I've been dedicating chapters to my favourite people so cannot miss out on my love @jclnne / @whimsy-doll SHOUTOUT TO YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN AMAZING READER AND AN EVEN MORE AMAZING FRIEND <3 Mann i've never been happier that i broke the don't talk to strangers online rule of my parents. You're the coolest person out there twin <3 I couldn't believe it when you made an entire post for me T_T You're the Elsa to my Kimberly MWAH MWAHHH, ILYYYYY SO SO SOOOOO MUCHHHHH.
The Gods better be giving all their blessings to this girl, or we're having a HUGE problem.
"Assalam Walaikum Bhabhi", Zehra greeted with a grin, still clutching Billu close to her chest and pretending she isn't noticing a sulking Uzair beside her
She could deal with him later, her baby comes first.
"Walaikum Assalam Zehra beta", Ulfat gently pulled her into a hug, giddy that she was in a good mood when she entered their house.
Step 1 of her mission, accomplished. Yes, Ulfat was the one who ushered Billu in their direction but that's not very important.
"Aajao, aajao khana thanda ho jaega", Ulfat welcomed her to their dining area, linking her arm with Zehra's. She thought Uzair would be a good host and show her in but unfortunately lover boy couldn't get his hands off her.
If she left the task to him, they'd be having lunch at night.
The interior left Zehra in a daze, the magnificent white marbles stretched from wall to wall, reflecting the warm glow of chandeliers suspended from impossibly high ceilings.
Heavy wooden furniture occupied the rooms like silent guards, carved with intricate patterns that hinted at age and wealth. A grand staircase curved through the center of the hall.
Every corner seemed designed to remind guests of one thing: the man who owned this place had money, power, and absolutely no interest in being subtle about either.
Not that the owner himself seemed particularly interested in flaunting it.
Because said owner was currently standing near the dining room entrance, sleeves rolled up and a serving spoon in one hand, staring at Billu with the wounded expression of a man watching his own child choose another parent.
The betrayal was immense.
Billu, meanwhile, remained entirely unrepentant
The cat had climbed halfway up Zehra's shoulder and settled there like an expensive fur stole, purring loud enough to be heard from several feet away.
“Dekha?” Rehman pointed accusingly at the cat, “Mere saath kabhi aise nahi karta.”
“Skill issue,” Zehra replied without missing a beat. Ulfat snorted at that.
It's not everyday you see someone saying "skill issue" to your husband who's also the most infamous and feared gang leader of your Lyari.
“Yeh jaan bujh ke karta hai,” Rehman muttered almost dramatically, furrowing his brow at the cat
“Bilkul karta hai,” Ulfat agreed immediately
“Tum meri side pe ho ya iski?”
Zehra was trying very hard not to laugh. She failed. Spectacularly.
The sound escaped before she could stop it, bright and unrestrained, and something about it made the atmosphere soften even further. Ulfat immediately decided she liked hearing her laugh, Uzair better be keeping her happy 24/7
“Acha chalo,” she declared, steering Zehra firmly toward the dining table before another custody battle could begin. “Sab log baitho”
Rehman finally greeted Zehra begrudgingly when he received some heated stares from his wife, but the man couldn't make small talk to save his life. He casually asked her if her drive here was good or should he threaten to kill the driver. Needless to say, an awkward silence engulfed when he found out she drove her own car.
Ulfat began serving the plates, but she paused when she placed a plate infront of Zehra, looking at her shoulder.
“..…iske liye bhi plate lagaun?”, She asked confusedly, since the cat had already made it's cozy place on Zehra's shoulders
“Bhabhi,” Uzair groaned, looking up from his reverie of staring at Zehra, face palming himself. Why couldn't he have a normal family for once?
“Puch rahi hoon baas”, Ulfat replied defensively
“Billa hai.”, He pointed at the bowl in which Billu usually ate his food, sitting near them but not on the table. What he did not point out was how he casually slipped beside Zehra to just sit near her.
“Family hai”, Ulfat pursed her lips and glanced at her husband. Who had already begun serving food to himself, "Rehman, aap hi bolo"
Rehman nodded thoughtfully for a bit, “Actually family hai.”
