( The top right picture with the car is actually clicked by me )

Isahaq swiftly introduces his cousins to me. The said bunch of people greet me enthusiastically and Isahaq then informs them about how we know each other through our mothers.

The ice cream corner was just down the street so we started walking on foot through the drenched street.

The soft scent of petrichor lingered in the night air and stray droplets of rainwater dangled from the tips of leaves.

The street was devoid of life except a few rickshaws and cars zooming by every few seconds.

Yashra did not join us as she had to go back to her house and Ella was too young to be included amongst the grown up cousins.

Except for Isahaq, everyone was a stranger to me here and I wondered if I was intruding in their hangout.

Isahaq was walking in front with a few others and I noticed one of the girls seemed to be trying to cling to his side.

As I sidestep a puddle in my path I notice a scary looking stray dog jogging towards us.

My heart rate immediately goes above normal and anxiety courses through my veins.

After an unfortunate incident of being chased by a dog in childhood I had developed a fear of animals which was not going to go away anytime soon.

I stopped walking and stayed rooted to my spot. I knew running away would only make me look more suspicious but I was too scared to even move.

"Scared of dogs?" A tall guy with curly hair asked me from the side.

I just nodded at him and when I noticed the dog coming closer my body unconsciously grappled for refuge by hiding behind the person who was nearest which just happened to be curly haired guy.

" It's okay, just walk normally." He advised but I lost all sense of rational thinking when the dog switched directions and came straight towards my side.

I let out a small yelp and grabbed the guy's shirt and dragged him to my side as a shield.

The dog barked and the guy lightly took hold of my shoulders and pushed me forward, " Just keep walking, I'm right beside you."

I followed his advice and continued forward with swift steps and soon we passed the dog and arrived at safe territory.

" See, wasn't that scary right?" He asks me with a reassuring smile and slides his hands into his pockets.

I let out a breath of relief, " Thanks, uh ?"

" Zamar. And you're?"

" Maha."

He grins widely when he hears my name.

Just then Isahaq jogs backwards towards us with that girl not too far behind him.

" Are you okay Maha? What happened?" He asks me with a worried expression as he does a quick once over from my head to feet checking if I'm all right.

" Yes. It's nothing." I reply softly.

When Isahaq is sure I am unharmed his gaze turns towards Zamar and he narrows his eyes in suspicion.

" What're you glaring at me for?" Zamar cocks his head to the side and throws a challenging smile at Isahaq.

Isahaq shakes his head at Zamar and the boys seem to be locked in a staring contest.

Isahaq clicks his tongue and waves his hand forward motioning for us to continue walking.

But this time his steps are slower and he eventually falls in step beside me.

I notice the girl from before pouting and she starts walking backwards towards our direction.

" Zamar. Why did you bring her along dude. Just why?" Isahaq whispers through gritted teeth.

" You think I had any choice? She was visiting us and followed me here. If I refused then the drama queen would've thrown a tantrum. I don't want to get scolded by my mom for making her darling niece cry."

Isahaq shook his head, " Fine then you deal with her. Make sure she doesn't annoy me."

" How about you tell her to back off "

" I tried telling her politely but she didn't listen !"

" Hey, what're you doing back here? I was in the middle of telling you something really important." The girl whines from a few feet away and walks forward trying to hold Isahaq's arm.

But Isahaq's reflexes are faster and he immediately jerks to the side and lets out a frustrated sigh.

I notice him side eyeing Zamar as if  mentally urging him to do something about the situation.

Luckily his plea for help is answered in the form of a car zooming by over the puddles in the street and as a result muddy water sprays in our direction.

Everything happens in the blink of an eye and before I know it, Isahaq has dragged me to a safe side preventing the water from touching me.

But while I am unscathed , the same can't be said about Zamar's cousin.

" What the - my dress is completely ruined!" She shrieks in anguish.

" Oh no, it seems like you have to go back to the house. You might catch a fever if you don't change immediately. Don't worry I'll bring back the ice cream for you." Zamar consoles her as he redirects her back towards the house.

" I don't care about the ice cream - I came for ugh !" She continues complaining as her eyes land on Isahaq standing by my side.

Her eyes narrow but she doesn't say anything further and continues going back towards the house.

Zamar heaves a sigh of relief,
" I kinda feel bad for her ...but there you go she's gone."

Soon we reach the ice cream shop and receive our respective orders.

There's a couple of plastic chairs arranged around small round tables.

Zamar sits beside me and devours his chocolate chip ice cream while I eat my vanilla ice cream at a slower pace.

Isahaq joins us with a mixed ice cream cone held in his hand.

The dark sky is still teeming with gray clouds thus blocking the view of the moon. But the fresh breeze blowing all around elevates the atmosphere and casts a charm of serenity over all the people present.

