After

02| Unpredictable

02| Unpredictable

We often believe we are in control of our lives; we always have a plan, we assume what will fall under our favor and what not, but with time as we grow up we realise that life is way more unpredictable than we ever thought. There is uncertainty of every second, and maybe we are nothing more than just pawns of universe.

When I woke up in the morning today all I wanted was to clear off the work on my plate so that I could entirely focus on the NGO during the weekends and spend some time with my children but Arsalan had something completely different in his mind.

I was still in disbelief even when we were finally sat in the car to go to his house from the airport. I still did not understand what were we upto and how things were going to unfold from here. I did not know how children were going to attend school, how Arsalan was going to handle all his work virtually and how I was supposed to strike a balance between my work, NGO and being a mother, daughter-in law and wife. I had no idea if we were really going in a lockdown or not and if yes, then what did it mean. It was too much to think of. It was crazy that we had shifted a city because my husband thought he could protect us from a disease with no cure better away from the capital having the best hospitals. I sighed, almost feeling angry.

Ammi was almost dozing off in her seat, Athiya was sleeping on her father's lap too holding onto him in a hug while Aadya & Arryn played games on the phone. The noise of it irritated me. I leaned towards the window looking out in discomfort. My cervical pain had peaked. Both, Arsalan and I hadn't slept in twenty four hours now. I looked at him and I could see the uneasiness. It'd truly been a very long day.

It didn't take a second to Aadya and Arryn to shriek and excitedly run inside the house the moment car stopped. I hissed at the speed at which they ran scared that they might fall. Arsalan gently soothed Athiya, letting her take her own time to wake up. He understood she toiled too religiously in the stadium to have any energy right now.

I walked behind Arsalan holding his coat as he held onto Athiya's hand. Aadya and Arryn were already engaged with Zayan and Zaeem, waiting for the dog to run and come hug them. Ammi had swiftly made her way inside to her husband.

I couldn't help but break into a smile seeing Daniya cheekily grin at me. She wrapped herself around me murmuring, "Can't believe this is happening."

"This is so dreamy." She beamed. "You and me, our husbands and children are going to be locked in the same house. Didn't we spend our entire teenage fantasizing about this??" She chirped and I agreed, feeling better about all of this for the first time. "House house is coming real."

"Technically you should be at your in-laws but I wish you had done anything right in your life." Arsalan taunted and Daniya cried. "Ammi ask him to keep his mouth shut, Hamza is here. He will make my life miserable if Arsalan Bhai says anything this sort in front him."

"I'm wondering why has Hamza not done that already?? He should have taken you back by hook or by crook by now." Arsalan teased & Daniya grimaced. "His parents are alone.."

"Arsalan!" I interrupted, supporting my best-friend. I couldn't relate to her completely because Ammi was a sweetheart but I did understand her struggle; the friction, constant interference, lack of freedom was quite annoying at times.

"Yes, Arsalan. Come meet Abbu.." Ammi added, ignoring the rest of the conversation while filling a glass of water for him.

"What's up man???" Arsalan shook his hand with Hamza and the color of my face faded as Hamza chose to ignore my greetings and meet my husband directly. It had been years he was still rude towards me. I did not care, but I didn't like it either.