Love So Far

Consideration

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Fawad

I came downstairs the next morning, holding Hania in my arms, ready to have the difficult conversation with Arhaan, but I stopped in my tracks at the bottom of the staircase.

Arhaan and his family were already packed up and ready to leave, it seemed.

"Arhaan?" I was a little confused.

He was talking to his mother, and he turned to face me when I called him. "Bhai, we should go." 

I felt awful. I never wanted anyone to leave my home like this, but Sadia Bhabi had left us no choice. "Arhaan..."

"It's cool." He walked up to me. "I knew that you were eventually going to ask me to leave anyway, because a good husband and father would definitely do that. I'm making things easier for you." 

"I don't want...I didn't ever want to have to..." I shook my head. "But..."

"Chup kar, yaar!" He grinned, but there was sadness in his eyes. "I have no grudges or resentment against you. In fact, I owe you an apology." He glanced at Hania. "I'm going to miss our little Hani though. Come here, beta." 

I handed Hania over to her elder Mamu. 

"I'm sorry, little Hania. You have been treated horribly,  but Mamu's so, so sorry." He kissed her cheek, and Hania tugged at his beard. He looked at me. "Is Jazzy awake?" 

"No, she's still asleep." 

"Well, tell her that I had to go. Don't tell her what really happened, only for Jazzy and Iman's sake." Arhaan set Hania down, and she immediately rushed over to Zoya, who she had become seriously attached to. My best friend patted my shoulder. "Thank you for everything. As usual, your hospitality was excellent, both you and Jazzy's. But Hania was the best host, of course."

"I wish the circumstances were better." I said. 

"No worries. Maybe one day, I'll finally be at peace." He gave me a hug. "Take care of Jazzy, like you've always done." 

"You know it."

"Bhai, where are you going?" 

I turned and looked up. Jasmina was standing on the landing, looking confused, with a shawl draped over her shoulders. "Mina, what are you doing out of bed?" My voice came out harsher than I'd intended it to be.

"Where's Bhai going?" She asked, ignoring my question.

"Home." Arhaan replied. "I have work, Jasmina." 

To my utter annoyance, Jasmina came down the stairs. "Okay, I've had enough. Everyone's keeping something from me. I'm not stupid, I can sense it."

"Mina, get back to bed." I told her firmly. "Come on."

"I'm legit confused." Mina kept her gaze on Arhaan. "Bhai, you assured me that the hospital has everything covered, so that you wouldn't be called back earlier."

"I'm a doctor, beta." He patted her head. "My work is unpredictable, and you know that." 

Mina then looked at me. "Fawad, be honest with me. What's going on?" 

"Are you going to bed, or what?" I ignored her question this time. 

"Jasmina." Her mother rushed over. "Come on, beta. You shouldn't be up. Let's go, for Iman's sake."