It was a normal Monday morning in Karachi, everyone was in a hurry to go to school, college or work while Mahjabeen was sleeping. She was peacefully laying on the bed enjoying the silence until she heard her father's voice.

"Abba soney dijiye zara, waise bhi ek ghante pehle uthkar mujhe thodi koi imtehaan likhna hai", Mahjabeen groaned half of her words not even making any sense due to her grogginess. But her father understood and replied.

"Tum imtehaan likho ya na likho, ek hi natija aana hai, anda"

"Abba aap toh teacher Nafeesa ki tarah sunaye nhi", She complaint sitting up pursing her lips as she looked at her father with a sad face.

" Beta tum firse kaise fail hogyi? Sifaarishen karke school mai dakhila hota hai college mai nhi", Waqas Ahmed taunted her with a smile. He wasn't really angry just a little disappointed, but he knew Mahjabeen had tried her best.

"Aapko bolti toh hu mai Abba meri shaadi kradey. Merese padhai nhi hoti", She requested hugging him as he gave her a bewildered look.

"Aur kisse shaadi karogi?" He asked her raising his eyebrows, she broke the hug and started giggling covering her face with her hand.

"Abhi usse maine pucha nhi", She said and went inside the blanket giggling as she thought about his expression when she proposed him.

"Ye sab toh theek hai beta, magar tumhari shaadi ki ijazzat leni hogi Khan Begum aur Anwar se", Waqas said sighing as she cleaned his glasses.

His precious daughter wasn't really his, she was someone else's but his heart accepted her completely as his. He loved Mahjabeen more than he could love his own daughter, only if she was his real daughter then he would have fulfilled her every wish. His hands were tied by the responsibility, Shahanwaz's words would repeat in his ears.

Mahjabeen ki parvarish kro magar yaad rakhna usko ek din yaha wapas aana hai

He had replied with a 'Ji' at that time feeling blessed with the child he always wanted. But their hold on Mahjabeen was getting tight and he knew soon they would take her away.

"Abba aap roye toh nhi, agli baar mai acche number laaongi kasam se", She said with teary eyes of hers, gazing at her innocent face he shook his head and wiped her tears.

" Nhi beta aapko jo karna hai aap karo", Waqas said and after kissing her temple he left hearing Mahjabeen squeal with excitement.

*

It was past five, the couple were peacefully sipping their tea while thinking about their daughter's future.

"Mahjabeen ikdam Nadiya pe gayi hai, Waqas iske bholepan se mujhe khaauf aata hai humari beti ki mausimiyat ka koi bhi galat istemaal kar sakta", Anila shared in a worried tone, Waqas stared at her and massaged his forehead. He felt extremely guilty, he couldn't take one decision of her life without consulting Anwar.

"Tum kya us ladke se mili ho jisse ye mohabbat karti hai?" He asked her setting his cup down.

"Ji Haan, kaafi accha ladka hai, suljha hua hai aur Mahjabeen se behadd mohabbat karta hai", She replied easing on of his worries, if he was a decent boy then it would be easier for him to convince Anwar. He asked one of his colleague's do extensive research on that guy.

*

"Mai aapka case nhi lad sakta maaf kryega", Waqas said as he closed the files, the case was quite popular because the victim was the minister's son.

"Waqas Sahab, I will pay you how much ever you want", The man insisted, but this wasn't the first case he declined.

"Ji maaf karyega magar I can't take the risk, mai aaj tak ek bhi case nhi haara hu", He denied and passed the file to the man. The man sighed heavily and turned to leave but a voice stopped him.

"Abba, aap pichle mahiney hi toh haarey they ek case", Mahjabeen giggled and interrupted them, as she entered the room. She was wearing the dungaree with her hair tied in two braids.

"Mahjabeen, tum yaha kya karrhi ho?" He asked her softly with a smile, he never talked to her in his professional voice as he knew how sensitive she was. She blinked and scratched her nose innocently with her finger trying to think of the reason why she came. Her eyes widened suddenly and her lips curved up as she answered him.

