New Life : A Second Chance

The house was in a flurry of activity.

There was going to be a playdate at the house.

Sofiya was not too pressured as it wasn't unknown families coming over, but the very own Elite Five.

Everything truly felt like a dream.

It was as if it was just yesterday that she, Sofiya, had been on a journey to discover herself.

Now, she was the wife of the man she loved with all her heart, and she was blessed with good in-laws and a beautiful son.

"Mama," came a soft voice behind her.

"Yes, Ziauddin?" Sofiya answered, turning with a smile on her face.

Her son was a carbon copy of Ali, with his dark hair and dark eyes, thick eyebrows that were lush and curved. His skin was fairer than Ali's, but not as fair as Sofiya so he looked like he had a slight tan. 

He had got his father's eyes, which were so expressive and beautiful that it took your breath away. Ziauddin, Sofiya was convinced, would grow up to break many girls' hearts. 

At the tender age of four, Ziauddin's personality could already be discerned. He wasn't as serious as his father, and he was rather expressive and sociable. People just gravitated towards him for this. 

He was a happy, confident child. This could be due to the fact that he was well protected and loved in the family, having mixed with the Elite Five children since birth.

Thus, unlike Ali, Ziauddin had been exposed to various cultures and children, being children, were never discriminatory. They learn from their parents and their surroundings. Right now, Sofiya wasn't even worried when her son went to school, for he would have the other three around him.

Just like the Elite Five, her son enjoyed the close bond of the other children: Alex, Rory, and Fleur. Xing Han had jokingly called them the Fantastic Four and somehow, the name stuck. 

They were FF for short, though. 

Sofiya hoped they, too, would stand the test of time and be as close as friends as the Elite Five are.

"What time is it? Are they arriving soon?" he asked, looking up at her with his wide sparkling eyes. 

"Soon, my Tifl, soon," Sofiya said, calling her child 'baby' in Ali's language. 

Although Sofiya never quite mastered Ali's native tongue, she was proficient enough to be able to understand the words. She was just unable to actually pronounce it properly and had caused numerous misunderstandings because of it.

In the end, she didn't speak it but continued to study it in order not to be left out during family conversations. Her son, however, had no such problems since he was taught the language from young.

In fact, the other FFs also learned from him and it was a sight to behold to hear them speaking in his language just to practice whenever they came by. Truly a remarkable bond indeed.

Ziauddin sighed loudly and pursed his lips. 

Yet, he didn't say a word of complaint and walked back out. Sofiya smiled seeing that.

Though it was called a playdate, it wasn't truly one.

The intention was to get the kids together and play, but the adults usually didn't leave either. It would probably be more accurate to call it just a social gathering but they were there for the kids, and the adults were just an 'added benefit'.

Just then, she heard her son shout out in excitement.

The first one must have arrived already.

Wiping her hands, Sofiya went out of the kitchen and headed to the front door. Ali came down the stairs at that moment, too, and he quickly stood beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.

"Figures, it's Kyle first," Sofiya said.

"With Rory being hyper, I am sure she pushed them quite fast to come," Ali said with a laugh.

Rory was especially close to their son, probably because she was utterly fascinated by the whole different culture they had. The first time she had come to the house, she was starstruck by all the decorations.

She made Ziauddin show her around and tell her everything. The poor boy didn't know either so he made a mess of things but soon, because of that, he did learn. Just so that he could tell her all about it.

Having such a rapt audience also warmed Ziauddin's heart and he would make even more effort to please her.

They watched as Rory came running out excitedly, waving her hands as she shouted, "Ziad! Ziad!" 

Ziad smiled widely but he didn't run like her. Instead, he positioned himself well before Rory launched herself onto him.

"She glomps Ziad like how Xing Han glomped Kyle before," Ali said in amusement.

"He learned pretty quickly to just stand still. The first time she did it, they fell tumbling to the ground," Sofiya said.

"Yes, which is why he started taking his martial arts training very seriously since then," Ali mused.

"She's a good influence on him," Sofiya said.

"Yes, but they'll have to learn they can't be so touchy-feely once they reach puberty," Ali said.

"Let them be for now," Sofiya admonished him, "It's still fine because they're still young. Just teach him and guide him. Rory, too, so that she doesn't misunderstand later on."

Ali nodded.

"But it's not just Rory that needs guidance," Ali said softly, looking in front of him.

"What do you mean?" Sofiya asked, puzzled.

Ali jerked his head towards Kyle and Alex. Sofiya saw that Alex seemed to be saying something to Kyle, who was not looking pleased. Still, Kyle didn't say or do anything, but simply ignored him and walked away.

Seeing Sofiya and Ali at the door, Kyle grinned and said, "I bring my spawns for you."

"Sayuri not around?" Sofiya asked, craning her head to look.

Kyle shook his head, "This time, I'm just dropping them off. She's not feeling too good so she's resting at home."

"Is that why Alex is looking rather grumpy?" Ali asked.

Kyle rolled his eyes, "Alex just being Alex. He thinks I didn't take care of his mother well enough, and that is why she's sick. She's not sick, though. Just tired."

"She is due to pop at any moment," Sofiya said in understanding.

"Yeah, even though it's not twins this time, seems our daughter is rather big," Kyle said with a grin.

Alex came by then, saying some polite greetings to Sofiya and Ali, ignoring Kyle and heading towards Rory and Ziad, the latter being utterly attentive to Rory's chatterings.

Ali frowned at that.

Kyle didn't look perturbed at all and said, "Well, I'm off. Without me around, that sourpuss won't spoil the playdate."

"Sure, leave him to me," Ali said.

Kyle was about to leave when he heard Ali's words. He turned, raised his eyebrows and said, "If you can get through that kid's head, I'll be eternally grateful."

Ali smiled, "In sha Allah."

Kyle nodded.

"Rory! Alex! I'm leaving now. Be good, ya hear?" Kyle shouted to the kids.

Rory ran to Kyle, raised her hands up for a lift. Kyle did so and she gave him several kisses on the face and said, "Bye-bye Daddy. Take care of Mummy for me."

"I will, my Princess," Kyle replied, returning the kisses to her. She giggled, and after being put down, ran back to Ziad.

As Kyle entered the car, he prayed Ali to be successful in talking to Alex. At the very least, understand where the animosity seemed to come from. It wasn't as if Kyle hadn't tried, but Alex was just too prickly.

Both hard and soft approaches didn't work. Kyle sighed. If this fails, then seeing a psychiatrist would be the next step. 

This situation just couldn't go on.