"So, let me just run through this with you again. You are looking for an assortment of cupcakes, 10 red velvet cupcakes, 10 chocolate cupcakes and 10 of the signature carrot cupcake." Amal summarized on the phone, ticking the list of cupcake orders in her notebook.

Sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea and her order notebook and pen, she spoke to her newest client.

"That's right. It's for my Nanna's 80th birthday party. I have heard a lot about your cupcakes. I have already ordered the fresh cream cake from The Dessert Boutique."

Amal softly smiled, "Thanks Niamh, you'll not be disappointed. Would you be coming for collection or do you want them delivered?"

"Is it possible that you can deliver?" Niamh asked.

"Of course."

"Great, I will text you the address then."

After another round of reassurances, Amal ended the call. Jahangeer walked in the kitchen and he frowned looking at the flower stems that were scattered on the kitchen table.

Amal caught his eye and before he could reprimand her for cutting his precious back garden flowers, she rushed, "I was just putting them in the vase when I got the call."

Nodding imperceptibly, Jahangeer noted, "You are getting busier every day. Why don't you think of hiring some help?"

It was true she was getting busy day by day. Take today for example, she was up since six in the morning preparing and baking for the next orders. Then there were client calls where she would stop everything and speak to them. In the evenings, she would also be delivering as per customer's request. And on top of all this, she had to be very active on social media to engage her audience and attract new customers.

It wasn't easy at all. There were times she up and running from the first ray of sunrise and until the darkness of the night. And this was taking its toll on Amal. She may not express it openly but Jahangeer could see. The tell-a-tale signs of fatigue and irritation because of being stressed was coming out gradually.

For many days, Amal had been toying the idea of hiring some help. She was reluctant to do so for many reasons. The idea of training someone new and also trusting others to do a good job was a little daunting. But she knew if this continued soon she will not be able to cope.

She sighed, "You're right, Abou. I have been thinking of hiring someone for a few days. It's just that" she shrugged, "I don't know how to go about with this."

Jahangeer smiled gently, "I have faith in you. Why don't you start by asking your friends from your baking course if anyone is interested in working with you and then take it from there."

Amal's eyes sparkled with excitement, "That's a great idea. I will ask a few friends and see what response I get." She started arranging the flower step in the water filled glass vase, "You know I will need to start keeping proper account books to calculate profit and the costs too."

"I will help you out for now. Once we have established the Account Records and you further expand we can then hire an Accountant." His eyes softened, watching her the pastel pink and white roses in the vase. He mused out loud, "You know when I first met your mother she was surrounded by flowers." A hint of a smile touched his lips...

There was a wedding in his middle class neighbourhood of Karachi. In the early 1980s, most of the wedding events were held in the household. There were separate seating arrangements for men and women. Mehnaaz the girl next door was getting married. Their families were very close, especially his grandmother and the granny in the other house. They had known each other for more than fifty years. They had wiped each other's tears during tough times and laughed together during joy.

Mehndi or the henna party was an affair where the girls would sing and dance the traditional luddi dance (a dance with sticks). His Daadi loved the singing and dancing at a wedding. She always used to narrate stories of how she was the best drummer and singer back in her day. This is why his Daadi (grandmother) was adamant to attend the wedding even in her ailing old age.

The female guests' mehndi venue was set up on the roof top. He was helping his Daadi and mother up the crowded stairs. When they were nearly at the top, holding his Daadi's hand, he patiently waited for her to take her small steps and glanced up to see how many more steps they had to their destination. He saw her for the first time. At the top step she was standing dressed in ripe mango yellow shalwar kameez and bright green dupatta. She was holding a wicker basket full of Jasmines and deep pink rose's traditional Pakistani gajre (corsages). Her black kohl lined doe eyes warmed and her smile broadened as she greeted the female guests during the mehndi (henna) event.

Seeing his elderly grandmother, she stretched her right hand, "Let me help you."

Daadi loosened hold on his hand and grasped the girl's hand. He stepped back but his eyes remained on her. Leaning forward, her braid thick like black rope swung over her shoulder, tendrils of hair came loose and whipped across her eyes. She scrunched her nose in annoyance and hurriedly tugged the naughty loose lock behind her ear. That's when their eyes met. For a few seconds, he felt the world had stilled. An unspoken acknowledgement passed between them. He smirked in greeting, her gaze dropped to his lips and she blinked. Slightly taken aback, she looked away, focusing on helping his Daadi instead. He hoped she would glance back but his mother's voice broke the trance, "That'll be all Janangeer. We will call you when the event ends."

