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Epigraph

"And if happiness should surprise you again,
do not mention its previous betrayal.
Enter into the happiness, and burst."
— Mahmoud Darwish.

Dedication

To nihari, without whose presence fathoming a character like Barekhna was impossible.
She is so that Barekhna is.

To everyone else whose helped me reach the point I am at right now. In their own way, each of them has shaped me as a writer so this is for you.

To everyone who wants to take fate in their hands.