The Sabr Untold.

CHAPTER 6.

Chapter 6: Boys meet Vardah. 

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"What strange creatures brothers are!"

-Jane Austen-

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Night fell fast and Safwah could not help but dread it. His nights weren’t exactly calm these days. He had changed into sweats and t-shirt before walking downstairs for dinner. The boys were to meet Vardah Siddique after dinner back at the West Wing Den.

Just the thought of her made Safwah frown. He didn’t hate her but rather had an initial dislike for her. It was probably because she happened to know everything and she never hid that fact.

Vardah looked very much like a biker on the outside and according to Safwah, she was just as cold hearted inside. He didn’t know how his brother kept up with the woman.

“You look like you hate the world.”

“Maybe I do.” Came his instant reply before he bit his teeth. With a small smile he turned to see Zamaairah staring at him with wide eyes. Safwah let out a low chuckle.

“That’s something I should be saying,” she replied with a laugh and he shrugged. The two began walking towards the main house dining room.

“How was your sleep?” he questioned her, glancing over at her. She wore a long dress and hijab. Safwah glanced at her feet to see them clad in socks.

“Good. Been a while I slept like that.” She confessed, her cheeks tinting lightly.

“Ah, did you call Ayisha?” he questioned and Zamaairah’s eyes widened again before she face palmed herself.

“I completely forgot. This is what I was forgetting!”

“It’s okay. Just drop her a message.”

“You don’t know the woman. She will be fuming if I don’t call soon.”

“The time difference, Zama. You have to be considerate of that too.”

“Its okay. She stays up anyway. She began her internship and her cardiology resident is giving her a hard time.”

“Poor child.”

“Who’s a poor child?” the two of them turned to see Amyrah walking towards them from the living room. They were now in the main house.

“Ayisha, my bestfriend from UK.”

“Ah. The doctor?”

“She’s the one.”

“Ah yes. Will she be coming for the anniversary?”

“I did tell her but I have no idea. It depends on her schedule.”

Safwah, Zamaairah and Amyrah entered the dining hall together to be greeted by the entire Zaeef family already there.

“Where are the kids?” Zamaairah immediately asked, looking around. Safwah walked over to Karmaan and Sahl, taking a seat between them.

“They’ve eaten and are now asleep. It’s a rare occasion, let us enjoy it.” Amyrah laughed at the end and Kayan nodded.

Dinner went by quick with conversations all around the table. Kulthum was missing because of her flight delays in Japan. Safwah and Karmaan became engrossed on the topic of international peace treaty which Sahl found very boring, so he opted to talk to Zamaairah instead. He found that the woman can hide a lot of things, very well.

After dinner, the boys helped clean up before bidding the elders goodnight and heading to the west wing for their meeting with Vardah Siddique.

Her arrival is always grand because of two reasons; reason number one being her Stella under armour military boots which had a distinct sound when she walked and reason number two; she would irritate grandmother Zaeef to the point where they’d hear her shouting at Vardah.

Despite all that, she was their chief of security but Safwah knew she had ulterior motives.

“As salaamu alaikum,” Vardah’s voice drifted on the top floor from the stairs. Safwah heaved a sigh. Here it goes.

“Wa alaikum mus salaam.” They replied in unison. Karmaan was almost asleep on the mattress on the floor while Yazdan and Kayan set on the couch at the side. Sahl was in his room and Safwah was seated on the mattress, leaning onto the couch where Yazdan and Kayan were sitting with their laptops.

Vardah smiled at them before taking a seat on the other couch, opposite the boys. Safwah hit Karmaan’s back and this jolted awake the sleeping log of a brother.

“Hi.” He muttered, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

“Hello.” Vardah smiled at him softly. Safwah was taken aback by her expression. Dude no. That’s my younger brother, Vardah!

“So I am summoned. Why?”

“Ah it’s the devils that are summoned.” Safwah muttered and Vardah glared at him before turning to Kayan and Yazdan. She really liked the older brothers, it seemed.

“Where are you with the investigation?” Kayan questioned her and she raised an eyebrow.

“I am yet to get data from Interpol. Why?”

“Zamaairah is here.” Yazdan informed her. At the mention of her name, Vardah threw a sly grin at Safwah. The devil indeed. He rolled his eyes.

“Someone must be happy,” she commented. Kayan sighed, shutting his laptops lid and putting it away.

“Funny,” Safwah muttered before pushing away his hair off his face. Vardah watched him in intrigue. He is so much like Sahl yet so different, she thought.

“I am sorry you had to rush here at this hour,” Yazdan apologized to her and she waved it off.

“I am here every night. Don’t stress it.”

“When are you going back to Canberra?” Kayan questioned her.

“After I solve Safwah’s case, why?” she raised an eyebrow.

“I think its time Safwah moves back home.” All eyes turned to Kayan in shock. Even Karmaan was wide awake at this.

“You mean I can shift to Canberra?” Safwah questioned him and Kayan nodded. Yazdan frowned.

“Bhai, I don’t think-“ Yazdan began but Kayan stopped him.

“I know. But Sahl is going back to work soon too, right?”

“I am going where?” Sahl walked into the room wearing a white tshirt that Safwah was sure was his and black joggers. Vardah’s eyes widened at the sight of the man with wet hair and white t-shirt. Safwah saw this and sighed before flicking his fingers in front of her.

“Eyes here, lady.” He stated and Vardah rolled her eyes before turning to Kayan.

“Are you sure your family will agree to this? I mean Qaidah mah stopped all investigations until he was fine so this is a little extreme.” Vardah’s point was valid too and Safwah knew his parents wouldn’t agree. He really wanted to go back to his place but his family wouldn’t budge.

“I’ll talk to them. Sahl will be with him and most importantly, it will buy us time to break the news to the family.” Yazdan explained and Safwah frowned. Zamaairah will not be there?

“What about Zama?” Safwah questioned and Kayan frowned.

“She stays. You go.” At this, Safwah raised an eyebrow.

“No.” his reply was quick and Kayan frowned. He knew Safwah wouldn’t like this but if Zamaairah and Safwah didn’t have any intimate relationship between them then staying away should be fine.

“Why not?” Kayan questioned.

“Because I cannot leave her here. I promised not to let go and I won’t.” Safwah spoke firmly and Vardah was surprised at his determination. She didn’t expect this from the happy go cheerful man she knew.

Kayan smiled at his brother before exchanging looks with Yazdan who nodded with a laugh.

“What is it?” Karmaan questioned the two older brothers.

“Nothing. Lets leave this topic for now and focus on the upcoming anniversary of mum and abba. Vardah, can you handle the security? We have a lot of guests coming and I really don’t want issues.” Kayan completely diverted the topic and Safwah sighed, leaning back onto Sahl’s legs. He smiled up at his twin who nodded at him reassuringly.

At least I have you with me.

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