He pushed the door opened, revealing his parents on the dinning eating. Making his way towards them, he greeted them with a salam.

"Brother Amir welcome back," his brother Siddiq said pulling the chair for him. Amir sat down while his Mom thrust the food in front of him.

"Eat up," the woman said with a smile. Total silence was maintained as they eat their food only the sound of plate chattering could be heard. When they're done eating, he helps their Mom with washing the plates, he loves helping his mom. When he was a child, he used to wash plates and help his mom with the cooking. Yasmin stared at her son while he works in the kitchen. Her troublemaker son.

Siddiq came behind her. "Brother is doing the dishes again?" he asked Yasmin turned to her other son.

"Yes, why don't you go and help him" she ushered. All the while Amir didn't notice them standing behind him until he felt a pre

Morning came faster than expected. Amir pace around the room continuously waiting for his father to come down as they're leaving together. He's eager to get it done and be free from the nervousness that was killing him. He remembered his mother's words about believing in himself that he'll do well, and it kind of gave him strength.

'Okay, let's do this" he muttered breathing in and out. Just then, his father's footsteps transpire from the stairs.

'Shall we son?" he said. Amir took in a sharp breathe once again before answering.

'Yes, Dad. Mom wish me well" he said to the woman who ambled behind her husband. She places a small kiss to his forehead while saying a prayer to him for Allah's protection.

'May Allah protect you and brings success to you" Amir felt relieved for his Mother's prayers. A sense of braveness shot through him. As long as Allah's protection is with him, he'll be af

A car drove by through the road stopping in front of the building. Zara's bakery was written in bold on top of it. Putting off the engine, she dropped out of the car holding two containers, a smile on her face as she glided towards the entrance.

"Guys, I'm back" she beamed while shaking the container on her hands. The two boys turned to her with a glare.

Her brows squinted in confusion "Why the face?" she queried placing the containers on the long bench.

"Oh, now you're asking us huh? We've been waiting for you for almost half an hour" Amir declared. Zara heaved out a sharp breath.

"I thought it's something serious, there was an accident that's why I couldn't arrive early. But I'm here now what's the big deal. Now let's get back to work"

"Let me go get the brushes" Fawwaz announced disappearing to a room and. came back with three painting brushes.

"Here," he gave each of them a pair.

"We'll start with the upper part since you're not up to our height, you paint the lower part" Amir let out his back facing her but she could sense him smiling. Curling her hands into a fist, she targets his back, whispering to Fawwaz to keep shut. and punch his arms.

"Ouch! what the-" the voice died down in his throat finding both Zara and Fawwaz laughing on top of their lungs.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked rubbing his hands on the area she punches him.

"For calling me short" she stated crossing her arms over her chest, with a slight smirk at the corner of her lips. Amir Slammed his eyes shut and open them again "When did I say that?"

"Few minutes ago" She answered back with a cocky smile.

"I didn't-"

"Oh troublemakers, let's get this done quickly" Fawwaz clapped his hands together. "As you can see we have a lot of things to do and we're not even halfway through"

"Who are you calling troublemaker?" Zara glared at him.

"And who is the person who insists on not hiring a professional to do the work" Amir retorted back.

"If you guys are going to keep on arguing then I'll just take a seat comfortably and wait when you finished we'll then continue"

"Okay let's start" Zara rolled her eyes while readjusting her veil that was almost out of place.

They started the painting which is a mixture of Milk and light purple color. While the kitchen area is painted light brown. Work was going smoothly, silence prevailed while they work until Zara decided to start her troubles by sprinkling the paint on Amir's face.

"Ya Allah Zara, can't you stay in peace without looking for trouble" he muttered through gritted teeth.

"Why will I, when I can't stay in one place without looking for trouble especially to my single cousins. One who is hiding his girlfriend from me and the other who said he's not interested in girlfriends" she flung her arms in an explaining manner. Both Fawwaz and Amir stared at her without saying anything. Amir faces in some kind of unreadable expression while Fawwaz's face was blank.

