Shaad sat quietly on the cushioned floor of Dua's modest room, his knee propped up in front of him. A small cut ran along the side-red, raw, and slightly swollen.

Across from him sat Dua, focused and gentle, carefully dabbing antiseptic on the wound.

"Aahh, Aapi... it hurts!" he winced dramatically, eyes wide.

She shot him a look, half amused, half scolding.
"Well, who told you to climb a tree in the first place?"

He pouted. "My friends challenged me. They said I couldn't do it. So I climbed up just to show them I could."

Dua paused and raised a brow. "Seriously? Are you a monkey now? That you had to prove you can climb trees?"

Shaad giggled, despite the pain. "Aapi, you know na, if someone challenges me, my inner warrior wakes up."

That made her laugh too-soft and sweet.

"Well, Mr. Warrior, your first aid is done. And promise me-no more stunts like this again. Understood?"

"Okay, Aapi. Promise."
Then he smiled cheekily. "Besides, what do I have to fear? My Aapi's a doctor. You'll fix me up in seconds."

Dua gave him a playful knock on the head.
"I'm not a full doctor yet, silly. Still some time left."

"But just a few more months, right? You'll finish your MBBS soon."

"Yeah, InshaAllah. But still, that doesn't mean you go out every day collecting new injuries. I'll start charging you for every wound," she teased.

Shaad raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine! I'll pay you 10 rupees from my pocket money every time."

They both laughed again, their bond warm and pure.

Just then, the door creaked open and Dadi stepped in.

Her eyes immediately fell on Shaad's knee.
"Ya Allah, Shaad! You hurt yourself again?"

"Dadi, it's nothing. Just a scratch. Aapi already cleaned it-don't worry."

Dadi sighed with the weight of a hundred worries only grandmothers carry. She walked over and cupped his face.

"Take care of yourself, beta," she said softly, then turned to Dua.

"Dua, we need to go to Shah Haveli. Noor called. She said it's been too long since we met, and she especially asked me to bring you along. She's been missing you."

Dua nodded. "Alright, Dadi. When are we going?"

"Right now, before it gets dark. Let's leave soon."

"Okay, Dadi."

Dua turned to Shaad and brushed a hand over his hair.
"You rest now, okay? No more tree adventures."

She noticed him sneaking a game on his phone and plucked it gently from his hand.

"No more games either. Rest, please."
She placed the phone on the side table.

Dadi smiled and ran her hand lovingly over Shaad's head.
"Be good, my little warrior."

Shaad scof and said i am not little dadi i am 17.

dadi again ruffle his hair and said yes youre 17 but for me yore still little.
Then she turned and left the room, calling back,
"Dua, come downstairs when you're ready."

Dua looked down at herself-still dressed in her university uniform, slightly wrinkled from the long day. She opened her wardrobe and quickly changed into something more comfortable and presentable.

Before leaving the room, she reached for her black chadar, wrapped it around her head and shoulders with quiet grace, and looked in the mirror one last time-adjusting the folds with delicate fingers.

She headed downstairs where Dadi was waiting.

Outside, the sky had begun to blush with the soft orange of early evening. They stepped into a taxi together, the city's sounds folding around them like a familiar song.

Shah Haveli was just fifteen minutes away from their home.
But tonight, for some reason, Dua's heart felt like it was going somewhere far deeper.

The black taxi slowed to a graceful halt outside the grand Shah Haveli, its iron gates already swinging open as the guards recognized the familiar visitors. Dua stepped out first, adjusting her chadar gently, while Dadi-(Rabiya)followed, her movements slower but filled with a quiet grace.

The moment they entered the marble foyer, warmth wrapped around them-not just from the chandelier-lit corridors, but from the woman walking swiftly toward them with a bright smile.

"Rabiya!" came the soft yet powerful voice of Noor Raheel Shah, the elegant matriarch of the Shah family. She walked straight into Dadi's arms, hugging her with the affection only old friends carry.

