The clatter of spoons and forks against ceramic and the loud happy voices of the family sprung around the dining table. Almost everyone spoke at a time dividing themselves into groups, laughing at what was funny and giving their opinions on what they were talking about. Laughter rolled out of Suhaan Khalu's lips echoing through the table. I looked at him smiling. They were so many living in the manor. It was foreign to me. I had never lived in a house filled with people like this except during Eid in Nigeria. I was used to our little family and seeing everyone living together with love touched my heart.

Sami bhai spoon fed Zoya Bhabi who blushed at his gesture. He said something to her which made her let out a tiny giggle. No one noticed that except me. Faiz and Sahibah were having a conversation in a very low voice that no one could hear. Rizwan mamu and Ayat mami were eating their food no word escaping their lips. The angry look on Ayat mami's face told me something was wrong. When Rizwan mamu turned to speak to Aaliyah Khala, she gave him a glare that could create a hole in his head.

"Don't touch my hair" Farhaana slapped Yusuf's hand away from her hair.

"I like your curls. They are shining" he said giving her a smile. She pouted, glaring at him making her look so adorable.

"But I don't want you touching them" she ran a hand through her hair.

"But I like them" Yusuf touched them again.

"Stop it" she shook her head chewing her food.

"Mama said it is not good to talk while eating" Farhaan said looking at both of them.

"But you are talking" Farhaana gave him an innocent look.

"That necklace you showed me yesterday" Reshma spoke beside me getting my attention. She tucked a stray chocolate brown curl behind her ear. "Please, can I wear it to a party I have this Saturday?" Her icy blue eyes streaked with silver like her mother's looked at me with innocence.

"I have no problem with that" I told her putting rice and lentil stew in my mouth. It was delicious. I can't believe I made it. Aunt Sabr had taught me how to make lentil stew when we were in Nigeria.

The household was something I had never lived in before. They have maids and butlers at every door step ready to do what they were assigned to. The large kitchen of the manor has professional cooks who make delicious meals but it is not every time the cooks make food. Today, I had made breakfast with the help of the cooks because of the large household. The maids were always working, cleaning and doing something until the house is sparkling. I was not even allowed to pick a broom to sweep except when I wanted to clean our room. Aaliyah khala being the eldest daughter in law was in charge of the well-being of the house. She makes sure everything was in order by giving commands to the housekeeper, a woman in her early forties.

"I told you" Reshma stuck out her tongue at her younger brother seating beside her.

"Oh, I hope that guy Pierce is not there because surely mom will not allow you to go" Aaryan spoke.

"Don't be a brat Aaryan" Reshma snorted. "He is not going to be there. The party is only for ladies. It is Kim's sister's baby shower" she poked his head.

"It better should be" Ihsaan chipped in.

"Will you both mind your business?" Reshma scolded her voice suddenly cold. "Even though Pierce is going to be there, how is that your problem?" Anger flared in her pretty eyes contouring her face.

"Reshma" I called placing a hand on her shoulder. She turned to look at me. "It's okay. They just care about you" I smiled at her.

I felt a familiar hand over my hand under the table. I turned to look at Amir seating beside me.

"This is delicious" he said which made me smile. "Especially the lassi (yoghurt drink). It is my favourite Pakistani drink" He sipped the yoghurt.

"Oh I am flattered" I rolled my eyes "It was hard making it though. Aunt Sabr taught me how to make it once. I thought Aunt Sabr's cooking class really pays me now" I smiled at him.

I tried not to get lost in his look. His new hairstyle gave him this stunning look that brought out his facial features. His hair was layered to create a volume on top but follow a neat line around the side. I noticed his hair had increased in length and darker and shinier.

"Any problem?" he smiled and I felt his smile pierce through my drumming heart.

"Your new hairstyle is so nice on you" I answered my smile growing deeper.

"Really?" his dimples crinkled. He squeezed my hand.

"Yes"

"Maybe I have not told you how pretty you look in my favourite colour" he looked down at my clothes. I was wearing a red dress. My cheeks flushed and I looked away when the heat kept growing hotter.

