaked. The boys all hugged him one by one, their greetings getting higher each time.

Fardin was the last to remain clung to the big guy. He mimicked weeping noises and repeatedly said, "I missed you, Sasquatch."

"Dude, this is getting awkward." Ibrahim lightly pushed on his shoulder. "Let go."

The meme sharing began again. Light breeze danced around them, carrying the smell of salt and seaweed. The stars shone brighter away from the city, as the smog cleared from the sky. There were small stalls lined across the sea, selling various things.

Kaveh's eyes swept around the area. There were still visitors at the beach, but it wasn't as crowded as he once knew.

"How long has it been since you last visited this place?" Salman spoke, breaking his chain of thoughts.

Kaveh paused, his brows pulling in thought. "I can't recall."

"We used to come here almost every weekend," Salman told Ibrahim, a corner of his lip turning up in a smile.

"Yes," Kaveh nodded, meeting his gaze with surprise. "I forgot."

"Man, I used to look forward to it all week," Salman chuckled.

Raad picked up sand in his fist and threw it at Salman. Their conversation was disrupted.

Salman snapped his neck to look at his friend and let out a cry. "Disgusting!"

The boys started laughing. The two guys broke into a run as Salman chased him across the shore.

Kaveh followed the two with tears of laughter in his eyes, wondering how he could forget those memories to begin with.

It was well after midnight when Kaveh finally stumbled upon his room. He couldn't remember the last time he went to bed this late. He had a strict routine he followed diligently. His slumber was cut even shorter as his father brutally awakened him early the next morning.

The sun was shining brighter than most days. Kaveh showered and got dressed. His parents were seated around the breakfast table and he joined them.

"Where's Layla?" He asked, filing his plate.

"Still sleeping," his mother replied.

"Shouldn't she be joining us for breakfast?"

"She went to bed so late last night. I don't have the heart to disrupt her sleep," Yasmine shook her head in a motherly manner.

Kaveh resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His parents pampered Layla beyond belief.

He spent time with his baby sister Azar for a while. His mother started elaborate preparations for the yearly Eid dinner they held in their household. Soon, the two men of the house were off to the Eid prayer.

Kaveh's day was spent accompanying his father to their million and one relatives' houses. Arshad Fayyad proudly showed him off and told everyone that his son was back.

Half of the people expressed delight to see Kaveh's return, the other half told his father they should find the young man a bride as soon as possible.

The Fayyad house started filling in by the time evening descended.

Dahlia Ahmad always saved her prettiest dress for the annual Fayyad family Eid dinner.

She had spent her day surrounded by family. Now at the dinner, she was eager to meet her friends. She dispersed from her sisters momentarily and searched for Layla and Farrah.

"Dahlia Ahmad," a familiar voice drew her attention.

Dahlia raised her brows in surprise as she saw a smiling Faizan Iqbal approaching her.

Dahlia returned his smile. "You," she cried, a little breathless by his sudden presence. He looked just as she remembered him, his light brown eyes twinkling against his weathered skin.

A corner of Faizan's lips lifted up in a playful smile. "We meet again."

Dahlia quickly flitted her gaze elsewhere. "I need to go," she pointed a thumb over her shoulder. "I think my sisters are looking for me."

Across the room, Layla sauntered towards Lily. "How have you seen Kaveh?" she asked hastily, her annoyed gaze sweeping across the room. "Dad wants him for something now I'm stuck looking for him," she grunted.

"Well, Della is there," Lily muttered, pointing at her younger sister and Faizan from a distance. "So Kaveh must be..." she squinted her eyes, searching the surrounding area.

"What?" Layla asked, widening her eyes with disbelief.

"Nothing!" Lily chirped sweetly. "Found your bro." She tilted her head in Kaveh's direction.

Layla followed Lily's gaze and saw her brother in the middle of their living room. He was only a few feet from Dahlia, something unpleasant lurking in his face.

"Kaveh!" Layla called out, grabbing his attention. "Dad wants you."

Upon reaching him, she held him by the arm and lightly nudged him to move along with her, without waiting for his response.

"Where were you?" she asked as the siblings waded through the growing crowd of people.

"Around," he replied. The look she had seen earlier had disappeared. Kaveh was stoic again.

The siblings were quiet for a moment.

"How well does the Ahmads know the Iqbals?" he asked his sister, his tone flat.

Layla snapped her neck to meet her brother's glance.

"What?" she spat, that muddled expression back on her face the second time that evening.