"How are you, Rabiya?"

"I'm well, Noor," Dadi smiled, eyes twinkling. "And you? Is your health alright these days?"

With a graceful chuckle, Mrs. Shah replied, "Completely fine. Just missing you and Dua lately. I thought-since you don't visit yourself-I'll have to summon you!"

Dadi laughed, "It's not like that. You know how my knees are, I barely go anywhere unless someone drags me."

Mrs. Shah turned then to Dua, who respectfully greeted her and offered a soft hug.

"How are you, beta?"

"I'm good, Dadi. And you?"

"I'm well too," she replied, patting her cheek affectionately.

Soon, Dua and Dadi were being greeted warmly by the rest of the Shah family. They met Ayaan's mother, his Badi Ammi, and several other. The air was filled with tea brewing in the kitchen, servants bustling around, and light conversation echoing in the high-ceilinged living room.

Everyone settled on the plush sofas, with laughter flowing as naturally as the water being served. Ayaan's mother asked the maid to bring refreshments, while Mrs. Shah chatted fondly with Dadi. It was clear Dua and her grandmother shared a close bond with this family-almost like their own.

Then, suddenly, Mrs. Shah (Ayaan's Dadi) looked at Dua with a spark in her eyes.

"Oh! I almost forgot-Dua, you should go upstairs to Ayaan's room. He has something to show you."

Ayaan's mother opened her mouth to tell Dua about his big football win, but Mrs. Shah quickly raised a hand and stopped her.

"Let it be a surprise. He'll tell her himself."

Dua nodded politely and stood up, curious but silent. She made her way toward the first floor, her footsteps echoing slightly against the ornate staircase.

Dua stood in front of Ayaan Raheel Shah's room and knocked softly on the door.

No response.

She tried again, a bit louder this time.

Still nothing.

Frowning, she hesitated, then gently turned the handle. The door creaked open-and she stepped inside.

What met her eyes nearly made her laugh out loud.

There, sprawled diagonally across the bed like a soldier in battle, was Ayaan-sound asleep but wildly animated in his dreams. His hands twitched, legs jerked, and his lips were murmuring something... something that made no sense.

"Attack! Throw the grenade! Boom!"

His voice grew louder, more dramatic. His arms flailed like he was in combat, and Dua blinked in disbelief before covering her mouth to stifle a giggle.

She walked up beside him and gently shook his shoulder, laughing softly.

"Ayaan... Ayaan... wake up!"

Ayaan jolted upright, eyes wide with panic.

"Attack! We're under attack! Someone help-"

"Ayaan!" Dua interrupted, grabbing his arm. "It's me! Dua! There's no attack-just open your eyes, you idiot!"

Recognizing her voice, he blinked rapidly, disoriented and embarrassed. Slowly, he turned his head and saw her standing there, trying hard not to burst into laughter.

His face turned red in an instant.

Mortified, Ayaan groaned and pulled the blanket over his head, mumbling, "Ayaan's not here. He has left the battlefield."

Dua couldn't hold it anymore-she laughed out loud, her voice echoing through the room.

"Come out, you drama king! The war is over!" she said, pulling the blanket off him.

Grumbling, Ayaan sat up, ruffling his hair and still avoiding her gaze.

"Good morning, Dua..."

She raised a brow, crossing her arms.

"Good morning? Ayaan, it's almost evening! What kind of army sleeps this late?"

He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry... I didn't mean to fall asleep. I was just..."

"Yeah, yeah," she interrupted playfully. "Now get up, freshen up, and show me this big surprise your Dadi sent me for."

That caught his attention. He snapped to attention-literally.

"Oh yes! The surprise-just give me five minutes! I'll be back in flash speed!"
He practically leapt off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom before she could tease him more.

Dua shook her head, still smiling, the warmth of old memories dancing quietly in her eyes.
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That' all for today
Thank you for reading.