Saad's pov:

Before I could grab the journal from her because of her inconsistent tears, an incoming call interrupted us. Sighing, I picked up the call and moved away from her, not wanting to disturb the silence surrounding us.

"Hello, Mr. Saad Ibrahim?" A feminine voice inquired from the other side.

"Yes, it's me." Confused, I replied.

"I just wanted to remind you that you were supposed to bring Miss. Atifa about half an hour ago. Can you let us know when you will be back?"

"Y- yeah, we will be back soon. Thank you." Realising it was a call from the hospital where Atifa and ammi were admitted, I replied while glancing back at her, a tired sigh escaping my lips.

Hanging up the call, I headed back to sit on the bed, wondering if we should take the journal back or leave it here. Finally looking up at me with red eyes, she inquired silently about the call.

Passing her a soft smile, I informed her. "It was a call from the hospital."

Giving me a nod, she looked back down, once again, making me sigh. "Okay give me the journal, let's go now. Bohot padh liya aaj ke liye aur tumhari ammi ki ye journal itni jaldi khatam nahi hone wali hai."

(We have read enough for today and your mom's journal isn't going to end so soon.)

"W- wait a minute. I- I don't want to read everything. M- mujhe bas last entry padhna hai." Just as I was about to grab the journal from her, she held it tightly, refusing to give it to me, a pleading look in her gaze.

(I- I just want to read the last entry.)

"But we are getting late." Frowning, I replied.

"Just a few more minutes?" She pleaded, her gaze soft and hopeful.

"Okay give it to me. Mai padhta hu." Sighing, I finally gave in.

(I will read it.)

"N- no, it's okay. I- I will read it." Shaking her head, she declined, tears still streaming down her face.

"Look at yourself before being stubborn. How are you planning on reading it when your tears can't even stop rolling down your face? And we don't have much time here, so pass me the journal." Replying sternly, I grabbed the journal from her hands, a frown adorning my face. Turning to the last entry written in this mystery world, I contemplated reading it out aloud or not.

6th March, 2018

Daniyal…

It has been quite hard since the last few days. I- I have been forgetting things and- and my reflexes are getting slower. I'm just glad that Atifa and Amira haven't found out about my condition yet.

It's hard to keep my worsening condition away from them so that's why I have been trying to work overtime for a while. But even there I'm scared of people finding out about my illness because of my forgetfulness…

Honestly, it has gotten so bad, my forgetfulness, that I couldn't even remember which day it is. I have to constantly check my mobile for the day. Even at my work, I have to keep reminders as soon as I'm assigned a work so that I don't forget about it. Even then, sometimes I get carried away because of some things or the other and forget about some things. I'm just glad that I'm not fired yet.

But I'm thinking of resigning from my work before anyone finds out anything.

And you know, even at home, I try to keep myself confined in my room as much as possible, trying my best not to get involved with our princesses much. I miss them, I miss them so much! But it's better for them to stay away from me.

You know, I have been pretty cold with them. Like, not replying to them normally and just snapping at them or scolding them. That's the reason why even they have stopped interacting with me much. Although it hurts, I'm just glad that they haven't gotten attached to me much.

And today, when I was rushing towards my car after work, rushing because it was already late and I was getting scared of the suspicious stares thrown my way by some workers, I almost got hit by a car. I know I know I have become careless, but it wasn't my fault that I didn't see the car! And it was dark outside, like no street lights or anything. But alhamdulillah the car stopped just in time by just scraping my knee.

That driver was offering to help me and take me to the hospital but I declined because it was already late and Atifa and Amira were waiting for me. I couldn't afford to go to the hospital and waste my time. Afterall, it was just a scrape on my knee, right? I could look at it at home too. Thankfully, one one of my colleagues came to my rescue when the driver was insisting and helped me to my car before leaving. He is a pretty nice guy, always trying to help others out.

