Mahrukh age : 14
Zain age : 21

It was the month of December. Islamabad was full of cold and everyone in the city had wrapped themselves up in their shawls. Heaters all around the city burned bright to provide warmth and comfort to the residents of the city. The sky was dark and clear. And yet still the stars no longer seemed to shine bright. The roads were full of traffic. Cars honking as they went by.

The Butt family was sat on the dining table. Mahrukh sat next to her mother who was feeding her. She was to this day pampered by her parents. Her mother could not do strenuous exercises as she was still sensitive eventhough the surgery had been done quite a few years ago. And so feeding her daughter was something she liked to do. Their mother-daughter bond was the envy of Amal and Maliha both of whom had mothers very strict.

Zainab phopho had been divorced by her husband when Mahrukh was ten and since then she had spewed bitterness in the life of Shifa and Aliya both women who had outright denied to give into her childish desires. Zainab did not like Shifa from the start just because Saad had fallen in love with her and it was a love-marriage and her brother who passed away a few months ago leaving behind no family had refused to marry her. Zainab Butt had been rejected by a middle-class man.

Hooriya also did not like Shifa. Hooriya had grown up in a family that was always status conscious and so to see someone from a low class sect of the society marry into an extremely rich family did not sit well with her. Coupled with the fact that everyone loved her, she became more furious. Eventhough her Devrani Aliya who was her best friend told her time and time again to try and love her she still did not change her mind. And so when her father-in-law would answer all of Mahrukh's dumb questions she felt her hatred grow stronger.

The Butt Steel & Sugar Mills was a very famous company in Pakistan. They were khandani ameer (familal rich) having first established their business in the early 1940's. The family was originally from Lahore but it was Sahir who adored the hills and so moved to Islamabad after his marriage.

All his sons were equal share holders in the family business. Each of them owners of 30% whilst his only daughter owned 10%.

After his sons had gotten married, he had retired and allowed his sons to do as he please. He loved all his grandchildren equally with a soft spot for Mahrukh, the young child who never forgot to kiss his cheeks before running out of the house.

○~○

All kids of the family were sleeping. While the elders sat in Shair Sahab's room. A heated conversation amongst Saad and Ajmal was happening. The tension so high it could be sliced and served like cake.

"Dekho Saad. Tumhari biwi keh ilaj par bohat paisa laga hai. Crores have been used up. I want you to withdraw your shares from the business. We will pay you the remaining amount you have in the business. But do something on your own. I do not want my kids to suffer just because we had to pay hefty prices for your wife."
(Listen Saad for the treatment of your wife millions have been spent)
Ajmal all but shouted at his youngest brother who was reduced to tears to see his actions. His father's head was low with shame who had tried to stop this with all his might. He looked at his bhabhi the smirk on her face told him she was forcing his brother to do this.

Ajmal had loved his brother Saad like a mother. Their's had passed when Saad was born so Ajmal had cared for him like one. How could Saad refuse him ever?
"Ji bhai. Whatever you wish I will do. My only request is that from this day forward no one of you other than Abu, Aliya and Akram would be allowed to eat food prepared by my wife. No one will ask my wife to work. If she is a burden on you then okay. I will hire a maid to clean our and Mahrukh's room. From this day forward I do not want to hear your wife or you Zainab baji hurt my wife or daughter. Otherwise I will not be accountable for my actions."
(Okay brother)
Saad murmured with patience and grabbed Shifa's hand and took her to their room.

○~○

Shifa tossed and turned, the latest happenings had broken her heart. Her husband went through this all for her. She turned to face Saad, who was already looking at her. Shifa kissed him lightly before speaking softly
"Meri Jaan. I'm sorry. Because of me you have to suffer a partial seperation from your family. Forgive me. Perhaps if you hadn't married me-" ,
(My life)
before she cold complete her sentence Saad put his hand on her mouth speaking
"It doesn't matter. You and Mahrukh are my pride. To leave the family business is no problem for me. Let us focus only on Mahrukh. From today your only job is to feed us both." Saad smiled at her.
" That I will. Your daughter only eats from my hand we have spoilt her so much." Saad laughed and kissed her forehead
"Spoilt nahi hai woh. She is just innocent and loves the two of us immensely."
(She isn't spoilt)

○~○

The next morning, Mahrukh woke up and lazily got dressed. Taking her hair brush in her hand she sat on her vanity waiting for her father who was later than usual. When Saad arrived Mahrukh turned her head towards him and spoke
"Saad jaan aaj jaldi aagai ho"
(Saad my love today you have arrived early)

Saad hit her head lightly before combing her long and soft black hair before putting it in a french braid. Grabbing her bag and hand he led her to the dining table where Aliya tayimama and her mother were waiting with her breakfast.
"Aagai meri bachi? Chalo aao nashta kar lo"
(My daughter has come. Come on have your breakfast)
Mahrukh plopped herself on a seat next to her mother who fed her whilst Mahrukh talked to Aliya. A woman only second to her mother in her heart.

Akbar sat down next to his mother. He was in university and was eating his breakfast. He was alone his bestfriend Zain only had one evening class so he was still sleeping.
"Mama Aliya chachi ko dekhein. Aap bhi kabhi mujhe khila diya karein...."
(Mama learn something from Aliya auntie, you should feed me sometimes as well)
He then turned his attention to Mahrukh
"Han bhai Mahrukh, padhai kaisi ja rahi hai?"
(So Mahrukh how is yout education going?)
Mahrukh huffed and started her complaints regarding her O levels and how fine arts was the only subject she truly loved to do the homework of and could barely understand business, economics and accounting if it were not for him.

Before leaving the room with Akbar bhai for school she kissed both her parents, her Aliya mama and dada jaan.
Before she got off her car infront of her school, Akbar called her
"Mahrukh yeh lo"
(Here you go Mahrukh)
and handed her her favourite chocolate. Jumping in the seat with glee Mahrukh kissed his cheek before rushing into her school where her saheli Amna was waiting.
"Amna jaan dekho your crush gave me a chocolate"
(Amna love look)
Mahrukh smirked seeing Amna blush.

Amna was a classic beauty with brown hair and brown eyes. Her dark skin gave her a healthy glow. And unlike what the society would say about her skin, her parents never made her feel bad. Amna's skin tone was something even Akbar loved. Mahrukh knew this for she had read Akbar's diary.

Amna blushed before taking the chocolate and waiting till the lunch time for devouring it.

○~○