Release me,
These misplaced feelings
aren't yours to hold.
-perry poetry

__________________________________________________________

I am about to settle down for a quiet breakfast on the couch near the French window, facing the garden, a bowl of cereal in my hand while watching the sparrows hop around the lawn. The shrill ringing of the door bell disturbs my quietude.

'I've got it.' Maaz emerges from the archway of the corridor.

'Good morning sista.' Eliza beams at me.

I groan in response. But I am happy to see her.

'Isn't Ira here yet? Or was I supposed to go to Ira's place?' She says to herself.

'I don't remember inviting you.' I add helpfully, jabbing my spoon in her direction.

'Would you like some coffee?' Maaz asks from the kitchen, totally disregarding my statement.

'Sure, three cubes sugar please.' She says loudly. She then turns to glare at me and points towards the kitchen and then mouths, 'Why haven't you learnt anything from him?'

I scoff at her. She goes ahead to knock on the partition door and shortly Ira joins us.

'Scrambled eggs anyone?' Maaz asks again.

'Yes please.' A bleary eyed Ira responds. Her shoulder length, jet black hair are unbrushed. Remnants of sleep still mark her navy eyes.

'Been busy last night?' Eliza smirks at Ira, taking in her rumpled clothes.

'Why would you say that, I'm only sleepy.' Ira responds quickly, casting a furtive glance to the kitchen.

Maaz joins us with two plates of scrambled eggs and coffee for everyone.

'Now we can begin.' Eliza grabs a piece of toast and begins to butter it.

Maaz looks at me in question, I shrug.

'Eliza and I are planning a grand celebration for our parents.' Ira says.

'And Ziyan and now you both too.' Eliza adds.

'It is dad's sixty fifth birthday, it ought to be grand.' Ira says.

'As well as mom and dad's anniversary.' Eliza says. 'So we are going to combine these two events and make it one grand celebration.'

'And how far has it been planned?' Maaz asks.

'Not much. We were hoping that's where you could help us.' Eliza admits sheepishly.

'Well, Ziyan has been looking for suitable halls, Harry has been looking up caterers, Eliza and I have visited a few florists. But nothing finalized yet. It will be soon.' Ira says assuringly. She pauses before Harry, giving Maaz a quick look but he silently sips his coffee.

'The guest list will be your job. And the invites.' She adds looking at us expectantly.

'And also a special guest who would brighten the event, to perform, sing or something.' Eliza chirps in.

'How about we have honorary invites from Smile?' I suggest. 'We could invite the junior section. The kids would love to perform and mom, dad and Addy will love to watch them.'

'Done! You and Maaz can talk to the incharge at Smile and invite them as well as the others.' Ira finalizes.

Two hours later things seem to take shape, Eliza and Ira leave to meet up with florists and caterers. I get up and stretch my legs. Sliding open the windows I pad onto the lawn, closing my eyes I take in a deep breath, the smell of freshly cut grass lingers. Last night, the air was crisp and cold on the mountain. I smile, reminiscing the stars.

I had felt a rush of happiness, as we had lain there gazing upwards. I do not know if it was the stars or person beside me who was the reason behind it. It was surreal, almost unrecognizable, to feel my heart lift and want to smile.

The air is replaced by warmth as his arms enclose around me pulling me against him. One hand pushing my hair onto my right shoulder clearing space on my neck where he press his lips against my bare skin, making me shiver in spite of the warmth.

'What happened?' Maaz says.

'Nothing.'

He doesn't say anything waiting for me to add more, only tightens his grip around me. His lips still on my neck disturbing my trail of thoughts.

'I... I was... just thinking.'

'About?'

'Nothing?' I reply.

How do I translate the muddle of thoughts I was having into words? How do I tell him that when he is near me like this I no longer think about Numair? How do I tell him that in some deep corner of my heart I had accepted him? Maybe even lik...no, no way, that cannot happen. The more I thought the more my thoughts confused me.

I simply turn my head towards him so that my nose skims his cheek.

'Let us go inside.' I say instead tilting my head to place a kiss on his cheek. He stills in shock, touching his cheek. I use the moment to slip inside leaving him confused.

He enters the house a few minutes later, 'I was thinking, what if, we adopt Lisa.' He says unexpectedly.

'Adopt?' I repeat.

'Yes, take her in?' He looks intently at me.

'No.'

'No? But you love her so much!'

'Love isn't always enough, Maaz.' He takes a step back as if my words effect him personally.

'No because I'm not in a state to taking care of another being. I barely take care of myself. Lisa deserves better.' I clarify.

The next few weeks are a blur of selecting invites, typing them, drawing out guest lists, and sending out the invites. I just joined Ira and Harry to the caterers to taste the food. Eliza and I also visited the florist to finalize the arrangements.

In addition I had to endure another shopping trip since the previous one was cut short and we needed new outfits. It wasn't that bad because this time I had to buy one too. Eliza decided on a light yellow dress with flecks of gold on it. Ira chose a dark green outfit with a fold over collar.