Anyway, when I was going to have dinner after getting freshened up, I- I somehow lost my grip and the bowl went crashing down. I was startled because it never happened this way, at least not when I was at home. I was scared that maybe Atifa and Amira would question me, so that's why I did whatever came to my mind; shouting at them and taunting them. I want them to hate me anyway, right?

What I didn't expect was Amira to rebel. Because even though I had seen her getting angry and frustrated at me, I never thought she would go as far as arguing with me.

So I did what I'm best at. Well, at least I have made myself best at. I too argued with her, taunted her and the worst thing, hurt her. I wouldn't be surprised if I get to know that she has started hating me now.

It hurts me too, you know. Being this harsh and cruel with them. And sometimes I don't even have it in me to keep up with my mask. But I still force myself to get up and do whatever I have to do, if not for anyone then at least for our princess's sake.

Today, I know I won't be able to sleep because of the ruskus and chaos which I created in Amira's world, so I'm just going to pray, dream about you and at least try to get some sleep.

I have been forgetting to write in my journal too, but I hope I don't forget next time.

I love you Daniyal. But ah, the irony! I hate myself now.

Always yours,
Safiya.

._._._.

"You should meet ammi..." Once inside the cab, I told her quietly, still thinking about whatever we found out about her. Although it seemed a bit unrealistic, it was true. I wouldn't doubt it even a bit.

"Y- yeah, I will." Sniffling, she nodded her head while trying to wipe her tears away. I wouldn't blame her, if it was shocking for me, how much more shocking must it be for her?

"And please stop crying, even Amira is concerned now." Rubbing my thumb at the back of her hand and glancing at the driver, I mumbled as quietly as possible.

"I- I can't. Even if I try, they just…"

"Okay let it all out. But at least don't cry in front of ammi. She will get worried and-"

"Y- yeah. I- won't." Looking at me, she replied in a wobbly voice.

"Api, are you okay? You didn't tell me why you are crying. Is your shoulder hurting too much?" Since Amira still didn't know what the matter was, she asked her, sounding worried. Honestly, I didn't know if Atifa was even planning on telling her anything or not, but I hoped that she would at least tell her about ammi's illness. That might help her reconcile with ammi maybe?

"N- no Mira. I- I'm fine." Looking away from me, she shook her head with another sniff, not meeting her gaze.

"So why are you still crying? Did- did bhaijaan say something?" Glancing at me skeptically, she asked her, concerned.

"No princess. I'm not crying. I- I'm just tired." Clearing her throat and shaking her head, she replied.

"Are you sure?" Leaning forward and attempting to have a look at Atifa's covered face, she asked, not really believing her.

"Yes. Will you come with me to see ammi?" Composing herself slightly, she turned her face to look at her expectantly.

"But we saw her in the morning!" Frowning, she protested while leaning back in her seat.

"She is our mother Mira, just seeing her once isn't enough." She softly replied while holding one of her hands.

"Umm hmm…" Humming, she sighed before replying. "I will see."

"Okay."

"So you too have changed your side princess, huh?" Attempting to lighten their moods, I said in a fake offensive tone.

"Which side?" Confused, she frowned while looking at me.

"You used to take my side before but now you were doubting me?" Raising a brow, I pointed out.

"No one is more important to me than api so…" Shrugging her shoulders, she replied while biting her lips and looking away.

"I'm hurt." Keeping a hand on my heart, I replied, faking offence and hurt.

"But I'm not sorry." She replied while keeping a hand on her mouth, trying to hide her giggles.

"You have changed so much." Sighing, I muttered with a shake of my head, making Atifa chuckle. A sigh of relief escaped my lips when I realised she had finally stopped crying. "Waise guess who is this?" Suddenly remembering I hadn't told them about Abdul Wali, I asked them eagerly while showing them one of his pictures on my mobile.

(By the way)

"He's cute. Who is he?" Zooming on his face, Amira asked me curiously with an awe filled voice without removing her eyes from the picture.