" So you guys are cousins right?" I ask randomly to break the awkward silence.

They both nod simultaneously.

" But that girl wasn't. I mean she's my cousin from my maternal side while Isahaq is my bro from paternal side. So they aren't related." Zamar adds as he turns the cone around and licks away the ice cream dripping down from the side.

Isahaq groans in frustration, " You should seriously explain to her that I'm not interested."

"The only way my weird cousin will back off is if you get married to someone else." Zamar laughs and takes a bite out of the ice cream cone.

" Well that's not happening anytime soon." Isahaq murmurs.

" Yeah mr.career orientated, everyone knows work is your true love." Zamar teases, " But how about I tell her you're engaged or something."

" To whom ? You ?"

" Oh I appreciate your feelings but you're not my type brother."

I choke on my food and start coughing which earns me a worried look from both boys.

" Ah don't worry he's straight. And so am I." Zamar informs me.

I start laughing and nod once to let him know I understood he was joking.

" Isahaq was really angsty earlier. I wonder why..."

" That's because Maha is my responsibility tonight and I had to make sure she was okay."

" Really? Why just tonight though ? Just get married and take care of her forever ?" Zamar wiggles his eyebrows at me and Isahaq.

I start to have another coughing fit and Isahaq swipes his palms over his face in embarrassment.

" Maha, please excuse this idiot's words. He's just a magnet for trouble."

Zamar finishes the last bite of his ice cream and gives him a look of mock offense, " What did I say wrong? And you're a magnet for chicks."

" Yes, the chicks of our village's hen can't stop following me around."

It's best if I just stop eating in front of these guys otherwise I may pass away from coughing.

" Haha, very funny. Which reminds me- hey you've got a really interesting name Maha-" he pases for a second before , " Mahahahaha"

" I've heard that more times than you think." I reply while Isahaq rolls his eyes at Zamar, " Very original."

" I'm being serious. Isahaq is a halal, goal focused guy and doesn't look like a complete monkey. He'll be a good life partner."

My cheek reddens and I avoid looking at Isahaq who speaks up,
" It's been a long time since I taught you a lesson huh?"

" What delusions are you living in bro? I always beat you.You may have the brains but I have the power" Zamar throws Isahaq a challenging glare and then turns to me.

" Okay for real though Maha, You think this guy is so kind and polite huh? In reality he's a menace who bullies kids."

My eyes widen in surprise and I get flashbacks of Isahaq's cute interaction with the twins a while ago.

" Oh please." Isahaq glares at Zamar.

" What ? So you deny the fact that a few months ago  you broke a 7 year old child's toy in half in order to get revenge?" Zamar accuses him with a smirk.

I look at Isahaq with raised eyebrows and he takes in my curious expression.

" Don't just say a random part of the incident. Say everything in detail if you dare." Isahaq shoots back at Zamar before turning towards me.

" Here's what happened. The 'kid' snatched a Five Hundred Taka note from my hand and ripped it in half for fun. A freaking Five Hundred Taka note . It's not a small amount of money that I can just overlook plus when I asked him to explain his actions he replied it was because 'he just felt like it'." Isahaq makes air quotes with his fingers before continuing, " A seven year old child has enough common sense to know the basic value of money. Plus I knew his parents weren't going to care about his actions so I took matters in my own hand to teach him a quick life lesson-"

" Yeah he broke the kid's toy robot." Zamar puts in.

" Stop interrupting me and I just detached the head which I also put back after a few minutes. The toy wasn't permanently damaged unlike my hard earned money."

" True. It was so hilarious. You basically glared at the kid and said
' Just like the way you feel sad at your toy being damaged, that note was my toy.' I bet the kid is going to remember this lesson for life."

" Woah that's - something...but honestly you did the right thing. Sometimes kids need to be explained the consequences of their actions if they do something wrong. But not in a harsh way of course." I tell Isahaq with a small laugh.

★

The conversation with Isahaq and Zamar is still fresh in my mind as the car halts outside the gate of our house.

It had started raining again while coming back and Isahaq had played appropriate songs like "Jhoom" and
" Kabhi Jo Badal Barse" which enhanced the whole experience.

" Thanks for driving us back home beta. Please ask your mom to inform me when you reach back home okay? And drive carefully, the road is still slippery." Ammu advises Isahaq as we get off the car.

" Ji aunty. Keep me in your prayers and do visit us again!"

" In Sha Allah. Tell your mother to come meet me too."

Isahaq nods one last time and shoots a small smile at me before waving at us and driving away.

I look down at the now deep stained designs of mehendi adorning my palms.

It had truly been an eventful evening which I would never forget.

✨

Do vote and let me know your thoughts!

What do we think of Zamar ?