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Arhaan

The first time I assisted in a surgery, I ended up throwing up afterwards. I guess the nerves of the first time got to me.

I was too ashamed to tell my family, but I told Fawad, because he was my best friend, my brother. He would laugh at me, tease me and never let me forget it, but he would also not mention a word of it to anyone. He had my back, like he always had. 

I never, ever thought that our friendship was going to turn this sour. I'd always thought that our wives would be understanding of our friendship, and as long as we had a fair balance between our friendship and married lives, it would all be fine.

Jazzy never had an issue with us, naturally, but Sadia had destroyed my friendship, and I felt that there was always going to be a permanent scar left behind, caused by my wife's behaviour.

"Bhai, you're going to leave soon and I didn't want to leave things like this." I began as we headed into the Ali family home and sat down. "I know what Sadia did caused a lot of damage to our friendship, but I want to try and fix it." 

He tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling, thoughtfully. "I want the same, Arhaan, but not at the risk of Mina and Hania having to face that drama all over again." 

I had no idea how to reassure him, because I was worried about the same.

"I've often thought about leaving her." I admitted, staring blankly at the coffee table. "But I think about Ismael and Ibrahim, and how they are innocent in all this. I have no idea how to fix this." 

He looked at me. "Look, don't worry about our friendship. We've been through hell together, and I'm not going to end our friendship because of this. Yes, this was a seriously huge thing which I can't just let go now, but I know that this is not your fault, Bhai. You've enough problems to deal with, so rest assured, you have nothing to worry about from my side." 

My tensed face broke into a relieved grin. "Thanks, Bhai. In Sha Allah, we'll resolve all problems with time, and get past this."

"In Sha Allah." He smiled back. 

I felt a huge burden being lifted off my shoulders. I really, really valued his friendship. He was like a brother to me and I didn't want to lose that. 

Now, if only I could fix problems with my wife this easily.

****

Zafar

"Yo, brother from another mother." Ahad walked into the police station, as casually as if you would enter a shopping centre.

"I told you not to come here. People might mistake you for a criminal." I grinned at him. 

He smirked. 

"Did you get a fine for speeding again?" I shook my head. "Bhai, I've told you repeatedly. I'm not getting you out of it. I can't."

"Firstly, I don't do things dishonestly. I always pay my fines." He pointed out. "And secondly, no, I'm not here for that."

"Why exactly are you here?" I had been sitting at the desk, sorting through some paperwork. 

"I just figured that..."

He was interrupted when a bulky, middle aged man walked in, wearing a suit. "Who the hell is Zafar Farukh?" 

The other police officers stared at him, all surprised.

"I am." I stood up, frowning. "Who's asking?" 

Ahad stood up as well, staring at the man, curiously.

"You fined my son." He said in a loud and angry voice. "How dare you? Don't you know who I am?"

"As far as I know, regardless of who you are, you're not above the law." I said, unfazed.

"I have connections to members of the National Assembly. I can get you fired in minutes." He snapped his fingers in front of my face.

"Oh, hello? Go and make your threats elsewhere." Ahad stepped in.

"Leave it, bro." I told him, before turning back to the man. "Do your best. But I advise you to focus on your children's behaviour in order to avoid such incidents in the future."

The man was practically snarling. "I'm sure you must have a family out there somewhere. I'm sure you want their safety." 

"Are you threatening me in the middle of a police station?" My own voice was full of warning.

"I am simply asking you to be careful." The man replied.

"Yeah, well, who the f**k asked for your advice?" Ahad jumped in again. "Who the hell are you anyway?" 

"I should be the one asking you that question." The man looked at him. "I'm talking to this policeman, so don't get involved unless you want trouble, boy." 

"Are you the man whose son hurt Zafar?" Ahad didn't take the hint. He was not the sort of person to be intimidated so easily. "Tell him to come and deal with me, if he has the guts."

"Stop." I warned him. "I can handle this."

"If you have powerful connections, so do I." Ahad ignored me. "And if you dare to make threats, I will put you on live stream on social media, and see how you or any member of the NA uses unfair or illegal power against innocent people." He pulled out his phone and tapped a few buttons. "Go on, make threats. A lot of people are watching." 

The man glared at both of us before striding out of there.

Ahad looked smug. 

"I don't know who the hell that was," I said. "But I think you might have just gotten us all in a s**tload of trouble." I rarely swore or said words that were considered 'bad', but I could sense how dire this situation was.

"It's fine, nothing's going to happen." He said, dismissively.

I couldn't help thinking that he was safer with his family in his well-guarded mansion. But my family lived in a relatively unsafe house. I had elderly people, young sisters, my young and beautiful wife, two little boys and a newborn baby there. I had so much more to worry about, especially since I was the main target for that man.

I had no idea how I was going to protect my family if anything were to happen.

****

That evening, despite my worries, I decided to take home pizza for Saad, Omar and my sisters. For Fariha, my parents and myself, I picked up some Naan and Haleem. I told Fari not to worry about dinner as I was treating the family tonight.

Ya Allah, no matter what happens, please keep my family safe. It doesn't matter what happens to me as long as my family is okay and protected from all harm.

