***

"Farha api you are so cruel!" Mansha whined making Farha give her stink eyes.

"Nautanki kam karo aur jo bola hai chup hokar leke aao."[just do what you are asked for, don't do drama.] Farha said and went back to watching the video on her phone. Mansha groaned and stomping her foot walked out of the room. She couldn't even ignore Farha's demands as she was  heavily pregnant and couldn't walk so much and also because she was here after ages. She needed to be pampered, Farha's exact words.

"What happened?" Noor asked, looking at Mansha's annoyed face as soon as she walked in the kitchen.

"Farha api happened." She groaned, making Noor press  her lips,trying not to smile.

"I understand her but isn't it too cruel on us fasting people to make such delicious meals in the middle of the day?" Mansha cried, and sat down on the kitchen chair.

"What did she ask now?" Noor asked.

"Spicy noodles!" Mansha said, putting her down on the island.

"I will make that for her, don't worry." Noor said, patting her head softly.

"It's okay Noor api, I will make it." Mansha said.

"Mansha, I am not fasting so you can relax and let me do this." Noor said, making Mansha raise her head and smile at her in gratitude.

"I love you api!" She said dramatically and after giving her a quick hug went back.

The haveli was unusually silent today as most of the members were either in their room taking the much needed rest or out there for any preparation. It was chand raat today, the last day of Ramadan. And as expected the evening was going to be utterly chaotic, and the people of Shah Gharan being well aware of it were saving their energies. And that had made it easier for Noor to roam around or have a normal meal without being questioned why she wasn't fasting. She was saved from embarrassment and irritation.

Taking the bowl of hot, spicy c noodles in her hand, Noor made her way out of the kitchen and towards Farha's room. She sniffed the pleasant aroma of the delicacy in her hand and closed her eyes with a smile, she loved when her cooking came out perfect. But when she opened her eyes her smile dropped and a look of complete shock formed on her face. There in front of her, a few steps away  stood someone she had been avoiding like a plague.

His eyes widened and mouth agape as he stared at her. He looked down at the bowl in her hand and, as if realisation dawned on him he looked up, his ears turned red. Noor gasped audibly as it didn't take her a second to understand what he was thinking and she  shook her head twice.

"This is for Farha api!" She said in a breath and without making any more delay walked past him hurriedly. And he stood there, still frozen with mouth agape and red ears. He was an idiot. Zeeshan knew she understood what he was thinking, and she looked so embarrassed. God why was he such an idiot!

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Needless to say, the Chand raat was chaotic. Soon after Maghrib the people of Shah Haveli had started working on last minute preparation for Eid. Some were busy changing the old curtains, cushion covers and all to fresh new ones while some were helping in the kitchen. The girls had decided not to put on henna as just after a week the wedding functions were starting, so they were free from at least one thing. But the main thing, preparing dishes was still left.

Things were divided among them like always. Mahi, along with the elders, was handling the charge of the main course meal for tomorrow. Saman Noor and Ahad were busy preparing sweet dishes while Sara and Mansha and Nadia were handling spicy ones. Umair and Uzair were given the task of cleaning and wiping all the new cutlery sets which they were doing happily, sitting on the floor in one corner of the kitchen.

"Ahad, listen to me very carefully okay." Saman said, making Ahad nod. He was disastrous in the kitchen but he didn't want the ladies to work alone so he came to help and also dragged the twins with him.

"You have to cut the bread sides first and then into triangles okay. Don't cut too much from the sides and please don't cut yourself." Saman guided him, making him nod at her. The shahi tukra was one of the favourite dishes of most members and they had to be good.

Taking the knife in his hand Ahad carefully took a slice of bread and trimmed it's corner and with utmost accuracy divided it into two triangles. Saman stared at him as he took another slice and did the same, she was stunned. Poking Noor's arm she pointed towards Ahad who was very much concentrated on his work. Noor's eyes widened in amusement and soon she was joined by everyone as they stared at Ahad who was on his fourth or fifth slice of bread.

"Saman this is taking so much time why don't I-" Ahad spoke, lifting his head up only to find everyone in the kitchen looking at him with amusement.

"What happened?" He whispered and the very next moment they all burst into fits of laughter. Even Uzair and Umair. Ahad's ears turned red in embarrassment.

"Why are you all laughing?" He whined, earning another round of giggles from them.

"This is why I don't help you cunning people. All you do is bully me!" He said dropping the knife on the island . Saman shook her head.