Uzair stared at both of them, “Main hi adopted hoon kya?”
“Thoda sa,” Rehman replied, grinning in a rather charming way, shoulders shaking with laughter at Uzair's indignation
Donga nearly choked on water while Siyahi had to physically turn away because the laughter was about to come out through his nose.
Meanwhile Billu, completely unaware that he had just dismantled Uzair's standing in the household hierarchy, continued purring happily in Zehra's arms like a king returning to his kingdom.
The dining table quickly descended into the sort of chaos that only existed in large families, loud enough that three conversations could happen simultaneously while everyone somehow kept track of all of them. Or at least Ulfat did.
She kept serving Zehra extra servings of everything she denied, logic? Only Baloch logic works here. Only Ulfat Baloch's. By the time Zehra was halfway through her first bite, she was in an ecstasy with all the different flavours of her meal. It was fit enough for a king's banquet.
Zehra had barely managed three proper bites before Ulfat's attention settled upon her again, curiosity sparkling openly in her eyes.
“Clinic kaisa chal raha hai, beta?”
The question was innocent enough. Zehra relaxed almost immediately, grateful for a topic that didn't involve being scrutinized by an entire family.
“Achha chal raha hai,” she replied, reaching for her glass. “Patients bhi kaafi hain.”
“Patients tang karte hain?”
The faint gleam that entered Zehra's eyes should have warned somebody. Unfortunately, only Uzair noticed it.
And by then it was already too late.
“No,” he said immediately
Everyone stared at him with utter confusion, what problem would he have with her patients?
Even Rehman paused halfway through reaching for the bread basket, “No kya?”
Uzair pointed a finger at Zehra suspiciously, “aap chup raho”
His favourite doctor smiled. Did he mention her smile was his favourite smile too?
The family collectively leaned forward. A predator had just scented blood.
“Ek patient hai,” Zehra began pleasantly, her voice carrying an almost dangerous sweetness
“Bhabhi, i-inki baat maat suno”, Uzair tried to cut her off desperately
“Naam nahi lungi”, Zehra continued, disregarding him trying to stop her
“Bhaiii, maat suno”, His vain efforts continued, eyes pleading with them to stop listening
“Lekin,” she continued, entirely ignoring him, “har dusre din kisi na kisi wajah se clinic aa jata hai.”
A suspicious silence descended over the table. Then several heads turned toward Uzair simultaneously. Donga's expression immediately became hysterical and Siyahi lowered his head onto the table, regretting his decision of eating with them. Should have eaten at Hamza's when he had the chance.
Rehman closed his eyes for a brief moment, as though gathering strength, “Uzair.”
“Main kasam se-”, Uzair began defending himself when he was cut off again
“Phir?”, Donga urged her to go on, despite the glare he got from the other end of the table
“Main goli lagne pe gaya tha!”, Uzair cried out, ever so dramatically
“Chhota sa cut tha,” Zehra corrected calmly before taking another bite of food.
The betrayal struck deep.
“WOH GOLI THI.”, Uzair slammed his hands on the table, ready to make a run for it.
“Cut hi toh hua tha.”, She shrugged carelessly
“GOLI.”, He argued vehemently, crossing his arms.
“Skin pe cut hi toh hua.”
Ulfat had already abandoned all attempts at neutrality about five seconds ago, “Doctor sahi keh rahi hai.”
“Main toh bas doctor ki side pe hoon.”, Ulfat replied almost innocently, if he didn't know any better about her intentions
“Sab doctor ki side pe hain,” Donga informed him helpfully
“Kyuki woh sahi hain,” Siyahi added
“Tum dono chup raho.”, Uzair grunted at them, pointing a fork in their direction
“Hum sach bol rahe.”, They shrugged in unison
The laughter that followed rolled around the dining table effortlessly, warm and familiar. Even Zehra found herself smiling into the rim of glass, though she quickly hid it when Uzair shot her an accusing look.
Unfortunately for him, Rehman had suddenly decided the embarrassment was not yet sufficient, “Yeh toh bachpan se aisa hai.”
“Bhai” The warning went ignored.
“Ek baar toh,” Rehman continued, already smiling at the memory, “yeh aam todne chadha tha.”
