Hi everyone, a new chapter!
You can see the watch Muhammad Ali gifted Aleeza on the side.
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Muhammad Ali's POV
"Beta, you must be very tired. You did so much work today. Why don't you go to sleep?"
"Actually, I was thinking the same,
aunty."
I stood up.
"Okay, goodnight everyone."
"Goodnight beta."
I went upstairs and took a look at Aleeza's door, it was closed and I didn't hear any noise. So she's sleeping, I suppose.
I went to the guestroom I always slept in. I opened the door and Aleeza was standing there.
"Uhm, what are you doing?"
"Uh... nothing just checking the room."
"Okay... Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
She went to her room and closed the door.
What was she doing here?
I searched around the room and found a little piece of paper.
"I'm sorry, I was angry at you while you did all of this for me! Thank you! ;-)"
A smile appeared on my face.
She is so adorable. I took the paper and put it in my wallet. When I opened my wallet, I saw a childhood pic of Aleeza and me in the park. She's so cute.
I changed and lied in bed.
I am glad she liked the surprise. And the watch, she really loved it.
I was really tired, so fell asleep very fast.
I woke up by a splash of water on my face.
"Wake up, Muhammad Ali!"
"Zaroon & Aleeza, I'm going to kill you!"
"Run!" She screamed.
I stood up and they started running. I started running after them.
They ran downstairs.
Zaroon was very fast and he was already downstairs. Aleeza was running on the stairs, when suddenly...
"Aleeza, watch out!"
She almost slipped but I could catch her up in my arms on time.
She was so scared. I saw it in her eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, because of you. Thank you."
"No problem."
"Ahum...Aleeza." Zaroon said with a stern but protecting tone.
She let go of me instantly and ran to the living room.
I ran after her.
"Don't think you are free from my revenge, you two!"
Everyone was sitting and chatting.
I ran after them.
"What are you guys doing?"
We didn't answer and I just ran after them.
We ran everywhere. In the living room, dining room, garden.
"Muhammad Ali, what are you doing? You're not a little child anymore." Papa said.
"Tell that to Aleeza & Zaroon."
They went into the garden.
I had an idea...
"Okay, I'm giving up." I said.
"Haha, you loser!"
I took the water pipe and the water splashed over them.
"Muhammad Ali, you cheater!" She said.
"I told you, I'm going to take revenge!"
"Muhammad Ali, that was very cheap of you." Zaroon said.
"Now I'll have to change once again!"
She ran upstairs.
"Muhammad Ali, what was that for?" Mom asked.
"Mama, they woke me up by throwing water on me. I had to take revenge."
"Okay everyone, breakfast is ready." Aunty said.
We ran to the dining room.
Sila and Farah also came in.
Aunty brought hot parathas.
She is a wonderful cook.
"Ammi, you go sit. I'll bring the food." Aleeza said while entering the room in new clothes.
"Ok beta."
She went to the kitchen and came back with haleem.
"Here you are. Yummy breakfast made by my lovely mom!" Aleeza said.
"She's talking like she made it herself." I said.
"Aunty, look. He always teases me."
"Come here, Aleeza beta."
She went to mom.
"Muhammad Ali, why do you always tease her? She's my beautiful daughter and she can also cook very well."
"Yes, indeed." She said.
"Haha, Aleeza and cooking! You've gotta be joking!"
"You don't believe me, don't you?" She said
"No, I don't believe you. And I challenge you to make tonight's dinner."
"Okay, challenge accepted."
"Wait, I'm not ready yet. You have to make all the dishes I tell you and it has to be delicious."
"Okay, fine. But if you loose, you'll have to do what I say." She said.
"Deal." I said.
"Muhammad Ali, leave this now. I would start eating now because this evening, we wont get any good food. " Zaroon said.
"Zaroon! You too!?"Aleeza said.
"Come on, beta. Stop teasing my daughter. I know she can cook very well." Uncle said.
We ate and talked about many things.
"Everyone finished?" Aleeza asked.
"Yes."
She stood up and started bringing the food to the kitchen.
"I'll help you, Aleeza baji." Farah said and she took the dishes.
"Thank you, Farah." She said.
Rania and Sila also started helping her.
Me, Zaroon and our parents went to the living room.
We sat down and after, I think, 30 minutes, the girls came in.
"Uncle, haven't you thought about Zaroon getting maried?" I asked.
Zaroon choked on his water.
"I mean, he's 24 now."
"Yes beta, but we want Rania and Zaroon to marry together."
I looked at Rania and her face turned red.
I winked at Zaroon.
"And do you have someone in eyes?" I asked.
"No, beta. We think they should choose themselves." Aunty said.
Rania stood up and left the room.
"Can we please change the topic? I think you should think about your own marriage and not ours."
