Teenager Noor's POV:

The preparations are started, and within a week is Bhaijan's nikkah (big brother's wedding). I'm so excited that Sarah Bhabhijaan (S-I-L) will come to our house. A new member is coming to our small family of three.

Today is the last day of school, and then I'll be on vacation for a week for the wedding.

I was all in a good mood, but the moment I stepped inside the school, everything went away after seeing him. The Jalkukda Randhawa

"Oh, God, subha subha kaali billi ne rasta kaat Liya.( Oh god, a black cat crossed my way in the early morning.)" He said that, and that spoiled my entire mood, and I'm enraged.

A peon is passing by with a tray of glasses of water. I picked one and threw it on his face.

He closed his eyes because of this sudden action and clenched his jaw.

"HOW DARE YOU?" He roared.

"OR GARAM HOGE TO OR PANNI DAL DU GIi. (I will throw more water if you throw hot-tempered tantrums.)" I replied with the same tone.

And the peon takes us to the principal. She scolded us and left us with a warning. The whole day, we have been killing each other with our eyes.

After school, the driver picks me up, as Bhaijan is busy. I complete all my homework and ask Ammi (Mother), "Is Bhaijan back?" I ask.

"Yeah, he must be in his room." Ammi replied, and I ran to his room. "Bhaijan? Bhaijan? ......." I entered his room while calling for him.

He is not inside, but someone is coming inside his room through the window. Seeing that person's face spoiled my whole mood again.

It's Aadhil Ahmed Khan, our stepbrother.

He jumped inside the room and gave me a toothy, embarrassing smile.

"Allah k fazal se hmare ghar Mai darwaze hai (with God's grace, we have doors in our house)," I said, looking straight into his eyes with a stern look.

"Woh, I was just... "

"Whatever." I replied without sparing him another glance and turned to get out of the room.

"Noor....." He called me from behind, and I said it without turning.

"It's Miss Shah for you, Mr. Khan." I replied, stepped forward, and saw Shahzaib Bhaijan coming inside.

"What happened?" Bhaijan asks.

"You have a visitor." I replied, stormed out, and heard his voice.

"Bdhai ho bhaijan (congratulations, bhaijan)" I heard Aadhil's voice, and Bhaijan said thanks.

You must be wondering why I'm treating my steps like this and my brother is treating them differently. I'll tell you why.

It all happened years ago, even before my birth.

My Nana Hazur (maternal grandfather) married my mother to Ahmed Khan. My so-called father.

He married her only because of my Nana Hazur's property, as she was his only daughter.

He treated her nicely from the start, and Bhaijan was born. Then he again got into a relationship with his ex, Rashida Qureshi. He got married to her. No one objected, as it's legal in Islam.

After a few years, Aadhil was born. Bhaijan was only 8 years old then, and he really got happy when he got a little brother.

Bhaijan loves him as much as his real brother. They grew up together for a few years.

Then, after three years, everything changed. Ammi was pregnant with me and Rashida with Laiba.

Nana Hazur died, and Ahmed Khan tricked Ammi and took all her property. He left Ammi alone when she needed him most because I was born with complications.

He never looked behind us and left us alone to live with his new family.

From that day on, my brother struggled to take care of us. Ammi and he both did so many jobs to take care of me.

Bhaijan works part-time after school, so I don't lack anything. He raised me like a father. That's why he and Ammi are my life, and I have no feelings for Khan's because they don't exist in my life.

Bhaijan worked hard day and night. He built everything from the ground, and now he is one of the richest in our country. Just like Nana Hazur was. I'm proud of my bhaijan, and he and Ammi are my role models.

I want to be like them, Strong and successful like Bhaijan and courageous and hardworking like Ammi—so I never need a man to be dependent on.

On one side, I have no feelings for Khan's, but Bhaijan had a soft spot for Aadhil. He hates Ahmed Khan the most, but at the same time, he loves Aadhil.

That's the reason Aadhil met Bhaijan secretly: his family doesn't like it, and neither do I.

After he left, Bhaijan came to me. I'm swinging on the porch swing, and Bhaijan sits beside me.

"Mehman chla gya apka? (Your guest left?)" I ask, lying on the swing, with my head resting on Bhaijan's lap.

He patted my head and said, "Haan (yes). You shouldn't treat him like this; he is our......."

"No, he is not my brother. I have only one brother, and that's you." I replied, turning and looking at Bhaijan.

"OK, ok, fine. Don't get hyper about such small things. It's not good." Bhaijan said.

"I inherited from you." I replied, smiling mischievously, and Bhaijan pulled my cheeks. "Sss..aaa." I rubbed my cheeks, wincing in pain, and Bhaijan laughed. "Bhaijan???????"

"Your chubby cheeks look cute." He said that, and I scrunched my nose. We stayed silent like this for some time, Bhaijan patting my head, and I'm relaxing. Then I broke the silence.

"Bhaijan...."

"Hmmm."

"That's the last time we are spending time like this."

"Why?"

"Areee Bhabijaan aa jae gii too aap hme to bhul jae ge na (oh, you will forget us when the sister-in-law comes.)" I teased him, and Bhaijan pulled my ear.

"Sss...aaa..aa Bhaijan, sorry." I apologised.

"I'll never forget you and Ammi. You both are my first priority, and Sarah knows this. She has no issue regarding this. She is really understanding."

"I'm happy for you, Bhaijan. You deserve a better life partner." I replied and hugged Bhaijan.

The next day, the wedding functions started, and our dadijan (grandma) came. The Shanahan Begum She lives with her son Ahmed Khan, but she always had a soft spot for Ammi and us.

Her favourite daughter-in-law is always Ammi. Ammi never talked in front of her, and Rashida is completely different from Ammi.

Apart from that, she always visited us and cared for us. She loves Bhaijan and me, but I always have a cold war on one topic.

Whenever she praises her son, I give her a sassy reply, and we always have arguments.

"As-Salaam-Alaikum dadijan." I greeted her.

"Wa ʿalaykumu s-salam meri shehzadi." She replied, kissing my forehead.

Aadhil also came with her. I ignored him and enjoyed all functions, and finally my bhaijan got married, and we brought my bhabhijaan to our home.

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