"Farhaana!!!!!" Zoya bhabi screamed at the little girl who was frozen beside me. Her eyes wide with dread shot up to look at her angry mother. She trembled looking back at the staircase.

Sahibah bhabi and the rest of the family who were at home rushed to the foyer from the living room. A fearful scream which vibrated through the staircase left Sahibah bhabi's lips straining through my ears.

"Yusuf!" she shouted at the sight of the boy lying unconscious at the end of the staircase. "Yusuf!" she screamed again rushing to her son. Her lips trembled as tears gushed out of her eyes. She lifted him up to her lap.

"Why did you do that?" Zoya bhabi shouted grabbing her daughter's arm. Farhaana trembled and broke into tears. "Have I not warned you? Why did you push him! I have told you not to play rough! Farhaana! Farhaan!" she shouted grabbing her son's arm. She held both of them, shouting and scolding, frustrated and angry.

Nani, Faiz and Aunt Caroline surrounded the unconscious boy. Aunt Caroline pulled Sahibah away from her son. As if the Yusuf was a feather, his father picked him up throwing him over his broad shoulder.

I was frozen with shock. My palms became damp and I shook slightly dropping my hands from my lips. I could feel the fear and worry in the air. I could see Yusuf slung lifelessly over his confused father's shoulder, Sahibah bhabi crying and the worry in everyone. I could hear the screams of Zoya bhabi, Farhaan and Farhaana's cries, Sahibah bhabi's cry and the commotion going around. Zoya bhabi walked down the staircase as fast as her legs could carry her.

"I am sorry" she apologized to Sahibah. "I am sorry Sahibah" her voice shook.

Sahibah bhabi said nothing instead she wept. A tear ran down Zoya bhabi's cheek. Coming out of my reverie, I bent down in front of the twins and wrapped my hands around them. They leaned in laying their heads on my shoulders as they continue weeping.

There was an odd silence in the manor that day. After Faiz and Sahibah left for the hospital with the rest of the family except the children. Aunt Caroline who had wanted to stay with me and the children, Ramlah aunty, Aaban, Shazia, it took me so much time to calm down the twins. Aunt Caroline and I kept calling them to know how Yusuf was doing. He woke up from his unconsciousness but Zoya bhabi fainted in the hospital. They had spent so much time at the hospital. The children had refused to eat but my constant pestering had made them eat.

"When is everybody coming back?" Reshma asked throwing her legs over the seat.

"They should be home soon" I answered yawning. I kept running my hand through the soft silky hair of the twins who were asleep on my laps.

"Mama is furious" Zahra spoke softly putting her homework into her Barbie school bag.

"Oh sweetie" Reshma pushed her assignment away and pulled Zahra to her. "Your mama is....." I zoomed out gazing at Aunt Caroline who was seated on long seat with both Aaryan and Ihsaan solving a puzzle.

After dinner, I had given Aisha a warm bath and put her to sleep, something I have never done in my life. I have never taken care of a baby and I did. She was sound asleep on the two-seater beside Reshma. Yawning, I laid my head on the headrest of the seat and soon fell asleep.

***

It was a breezy Friday afternoon, few minutes after Jummah. I could hear the voices of the family as though informing me they had arrived from the mosque. I wanted to get out of bed to greet them but the stinging pain in my lower abdomen had rooted me to the soft bed. I groaned turning over to lie on my stomach hoping it will relieve me of the pain that was growing every second. The tightening of the walls of my stomach felt as if someone was squeezing them. Pain spanned around my waist, my lower back hurting, feeling as if I had a heavy load on it. I hardly had such pain. It's been months since I had it and feeling it over again was more painful than the last.

The curtains danced to the soft lullaby of the wind that came through the balcony doors. I knew what I needed. I needed just a glass of warm water. I sat up groaning to bury my heavy head in my hands. Instead of getting down from the bed, I laid back.

I woke up late in the afternoon. The cramping of my lower abdomen had reduced. The pain that spread down to my pelvis and lower back was mild and very bearable. I rolled over in bed to look up at the white ceiling, my eyes adjusting to the light in the room. Tired, I sat up turning my neck to minimize the strain in it. I placed my hand at the right side of my neck pressing and applying light pressure to reduce the strain. My eyes darted to the clock on the nightstand. I groaned with frustration knowing it was almost 5:30pm in the evening. Yawning, I jumped out of bed and walked to the bathroom.