"Is he Zara bhabi's son?" Glancing at me, Atifa inquired curiously.

"He is my nephew." I proudly corrected her, knowing that I would get a sarcastic reply in return. But at least she would stop worrying for a while.

"What did I say? In which language was I asking you that?" Narrowing her eyes, she asked me in annoyance, making me bite my lip to suppress my chuckle.

"Look here, his name is Abdul Wali." Looking away from her without replying, I pointed to the picture.

"How old is he?" Looking up, Amira asked me excitedly.

"Two years old." Turning her attention away from me, Atifa replied with my mobile in her hands as she continued to look through my gallery.

"How do you know?" Surprised, I asked her incredulously.

"Zara bhabi told me about it when we were there." Smiling slightly at something, she answered me.

"Really?! But he wasn't born then!" Frowning, I replied, confused. How did she even know that he was going to be born or something? I mean-

"She told me about her pregnancy?" Puzzled, she looked at me, her orbs glinting in confusion.

"Oh…" As soon as realisation dawned on me, an awkward chuckle escaped my lips. "So I was the only clueless one among us?! Wow! Okay!"

"But why are you so surprised?" Keeping my mobile down and still looking at me, she shook her head slightly.

"I didn't know until he was born that he was going to be born." I mumbled, embarrassed. "I mean, I didn't know until he was born that we would be having a baby in our house."

"You are kidding me, right?" She asked me, astonishment and amusement clear in her orbs.

"No…" Rubbing the back of my neck, I mumbled.

"Seriously? Ya Allah, you are just soo…!" Shaking her head, she muttered under her breath before trailing with a chuckle.

"Dumb?" I suggested sheepishly.

"Yes." She replied bashfully before looking away, as if trying to hide her smile.

"I'm your husband, you do remember that, right?" Raising a brow, I asked her teasingly.

"When did I even forget that?" Glancing at me, she replied innocently.

._._._.

Running a hand through my hair, I exhaled loudly, feeling tired. It wasn't just physical tiredness, I felt mentally and emotionally drained! So much was revealed in just a day, unexpectedly of course, and if it was affecting me like this, I wondered how it might have affected Atifa.

I also felt slightly guilty about checking out someone else's journal and reading their thoughts and secrets, because I would definitely never want anyone to do anything like that with my journal, if I ever have any. And yet, here I was, who did the same exact thing!

It had been a while since Atifa left to meet ammi, leaving Amira with me. Not that I was complaining about it, because I liked her spending time with her family. It was heartwarming actually, because it showed how much she cared about them and would understand me caring about my family too.

The ringing of my phone brought me out of my thoughts, also startling me. Picking up the call, I mentally sighed at the person on the other end when I heard his voice. "Where are you right now?"

"Assalamualaikum to you too." I greeted while standing up and starting to pace around the room.

"Walikumussalam. Ab batao bhi..." He whined impatiently.

(Now tell me...)

"You actually don't have the right to question me that anymore." I told him smugly, trying to tease and annoy him.

"Why?" He sounded confused and I wanted to chuckle at his cluelessness already.

"Because I found your bhabi and if it isn't obvious, I would be with her only, right?" Biting my lips, I told him.

"Oops, yeah! Sorry, I forgot! Okay then meet me in the waiting area, I'm waiting for you." He rushed sheepishly, making me suspicious. What was it that he wanted to meet me now?

"Now?" Furrowing my brows, I asked him.

"Yes, bring bhabi with you, okay?" I could hear him shuffling around as he replied. But what was it that he told me? To bring Atifa with me? Why? No actually, why was he so eager to meet her?!

"Wait what? I can't-" Without even hearing anything, he hung the call, making me sigh and look at my mobile in disbelief. Was this guy serious?! How and why was he expecting me to bring Atifa with me? She wasn't here with me now! And even if she would have been, I wouldn't have taken her with me! He was crazy!

