Chapter 11: Family Surprises and Fun

The morning light filtered through the curtains as Ali stretched lazily in bed, enjoying the rare luxury of a day without training or business. Today wasn't about preparing for the tournament or the usual underworld chaos—it was a day for family, something he hadn't had the chance to savor in weeks.

The kitchen was already alive with the sound of his mother preparing breakfast. The scent of freshly brewed tea and parathas wafted through the house. Ali smiled as he made his way downstairs, still shaking off the last bit of sleep.

"Good morning, son," his father greeted from the dining table, scrolling through the morning news on his phone. "Looks like you're taking a rare day off."

"Yeah, needed a break." Ali grinned, pulling out a chair next to his dad. "Besides, I promised Mom I'd spend some time at home."

His mother placed a steaming plate of parathas on the table, smiling warmly. "It's nice to have you around for once."

As they sat down to enjoy breakfast, the doorbell rang unexpectedly. Ali's mom wiped her hands and went to answer the door. Seconds later, the sound of excited voices filled the hallway.

"Ahmed!" Ali jumped up, rushing to the door where his younger brother stood, beaming from ear to ear, his schoolbag slung over his shoulder.

"Surprise!" Ahmed laughed, dropping his bags and embracing Ali in a tight hug.

"Wait, when did you get back?" Ali asked, surprised.

"Just now! Wanted to surprise everyone!" Ahmed replied, grinning.

The whole family gathered around, bombarding Ahmed with questions about his time at boarding school. His sudden appearance brought a burst of energy to the house, and soon, the mood shifted into one of celebration. Ali's mother couldn't stop smiling as she pulled Ahmed in for another hug.

"Welcome home, beta. You should have told us you were coming!" she said, her voice filled with joy.

The day quickly turned into a spontaneous family gathering. By the time the afternoon rolled around, Ali's dad had set up the grill in the backyard, while his mother prepped the ingredients for a barbecue. Ahmed and Ali, energized by the reunion, found themselves in a friendly competition, kicking a soccer ball around the yard while teasing each other.

"Come on, Ahmed! Is this all you've got?" Ali laughed as he blocked another goal attempt from his younger brother.

"You're getting old, Ali!" Ahmed shot back, dribbling past him with ease.

Their playful banter was interrupted by the arrival of Ali's friends. Bilal, Fatima, Zubair, Areeb, and Nida showed up, carrying snacks and drinks, turning the simple family day into an impromptu party. The backyard was soon buzzing with laughter and chatter, the warm sun overhead adding to the relaxed vibe.

Fatima grinned as she watched the brothers battle it out. "Looks like you've got some competition, Ali."

"Yeah, yeah," Ali smirked, breathless from the soccer match. "Ahmed's been practicing at school. But he's not there yet."

As the game ended, everyone gathered around the grill where Ali's father was expertly flipping kebabs and chicken wings. The smell of smoky meat filled the air, making everyone's stomachs rumble. Plates were passed around, and the group settled onto chairs and picnic blankets, enjoying the late afternoon sun while sharing stories.

"You missed a lot of action while you were away, Ahmed," Bilal said, taking a bite of his food. 

"Yeah," Ahmed replied, eyes twinkling.

Ali chuckled, shaking his head.

As the evening settled in, Fatima pulled out a deck of cards, and soon, they were all huddled around playing a casual game, laughing and teasing each other over every win and loss. The atmosphere was light, filled with warmth and laughter. Even Ali's usually reserved father joined in, sharing jokes with the group.

Ahmed, the star of the day, fit right in with Ali's friends, charming them with stories about boarding school life and cracking jokes. The younger sibling seemed to bring even more joy to the gathering, his presence lifting everyone's spirits.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the backyard, Ali leaned back in his chair, looking around at his family and friends. For the first time in what felt like ages, he felt at peace. The weight of the underworld, the upcoming tournament, and all the chaos that came with it faded into the background.

Today, it was just about them—laughing, playing, and enjoying the simple joy of being together. A rare, cherished moment in a life filled with constant battles.

"Hey, Ali," Ahmed nudged his brother, grinning. "Let's not wait so long for the next family day, yeah?"

Ali smiled, ruffling his younger brother's hair. "Deal."