...

Dahlia Ahmad's day started before the sun rose in Chittagong.

On a regular day, she left her bed deep into the night when most of the recipients of her house were still in deep slumber. She sat in the prayer mat to pray Tahajjud until it was time for Fajr prayer.

This was Dahlia's favorite time of the day. When she had her one to one with the Lord of the world. It was when He was the closest to His servants, and she could bare her heart to Allah in the serenity of the darkness.

It was those few hours of the morning that kept Dahlia's sanity intact for the rest of the day; because living in the household she did, she had come to think of peace and quiet as rare commodities.

Dahlia usually took a nap after Fajr prayer, and by the time she came down for breakfast, the Ahmad household would come to life.

This morning, the scene that greeted her was of her mother trying to feed her sister Zinnia's twins, while her other sister Lily was keeping them entertained so that they'd actually eat.

Her eldest sister Zinnia Ahmad now helped their and Ibrahim's father with the family business. She stayed at office during morning and then usually returned by late afternoon, but while she worked, her children stayed in this house.

The twin demons - as Dahlia has come to call them - were the cutest thing on the planet. They had become the main priority of every member of the house and the heart that pumped life to this family.

Their mother spent all day fussing over them and their father beamed with pride every time anyone mentioned that both the kids had inherited classic Ahmad family features - small eyes, button noses and thin lips that often formed into whole hearted smiles.

But even Dahlia, with all the affection she had in her heart for the twins, couldn't deny their love has absolutely spoiled them. They looked like angels but acted like devil's spawns.

Asiya was sitting with her hands clamped over her mouth and Mohammed was asking so many questions that he wasn't giving Lily a chance to even raise the spoon to his mouth.

"Why was the horse sad?" Mohammed's high voice hit their ears.

"Because his master was a bad man," Lily Ahmad replied, the frustration in her voice making it obvious that this wasn't the first time she had answered this question.

"Why was he bad?"

She clicked her tongue. "I'll tell you if you take a bite. Say ahhh." She opened her own mouth for demonstration.

Ibrahim entered the scene. Ibrahim Ahmad, though was technically her cousin, was breastfed by her own mother when they were both infants; making him her foster brother. Being the closest in age, he was her confidant and best friend. Having their birthdays only a day apart, the two could basically be twins.

"Let me try." Ibrahim had already surpassed Della and curled his fingers around a chair to pull it out.

"Why did the bad master hit the horse?"

Lily shot Dahlia a defeated look.

"Ya Allah, Mohammed," Dahlia remarked. "Don't asks so many questions."

"Why not?" he asked, blinking his eyes innocently at her.

"He must get it from his father's side," Dahlia said, turning her head towards her mother. "I don't know anyone in our family that loves talking this much."

Ibrahim had already sweet talked Asiya into removing her hands from her mouth, and they were now around his neck as she placed butterfly kisses on his nose.

At the sight, Dahlia swooned and seethed at the same time. It was adorable how good her cousin was with the children. Asiya was crazy about Ibrahim, and even Mohammed obeyed him the most. But it seemed like the demons loved to bring out their wildest cards and naughtiest tricks whenever when they were under her supervision.

Dahlia felt it was the highest form of betrayal. Ibrahim always joked that, "you are so short, they think you are one of them."

She watched them for a while and then headed upstairs for her room. On the way, she saw her second oldest sister Rose lying on one of the living room sofas, her little boy napping besides her, and her eyes glued to the TV.

Dahlia halted and smiled. "When did you guys get here?"

Rose gave her a fleeting glance. "Earlier," she replied. "Your brother-in-law had to leave country for work, so we'll be here for a few weeks."

She nodded and continued in her way. By the time she reached her room, Dahlia was smiling. Rose was home, Poppy was here too for her semester break. Which meant the whole clan was back together after ages.

It was only a matter of time until she would feel suffocated, frustrated and have her things taken without permission - but Dahlia was happy. She never realized how much her family meant to her until they all grew up and started moving out for either University or marriage.

Their family was big and chaotic, but they had a strong bond and knew how to have a good time together. And Dahlia loved each and every one of them with all of her heart.

She took off her hijab and abaya and turned on the air conditioner in her room. Dahlia opened her planner and started scribbling down the notes she had been making mentally on the way to home from store.

Now at the brink of Ramadan, Dahlia had a lot of planning to do. She always heard stories of how people changed during Ramadan and found new meanings to their lives, whereas she barely managed to read two verses of the Quran. She always longed to be one of those people, but never really knew how to achieve that kind of revelation. But this Ramadan, she was determined to stop slouching off and make some effort at least.

