Sunday had always been different in Saaniya's house.
Not slower—but quieter in a different way.
It was the one day when the entire family gathered—not just physically, but emotionally too. The morning was reserved for worship, and unlike the chaos of weekdays, there was a certain discipline to it.
Saaniya sat with her family, composed, attentive—but her mind wasn't entirely there.
Something felt… off.
She didn't need to search long for the reason.
Sarah.
After the worship ended, the house slipped back into its usual rhythm. Her mother moved into the kitchen, preparing lunch. Her father switched on the television, settling into a cricket match. Aaron and Mike disappeared into their games.
Saaniya opened her laptop, focusing on her side work. Numbers. Tasks. Deadlines.
Control.
She needed control.
But even as she worked, her eyes drifted toward the staircase.
Finally, she closed her laptop.
She pushed Sarah's door open gently.
The room was dim. Curtains drawn. Air cool.
Sarah lay on the bed, asleep.
Or pretending to be.
Saaniya didn't question it.
She walked in quietly, adjusted the blanket over her, and lowered the air conditioning slightly.
For a moment, she just stood there—looking at her younger sister.
A softness passed through her expression.
"You don't even know the world yet…" she whispered under her breath.
Then she turned and left without making a sound.
Back in her room, she barely had time to sit when Mike burst in.
"Game?" he asked instantly.
Saaniya raised an eyebrow. "Did you even greet me?"
He grinned. "Game?"
Before she could reply, Aaron followed, leaning against the door.
"She's going to lose anyway."
Saaniya scoffed. "Excuse me?"
Within minutes, the room turned into chaos.
Controllers. Shouting. Mock fights.
"Mike! That's cheating!"
"I didn't cheat!"
"You always cheat!" Aaron added.
Saaniya laughed, tossing a cushion at both of them.
"Fine. If I win, I order food. If you win, you still order food—but I choose."
"That's not fair!" Mike protested.
"Life isn't fair," she replied coolly.
An hour later, fast food boxes lay scattered around them.
Music played softly in the background.
For a brief moment—
everything felt normal.
By evening, their aunt arrived.
Saaniya greeted her warmly, hugging her tightly.
"There she is," her aunt smiled. "Still running the world?"
"Trying to," Saaniya replied.
Later, sitting beside her, Saaniya lowered her voice.
"I'm worried about Sarah."
Her aunt turned slightly. "Why?"
"She's different. Quiet. Always on her phone. Late nights… and she doesn't like me asking."
Her aunt sighed gently. "Give her space."
Saaniya shook her head. "Space is fine. Secrets are not."
Across the city, silence existed in a different form.
Usman stared at his phone.
A message typed.
Deleted.
Typed again.
Deleted again.
"Sabuhi…" he whispered, but the word went nowhere.
He leaned back, closing his eyes.
Memories didn't need permission.
They came anyway.
"Sunny!"
The light in his room switched on abruptly.
He opened his eyes to see his sister standing there.
"Why are you sitting in the dark?" she asked.
"Just like that," he replied.
She walked in, crossing her arms. "Dad said you haven't come out all day."
Usman forced a small smile. "I'm fine."
She didn't believe him.
No one ever did.
He stood up and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm fine," he repeated.
She sighed but let it go.
"Come outside. Everyone's here."
As they walked out, she added casually, "I have someone for you to meet."
Usman smirked faintly. "Another one?"
"She's nice," she insisted.
"They're all nice," he replied.
"And yet, you reject all of them."
He didn't answer.
Because the truth was simple—
he wasn't rejecting them.
He just couldn't find her in anyone else.
At another home, Shanaya sat surrounded by relatives.
Voices. Laughter. Noise.
And yet, her attention was elsewhere.
Her phone buzzed.
Again.
And again.
Imran.
She glanced around, then quickly typed under the table.
Busy.
His reply came instantly:
Miss you.
A small smile escaped her.
Hidden.
Careful.
Fragile.
Meanwhile, Daniyal spent his Sunday differently.
Not at home.
Not resting.
But moving from one office to another.
Estate agents.
Apartments.
Deals.
Future.
He stood inside an empty apartment, looking around.
"This one is good," the agent said.
Daniyal nodded absently.
His mind wasn't on the walls.
Or the price.
Or the future being planned for him.
It was somewhere else.
Uninvited.
Unexplained.
Monday morning arrived quietly.
The office felt different without the boys.
The girls' cubicle was alive—but slightly incomplete.
Shehla had already logged in, her voice calm and professional on a call.
Saaniya, Sabuhi, and Shanaya joined one by one.
"Good morning," Saaniya said lightly.
Shehla nodded.
Polite.
Distant.
Saaniya noticed.
But said nothing.
Umair walked past, pausing briefly.
"Morning," he said courteously.
"Morning," Saaniya replied.
There was always something balanced about him—never too close, never distant.
Safe.
The hours passed in work and scattered conversations.
But under the surface—
something had shifted.
Saaniya could feel it.
Not clearly.
But enough.
By evening, the office filled again.
Voices returned.
Energy returned.
And with it—
him.
Daniyal.
He walked in casually, scanning the room.
His eyes found her instantly.
Saaniya looked up and smiled—easy, natural.
"Hi."
As if nothing had ever happened.
And to her—
nothing had.
But to him—
something had.
"Hi," he replied.
"Where is Usman?" she asked immediately.
"He swapped shifts. Night today."
She nodded, thinking something over quietly.
Then turned back to her system.
Daniyal didn't move away.
Instead, he leaned against her cubicle, casually talking to the girls between calls.
Laughing.
Teasing.
Present.
But his attention—
kept returning to Saaniya.
Unintentionally.
Constantly.
"I'm coming in the morning tomorrow," he told her.
Saaniya looked up instantly.
"Good," she said. "I'll reserve your seat."
It was simple.
But it stayed.
Imran walked in moments later.
Straight to Shanaya.
"Hi."
There was something in his hand.
A chocolate.
Shanaya's eyes widened slightly.
"For you," he said.
Saaniya leaned back dramatically.
"Wow. Partiality."
Imran laughed. "I'll bring for you too."
"You better," she shot back.
Daniyal added, "And for me."
"Fine," Imran said. "Next time for everyone."
They laughed.
Even Shehla smiled.
But her eyes—
didn't.
Just then, Aamir walked over.
"If you all are done enjoying," he said sharply, "let others work."
Saaniya didn't even look at him.
She continued typing.
Unbothered.
That always irritated him.
And somehow—
everyone knew it.
The office settled again.
Calls resumed.
Voices softened.
But beneath the routine—
things were no longer the same.
Not for Shehla.
Not for Daniyal.
And not for Saaniya—
even if she hadn't realized it yet.