Author POV

Early morning brings new hopes, zeal, expectations and opportunities, but most importantly, it fetches people another chance to understand the intricate patterns of the world, to forgive those who have wronged you, and to pay gratitude for everything you have ever received.

Shukr and sabr are the major teachings of Islam, and Inayat Ali Khan understands this very well. It was dawn, and the Sun was yet to unfurl its warmth and aurulent.

After taking an invigorating bath, Inayat was all set to perform Fajr prayer. She performed the wuzhu with utmost respect and faith, followed by properly settling herself on the mussallah. She recited the Bismillah, followed by Namaz, facing the direction of khibla.

This is how her mornings used to begin. She thanked the God again, and strolled to the wardrobe to fetch a beautiful pink coloured head wear. Exhaling sharply, she strengthened herself to keep her words before her father.

Being the only daughter of the Khans, she was pampered like a princess, but her life wasn't a bed of roses completely. She had beautiful amber green eyes, which were enough for any man to get enchanted by her, and that is why her father had always urged her to stay in home.

From education to accessories, everything was provided to her at the doorstep, without letting her step out of the haveli. Inayat, on the other hand, was a free bird. She wanted to soar high, and explore the world. She wanted to cherish Divine's creation by scrutinizing it thoroughly, but all her dreams didn't seem to come true anytime sooner.

It was the day of Atif and Asif's birthday, and Inayat arrived at the dining hall, where her two younger brothers, mothers and father was waiting for her. Her smile faded away, deciphering that her second favourite brother, Armaan wasn't there.

"Armaan Bhai jaan nahi ayenge nashta karne?"

"Wouldn't Armaan Bhai jaan join us for the breakfast?"

She asked her father, and a pair of hands covered her eyes suddenly.

"Hamari na hone se hamari pyari behen ki muskurahat kho jati hai, aur itna bada gunaah humse to nahi ho payega."

"My sister doesn't smile in my absence, and I can't afford to commit such a crime."

Armaan muttered near her ear, and a wide grin adorned her face.

"Bhai jaan!"

She cheered, and hugged him immediately. She was the little bird of Armaan. Being younger to Aryan and Armaan, she was pampered by both of them, but Aryan was her teacher when it came to learning philosophies and teachings, and Armaan was partner in crime.

He used to help her to sneak out of the haveli during early morning or late night, when no one could catch them, and this is how Inayat could witness the beauty of the world.

However, Armaan wasn't happy with the mindset and ideology that Inayat was developing under Aryan's guidance. Armaan was very well aware of the toxicity that Aryan held inside him, and he didn't want his little bird to become a vengeful person. He wanted her to turn out into a harbinger of love and peace.

Settling on the dining table, the Khans prayed silently, and began savouring the breakfast.

After taking a few bites, Inayat cleared her throat, and Amjad glanced at her.

"Abbu, Armaan Bhai jaan ke sath hum khusro bagh dekhne ja sakte hai kya? Hum abhi Prayagraj aye hai, aur sheher ko dekhna chahte hai."

"Abbu, can I visit Khusro bhag with Armaan Bhai jaan for once? We've just arrived at Prayagraj, and I want to see this city's beauty."

Armaan cleared his throat, and Amjad glared at him.

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

Amjad bellowed, turning everyone numb at their respective places.

"My dearest daughter, I can't allow to roam around in this city - firstly, you are our gem and we can't reveal you to the world, and secondly, Thakurs also stay in this city, and I don't want any of them to know that I have a daughter."

Amjad elucidated, and Inayat began eating unwillingly, followed by everyone. Armaan glanced at her, and hit her foot lightly with his to fetch her attention.

She looked at him, and he signalled her to sort everything out for her. She smiled meekly, and they ate peacefully.

Retiring back to her room, she slid the drawer beside her bed, and picked up a 'dark romance' book. It was a trilogy, and Inayat was reading the second book. Unfurling her long curls on the bed, she lay down on her tummy, and began turning the pages.

She sucked on her lips, as an intense scene was going on. The kidnapper of the female lead was unaliving the man, who had molested her during her college days.

After a few pages, they were together in the bathroom, and he had tied the female lead to the edge of the tub.

I wish my husband ties me like this too! I really want feel this tension and thrill.

Inayat thought, her bubbly beautiful cheeks adorned with pinkish tint. She wanted to feel 'red room' once in her lifetime, but she hit her head with her fingers, to bring herself back to the reality.

Are you crazy, Inu! Nothing like this is coming to me.

Her mood turned off, and she closed the book, and laid back on the bed.

"Inu!"

Armaan called her out, and she sat up again.

"Bhai jaan!"

She cooed him, and ran to him like little baby. She was Armaan's little baby undoubtedly.

"Sheher ghumne ke liye taiyar?"

"Should we go to explore the city?"

Armaan asserted, and Inayat's eyes widened with astonishment.

"Ho...how will we?"

She asked, and Armaan smirked.

"Anything for my dearest baccha (baby)!"

Armaan mumbled, and an ear to ear smile bedecked Inayat's moon like face.

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