Irsia woke up with a smile still lingering on her lips. She opened her eyes slowly and they wandered around the room looking for him until she realized this again was a dream. Her heart sank a little and she frowned. This happens every time she dreams about him. She feels both happy and sad but happiness always wins. She felt content that she had seen him.

Before heading downstairs for breakfast she made her way to Zahra's room. She opened the door to her room and found it to be empty. As she turned around the corner to walk down the stairs she heard loud laughter coming from Aazir's room. As she opened the door she found Zahra, Aazir and Abu Bakar gathered around Shahzain who was holding a phone in his hand. Sibtain was sitting on the sofa opposite them with his head in his hands.

"What is going on?" She asked stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

They all looked up at her and Sibtain quickly walked over to his brother and tried to snatch away the phone, which he miserably failed at.

"It's nothing." He said trying his best to make her believe but his almost terrified expression said otherwise and the other's snickers added fuel to the fire.

"Really?" She asked raising an eyebrow. He nodded his head innocently.

"Then let me see." She said with equal innocence and with a smile walked past him to join others. "Show me."

It was a video of Sibtain singing in his room unaware of his brother's presence, who was capturing him on camera. Irsia tried not to laugh at Sibtain's singing which resembled that of a wailing cat. She looked at Sibtain who was clearly embarrassed and gave her a shy smile. He looked so adorable that Irsia forgot to laugh and instead she just smiled at him.

"Hey it's not that bad." She said in Sibtain's defense and everyone looked at her as if she had said something alien.

"Not that bad? Seriously? My ear drums are still hurting." Shahzain answered.

"Then why do you keep watching it again and again?"

"Wait, why are you taking his side? Last time I checked you two weren't even friends. I'm your friend." He said narrowing his eyes.

"I'm not taking sides I just stated the fact. Now excuse me, I'm going to have breakfast and Zahra," she looked at her cousin, "I've something to tell you." She said walking towards the door. Sibtain had a goofy grin on his face which he was trying very hard to suppress.

"Wait I'm coming with you," Zahra said and walked towards the door where Irsia was standing.

"I think I know what it is about." Abu Bakar shouted from behind and he received a wink and a smile from Irsia, confirming his suspicion which didn't go unnoticed by Sibtain.

"Irsia, come into the kitchen and help me with cooking." Her mother called out as she walked by the kitchen. If there was one thing that Irsia hated, it was cooking.  She groaned internally and walked inside.

"Sorry mama but I'm busy."

"Excuse me? What did you just say?" She placed the spatula aside and looked at her daughter.

"I said I'm busy." She replied matter-of-factly.

"Busy with what?"

"Dadajaan asked me to pack his clothes."

"That's good but you can do it later on. They are leaving in the evening. Now help me here first."

"But-"

"What happened?" Safa asked entering the kitchen.

"This girl is getting on my nerves." Irsia widened her eyes on hearing this and faked sadness.

"What has she done? She is such a sweet darling whom I love so much." Safa said placing a hand on Irsia's head.

"Whenever I ask her to cook she always comes up with one excuse or the other. I'm doing this for her benefit only and she doesn't understand that. When she gets married and doesn't know how to cook, her in-laws will curse me that her mother hasn't taught her anything."

"Mama please it's not like I'm getting married tomorrow. I'll learn to cook when the time comes and that is not coming any time soon."

"You never know, one should always be prepared."

"Mama please. Safa aunty please help me out here."

Safa smiled at her. "Your mom is right, you should start learning how to cook. You are so adorable, what if someone comes for you sooner than you think? You never know." She said with a smile that held hidden meaning.

"Please mama not today. Please." She said with a sad expression.

"Baneen let her off the hook this time," then turning to Irsia she said, "but after we return from Zoya's wedding, you are going to learn how to cook. Right?" Irsia beamed hearing this.

"Yes yes I promise. Bye mom. Thanks Safa aunty. I love you, you are the best." She hugged Safa and left, leaving the two ladies laughing at her behavior.

"She still behaves like a child." Baneen said smiling and resumed her work.

"She is perfect," thought Safa. "Let me help you, Baneen."

"No no. I'll do it myself."

"Baneen please. I really want to help. I get bored doing nothing. Please give me any work."

"Okay fine. If you insist then chop the vegetables for salad then." She pointed to the vegetables on the opposite island.

"Dadajaan packing is done. I packed everything you asked. Is there anything else?" She asked zipping the bag.

"Thank you Irsia. That's all I need. It's enough for three days."

"Okay then I'll go now and apply henna over my hands." She bade good-bye to her grandfather and left.

"Zahra?" She knocked at her door.

"It's open." She answered from inside.

"Hey. Look at my hand. How is it?" She asked extending her left hand towards her.

"Beautiful."

"Thank you. What are you doing?"

"I had to complete my assignment and I'm almost done."

"Great. Where are Shahzain and Abu Bakar?"

"They went out. Sibtain Bhai had to go shopping so they all went with him."

"Okay."

After fifteen minutes, the boys arrived.

"They are back." Zahra said looking outside the door.