"I already have someone in eyes." I said nonchalantly.
Aleeza looked up astonished.
"Seriously?" Zaroon asked.
"No, yaar. I didn't think about marriage yet." I answered.
"Papa, let's go somewhere out." Aleeza said.
"Yes, uncle. She's right." Farah said.
"Beta, I'm not going. I don't feel very well and I'm tired. You guys go"
"Is your blood pressure normal?" Aleeza asked worried.
"I don't know, beta."
"Uncle, I'll check your blood pressure." I said.
"Okay beta."
"Ali bhai, I'll get you the blood pressure meter." Sila said.
She went to uncle's room and brought the meter.
I checked his blood presure.
"193 - 124... Uncle, that's very high."
"Papa, did you eat the eggs with salt?" Aleeza asked.
"Uhm... yes." He answered.
"Papa, you know that's very bad for you. Now look at your blood pressure." She said in a stern tone.
"Uncle, you go, rest." I said.
"But beta..." He answered.
"Papa, no buts! You are going to rest. Muhammad Ali, should we give him some garlicjuice to reduce his blood pressure? "
"Yes, I'll take uncle upstairs, you bring some garlicjuice." I answered.
"Okay."
"Come on, uncle." We went upstairs. He lied down on his bed.
"Beta, I'm okay."
"Uncle, your blood pressure isn't normal at all. I didn't say that downstairs because aunty would be worried. But you really need to take care of yourself, uncle. Please." I told him.
Aleeza came in with garlicjuice actually it's some water with garlic in it.
"Here papa, drink this and your blood pressure will reduce after a time. Muhammad Ali, I already called the doctor. He's on his way."
"Beta, it's just my blood pressure."
"Papa, this blood pressure isn't normal. You really have to take care of yourself."
Uncle started laughing...
"What's so funny about that?" She asked.
"Muhammad Ali just said the same to me." Uncle answered.
"No uncle, seriously. You really need to avoid much salt and take care of yourself."
"Okay beta." He answered.
The bell rang.
"That's the doctor." She said.
Zaroon came in with the doctor.
"Assalam o alaikum, mr. Kazmi. Assalam o alaikum Aleeza." He said. Their doctor is a Pakistani doctor. He also was our doctor when we used to live here. He's a very good doctor, the best in town. He did even receive an award for best doctor in town.
"Walaikum assalam, doctor." They answered.
"Are you Muhammad Ali Kazmi?" He asked.
"Yes! Do you still remember me?" I asked surprised.
"Yes. How are you doing there in England?"
"Fine, I'm studying medicine."
"Mashaallah. And which year are you in now?"
"I've done my bachelor and now I'm going to specialise in cardiology in Belgium."
"Inshaallah."
"Okay, doctor. Now please check uncle, his blood pressure is very high."
"How much was his blood pressure?"
"193-124."Aleeza answered.
"And did you give him something to reduce it?"
"Yes, we gave him some garlic concentrate." I answered.
"Okay, I'll check it once again."
He checked it once again.
"167-103..." He said.
"That's better. It's very good you gave him some garlic concentrate because that really helps. But don't forget, you can't always give him this, only when there is someone who has medical knowledge." He told us.
"Yes doctor." Aleeza answered.
"Does this happen often mr. Kazmi, that you feel tired and have headache? " The doctor asked.
"Actually yes." Uncle answered.
"And do you eat food with much salt?"
"Yes, sometimes."
"Mr. Kazmi, you really need to take care of your health. This isn't normal. You'll have to take some medicines."
The doctor prescribed some medicines.
"Okay, thank you doctor." Aleeza said.
"You're welcome." He answered.
I walked the doctor out.
"Thank you so much "
I came in the living room.
"Beta, what did the doctor say?" Aunty asked.
"Uncle's blood pressure reduced but he has to take some medicines. And aunty, you really need to see that uncle may not eat too much salt."
"Sure beta." She answered.
"Aunty, I'm going to buy the medicines." I said.
"Thank you so much, beta. You're doing so much for us." Aunty said.
"Aunty, you call me your son and you say thank you. I'm doing this for my uncle."
I went to the pharmacy and bought uncle's medicines.
When I came back, aunty was upstairs with uncle and the others were sitting and watching tv.
"Mama, where's Farah?"
"She is upstairs, she and Sila are going to the mall for some shopping and so they can have an outing."
"All right. Aleeza, Rania, aren't you guys going?" I asked.
"No Muhammad Ali, we thought we better not disturb the BFF's." Rania answered.
"And I don't have time because I have to make dinner. Remember?" Aleeza said.
"Oh yes, of course, I forgot that. I'll text you the menu for tonight."
"Hurry up, because I also have to go and buy the things."
"Don't worry, I'll go and buy the stuff with you. And Rania can also come with us." I said.