Nodding in agreement, he rushed down the crowded stairs. He could hear the thudding of his heart as his feet sped. Coming to a halt at the bottom step, he took a deep breath. Wondering for the first time, who was she?

***

"It's so good that you could take out some time out today," Susan remarked, taking a sip of her coffee.

Sitting across her, Amal nodded, "I don't remember the last time I had taken a day off. I have been working weekends as well."

Susan frowned, "You will burn out Amal. I know you want to keep yourself busy but we all have to balance life and work."

It was after many months, Amal was meeting her closest friend Susan for a coffee in the local café. Jahangeer had pushed her to take a day off after seeing how exhausted she looked. Acquiescing to his request, Amal had texted Susan. Knowing well, spending time with her friend would ease many worries. Now they were seated on the table by the sunlight streaming window in the bustling café.

Susan toyed with the teaspoon on the serving tray at their round café table, "There are times we just want to immerse ourselves in so much work that we don't want to think about anything at all."

Amal's eyes lowered and she swallowed. She was unable to speak.

"I know you love your work. You are great at it and look how successful you are getting mashaa Allah. But don't lose yourself in all this."

She looked out the window and pursed her lips. "It hurts." She whispered.

It had been three years, the wounds were still fresh, stinging her daily reminding of the darkness. It was a soul-crushing experience. The agony of that one year had shattered her completely. She had truly learned the meaning of being tested by the Creator.

Taking a deep breath, she finally had the courage to glance at her friend, "How are the boys?" she forced a smile.

Susan stared at her knowing well what she was doing. She was fighting hard not to break down. It was best to distract her.

"The boys are great, bold as ever and driving us crazy." Unlocking her phone, she clicked on her Photo gallery, "Let me show you their latest antics."

Susan handed her the phone, Amal glanced at the picture of two boys sitting on top of their father and wrestling him, she burst into laughter.

"And this is just play time for them." Susan rolled her eyes, "You should see when Yousef and Nuh argue and Daud tries his best to tame them." Shaking her head, "It's a lost cause. Sometimes I feel I am not raising two but three boys. Daud joins them in all their fighting games."

Amal's laughter grew louder and eyes teared with mirth.

She didn't want someone to remind her of her sorrows or loneliness but instead a friend to bring back that joy in life. And Susan did just that. It was an afternoon spent in laughter.

****

In the courtyard of the house, the lid of the large aluminium biryani pot was lifted and the aroma of the scrumptious chicken biryani made his stomach grumble. They had just served chicken biryani to the guests and now after hours of waiting, he was famished.

"Yaar, let's just eat now." Glancing at the main gate of the house, watching men stepping out, Jahangeer muttered, "Even the guests are leaving."

"Most guests only come for food in a wedding." Zafar pointed out, using the small side plate he scooped out a large portion of rice mixed with sauce and chicken, nodding to one of the steel plates, "Pass me a plate and I will finally serve you."

"Finally" grabbing the plate he was stepping near the pot when a voice interrupted him.

"Zafar Bhai, is it possible I take some food for the bride and her companions?"

He knew that voice. He had heard it just few hours ago. He swiftly turned around and there she was bending down to take a plate from the stack of plates.

"Sabiha still hasn't eaten?" Zafar shook his head, clearly the brother of the bride was annoyed, "In all this wedding drama, we tend to ig nore the bride." Beckoning her, he said, "Pass me the plate Mumtaz."

Jahangeer's heart thudded, Mumtaz what a beautiful name, she was truly a reflection of her own name. She had fair skin and brown hair. But what most captivated him was her eyes. Those doe eyes where one could easily drown in.

Zafar the piled a large portion of rice on the steel dinner plate, "Did you eat yet?"

She shook her head and glanced at Jahangeer. When their eyes met, she quickly focused on the food Zafar was serving.

"Here you go. Come back if you want more." Zafar handed her the biryani plate. Her henna adorned hands grasped the plate as the green glass bangles on her wrists clinked.

She was leaving, when Jahangeer prompted, "What about dessert? Doesn't the bride want some Kheer (rice pudding)?"

Her eyelids lifted, those deep doe eyes met his briefly and she said softly, "I will come down for it later."

"I'll come and deliver the dessert myself." He winked.

Her cheeks pinked and her eyelids lowered again. She hurried upstairs.

He stood watching her go up the stairs, trying to get to grips, never had any girl affected him this way.

Behind him, Zafar cleared his throat bringing him back from his musings.

"So... ummm... yeah, are you going to give me food or what?" Jahangeer passed Zafar the plate that was long forgotten in his hands.