"We aren't bullying you Ahad, it's just the way you were cutting those breads with so much nazakat made us laugh." She cleared, he only glared.

"You don't have to cut them one by one. Just take a few and do this-" Saman said, taking a few slices of bread and cutting them all at once.

"See it's simple. And here you were putting your blood, sweat and tears in this." She said giggling, making him look away embarrassed. Okay he agrees, his common sense sometimes doesn't work! Others went back to their work while he adjusted himself back to his position and again started cutting the bread, just the way Saman taught him.

He was embarrassed but he couldn't just leave his work in the middle! Unaware of the eyes that were stealing glances of him every few seconds Ahad kept doing his work. And he didn't know how adorable he looked to the beholder of the gaze that kept lingering on him throughout the time.

"Nadia, where are you lost? Is everything okay?" Sara asked, making her snap out of the trance and shake her head slowly.

"I am okay, is everything done?" She asked. Sara looked around and then nodded in confirmation.

"Can I go back? I have a headache." She said,

"Of course, it's almost done. We will take care of the rest." Sara replied, making her smile at her softly and walk out of the kitchen. It was getting difficult for her to stop her unusually fast beating heart and uncontrollable gaze that was following his every move. She didn't know what overcame her. She wasn't like this before, heck she had never even looked at him properly but what was happening now? Why was he getting her attention every now and then and the worst part was, he wasn't aware...she couldn't blame him. Just like everything around her, Nadia's mind was in chaos. Utter chaos.

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Warm sunshine peaked from behind the new white curtains of Shah Haveli and grinned wishing every corner of the house Eid Mubarak. Meeting the gale too as it rushed inside the mesmerizing ivory beauty.

The gale swoosh, danced and ran past the blooming summer flowers and the tall green grasses. It greeted the elder men of Shah Gharana as it went past them and rushed inside the large double door, meeting Armaan and  on the way and ruffling his hair. The living room was noisy and the gale loved it, passing it's Salam to a struggling Ahad as he wore his shoes and laughing twins the gale made its way to the kitchen. Aromas of different kinds greeted the gale as it entered the large kitchen and one by one they together met the beautiful ladies. The Shah Haveli was always welcoming to the gale and it would always leave the haveli with beautiful memories. And as now it blew past the courtyard of Shah Haveli, the gale giggled seeing the to be wed couple greeting each other Eid Mubarak shyly.

The gale had so many tales to tell of the Shah Gaharan and so it continued its journey to the vast fields and orchards, where the trees and birds waited.

___________

"Naddo what happened? Why are you so down?" Saman asked, making Nadia heave a long sigh and point towards her head. They were still in the kitchen as the sweet dishes were yet to be garnished. Everyone else had scurried off to get ready.

"Why don't you go back and I wind up all this?" Saman suggested.

"It's tolerable, Saman, don't worry." Nadia said, making Saman shake her head.

"Nope I am not listening to you, go back. This won't take much time and I will also get you a steaming cup of strong tea. Your headache won't last infront of my tea." Saman said, clicking her fingers animatedly, making Nadia smile.

"You are stubborn." She murmured.

"I know and I am all yours." Saman said, blowing a kiss to her, making Nadia giggle. 

Preparing a nice cup of strong tea, Saman made her way towards her room, she was sure this would help Nadia. But above all, she was late to get ready and if badi ammi finds her like this, then she's dead.

"Nadia kaha hai?"[where's Nadia?] Saman asked entering her room, Mansha was already there doing her makeup.

"Washroom." She replied making  Saman nod and the next moment Nadia came out dressed in her outfit.

"Ooh look at you, such a beauty!" Saman said excitedly, making Nadia roll her eyes playfully.

"No lies." She said only for Saman to make a face at her.

"Literally, no lies." Saman said winking at her and then gestured towards the tea. Nadia mouthed a thank you and gestured Saman to get ready. Saman slapped her head and took out her outfit and almost ran towards the washroom.

Nadia took a sip of the aromatic beverage and certainly it was good. She looked at Mansha who was almost done with her makeup and Ma sha Allah she looked so beautiful, so flawless. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror and smiled, she looked good. Her dress was  maroon  with delicate embroidery of the same color and it looked good on her. She wasn't a flawless beauty but she was good in her skin.

"Mansha, can you do my makeup?" She asked, making Mansha look at her for a split second and then grin ear to ear.

"Of course api, come sit here!" She exclaimed, making Nadia smile and sit in front of the mirror. Mansha loved makeup and she could say she had mastered the art very well and she was the personal make-up artist of the family and did she complain, nope.

