As Ali entered the dining room carrying his breakfast tray, he stopped short.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZFSwP7jig
His father was already there.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRpYOrR1Qh
Two large leather suitcases stood neatly beside the wall.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbvkTHhr3q
A travel coat had been draped over one of them, while a pair of shoes rested near the entrance.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ606PW76EX5
So... he had arrived sometime after midnight.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SqMXq5YSI
Ali smiled faintly to himself. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR02DTGhlZc
Nothing had changed. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wSInDYDaj
Iftikhar Siddiqui had never announced his arrivals. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEjz3HsirF
Nor his departures.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfNmxqCTOI
For as long as Ali could remember, his father would vanish for years into one ambitious overseas project after another, only to return home without warning—as though he had merely stepped out the previous evening.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4WXcaWiZs
Years earlier, his real estate business had expanded across the Gulf. Since then, Port City had become less of a permanent residence and more of a place he returned to once every three or four years.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnaLEX2nMp
Even when he did come back, meetings and site visits across the Republic kept him away for most of the day. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiKjKWGkuQ
He built homes for thousands of families... yet his own family had quietly learned to share him with his work.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7T7Py9aNA
Iftikhar Siddiqui sat at the head of the dining table, calmly sipping tea, his breakfast laid out neatly before him.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP2O2LWzkd
In this bungalow, sounds carried with an intimacy one never found in the luxurious villas and high-rise towers Iftikhar built overseas—the muted clink of utensils from the adjoining kitchen, the distant horns of passing vehicles beyond the boundary wall.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuL8YL4eJv
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, Papa," Ali said, pulling out a chair. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDHSSrVrYY
"I think we're meeting after a very long time."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP87jZ1uts
Iftikhar looked up. "Our working hours—and our lines of work—rarely align," he replied evenly.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6pytX1f7H
"Perhaps that's why."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7pCVPl5tV
This was the man whose company had helped reshape parts of the Gulf skyline—a tycoon whose name carried immense weight in international real estate circles. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGDxICkcAe
Yet here, seated across the breakfast table, he seemed less like an empire builder and more like a weary traveler, quietly searching for the right words to speak to his own son.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnw2tPn7YX
“This cold feels sharper than usual for this city,” Iftikhar remarked, lifting his teacup.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGwgo692hO
“Or perhaps it’s just age catching up with me...”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJxB8ShJTv
A weary smile touched his lips.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG9fQz6NGM
Ali said nothing, eating quietly.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KApN6DvMo
Iftikhar’s sea-green eyes—identical to Ali’s—studied his son with faint concern. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8El1s7JbKw
“You and Amanah are both over thirty now.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzFdfFSlOU
Ali stiffened almost imperceptibly. A subtle crease formed between his brows.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qialGDDhN
“Your mother doesn’t seem worried about your marriages at all,” Iftikhar added.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolnd8dpkLF
Ali spread a thin layer of butter across his toast, his gaze fixed on his plate.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlQWoKOHqo
“I think, Papa, we’re still learning to stand on our own feet.” 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5nDAMePyl
He set the knife down.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpUBiGiPEM
“Mama raised us to live with dignity.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVAPFKH9Sn
“Dignity,” Iftikhar echoed softly.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdQblBULmb
“A good word.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGpkZDpebt
He paused to take a bite of his breakfast.As he chewed, he looked closely at his son—almost a direct mirror image of his own youth.
“And I appreciate that you’ve learned the dignity of work,” Iftikhar continued.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUaPUjSqNY
“But if I’m not mistaken, you’ve already made quite a name for yourself at your firm. How long have you been there now?”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmqsAvUitU
Ali peeled his boiled egg, his demeanor casual.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqskikhbTzf
“Since I completed my degrees.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTdF8xc8j4
“And Amanah?” Iftikhar asked, taking another bite. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMB9oQJ0AK
“As far as I remember, she never asked me for money. Three years back, she was teaching... is she still at that school?”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFa2vc77aO
“Yes,” Ali replied, lifting his cup. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVsFy9JIMc
“She doesn’t like to spend money she hasn’t earned.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfTgE5sflw
Iftikhar exhaled sharply, dropping his knife and fork onto the porcelain plate with a clatter. He leaned forward slightly, his intense sea-green eyes locking onto Ali.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwmdSx1fce
“You are all alike—your mother, your sister, and you.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8p6tACEjA
Ali sprinkled salt and pepper onto his egg, appearing far more invested in his breakfast than in the conversation.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg4CeoAmex
“Hey, boy,” Iftikhar said, tapping the table firmly with his knuckles. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDu4HmnXrp
“I am speaking to you.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqseJVd1MI
Ali slowly lifted his gaze, meeting the identical pair of sea-green eyes opposite him.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zT7DBuGn2
“All the property I accumulated, the business, the houses... sometimes it feels as though none of it matters to any of you.”7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9XbL6ejdE
Ali watched his father’s chest rise and fall with heavy breaths. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAhlwgvyt4
"You devoted yourself entirely to your work, Papa. And we respected that." Ali wetted his lips. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2xLIuz82R
"You rarely had time for us. Your name and reputation should be enough for you. For your children, happiness is work with purpose—not the property a father leaves behind."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZiW1Ckbwd
A deep furrow formed on Iftikhar’s brow. Finding himself momentarily short of words, he turned back to his plate to finish his breakfast.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Hm2DzvU8
