Once

"She will be named Saharish Firdous."

The hall erupted in pleasant applause as the guests welcomed the little bundle of joy. Mr. and Mrs. Mukhtar were on cloud nine as they couldn't thank their Lord enough for the blessing they had been bestowed with.

"Congratulations Mukhtar," Hadeed Amjad beamed looking at his friend and then at his five-year-old Zeyad Hadeed who was eyeing the girl in Mrs. Mukhtar's arms. "You remember our promise, right? This friendship will become stronger with their marriage."

The couple laughed at Hadeed's statement nodding in affirmation as the door opened welcoming the soothing winter breeze inside with Saharish's three aunts.

They were Mrs. Mukhtar's elder sisters, too happy to get the news of a baby girl after ten years wait. Aunt Yasmine, Aunt Huda, and Aunt Rabia. They were not too rich with money but their love for their sister knew no limits.

"May Allah bless her with a heart that doesn't see others' faults," aunt Yasmine kissed Saharish's forehead.

Aunt Huda held Saharish's hand, "May Allah bless you with a voice that doesn't hurt others."

It was aunt Rabia's turn when the giant ebony door opened with a thud, disturbing the whole peace around. The dark clouds seemed to be gathering around the sun making it to be looking like a bleak night.

"Nobody invited me!" Her black gown rolled in the dust making the pristine floors dirty. The raven flew around her as she made her way near Mrs. Mukhtar as she hid the girl in her arms, "I was so happy to hear the news of this girl."

"We all know how happy you can get, Maisah."

Aunt Rabia came in between her and Mrs. Mukhtar, hiding the baby from her eyes.

Maisah's history held love, obsession, jealousy, and black magic. She was their long-lost cousin, grown up with them, who fell in love with Mr. Mukhtar. But he was already in love with Mrs. Mukhtar.

Not getting her feelings reciprocated, Maisah moved the wrong way. The path of black magic. She decided to get Mr. Mukhtar's love with the help of some potions.

If the three sisters wouldn't be there, Mr. Mukhtar would have become the slave of Maisah and her black magic. They were always a little worried from her side, sometimes advising her to leave all of it but Maisah was too stubborn to let go.

"You never took me as one of your own. Because there was this lady," Maisah gestured towards Mrs. Mukhtar, "to snatch everything from me."

"There's a simple rule dear." said aunt Yasmine, "Allah bless everyone with something best that no one has. You just have to find it-"

"Oh, shut up you. You know what Allah does, He gifts someone the best and someone the worst of all, and I come in later." Maisah threw a glance at Mr. Mukhtar, "That's why I want to gift something to this girl too."

The three sisters looked at each other in worry, they couldn't do anything, just for the safety of Saharish.

"She would always be away from her family and one day a spindle will make her asleep to death."

With those bitter words, Maisah was gone leaving behind uncertainty and the fear of the future.
"The blessings from a pure heart always reach Allah," aunt Yasmine moved aunt Rabia towards Saharish, "Your blessing is still remaining dear."

"May Allah..." aunt Rabia looked at everyone and then at Saharish whose innocent smile washed her every worry, "May Allah bless you with a strength to change your own destiny."