"Make it subtle." Nadia said. Mansha smiled, she knew her preference.

Dressed in a black dress with white lace works, Saman stepped out of the washroom and hurriedly made her way towards the mirror where the blow dryer was.

"Saman I thought you were going with the other one?" Mansha said.

"Nope, I changed my mind." Saman said, avoiding their confused gaze.

"Okay enough questions now if y'all done, can I get myself look presentable?" She asked.

"Go ahead, are we stopping you?" Nadia commented earning a scowl from her.

"Naddo what's the special occasion? Hmm getting makeup and hair done?" Saman asked teasingly, making Nadia roll her eyes.

"Eid, duh!" She said getting up and giving a last look at herself. She liked the makeup and the sleek bun Mansha made.

"Good job Mansha, for once you didn't mess up." Nadia giggled.

"I never do in this case." Mansha said, flipping her perfectly straightened shoulder length hair.

"Mansha mera bhi kardona makeup."[Mansha do mine too.] Mansha rolled her eyes and smiled knowingly hearing Saman's plea.

"Idhar baithein, sabse maine ab fee leni hai. Dekh lein aise free me nahi hoga ye sab." [Come sit here, trust me I am gonna charge for this next time]

"As if we will give you a penny." Nadia said and high-fived Saman.

Soon the trio was joined by Sara, Noor and Mahi and they made their way downstairs. The men would be back soon so they kept the sheer khurma and sewai ready. It was tradition of Shah Haveli, after eid salah the family would together eat something light and then proceed for the day.

The living area of Shah Haveli had witnessed so many beautiful moments and now too the walls smiled seeing the buzz. The Shah Gharan was illuminated with smiles and laughter. The men had returned soon and everyone wished eid Mubarak to each other, embracing their parents, their siblings and children. Ahad got his camera and like every year they all huddled together for a family picture. The elders sat on the lush couches while the youngsters stood behind them grinning ear to ear. And in the chaos  the picture got clicked, perfectly.

Ahad's eyes were wide as he stopped his breath for the picture, Saman and Mansha were laughing at something, Mahi and Fahad were looking at each other, Zeeshan had his eyes on Noor while she conversed with Armaan. The elders were the only one with good posture. Imperfectly perfect portrait.

"May I have your attention please," Ahad spoke standing up, making everyone look at him.

"So as I got your attention, Eidi nikale sabke sab." He said and grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Bache ho kya tum log?"[are you kids?] Fahad asked, trying to sound strict but the smile he wore had another tale to tell.

"Leave it Fahad, they won't budge." Ihsan Shah spoke, shaking his head in amusement.

"Chalo sab ek ek karke ajao." [come on everyone.] He said taking out a bundle of cash. The youngsters nodded enthusiastically and soon enough they all had huddled up in front of the elders.

"I won't give a penny to them." Zeeshan said, getting up from his seat.

"Kidhar chale janab? Ab itni bhi kanjoosi achi nahi." Ahad pushed him back on the one seater earning a glare from Zeeshan. [Where to mister? This much stinginess isn't good.]

"I am not wasting my money." Zeeshan smirked and sat back lazily.

"You won't?" Ahad asked in a challenging tone, making Zeeshan nod.

"Noor api..." Ahad called and made his way towards Noor.

"What happened?" Noor asked, seeing Ahad smile like an idiot.

"Chalein mere saath." He said. Noor frowned but nevertheless followed him. How absolutely foolish of her! Noor had zero ideo that this idiotic person would make her stand infront of Zeeshan and that too with a wish to demand for their Eidi. [Come with me]

"Are you crazy Ahad?" Noor whispered as she felt Zeeshan's amused gaze on her.

"Achi api please eidi nikalwa dein in kanjoos se." [You are so nice api, please get me my eidi]

"Nahi dene wala main koi eidi." Zeeshan again spoke, making Noor look at him briefly with a scowl and then back at Ahad. [Nope I won't give eidi]

"Rahne do Ahad, kanjoos logon se umeed nahi lagai jati, chalo mujhse le lo eidi." [Leave it Ahad, you shouldn't have hope from stingy people. Come I will give you eidi.]Noor spoke in a soft voice but the hint of teasing wasn't missed by Zeeshan. Ahad gave a smug look at Zeeshan who was gaping at the duo. Noor sneaked a glance of Zeeshan and smirked.

