The drive back home was full of conversation but not once my dad spoke about the topic I wanted to talk about seems like he isn't going to discuss 'something' that easily with me.

Fine! It's not that I am really interested!

Okay maybe I am.

Who am I kidding? I definitely am! I mean when almost everyone is giving me that suspicious smirk I have to become interested, its human philosophy for heaven's sake!

But all the thoughts vanished as I stepped inside my apartment, it wasn't feeling of homesickness or excitement of coming back rather I realized that I didn't even missed this place for once and standing at the entrance I was rather missing my days in Pakistan and now when I won't be able to have continuous broadcasting of azaan or when instead of driving on those streets of Islamabad I would be struggling on these streets of New York or instead of having an hourly bulletin in Urdu the news have to be from CNN or ABC news or not having Jameel baba asking me what type of curry he should make for dinner , it surely going to be hard to adjust back in my own home.

"Wali?" I was brought out of nostalgic thoughts from my mother's voice.

"Hmm?" I turned towards her to find her observing me because there was this faint smile on her face which is always there when either she is looking at me or Dad. "Missed me a lot, I guess?" I teased her while wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Obviously never before I have spent both of the eids (Islamic Festivals) without you!" she said with a frown and I leaned to kiss her head.

"No worries we'll have some gathering or let's arrange a family barbeque total desi type!" I grinned "I have hundreds of photos from the barbeque Salman chachu arranged in Karachi, everyone was there! It would be thousands time more fun if you all would have been there but nonetheless it was fun from marinating to cooking we guys did all the work!" I smiled at the memories of late night barbeque we all had, by now all three of us been seated in the living room.

"Chalo Masha Allah I am glad you enjoyed your stay." Mom patted our intertwined hands with a warm smile, "Khair why don't you fresh up and eat something then you should rest too."

"Sounds like a good plan!" I agreed and stood up to get back to my room while my mother already went inside the Kitchen, Joe wasn't here as he had gone because his wife wasn't really well so for the time being someone else will be here from Virginia not that I need it but it can't be easy to make your parents understand it.

Going up to the familiar stair case I went to the room at the end of the corridor which was locked so twisting the keys in the lock I finally entered into the familiar midnight-blue and white painted room with similar themed furniture and decoration, I turned on the light to find the room completely set up and clean not even a dust particle on the furniture, though the large bed and soft pillows were silently welcoming me towards them but I made my way towards the closet to change into clean clothes because it's been more than twenty four hours that I am dressed into the same outfit and now my body was craving for a shower. A warm shower is a great place, you can just stand and enjoy while your nerves are relaxing and on top of it enough time to think and gather your thoughts so standing there and enjoying the warm water running down my body my thoughts went back to Pakistan, the office, Hala, school and Buri dadi who was persistent on getting me settled, the only thing which was used to make me miss US and lastly about my surgery which I had already planned out with doctors in Baltimore. After I was done wrapping the towel around me I got back to my room to find mom sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Oh hey!" I exclaimed.

"Uff Allah! Wali the closet and changing room are there for a reason!" she sighed getting up from the bed, "Look you have literally soaked the entire carpet." She shook her head. "You would never change." She completed while I was sheepishly grinning.

"Mom, person should be consistent on what he does, you know, those types of people are the ones we could have faith on!" I smirked while brushing my hair and then again going inside the changing room to dress up because mom was in the bed room.

"May Allah help Kh... your future wife," I peaked from the changing room and when I was all done I went and stand in front of her while looking at her and motioning her to continue what she was saying, "well I just came to get you, your father is waiting." She quickly said and rushed out before I could even say a word.

So this was all that fuss was about!

It was after five minutes that I walked downstairs to find my parents already seated on dining table involve in some discussion but they quickly straightened up as I reached the table.

"You guys can talk even if I am here," I smiled at them "It's not like I am still that lousy teenager, you know." I looked at both of them while taking one of the seats.

"Kia lo gay?" (What would you take?) Mom asked with a smile already dismissing the tense and quite aura around us.

"Sandwhich and coffee," I said carrying on the game while looking at dad who was looking at his plate. "Dad you haven't said a word to me since we came back." I finally said leaning forward and placing both my hands on the table.