Shaking my head, I stared at Amira, who was busy playing some game in Atifa's mobile. Should I-

Of course I should take her with me since Atifa isn't here! I mentally facepalmed at my thoughts.

"Come princess, let's go and meet my friend." Sighing, I told her while pocketing my mobile.

"He's here?" Looking up with a smile, she asked me.

"Yes. And we will even grab our dinner on the way back, okay?" I replied while extending my hand to her.

"Okay! I want to have a burger!" She chirped while hopping down from the couch and holding my hand.

"Okay but what should we buy for your api? She can't have a burger, right?" I asked her as we exited the room.

"Why? Api also likes burgers." She looked up at me with a frown while trying to handle her mobile in her other hand.

"Accha. But she is sick, that's why she is here na, so she can't have them now..." I replied gently. If there is one thing which I got to know after meeting them again, then it was that Amira had become quite possessive about Atifa. Or maybe concerned? I didn't know which word to use exactly, but yes, anything against her was a trigger for her, I realised. So it was necessary to be careful about whatever I would say about Atifa in front of her. Not that I would say anything bad or disrespectful, but even anything sounding remotely offensive to her, might set her off.

(I see.)

"Oh! Yeah, I forgot!" Smiling sheepishly, she looked away.

"Yes."

"So do you want to give my api salad for dinner?" Frowning, she looked back at me suspiciously.

"When did I say that?!" Startled, I asked her.

"Yes, you shouldn't." Nodding her head as if in deep thoughts, she replied.

"But what's wrong with salad?" No doubt I was confused by her questions. They didn't even make any sense at this point. At least to me.

"Nothing, but I won't like it if we eat burgers and she eats plain salad." Glancing up at me, she replied.

"Accha, don't worry, we won't buy her salad."

(Okay,)

._._._.

"Yaar why didn't you bring bhabi with you?! I was waiting for her!" After a while of talking about work and our extended holidays, Ali whined, making me roll my eyes.

(Man)

"She is with her ammi." I informed him while shaking my head.

"Then you should have waited for her to return!" Narrowing his eyes at me and pouting, he insisted like a kid.

"Tell me, why are you so eager to meet her?" Folding my arms, I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously in annoyance.

"Why do you want to know?" Copying me and folding his arms, he raised his brow.

"I'm her husband!" I stated the obvious.

"Haa to? I just want to see- errr meet her and know who is willing to put up with you for the rest of their life!" He had definitely found a way to annoy me. If whatever he said wasn't enough, he quietly added while looking away. "And warn her about you…"

(Yeah so?)

"What do you want to warn her about?" I asked him curiously.

"Your occasional pregnancy." Shrugging his shoulders, he muttered under his breath, but I still heard him.

"What?!" I was now glaring daggers at him. He was, no doubt, getting on my nerves.

"Nothing!" Looking at me and blinking his eyes innocently, he replied quickly.

"Ali." I warned, but of course, it was of no use.

"Yes."

"Don't try to mess with me." Muttering under my breath, I looked away from him.

"If I won't then who will?" He grinned mischievously, enjoying my condition.

"Ya Allah, what's wrong with you?" Squeezing my eyes shut and running a hand through my face, I asked him, tired.

(Oh god,)

"Nothing." He chirped, the bashful grin still on his face.

"Accha. Then stop getting on my nerves!" Forcing a smile on my face, I told him sweetly.

(Okay.)

"Can't make any promises…" He sang while shrugging his shoulders.

"Accha. Ab agar aapki bakwaas khatam ho gayi ho to mai jau phir?" Narrowing my eyes with the creepy smile still on my face, I asked him sweetly, only noticing the time now.

(I see. Now if you are done with your nonsense then can I go?)

"Aise kaise?! First, promise me that you will let me meet her tomorrow!" With a frown forming on his face, he insisted.

(How?)

"I won't do that." Sighing, I replied while looking away.

"Why?!" He whined, trying to give me his best soft face, which was not going to work on me anyways.