"Woh na Abbu ghar pe light chali gayi thi socha yaha aakar AC ki hawa khaalu"

Waqas laughed and brought his finger to his lips.

"Phir tum chup karke ek koney mai baith jao", He pointed towards the sofa but Mahjabeen bought her finger forward asking him if she could speak for one minute, he sighed and nodded.

"Remote toh pakda de", She asked him and turned to the man and continued " Aur uncle aap galat jagah agaye ab toh aap ye case haar hi jayenge"

"Kaise?" The man asked worried as the girl confidently explained him.

"Kyuki aapka case weak hai, Abba ye case aapke opposition mai ladna pasand karenge, bura mat manyega magar unko bhi apni salary pyaari hai jaise aapko apna bhai"

The man teared up as he went on his knees and begged them, "Mere bhai beqasoor hai, mai aapse haath jodhkar guzarish kar rha hu mere bhai ko bachale"

Mahjabeen looking at his teary eyes teared up herself, she sniffed and turned to her father.

"Abba dekhye na rorhey ye, inki baat maan lijiye na"

Looking at her teary eyes and the man on his knees, Waqas's heart melted and he took another case that he most likely would lose. This was the second time something like this happened, first time he lost the case and still learning from his mistake he couldn't refuse his daughter's wishes.

"Theek hai Usmaan Sahab, mai puri koshish krunga", He said with an affirmative node, and they shook hands as the man gave him good wishes for his kindness. Before the man left, he turned towards Mahjabeen and said some kind words to her as well.

" Thank you so much beta, Allah tumhe padhai mai aagey krey Ameen"

Mahjabeen giggled and whispered to herself.

"Inko kya pata meri toh shaadi honey waali hai"

___

Anwar Khan received Waqas's letter and without announcing his presence walked into the Khan Begum's meeting. His eyes were blazing red as he passed the letter to Khan Begum who was interrupted in between of her work. After reading it she closed her eyes controlling her anger.

She stood up dismissing the meeting as the women chanted her name in respect. The Khan mansion was eerily silent today maybe because of the minute letter that has caused an uproar or Khan Begum's rage.

"Ek aur naya shosha", Anwar commented as he clutched the letter shuffling around the room.

"Humare haan ki betiyan love marriage nhi karti, iss baat ki mai bilkul ijazzat nhi dungi", She said in her calm tone, but her eyes held in the anger. Salma Begum never revealed her real self, she knew her words were the final verdict. If Waqas Ahmed was a lawyer then she was the judge.

" Mai Karachi Jaunga", He declared quickly putting away the letter as a photo slipped from the envelope.

There was silence as the two of them stared at the photo.

"Tum jao aur ek kam karo Murtasim ko saath lejana", She said now her anger visible in her tone.

"Ji Murtasim kaha hai magar?" He asked, Murtasim had a lot of responsibilities on his head. He had handled the matters of the gao, their land and all the business since he was eighteen.

"Aata hi hoga, gao gaya tha kal woh Malik Mukhtar ke aadmiyon ne purey gao mai dehshaat faila rakhi thi", She explained sighing, thanking Allah for such a perfect son.

***

Mahjabeen had her wallet in her hand as she rushed towards the gift shop, she wanted to propose Rohail with something memorable. But she had no idea what men liked so she thought why not buy chocolates.

She purchased some flowers, chocolates and pendant that could break in two halves. She wore it around her neck and exited the shop, not paying attention to a man who started walking very close to her.

At the same time, Anwar and Murtasim were driving to her house.

"Chacha hum kyun dusron ke maamlaat mai dakhalandazi krrhey hai?" Murtasim asked exhausted and irritated, he has been working for two days straight, and as soon as he came back he was sent off to deal with another of Mahjabeen's shenanigans. Before this it was because of failing school, fighting with her friends or getting suspended, in his eyes Mahjabeen was truly a troublemaker.