"Watch yourself." Grabbing the plate, Zafar warned, "That's my cousin. You better behave."

Jahangeer frowned, "How come I have never seen her at your place before?"

"She lives in Hyderabad."

"Oh"

Zafar filled up the plate for his friend, "Besides, I heard she may be getting engaged soon. There are many proposals for her."

As Zafar handed him the plate, Jahangeer hunger vanished, he shouldn't be upset but for some reason he didn't like to know she was getting married soon.

Relaxing on the copper leather recliner sofa, Amal said, "I always love when you narrate how you met Ammi the first time."

After dinner, the father and daughter duo were seated in the living room enjoying the quiet time when Jahangeer started telling stories of his beloved late wife.

There was a soft smile on Jahangeer's face, "She was a beauty I tell you. She had captured my heart straight away." Sighing, he took a sip of his green tea.

It was a ritual for Jahangeer to enjoy his late night green tea while either watching Pakistani news television channel or chatting with Amal.

"Love at first sight." Amal said dreamily as she curled her legs on the sofa.

He nodded, "She was my Mumtaz."

"And is this why you never remarried? You couldn't get over Ammi."

His smiled slipped away, he was quiet for a moment and then he replied, "I never met anyone after her who I would want to spend rest of my life with."

Pulling the scrunchie out of her hair, she loosened the pony tail, "I don't see the point of marrying again. Once in a lifetime is enough I think." She ran her fingers through her black straight hair.

"Meri Bachi, life is very long." He swallowed then looked at her with solemn eyes, "It gets lonely. We all need a life partner to share our burdens and happiness with."

Stunned, she stared at her father. Never had he ever expressed his loneliness before. She was speechless and didn't know how to comfort him.

He then murmured, "Never do the same mistake as I did. For your own sake, think of marrying again."

Breaking the eye contact with a jerk, she glanced at the wall clock, "I better sleep, it's getting late. I have an early start."

Standing up, she wished her father good night and went up the stairs to her bedroom.

When he was all alone in the living room, he said to the empty room, "I pray you find your happiness soon inshaa Allah."

What he didn't know was gaining one daughter's happiness will make him lose the other.

****

Standing in front of the kitchen counter, Sana took a deep breath. Her back was killing her. For the past few weeks the pain came and went but since yesterday she was in constant pain. And now it wasn't only her back but also her sides. There was excruciating pain in her ribs.

"You're stalling again. We will never have the food cooked on time this way," snorted Saira.

Saira sat at the chair beside the kitchen table and eyed her daughter in law. She had become slow in doing chores. Very slow indeed.

In disgust she said, "What is wrong with you? When I was your age I was looking after three children and doing all house chores. You are not even able to cope two girls and basic cooking." She was annoyed, really annoyed now. Saad had hired a cleaner who would come for a few hours every alternate day and do house chores. In her eyes, there was no need for the cleaner. This was added costs but her son wanted to ease his wife's burden. Saira had come to only one conclusion she was a lazy girl who was taking advantage of her innocent son.

The doorbell buzzed several times before the house door whipped open and the screeching of young girls followed by young footsteps rushed to the kitchen.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Nida shouted in excitement, a blush pink rose's bouquet in her hand.

"Me! Me!" wailed Leena behind her sister, trying to grab the bouquet.

But Nida rushed forward and thrusted the bouquet at her mother. Sana smiled and took the flowers.

"It's from me and Daddy." Nida giggled.

"Me. Me." Leena again wailed

"And Leena," Saad said. He stepped in the kitchen, lifting his younger upset daughter in his arms, he approached his wife, "Kiss Mommy" he prompted the toddler. Sloppily, Leena kissed Sana's cheek.

In encouragement Saad nodded at Nida, it took few seconds for her to remember her line and she squealed, "Mommy we love you." And hugged her mother tightly.

Momentarily, Sana forgot all her pain and hugged Nida back and pinched Leena's cheek. "Mommy loves you too."

Nida's arm was still around her mother, she peered up to her face, "And do you love Daddy too?"

Her lips twitched, "Yes."

Saad eyes glinted with mischief. "So is Mommy going to speak to Daddy now?" He asked. It had been weeks since she was properly speaking to him. He was trying to make amends where ever he could.

"Mommy?" Nida also wanted to know.

Patting Nida's head, Sana nodded and this time she smiled, "Yes"

"Well if you are all done with all this emotional drama, can we get the dinner ready?" Saira wasn't impressed by this display of affection. In fact, now she was infuriated.