"Why are you both looking at me like that?" she asked her eyes darting to both of them.

"That's because we don't know what to say to you. It seems like you're really interested in knowing the girl in my heart right?" Amir throws, a smirk appearing on his lips.

"Exactly, You're curious to know the reason why I'm not interested in having a girlfriend" Fawwaz added. Both the men's folded their arms across their chest staring at her with a smirk on their faces.

"Me?...I'm just..." she stuttered finding the right word to say. For the first time in a while, she was speechless around them. And the fact that they're waiting for her to answer their question kind of made nervousness crept into her. Not knowing what to do, she splashed the paint on their shirt and ran off.

"Zara!" They both shouted together running after her with their containers of paints. A few minutes later, the whole place was turned upside down with paint everywhere and it still didn't make them stop, until they heard a loud sound, which made them stopped dead on their tracks, seeing Their parents standing few miles away from them with a displeasing look.

"Mom, Dad"

"Is this what you call work?" Zara's father started, his eyes flitting across the now untidy place.

"I can't even imagine what will happen, if we keep you in the house, maybe in just two days the house will burn down by itself because of your troubles," Jawad said sarcastically. "And you Fawwaz, I thought you're more matured than them that you will stop them but I think you three are all troublemakers" Fawwaz glanced at Zara through his shoulder with a 'You caused it all' Zara shrugged not caring a bit.

"I know Zara is the main masterpiece behind it" Her mom started. Zara pouted turning her face to the other side.

"Yes she started it, by splashing paint on Our bodies" Amir answered giving her a dirty look which she did the exact.

"You see we're not done talking and the two have started already " Myrah stated moving away from the table, so as not to get the paint onto her clothes.

"Exactly, Now I'm giving you fifteen minutes to tidy up the place" Jawad deadpan.

"Right away" Zara answered with a bow and the two glared at her.

**

After serving their punishment, they drove back home. Amir went home while she went together with Myrah since she's staying at her house. The drive to the house was in silence. Zara has been sulking continuously as her own punishment was far more difficult than theirs. Her father made her tidy even the places that are clean already.

The moment they entered the house, Zara slouched herself on the couch, letting out a sigh.

"Today was hectic" she mumbled.

"Suit you well" Fawwaz answered while making his way upstairs. She resists the urge to roll her eyes, he's suppose to sympathize with her instead he's doing the opposite.

"Make sure you take a hot shower, You know you might need it if you don't want to go to work with an arching body" Zara sarcastically uttered making Fawwaz stop on his tracks.

"Oops, did I press the wrong button?" she said with a fake surprise look. Fawwaz turned, trekking to her direction standing in front with enough distance between them.

"I think you're the one who needs it, I can see how your foot is all swelled up already," he said, a smile dangled at the corner of his lips. Zara's head snapped to her toes. He's right, she needed a massage, a good one at it. But she's not going to accept defeat yet.

"My dear cousin, I'm a strong woman this is nothing to me" she proudly said.

"Oh really? Then we shall see between me and you, who will suffer. See you later troublemaker" without waiting for her answer, he sprinted up not before winking at her.


He pushed the door opened, revealing his parents on the dinning eating. Making his way towards them, he greeted them with a salam.

"Brother Amir welcome back," his brother Siddiq said pulling the chair for him. Amir sat down while his Mom thrust the food in front of him.

"Eat up," the woman said with a smile. Total silence was maintained as they eat their food only the sound of plate chattering could be heard. When they're done eating, he helps their Mom with washing the plates, he loves helping his mom. When he was a child, he used to wash plates and help his mom with the cooking. Yasmin stared at her son while he works in the kitchen. Her troublemaker son.

Siddiq came behind her. "Brother is doing the dishes again?" he asked Yasmin turned to her other son.

"Yes, why don't you go and help him" she ushered. All the while Amir didn't notice them standing behind him until he felt a presence by his side.

"Brother let me help you" Siddiq started, taking the bowl that was already halfw

Chapter Six