The house still buzzed with faint laughter and the warm hum of a family moment. Akashi leaned against the kitchen counter, his arms folded as he watched Irah, he could not help but grin at the kids nervousness. He nervously sip from his glass. Khadija was busy teasing him mercilessly."So, Irah, Khadija grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Was this your first time seeing a princess turn into a prom queen?"Irah laughed nervously, his gaze darting to Amira, who was busy brushing cookie crumbs off Khadija's sweater "I guess you could say that. Your sister looks breath taking""Guess? Khadija teased, leaning forward dramatically. Admit it! You were totally mesmerized. I saw you staring at her like she was a shooting star! You almost drolled"Alright, Dija, that's enough," Amira interjected, her cheeks blooming red."She's just saying what we're all thinking, Akashi chimed in, his usual protective demeanor softening for a moment. You looked great tonight, Amira." he complimented her

Climbing the stairs, Akashi hesitated at the entrance of the library. A knot tightened in his stomach, a familiar reaction to his father's unpredictable mood. He stood motionless in the hallway, attempting to compose himself. Taking a deep breath, he knocked firmly on the door. The sound echoed through the silent corridor, met only by more silence. Undeterred, he knocked again, and then again.His shoulders sagged as he turned to leave, the weight of anticipation heavy on him."Who the hell is that?!" Hakimi's voice thundered from within, with irritation."Dinner is served. Or was served hours ago" He called out, his voice tinged with nervousness."Fine!" The dismissal came swiftly, leaving Akashi with a mixture of relief and apprehension. What the hell was going on with his father. He came home so angry, only to yell at Amira for a minor stuff and ignore Dija when she ealled out to him to read her a bedtime story. He was certain Dija won't let him get away tomorrow. And now he had re

The feminine voice quivered with an intensity that hung in the air, leaving everyone suspended. The sudden confession from the lady left everyone in the hall stunned. All waiting for their boss's reactionRiqqo's gaze shifted, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto the lady's tear-streaked face. "You?" Tariq's voice, usually commanding, wavered with a mix of disbelief and anger. His eyes bore into her own, searching for answers. Why, Amra?" Tariq's voice softened, a mixture of bewilderment and hurt. Hurt from the fact that he was betrayed by a woman yet again. The first woman he trusted left him because they could not have a child. She ended up calling him sterile and was constantly cheating on him. He found out, and the moment he wanted getting revenge on her, she fled. Leaving him depressed for days. And now he was in trouble because of a woman he met three days ago, and barely knows nothing about."I couldn't bear it. I couldn't watch them suffer anymore." Her voice, soft and brok

The family finished their meal with content smiles, their plates wiped clean. Hakimi gathered the dishes, his sleeves rolled up, a small streak of flour still smeared on his wrist. "Alright, let's get moving. We're opening the restaurant today!" he announced, a blend of excitement and determination in his voice.They piled into Hakimi's van, a secondhand vehicle with a slight creak when it hit a bump. The morning air was crisp and filled with the soft hum of the waking city. Amira rolled the window down, letting the gentle breeze dance through her hair as the van rumbled down the narrow streets. Khadija, still drowsy, leaned her small head against Akashi's shoulder, clutching her favorite blanket tightly. Recently, it had annoyed Amira how Khadija was getting fond of the blanket. Up to the point that she carried it to church. Much to the amusement of Hakimi, but Akashi who dotes on her won't let anyone bully her, or take her blanket away. On the grounds that it was their late mom who

The ride home was steeped in silence, the weight of the day's events pressing down on them like a heavy cloud. The glow of streetlights bathed their faces intermittently as Akashi drove, his hands gripping the steering wheel with the precision of someone both focused and preoccupied. Hakimi sat in the passenger seat, his head leaning against the window, fatigue evident in every line of his face that he had to beg his son to drive them home. The day had stretched longer than any of them anticipated-just as they had decided to close the restaurant, waves of late-night customers began pouring in, drawn by the aroma of freshly cooked meals. Hakimi couldn't bring himself to turn them away.In the backseat, Khadija had snuggled close to Amira, her small frame wrapped in her sister's protective embrace, fast asleep. Amira, though visibly drained, struggled to keep her eyes open, her head bobbing occasionally as she fought off exhaustion. The quiet hum of the engine and the occasional squeak