I clung to him inhaling his musky scent. The way his scent wafted into my nostrils was peaceful. I laid my head on his broad chest revelling in the moment I had with him before he drifted away. My hand that rested on his chest held his shirt possessively. He came home the night before and a little bit early. It was shocking to see him home that early. I had hugged him as if my life depended on him. Even though we had slept together all night, I had not slept deep. Any single movement he made, I jerk up as if he was leaving. His hand that relaxed on my waist held me so close to him and I held him closer. I shut my eyes allowing sleep to puddle over my eyelids. He moved as if he wanted to get out from bed, my eyes flew open and I sat up. Quietly, he stood up.

"Amir" I called gripping his wrist. He halted then turned back to look at me. I pushed the covers away from my body sitting up.

The light that drifted into the room from the slightly pulled curtains was warm and almost bright. The dazzling sky had not failed to reveal it clearness into the room. Winter was drifting away. The chilling mornings were fading away and a morning with a normal temperature had begun but the nights were still chilling. Yet, coats were still needed during the day due to how windy the days were and the sun which was the first sign of spring had approached. The flowers in the gardens had begun to bloom promising a new season.

Our eyes locked together as Amir moved closer towards the bed post. I got down from the bed still holding his wrist. My nightie which had moved up to my hips glided down to my knees when my feet touched the ground. Amir placed a hand on my shoulder pulling me closer. His other hand rested on my back. Pleased with the closeness between us, I rested my head on his chest wrapping my hands so tight around him.

"Please, can you stay for breakfast today?" I begged my voice desperate.

Nothing had changed between us even though it was our third week in London. The distance was still there. I had cried when my heart could not take it anymore. It ached with pain of what was happening. Seeing the other couples in the house had not helped me at all. Their love and time for each other made me feel as if I was missing something. His hands went up to my back holding me tighter against his chest.

"Will you?" I whispered into his chest.

Gently, he pulled me away and smiled placing a hand under my chin to gaze into his eyes. My heart drummed in my chest. His beautiful eyes smiled at me with gentleness. I put a hand on his cheek returning his smile. He caressed my lips with his very briefly then pulled away. I was disappointed. I wanted more than just a brief kiss. I wanted something harder.

"I am sorry" his soft almost inaudible voice echoed into my ears.

My heart dropped. I dropped my gaze gulping suddenly shaking. Slowly, my hand slide down from his cheek to his chest fiddling with the button of his pyjamas. I knew what will come next. I can't make it. I have work to do.

"It is okay" I said with a little smile.

"I have work to do and...."

"It's okay Amir" I said. "It really is" I moved away. "You should prepare for work. I will lay out your clothes" I stepped away from him.

Without a word, he walked to the bathroom. My legs turned shaky. I slumped into the bed, a tear dripping. Broken, I pulled the sheets towards my chest and slipped into the covers.

***

"I do not like broccoli" Zahra said climbing the tall stool by the kitchen island to look at her mother's face.

"That does not mean you have to throw it away" Zoya bhabi scolded.

"But mama, broccoli is not nice. It tastes awful" Farhaan said swinging his legs. He was seated on the sparkling white marble top of the kitchen island.

"It really taste awful" Farhaana made a disgusting face at the bowl of broccoli beside her. She placed a hand over her brother's shoulder.

"I don't blame you, you father does not like broccoli" Zoya bhabi said icing the cake on the worktop.

"That's because we are baba's children" Zahra said clapping. Her siblings did the same thing shouting.

I smiled at them as I watched what Zoya bhabi was doing. Zahra leaned on me, her small palm cool against my hand. Beside me, the head cook, Daniel, arranged the baked meat pies on a tray in a way that was attractive. Pots, pans and utensils sounded against each other as the kitchen staffs prepared dinner. The loud urgent voices of the staffs bounced around the kitchen. A side of the family kitchen which was the type found in luxury hostels had been left free for Zoya bhabi to use. The aroma of different delicacies immersed the active atmosphere in the kitchen.

"Good afternoon" Aunt Caroline's voice rang through the kitchen.

"Aunt" I called beaming at the sight of her.

"How are you Noorie?" She said kissing my cheeks. "Daniel" she greeted the cook.

"Evening ma'am" he greeted giving her a friendly smile.

"Hm, I can see desserts" she licked her lips picking an iced cupcake hugging the kids.

"Zoya" Sahibah bhabi walked into the kitchen along with Yusuf who was tapping her and calling her pulling the end of her salwar kameez with Aisha tied to her back gnawing at her small thumb. Reshma and her siblings followed next.

"Tonight is going to be fun" Aaryan screamed. "I can see lots being prepared" he licked his lips taking a spoonful of fruit salad into his mouth.

"Glutton!" his sisters barked at him from both sides.

He stared at them, mouth filled with fruit salad parted with a look that said why me? After swallowing he said "That was why I told mom to give birth again. Maybe Allah will save me by giving me a brother. What have I done now?" he said dramatically with a distressed look. I laughed rinsing my hands.

"Yusuf, leave me alone! Don't disturb me!" Sahibah bhabi shouted at her son who kept disturbing her. Shaken by his mother's outburst, a loud wail broke free from Yusuf's lips with tears. As if there was no one crying beside her, Sahibah turned towards Aunt Caroline and Zoya bhabi to talk to them.

"Hey there prince charming" I said bending down to reach his height. "You know good boys don't cry" I wiped his tear stained cheeks.

"I just wanted chocolate" he cried.

"Mom is busy now but Aunt Noorie won't mind giving you" I lifted him up then opened the refrigerator. "Pick one" I stretched him towards the refrigerator. When he picked a chocolate, I picked another for myself.

"Noor" Sahibah bhabi called.

"Yes" I answered turning towards her with a smile.

