Zuhaib realized the reason during coming months. The two guys Jamshed and Jawwad were extremely spoilt. Growing up in US they had every bad habit you could think of out of a 16 year old. And if their parents thought sending them back to Pakistan in their uncle's custody so they'll somehow change was a good idea then they were gravely mistaken. On the contrary they now had all the independence they might not had while living with their parents. Zain's father hardly ever put check on even his activities let alone on his nephews. Zuhaib secretly thought that their parents were fed up with them so sent them away and then would wonder what kind of parents they were to give up their sons like that.

The first shock came within first two months. It was a cool Saturday night of August and all the guys decided to take time out of their busy study schedule and spend the evening relaxing. Their plan was to go bowling in Areena first and then have dinner at one of the seaside restaurants. Till then neither of the guys had become close to any of the twins besides Zain ofcourse because they were cousins and living together.

They had so much fun at Areena. Jawwad had won most of the rounds while Zuhaib had lost all of them. They all were laughing and teasing him when suddenly Jamshed had said,

"Hey is there a liquor store near somewhere? It's been so long I had a drink and tonight calls for a party!" He had exclaimed while the guys had seen him as if he had grown two horns.

He may as well have because the boys never had even thought of drinking let alone finding a store!

Seeing their shocked faces his jaw had dropped like it was a crime they didn't know about it and with a voice like a wounded animal he asked,
"Don't tell me you guys never tasted alcohol in your life!? What were you doing with your lives all these years!!??"

Zain was the first to stop the convo. Shaking his head is reprimanding he had said,
"How many times do I have to tell you both that this isn't America dude! This stuff isn't common here nor do we indulge in it."

"Please don't spoil the fun Zain! If you don't wanna join us you can leave happily but I'm hunting down somewhere to get them here tonight and I'll show the guys what they were missing all their lives!" He replied in a bored tone and Zuhaib saw how Danial and ShahJahan were piqued up with his words.

"So who's in and wanna join me and who's a kid here and wanna go back to mummy!" He continued.

"Don't be stupid dude! Ofcourse we all will join you. It'll be the best adventure of our lives"! Danial had exclaimed and looked at the other guys for affirmation. Hashim was the first one to deny.

"Are you out of your mind Den? How can you possibly call it adventure? We weren't raised like that and if you people will go with the stupid idea I'm leaving." This was the very first time the soft humble Hashim spoke against anyone in that manner. He was literally fuming and clearly upset. For a few minutes he looked at the guys almost pleadingly to let go of the idea but when the silence stretched he stomped away.

Zuhaib always wished he had that courage too. He always wished he had left with Hisham. He wished he would have said something with him and backed him up.

But he was a coward. He still had the insecurity of leaving his friends and be alone. And so when after a couple minutes Jawwad broke the silence and called everyone to join him in his jeep he silently accompanied them.

They went to Zain's home first to get Jamshed's laptop and then proceeded towards their actual destination; the seaside restaurant they were supposed to eat at. Once there, they chose a relatively secluded spot with beautiful sea view and gave their orders after settling down. Soon their food had come and the hungry guys were digging in it. All this while Jamshed was constantly busy with his lappy and mobile and in all the happy and excited chattering of other guys Zuhaib was wondering if being coward and staying was the right decision.

Very soon they were done with main course and dessert and the next step was to inform the parents. The guys together with Zuhaib one by one called their parents to inform them they may be a bit late. Zuhaib had a spare key in his wallet so after reminding him to not be much late his parents gave permission. After all it was the first time he had asked and he was growing up.

After this step was finished everyone looked at Jamshed expectantly and at the same time Jamshed looked up from his laptop to give them a thumbs up.

He finally had found what he was looking for!

It was a dark stinky ally with only one street lamp blinking innocently trying to provide the dark night some sort of light and failing miserably. Jamshed uncertainly parked beside one particular dingy building and got out. Telling the rest to stay inside the car with a hand motion he proceeded inside the building. Within a couple minutes a very flushed Jamshed joined them back with a black bag which he tossed at the foot of back seaters and revived the engine.

That night the guys stayed at Zain's place till midnight. His parents weren't at home so they had full liberty. When they reached at his place the guys gathered around Jamahed while he produced a bottle and some cups from the bag. He filled all of their tiny cups with liquid whose smell was making Zuhaib nauseous already. Or maybe it was guilt.

He didn't know what the guys did because within fifteen minutes he had discreetly emptied his cup in their lawn and excused himself out. The guys were busy within themselves that no one paid heed to what he was saying.

He took a deep breath when he came out in the cool night. His home was three blocks away and he had to walk. Shutting his thoughts off he put his hands inside the pocket and started the walk home. It ended too soon and before he knew he had changed and was within the comforts of his duvet gazing up at the ceiling. Suffice to say he couldn't sleep that night.

Coming months saw many similar incidents. They would go out to eat or play and end up with some alcohol at Zain's place and in all of them Zuhaib would accompany them. He had no explanation to give to his guilty conscience besides the fact that he was a coward and didn't want to leave the otherwise good guys and his best friends. He then would think of Hisham who after the very first incident didn't even look at any of them and would feel another guilt rock placed on his conscience.

They finished high school in similar manner. Zuhaib, like the nerd he once was, took highest score in their class and was immediately taken in the best business university of Karachi. Everyone else went on their own paths too but their friendship remained same. Although totally busy with their own lives once a month they all would always meet, play and eat out together after which Zuhaib would leave.

He was in his second year of uni when he took the worst decision of his life and gambled for the first time.

Jamshed was adamant he has found a very cool place and want to go there for this month and no one had any objection. Zuhaib's first reaction was what a creepy place when he stepped inside. It was a big hall type room with round tables scattered around. The room was lit with golden bulbs all around and faint music was playing somewhere in the background. Most of the tables were occupied by smartly dressed people and on one glance there actually wasn't anything creepy but there was something Zuhaib couldn't pinpoint at. There were arcade games set up along one wall and a drinks stall along the opposite wall.

Taking their soft drinks from the stall they moved towards the opposite wall to play games. It was after quite sometime that the twins called them over to a nearby table and introduced them to it's occupants. Like the blunt guys they were they told everyone it was a gambling place and only gamblers came there. They had found it through their new uni friends and invited everyone to atleast try a harmless game.

For Zuhaib uni had been really hectic these days. And only a day before he had gotten his pocket money from dad plus the tuition fees of the three kids he used to teach. So leaving every rational thinking aside he only thought of loosening up a bit and agreed to play with one of the table occupants.

By the end of the night his wallet had swollen up and he was knee deep in a swamp called gambling. To him it seemed like an innocent enough game. You play and you either earn or lose. Simple enough??!

Time gave the answer like it always does but sadly the damage mostly has been done already till then and Zuhaib was no exception!

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu sweethearts!! I hope you like the chapter although it isn't edited! Please please click that cute little star and make me happy! It's so simple you see but makes a huge difference!

That being said this chapter is dedicated to Star_That_Shines because I love her to the moon and back! Thankyou so much for sticking by me no matter what love! It's always appreciated. A million hugs and kisses to you. 😘😘😘😘

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