He opened the sleek frame of the window and quickly the sweet and bright rays of sunlight fell into the inside of the room. He breathed in the calm feeling of the sunshine and closed his eyes to savor it. Grabbing his phone, he captured his picture.
As Huzaifa sat back on the fluffy and comfortable purple couch, he uploaded his picture on the Instagram with the caption "Sunkissed selfie ☀️ ".
Within seconds, likes poured in on his post followed by comments shortly. He smiled and put the phone down before sprawling his legs in satisfaction. The door of his room pushed a bit and after a while, someone entered and sat beside him. Huzaifa peeked at Aliyan with side eyes who flashed a toothy smile at him. He wiggled his eyebrows.
"I am understanding this smile," Huzaifa said, amusedly.
Aliyan held his arm. "Mamu, let me join you. Please."
Huzaifa slightly hit on his forehead. "Dude, you can't. Your mother may not, but your father will fry me alive."
"Mumma and Daddy will never know. I will say to them that I just went there to see you," he reasoned.
Huzaifa shook his head. "That is wrong, Mr. Junior. You can't join the gym right now. I would have asked your mother if your wish was at least reasonable. But you are young right now. You can't survive even the easiest workout."
He pouted. "I am not young. I am already ten years old. Mumma also considers me young. Daddy also doesn't let me go with him to the gym. Please, Mamu. You are my only hope."
Huzaifa chuckled. "Sorry, I can't take the wrath of your parents. I am already suffering from that of my father. Besides, they are right. You are young and your wishes should be according to what you can do. Work out isn't for you right now."
Aliyan scowled at him but didn't say anything. "Okay, but I can go with you. I will just see you doing different workouts. Please, Mamu. Please. Please."
Huzaifa huffed. "Okay, okay. Take a break. Not today. I have an early shoot today. Maybe on weekend Let me first ask your mother."
Aliyan grinned and raised his palm up. "Done."
Huzaifa banged his own hand at him for a clap. It had been a week since he was living at Nisha's place. The lifestyle and difficulties associated with it definitely lessened. But along with that, he absolutely loved living here because of Nisha's kids. Aliyan considered him his buddy and just a day ago, they had a friendly boxing match. Whenever he was free, Aliyan flocked around him and asked him to play different games with him. While Eshal remained shy with him. She just smiled whenever he talked to her and a flush appeared on her cheeks. She was the total opposite of her twin brother. He was the havoc while she was the epitome of calmness.
On the other hand, Azan just had one thing to say and ask him and that was Iza. He countless times just came over to Huzaifa and rolled in his legs by mentioning Iza. He either asked where is Iza or whether he was Iza. Maybe he thought that the name of everyone who lived at their home as guests was Iza because when he found sense, Unaiza was the first one who stayed at their house. He found this funny and adorable. Perhaps he would tell this to Unaiza someday.
And Ruhaan. He finds that man painfully meticulous and to the point. It made him laugh that he still fell perfectly on his nickname given by Huzaifa who was a macho man. He just found him at the meals of three times and every time he answered to his greeting and asked him about his well-being along with the fact that he shouldn't withhold from using or asking for anything from here as it was his sister's house.
Mr. Ruhaan was gentle but a bit of a smile wouldn't have made him look like a macho man. Huzaifa often used to think like that and laughed inwardly at this.
But whatever it was, he loved living here.
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When he reached the dining hall for breakfast after taking a quick shower, he found everyone present there already.
"I think so I am late again," he apologetically murmured.
Rutba Begum smiled. "It's okay Huzaifa. You often come home late at night so it's understandable. Given the hectic routine you have, it's a blessing that you sleep properly."
His lips spread too as he occupied the seat next to Aliyan who again beamed looking at him. Since Huzaifa started living here, Aliyan was hyperactive as he found a playmate.
Huzaifa contemplated Rutba Begum's words. She was so open-minded. In fact, everyone here was the same. He wished his father was the same. The desire got so big that he yearned that he was born here, in this house.