"Woh dusre nhi hai, humarey bhai jaise hai aur Mahjabben beti... jaisi", Anwar stumbled upon his words making Murtasim raise his brows. His love for Mahjabeen was too clear and Murtasim dismissed this as him caring for the girl as he had no daughter of his own.

"Koi accident hua hai kya", Murtasim questioned a bystander as his car came to a halt because of the people gathering on the way.

"Ji nhi woh ek chori hui hai", He said and the bystander turned his bike speeding off to the other direction.

"Lagta hai kisiki anghoti ya chain chori hui hai", Anwar commented to which Murtasim nodded his head and entered his car. But then he heard a familiar voice stopping him in his tracks, he went out of the car to take a peek.

"Meri chocolate wapas dedona chor uncle bhaley hi wallet rakhlo aap" Mahjabeen requested him, to think that she was the reason for such a traffic jam was almost comical.

She was clutching her bag tightly not letting it go as the two wrestled on the ground, nobody was helping or interrupting them instead they were watching the commotion as if Mahjabeen and her chor uncle were circus clowns.

Before Murtasim could stop them her chor uncle slapped her across the face and ran away with her bag but the stubborn girl still tried to follow him.

Murtasim caught her wrist and dragged her to the car. She was completely silent as Anwar was left shocked.

"Mahjabeen ki wajeh se ye hungama horha tha yaha", Murtasim explained to him, sparing one look to Mahjabeen who immediately denied it.

"Uncle woh chor meri chocolate chura kar bhaag rha tha", She cried massaging her cheeks and continued, "Maine toh usse acche se bola tha meri chocolate wapas krdo, chahey toh mera wallet lelo. Magar usne toh mujhe thappad maardiya..."

"Beta aap theek hona?" Anwar asked in a worried tone, as he stared at her swollen cheek.

"Sach bolu mere kaan mai seeti baji, kya hota agar woh mera chocolate wapas krdeta, leleta mere paise ab mai Rohail ko kaise shaadi ke liye maanaongi, log hi chidatey ki tumhari shaadi nhi hogi aur jab banda karne ki koshish krrey toh usse thappad lagatey hai kya aise...", She cried rubbing her eyes, her whole face red as she rambled on. Murtasim avoided eye contact as he controlled his laugh, he knew Anwar must be boiling with anger inside.

"Chacha fridge mai ice pack hoga aap Mahjabeen ke liye la sakte?" Murtasim asked as he parked the car on the side of the road, Anwar quickly got out to retrieve it from the trunk of car.

Murtasim quickly turned to her and asked her, "Tum badi Behaya hogyi ho?"

Mahjabeen blinked at him and asked back, "Uska naam Haya nhi tha?" Murtasim groaned as he looked at her serious eyes.

"Bewakuf ladki", He muttered to himself thinking how can such a dumb person exist. She wasn't even trying to bicker with him this girl was genuinely stupid.

Anwar got in and helped her put on the ice pack, they soon reached her house. He exited the car leaving the two of them alone, Mahjabeen was biting her nails as she contemplated whether to go inside or wait till the matters cooled down.

"Tum kab tak gadi mai baithi rahogi", Murtasim asked, he was tapping the steering wheel trying to relax. He hadn't slept for two nights straight and it was catching up to him.

"Jab tak AC on rahega, hava khaaney dijiye na thodi der", She replied in a pleading tone, he sighed and turned towards her, putting his finger on his lip telling her to keep quiet.

She imitated his action and kept her finger on her lip. The silence stretched on and Mahjabeen covered her lips trying not to voice out but after a few minutes she couldn't control the urge.

"Tch tch", She called him making his eyes squint in irritation.

"Kya hai?" He asked not opening his eyes properly.

"Tum bhi fail hoye ho kya?" She asked out of curiosity, Mahjabeen was sitting in the car because she had realised that Anwar has came to Karachi due to the letter, and it must be related to her grades.

"Excuse me?" He asked now turning to face her in the passenger seat.

"Yes..", She looked around and then whispered back " Iske aagey kya boltey?"

"Bewakuf ladki", He said to himself but Mahjabeen heard him and she quickly replied.

