I am really sorry for missing the update last week and yesterday. There are a few things that are keeping me occupied. I will try my level best to make it up to you all.

There is a surprise in this chapter...

Enjoy:)

Walking is an activity that brightens the day and fills life with hope. It is an activity that takes us forward towards our destination by helping us find peace in this chaotic world. It is an activity that can help us think. But while walking we must not over exhaust ourselves, we must take breaks whenever we need, for that will help us continue and reach the finish line. 

Around nine in the evening when Haajar was planning to have her dinner and Raiyan was trying hard to keep his eye open in front of his computer they received a message from their common acquaintance. It had fewer words, no explanation just a time and addressed set for the day later. Raiyan checked his schedule to decide his presence and Haajar tossed her phone on the bed and went for dinner. The next morning they started with their routine, breakfast, conveyance,  work, sigh, work, yawn, work and then finally lunch. Raiyan was the first one to reach the restaurant, Alessia and Haajar followed soon. Alessia, at the entrance, received a call making Haajar enter alone. There was awkwardness and then there was silence but then it felt serene, just sitting and doing nothing else they felt at ease. When Alessia joined the food was ordered and thus began the active lunch. 

"Why I asked you two for lunch? No, it was not work. We cannot always be working. The thing is, Your sister-in-law is a sweetheart, and she is going to make this journey a bed of roses. So before the flower show begins, we must take a moment and appreciate this chaos. We never know when she will strike which is why we are here. Today, we will not talk about work and would definitely be calm. It's just lunch with friends." She ended with a smile making her companions smiling. Before another word could be said before any action could follow a man approached their table. 

"Hey, you are a lawyer, right? We met at that cafe last week."

"Mr Jonathan!" Alessia stood up instantly. "Hello, sir. How are you? How is the court treating you?" 

"Terribly. Actually, it's the lawyers who are doing that. I will cut it short, Things have been rough. Are you still willing to be my lawyer? Oh, " he observed the surrounding, "Sorry, is it a wrong time to talk about work?"

Smiling wider than ever Alessia raised her hands in the air, "Definitely not! We always talk about work. We love it." Raiyan raised his eyebrows and Haajar chuckled in response. "Please join us, it is the client-lawyer lunch today. I am so glad we have an extra chair. Please seat and let me introduce you to our other client, Mr Raiyan Ismail. Raiyan this is Mr William Jonathan."

"I know him. You are a businessman. You owned a great and huge business back in the nineties but you sold everything and went to live a country life. Am I wrong?"

"You are not son. I am surprised you know me. How do you know me?"

"My father observed your work, he loved your ways and he always told me if you want a mentor find someone like him. I cannot believe I am sitting here with you. I used to Idolise you. Pardon me, I know nothing of your work but my father's words were something I always gave importance to, so for me, you were a celebrity." 

"This is turning out to be a great lunch," William said raising his glass of water for a toast which Raiyan quickly clicked. The spirit raised and an ordinary lunch turned into a delightful parade. Just As Alessia said, They did not talk of work following the introduction and enjoyed lunch as friends do. An hour later all of them were on their way to their respective work. Raiyan walked to his office as it was just two buildings away. He was greeted by Afzal at the entrance. "Where have you been? You rarely go out for lunch, so I thought of inviting you with us but the room was empty. The room is empty quite often these days. Have you secretly joined another company and being a traitor? Brutus." Afzal said as they entered Sufyaan's room where Aman was with him. Raiyan handed a file to Sufyaan before Aman asked, "Why are you calling him Brutus this time? What did the poor soul do?"

"He is secretly working for the government and betraying us." Sufyaan frowned at his remark making Afzal shrug. "He was missing from his room again." 

"I have noticed that too." Aman ventured in. "Is everything alright? Is your mother fine? If you want you can take off for a few days. Relax your mind."

"It would take me years to relax." Raiyan smiled at him. "I am fine. I have just been occupied with a lawsuit." The immediate reactions that he received was a frown, raise of eyebrows and stare in complete silence. There were enquiries and worries but Raiyan calmly said, "I am getting in a legal battle with my sister-in-law over a property. With the help of your cousin." He said looking at Sufyaan.

"My cousin? Cousin- Haajar? Why is she helping you?" Sufyaan started to frown.

"Because he asked for her professional help. Right, Raiyan?" Afzal asked softly, hoping for the best. 

"Yes. I found out she is a lawyer so I talked to her at the brunch and she arranged a meeting with her partner."

"That is it," Afzal said looking at Sufyaan. "Unfortunately, nothing odd."