"Aray nahi! It's nothing like that just listening to my wife and son." He said with a smile and I raised my eye brows at him.

"Okay! Good! I thought there is something worrying you guys or it seems like you guys wanna talk about something," I said nonchalantly but not missing the looks passed by both of my parents.

The rest of the meal went by almost silently where I would occasionally ask something and they would answer and vice versa. Though by the end of it the exhaustion was finally getting the best of me and as it had been hours I haven't taken my painkillers so finally the heaviness was settling in too, a good few hours sleep is what I need because my sixth sense is telling that my arrival back in J.S.T after six months would not be a piece of cake and a lot of work would be waiting for me that means a lot of talking resulting severe exhaustion, I could easily use a portal now by only thinking of tomorrow.

"Wali, can you please come into the balcony?" I heard dad from the living room as I was making my way towards the stairs from the kitchen. I turned to mom who was giving me a slightly tense but somewhat encouraging smile.

"Jee dad, aya!" (Yes dad, coming) I called out for him as I heard him opening the sliding door leading to balcony, "Okay mom! Seriously what is going on? Literally this is getting pretty confusing and I hope it's not what I am thinking it is!" I turned towards her as she was drying her hands.

"Look Wali, you believe us right?" I nodded "so please believe this decision which we have taken, obviously you would have the last say but Wali it's a mother's request." She said and maybe I would have protested, denied, walked out like I usually do but hearing her voice breaking is enough for me to just nod and agree on whatever she says so with slow defeated steps I made my way towards the balcony and found my father sitting on one of the chairs and reading newspaper but as he saw me he kept it aside and gave me a warm smile, motioning me to take one of the seats. Silently sitting in front of my father I was just focusing on my hands, impatiently rubbing my hands and tapping my thumb on the back of my hands, never knew I would find my hands so interesting maybe because I would trying not to meet intense gaze of my father.

"So I am sure you have guessed." He said after couple of minutes.

"Yeah," I looked at him and there was still a fatherly smile on his face.

"Wali, look I'll put it straight, your mother and I just have you to share our happiness with and beta it's you we can express our desires to, I know that you have been avoiding the issue of getting married from a long time and I believe that you have some rational reasons behind it but I guess now it's time you start thinking about it, Wali that day Abdullah came with us to get you because both of our families have been meeting for quite some time," he stopped and I looked at him, quite surprised by this new information which was quite alarming.

"Dad, since when you guys have known each other or let me put it this way since when you both started meeting for my purpose?" I asked him.

"I guess four to five months now, well Irtiza your friend told us that Abdullah is interested about you and his niece—"

"Dad, No! Please no! Look I know you are right, I would get married but I can't marry Khadija, I don't deserve her! Dad, a girl like Khadija deserves someone far more better than me and I certainly don't reach the quality of the guy who deserves her. Don't tell me she is being pressured in this? Dad I wouldn't be able to keep her happy, a woman as pious as her deserves a rightful man and I am certainly not that man." I was continuously saying without realizing that my voice was higher than it should be. I couldn't believe this happened behind my back and after knowing all about me Irtiza was still involved in this. I couldn't believe this was happening majorly because Khadija knew about me and my past and no matter what happens she would never want this wedding and more than that at the health situation I am in, I don't want to involve someone else in the same trouble, I don't want to get married when I know that I might not be able to have a normal life or even no life ahead. I can't just ruin someone's life for that instance.

"She doesn't have any problem, she had agreed." He simply replied. "So I think you shouldn't have a problem now. Wali, finally your mother and I are extremely happy about this, If not me than think about her. I wasn't asking you I was informing you, we can't like anyone better than Khadija for you; she is like a daughter to me! If you would say no to this Wali, I would think you never considered me a father." And just like that he walked away.

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A.O.A

So, I hope you guys are all well and enjoying winter break! Well if you guys remember I told you guys that L&F was ranked #292 on Nov 09, 2015 but now I want to thank you that we were ranked #254 on Nov 27! It was kind of huge for me and I want to thank every single one of you who read and support this story! And yeah thanks for over 700 reads! :D JazakAllah Khair!

Lastly, don't forget to give your feedback through votes and comments.

Zehra :)