Chapter Two

"The court is going to get busy in a while, anyways. What with the Shahid Raza case taking everything by storm," Harris's voice came out through the speaker of the phone, and Zahid nodded, a sigh escaping his lips as he tapped his finger on the steering wheel.

"They will still try to delay it as much as possible," he said, the disgust clear in his voice.

"True," Harris replied, "So, what do you want me to do if we get any clients?"

"Let's stay closed for a while. If someone still contacts you, tell them we're on a break. If it's urgent, let me know."

"Alrighty! When are you coming back?"

"Three weeks? A month? I'll see – whenever Khala* let's me," Zahid chuckled, "I need a break, anyway. We did not even get free weekends for the last three months."

"Ai, yes. I'll just sleep for at least a week," Harris said and Zahid grinned, completely understanding where he was coming from. "Anyways, drive safely. Give my salam to Aunty. Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz," Zahid said as he turned off his phone. The sun had already set and the sky was getting dark outside. Rubbing at his eyes, Zahid exhaled slowly, trying to focus on his driving.

For the last three months or so, the small law firm he and Harris had opened had gotten busier than ever. Ever since Zahid had won the property case against a village politician, his client number had increased considerably. The case wasn't supposed to be too difficult but since it was against a low-grade politician, there was still a chance that he would lose. The judge though had been honest, and Zahid had ended up winning it.

Smiling to himself, Zahid leaned back in his seat, as his car rushed through the motor-way. He was going to visit his khala now, and enjoy a peaceful break.

Or so he thought. 

~~~

By the time he arrived in the small town where his aunt lived, it was already past ten, and the dark night sky greeted him. The stars, which weren't as visible back in the crowded city of Lahore, glittered in greeting and Zahid smiled. He slowly drove towards his aunt's house, thinking about how surprised she would be.

Zahid, planning on giving her a surprise, had not said anything to her about him coming. Making sure not to be loud, he parked his car in the driving lot. He got out and zipped his jacket when the chilly wind hit him, taking out his suitcase from the trunk of the car.

The town was very silent, unlike the city where the cars were constantly honking anytime during the night. There wasn't a car in sight, and Zahid inhaled slowly as he jumped up the steps and towards the front door.

He knocked on the door, smiling to himself as he soon heard shuffling inside, before his aunt's voice came through the door, "Who is it?"

Struggling to keep a straight face, Zahid cleared his throat, changing his voice when he spoke up. "Delivery for Mrs. Ahmed."

There was a bit of muttering inside and Zahid straightened up, taking a deep breath as he heard the click of the lock opening. The door opened and Mrs.Ahmed peeked out, freezing when her gaze landed on Zahid.

"Surprise," Zahid said, tilting his head as he smiled at his aunt, who still remained frozen in her spot, shocked. "Assalamualaykum," Zahid laughed, "It's really me."

She finally opened the door, the shock still evident on her face and Zahid embraced her, realizing, as he hugged her, of how long it had been since they had last met. When he finally pulled away, one look at her face and he noticed her glazed eyes. "Khala!" Zahid said, hugging her again.

Mrs. Ahmed finally snapped out of her daze and hit him on his shoulder. "Finally remembered me, did you? I haven't seen you for months!"

Zahid blinked, sheepishly rubbing his shoulder, "Well, I'm here now, aren't I?"

"Three months! You did not visit once during the last three months!" Mrs. Ahmed said, and Zahid gulped, lowering his gaze, "But-" she continued, "- You're finally here so I forgive you."

Zahid looked up, smiling. "I'll stay longer this time, InshAllah," he said- picking up his suitcase and the bag with some treats he had bought. As he walked inside with his aunt- Mrs. Ahmed already talking- Zahid felt at peace.

Once he had settled down a bit, he had dinner. (There were too many dishes and Mrs. Ahmed had told him that it was because she had arranged a party that day) The food was absolutely delicious, and he was getting to eat his aunt's food after so long. Zahid was glad that he was this hungry so he could eat to his heart's content. 

During dinner, he told his aunt everything that had happened during the course of the past few months; the cases he had won, the many that he couldn't win, and of Harris's weird antics. Mrs. Ahmed talked too, telling him everything that happened in town; the committee parties, the mosque charity events, and about her neighbors.

Once the excitement had finally worn off and Zahid had given Mrs. Ahmed the gifts he had bought, the two of them sat down in the living room, turning on the heater as Zahid sat down on the rug, his aunt sitting behind him on the sofa.

For a couple of minutes, neither of them said anything, simply just enjoying each other's company. "You're tired, aren't you?" Mrs. Ahmed said, her voice soft as she stroked his hair. Zahid nodded, closing his eyes. "You work too hard," she said, sounding displeased, "Stay here for a while now, okay?"

"I will, InshaAllah," Zahid muttered, silence falling between the two of them again.

"You rest today- tomorrow, I need to talk to you about something important," she said after a short pause and Zahid's eyes blinked open.

"What is it?" he asked, his brows drawing together, but Mrs. Ahmed shook her head,

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

Zahid raised a brow, noticing how Mrs. Ahmed was avoiding his gaze. Sitting up, he turned around to face her, "You're worrying me, Khala. Is everything alright? You can tell me now, I've rested enough."

"No no, everything is fine, Alhamdulillah," Mrs. Ahmed said, turning to look at him. "I'll tell you, on one condition. You'll hear me out properly."

Zahid nodded, his forehead creasing. The serious expression on his aunt's face was beginning to worry him.

"Lately, Zahid," she said, "I've been thinking about your marriage-"

"You can tell me tomorrow," Zahid said quickly, the frown disappearing from his face, replaced by an expression that was proof enough that this was not the first time she was mentioning this. Turning around again, he rested his head on the sofa, as he heard his aunt exhale slowly.

"Zahid- you promised to hear me out," she said, and Zahid sighed, turning around to look at her again. When he did not say anything, she went on, clearing her throat. "You're old enough now, and you're financially stable as well. You're living in your own house and you're independent now, MashaAllah. I don't see what's stopping you."

Zahid lowered his gaze, a sigh escaping his lips. "Khala, there is so much I still want to do. I've only just started my career as a lawyer, and it takes so much of my time. Marriage, it requires responsibilities, time, work, and I don't think I'm ready yet."

"Marriage, son," Mrs. Ahmed said after a short pause, "It's a bold step, true, but you do not have to give up your career for it in any way. Career isn't everything, Zahid. Marriage, it's a beautiful thing, and that's why Islam stresses so much upon it as well. If you remain wary of it- you'll never be ready."

Zahid inhaled sharply, wanting to argue but he knew that what his aunt was saying made complete sense. "I understand that, of course," he said, "But what's the rush? When it's the right time for me- I'll get married, InshaAllah. I completely trust Allah's plan."

Saying that, Zahid got up and poured himself some drink, "Don't worry too much about it," he said, "When Allah's plan involves my marriage, nothing anyone does will be able to stop it. I'll consider it when that time comes- for now, I'd rather not discuss it."

There was a short pause- Zahid sipping his drink, and Mrs. Ahmed staring at him. "Actually," she finally spoke up, "I mentioned it to you because I have someone in mind."

Zahid coughed, choking on his drink- his eyes snapping towards his aunt. 

What?

*Khala: Maternal Aunt

Assalamualaykum! 

I hope you liked this chapter. 

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