"Nani wants you to get her chai"

"Okay" I nodded putting Yusuf down. I got to know chai means tea.

After a maid made tea for Nani, I collected it from her and headed to Nani's room that was along the guest room on the ground floor. Due to her old age, her room had not been situated upstairs because of the flight of steps. My phone rang jolting me a bit. I pulled it out of the pocket of my dress, my lips twitching into a smile at the flashing screen.

"I thought you will never pick up" Temi said into the phone. I laughed opening the door to Nani's room. Instead of walking in, I stopped at the sight of Nani and Aaliyah khala talking, my hand pausing on the door knob. On the Arabian red rug, Ayat mami sat down, her face outlined with fury and her eyes misty with anger.

"I asked you a question Ayat" Nani spoke.

"I don't like her. We all know why she married him, Ammi?"

"I will call you back" I said into the phone. Still staring at them, I disconnected the call.

"She married him because of money" she seethed.

"Ayat, Noor knows nothing about Amir's financial status. That is a lame excuse for you to say" Aaliyah khala frowned.

"Or is it because he has refused to marry your younger sister Firdaus?" Nani said with sureness in her voice.

Ayat mami looked at them before dropping her gaze. A little laugh escaped Nani's lips.

"I can see why you hate her" she shook her head. "We all knew Firdaus liked him but he never like her"

"She was happy she was going to marry him when you suggested her for him" She snapped getting up.

"And what did you expect us to do when Amir said no" Khala shouted back. "You knew him then, he was arrogant. Did you expect us to put him in a marriage that he might not get happiness and your sister, were you ready to allow her marry someone that will not care for her?"

"Firdaus had almost committed suicide last week because of him"

"You sister is been foolish and you will spare me your lame excuses. Amir is married and to someone he loves. Noorie is a good girl. She loves him too. She has done a lot for him. She helped him heal when everyone was running away from him calling him a mad man. Including Firdaus and now that he is back, she wants him" Khala sneered. "You are a fool Ayat"

"Ayat, you have to stop your attitude towards her. She did not do anything to offend you or anyone. That girl is innocent" Nani said. Innocent? I nearly huffed. I am not close to innocent not after something I had done.

"Ramlah and Shazia were right. What has she given you all that had blinded all of you so much?" she screamed, tears falling.

"She had given us love and affection" Nani replied. "You will watch your words Ayat. You will stop this nonsense and stop shouting. You have to stop your annoying drama with her"

"I should stop fighting her" her chest moved up and down. She let out a hysterical laugh sniffling. "I have just started with her"

"You should know very well Ayat that Noorie might be nice and kind hearted but she has a side of her that she won't hesitate to show you. Looking at her, with the way she had put Shazia and her mother in their places, she won't hesitated to put you too in your place" Khala said, her eyes compassionless. "I am sure you remembered your last encounter with her. She had said something you did not like"

I knew I had eavesdropped enough. When they turn and see me standing there, it won't be nice. So I knocked getting their attention. They spun their head to look at me. Ayat mami looked at me with her red face and Nani and Khala looked at me with a smile.

"Assalamu alaikum" I said, my lips curling up.

"Walaikum salam jaan" Nani answered with a dazzling smile. "Come in" she gestured me inside with her hand.

Mami walked up to me, grinding her teeth, her fists clenched together very hard. She wiped her face furiously glaring at me. I looked at her with an innocent look I could muster expecting her to say something. Her chest heaved up and down.

Without a word, she sauntered past me. Avoiding looking at the women staring at me, I placed the chai on the stool the stood up.

"Nani, I brought your tea" I said.

"Come and seat down here with me" she tapped her side gently. I sat with her on the bed. "I am bored" she said "And I want you to chat with you" she held my hands. Khala got up and left smiling at us.

"So what do you want to chat with me about?"

I raised my legs to the bed tucking them under me to listen to her. I listened to Nani chats. I laughed at what was funny and gave my opinion on some matters. She told me about her childhood and how she had grown into a beauty young lady. Before I left, she showed me her pictures from her womanhood.

"Hello" I said into the phone immediately Temi picked up.

"You snitch" she said into the phone laughing. "How could you disconnect the call?" I laughed walking up the staircase.

"I had something to do" I said.

"I hope they are not turning you into a house maid o? If they are, do not hesitate to call me. In a jiffy, I will be there to show them my fighting skills" she joked.

"They are amazing" I gushed, my smile getting bigger.

"That's what women say even though they are suffering to prevent being thrown out of their husband's home" she hissed.

"You are so negative"

"So my care has become negativity abi?"

"Of course not"

"Good, I saw those amazing dresses, shoes and bags you sent to Nigeria for me" she blathered laughing. "They are beautiful" she screamed.

"You got them?"

"Of course, Raihana brought them. Those pairs of earrings and that bracelet are fabulous. I can't wait to wear them"

"I knew....." I bumped into something firm bouncing back with force and a scream. I had expected to find my body on the floor but someone got my body. The person's hands were encircled around my back to hold me.

"What's wrong?" Temi's worried voice came through the phone that was still firm to my ear.

I opened my eyes slowly with my heart pounding. The familiar pair of jeans that came to view had me scowling. I stood straight staggering a bit. Aaban caught me his hands on my waist.

"Are you okay?" he asked huskily sounding like a frog. Different feminine perfumes oozed from his jacket one of them very familiar but hard to indicate.

The words I was supposed to say turned into action. I kicked Aaban so hard in between his legs that I thought I heard a crack somewhere. He groaned jerking his hand away to hold his groin.

"Stupid" I said shooting him a bad look before walking away.

"What's happening?" Temi asked.

"Nothing, just some stupid person. We were saying what?" I continued our conversation as I walked into our room.

When I ended my long call with Temi who had gist in store for me, I jogged down after Maghrib.

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