Salaam guys, so as I promised, my first chapter is dedicated to my first reader.....and she is.....@TubaMullaji, thanks  dear, you motivated me alot,

This amazing cover is made by @ starsandmoons1. So a big applause for her amazing work.
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Life is not always as you expect, actually its never what you expect, at least not for me. My life wasn't very different from the beginning, So here's how it all began

I am Maryam, currently 20 years old and studying Genetics. I used to live in a peaceful family with my Mom, Dad and older brother until something happened, it was a huge disaster for our family. My older brother who joined armed forces got killed during some war. He died as a Martyr. I know this is something to be proud of and blah blah but I can't bear what it had done to my parents, Mom had become a severe patient of anxiety and depression and Dad had lost all his happiness, If he ever smiled in his life after that, then it was only for me.

After that, my parents became super over-protective and conscious about me which I sometimes adored and most of the times hated, but I loved my parents and after what happened to them, I could not see them in any additional pain, I obeyed all their demands, suggestions and requests just to make them feel good.

But I never knew that I would have to sacrifice for them to this extent. Today while I was surfing through the net on my laptop in my room, Mom came in and gracefully sat beside me, I shut the laptop and looked up at her with a smile. She smiled back too  but it never reached her eyes. She could never be happy without Hashir (my brother).

"You've grown so quick" she said patting my cheek. "Hmmmm" I replied rubbing my cheek across her hand. "Well then my grown up girl should start her life now...with someone." she said smiling the same way before. "Mama!!!!" I said pleadingly, I hated this topic.\

"Look Mano, me and your dad were thinking to marry you to someone soon so you could start your life, a happy life....I know you also miss Hashir and nothing can be joyful without him but we gotta let him go, we can't ruin your life too. hmm?" She said with tears in her eyes

"Aaaargh Mom! please don't start crying, please mom..." I said wiping her tears which were flowing freely now.

"Me and your Dad will perform hajj this year...and before that we want you married and settled happily in your life. Do you have someone in mind for that?" she continued 

"No" I replied shortly, ofcourse I wouldn't be looking out for boys whom I want to marry.

"Oh, well me and your dad have some one in mind that would be perfect for our princess" she said pinching my cheek cheerfully.

"Who?" the words were out of my mouth as soon as I thought them, stupid me, It would have looked awkward.

"Your Dad's friend has sent a proposal for you, His son Zeeshan is 4 years older than you,is a software engineer in a multi-national company. He is good looking and has an impressing character." she said all in one breath. "I'll show you his picture if you want?" she continued

"no, It's OK with me if you think he's fine enough" I replied quickly to end the topic and to my surprise and astonishment, for the first time after Hashir's death, I saw a true smile on her face. She knelt over and kissed me, then left saying " I knew you wouldn't let me down"

I never imagined getting married so early and in this situation, all I've ever thought about marriage was that I don't want a too religious husband ruling me around all the time, That's what I have dreaded the most, the rest, I don't care. Anyways Mom said that he worked in a multi national company and had a good occupation, so He wouldn't be of that kind I guess.

I feel sad about having to marry at once without even knowing the person but at least it makes my parents happy and that's all I care about. One thing I observed about today was that both of my parents were truly happy at dinner, they were smiling and joking, it was like they were returning to life. I couldn't help smiling at them, if this was what it took to make them smile than I was do it I decided.