"Ali, don't annoy me now!" Sighing once again, I muttered while checking my mobile.

"I'm not doing anything! I'm just asking you to promise me something!" Replying fiercely, he turned to face Amira, who was quietly watching something on Atifa's mobile. "Amira, princess, will you bring your api to meet me?"

"Why?" Frowning, she paused the video and looked up at him, puzzled.

"I want to complain to her about this monkey!" He pleaded quickly.

"Then you should complain about him to his mom, right?" At her reply, I had to cover my mouth to suppress my chuckle. I won't deny that I was liking her counter questions at that time.

"But ye apni mama ki baat kaha sunta hai!" He whined in his defence.

(But when does he listen to his mom?)

"This guy!" Muttering under my breath, I shook my head in dejection. He wasn't going to let it go, was he?

"Bhaijaan, aap api ki baat sunte hai?" Instead of replying to him, she leaned on her left side to have a look at me and asked me.

(Saad, do you listen to Atifa?)

"Yes, sunte hain aapke bhaijaan. Apni biwi ki baat kon nahi sunta?!" Before I could reply, he told her eagerly.

(Yes, he does. Who doesn't listen to their wife?)

"Oh, accha. Sacchi?" Turning back to look at him with wide eyes, she asked in disbelief.

(Oh I see. Really?)

"Ye bole jaa raha hai aur tum sunte jaa rahi ho, haina princess?!" Feeling my cheeks heating up, I interrupted them sternly, wanting to get away from his teasing.

(He is blabbering and you are listening, right princess?)

"But mujhe sach me nahi pata tha ke husband's apni wife ki baat maante hai." Looking up, Amira defended.

(But I really didn't know that husband's listen to their wife commands.)

"Aapko jaanne ki zarurat bhi nahi hai." Heaving a sigh, I told her.

(You didn't even need to know that.)

"Dekho Amira, aapke bhaijaan kitne boring hai, haina?!" Interrupting us, Ali questioned Amira while giving me a smug side glance.

(Look how boring your brother-in-law is, Amira!)

Looking at me up and down skeptically, she replied slowly while keeping a hand under her chin. "Haa thode bohot hai. But mai kya kar sakti hu? Api ki to shaadi already ho chuki hai."

(Yeah, he is slightly. But what can I do? Atifa already got married to him.)

"Kyu, agar nahi hui hoti to tum kahi aur karati kya?" Narrowing my eyes and keeping my hands on my hips, I questioned before changing my mind, shaking my head and letting my hands fall by my side. "Actually, don't answer me. Your api must be back by now. Let's go."

(Why, if we wouldn't have been married, would you have married her to someone else?)

Giggling, Amira high fived with Ali while covering her mouth with one hand. "You are so…"

"I don't want to kno-"

"Shy? Ya phir easy to tease?" Interrupting my sentence midway, Ali suggested to her with a grin.

(Or easy to tease?)

"Yes. Both!" She once again giggled, making me sigh.

"Ab tum dono ka ho gaya ho to hame jaane bhi do!" I told them while shaking my head, feeling tired.

(If both of you are done teasing me then let us go!)

"Dekho Mira, apni biwi se milne ki kitni jaldi hai ise." Ali once again started teasing me, making me look away with a sigh while running my hand through my hair as my face started heating up once again. I just didn't want to get teased, was it that hard?

(Look how eager he is to meet his wife.)

"Don't worry Ali bhai, kuch saal baad ghar se nikalne ki bhi itni hi jaldi hogi inhe. Lekin mai aisa hone nahi dungi." Eyeing me, Amira joined him while biting her lips, trying to suppress her smile.

(Don't worry Ali, after a few years he will be eager to get out of his house, but I won't let that happen.)

"Accha ji! Tumhe bada pata hai?" Narrowing my eyes, I asked her, thankful for my beard to hide my shyness.

(Oh really? You already know about it?)