The entire table had gone silent now. Even Billu Dakait looked interested.
“Phir?” Zehra asked innocently, Uzair noted to himself that he won't be buying any kulfis for that absolute traitor.
Rehman looked delighted by the encouragement, “Phir janab neeche gir gaye.”
A pregnant pause followed as everyone stared from Rehman to the younger Baloch who looked like he was about to dig himself a hole and disappear forever
“Dus foot se?”, Ulfat asked in mild concern
Uzair tried standing up, “I am leaving”, He said but a firm hand on his thigh stopped him.
It was Zehra of course, who else would be so audacious to force THE Uzair Baloch to sit? Her soft hand rested casually on his firm thigh, as if it always belonged there. She lightly shook her head at him, telling him not to leave.
The second most feared man in the city immediately reconsidered his decision to leave. He immediately plopped down again, not wanting to go against her words. She smiled, lips curving upwards ever so slightly anyone would miss it if they didn't pay attention. Uzair couldn't help but smile back, his eyes softening.
“Roye?”, Zehra asked softly, grinning like a cheshire cat who wouldn't stop at anything to get her answer
“Main nahi bata raha”, Uzair squinted at her tactic
“Roya tha na,” Rehman answered immediately, gulping a sip of water before adding, "Ache se"
“BHAIII!”, Uzair cried out, why was this lunch becoming into an Attack-Uzair-Show?
The resulting laughter was merciless. What truly doomed him, however, was not Donga wheezing into his plate or Siyahi nearly choking on water. Not even Rehman throwing his head back to laugh, which was rare as it is.
It was Zehra's laughter, that heartfelt laughter which could light up his entire life. The way she genuinely tried not to laugh. He saw her bite down on her lower lip. Then her shoulders began trembling and then the battle was lost.
The sound escaped her in a bright burst of amusement, warm and entirely unrestrained, and suddenly she was laughing properly, head tilted down slightly as she tried and failed to compose herself.
And just like that, Uzair forgot he was supposed to be offended. Because the sight was so so unfair. How could someone look so ethereal, just simply laughing? He wanted to capture that sound and make sure only he heard it, make sure she only laughs for him.
Because somehow seeing her laugh felt worth every ounce of humiliation he had suffered in the last five minutes.
He interlaced their hands, still holding it on his thigh and instead of being embarrassed he softly smiled at her, memorizing the curl of her lips and the tiny birthmark under her lips.
Across the table, Ulfat watched the exchange over the rim of her glass and smiled quietly to herself.
She had a wedding to plan.
Lunch lingered far longer than any reasonable meal should have. Not really because anyone remained particularly hungry, but because every attempt to end it was somehow intercepted by another story, another argument and yet another round of merciless teasing.
The conversation wandered freely across half a dozen topics at once, frequently interrupted by laughter and the occasional accusation being hurled across the table.
Even Billu Dakait had long abandoned any semblance of proper feline behaviour. Having sampled enough attention from every person present, the cat had sprawled himself directly across the middle of the dining table like an overfed emperor surveying his kingdom.
“Isko hatao,” Rehman muttered, nudging the cat lightly away from a bowl.
Billu responded by placing one paw directly on Rehman's hand. The gesture carried all the solemnity of a legal notice.
“Dekha?” Rehman pointed accusingly at the cat, “Mujhe hi target karta hai”
“Usika toh ghar hai,” Zehra replied, entirely too innocently
"Baat toh sahi hai", He replied, shrugging and falling into her trap with an ease that screamed the lack of pranks played on him
“Toh rent maang raha hai.”
The resulting snort that escaped Donga nearly sent water down the wrong pipe while Uzair immediately lowered his head, shoulders shaking suspiciously. Rehman stared at her for several seconds before slowly nodding.
“Valid baat hai.”, He acknowledged before placing a small coin on the cat's extended paw. There, he paid his rent.
“Rehman”, Ulfat sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose
“Rent de raha tha bas”, He responded defensively
“Har relationship mein len den zaruri hoti hai.”
Ulfat closed her eyes briefly and whispered a prayer for patience, “Ya Allah.”