"Ammi, we are all going out for dinner." Saad suggested glancing at the cooker where there was no sign of dinner yet.

Nida clapped her hands in joy and hopped on the kitchen tiled floor.

"You are wasting too much money on all these non-essential expenses. First the cleaner or every other excuse you get you are ordering take away and now ready to dine out during the middle of the week."

Distracted, Leena wiggled out of Saad's arms and he went up to his mother, "I am taking you to that place where you always love their paya."

Saira opened her mouth to object but then her mouth watered thinking of the delicious paya. Slamming her mouth shut, she accepted her defeat, "Oh alright, but this once."

She will need to express her annoyance with him later. But first she was hungry for some good traditional Pakistani food. After all, her daughter in law still hadn't mastered in cooking and she was fed up of eating bland food prepared by her.

****

In the warm lamp light, leaning against the bed grey velvet cushioned headboard, Sana closed her eyes absorbing the stillness of the house. It was late night, the children were asleep and her mother in law was retiring in her bedroom. There was no wailing for her children or taunts of her mother in law. Her eyelids closed and was about to fall asleep sitting on the bed when she felt him sliding under the duvet.

Opening her eyes, she turned to glance at him.

He leaned closer and toyed with a strand of her hair laying on her shoulder, he whispered, "I miss you Sana." His eyes filled with emotions he wasn't able to express, "I miss us."

Her eyes searched his and her heart warmed with feelings long forgotten. "Me too."

He curled the hair strand around his index finger, "Let's go for a weekend getaway. We can leave the girls at your father's place." Shaking his head as if correcting himself, "Actually leave them with Ammi." He didn't want another encounter with Amal.

It had been couple of months now since he had visited his father in law's place. Since that day, he had an excuse each and every time. Even when Sana went for visits he never accompanied her.

Sana knew Saira will never mind the girls on her own but she didn't negate him. Instead she nodded. She was fed up all the meaningless arguments.

"Great. In the morning, I will look up for places where we can escape to." He cupped her cheek and leaned forward. Kissing her forehead, his hand slid down to her waist, putting slight pressure he pulled her to him.

A painful gasp escaped her lips. His hand stilled and he pulled back, searching her face, "What?"

Her eyes were tightly shut and she bit her lower lip as if trying to compose herself.

"Are you in pain?" he asked in disbelief, he didn't touch her with force at all.

"Yeah," she whimpered.

"Are you hurt?" his hand loosened.

"I don't know. I have been in pain for the last couple of days. It just hurts a lot today."

Sitting up, Saad lowered the duvet from her body, "Why don't you ever say these things? You need to tell me so I know if you are not feeling well."

He lifted her pyjama t-shirt and looked for any bruises on her stomach or her waist. Delicately, his fingers traced her ribs, "I don't see anything. What hurts?"

Shaking her head, "I don't understand myself. I didn't get any injury or anything but I have a lot of pain on my back and now my sides."

Around her left ribs he pressed with a little more pressure and Sana moaned in pain. "It's more like your ribs."

Carefully, he pulled her t-shirt down and covered her with the duvet, "First thing in the morning, I am getting a doctor's appointment."

This time she wasn't going to argue at all. For many months, she wasn't feeling well. She was noticing changes in herself but couldn't quite understand why. She kept ignoring her health and her family and household was her main focus. But slowly her health was coming in the way of basic chores.

Saad switched off the lamp light and in the darkness he brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers, "Inshaa Allah all will be okay tomorrow. Sweet dreams my sunshine."

Sana was smiling as she drifted off to sleep. For the first time in years, he called her sunshine.

****

The early morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains in their bedroom, Leena climbed up her parents' bed and squeezed between them and snuggled under the duvet. In all this, she kicked her mother when trying to get comfortable.

Sana jolted in her sleep and gritted her teeth in pain. Again Leena kicked her side and Sana screeched in pain. The agonising pain brought tears in her eyes. Saad turned in the bed to look at her and his eyes widened as sleep vanished.

Tears dribbled down her cheeks. Saad hurriedly sat up, "Leena why can't you be careful." Pulling the little girl to the other side of the bed and away from Sana. "Are you okay?"

She couldn't speak. The excruciating pain had robbed her speech. With difficulty, she shook her head.

Panicking, Saad got off the bed, "Let me help you sit down. May be then you'll feel better."

But when he tried to upright her in a sitting position, she screeched again. This time the pain was so much she slowly blacked out.

Saad's words echoing in her ears, "SANA NOOOOOO"

****

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Assalam u alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu.