In the next few days, Haider spent in caring for Amaal and took over the Christmas preparation. One afternoon, he walked into his room with a heavy cardboard box. After struggling for a moment, he managed to open the door and tiptoed to look over the box. Amaal was sitting, crossed legs on the floor, having a bowl of soup, and watching her favorite movie. Haider dumped the box on the lower bed and huffed, straightening his back.

'Cool you are here.' She commented. He nodded and glanced up at the TV screen where a scene of Sharukh Khan and Kajol playing a weird type of basketball was on.

Haider chuckled, - 'Kuch Kuch Hota hai, again?'- He pulled up his trousers and sat behind her on the bed, - 'This is what, nth time?' He smiled amusedly as he removed his shoes. Amaal giggled, pausing the movie.

'Maybe.' She shrugged and then jumped up, taking Haider by surprise, - 'Wow! You got the order of the Christmas sweatshirts.' She hungrily began to unbox it. He sighed deeply whilst nodding his head.

She unboxed it and pulled out a reddish-pink sweatshirt. It had white polka dots with reindeers in the middle. Amaal flashed him a cheeky grin and flung an arm around his neck. Haider took a moment, then wrapped his arm around her. They parted and she continued to gush gratitude at him.

'You are a sweetheart, Haider.' She kissed his cheek and he smiled, patting her shoulder. She sighed dreamily stashing away the cloth, - 'Kids will be incredibly happy.' Amaal blinked softly at him and gently caressed his bearded cheek and frowned, - 'You need to shave. Your stubble turned into a short beard.'

Haider scoffed rubbing his chin and agreed with her.

Two days later, it was Christmas and the mansion was decorated like a bride. Little fairy lights everywhere with the main Christmas tree decorated with shining silver and multicolored balls with flower, leave, ribbon garlands especially at the entrance. Inside the Mansion was illumined with thousands of candles, lit by kids and other staff, including Haider and Amaal. A chore was invited, who sang in one of the churches, but their song was resonating everywhere through speakers. Few students also did rangoli inside the courtyard. Haider helped them. The entire two days were hectic for both Haider and Amaal but neither of them felt tired. Instead, he felt alive and lively. He felt like a carefree child again. Many times, he missed his father, but Uncle Joy was there to make him feel at ease.

With Amaal he felt like a different person, a new person. Haider pulled up his olive trench coat and exhaled deeply while watching Amaal play with the kids around the tree. She looked equally excited, checking out gift boxes and socks for gifts. He smiled, stuffing his palms into his pockets. He felt content knowing Amaal listened to him and was properly clothed for the freezing winter evening.

As he watched, he took few steps towards Amaal and the kids but when he noticed a tall well-built man wearing a heavy black jacket, beige woolen cap walking towards them, Haider paused with his feet little above the snowy ground and his gloved hands into his pocket. The stranger opened his arms and gushed happily, - 'Amaal!'

Noori followed the man along with another young man. Both men seemed younger than him. The tall one being the same age as Amaal.

Amaal turned her head and rose from the squatting position. Haider felt a lump in his throat as he looked at her rush to the man, leaping at him and hugging him tightly with comfort and familiarity.

He fisted his fingers inside his pocket and kept looking on. Amaal greeted the other man also, they hugged briefly again. Then, she looked around and spotted Haider, he quickly looked away.

'Haider! Haider.' He heard her call but doesn't respond and pretended to fiddle with hanging Christmas decorations.

Sometime later, he felt her hand grab his arm and turn him around. He pretended to be oblivious about her and those men.

'Come, Haider. I want you to meet someone.' She expressed and began to drag him. He forced a smile.

The man, whom Haider felt most uneasy with, had light stubble and prideful chevron mustache. The stranger smiled at him, but his dark brown eyes scrutinized him. Amaal held his arm, Haider eyed her hand briefly before looking up into the man's eyes. He twisted the edge of his mustache, keeping a grin on his face. Like Amaal and Mikael he too had a fair complexion and rosy cheeks because of the cold, perhaps.

'Haider, he is Reynash Kaul my diaper buddy, and Rey he is—'

'Haider Minhas Zaidi, who doesn't know him.' – Reyansh extended his hand. He smiled with a slight twist at the corner of his mouth. Haider took a moment then pulled out his hand from the pocket. The two men shook hands. He noticed the handshake was firm and confident. Reyansh added, - 'Pleasure to meet you, sir.' He placed the palm of his free hand over his chest.

Amaal giggled, playfully slapped his arm, - 'Why so much formality, Rey. Over here, he is not a billionaire Haider Minhas Zaidi. He is just Haider.' She informed. Reyansh raised an eyebrow looking amused. Then, she introduced the other man to be Jabbar Khan, Amaal's cousin, and Noori's son. Before Haider could say anything further, Reyansh placed an arm on her shoulder and whisked her away with him. Jabbar tagged behind them. Haider silently watched them go. A strange sinking feeling in his heart.

Why was he so insecure? It wasn't like it mattered to him even if they were lovers and Amaal never talked about him. But does it matter?

Oh, Bhai! Third angle and insecure Haider *winks* *smirks*

How was the update, my lovelies? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please *smiles* and Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *hugs and kisses*