Her Perfect Flaws

2. Welcome Back

Zaroon's POV:

It was a bright sunny day when we landed in India. The country where I was born. The country where I lived my childhood days. The country where my ancestors are. After collecting our bags we headed outside. I was with my parents and my younger sister. We came to India to attend one of my cousin's wedding. It's been ten years since I've come here. After shifting to Dubai I haven't contacted my relatives because I knew that if I tried to contact them I would miss them more and it would become difficult for me to live there. I always had a strong connection with my uncles, aunts and cousins but because of dad's decision we had to shift there and I had to forget them. After years of ignoring my connection in India, here I am standing in the airport in India waiting for Ahmed, my cousin to pick us up. Dad and Mom forced me to come here and that's why I'm here. It's not the first time they have forced me to come with them but it's my first time granting their wish.

I came out of my reverie when Dad yelled loudly "Ahmed" with happiness laced in his voice.

I looked the way he was looking and there I saw a tall and handsome boy the same age as mine stood looking at us with a smile.

We proceeded to him and he greeted us with Salam and we greeted back. Dad hugged him and patted his head. I also hugged him.

"Welcome to India," he said.

"Welcome back after ten years," he said looking at me. Since my parents with Aiman visit India every year except me.

"Yeah," I smiled.

"We have a lot to catch up on," he said and I nodded.

Ahmed has always been my best friend when we were living here. He is my father's youngest brother, Uncle Murtaza's son. He is the same age as me. He has grown up into a fine man. He has a lean and well-toned body. Our heights are more or less similar. Being tall is in our blood. His talking manners and personality are somehow similar to ten years back. I've never been a talkative kind of person and in our middle school days, I wouldn't have had friends if it was not because of Ahmed's talkative and friendly personality. I've noticed that he was still the same, talkative and friendly the way he was talking to my dad continuously.

Ahmed drove us to our house. The house where we used to live ten years back. In this house, there are a lot of our memories attached. The house where my ancestors lived and are living. The big house in which we used to live together as a joint family. The family in which I've spent a lot of happy moments. The family I was once close to. The family in which I've received a lot of love. The family which I've missed a lot in those ten years which I'm realising now. Finally, I'm back.

My eyes sparkled as I was admiring the castle-like big house where I used to live.

"Come on, let's go," Ahmed said as a servant helped him take our bags out.

I took one of the bags and followed them.

As we entered the house. We were greeted by all of the family members. Uncle Asad hugged me and patted my head followed by Uncle Murtaza. Aunt Amena and Aunt Ilma patted my head and gave me their blessings. Afsheen Api greeted Salam. Well, I've already met Ahmed at the airport. We went inside to a room that I remember was my grandmother's room. Since my grandfather died fifteen years ago my grandmother has been living in this room and she is still Staying in it.

"Assalamualaikum dado," I said as I entered her room.

"Walaekum assalam" she replied "Oh Allah look who is here my grandson who has forgotten about us" she added.

"I haven't forgotten about you all," I replied.

"Then why haven't you visited us?" She asked as she patted a seat beside her for me to sit. I haven't replied to anything because I have no answer. I sat beside her.