She probably wasn't going to become a different person, but she decided she could at least attempt to become a better version of herself. She wanted to develop at least a couple of good habits that she could carry on even beyond the sacred month.

So instead of making abstract intentions for Ramadan, Dahlia wrote down exact goals, don't fight with sisters (too much) making its way on top of the list.

Dahlia knew her list wasn't much - but it was something. After jotting down her plans, she also planned to regularly ask Allah to let her live to see this Ramadan and also to let her succeed it.

Finally having a new purpose and also having her entire family together after a long time, Dahlia couldn't be more excited.

Farrah Hussain, standing in front of the wall-length window, frustratingly twisted a bolt of her tripod. Dahlia entered the room. She momentarily glanced at her friend, and then went back to work.

Dahlia shrugged off her abaya and hung it on the coat rack concealed behind the door. She began to unpin her hijab as she eyed her two best friends - Malika and Farrah - as they continued to nitpick Farrah's tripod with her camera attached to it, their faces as serious as news reporters.

"What are you guys doing?" she asked them curiously, undoing the last of the pin and freeing her hair from the wraps of layers of fabric.

"We are starting a YouTube channel for baking." Farrah replied with utmost seriousness. Malika - who was sitting on the bed between the door and the massive window - nodded her head in agreement.

"What?" Dahlia let out a laugh. But it died down quickly when she saw her friends' deadpan expressions. "Oh, you guys were serious about that?" she asked widening her eyes.

"Of course," Farrah replied confidently. "We're shooting the introductory video today."

Layla, who was lying on the bed, shared a look with Dahlia and shook her head as if saying, 'you're not overreacting, they're ridiculous.'

Dahlia plopped down on Layla's bed and started weaving the pins she undid moments ago on the bed's velvet, button-tufted headboard.

"By the way, I saw a guy downstairs," Dahlia said, shifting her gaze back to Layla. "Don't think I've met him before. Who is he, a cousin of yours?" Her voice hinted curiosity.

Layla's mood spoiled fast. "Tall, grey eyes?" she queried.

Dahlia racked her brain to check if those features seemed familiar, but they didn't. She didn't really look at the guy, she just recalled seeing someone she hasn't before.

"I don't know, I didn't notice," she admitted. "He was with Salman."

At the mention of her brother, Malika looked up and replied. "That's Kaveh."

Dahlia widened her eyes in surprise, darting them back and forth between her friends. "He's back?" she cried incredulously.

Layla nodded miserably.

Over the years, Dahlia had heard different things about Kaveh from different people - that he was Salman's partner in crime, the heir to the Fayyad empire, and the most annoying person to exist on the face of the planet - Layla's contribution of course - but the most consistent information she had heard about him was that he had no interest in coming back to this country.

"So, is he staying?"

"Apparently," Layla retorted with an eye roll. "He says he had a change of heart, but I sincerely doubt he is here to stay. I give him a month, at most."

"But did he say what suddenly tempted him to visit home?" Farrah piped in, rising her head from the tripod to look at her friends.

"Who knows?" Layla raised a shoulder and dropped it, disrupting some of her curly hair that fanned around her form. "I just wish he would stop playing around like this. Mom and Dad are seriously so happy. It pisses me off to think how hurt they'll be when he suddenly decides he is bored and doesn't want to stay anymore."

"I thought the same about Salman at first," Malika said in a reassuring voice. "But he's still here."

"Yeah, let's hope for that," Layla retorted, unconvinced.

Dahlia, who was invested in the conversation so far, suddenly realized Kaveh being back meant he was going to be living in this house - the house that had become her second home over the years. The Fayyad residence was only a few feet away from her own, and she walked in and out of it whenever and however she liked. Some days she just woke up from her sleep, threw on an abaya over her pajamas and walked over to Layla's even before having breakfast.

Since the house stayed male free almost all day - as uncle Fayyad worked during the day and the only people were around were Layla, her mom, little sister and a few house-helpers - Dahlia never bothered to wear hijab inside the house. But now she guessed she had to, Dahlia couldn't risk running into a non mahram with her hair open and - God forbid - in Power Puff Girls themed pajamas.

Layla's bedroom door creaked open at that exact moment and Dahlia's heart jumped to her throat, her fingers instinctively clutching around her scarf that was strewn around her legs, but a moment later she realized it was only Azar - Layla's three year old sister.