"I have had enough of this breakfast" Shazia spoke shooting up from the chair as she hit the table with her spoon which lay under her fisted hand. "The stew is so salty and it is not even going down my throat. The rice is as tasteless as the one who cooked it. It is just so awful" she screamed shooting me a death glare. She screamed like the way those rich spoilt brat scream when frustrated.

"Shazia" I called in a sweet voice. "If the breakfast is really not good then you can walk to the kitchen and cook something else for yourself" I said putting a spoonful of rice in my mouth. The dining table had become awfully quiet so my quiet voice echoed through it. I looked around at everyone who looked at me. They were amazed except Ayat mami who threw daggers with her eyes at me. Well, I don't care.

"Shazia beti, Noor is right. Go to the kitchen and cook for yourself. I am sure there is nothing wrong in that?" Aaliyah Khala spoke with a smile that was obviously false.

"That's true Shazia, go and cook something for yourself. Is something wrong in that?" Zoya bhabi said as her lips stretched up into a smirk. "Is it because you don't even know how to boil water that was why you endure such a horrible breakfast?" Zoya bhabi mocked, a mischievous glint and smile played on her face.

"Are you all taking her side?" Shazia snorted pushing back her beautiful mane.

Her mother who was sitting beside her glared at me before speaking. "I have also wanted to say the same thing. I just kept enduring such a horrible breakfast" she pushed her plate away. Ramlah aunty sounds like she has a sore throat but she does not. I am sure it is the excessive fat clung to her throat that causes that.

"But it is good mom" Aaban's masculine voice followed next. I looked at him almost grateful but there was a look in his eyes and a smile on his face. "I think bhabi made it well. We should be grateful that even though she is Nigerian, she can still make us such a delicious breakfast" he looked directly into my eyes. I gave him a dirty annoyed look before looking away.

"My son, please don't eat something that will turn your stomach" she begged in a very dramatic voice.

"This food is awful like her. Tubassum what do you have to say about it?" Shazia turned to her best friend.

I enjoyed the drama. With everyone against her, I could see the turmoil rising in her eyes which pleased me. I can't wait to show her her place.

"It is just awful as Shazia had said" Tubassum said pushing her plate away. Her parents gave her a stern look which she was unaware of.

"Tubassum" Sami bhai called in a very stern voice.

"It is true bhai, it is awful" she squealed.

"I don't want any of your stupid dramas this morning, Shazia" Nani said, her eyes narrowed.

"But the food is delicious Shazia" Four-year-old Yusuf spoke.

"Oh, sweetheart" she glared at him then quickly replaced it with a sickly sweet smile. "I think something is wrong with your taste bud"

"Nothing is wrong with my son's taste bud. I think it is your taste bud that is faulty" Sahibah bhabi snapped a certain fire in her eyes. Hatred, I figured out. Her husband placed a hand over her shoulder.

"I think this is enough" khalu spoke looking at a mad Shazia. "Shazia, Ramlah, if this breakfast is not befitting for you both, you can go to the kitchen and cook. Since you both don't know how to cook, Tubassum who also does not find this breakfast good can cook for you both or you should all order something from outside. How about that? That reminds me. The cooks are present" he looked around the quiet table.

"Khalu is right" Amir chipped in. "It is best you cook yours or ask the cooks to get something else for you" he held Shazia's gaze. "Ruining our breakfast will not make your taste buds any better"

Wow, Shazia really knows how to ruin a good morning. The awful quietness in the dining room made things awkward. She just ruined a nice breakfast. Shazia gritted her teeth.

"Amir" her chest rose and fell. "You seem to be so crazy" she clenched her jaw. "What has she given you to be so into her?" she fisted her hands.

"We should eat" Nani spoke picking her spoon.

"That is true" Reshma picked her spoon with a nervous laugh and began to eat.

Shazia matched out of the dining room with Tubassum trailing behind her. Ramlah aunty got up next and followed them grunting as she walked. The clatter of spoon and forks returned back followed by everyone's voice right after the doors closed behind them.

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