"Karwali beizzati? Mil gayi tassali?"[You happy now?]
Farha murmured teasingly bringing him back from his shock. Zeeshan gave his meanest glare to his sister who just shrugged nonchalantly.

"Boys let's leave now." Anwar Shah spoke, getting up from his seat, followed by his brothers . Zeeshan and Fahad walked out with them while Armaan waited for Ahad.

"Who will click our pictures Ahad? Where are you going?" Saman asked, gritting her teeth, making Ahad roll his eyes.

"These two monkeys will do your work, let me leave!" He said, making Saman slap his head. Before he could repay Armaan grabbed him from behind and dragged him away.

"We are getting late." He said and sneaking a breif glance at Saman dragged Ahad with him.

"Bhai, didn't you see that she hit me!" Ahad grumbled as soon as they stepped outside.

"And you bled gallons right?"

"Bhai!" Armaan chuckled at his antics.

"Waise bhai, Saman achi lag rahi thi na?" [ by the way bhai, Saman was looking nice right?]Ahad asked with a teasing glint making Armaan look at him with a frown. Ahad winked at him and taking fast step joined the rest of the men leaving a perplexed Armaan behind.

_______

That afternoon after getting numerous pictures ,eating out the twins ' heads and after attending to the neighbors, the girls were finally free. And so they all gathered in Saman's room for a mandatory eid noon sleep. All except Noor were sleeping on the bed in weird positions, some horizontal, some diagonally. Noor couldn't fit so she opted for the couch. Nap on eids were of different kinds. These felt like a coma. Tiredness of last night and lack of sleep for the whole Ramadan lured them into senseless sleep.

Snuggled together, with their hair out of place, makeup all wiped out and in deep slumber, that's how  Mahi had found the girls as she came to Saman's room. She wouldn't lie, she melted at this scene. Seeing these girls together, with so much love and affection for each other Mahi always thanked the Almighty. For keeping them with each other without any ill feelings. Mahi was sceptical when she married into this family. The major reason was so many people and so many nands.

But the way these people had embraced her wholeheartedly, with all her flaws Mahi couldn't help but be grateful. Yes, there were moments of hardship but that didn't mean these people would leave each other's side. They were together, through thick and thin. They had always been.

"Girlsss, get up!" Mahi called, shaking each of them one by one. They didn't budge, making her glare at them, as if they knew she was angry!

"Noor tum to uth jao, asr ka waqt ho gaya hai." Mahi said, shaking Noor who didn't budge at first but after a few more attempts she opened her tired eyes and stared at Mahi with a confused face.

"What's wrong bhabi?" She asked in a sleepy voice.

"Nothing's wrong, it's asr time and after maghrib  Zoha's family is coming. So we gotta prepare." Mahi was not sure of how much Noor understood. Nevertheless she nodded and got up from the couch she was squeezed in. It took her and Mahi a lot of calling and shaking to wake up the girls, they were literally in coma.

Each one of them looked like a walking mess, clothes out of place, and hair sticking in different directions. Who would say they looked so beautiful in the morning? With their minds hazy, faces puffy from incomplete yet deep slumber they all got up from each other and got freshened up.

The time between asr and maghrib for girls went in getting a refreshing dosage of energizer a.k.a tea and then getting back in good shape for the much awaited guests. Zohfa's family members were coming for Eid greetings. Among many political links Shah gharan had, the one with Rahman's was quite close. Maybe years of friendship and business led them where they were.

______
Ahad was sighing every two minutes, courtesy of the political talks between the elders. He was patiently trying to listen to everything they were saying, yet he found himself zoning out. He waited for the topic to change, at least to business because he had an interest there but seemed like the oldies weren't leaving their beloved politics. Taking an inaudible and deep breath he silently got up and slipped out of the front room and made his way towards the kitchen.

At least food wouldn't disappoint him.

He  thought that right now the kitchen would be empty, key word thought. But it wasn't. The whole girl gang was there, doing Allah knows what. He groaned. And before he could turn around and leave Sara caught him. Talk about bad luck.

"Bhai can you please take this to the front room?" She said pointing towards the trays loaded with delicacies. Great! He had run away from there and here his sister was asking to go back.

"No I will not, ask the twins. " he said, frowning. Sara glared at him.

"Ahad, what happened?" Noor asked, hearing the bickering siblings.

"Yaar Noor api I don't wanna go back to the front room." He whined, louder than intended and hence grabbed everyone's attention. He was unaware yet.

