"Ahad! Do not sneak out!" I've got work to do but since I stayed here last night, my mother will obviously feed me in the morning. Apparently, a good and heavy breakfast is the only way to start the day, specially for someone who works as much as me– that's what my mother believes, not me.

"Mama, I'll grab something on the way. I have to get going now, I'm getting late." I know she won't agree but it's worth a shot.

"That 'something' would be a cup of coffee or, at most, a sandwich. You won't survive like that, you've gotten skinny too." She complained as she got up on her toes to squish my cheeks. Yeah, she' short whereas I'm much taller, inheriting my height from my father.

"And you're not going anywhere today. Your father and I have to talk to you and it's very important–" Before I could say something, she hushed me with, "–much more important than any clients you have to deal with today. The hotels won't shut down if you don't go in for one day, Ahad."

Deciding that the chances of me winning the argument were in negative figures, I let her drag me to the breakfast table where my youngest sister, Rumaisa, was drinking tea while using her phone.

"Rumi! Phone down! How many times have I told you to keep your phone aside whenever you're eating?" She instantly put her phone down and continued eating her paratha. Mama went into the kitchen and came out with an omelette, sitting prettily on a plate with mint and diced tomatoes.

*paratha: flatbread.

"You decorated the omelette?" My brow lifted as I looked down at the omelette in front of me.

"It's 'garnished' Ahad, not decorated and yes I did because you're rarely here anymore and I will take every chance to feed you good and healthy food whenever you are here." She had a sad frown on her face as she sat down next to me.

"Mama, I shifted two weeks ago only and I've told you any of you can come over to my house whenever you want. It's only a five-minute drive away." I kissed her on the top of her forehead and started eating.

"Ahad, you know she'll always be dramatic about it." My dad said as he came down the stairs and joined us for breakfast. Rumi passed him the bowl of scrambled eggs and poured tea in all of our cups before eating again. As soon as I sipped the tea, I knew my mom had made it. No one makes tea like her.

"I'm not being dramatic, Iftikhar. After Zoha, Rumaisa will get married and now Ahad has moved out too. All of my children will be away from me and I'm just getting used to the absence of Ahad around now." She looked like she could cry so I quickly jumped in the conversation.

"Yes, Mr. Iftikhar, don't bug my mama like that." I playfully glared at him and he laughed along with mama.

"Okay, so I believe your mother has convinced you to stay home today? We need to talk about something important."

"What is this 'something important' that everyone knows about except me? I'm sure even Rumi knows what's going on." I threw my hands up in exasperation.

"Yep, I know bhai." Rumi teased me.

"Ahad, you need to get married now. No more excuses." Mama said in a tone that left no room for discussion or argument.

"Not this again, I don't want to get married. At least not now."

"Then when will you get married? You're turning 29 this year and we have found a girl for you too. Your father has given his word, I know you will like her. They're even coming over for dinner in two days." Desperation was written all over her face and I felt guilty for putting her in such a position.

"You did all this without asking me?" My tone wasn't harsh or accusatory, just disappointed.

"We had to, you wouldn't agree and you must get married now. Even Rumaisa is of age now, when will you get married?" I put my arm around her shoulder and rubbed it gently. I couldn't bear seeing her downcast eyes. Desperate times ask for desperate measures.

"They're coming over Saturday, right? I'll be here in the morning. If you think the girl is right for me, then I'll marry her." I could practically see everyone's face light up and my mom hugged me tight enough to squeeze the life out of me and I happily hugged her back. I'll do anything for her, anything.

"Zoha will come over on Saturday too with Sameer. Oh, I'm so happy, you have no idea Ahad!" Mama squealed excitedly and hugged me again and dad laughed at her cuteness.

"Tell her that she doesn't have to come if it's too much trouble." Zoha, my younger sister, was wed off nearly one year ago and was expecting her first child now.

"She knows that, don't worry. You should focus on your own wedding now." Dad suggested with a teasing smile.

"Yes, yes. Now can I go to work because I believe your important talk is done now?" Sarcasm was dripping from my voice yet my face held a grin.

"Go, Allah hafiz!" My mom called out after me and so did the others and I returned the greeting before walking out the door and getting into my car. I had been smiling the entire time after my marriage had been decided, not because I was happy about getting married but because I had given irreplaceable joy to my family by agreeing.

I stopped my own place which was a 3-bedroom villa with a garden about half the size of the actual house. I had a maid that worked here because I couldn't cook or clean for the life of me, not like I would have the time to do so anyway.

I unlocked the door and greeted the maid before running up the stairs and into my study to look for the one file I needed today. My study was probably the messiest room of the house since no one was allowed to come in and clean. I was afraid that if anyone, other than I, cleaned this room, I would never find anything here.

During my search, my phone rang and I fetched it out of my pocket. The caller ID– Zoha, instantly made me smile again.

"Bhai! I heard you finally agreed to get married! I couldn't even contain my excitement, I just had to call you!" She was a 26-year-old married woman now but still acted like my 11-year-old sister from fifteen years ago. I chuckled at her excitement.

"Yes, I did, Zoha. You should've seen how happy everyone got."

"Knowing you bhai, you ran out as soon as the talk was done. Probably didn't even ask the name of the girl you're marrying." She scoffed and I realized she was right. I didn't even bother asking anything about my possibly future wife.

"You know me too well. Knowing you, you must know everything about her, right?" I teased her back with her own words.

"Absolutely right! I know everything about my bhabhi-to-be. Her name is Nawal Arshad and she's the daughter of dad's old friend, Arshad uncle. The one he always talks about. I think we've met him before too but none of us have met his family. Anyway, she is so pretty! I've seen the pictures mama sent and I can confirm that you will fall in love with her at first sight. I can't wait to meet her on Saturday. I'm so excited!" I heard her ramble with a fond smile on my face then replied to her.

"I'm sure she's pretty, how are you and Sameer bhai?" Sameer bhai was younger than me in relation but older in age so I decided to call him bhai despite his countless protests.

"Both of us are fine, bhai. How are you?"

"I'm fine too, you're happy right?" Sameer bhai was a very nice man and we were all satisfied with their marriage but as an older brother to two sisters, I couldn't help but be concerned for their well-being.

"Yes, bhai. I'm very happy. You worry too much about us. You should think about yourself too now, and soon you'll have another person to think and care about." I swear this girl was more excited about my marriage than I was.

"Okay, Zoha, I have to go now. We'll meet on Saturday?"

"Insha Allah, bhai. Allah hafiz."

"Allah hafiz."

Looks like I'm going through with this marriage after all.

–

(A.N): Please leave your feedback in the comments <3