As I arrived home, I called out to Fariha, who came out of the kitchen. 

"Assalam Alaikum!" She said, locking the gate as I had too many things in my hands.

"Walaikum Assalam!" I replied, leaning forward to give her a discreet kiss.

My parents were in the living room at this time, watching TV.

"Pizza!" Omar and Saad came running out, probably having smelt their favourite food. 

I smiled at their delight. "Go and wash your hands first, boys." 

They both raced off, cheering happily. 

I glanced at Fariha. "I'm starving. Would you mind setting up dinner while I go wash up and change?"

"No problem." She nodded, taking the bag containing the Naan and Haleem from me, while I carried the pizza boxes, along with the curly fries.

I headed inside and grabbed a change of clothes and a towel, before heading out to the bathroom for a shower. The smell of pizza and Haleem was causing a riot in my stomach, but I don't feel comfortable eating until I have cleaned up after a day at work.  

As the warm water ran down my tired body, I sighed in relief. I didn't how small my home was. Home is home, and I will always cherish it. It's the only place I want to go after a long day at work, surrounded by my beautiful family.

I have lived a modest life, and always honestly. I've even been told by some relatives, "Beta, kabhi kabar taiday kaam karne main koi harj nahin hota. Thoda paisa aur mil jata hai, aur woh baad main to tumhari family ke kaam hi aana hai na?"

*"So, sometimes there's no harm in doing the wrong thing [referring to things like bribery]. You get extra money, and in the end it will help your own family, right?"

But I'd refused. I'd happily work day and night, like a frickin' donkey, on an honest living, and earn a minimum wage, then to be wealthy on haram living. I may get money and a luxurious life, but none of that would matter the day I would have to answer to Allah about it. A small, honest wage has more blessings anyway.

Wearing grey shalwar kameez, I came out of the bathroom, towel drying my hair. 

"Please hang that on the roof." Fariha told me, glancing at the towel, as she carried a large bowl of Haleem inside. 

"And if I don't?" I winked at her.

"HAW, Papa winked at Mamma!" Omar came out then, eyes wide. "Our teacher told a boy once that winking, especially at girls, is a bad habit." 

"It's completely okay between a husband and a wife, Omar." I ruffled his hair, as Fariha rushed inside, blushing. "But otherwise, your teacher is right." 

"To become a husband and wife, does everyone have to dress up and have dinner at a fancy hall?" Omar asked, innocently.

"No, beta, you need to have Nikah done, in Islam." I then explained to him what Nikah was, as he followed me up to the roof to hang the towel on the clothesline. 

"If Nikah is so liked by Allah, can I get it done tomorrow with a girl?" Omar, again, asked innocently.

I laughed, heartily. "No, bachay, you need to finish your education and started a career, but most importantly, grow up, first."

"Oh, then I guess I need to wait until I'm a Police Doctor." He shrugged.

"A police doctor?" I asked, looking at him surprised.

"I plan on being a doctor, In Sha Allah." He grinned, proudly. "And once I have become a doctor, I'll join the police and treat them if they get injury during robberies and stuff." 

"So, you want to be both?" I was impressed by Omar's level of thinking.

He nodded. "I want to be like you and Mamma." 

"That's wonderful. Ma Sha Allah." I hung up the towel. "But just remember one thing, beta. Whatever you do, do it honestly. Honesty is always rewarded, and dishonesty is always punished." 

He nodded thoughtfully. Then he frowned. "Papa, that jeep has been standing out there since earlier!" 

I turned to looked and saw a black SUV with tinted windows standing across the street from our house. I frowned. I'd never seen that car around here before. I was normally very vigilante about our area, because of my job. I thought about the man, whose name I didn't even know and a chill ran up my spine. "Don't worry about it, Omar. Shall we go and have dinner?" 

"Yes! Saad, Mahnoor Phupho and Dua Phupho will have the good slices otherwise!" His eyes widened.

I smiled, but I was also worried about the presence of the car. Maybe I should go out there and check it out? Or maybe I should call colleagues over?

In my profession, there was no such thing as being too careful. I just had to manage this without letting Fariha know about this, otherwise she would seriously freak out. 

I followed Omar downstairs, and he immediately ran to the living room, while I began to head to our bedroom.

"Zafar, kahan ja rahe hain? Khana thanda ho raha hai!" Fariha sounded a little annoyed, as she came into the doorway of the living room.

*"Zafar, where are you going? Dinner is getting cold!"

"Aap log shuru karein. Main aata hoon." I replied.

*"You guys start. I'm coming."

"I got Ammi Jaan and Baba Jaan to start already. I'm waiting for you." She crossed her arms over her chest. "And I'm starved as well." 

"Just two minutes, Fari. You start, please." I said, pleadingly. "I need to make an important phone call."

"There's always an important phone call." Shaking her head, she headed back inside. 

There was a rule in our family that the meals should be eaten together in peace, without the interruption of any gadgets (especially phones). My parents enforced that rule, and now Fariha seemed to firmly adhere to it as well.

But this was about the safety of my family, and in this case, I couldn't compromise.

****

"Why are you so tensed?" Ammi Jaan asked after I'd joined them.

