"Happy birthday, Aaraya." Advay lazily kissed the birthday girl who made an annoying sound when he disturbed her sleep.

Aaraya made a cute pout and the very next moment she was again fast asleep.

Beside Aaraya, Advik was sleeping with his mouth a little open. It reminded Advay of his childhood. Vansh also used to sleep with an open mouth and all night he would be trying to close his mouth, but he never succeeded in it. Vansh still sleeps with his mouth wide open and now Yug has taken the task to close his mouth every night. But sometimes he ends up crying, "Papa isn't closing his mouth." And there came a time when Vansh started wearing a mask while sleeping, so that Yug stop disturbing him. But the idea back fired as Ziya started teasing him by calling him "Alan Walker." And Vansh's ironic condition amuses Advay.

Back to the present, Advay took a quick bath and headed outside, but not before making a pillow wall around his sleep monsters.

The scene outside simply made him feel worthless as a father. His wife and brother were running here and there making preparations for the birthday party with the servants.

Advay, it's your daughter's first-ever birthday.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" He complained and took crockery from Zuri's hands.

"You hardly sleep for six hours, I didn't want to disturb you." Zuri gave a logical reason.

"But it's my daughter's birthday." But he still argued.

"Amyra and Advik are going to keep you on your toes. So better save your energy for them." And she took back the crockery from his hands.

As if on the cue, they heard a car honking outside. And just a minute later a five-year-old Amyra came running into Advay's arms.

"Daddy Bear!"

Advay picked her up and hissed.

"Oh! Amyra Dear, you have grown strong." Sometimes in excitement he forgets that he is thirty-five and has a routine where he spends most of his time sitting in front of his laptop screen. And it makes things a little tough for a father of three kids.

He put Amyra back on the floor and welcomed Abeer and Diva.

Advay and Abeer hugged each other.

They were not entirely back to normal. Their past will never let this happen. But they have moved on from their grudges, for Amyra and Diva's sake.

While Zuri hugged Diva.

Well, Zuri still feels insecure in Diva's presence. But she is trying to get a grip of her insecurities. Advay has again and again proved that he is a loyal husband, who is not a playboy anymore. There is a part of her which wants to know why he is so close to Diva. But there is another part of her which knows she can't replace Diva in Advay's life. And separating Advay from Diva will never end her problems, especially when they have a daughter together. So she accepted this situation the way it is. And she is happy to say the least.

Abeer gave a side hug to Zuri.

"How are you, Zuri?" He asked with a brotherly affection.

"I'm good, Bhai."

Abeer and Zuri instantly clicked when both the couple came to a peaceful conclusion. Zuri never had a brother and Abeer never had a sister, but they found one in each other.

When Advay and Diva hugged each other, Abeer and Ziya tried their best to not let their insecurities surface again.

Even if Advay and Diva are not together anymore, it hasn't changed their bond. They are soulmates of each other and no one can replace them in each other's life.

Zuri's eyes shifted to a little girl standing behind Abeer.

"Who is she?" She smiled while asking.

"Oh, meet Veda. Our family's new addition. Our adopted daughter." Abeer said cheerfully, it was evident from his tone how elated he was to have another daughter.

Veda was a seven-year-old girl. She was a shy person. The reason Abeer adopted her was that her background was similar to his.

Abusive father. Victim mother. Left in an orphanage because she was a burden to her parents.

He saw his younger self in her. And he knew the trauma she was suffering.

Zuri's smile widened and she bent down to Veda's level. She forwarded her hand for a handshake, but Veda grew more nervous.

"Hi! I am Zuri!"

Veda slowly shook her hand with hers and a smile came to her face.

Zuri had her way with kids.

"Where is Aaraya?" Amyra asked Advay.

"She is sleeping."

At the same moment they heard a shrill cry. That was the indicator that the birthday girl was up.

Zuri ran to the room, followed by Advay and Amyra.

While Diva and Abeer met the other Singhania couple.

Believe it or not, Diva and Ziya ended becoming best friends. Because they have similar personalities. Gossips, sarcasm, fashion, parties and what not.

Previously they never met each other. Diva never knew who is Ziya, while Ziya simply knew that Diva had an affair with her sister's husband.

But when they met each other, it seemed as if they were long lost sisters.

Zuri sometimes get jealous of their friendship, because she never had such bond with Ziya. But she never expressed it.

While Vansh and Abeer were always on good terms with each other since their childhood.

In these four years, their lives had gone through a series of changes. Six of them changed themselves for good.

•••

Finally after lots of efforts the birthday girl was ready in a cute pink frock, looking like a mini version of a Barbie. Amyra was on cloud nine because her dress was perfectly matching with Aaraya's. Advik had a proud look because he got to wear his favourite bow-tie that belonged to his father. The bow-tie was oversized yet it made him look like the cutest. Yug was busy eating strawberry ice-cream. He needed ice-creams and nothing else.

Only a few close friends were invited to this intimate birthday party. Advay's college friend Shahaan Qureshi came with his wife Dr. Aafreen Qureshi and daughter Shaheen. Shaheen and Amyra were bestest friends, following their fathers' footsteps. Advay's dearest friend Armaan Gill, who was a popular filmmaker, came with his wife Baani Ahluwalia, who was herself a very famous choreographer.

But Zuri was waiting for someone eagerly.

"Let's cut the cake." Advay announced excitedly. Little Aaraya in his arms looked puzzled. She was confused that why so many uncle-aunties and didi-bhaiya are present in her home.

"Zuri, I am here!" They heard a loud voice.

And that's how Kauser Irfani made her entry.

Zuri's face shone seeing her newest friend and ran to hug the life out of her. Kauser was panting yet she contributed into this bone-crushing hug.

Others were shocked at this scene.

Armaan was wondering, he is not the only weirdo on this earth. He just found his two sisters from another misters.

Ziya was actually happy that Zuri finally found a friend. Since childhood she had a tough time making friends.

"Everyone, meet my friend Kauser Irfani."

Kauser was like a female version of the Armaan Gill we know. Enthusiasm was flowing in her veins. And her energy could fail Charlie Chaplin itself.

And then Advay cut the cake with Aaraya in his arms. He made her taste a tiny portion of it and kissed her cheek. Zuri was worried, what if Advay eat the cake? But he didn't.

He kept his promise.

Later, they played games with kids. Chated with their friends. Ate tasty delicacies. And in the evening everyone left.

It was a good escape from their hectic lives.

But that was not the end of the night.

•••
And that's how I wrote this chapter with a torturous writer's block.

HAPPY DIWALI!

Kauser Irfani is coming soon to fail The Armaan Gill in terms of lunacy. Be ready to meet her.

And please share this book with your Wattpad friends.

And my dear silent readers, as a Diwali gift, kindly vote.

And a belated happy birthday to kaurammu

And that's how my nonsense ends for now.