My footsteps were light against the glowing floor of the hallway. The hallways were quiet obvious that everyone was in the living room down stairs catching up with each other. I held an empty jug and cup with the aim of refilling the jug when I go to the kitchen to get warm water to drink. It was Friday, a day everyone comes home early and the kids do not have their Quranic class that day. It was like a break for them. My husband as always had not come back from work. I have gotten used to not expecting him home early except late at night but that had not stopped the yearning I had for him.

This morning, before he left for work, I had woken up which had given me the chance to see Amir. I could not go to school due to the cramp I was having. Mi Jin, Liza and few of my classmates and friends had called to check on me. I was really grateful and elated by the way they cared. Soft annoyed whispers came from the staircase as I walked noiselessly down the steps. I stopped at the sight of Aaban and Tubassum.

Tubassum was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest, her face outlined with fury as she gave Aaban a glare that could send fear through anyone. Aaban stood in front of her, his muscular build almost hovering over her, his big hand on her shoulder as he gave her a loop side smile.

"I am sorry" he said giving her an apologetic look. Tubassum sneered throwing back her hair before looking away from him. He smiled a bit before placing a hand gently on her chin to turn her face to look at him. "So what do you want me to do baby?" he asked her stroking her cheek with his thumb.

I drew in a deep breath as questions whirled in my head. Baby? What does he mean? He is touching her. His voice was very husky and seductive. He had made his voice husky in a way that he thought sounded so sexy. The closeness between Tubassum and Aaban was not normal. He was so close almost leaning over her, his body slightly touching hers. She had not stopped him or pushed him away. Bells rang in my head. Is something going on between them?

"Speak to me sweetheart" Aaban begged moving closer. Now there was no gap between them. What's going on? "Okay" he sighed closing his eyes then opened it. "What do you want me to do?" he asked his hand that was on her shoulder moved towards her waist slightly brushing her hair.

"Now you are talking" Tubassum said, her lips stretching up. "Just because you are saying sorry does not mean I have forgiven you" she barked.

"What do you want me to do to reduce your anger?" he lowered his hand towards her neck, brushing her skin gently with the tip of his fingers. Tubassum cringed bending her neck a bit. "Sensitive?" he hummed slightly amazed before lowering his face towards her neck. My grip around the glass handle of the jug tightened.

"I am not in the mood for such games Aaban" Tubassum almost yelled.

"Shhhh" Aaban placed his hand on her lips to shut her up. "Someone might hear us" he said.

Tubassum gazed up at him, her eyes burning with anger, her nose flared and her cheeks were red. A muscle in her sharp jaw tightened before pushing his hands off her body. Her chest heaved up and down.

"You don't know how much you are annoying me Aaban" she seethed. "I was waiting" her voice shook. "For you to come last night" her eyes glinted with water. "You did not come. I waited for three good hours hoping you will come" a tear fell and Aaban as though he was a handkerchief wiped it away.

"I am sorry" Aaban said remorsefully hanging his head a bit, his eyes showing how he felt. What a player and pervert? I gritted my teeth. Tubassum being so stupid cannot see the other look in his eyes. He was playing her. "I had something important to do"

"Yes, you had something important to do" She wept. "You went to the club to get drunk. I came to your room last night Aaban. You had passed out due to the amount of alcohol you had" she buried her face in her palms, tears gushing out like a stream.

What I was watching was more interesting than anything I had ever watched.

"It won't happen again baby" he wrapped his hands around her burying her into his wide hefty chest. I had expected Tubassum to push him away but she welcomed his embrace wrapping her hands around his frame. When they pulled away, he wiped away her tears with his big palms. "You do not look pretty with a frown princess" He continued whatever he was saying in Urdu so I could not grab a single word except meri jaan. But I knew whatever Aaban was telling her to make her blush so hard was sweet.

"I should get going before anyone sees us" Tubassum said. "I love you Aaban. I love you very very much" her voice became soft coated with emotions that swirled in her doe eyes.

"I love you too my princess" Aaban replied. With a smile, Tubassum stood on her toes then pressed her lips to Aaban's lips.

My jaws dropped. My eyes grew wide. I finally understood what was going on. Tubassum and Aaban are in a relationship. Ya Allah! In Aaban's eyes, I could see the glint of victory. There was a look that screamed deception. After another hug, Tubassum turned and left her cheeks red. Aaban stared at Tubassum's back as she walked down the staircase throwing her hips and making her bottom bounce. Nice job Tubassum.

I took that as a clue to descend the wide steps. With a smile, Aaban turned around and walked up the staircase humming. When his eyes landed on me, he smiled. I shot him a hard look and strode past him.

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