New Girl In The Court

Chapter 12

I am so sorry for missing an update! I have been a little busy. I promise to make it up to you, this week. This is a relatively small chapter but more is coming soon. I hope you all like it.

Enjoy:)

When a thing or a person that is disliked crosses paths with us, when they come into our vicinity we feel burdened. We feel we must be nice to them but that does not seem like a quality that we possess. The ability to be a civilised member of society leaves through the tips of our fingers, allowing us to decide how we treat the ones that treated us wrong. That is where we turn to our thoughts. That is where our feelings fail us and become the ultimate power. That is where we often write our downfall.

Every time they met, there were small parties formed. A few consist of women and a few of men. Everyone had their own words to be carried. But that day was a different story. They remained glued to each other. Even when they chatted, even when they had the meal and even when they had the desserts. They stayed together- various minds, various thought processes and one odd factor, it was bound to be a slippery ride.

"I am here on Business," Sufiyan said, "We are planning to expand it. Going international is the trend." Noor and Zynah narrowed their eyes as he bragged while most of them held a blank face, trying just to listen and not move. "How is your business? Everything good?" He asked Sufyaan, who gave a nod to his head. "You have an advantage of working in a country where there are a lot of opportunities. Things are not the same in India. We have to work hard, overcome so much, the economy, government, even the culture. It must be good to have an easy environment here."

"It is not that easy," Afzal was the first one to speak, "Things are pretty difficult here too. Nothing is free lunch you see, you get what you work for. Even if it may be easy, as you feel, it is easy to fall as well. Survival is as important as expansion. It takes work to survive."

Sufyaan and Aman looked at Afzal with wide eyes, Yamina, Zyva and Kehara smiled, Noor and Zynah clapped, Zeeshan shook his head in approval, Wildan said wow and Sufiyan ignored. Haajar chuckled looked at everyone and Raiyan joined in with her.

"This is a good house," Sufiyan said after a while. "Reminds me of the place I learnt karate in. It was a beautiful house."

"You learnt karate in a house as big as this?" Zynah asked her cousin. "Why have I not seen a place like that in Lucknow? I was still there when you were a kid."

"It was in Delhi. Remember I spent most of my summer holidays with my dad's family. We have a huge family house there. They mostly have modern work there but the ancient architecture is the finest. We can find that in our Lucknow. The houses there are magnificent."

"That is true but modern is not that bad either."

"It is not but what is authentic is precious. Do you know Zynah, we renovated our house. It was such a chaotic mess. I wanted something, my wife wanted something and Amma wanted something else. Everyone had something to say. But I was adamant. I wanted the old touch. It feels royal and elegant. Don't you agree?" Zynah smiled in response but said nothing. "Do you know Alia got married last month?" He stayed but a minute quiet.

"Ma told me. How is she? How was the wedding? I heard everyone went."

"Of course everyone will. Her father and mother both are our relatives and her grandfather was our grandfather's closest friend. It was only natural for us all to go. It was a beautiful ceremony. I helped with the arrangements. Bilal could not do anything on his own. I managed everything. Alia was so thankful. I wonder what Bilal would have done on his own. He cannot even handle a pin." Sufiyan kept talking about the wedding and then about another wedding, then another. He has helped in each and every one of them and excelled in all. "I need to be everywhere or else our family cannot function."

"True," Zynah shook her head. "You manage everything so well. We can not do anything without you. I wonder what we will do at your funeral. Who will manage everything?" Wildan quickly looked at his wife, trying not to smile. Sufiyan chuckled and then frowned trying to understand her words. Everyone else was smiling or chuckling, while Zynah bit her tongue. Sufiyan excused himself and the gang were on their own. For a few moments, everything was calm then Afzal felt the need to fill in the silence.

"He loves himself so much. And I thought I was self-centred. You guys take me for granted. I am so much better. You all taunt me for no reason!"

"Drama queen," Noor said, "but you are right. The last time we met him, he was not that bad. What happened?"

"He was just as bad," Zynah said shaking her head. "You just didn't spend time with him. He loves himself the most. The most. I feel bad for his wife. Poor, poor thing."

"May Allah give her patience," Noor said shaking her head. Suddenly Sufiyan's voice reached them and they all turned to him.

"Why is he calling your name again and again?" Kehara asked Hajaar with a frown on her forehead.

"That's what he does all day long. Sometimes he wants a good comb, sometimes a functioning remote, sometimes good coffee shops and sometimes a great something. He probably wants a brilliant knife to cut that apple in his hand. Who got apples? We didn't have any."

"We did," Afzal said raising his hand.

"I will see you later, " Haajar narrowed her eyes and started to walk towards Sufiyan. Raiyan chuckled in amusement before looking at his boss who was looking down at his feet. Raiyan observed him for a moment then bent towards him and softly said, "Are you alright? Is he getting on your nerves?"

"No. I am just keeping myself shut. I don't want to cause any commotion. It would be hard for Zyva. I don't want her to feel bad or uncomfortable or anything bad."

"You are a good husband," Raiyan said with a smile which made Sufyaan chuckled. "Ask that to her. I am sure she has a huge list of how I am a terrible one."

"Hey, come on I am better than everyone else here. I am in no way or the other related to this family yet I get invited to every family function! You really are going to compare me? Me!?" Afzal said making Sufyaan and Raiyan laugh.

"You really are family, Afzal bhai. Please sit down again." Noor said as she tried to hide her laugh. As the gang started to laugh and make fun of each other, Haajar was stuck with the guest she did not wish for. She first found the knife that represented a great brand and was efficient while it looked good. Then she helped him find a plate that was clean and with a print that is soft to the eyes. Then she helped him find a decent place between the kids where he could sit and enjoy his snack. Then she was preparing to leave to meet her friends when she was called again.

"Haajar, can you help me find the remote. I think I will settle here. I am tired now. Whose bag is that? Is that the logo of your cousin's company?" Haajar looked at the chair and found a black bag which made her shake her head. "Why does he have a logo on a bag? Your cousin does not know much about marketing, does he? I wonder how he even operates his business. That's such an old idea."

"He operates his business with utmost decency and standards. He is a great businessman who doesn't just care for money but people who work for him too. He knows his ways and works hard but never forgets to being heart in the process. He is a great man who runs the business in the best way possible." Raiyan looked at Haajar as he finished his speech. She was quiet for a moment then smiled widely at him. Raiyan smiled at Sufiyan and then walked closer to Haajar. "Can you let me know where the washroom is?" Haajar shook her head and gave the directions but before leaving Raiyan softly whispered, "I will stand here for a few second, you take advantage of that and go outside. He will drive you crazy. Go." Haajar shook her head before slowly leaving the room. As she closed the sliding door behind she could not stop herself from smiling. She then turned around and found Raiyan still talking to Sufiyan. He had his arms crossed and his eyebrows raised. He was having a serious conversation with a stranger for someone he cared about. Haajar raised her eyebrows as well and took a deep breath, hoping Raiyan was fine.