The laughter that followed lingered well after the joke itself had passed, filling the room with a warmth that seemed woven permanently into the walls of the haveli.
Eventually, however, plates began emptying and glasses stood abandoned. The meal had reached that inevitable stage where everyone knew it was over, yet nobody wished to be the first person to stand.
When Ulfat finally rose from her seat and began gathering dishes, the rest of the table slowly followed suit. Years of survival instinct took over immediately and Uzair stood up automatically.
The refusal arrived so quickly that even Zehra blinked. She politely extended her help but Ulfat's fierce glare immediately made her step back, she wouldn't ever let her guest help with that. Especially not the very first girl that liked her gullible brother-in-law.
“Phir kaun karega?”, Uzair scratched the back of his head, confused about her denial
A slow smile appeared on Ulfat’s face, that usually preceded either excellent gossip or terrible consequences.
She turned her head towards her husband slowly, “Rehman?”
“NAHI”, He looked scandalized, he uses knife to gut out people, how can she expect him to...... cut onions?
“Ji haan.”, Ulfat was firm in her demand.
“Ulfatttt”, He whined slightly, although getting up to assist her, “Main kyun?”
“Kyunke tum mere shohar ho”, She shrugged as if it was reason enough, to her it was.
Rehman immediately pointed toward Uzair as though presenting perfectly valid evidence in court, “Aur yeh?”
“Yeh bhi toh mard hai”, He insisted
“Lekin mere mard toh tum ho”, She scoffed as if that statement wouldn't flip the room upside down
The table collapsed. Donga doubled over so violently his chair nearly tipped backwards. Siyahi abandoned all pretence of maturity and buried his face in his arms. Even Zehra had to look away to hide the laughter threatening to escape.
Meanwhile Rehman looked entirely too pleased by the statement, “Accha.”
“Thoda sa toh hoonga”, He argued, the tip of his ears looked red as if they were burning
“Kitchen”, She pointed towards the kitchen while squinting at him, ready to drag him by his collar
And just like that, one of the most feared men in the city quietly collected three plates and sauntered toward the kitchen without another argument.
“Bhaiya ki training bohot achi hui hai,” Zehra observed, making her plans to train Uzair too, who quietly whispered beside her, "mujhe training nhi deni padegi, jo apki hukumat, wahi karunga", as if he could hear her thoughts
“Pandra saal ki mehnat hai,” Ulfat replied proudly.
From somewhere deeper inside the house came an offended shout, “MAIN SUN RAHA HOON.”
Ulfat giggled slightly before yelling back, "Agar itna sunai de raha hai toh, pyaaz bhi kaat dena”
“Main gang chalata hoon”, A considerably less noisy protest was heard from the kitchen
“Pyaaz.”, She threatened her husband
A moment passed, before the answer came, “…..ji.”
Fresh laughter erupted around the table, the atmosphere so warm, Zehra couldn't fathom it is a family of gangsters.
The afternoon drifted onward pleasantly after that. Donga and Siyahi were eventually sent to fetch ingredients from the market, largely because Ulfat had grown tired of hearing them retell the mango-tree incident every three minutes. Billu wandered off in search of a sunnier sleeping location. Rehman remained trapped within the kitchen under suspiciously close supervision.
Uzair found himself near one of the enormous windows overlooking the courtyard, sunlight spilling across polished marble beneath his feet.
Outside, the gardens swayed gently beneath the afternoon breeze. Somewhere in the distance came the faint clatter of dishes and what sounded suspiciously like Rehman protesting against manual labour.
Beside him, Zehra sat quietly. Her hands fidgeting with her clothes as she glanced at him, a soft smile on her face.
"Toh?", She asked, head tilting slightly
"Huh? Kya toh?", He replied, scratching his head in confusion at her sudden one worded question
"Next time ghar khud bulaoge ya mujhe hi tapakna padega?"
SORRYYYYYYYYYY FOR SUCH A LATE CHAPTER, MY READER'S BLOCK ENDED SUDDENLY AND I FINISHED 11 NOVELS DURING THIS HIATUS AND MY WRITER'S BLOCK STARTED ACTING UP. I LOVE Y'ALL SM <3
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