Hey guys, so here's the first chapter. Let me tell in the comments how you like it. Do vote comment and share. Support this story too as you showed love on my previous novel....
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Author's POV (Edited)
The Mir Haveli!! It was one of the most magnificent and humongous mansion in the whole Karachi. It was well furnished and given a touch of ancient times in the remembrance of their ancestors. The whole Haveli screamed power. A lavish and huge garden with flowers of all types. A garden with many lanes of trees that bear sweet fruits. The backyard was stuffed with organic vegetables. The entrance way was decorated by golden lights and huge lion statues were guarding the entrance from the evil forces.
The interior was even more spectacular. The beige and dark brown combination gave a serene touch of their peace. A huge table was set with atleast 12 chairs surrounding it. The cotton off white cloth was perfectly placed on the table. The crockery was spick and span and it was void of any grease. The whole Haveli was silence but the kitchen was the very opposite. It seems like a mela was going on there.
Maids were hurdling from here and there. The head maid was barking orders at them. Everything should be in perfect shape. Not a single imperfection should be neglected. The mouth watering smell of the Desi nashta wafted in the whole area giving the people in the mansion a taste worth try.
The maids took the plates and dishes on the table and set them. The whole table was decorated with series of food. From halva puri, to parathas, to pancakes, to french toasts. Everything was present. There were coffee, tea and juices surrounded the dishes. It was a whole breakfast meal. The maids rubbed their foreheads and inspected the table to fill anything that lacks.
They don't want to listen the morning scolding form Choti Begum. She is always in a mood especially in the morning. No one wants to mess with her anytime but mornings were specific. The head maid examined the table and stated releasing a breath of relief
"Everything is in perfect shape. Now go and clean the kitchen."
The maid nodded and scurried away. The head maid sighed and make her way upstairs. She climbed the marble staircase and stood infront of a room. The door was closed but faint whispering could be hear from inside. The head maid knocked the door before entering inside. There she was, Shehnaz Begum!
The owner and the elder of the house. Shehnaz Begum is the head of the Haveli. Losing her husband few years back, she has taken over the whole Haveli. She managed everything and with a heart of gold, she is loved by everyone. Well, that's what they all show. No one knows the insides of a person. Only the Almighty knows. The head maid smiled seeing the Bari Begum reciting the Holy Quran early and first thing in the morning.
The beautiful and soothing words were nourishing the air inside room. The maid dare not to interfere her and kept quite until the Bari Begum finished her recitation. Shehnaz Begum placed the Quran on the rack and undid her scarf. Shehnaz Begum wore her brown khaddar chadar and turned to the head maid. The head maid greeted her firstly
"Asalamualikum, bari Begum."
Begum smiled and repeated
"Waliakum asalam, zubeda. Kia huva?"
Translation:(What happened?)
The head maid stated
"Nashte ki table tayyar ha. Ap ajayen."
Translation:(Breakfast table is ready. You should come down.)
Shehnaz Begum sighed and then asked
"Is everyone present?"
At that question, the head maid was silent. Shehnaz understood what the silence means but still waited for the maid to answer. Maybe this time it would be the opposite. The head maid smiled in sadness and muttered
"No, everyone is still sleeping. I dare not to disturb them."
A look of displeased formed on Shehnaz's face and she shook her head. She didn't like it at all. She doesn't understand why the family doesn't like to eat together. They always find ways to make their way out. Her family is not an ordinary family. Being the most rich doesn't mean that they are a one happy family where everyone are ready to kill anyone if someone dare to hurt their loved ones.
Her family was messed up. Almost everyone is in quarrel with each other. The daily taunts and mockery is common in their house. Shehnaz Begum may not say anything but she doesn't like it even a tad bit.
She wants her family to stick together. She wants them to understand that they are they're only support in the rainy days. No other person will help them. But maybe they don't understand it. The head maid was still waiting for an order from the Bari Begum. Shehnaz sighed and stated
"Call everyone, downstairs. Today, we all will eat together no matter what."
The maid's eyes widened. It isn't right. She is not ready to handle the morning drama in the haveli. Let just say things can get pretty bad when the whole family come together. A world war can also commence, who knows!! The maid nodded and said in respect
"G bilkul, Bari Begum."
She was about to leave when Shehnaz's voice stopped her. She again turned to her and asked
"Khuch chahiye apko?"
Translation:(Do you need anything?)
Shehnaz stated sternly
"Let no one make an excuse. Tell them it's my order and they have to abide by it."
The hardness and authority in her voice made the maid shudder. An angry Shehnaz is a woman no one wants to mess with. The maid nodded and stated
"Jo ap kehen, begum sahiba."
Translation:(as you say, madam)
The maid exited the room and closed the door on her way back. Shehnaz sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. She glanced at the photograph of her dead husband, Dawood Mir. He was the strongest man she ever met. He was powerful, dominant and ambitious. He ruled the business world.
She took ahold of his photograph and traced her hand on the frame. In that photograph, he was smiling from ear to ear. He was really happy that day. A tear fell from her eyes on the frame and she instantly wiped her tears.
No, she can't be weak. He made her promise that she will not be weak after his demise. She cannot break her promise. She put the frame back and stood up. She adjusted her shawl on her both shoulders and exited the room for the dining table....
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Shah Zain's POV
I stretched my arms and stifled a yawn. I turned towards my left and check the table clock. It's currently 10 in the morning. Oh dang!! I overslept. I sat up on the bed and ruffled my already messed up hairs. I'm gonna get a good hand scolding today.
