Chapter 1 Chapter One.

Before you begin with this story, I'd like to inform in beforehand that the story is set in Asia, India. And the characters will follow Islamic culture.So few religious stuffs will be talked in between, that's the part of the characters lifestyle. Cousin marriage is allowed in Islam. But please don't let that stop you from reading this book. This will be worth your time, I hope. Happy reading!

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The sound of her anklets echoed in the whole living room as Sara Hussein got ready for her office in a hurry. She was running late and she has already had three late in a row. If she's late today, then it will turn into her fourth late. Her boss might actually fire her if she's late today.

He's one handsome yet stupid, arrogant jerk. And Sara hated his attitude. Just because he had money, he wanted his employees to work as a slave to him. And that was an unacceptable behavior. Sara has already given her resignation notice and she'd resign in two weeks, thankfully. She has joined that stupid pathetic excuse of a company only for the sake of experience. After resigning from this job, she wanted to join into her dream company in Hyderabad. But, like every other parent, her parents also had few plans for her. Which included getting Sara married to someone nice.

“Mom, I'm getting late. Allah Hafiz." Sara told in a hurry and grabbed her hand bag.

"But Sara, eat your breakfast." her mother Aaliyah told in her motherly concerned voice from inside her bedroom.

"No mom, I'm so late already. I'll eat in the canteen. Promise." Sara goes to her bedroom in a hurry, kissed her mother's cheek and rushed out of the main door only to get hit by a huge wall.

A wall? Who has built a wall in front of my door? And why didn't they inform me about this? Sara thought with annoyance as she looks up at the wall to get a clear picture but her eyes widened in shock realizing it wasn't any wall. But a human being and that too ASHER FREAKING AHMED KHAN.

"You?" she asks him in bewilderment. He came to visit them after six freaking years, of course she's surprised. In better words shocked.

"Assalaamu Alaikum?" Asher greeted Sara talking her by surprise.

"Walaikum Assalam." Sara replied him still in shock.

"Won't you invite me inside?" Asher asked her in a teasing tone making her cheek turn pinkish.

"Oh, I'm sorry, come inside." Sara welcomed him inside shyly.

"Nice home," Asher commented looking at the cozy interior designs.

"Thanks, do you want anything? Like tea or coffee?" Sara asked him for the good manners sake to which he shrugs.

"No thanks, we just had a coffee half an hour before." Asher informed making her wonder who are the 'we' now? While he casually took a seat on the sofa like it was his own house.

"Sara dear, you haven't left yet?" Aaliyah who came out of her bedroom asked her daughter but gasped in surprise seeing the person who was sitting in her living room.

"Assalamualaikum auntie." Asher greeted her.

"Walaikumssalam Son," Aaliyah replied in shock.

Sara's Grandmother, Kadhija Hussein has a elder sister Humaira Ahmed Khan and Asher is her first grandchild. That's how Sara and him were related. Her father and his father are kind of brothers. They were a happy joint family once upon a time and now everything is ruined.

Hence why, Asher Ahmed khan's sudden visit took the Husseins' by bewilderment.

"How's grandma?" Sara asked him to which he replied with a smile," she's fine. In fact, she has come here too."

"My family will be here any minute." Asher informed making the both Hussein' even more confused.

Why'd they visit here all of a sudden after six long years? Weren't they the same family who literally accused her father of something so cheap? How can they come here so casually as if nothing was wrong? Sara fumed in anger from inside but Asher was no fool. He clearly understood the Husseins' shock and surprise to see him here at their house. He didn't come here willingly though. Only because his grandma has insisted, his is visiting them.

"Where is uncle?" Asher asked to which Sara replied, " he's in the office."

Asher simply nodded his head at that. And the next second the khan family were standing out of their door, waiting for someone to invite them in, both Sara and Aaliyah has had enough shock already. They didn't know what to speak or how to speak. But Aaliyah being the wise woman, composes herself and smiled looking at them.

"Assalamualaikum everyone, come inside." she welcomed them into her home, warmly.

They all had a guilty look upon their faces except for one person, seeing the kind welcome of Aaliyah even after they've literally kicked out the Husseins' family from their home.

"Walaikum Assalam," they replied back nevertheless and stepped into their home trying to hide their guilt.

Mariyam Ahmed Khan, the mother of Asher looked at the Hussein household skeptically. It was not as big as their household but comparatively small and cozy, which is quiet enough for the three of the Husseins'.

The khans' took their seats, while Aaliyah signals Sara to get them something to drink and eat for the guests.

Sara being the obedient daughter which she was, agreed immediately and goes into the kitchen.

She's curious to find out the reason of their sudden visit. After making tea, she brought the tray to the living room and served it to her uncle, Hassan Ahmed Khan first. And then to her auntie, Mariyam Khan. Then to her favorite grandma, Humaira. And last to Asher.

The khans look at Sara in an adorning way and Humaira was the first one to break the awkward silence between them, "Masha Allah, my Sara, you've grown up so beautifully."

"Thank you, grandma." Sara replied shyly.

"The tea is very nice, dear." Hassan commented which made Sara smile.

While Aaliyah smiled at her daughter proudly.

"Why are you both standing? Sit down." Humaira told in her sweet voice.

"Oh no, it's okay. We're fine like this" Aaliyah denied.

"I think they don't have a chair to sit, the sofas are occupied by us you see." Mariyam said in her taunting tone making Sara clench her fist in anger. While Aaliyah turns pink in embarrassment. It was true though.

Hassan shot his wife a glare making her shrug while Humaira shook her head in disbelief. Asher sat there silently, watching the drama. He knew his mother too well and he'd prefer staying out of her drama.

"Auntie, if you're forgetting this is our house. Not yours, so learn to give respect." Sara told bluntly taking everyone by surprise, including her mother.

"Sara," her mother hisses at her. But she did not bother to get scared or whatsoever.

"If you're here to disrespect us, then you can all leave..." Sara told to the khans' rudely.

Aaliyah may be kind enough to forget everything and welcome them inside her home but Sara is Sara, she's like a mirror. She'll just reflect you your own behavior.

Asher looks at the girl in disbelief, the nerve of this woman to speak with his mother like that, how dare she?

Mariyam was speechless with the attitude of Sara. While Hassan understood her emotions, so he tried to act normal.

"Forgive her. We actually had a reason to visit like this unannounced. We're here to invite you all to our house. Our Asher is getting married in a month." Hassan informed the both Husseins' happily.

Aaliyah had a smile on her face listening to this news, while Sara felt like something so precious from her has been snatched. The only difference is the thing was never hers to begin with.

The only guy who Sara has ever liked is getting married, oh joy!