"Haajar did not tell us." Sufyaan still had a frown on his forehead. Afzal looked at Aman who raised his eyebrows. 

"She was respecting my privacy. I think it is against the law to spill the beans."

"She could have told us that you two met. There was no need for details."

"I didn't tell anyone and she said it was my secret so my decision. And I did not tell anyone because I find it difficult to accept that I am doing this. I do not want to do this but I do not have any other choice."

"Do not think so much." Aman was the first one to speak. "Do what is right and be fair. Rest will fall in its place." Raiyan gave a nod followed by a smile and the meeting was adjourned. The time that remained kept them engrossed in their work, not allowing anyone to think of the encounter again. Raiyan was the last one to leave the office that day. Court and the case would take up a large portion of his life which he did not wish to be the cause of negligence. He was getting done with as many things as he could so that he could create a few free days for the court. It was five past ten when Raiyan entered his room. He looked forward to a quick meal and a long sleepy night. In ten minutes he freshened up and managed to lift his spirit to meet his mother, who was waiting for him but for a reason he did not think she would be. The second Raiyan entered her room his mother bombarded him with questions, she was now aware of the lawsuit. She did not tell Raiyan the source of her knowledge but she told him how much she despaired the act. She asked him to drop it, she asked him to let the house go, she asked him to forget everything. 

Raiyan was aware of his Mother's nature, he could predict her reaction which made him kept the news from her. There was another reason for the silence, Raiyan could not find the will to speak of the matter to anyone but himself. He could not talk to his family, he could not talk to his friends, he said nothing to anyone. He had sealed his lips tighter than he wished for. 

The mother kept talking and the son listened quietly. There was no interruption, just one voice which was disappointed more than angry. Around ten-forty she had no words left to share, every thought and feeling was spoken out and now she demanded the answer to her prime question. Why he was doing it?

"I am sorry for not informing you about it but I did not think the fact would please your ears which was why I decided to keep quiet but believe me I did not mean to keep it a secret, I have nothing to hide. I understand and know how you are feeling and why you are angry. I have no explanation for my action, just a request. Have faith in me. I am not trying for trouble, I am not looking for revenge, certainly not for money. I wish to take nothing from her, her children or her late husband. That is not my motive. I do not expect you to be happy with me or support me. I will still ask you to have trust in me." 

Raiyan stayed for a few more minutes, heard his mother's concern and promised compassion, then he helped her fall asleep. He went to the kitchen next, started his dinner but could not complete it. Keeping the leftover in the fridge he left his house for a walk, in search of some peace. Raiyan had a night darker than the rest of the neighbourhood but the night did not shine for Haajar either who was surprised to find a visitor from India at home. Haajar was tired, she washed for a quiet night but the introvert was uncomfortable due to an unknown guest in her house.  Guests, whether known or unknown, were both difficult for Haajar. Staying away from people was her nature and the fact that it was a male guest complicated the situation.  

"Why did you not tell me we were hosting a guest? You should have informed me." Haajar tried to hide the frown on her face and disappointment in her tone by taking a deep breath. 

Her mother shook her head as she said, "We were not aware either. We got a call when he reached the airport. But it does not matter, he is here and we must be nice to him. Do not be hostile, be polite and try not to get angry."

"I am not getting angry, I just wish we were informed. I don't know him so naturally, it is awkward. How long will he stay? Who is he though?"

"He is Rahemat's nephew. And I have no idea how long he will stay. Just be good to Sufiyan, he will be gone before we know." 

"His name is Sufyaan as well. Is it such a common name in India?" Suddenly Haajar's eyes widened and she said, "Is he the one Zyva bhabhi was engaged to?"

"They were never engaged but yeah that's him, which is why I am asking you and everyone else to be nice. He will be gone sooner or later. He is not here to stay, so let's just deal with it."

"Sufyaan bhai knows about this? Is he fine? This is tricky. Did you tell him?"

"Zyva's mom was informed, she must have told Zyva. And Kehara called an hour ago so I informed her. Probably Sufyaan knows by now. He has to be fine with it. It has been more than a decade, how long will it be an issue? She is married, he is married, he even has children now. So they'll better not behave like one." Haajar lifted the glass of water in her hand, thinking of her cousin who she could see boiling in anger. 

***

Okay, I am not sure if it was a surprise or a shock but here he is!

When I was writing "New Girl In The office," I thought of using two different spellings for two different Sufyaans but I do not remember why I didn't go with it. But here, to avoid confusion, there will be two different spellings.

Our Sufyaan will have the original one and the cousin will Be spelt "Sufiyan".