Ali glanced at his watch.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZUQ2Uo26h
"I have to leave, Papa." 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPKuQRPJ9R
He wiped his hands, stood up, carefully pushed his chair back, and reached for his car keys hanging by the wall.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKdvPmGHfW
"You're still working at Raza's firm, aren't you?" Iftikhar asked, his voice entirely neutral.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWSFh2iGB7
Ali picked up his breakfast tray and turned toward the kitchen.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9YHqnSJiE
"Yes, Papa. Haideron Tech—Mr. Haider’s firm."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFPPHjtEFA
Iftikhar swirled his teacup lazily, as if the titan's name carried little weight.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejnj2vsHuU
"I saw Raza’s New Year’s reception on the news," he said lightly.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPXpa7xIH1
"He has risen far."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ69bOzG5z
Ali stopped dead in his tracks. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKcGWbadmL
The casual tone struck him like a physical blow. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5scfB3r3Gx
Mr. Haider—the Republic’s ultimate tech icon, a name spoken with absolute reverence—reduced to a mere passing remark.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsrEi87GiF
He placed the tray back on the table and sat down again, forgetting his urgency.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ133RRgJGBi
"In my time," Iftikhar continued, "Raza was just a serious, reserved, studious boy—too decent, too gentle. He spoke very little, always buried in books, yet somehow won the hearts of the neighbors without even trying."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDgDBb39AH
Ali stared at his father, his sense of time evaporating. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0SCuXuTi4
Noting his son's sudden, intense focus, Iftikhar continued, happy to keep Ali at the table a little longer.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTeJEkeICf
"We lived in the exact same neighborhood."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpW49vlZQr
Ali froze.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHwmVYoe2w
"You knew him... personally? I mean... Mr. Haider?"7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpORfG9xUDB
"Yes," Iftikhar said.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtvKNzgRQ1
"You call him Mr. Haider. I call him Raza... and so does your mother."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadWwTHwBE3
"What?" Ali gasped. "Mama too? But she never mentioned it to me!"7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwJ4niIk4Q
Iftikhar, lost in his own train of thought, continued seamlessly. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfvjQ1dnIS
"Raza was Farooq’s brother."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaXCXsaccV
Ali’s eyes narrowed .7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1e9WncEec
"Farooq?"7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBC6G8fL7y
Iftikhar sliced a piece of apple and slid it toward Ali. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQlkom4j2U
His sea-green eyes grew distant, taking a sudden journey down memory lane.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEEwVk5olw
"Farooq... he was a friend once. Too close. Too dear."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksF7lHjYzL
Ali listened without daring to interrupt.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRfoM3LU41
"He was the dreamer," Iftikhar said softly.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xq6OL1QGT
"The rebel."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObTUQRyQSf
Ali nodded slowly, hanging on every word.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN9HIiSK5s
"He became a civil engineer. Imagine... a civil engineer in the early eighties. That was massive back then. He used to say he would build empires."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0ssP3hILm
Iftikhar leaned back, a nostalgic flicker igniting his gaze.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHf38NQ8or
"But to say he was the only dreamer and rebel would be an understatement. We were all rebels back then—all three of us. Farooq, me, and..."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKQ751AL1K
"And?" Ali nudged immediately.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBSLIGAXV1
"Forget it," Iftikhar said, deliberately veering away from the third name.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dtNAGsQUP
The energy of forgotten years was suddenly evident in his posture, his voice, his eyes. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6EdA06Yey
To Ali, his father looked years younger, spirited and alive, wrapped in the vibrant memories of his youth.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF40UQvrYQ
"We were fueled by a confidence that bordered on sheer arrogance," Iftikhar chuckled, his eyes twinkling. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLvjPKhnTR
"For us, charm came easily. And when you’re the sons of high-ranking police officers, you believe the sky is your only limit."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc5Vc9QeeT
A hollow laugh escaped him.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEZp7B8MHC
"But time twists people, Ali. Look at me now."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgASJiRnrRj
He gestured vaguely toward himself.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKoobXQC7Y
Ali remained completely silent.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPzeqcjTK0
His heart pounded against his ribs as his mind desperately stitched his father’s words to what the CEO had claimed just days prior.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUvTZpMYr4
Side by side, the two descriptions stood like utterly conflicting witness statements.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIrcEOSl3C
Mr. Haider had described himself to Omer and him as a carefree, rebellious, restless young man in his youth.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS23DUJM9L
Publicly, Raza Haider had always been portrayed as quiet, studious, and painfully reserved.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk6UUCZkzw
Now, his own father—who had lived in the same neighborhood—was describing Raza in that exact same way: quiet, serious, bookish. 7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvRrUgpPAs
While the reckless, charm-fueled dreamer had been Farooq.
Ali's brow furrowed.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFpqEPGsuN
Only days earlier at the firm, he had wondered whether Mr. Haider was confusing his own memories with someone else's.....or whether he had deliberately revealed a chapter of his past that the world was never meant to see.
But now......his father's account had only deepened the mystery.
Ali lowered his eyes.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ng3xr1uGR
It was a puzzle wrapped inside another puzzle.
A firm rap on the dining table shattered the quiet.
"Boy..."
Iftikhar looked at him with mild amusement.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtaENh8tgt
"Aren't you getting late for work?"
Ali blinked, as though returning from a distant place, and glanced down at his watch.
"Oh..."7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OaO2LfAUa
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Yes, Papa."
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp8eEEDNUm
and then Add to home screen.