preference delights

"Deep inside the roots ."

( Chapter 6 )

Salaar was snug in his cozy bed, enjoying a sound sleep when he was suddenly woken up by the sound of giggling coming from downstairs. Still half-asleep, he lazily picked up his nightgown from the side of the bed and draped it over his broad shoulders. His messy hair added to his handsome, rugged appearance. After slipping his feet into his slippers, he strolled leisurely towards the noise.

Downstairs, his entire family had gathered around his parents to welcome them back from abroad, where they had gone for his father's medical check-up.

"Oh, my son Salaar, I missed you so much," his mother exclaimed, looking stunning in a western outfit that highlighted her shoulder-length hair and soft, neutral makeup. Despite her age, she looked much younger, as if time had been kind to her. She opened her arms for an embrace.

"Welcome, Mom. I missed you too," Salaar replied, managing a small smile as he hugged his mother. It was the first time he'd shown such emotion since returning from Cambridge.

"Sons are usually like this, always preferring moms," his father observed, looking protective yet frail. Salaar, distressed by his father's vulnerability, put his arms around him as well.

"Dad, I missed you a lot," Salaar said, clinging to him. Only a few had ever seen this more affectionate side of him.

"How do you feel now?" he asked, still holding his father close.

"Wow, my parents are always ready to show their affection to the younger one and forget about the eldest," Taimur said with a hint of humor as he entered the room, placing his briefcase on a side table. He hugged his parents one by one.

Salaar and Taimur were nearly identical, but there were subtle differences. Taimur had black eyes like their father, while Salaar had inherited their mother's hazel eyes.

"Now we have nothing for you, son. Your place is taken," their mother teased after cuddling Taimur. Mrs. Warda Malik, though modern in appearance, was a typical mother who loved her children immensely and always worried about their well-being.

"And may I know, your highness, who dared to take my place?" Taimur asked in a playful tone.

"Son! This is the curse of nature; the old ones are overthrown by the new," Faizan proclaimed with a considerable air.

"He's talking about Musa-your son," Warda clarified.

"What did you think they were referring to? You became a father, and your son has occupied both of our places. His rank is much higher than ours now. We are doomed, man," Salaar added dramatically, sitting down next to Taimur.

"Stop teasing us; everyone has their own place," Warda concluded the banter, turning to her daughter-in-law. "Nazli, how have you been all these days?" she asked formally.