Unexpected But Mine

chapter 12

Shaheer’s house was unusually lively today—with Hamis and his wife joining the family, the space felt warmer, funnier… slightly louder.
Shaheer sat back on the couch, legs stretched out, watching Hamis trying—and failing—to open a stubborn snack packet. Ahmed, lounging with one leg on the armrest like he owned the place, raised an eyebrow.

“You need help with that too?” Ahmed snorted. “Did marriage turn you this useless, or were you born with it?”

Hamis shot him a glare. “Keep talking. One day your wife will hide all your hair gel and we’ll see who’s crying.”

Shaheer smirked, biting into a samosa. “Bro, forget the gel. Ahmed will collapse if his shoe collection goes missing.”

Ahmed gasped, feigning offense. “My Jordans are family!”

From across the room, Emira stifled a laugh, her gaze flicking between the three men with quiet amusement. Alize, who was painting her nails on the floor, looked up.

“Funny how all three of you turn into toddlers the moment you’re together,” she said.
Hamis’s wife, maria, nodded in agreement, passing Emira a bangles box.

“They get worse in groups. Like wild puppies. With loud opinions.”
“I heard that,” Hamis called out, “and I take pride in my loud opinions!”

“You should take pride in being useful,” maria quipped, earning a high-five from Alize.
Emira chuckled softly, watching maria and Alize team up against their husbands like it was a sport. She felt strangely… at ease. She didn’t have to talk too much—just be present, and she was included.

Alize glanced at the bangles Emira had picked. “These are so pretty—when did you get them?”
“Last week,” Emira said softly.

Back on the couch, Shaheer nudged Ahmed. “Look at them bonding. Should we be worried?"

Ahmed snorted. “Definitely. They'll soon have a WhatsApp group. That’s when we lose all control.”

Shaheer grinned. “You say that like you ever had any.”

Hamis leaned back against the arm of the couch, eyeing Shaheer with a mischievous glint. “So… should I let everyone in on your little plan now or wait for the dramatic reveal?”

Shaheer raised an eyebrow over his cup, “Don’t start, Hamis.”

“What plan?” Alize perked up immediately, her eyes darting between them. “Spill it.”
Ahmed leaned in too

"Chill out, its just that Emra will be joining our office soon, i have prepared everything"

Alize lit up. “Oh my God, that’s such a good idea! You’d look so classy walking into the office—ugh, I can already picture the outfits!”

Ahmed snorted, “Trust Shaheer to hire his wife so he doesn’t miss her during work hours.”
Shaheer gave him a dry look, but didn’t deny it.

Hamis clapped his hands. “Alright, now that’s settled, I’ll get the onboarding started tomorrow. Emira, welcome to corporate chaos.”

Emira replied with a silent tight lipped smile

At dinner:

Plates of biryani, kebabs, fresh naan, and bowls of raita were scattered across the table as everyone gathered around, laughter still echoing from the living room. The mood was light, the air rich with spices and the sound of clinking cutlery.
Shaheer’s mother sat at the head of the table, watching her children and their guests with a soft, content smile. She reached over to spoon more biryani onto Emira’s plate.
“You barely eat, Emira beta,” she said gently.