"No, you guys go. Mama is with papa, so I'll stay here with uncle and aunty." Rania answered.
"Okay, I'll get my bag." Aleeza said.
"Hurry up."
She went upstairs and came back with her bag and keys.
"Okay uncle, aunty. Bye." She said and we went out.
She took her keys and went to the drivers seat.
"Uhm, what are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm going to sit in my car."
"Are you going to drive?"
"Yes, any problem?"
"Aleeza, I don't want to die."
"What do you think, I can't drive ?"
"Yes. Just let me drive, come on."
"No no no, you are not going to drive my car."
"Why?"
"Muhammad Ali, I really saved very long for this car and I really care for it and love it so you are not driving this car. You drive really dangerous. "
"Okay, promise, I wont drive fast or dangerous. But it doesn't look good when you are driving and I as a boy, sit here, in the passengers seat. "
"Promise, you wont drive fast?"
"Promise!"
"Okay, but drive slowly and calm!"
"Okay, ma'am."
She came towards the passenger seat. I opened the door for her and she sat down, I closed her door and stepped in myself. I started the car and drived towards the shop.
"Slowly, Muhammad Ali, my car!"
" Don't worry Doctor Saiba, nothing will hapen to your lovely car."
We stopped near the Pakistani shop. I opened her door and we went to the shop.
"So, what's the menu, Muhammad Ali?"
"Well, here's the list."
I gave her the list. And we bought all the ingredients.
When we came on the counter, she insisted to pay. But I didn't let her, of course. We went back home.
"Okay, I'm going to the kitchen because I have to proove someone that I can cook very well." Aleeza said.
"Sure. Let me help you." I took the bags out of the car and brought them to the kitchen.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Good luck!" I said.
"Yeah right. Now please go because I have to start. It's already 3 pm." She said.
"You need any help?"
"No thank you. Now please go."
"Okay okay." I went to the living and turned on the tv. I was watching "Dil waale dulhania lejayenge" when Zaroon came and sat beside me.
"DDLJ, huh?" He winked.
"Yes, best movie." I answered.
"Anyways, Muhammad Ali, can you please help me?"
"It depends on what I have to do."
"Well, it's very easy. Do you have Zahra's number?" He asked.
"Uhmm, I don't know. But why do you need her number?" I asked in a suspicious tone.
"Well...I wanted to thank her for helping us at Aleeza's surprise party." He said hesitantly.
"Are you sure you just want it to thank her?"
"Muhammad Ali, do you have her number or not?"
"Wait, I'll look."
I searched in my contacts.
"Uhm, no, I'm sorry."
"Can you please ask Aleeza?"
"No no, I don't want her to think wrong of me."
"Why is she going to think wrong of you, Zahra is also your friend. And it's not like she's your wife that she'll think wrong about you."
"No but..."
"Muhammad Ali, please. I promise I'll also help you when you need any help, please."
"Okay fine, I'll go. But don't forget your promise."
I stood up and went into the kitchen, she was so busy cooking that she didn't even hear me entering.
"Well well, the food smells very yummy."
"Oh Muhammad Ali, do you need something? "
"Well actually, yes."
"So tell me."
How can I ask her? She'll think I'm asking it for myself.
"Uhmm... Can you please give me Zahra's number?"
"Zahra's number?" She asked confused.
"Yes."
"Uhm, yeah, of course. Wait, the food will burn, can you please look at it? I'll Whatsapp you her number."
"Yeah sure."
She looked very confused. How do I tell her, it's not for me but for Zaroon...
I went to the food and looked at it so it wouldn't burn. She took her phone and sent me Zahra's number then I got a message.
"Here you are. You've got her number."
"Thank you."
I walked towards the living.
"Muhammad Ali!"
I turned around.
"Yes."
"Why do you need Zahra's number, I mean, I can also say it to her. If you don't mind." She asked hesitating.
"No, actually I just wanted to thank her for helping us to keep your party a surprise. "
"Oh okay."
She didn't believe me. I saw it in her eyes. I had to get out of here.
"Okay, I'm going. All the best."
"Muhammad Ali, can you please call Rania to look at the food, I have to go to papa to check his blood pressure?"
"No, you are not going away from here. I'll go to uncle and check his blood pressure. You don't worry."
I went to the living and Zaroon was waiting eagerly.
"And?"
"I have her number."
"Thank you."
"Zaroon, come with me."
I took him with me in his room.
"Now tell me. You like her, huh?"
"Muhammad Ali, you won't tell anyone."
"Omg, really? Zahra?"
"Yes. I don't know why, but I really feel much for her."
"It's alright, bro. I can understand."
"Okay now give me her number."
"I'll text you the number but don't forget your promise."
"No, I won't."
I went to uncle's room and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Aunty said.