I'd called a colleague and he said that a couple of officers would come by to take a look, but I was still worried. Someone was keeping an eye on my family, and that didn't make me comfortable at all.

"Mahnoor, have some more." Fariha urged my younger sister. "You had just one slice." 

"I'm actually going to have a piece of Naan as well, that's why." Mahnoor grinned cheekily.

"Taimoor called." Ammi Jaan suddenly announced. 

I was already tensed, but her sentence caused Baba Jaan and my sisters to tense up as well. 

Taimoor Bhai, the eldest, now lived in Toronto with his wife and kids. He called once or twice a year, but that was it. He never helped out our parents, and he didn't even call me to congratulate me when I got married or when we had Zaid. We knew nothing about his wife and kids, not even their names.

*I didn't discuss Zafar's big brother in great detail in FOL, so I'm now taking the opportunity to go deeper into his story.

"What does that ungrateful boy want?" Baba Jaan snapped.

My parents had given their live savings for Bhai to go to university in Canada, and he had never returned. 

"There are kids here!" Ammi Jaan whispered to him.

But Omar and Saad were too busy fighting over a bigger slice of pizza, while Fariha tried to maintain peace between them.

"He's coming to visit." My mother replied, quietly.

"Did he run out of money?" Baba Jaan asked, sarcastically.

Baba Jaan acted tough, but I know how deeply Bhai's actions had hurt him. Ammi Jaan openly cried and expressed herself, but he never said a word. He didn't have to. He was my father, and I understood how felt.

"I want him to come, and I want us to spend time happily with him." Ammi Jaan said, firmly. "I have waited years for him, and now that he is coming, I don't want any issues." 

"If you don't want any issues, then he shouldn't come to this house." Baba Jaan shook his head.

"Allah! Don't say that! May my boy come here safely!" My mother said, tearfully.

Fariha looked at me, a little confused. I nodded at her to let her know that I would explain everything later.

"Baba Jaan, don't worry. It's just a visit." I said. "Let him come, for Ammi Jaan's sake." 

Suddenly Baba Jaan looked too old and frail. My parents had not lived easy lives after Baba Jaan had been disowned for his love marriage to Ammi Jaan. In those days, it was practically illegal to have a love marriage. My parents had never crossed their cultural or religious limits. They had fallen for each other when they lived in the same neighbourhood, and they only met and talked in the presence of Ammi Jaan's father. She strictly adhered to the rules that way.

Initially my Nana Jaan had been uncertain about their alliance, with my paternal grandparents against it, but my parents convinced him, saying that they were in love and they wanted to be together in a halal way. Knowing that his daughter had never crossed her limits, Nana Jaan agreed, and they had a small Nikah ceremony. They'd asked Baba Jaan's parents to come, but they didn't, and shortly after, he was thrown out of the family home. Their story was a truly filmy story.

"Only because your mother wants this." Baba Jaan said. "Otherwise that boy wouldn't have been allowed to step into my home." He then walked out, the sound of his walking stick being the only sound in the room, apart from Omar and Saad's whispered discussion about superheroes.

I sighed. This Taimoor Bhai issue would have to wait. I had to deal with a bigger issue that was awaiting me right outside my home.

****

My colleague called me to tell me that they had cleared the SUV away, but to call him if necessary. 

I thanked him and ended the call, and went for my regular tour of the house to make sure everything was safe and well. 

Despite using a walking stick, Baba Jaan had insisted that he was okay to climb up to the roof. I'd even offered to set up a sofa bed for him in the living room, but he had refused, saying it would be inconvenient for anyone who would want to use the living room to have breakfast, early in the morning. He was too considerate, and my already enormous respect for him seriously grew hearing that.

"Where would Taimoor Bhai stay when he visits?" Fariha asked me as I returned to our room.

"I don't know, probably the living room." I yawned, just wanting to sleep now.

"Why are your parents so against him, especially Baba Jaan?"

"He took their life savings and never came back. He is basically non-existent in our lives now." 

She looked shocked. "That's awful!"

"That's Taimoor Farukh." I shrugged. "He only ever cared about himself. He knew that my parents would lose everything for his Canadian education, but he never cared." 

"That must have really hurt Baba Jaan and Ammi Jaan."

I nodded, getting into bed. "It was unbelievable. First they worried that something had happened to him when there was no contact. They even asked me to go to Canada and find out. But then I emailed him, and he said that he was fine and that he would call our parents whenever he had the time. But he hardly did." 

As Fariha came towards the bed, the lights went off. At first I thought it was load shedding, but then from the window I saw the lights still on in our neighbour's homes. Not many people had generators around here, so whenever there was load shedding, the whole area turned pitch black. 

"Did we have a power trip?" Fariha sounded confused.

And then we heard a gunshot, followed by the distress cry of my Baba Jaan.

"BABA JAAN!" I yelled.

****

I'm back from my break, with a cliffhanger.

Anyway, this chapter was mostly Zafar based, to give you a further insight in his life and career. He faces constant threats, but this one might be more serious than before.

Is Zafar's Baba Jaan okay?

Thoughts and comments?

Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote!