4

— A D Y A N T — 

The sun was setting, showing the day was about to end and I was driving back home. For the last several days, I was away from my family for some important meeting in another country, but now I was eager to meet my family. You can call me a restless person without my family but my family is like a breath for me. 

Abdul salutes me as soon as I reach the door of the house. I just give him a smile and then take my car forward as the main door opens. In the middle, I hear my child’s voice while taking the car through the dark pathway. When I look out through the window, I catch Ryan, my lovely boy playing in the garden. With Shraddha, his caretaker and Rayma. 

I raise my brows when I do not find Zahir with him. Because my younger brother Zahir comes to play with my child in the evening. Ryan’s got a cool uncle who plays with him even though he comes tired from work. 

Well, all thanks to my stubborn child who does not let anyone sit at rest. 

Parking my car, I walk towards them. Ryan comes running to me as soon as he sees me. He hugs my legs and I quickly lift him in my arms. Rayma also nears me and I ask her, “Today Zahir isn't with you?” 

“Is in the meeting.” She shrugged her shoulders when I gave her a nod. 

“And today he was very upset because a cat had cut his way!” My son screams in my ear. I give him a warning look to not to tear my eardrums but does he listen to me? I do not think my son is going to listen to me because he has gone to his grandfather. Both are stubborn. 

“It doesn’t bother, son.” I walk towards the house with my son. My wife allows Shraddha to leave and then follows me to the living room. 

“But… buddy was very angry.” I put him on the floor. 

“When is your buddy not angry, son?” I chuckle and he joins me. 

“You’re right. I don’t know whose habit my son was born with. Anger always sits on his nose tip.” I heard my dad's voice as he came downstairs. I see him coming and nod my head with a grin on my face. 

“But this habit is bad. How long will he keep getting angry like this on petty things?” I shake my head, remembering my younger brother— Zahir. There is no doubt that my brother is no less than a diamond, but that diamond is harder than the limit.

Dad comes and then sits on the couch. I also take a seat opposite him. 

“Until he gets married, sweetheart.” Rayma palmed my hand and I gave my dad a confused look, not knowing what they were actually planning. Is he with Rayma in this plan? He nodded, blinking once. 

“I think Rayma is absolutely right but my son is standing like a rock against marriage.” I can understand my dad's disappointment. His life was not good from the beginning and maybe Zahir still has that memory engraved in his mind. 

  The childhood of my brother was not spent like the childhood of other children because he never got the love of his mother— our mother. He was scared of the quarrels in front. In such a situation, it is fair for him to raise a question, but does it not mean that every marriage is going to end up just the way our dad's marriage ended up? 

My and our sister’s marriage has also been successful. But Zahir does not want to learn from us. He is stuck with his thinking regarding Dad. But I do not want Zahir to spend his life alone like our dad. 

Dad did not want to marry anyone after his first wife cheated on him and he thought that if he was married, his second wife would definitely want to bear a child with him and then, conflicts would arise. Dad did not want our childhood to be ruined more than it was already so he chose to provide us everything by himself and not make another partner. 

Dad seems to be the happiest every time but his eyes are full of sadness, regret and disappointment. His eyes speak a lot I could never ignore. That's why Rayma and I, with Ryan, were ready to be with him so he would not fall prey to isolation and insomnia. 

“From marriage itself, he’ll realize his responsibility. Although our Zahir is already very responsible, after marriage, we can change his thinking.” 

Ruhani came after taking some glasses of water as she offered them to us. I took it while loosening my tie and taking some sips. Rayma was giving me a knowing look from the corner of her eye. 

Still, she is thinking about how hot I look while loosening my tie? She has a kink with my neckties. I blink briefly, giving attention to my dad. 

“He’ll realize only when he marries. His face dries up when he hears the names of the girls!” Dad sighs heavily and I feel like throwing a laughter. He should know better. That's very old. 

“Hm, didn’t see, the colour of Zahir’s face had changed as soon as he heard that girl’s name? But this time his face wasn't yellow but red,” Rayma said, amusement dancing in her voice, and I looked at her in confusion. 

“Which girl? Sunaina?” I ask, pointing to the girl Dad has been talking about lately. Sunaina is his friend's daughter. 

“Ryan said that a cat had cut his way but that cat turned out to be a girl.” Ryan chuckled from behind on hearing his mother. Dad joined him.

“That girl must’ve scolded my boy!” Dad giggled, shaking his head in amusement. 

Our Zahir does not like it at all if someone teaches him something or scolds him. Except for his dad, he does not give this right to anyone. Not even me, to be bitterly honest. 

“Right, Dad! Otherwise, our Zahir doesn't react so much to any girl!” Rayma chuckled with Dad while I got deep into thinking. Zahir reacted by mentioning her? Really? Okay, he got angry but at least he got angry? Because how he ignores every girl like the wind running in front, we all know here. Sometimes I fear that my brother is gay but then, I shake my head, throwing this thought out of my head. 

This can never happen! This should not come true! 

It's been a year since TV channels were all over the news that my brother — for them, one of the most well-known businessmen in the world could be gay if he was not interested in marriage or dating. 

It was a matter of shame that my brother had not seen any girl even by raising a glance of interest. Even in adolescence, he did not make any girl his friend. No doubt my brother is a virgin. 

“He reacted?” I ask, pushing away my thoughts regarding my brother's virginity. How could I even think of it?

“Yes! Too much!” Ryan answered on her behalf. I nodded my head in understanding, taking another sip from the glass while thinking deeply. 

“What are you thinking, Adyant?” I heard my dad's voice. I looked at him, putting the glass on the table. 

“Should we talk to that girl?” I asked, my brows knitting together as I was not hundred per cent sure my idea was good. We do not even know her yet I was wanting her to be my brother's wife all of a sudden. 

But according to my twisted thinking, if sweet and warm girls could not be his type then maybe this fierce one would do something? There is no way I am experimenting but we all know, if not now, soon in future, the couples fall in love and can't live without each other. 

Along with that, the girl might make him think differently, who knows?

“That girl? We don’t even know her, Adyant.” He passed me a confused look. 

“But we can check it. This is not a difficult task.” I suggested biting my tongue for sounding like a stalker. 

“Our Zahir doesn't speak to familiar girls, how will he be ready to marry a stranger?” Rayma’s question gained my attention and I nodded my head. She was right. 

“But who knows the thing which couldn't be done by known girls, a stranger could do that?”

“Which work, Adyant?” 

“Uff, Rayma,

the work of awakening love in his heart. Don’t you think this can happen?” My words silenced everyone. For a few minutes, no one said anything, but then suddenly my dad and my wife said in unison, “Well said.” 

“Then when shall we go to meet that girl?” Dad asked in excitement. 

“Not ‘we’, Dad, I’ll go first. I wanna see where she lives, what she does, etc. And then I'll tell you about her. If you like her, then both of us will go to meet her father for our Zahir.” I shrugged, making him understand as he nodded. 

“I’ll go too.” Rayma looked at me. 

“Me too!” Ryan also chirped. 

“Fine!” I muttered, getting up and leaving the conversation to take a shower.

••

The next day started and I left for work. In the morning I have work in my office but in the evening I have to meet the girl with whom my brother quarrelled yesterday. 

Thankfully one of my men gave me all the information about that girl. It sounds like stalking but anything for my brother! 

Her information revealed that her name is Hoor Mizrahi. Pretty name. Hoor means fairy. 

But the surname suddenly rang a bell in my head. Mizrahi, communities of Jews that existed in India, other parts of central Asia and China. The girl is not Jews now but Christian. Also, I think I know or remember once my dad told me he had a friend whose surname is also Mizrahi.

She is twenty years old. She lives with her father in a small apartment and unfortunately, the man is paralyzed. She works in a cafe with her friend named Parul — when did I ask my man to grab her friend's name as well? — and when one doesn't come, the other takes over. In the earnings, both of them make a living for their education, rent and food. 

The girl is very hardworking, as I notice. 

In the evening, I left for that girl’s house. I started running my car towards her house when my mobile started ringing. 

I saw it was Rayma. 

“Hello,” I answered the call. 

“Daddy! Where are you?” Ryan asked me and I could understand he must have brought her mobile secretly. 

“Daddy is at work, kiddo, now quickly tell me why did you call me?” 

“Daddy, I want a milkshake. Please bring it when you come home?” He requested, making me sigh. He has got some stupid habits like his mother. She also demands stupid things when I am busy or at work. 

“Yes, of course, Daddy will do it. Now cut the call, okay?” 

“No! I know you’ll forget! Buy it right now!” He even demands like her! The difference is, she grips my collar when we are alone. No, that's not domestic violence. 

“Try to understand, beta, Daddy’s busy right now!” 

(Beta:- Son) 

“I don’t know anything!” 

I huff, accepting my defeat. “Okay, I’m buying it.” I looked around and fortunately, I spotted a general store behind the pavement. I stopped my car in front of a general store. 

“Thank you, Daddy!” He chirped. I got down from the car and entered the store. I got inside to find a milkshake pack for Ryan but all I found was flour in front of me. I looked back and found a lot of cookies, biscuits and other baked things but milkshakes were nowhere to be found. 

Maybe it is not here? So where do these people keep milkshakes? 

I walked ahead, eyeing every shelf but did not find milkshakes. I huff. I am getting late! 

“Should've learned to shop with Rayma,” I muttered in regret, holding my hips in frustration. She always used to drag me to the malls but I never paid any heed. 

Taking a deep breath, I once again looked ahead and found a girl who was taking some noodles packets. 

Should I ask her? It is better than wandering here and there and wasting my time. 

“Excuse me.” I take a step towards her. She looks at me, tugging a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and I eventually recognise her face. 

Hoor!

“Yes?” She asked me. I kept looking at her because it was, of course, unexpected! I did not know I would find her here! 

But reacting like this could make me look like a pervert which I am definitely not, so I manage myself in a second and brace myself so I can ask her a favour. 

“Actually… I wanna buy a milkshake and have no idea where they keep it… so can you please—,” 

“Oh sure, why not!” She smiled, understanding quickly. “All the things made of milk are found in the area ahead of here.” She even pointed at my back. I followed her gesture, looking behind but I just found a wall. 

Eh?

“Um… you probably never shopped,” she muttered from behind, understanding that I did not get anything she told me. Turning towards her, I give her a small nod. 

“It’s okay. Come, let me show you.” She walked ahead, taking her basket after putting in a packet of noodles. I follow her. Walking behind her, I notice she is holding some vegetables, a pack of wheat flour and rice. There are some other products too which I instantly realize as Rayma also uses them. 

She is wearing a simple peach-coloured shirt with a pair of denim jeans. Her clothing style is really simple and baggy. 

“Here it is.” She shows me the side where I find every milk-made product. She goes to hold a milkshake pack and hands it to me. 

“I hope next time you’ll not need anyone’s help.” 

I smile at her, holding the pack. “Thank you. And sorry for the trouble. My son called me midway and asked to buy a milkshake.” 

She chuckled softly, a kind smile on her small and innocent face. “Does your child like milk dishes? If so, then you should definitely order from our shop. Our sir makes very tasty milk dishes.” Her eyes twinkled as she told me.

My brows raised in surprise. This girl is nice, has a good manner of talking, as well as intelligent. Even though she is not at work, she is promoting her shop! Impressive! 

“Sure, do you work there?” I ask as if I do not know. 

“Yes, I work there.” 

“What’s the name, by the way?” 

“The Cooper’s Corner, sir.”  

“Oh yeah, I know that.” Not because it is very famous but I did a background search on you, Hoor. “Next time if I have to order anything, I’ll get it done from your place.” 

Her eyes slowly widened in surprise. “Really?” Did she not expect it? Her voice came out joyful. “Thank you very much, sir!” 

“Oh no, please, you helped me first. I should be thankful to you.” 

She slowly shook her head, that smile becoming small on her lips. 

Suddenly my mobile rang and I answered the call, pulling the screen in front of my face as my kiddo gave me a video call. 

“Daddy, did you buy it?” 

“Oh course, Ryan, look!” I showed him the pack in my hand because I know he did a video call just to take proof. What a clever child! A huge grin appeared on his lips, making me glad. 

“Thank you, Daddy, now come home!” He jumped in happiness. 

“Coming, beta,” I said before disconnecting the line. Sighing, I looked in front. I saw her smiling and looking at the mobile in my hand. 

“I should leave now, thanks, once again.” I slightly tilted my head, earning her attention. She looks at me and then smiles before nodding. 

Smiling back, I move to leave. Surprisingly, all of a sudden, my son remembered me for the milkshake. Even though his work came in the middle of my work, because of him, I could meet that girl and see her kind and helpful nature, too. 

And she is indeed nice. She helped me and talked well. She wasted her time for me despite having a lot of burdens on her hand. The girl is good at heart. I must praise her, but I wonder why Zahir hated her. And even after going home, I wanted to praise her but because Zahir was present there before me, I could not talk about that girl. 

But by the next morning, I told everything to my dad. I had told everything to my wife in the night itself and she was very happy to know that the girl was kind and good at heart. We didn't want any girl who comes into Zahir's life to be greedy for his money, but meeting Hoor definitely gave me the satisfaction that she will not be living for his money or status but for him, if our Zahir went to treat her better. 

When Dad came to know that Rayma and I liked Hoor for Zahir, he also thought of taking the matter further. 

“Today? I met that girl only last evening. Today, if you go suddenly with such a sensitive matter, she’ll definitely have doubts, Dad.” I could see he was excited as well as desperate. Only for his Zahir; our Zahir.   

“Right. So what to do now? You have to talk to the girl's father.” 

“Hm, but not today?” Because I was sure that there was no boy in Hoor's life — according to the data I had — nor was her relationship fixed with anyone. She is too young for a relationship. And looking at her hard work self, it doesn't take rocket science to understand that she wants to focus on her career. 

I had told this all to Dad and he has no problem if Hoor would want to continue her studies or anything after marriage. 

But the main question is, would she agree to marry Zahir?

“Okay, but we should have something sweet on this great occasion.” Dad just needs a chance to eat sweets. 

“Why not?” Rayma chirped. 

“But why?” And hearing this familiar voice, we all looked at the famous person who was coming downstairs, running a hand through his damp hair.

“Zahir! Good morning, my son.” 

“Morning, Zahir.” 

“Morning, buddy!” 

“Morning, Zahir.” 

All of us wished him. He nodded like a king, walking towards the dining table and taking a seat. 

“Morning all. But no one's told me what happiness sweets are offering here? Have you found another girl for me?” He casually filled a glass of water before taking some sips. 

“Of course! And all of us liked her!” Rayma told him, making him choke on his water. Did he think he guessed wrong? He guessed very right. Poor, brother. He started coughing. Dad, Ryan, Rayma and I reached for him, rubbing his back and comforting him. 

“Rayma! You should take care of it,” I muttered, staring at her. She gave me an apologetic look. 

“Not her fault. Zahir, you should drink carefully! Why do you always choke on your water?” Dad scolds him. 

I shake my head. Got scolded by his father at the beginning of the day. Again, poor brother. This is how our Zahir starts his day. Fortunately, it is Sunday. He would not have to go to the office in this sour mood and shower his employees with his wrath. 

“Why do you always try to find a girl for me when I already said I don’t wanna marry!” He muttered, rolling his eyes, and coughing a bit. 

Dad also rolled his eyes. Did I say they are exactly the same?  

“Well, if you don’t want to be happy with us then it’s okay. Go and buy sweets for us on this special occasion.” Here the argument begins! 

“You just need some excuse to eat sweets, don’t you?” 

“But we eat sweets on special occasions, don’t we?” 

“Special occasion? What’s special about this?” 

“At last we found a good girl for you, isn’t it special?” 

“Well, it’s gonna destroy my life…” 

“Zahir, enough!” Rayma interrupted him. I can only huff. Every morning such drama happens. This is nothing new.

“Why don’t you understand, I don’t want this!” He scratched his head like a mental patient.

“But we want this…” 

“Urghh!!!” 

“Done?” Dad asked him. Zahir gave him a death glare. 

“Now go and bring us some sweets?” What's up with sweets? Dad was never obsessed with sweets till now. 

“Why me? Why don’t you order?” 

“It’s Sunday, Zahir, go and move your lazy limbs…” Ryan chuckled when he heard Dad's taunt. I gave him a glare which immediately stopped him. He should not laugh when my dad insults his son— my dear brother. 

Huffing, Zahir got up in defeat and asked, “What would you like to eat?” 

“Kheer!” 

“Pudding!” 

“Ras malai.” 

“Elaneer Payasam.” 

All of us gave our orders and Zahir recorded them. Yes, he records them on his mobile with no sign of curiosity inside him.

“Done? Or anything else?” He queried, putting his mobile back into the pocket of his trousers. 

“No,” Ryan answered him. 

It is then I realised we should get the things from Hoor’s place. The best idea ever! I even told Dad where the girl works and now I see his motive. Now I see why he was so persistent about having sweets. 

When I glance at my dad, I see a small smile on his lips. He knows it! 

“And Zahir, bring the things from The Cooper’s Corner,” I remember the name she told me. Can't forget it ever now. 

“What’s that?” 

“Name of the shop.” 

“Why some unknown shops when I’m going to get the things from a well-known restaurant?” 

“Ah… it’s just the shop is good and the workers there are hardworking.” 

“I think every worker’s hard working. Anyway, as you say.” He shrugged his shoulders before leaving. He did not want to argue at all. That's a good thing about my brother. He never stretches arguments with elders. Dad taught him better. He respects his elders but I fear his behaviour towards the girl. 

My brother is aggressive.  

Soon, Dad will leave to meet her father and I want the man to give his daughter's hand in marriage because we all feel the girl will be best for our Zahir. This is a gut feeling and it's never wrong. 

Let's wish for his good.

~~~~

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