In accordance with the theme of green and gold I decided on a black lace dress with a hint of green around the round neck and the tip of the sleeves. I saw Ira picking up a green tie once I finalized my dress. No doubt it must have been on her brother's order.

With only one week remaining for the party, everything had been put into order. Maaz and I were going to visit Smile the next day with our invitation. After that our job would be done.

Nervous excitement keeps me awake the whole night, I keep imagining the smiles on their faces when I tell them about the party. They are rarely taken outside of Smile. This would be an amazing experience for them. Maaz had suggested we get them dresses too, make the girls feel like princesses for a night.

We had already placed tentative orders for the kids of the junior section, tomorrow we will make them try on their outfits and alter them to their size. I had spent the most time to pick Lisa's outfit.

This party is going to be a dream.

I'm awake way before the sun and hurry around preparing breakfast. Maaz lies on our bed on the other side of the wall of pillows. One arm is thrown over the pillows, reaching out, his hair are tousled making him appear boyish. I kneel down beside the bed and very carefully brush the hair out of his face.

The oven beeps and I head to the kitchen to remove the batch of cookies I had baked for the kids. Lisa loved cookies, especially when I baked them for her.

I'm bouncing on my heels, wearing out the carpet on the hall by the time Maaz gets ready.

'Did you get the invites?' He asks me, pocketing the car key.

I nod and we finally leave the house. Even though visitor timings are not in the morning, we hope to talk decently with Aylin. Sponsoring the kids for this event should let us have access to them for the week to prepare them for it. I do not want them to be intimated on seeing a large crowd.

Aylin on the other hand doesn't look very happy to see us, her expression is almost grim. Maaz approaches the reception and I linger behind him with the box of cookies.

'Sir, visitor timings...' Aylin grimaces.

'I don't have to abide by those timings to meet you, do I ?' He asks her politely.

'Me?' She squeaks.

He pushes the invitation over the counter so that she can see it. Her eyes widen as she reads it.

'That would be an honor, sir. But I will have to ask Mr. Amaro about it. Only he can authorize.' She says.

'Alright, I'd like to see him.'

Aylin scurries away to inform the snob, I lean towards Maaz.

'Do you think he would object?' I ask him, chewing on my lower lip.

'I also have a proposition for a sponsorship, by our company. Since he isn't the one who gets moved by emotion, money would do the trick.' Maaz replies with confidence.

We are ushered into Amaro's office. He looks up at us curiously, I have to force myself to keep my face neutral. This was the man behind the careless adoption of Anna. Had he investigated more thoroughly she would still be here.

'How may I help you?' His voice is coated with arrogance.

'Sir, we are here as benefactors for the children. You know of Zara's history with Smile. We would like to take this relation a step ahead and become official sponsors.' I want to smack Maaz's head with the paper weight for calling Amaro, sir.

Maaz keeps his voice gentle and devoid of emotion. He places his conditions firmly and presents the documents. He points out his clauses and terms of agreement, basically that would give us more free will than now. Amaro listens intently, I see his ears perking up like a dog's at the mention of the money involved. Maaz is curt, to the point, this is the business man version of him, a side I haven't encountered. I marvel at how unemotional he is while I have a hard time keeping my anger under control.

The session ends with a firm handshake between both men and we all stand up.

'I'll look through the documents once again and sign it. Consider it done but still I'd have to get it approved from the other sponsors and founders.' Amaro says.

'As for next week, the children will be sent under Aylin and Aydin's guardianship.' He adds. I remember Aydin as the man who had offered Lisa a cupcake the other day. I thought he was a janitor. Apparently I was wrong.

Maaz gives him a slight nod and we exit the stifling room.

I glance at Maaz, he reads my eyes.

'We want to personally give the invite to Lisa and the others.' He tells Aylin. She is seated behind the counter leaning back on her chair. She stands up on seeing us but doesn't reply.

'I want to see Lisa.' I tell her impatiently.

'Lisa has been adopted.' Aylin declares, glancing down at her filed, painted nails.

The tiles blur and the ground sways, a hard arm wraps around my shoulders steadying me. Emptiness echoes in my head.

'When?' I hear Maaz ask.

'A week ago.' The answer is drowned by the buzzing in my ears.

'By?' He presses, leaning over the counter.

'Sorry sir, confidential.' She replied, her voice breezy. I want to jump over the counter and strangle her.

'Why didn't you inform Zara?' Maaz asks.

'There's no rule which says I have to inform her.' She replies coolly. I flinch at her coldness. I really want to strangle her. I make a sudden move towards the counter. A startled Maaz grabs my arms before my hands wind around her neck.

His eyes rove over the reception as if he expected someone around. Sure enough Amaro was leaning at his door causally observing the scenario.

'There's humanity, Aylin. But unfortunately you'd have to be a human to have that.' His voice is soft but filled with promised threats.

He turns me towards the exit and pulls me outside with him.

***

A/N : Hola Amigos,
Here's another curve to the story!
Stay tuned for more :)
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Until next time!