"Dadi Jaan is right. I am glad that you take good care of yourself even after such routine," Nisha confided.
"After all that's one of the basic requirements of showbiz, Nisha. To look good. So taking care of yourself and grooming against all odds plays a pivotal role in this field. Right, Huzaifa?" Ruhaan raised a brow at him.
Huzaifa nodded. "You are right."
"What do you like to have?" Nisha asked him, moving her hands towards the various dishes.
"Egg and toast will do," he glowed at her.
Nisha served him the breakfast and he accepted it with a thank you.
But every moment he was spending here made him crave for a family like this who was so welcoming of the passion he had.
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Nisha gave Ruhaan his wristwatch as her mind was processing some things. "I am thinking about something."
Ruhaan who was tying his watch lifted his face. "About what?"
"Tomorrow is Huzaifa's birthday," she announced.
"Oh."
"Aqia Khala was very anxious about him. In fact, if I brought him here then it's because of her approval. So I am thinking that we should arrange a birthday party for him and invite Aqia Khala. In this way, she can meet him," Nisha explained.
Ruhaan shrugged his shoulders. "It's up to you, after all. But first, see the things. His father is not happy with him and disowned him. If we try to intervene more than necessary, it can strain the things more for Huzaifa and even your Aunt. His father wouldn't like our intervention perhaps. But you are his cousin so I left it on you. Whatever you think is fine, do that. But if anyone will say anything to you, I won't remain quiet, Nisha. Before anything, you are my wife. I will react back if required."
Nisha held his hand and squeezed it. "You shouldn't worry. I will handle everything. Uncle Tashfeen will not get to know this."
Ruhaan nodded and lowered his face to drop a quick peck over her lips. "Wanna come with me? I'll drop you to your clinic on my way."
Today was her once-a-week morning shift and whenever it happened, she usually went with Ruhaan.
"Of course," she mumbled. "Just give me a few minutes."
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Nisha talked about the birthday party thing to Huzaifa as well and the fact that she was inviting Aqia as well. At first, he didn't like it. As much as he wanted to piss his father off, however, he didn't want to add to his mother's issues. If Tashfeen would get to know that Aqia was meeting him, he would scold her. But when he heard about how much Aqia was missing him, he agreed. He was missing her too so it seemed a good occasion.
He didn't know that his twenty-fifth birthday would come when his life had been drastically changed. He attained his dream, and he became a public figure but at the same time, he was disowned by his father.
The birthday party was amazing. When Aqia saw him, she burst into tears and hugged him for didn't know how long. He too closed his eyes and felt the love of his mother. He wasn't having it easy as well by living away from her.
"How are you?" Aqia whispered, cupping his face between her palms.
"I am your son, Mom. Small things will not make me depressed. I am handsome and fit as usual," he chortled, earning a glare from Aqia.
"You talk rubbish always," she declared, hitting his chest.
Huzaifa continued laughing as he again took his mother in his arms while kissing the top of her head.
But deep inside, he had buried the sadness by sabotaging it with fun and jokes so that his mother would not get more worried for him.
______________
Aqia remained saved by Tahfeen's keen eyes this time when she came to Nisha's house for his birthday party. This evening, as they were having their every day, Tashfeen started something unexpected.
"Do you think about Unaiza again?"
Aqia stopped chewing the biscuit in confusion. "About what?"
"About her marriage, Aqia. It's been one year already since that incident happened. Now we should really be thinking about her again. She isn't our daughter even though we consider her one. We need to be even more cautious to get the best for her this time. We already brought so much misery to the child in the past. I don't want Allah to punish us for doing injustice to an innocent and orphan girl. Let us search proposals for her again," he clarified, truthfully.
Unaiza who was passing from the corridor overheard their conversation and stopped in her tracks. Her jaw dropped.
Marriage?
Once again.
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AssalamoAlaikum/ Hi guys!
How are you?
Here's a new chapter.
Do you like Nisha's family moments and their interaction with Huzaifa?
What do you think will happen next?
Plz vote and comment. ❤❤