It was a weird ride back home.

Aanvik's mother thought it was funny. Shranav laughed hysterically. As per Mrs. Kumar's claim, even Mayank almost smiled.

The only people who were yet to be overtaken by the humorous aspect of the incident sat quietly on the back of Waseef's car, which fortunately did not take awfully long to reach the airport after being released from the jam. Nobody had been particularly sympathetic to them over the phone. The two of them secretly wished for another traffic jam, hoping that it would give them a little more time to process the unforeseen turn of events. The road, however, was unbelievably clear. In due time, they emerged from the car and mechanically walked to the elevator.

The door was opened by the maid. Aanvik went straight up to Waseef's room and collapsed on the bed. Waseef sat still on the sofa downstairs, locked under the astonished gaze of the middle-aged servant.

"Ask Fayzan to come here," said Waseef, breaking the silence.

The maid was about to head upstairs.

"Wait." He sighed. "Never mind. I'll go myself."

For another fifteen minutes or so, he did not stir. Following that, he slowly got up and made his way to the room next to his, where he found Fayzan sitting in a corner of the bed. He joined his cousin in the dimly lit room, quietly claiming a seat beside him. The child looked at him as he felt his arm brushing against his own, but he did not speak.

"I am sorry, chipmunk," said Waseef as he gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

Fayzan was taken aback. An apology was the last thing he was expecting.

"I know all those revelations came as a massive shock. I am sorry for lying to you. You deserved to know the truth. And so did your brothers."

"Why did you do this?"

"Because I was afraid."

"Of losing me?"

Waseef nodded.

"Nayif Bhaiya said the same."

"He knows me well."

"I know how desperately you want Aanvik to stay," Waseef added. "But this was not the right way."

Fayzan observed his index as it gently polished the nail of his thumb. "Is he mad at me?" he asked after a while.

"Mad? Unlikely. But he does seem to be a little upset. Mayank isn't doing great. He needs to be with him at this moment, more than ever."

"Why?"

"Now that he knows everything, maybe he will finally get the fresh start he so badly needs."

"Why does he think I hate him, Bhaiya?"

"Adults assume a lot of things," he said as he stroked the boy's hair. "All he needs to know is that you love him, and he'll be fine. Eventually."

Fayzan seemed to be lost in deep thoughts.

"And do talk to Aanvik."

The child nodded.

"Do you want to go and see Mayank?"

"Go and see him? How?"

Waseef chuckled as he stood up. "Why? Weren't we planning a trip? It's not happening in a few months, I guess, but a few months will pass in no time. And I don't think Mayank is going back to the field anytime soon. The poor guy needs a break."

"But... aren't we going to Europe?"

"Well, Europe isn't running away. So, if you want to—"

"Really?"

"Yes."

Fayzan got up to hug his cousin. "Thank you, Bhaiya."

"You're welcome. There's something else I wanted to tell you."

"What?"

"We have a short series next month."

The boy frowned.

"Ah, wait. You don't have to live with Sajid anymore. You'll stay at Nayif's place. With his dad. He chewed me out the other day about how I am okay with leaving you behind with an irresponsible idiot but not his father. Guess I deserved that. Don't worry; these days he has a parade of neighboring kids at home almost every day. You won't be lonely."

Fayzan offered him another squeeze. If it was a dream, he did not want to wake up.

"The boy is finally growing some sense, I see." A voice spoke from the door.

Both of them turned around. Aanvik stood leaning against the frame with a mild grin on his face.

"You all seem really good at waking up randomly and appearing out of thin air," said Waseef as he shook his head.

Aanvik chortled and walked in. As Fayzan stepped closer, he gently guided the petite child to the attached balcony.

"Quite a game you have shown today, little monkey," he said, playfully pulling his ear.

"I am sorry. I didn't want you to leave. Are you upset?"

The captain sighed. "Well, if people required passports to get to the next life, I too would have hidden Mayank's one."

"Are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes. I have booked a flight for tomorrow night."

"So, you will be here in the morning?"

"Yes."

Fayzan smiled. "If I get a gift for Mayank, will you take it to him?"

"What gift?"

"A star-shaped stuffed toy. There are some in a nearby super shop."

"Alright. Under one condition."

"What is it?"

Aanvik grinned mischievously. "I want one too."

"May I get one as well?" said Waseef, clearing his throat from behind.

"Let's get a couple for Kitty and Willy too."

"Do one thing," said Aanvik. "Buy the entire galaxy. You never know. Kitty and your Waseef Bhaiya may decide to have their own cricket team."

Waseef narrowed his eyes while the other two burst into laughter. "Sure, and you can be the babysitter."

"No!" moaned Fayzan. "Willy and I are enough. You don't need more kids."

It was Waseef's turn to laugh. "Whoa, hold on! Let us be married first."

The laughter and banter continued as the city went deeper into the night. They eventually headed back inside the room, with no plan of going to bed anytime soon. Fayzan wished Mayank, Kitty, and Willy were there as well; he had not felt the warmth of jam-packed family time in a while. He nevertheless cherished every second, knowing that he no longer had to dwell on dreams. Kitty and Waseef would be married soon. He would have Willy to keep him company. Aanvik and Mayank would be there too, perhaps not in person all the time, but they would be there somewhere, not as silhouettes in his heart but in concrete forms, as his family.

Family. How marvelous was the mere thought of it!