Last night I was out till late and came home even late. I was supposed to be awake at 8 but look where am I!! Ahh!!! Why did always happen with me? I groaned and stood up to take a long and refreshing shower. My muscles were aching since I was away from home and had to drive a mile to reach back. My shoulders were begging me for rest so I skipped shower and slept. But right now I was in a desperate need of warm shower.
The water calmed my mind and relaxed my sore muscles. I have a habit of jogging early in the morning. It keeps me fit and refresh. But since I didn't have it today, my mood is gonna be a little moody. I don't like when my routine get disturb whether because of me or someone else. I'm very strict about my habits. You might think that I'm a hypocrite.
First I myself woke up late than cursed on not going for jog and then told you about how strict and punctual I am. Well, I don't care. You can think the whatever about me. It's not like your opinions would matter. That's how I am and I'm not gonna change. I turned off the shower and walked towards my walk in closet. It was perfectly my taste. The closet's tiles were black and white strips adorned it. The closet doors were painted in dark black and light grey in color. It gives a dark yet dominant look.
Ah!, that's my overall personality. I rummaged through my closet hoping to find something presentable to wear from a heap of mess. I rarely pay attention to my closet. It's always in bad shape. Well, you can't judge me. I don't have useless time to sit down and clean my closet. Sometimes I think dado is right. I really need someone to take care of me. She always said that. Her exact could be
"You are in a desperate need of wife. Only she can change your habits."
I don't agree with her. I mean why will I need a wife? If I even had, I would never let her interfere in my personal closet. It's my privacy and only I have the right. I finally took some black pants with dark blue shirt and a black blazer to go with. I styled my hairs and wore my watch. I took my phone from the charging and made my way downstairs hoping no one would notice me. But I was wrong. Really wrong! As I made my way to the dining area, all the heads turned to me.
I hate attentions. It gives me creep. Mama had a 'be ready to face the wrath' look on her face while others were not giving a damn. But as I looked at dado, she gave me a displeased look. Well, I did expected that. I was quite, just staring at her. Mama lightly smacked my elbow causing me to look at her. She motioned me to say something to dado. I nodded my head and stated
"Uh!! Good morning dado."
Her answer came, curt and edgy
"Waliakum asalam, Zain."
I winced at her words. Mama shook her head in amazement. Dado was very religious. She likes to be greeted in our Islamic way. Hey, don't judge me. I'm also religious but not a good Muslim if I say exact. I took a seat adjacent to mama. Dado was sitting on the head chair. Baba was nowhere to be found. Perhaps, he might had left for work. I served myself breakfast and started eating quietly. I kept my focus on my plate. I was about to reach for the orange juice when Zarnish, my cousin passed it to me. She passed me a small smile and I nodded my head at her as an act of thank you. Naeem Chachu and Junaid Chachu stood up as they had finished their meal. They turned to dado and bade their farewells
"We are going to work, now. Ammi."
Dado looked at them and stated
"But first finish your meal. You haven't eaten anything properly."
Junaid Chachu chuckled and said the next words which he might spoke to Dado but I know that they were directed at me
"Ammi, we have alot of work other than sleeping like someone else. We don't want to waste our time. Allah Hafiz."
I sat there clenching my jaw. My mood is ruined officially, now. From my peripheral vision I could see Lubna Chachi and Yusra Chachi whispering. Dado might have noticed it because next they heard her stern voice
"Ye behter hoga k ap dono nashte per dehan den bajaye dosron ki toh mae rehne se."
Translation:(It will be good if you focus on your food rather than other matters)
I snickered and mama slapped me on my thigh under the table. Aaban and Salar were also barely keeping their laugh in control. After my breakfast, I stood up. I kissed mama on her cheek and stated
"I'm off, now."
I was about to leave when dado's voice stopped me
"Where were you the whole night?"
I closed my eyes in irritation. Dado's nature of interfering will never fade. I turned around and answered
"I was somewhere."
At my answer, dado looked even more infuriated and said
"Is that how you'll answer me? Zain, why are you so irresponsible? Can't you see how your elders are working their best but here you are not even trying to do better."
Typical dado talks. She always wants me to handle the family's business but I can't. It's too much of a responsibility which I'm not at all interested in taking. I'm young and being an owner of a CEO would take alot of my time. If I spend all my time burying my nose in the paper work and files than when will I have my fun? I answered dado irritatingly
"Dado, stop please. Don't start your lecture in the morning itself. Rather about chachu then it's their choice to work their neck's off, no one has begged them. It's their own choices."
I heard two gasps from their respective wives. Ha!, I don't care. Lubna Chachi was about to lash out at me but mama handled the situation
"Stop it, Zain. I want you to leave now. Don't create anymore scene."
I nodded and headed out but I heard dado's shrill voice from the back
"We'll talk when you're back. I won't let this matter slide that easily, Shah Zain Mir."
I shook my head and started heading outside when something or rather someone bumped with me causing me to stumble. I groaned hardly and barked at her angrily
"Watch where you're going."
She looked terrified by my outburst. But muttered lowly
"I'm sorry."
She scurried away and I made my way outside. I sat down in my car and started driving. I called my best friend, Hashir and told him
"I'm coming at your house."
I heard his teasing voice from the other end
"Figured! A fight with dado dearest."
I hummed in response and killed the phone. Well, Viola! What a great start to my morning!!!
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Huhh! That's done for today. I did my best in writing an interesting chapter. Of course, it's the beginning many more dramas awaits. Do tell me your feedback in the comments section. Show your support on this story too as you had shown on my previous one. Do vote comment and share. The next chapter will posted soon.
Till then loads of love
Allah Hafiz
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