"Tum hogey bewakuf tumhara pura khandaan bewakuf"

Murtasim shook his head trying not to react at her childish remark, but his lack of sleep wasn't helping either. He gave her an angry look with his eyes glaring at her.

"Aise badi badi aankhon se mat dekho mai puri nau jamate pass ki hu", She boasted still thinking that he was glaring at her because of their previous banter. At this Murtasim unbuckled his seat belt and walked out leaving her in the car.

Mahjabeen followed him out of the car and when he stopped adruptly on the porch, collided with his back.

"Tumhara masla kya hai Mahjabeen?" He asked on the verge of his patience, his head was aching and she wouldn't let him breath alone for a minute.

"Sao rupye dona mujhe", She whispered her eyes creasing around as she requested him. He removed his wallet and as he was going to give her the money Waqas Ahmed interrupted.

"Mahjabeen tum Murtasim se paise kyun le rahi ho?" Waqas asked his voice a little stressed as he addressed the two of them.

"Pata nhi abba, mujhe paise nhi chahiye", She told him now flipping the story implying that he was the one giving her the money. Murtasim just walked in done with the drama.

As they entered the room, Waqas hugged Mahjabeen suddenly and in a heavy voice tried to explain to her.

"Beta mai tumhe ek sach bolna chahta hu, mai tumhara baap nhi hu", He said to her and Mahjabeen stared at him then turned to Anila, and asked while giggling.

"Ye bhi jhoot bolney lagey kya meri tarah"

"Mahjabeen mai serious hu beta, tum jab chotti thi tab tumhari Ammi ka inteqaal hogya tha. Tab tumharey Abba ne tumhey humarey hawale kardiya tha", Waqas revealed with a heavy heart, not meeting her eyes.

"Matlab mere do Abbu hai?" She asked laughing then quietened when they nobody joined her, they were serious.

"Abba humsaiyon mai kisiki do Ammi toh suni thi magar do Abbu? Aap merese mazak krrhey na?" She asked her confused eyes were pleading him to say yes but Waqas was bound by his promise, he shook his head.

"Waqas tumhare Abbu nhi hai Mahjabeen, mai hu. Woh toh tumharey Uncle hai", Anwar confessed making Mahjabeen angry.

"Magar aap ne toh mujhe kabhi beti nhi bola", She angrily rebuked and glared at him as she hugged her father.

"Mahjabeen sorry bolo aise nhi baat karte apne Abba se", Anila scolded her right away, Mahjabeen touched her ears and quickly apologized.

"Beta tumhe ab apne ghar jaana hoga Anwar ke saath ", Waqas said to her, Mahjabeen shook her head and started crying.

"Abba mai kam bolungi, aapko kabhi tang nhi karungi mujhe ghar se toh na nikaley", Mahjabeen begged her voice cracking as she begged her father who fell on his knees and started crying.

"Beta mujhe maaf karna", He apologized again and again as he felt his heart ache looking at his innocent girl.

"Accha aap roye toh nhi, aap chahte haina mai inke saath jau. Mai jaati hu, aap rona band karye please", She said trying to wipe his tears.

"Mahjabeen tum ye socho ke hum tumhe vida krrhey", Anila said pulling Waqas of the ground to stand up, Mahjabeen nodded and hugged them before turning to Anwar not meeting his eyes. It felt like weeks had passed in this short hour as she left her house, now heading to her new home, the Khan Mansion.

She was sniffing the entire ride clutching a doll to her chest, her cries agitated Anwar but he couldn't do anything because he was the cause of her tears. Murtasim cleared his throat and called her name, she looked up with her teary eyes expecting a question. But he handed her five crisp hundred rupees note, she wiped her tears with them. After sometime she got distracted by the scenery outside and stopped crying enjoying the ride pointing at horses along the way.

Anwar felt alive for the first time as he sat with his daughter experiencing pure joy of being a father, she was his daughter.

"Meri beti", He whispered to himself with a smile.

***

Chapter 1 ends here...