I opened the door and walked to uncle's bed.
"And uncle, how are you now?"
"Much better now, alhamdulillah."
"Did you check your blood pressure after the doctor came?"
"No beta, I thought Aleeza would come but maybe she's busy with something else."
"No uncle, she wanted to come but she's cooking. So I told her I would check it."
I took the blood pressure meter and checked it.
"136-78 Very good. Uncle please take care of yourself now. I don't want to scare you but this can be very dangerous."
"Okay beta, don't worry. You are here for me and Aleeza is also with me."
"And uncle you also need to keep moving. That's very important."
"Okay beta."
"Uncle, you rest. I'll go."
I went downstairs and saw Aleeza dining the table. The food smelled delicious.
"Muhammad Ali, how's papa now?"
"Fine, 136-78. And he is also feeling better."
"Okay. The food is ready. I'll call everyone."
She went upstairs and called everyone. Everyone came downstairs and sat on the table.
"Mmm Aleeza beta, it smells delicious." Papa said.
"It will taste much better." She said.
"Papa, I especially made some food with less salt for you." She said.
"Thank you beta."
"Okay you guys start." Aleeza said.
"Aren't you coming?" Mama asked.
"Yes yes." She sat down.
"Papa, you start." She said.
Uncle started eating.
"And?"She asked.
"It's delicious!"
"Yes!"
"Muhammad Ali, why don't you start? Are you scared you are going to loose the challenge?"
"Of course not." I took some roast and rice. I started eating.
"So?"She looked at me.
The food was delicious. It was even better then aunty.
"Well, to be honest, it's delicious!"
"So, I've won the challenge?"
"Unfortunately yes."
"I knew it!"
"Aunty, you can see who taught her to cook, really."
"Thank you!" Aleeza said.
"Mom, uncle, aunty, you also start. Here take the roast." Aleeza said and she gave the food to papa. She really loves papa. She has a special bond with him. And I love this bond. This "apnayiat" she has with papa and our family.
"Mmm, Aleeza baji, the food is delicious." Farah said.
"Yes baji, it's yummy." Sila said.
"Thank you." She said proud.
"Aleeza, you can also start." I said.
"Okay." She sat down and I gave her the food.
After eating the delicious food, Aleeza, Rania Sila and Farah stood up and started clearing the table.
Farah and Sila came back earlier and Rania and Aleeza were still in the kitchen. They came back with tea and "halva" made with eggs.
She gave everyone their tea and we watched a drama named "Zindagi gulzar hai". It was quite interesting.
"Papa, how are you feeling now?" Aleeza asked.
"I'm feeling very well, after eating this delicious food."
"I'll give you your medicines." She took the medicines and gave them to uncle.
Uncle took his medicines.
"Ibrar, what do you think about going out somewhere, tomorrow?" Uncle said to dad.
"I would love it, it's a very nice weather the last days. Ask the kids. What do you think about it, kids?"
"Yes, we also want to go out!" Aleeza said.
"Okay, so tomorrow we are going out." Uncle said.
"Okay, so tell us what you want in picknick because we'll prepare that." Aunty said.
"Sandwiches is alright, I think." Aleeza said.
"Yes and some little snacks." Uncle said.
"Okay kids, we'll leave early because it's a 30 minutes drive. That means waking up early. Everyone has to be ready at 9 AM. Alright?" Uncle said.
"Okay uncle, we'll be ready." I answered.
"Papa, can I also tell Zahra to come, please?" When Aleeza said that I saw Zaroon getting red.
"Of course, beta. She's also our daughter. You tell her to come."
"Thank you!"
"I think you guys should go sleep now or else you wont wake up tomorrow morning." Mom said.
We all stood up and went upstairs.
"So Zaroon, Zahra is also coming." I teased him.
"Shut up, Muhammad Ali, Aleeza will hear it!" He whisper-screamed.
"What will I hear?" Aleeza said.
Oh oh.
"Nothing nothing." Zaroon said.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Yes, docor saiba." I said to help Zaroon.
"Okay..." She said doubtfull.
We reached Zaroon's room.
"Goodnight, Muhammad Ali. Goodnight Aleeza, I love you." He said and gave Aleeza a peck on her head.
"I love you too."
He went into his room. And Aleeza looked at me with a doubtfull look.
"Muhammad Ali, what are you guys hiding from me?"
"Well, Aleeza look, it's something he cannot tell you yet."
"He cannot tell me but he can tell you? " She asked.
"Yes..."
"Okay fine." She walked towards her room.
"Aleeza, wait! I promise you I'll tell you but not now. Please dont force me."
"Okay, it's alright! Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, doctor saiba."
Uff, I'm glad she didn't insist and didn't get angry. I went to my room and slept because we had to wake up early tomorrow...