The toddler waddled into the room, with her Nanny in toe, and all of Dahlia's worries were pushed to the background. The main reason she spent so much of her time at the Fayyad household - other than that Layla had a big, bright, airy room, Yasmin Aunty was an amazing cook and that she liked hanging out with her friends - Dahlia had fallen head over heels in love with the cute, little baby Azar.

She had always had a soft corner for children, and Azar's feathery lashes and gibberish lullabies conquered her heart from the first sight. So when Dahlia wasn't spending her time with her nephews and nieces, she was playing with this three year old.

There were coo's around the room the moment the girls' eyes landed on the smiling toddler.

"Oh baby, I missed you." She lowered and puckered her lips to throw air kisses at Azar.

In the background, Malika was now awkwardly saying, "hi, my name is Malika" into the camera.

Layla cleared her throat and twisted her face towards Dahlia again, as if to resist whatever comment she was being tempted make about her other two friends.

"Are you guys going to the Rahman's tomorrow?" Layla asked, now propping herself up with her elbows in the same spot she was lying before, checking her friend's faces.

"Yes, in shaa Allah," Farrah replied, and Malika murmured in agreement.

Azar was now clutching Dahlia's phone tightly between her dimpled fists and trying to find the switch that would light up the screen, as the older girl rocked her up and down on her lap.

"I'm not sure," Dahlia replied, her eyes following the child's every movement. "It's so hot and I don't feel like getting dressed up."

"No! You have to go," Layla now sat up properly and pleaded. "Malika's going to bail as usual and there's no way Farrah will abandon her precious YouTube project for a simple dinner party tonight. What if I'm stuck with Umaira and her friends again?"

Neither Farrah, nor Malika even bothered to deny Layla's accusations.

"I don't know..." Dahlia trailed off, already feeling her will buckling. She didn't want to go, but she also didn't want to leave her friend alone.

"You can't leave me alone with Umaira, Dels!"

Dahlia caved in. "Fine," she sighed. It wasn't that big of a deal. She was just being lazy.

"We plan to bring new and exciting recipes every Thursday." Malika's voice interrupted them.

"Yes, your milkshake will surely bring all the boys to the yard every Thursday."

"Ignore her, Lia." Farrah shot Layla a disapproving glare and then returned her focus back to go manning the camera. "You're doing great."

Malika, who was feeling unsure about the whole thing to begin with, let out an exasperated groan and dropped her head on her hands.

Guilt bloomed in Dahlia's heart. She knew how much this meant to her friend and all that was at stake, she realized they were being was extremely insensitive for making fun of her in this manner. Malika had a fragile ego to begin with.

"Hey, Malika," Dahlia began, her voice taking a gentle turn. "We were just being idiots. You're doing fine, and just give it some time you'll get used to being in front of the camera soon."

"Exactly," Farrah added enthusiastically.

"And don't pay attention to Layla, she doesn't know what she's saying." Dahlia added, in an attempt to lighten up the conversation.

Malika lifted her head, her creamy cheeks tinted pink because of the pressure her fingers had applied to them moments ago. She briefly narrowed her eyes at Layla and glowered, then she darted her eyes back to the hijabi, gaze tentative. "You don't really think it's stupid?"

"No. I think Layla's stupid."

Layla shot Dahlia a look filled with betrayal, shaking her head. "If my sister weren't in the room, I'd tell you exactly what I think of you."

Dahlia chuckled and lowered her face to bring it closer to Azar. "You hear that, baby?" she said, her voice turning high pitched and brimming with affection. "Layla doesn't know anything."

She gave Dahlia a flat look and then lifted herself off the feather soft bed.

"C'mon, Azar," Layla extended a hand towards her little sister. "It's time for your lunch."

Azar puckered her lips and playfully shook her head.

"C'mon," Layla prompted. "Your nanny is waiting."

"No." She said, still shaking her head.

"I'm your big sister, you have to listen to me."

"Della said you don't know anything."

It was one of the longer sentences that Dahlia had ever heard Azar speak, so she was proud of that, but the content of it had her shoot her friend a face full of guilt.

"Della!" Layla complained and placed her hands on her hips.

"Oops."

Dahlia cursed herself for speaking whatever her heart desired in front of children. She faced Azar again. "I was just joking," she said, the playfulness disintegrating from her voice. "Layla is your big sister, and you have to respect her, alright?"

Azar nodded attentively and then slid off her lap. She shuffled towards Layla and gripped her extended hand.

"Anyway." Dahlia left her seat as well. "I should leave as well."

"So I'll see you tonight for sure?" Layla asked over her shoulder.

She nodded. "In shaa Allah."

A/N: Dedicated to @DuniyaKiEkMusafir because her support means the world to me!