"Bhai you just have to put it there and come back. Why are you whining like a child?" Sara asked, making him glare at her.

"Go Ahad, I will get you Shahi Tukra ready. The last pieces." Noor said, smiling at him as if convincing a two-year -old. And that did work.

He raised his brows making Noor nod at his unasked question. He grinned and taking the tray from Sara walked out of the kitchen. Noor could just chuckle while Sara slapped her head. He wouldn't grow up. Saman rolled her eyes yet her lips were turned up, Nadia had a look of adoration in her eyes and the additional person, whom Ahad was unaware of, looked amused.

"Alizeh, here try this." Saman's call broke her haze making her look away from the entrance from where a certain weird yet amusing guy walked out. She was sure she hadn't seen someone like him.

In no time he was back, grinning like cheshire cat and rubbing his hand animatedly.

"Come on Noor api, where's my reward?" He said plopping on the counter top. He saw Noor shake her head lightly and walk towards the fridge, his eyes followed her but froze in the middle.

She was talking with Saman, dressed in a powder blue dress, dupatta placed on her head and eyes holding so many stars. There she stood, whom he hadn't noticed, yet when he did, he abruptly jumped down and almost ran only to stop by Noor's call.

"Ahad wait!" He stopped, turned around took the plate from Noor's hand and immediately left the kitchen. Embarrassed. For what reason, he didn't know.

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Eid's night brought gentle breeze and lots of exhaustion with it. So the people of Shah Gharana retired to their rooms earlier than any day.

Saman closed the door of her cupboard and took a deep breath of relief. Finally the day would end now. She was exhausted and had literally no more energy to even walk. But seemed like luck wasn't on her side, as Nadia entered her room.

"Saman do you have sheet masks?" She asked.

"Hmm, I do."

"Oh thank god, this is the reason I don't like makeup...look at my skin. It's so dry!" Nadia whined making Saman chuckle. Quite a rare sight it was. Saman went to look for the mask while Nadia just relaxed on the bed next to Mansha. Who was knocked out.

"By the way Saman, you really liked your red dress but why didn't you wear it today? I thought you were gonna chose that one." Nadia said as soon as Saman handed her the packet.

"That..actually I thought it would be too heavy." Saman said hurriedly walking away from Nadia. Avoiding her eyes. Nadia didn't ask anything more, firstly she had put on her mask and second, she herself thought that the reason was acceptable. She nodded and after giving Saman a small wave walked out of the room. Saman took a huge breathe of relief.

She lied. The dress was beautiful and nothing over the top but the only reason she avoided wearing it was someone who had bought it for her. She closed her eyes at her own stupidity. He hadn't said anything that made her react like this. She herself was stupid.

Saman was lost in her thoughts the whole way to the market. She had no idea that Armaan would actually agree for this but, that wasn't the problem. How would she ask him to make a choice for her.

"Saman are you alright?" Armaan asked seeing her lost as they walked towards the shops. Saman glanced at him and shook her head.

The next half an hour went into her driving the sales person crazy. She had a huge pile of clothes in front of her and a visibly annoyed sales man looking at her. She gave an apologetic smile to him and once again rummaged through the exquisite dresses. But to her bad...her mind gave up. She looked over her back and found Armaan standing near the exit, busy with his phone.

Saman had picked out few dresses but deciding between them waa a hassle...too big for her. So at last, she had to call Armaan for help. He looked towards her and raised his brows but nevertheless came to her.

"Done?" He asked.

"Well actually, I...um..I kinda need your help." Saman said.

"What?"

"I can't choose." She whispered pointing towards the heaps of clothes.

"So you couldn't choose anything?" Armaan asked.

"I..I actually did." She pointed towards the clothes she could pick out and looked at him. He didn't look angry or annoyed.He nodded and in next few minutes he had taken out one black and a red outfit. Saman was dumb struck. She could never chose this fast, heck none of her cousin had this capacity.

She liked the dresses but she only wanted one, so after thinking a lot decided to chose the black one.

"I only need one." She said.

"Red suits you." Armaan whispered back making her look at him with confusion only for him to smile. She didn't protest as she was lost of words.

That's how she ended up with two beautiful dresses and everyone liked the red one better. And she did like it too, but everytime she looked at it she felt an unknown feeling inside her and the whole scene of shopping flashed in her mind.

And it bothered Saman.

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Assalamualaikum everyone.

How are you all?

Finally a chapter after so long.

I missed you all.

Hope you all are fine.