"Hey." Shahzain said entering the room and plopping down on the bed.

"How was shopping?" Irsia asked.

"It was okay."

"You came back within an hour." Zahra said looking at the clock.

"It's Sibtain we are talking about. He picks up the first thing he likes and doesn't even bother to look at other items."

"I save time." Sibtain answered from the door and entered with Abu Bakar. He placed three bags on the bed and sat beside his brother. "I got three shirts and two jeans and now I'm confused which one to wear."

He took the shirts, two white and one black, out from the bag and laid them in front of Irsia and Zahra. "Here. Help me out."

"Don't ask Irsia." Abu Bakar said.

"Why?" Sibtain asked looking confused and Irsia rolled her eyes.

"Because she is going to suggest black."

"So, what is wrong with that? I like black. Do you like black?" He asked her.

"I love black. Black is... well black."

"I agree." 

"So tell me when should I wear black?"

"Since  the main events are for two days - the henna and nikkah ceremony, which is tomorrow, and baraat, that is day after tomorrow, so you should wear black on baraat and white Khan-dress on nikkah ceremony. And as for today, any good T-shirt will do."

"Okay. It's settled then. Thanks."

"Wow." Abu Bakar said and everyone present in the room looked at him.

"What?" Sibtain asked placing the shirts back in the bag.

"You didn't even hear our suggestions like we are not even here."

"Jealous?" Irsia asked, raising her eyebrow.

"You wish." Irsia chuckled hearing this.

"Hey Irsi, why have you applied henna only on left hand?"

"What a dumb question Shahzain." Zahra answered her cousin instead.

"You applied this yourself?" He asked, clearly bewildered. Irsia nodded her head. "Wow!"

"Thank you."

"I have a plan. Who is good at drawing among us except Irsia?"

"Why?" Irsia asked.

"I'm bad and my brother is worst." Zahra answered.

"Then the answer is Sibtain."

"What? I'm not good at drawing." He answered.

"At least you are better than us." His brother answered.

"Okay. What am I suppose to do?"

"Simple. Apply henna on Irsia's right hand."

"What?" Both, Irsia and Sibtain said together.

"Yeah don't you think it is unfair for poor right hand to be ignored like that. Left looks so pretty."

"But I don't know how to apply henna. I've never even held this... this... cone in my hand before." Sibtain protested and looked at Irsia for help.

"C'mon brother. Draw anything." Shahzain pleaded and was backed up by the brother-sister duo.

"Will you allow this?" Sibtain asked Irsia.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess. But only if you are comfortable."

"Great. Let's do this." Shahzain shouted.

Sibtain glared at his brother but finally gave up. "Fine but don't complain later."

"I won't."

Zahra brought the cone from Irsia's room and gave it to Sibtain. "How am I suppose to hold this?" He tried holding it like a pen.

"Whichever way suits you." Irsia said.

He sat opposite Irsia. "Fine. Extend your hand."

Irsia placed her right hand on the pillow that was between them. Sibtain took a deep breath and was about to draw when he stopped. "But what am I suppose to draw?"

"I'll help you. Just draw a flower in the middle of my palm."

"Small flower or a big one?"

"Just draw a medium sized circle." Sibtain started following the instructions. "Now fill this circle by drawing a grid within. Write tiny Ws around the circle."

"It's untidy." Sibtain complained.

"No it's not. Now draw petals and shade them a bit."

"How is it?" Sibtain asked looking at the design.

"It's perfect." She smiled looking at her hand.

"It's not but still, thanks."

"Sibtain, Shahzain?" Safa said entering the room. Everyone, including her sons, looked at her.

"What are you still doing here? Don't you remember that you are coming with me to your maternal home?"

"What? No please." Shahzain said.

"I'm going with dadajaan so I can't come. Sorry." Sibtain answered.

"Shahzain get ready and Sibtain, you are going with your dadajaan later but first, you are coming with me Mister. Everyone is waiting for you there."

"But-" Sibtain tried to protest.

"I don't want to hear anything. Urail called me three times already. They are waiting. You have other cousins and relatives too you know."

"Take Shahzain with you. I'm busy applying henna."

"You are what?" Safa cocked her head and looked at Irsia's hand. "He applied henna?" She looked surprised.

"Yeah on my right hand." Irsia answered with a smile and Sibtain smiled a little as well.

"Wow son. Good work." She smiled at them.

"Thanks mom. I think you should leave with Shahzain now or else you will get late."

"Oh I'm taking you with me as well. I can see that your work here is done. Right Irsia?"
She looked at Sibtain, who was shaking his head, and then at Safa and the truth came out in the form of meek yes. She looked at Sibtain and mouthed a little sorry to him.

"Fine mom. I'll put these bags in the room and then I will join you downstairs."

"I don't like Arooba." Zahra said after her aunt and cousins had left.

"Me neither." Sibtain said standing at the door. Zahra looked wide-eyedly at him with a guilty expression. Sibtain smiled and said, "I came to say goodbye." With one last look in Irsia's direction, he left the room.