"Jee, maine live telecast dekha hai. Aur serials me bhi." She nodded her head eagerly with a grin.

(Yes, I have seen it happen. Even in television dramas.)

"Accha bacchu! Batana padega tumhari behan ko. Aur tumhare serials bhi kam karne padenge." I replied teasingly in disbelief.

(I see. I will have to tell you sister about it. And you will have to decrease watching dramas too!)

"Koi nahi princess, aapke bhaijaan kuch nahi karenge. Bas aise hi iski khabar lete raha karo, line me rahega ye banda." Winking, Ali told her assuringly.

(Don't worry princess, he won't do anything. Just keep taking his classes like this, he will stay in line.)

"Waise aapki biwi kaha hai?" Tilting her head aside, she asked him curiously. And a chuckle escaped my lips at her question.

(By the way, where is your wife?)

"Yaar sabko aisa kyu lagta hai ke meri shaadi ho gayi hai?" Turning to look at me, he whined before replying to her with a rusty smile. "Meri shaadi nahi hui hai abhi princess."

(Man, why does everyone think that I'm married?)
(I'm not married yet, princess.)

"Accha. Tabhi aap aise bhaijaan ko tang kar rahe hai. Koi baat nahi, mai dua karti hu aapki bhi shaadi jaldi ho jaye. Aameen. Aap dono bhi aameen kahiye." She beamed.

(I see. That's why you are teasing him like this. It's okay, I will pray that you get married soon. Aameen. Both of you say Aameen.)

"Aameen." Grinning, I mumbled teasingly while eyeing a scowling Ali.

"Ab tumhe jaane ke liye der nahi ho rahi? Waise to bohot jaana tha na." Glaring at me, he shot his question.

(Aren't you getting late anymore? You were quite eager to go back earlier.)

"Nahi abhi hum thodi der aur ruk sakte hai." I teased, enjoying his state. If he could tease me so much, why couldn't I at least enjoy him being teased?

(We can stay here for a while.)

"Lekin mai nahi ruk sakta." He grumbled like a kid before looking for something behind him.

(But I can't.)

"Accha ji!" Shaking my head with a smile still playing on my lips, I muttered.

(Oh really?)

"Haa!" He murmured before extending a few chocolate bars towards Amira and telling her softly. "Ye lo Amira aapki chocolates."

(Yeah!)
(By the way, these are for you.)

"Jazak Allahu Khairan Ali bhai!" Looking up from the mobile, she chirped happily when she spotted the chocolates before grabbing them.

(Thank you Ali)

"Waiyyakum. Aur ye bhabi ko de dena meri taraf se." Turning and extending a gift bag towards me, he mumbled.

(Welcome. And give these to Atifa from my side.)

"Tumhe badi fikar ho rahi hai meri biwi ki?"  Raising a brow, I asked him, not taking the bag from him.

(Aren't you a bit too worried about my wife?) 

"Itni tension mat lo. Wo tumhari hi begum hai, mujhe pata hai. Mai bas apni taraf se tofa de raha hu." Sighing and narrowing his gaze at me, he grumbled before thrusting the bag at my hand. "Aur ye bhabi ke liye hai to tum mana nahi kar sakte."

(Don't worry too much. She is your wife, I know that. I'm just giving this to her by my side.)
(And since this is for your wife, you can't deny.)

"Accha. Jazak Allahu Khairan." Sighing, I replied while finally taking it from him.

(Okay. Thank you.)

"Waiyyakum. Aur yaad se unko keh dena ke mai unse milna chahta hu." He reminded me while taking a step back.

(Welcome. And remember to inform her that I want to meet her.)

"In Sha Allah, dekhunga."

(I will see.)

._._._.

• Now that I read this again, I find it a bit boring and kind of a filler chapter. But hopefully the upcoming chapters won't be boring and I will be able go wrap things up without any problem.

Also, sorry for the delay in update, I have been quite busy with some things lately.

._._._.