Bridging Hearts.

#15

Zara's Pov:

With slower steps, I entered Baba's room, where I saw Bhai was already there having a conversation with Baba. Both of them directed their gazes towards me and stopped talking.

"Baba, are you busy?" I asked, glancing at him and Bhai.

"No, betay, come, come," Baba beckoned me inside with a tilt of his head.

I dashed inside and clung to him. He caressed my hair, and then I settled next to him.

He asked, "You're a little later than usual. Is everything okay? Are you working too much at the hospital?"

''Everything is alright, Baba. I was with Rayah before we knew it; hours had flown by without us realising."

He smiled,his eyes crinkling at the corner. "Ah, I understand!"

Mama glided into the room, drawing notice to our conversation, she asked me.

"How's Rayah? And her mother? It's been many days since I last spoke with her."

"Everything is good. Rayah is doing great. In fact, there's some exciting news to share."

I paused, and Mama and Baba exchanged a surprised glance, their faces reflecting curiosity.

Bhai didn't bother to pay attention; his eyes were on his phone.

"Rayah and her mom are moving to a new house which Rayah has bought recently."

"Well, that's wonderful news!" Mama exclaimed, with a warm smile.

But of course, that was the moment when Bhai, lounging on the couch with his trademark smirk, couldn't resist chiming in.

"Finally, some new gossip about your bestie. We were starting to get fed up hearing the same problematic stories."

I shot him an irritated glare, his insensitive teasing striking a nerve.

Before I could retort, Baba's stern voice cut through the tension.
"Ali, think before commenting on someone's family problems. Mind your manners, young man."

A scowl imprinted itself on Bhai's face, gradually deepening into a sullen silence.

Baba then turned his attention back to me, his expression softening, "If I recall correctly, Rayah mentioned she had recently completed her business studies, didn't she?"

I nodded, pushing aside my lingering annoyance with Bhai as I focused on Baba's question.

"Yes, and now she has been working at a company named Edifice, for a few months. Have you heard of it?"

A thoughtful furrow creased Baba's brow, but before he could share his thoughts, Bhai jumped in again.
“Yeah, Edifice is great..."

I looked at Bhai attentively, but as he settled back into the couch, he smirked slyly, "But not as good as our company," he added with a smug grin.

I unleashed a majestic eye-roll at him, one that conveyed the depth of my frustration and annoyance.

"Ali, that's quite enough from you,"
Mamma said, fixing him with a stern look that left no room for argument.

He stood up from his place, looked at us, then mouthed "sorry" with a wave of his hand before leaving the room.

                             
                                 ——

"Zara, I'll be going with you next time to Rayah's house," Mamma spoke.

"Suree!!" I replied with an eager nod.