I remember our home vividly-the sprawling Khan estate, where opulence and tranquility met within its walls. But amidst the grandeur, there was chaos, and it bore the name "Meerab." I was 13, navigating life in the shadows of a household that adored her, a place where my presence often felt like an afterthought.

My parents exuded warmth and love, yet it always seemed to pour more fervently towards her. Maryam, my beloved sister, was enamored by Meerab. To her, Meerab was an angel, a sentiment shared by everyone else. Everyone but me.

Meerab, the little tempest that turned my world upside down, was ten then. She'd manage to ruffle the tranquility of my study sessions with her incessant giggles and mischievous antics. Destroying my things seemed to be her hobby, and in her defense, she'd conjure up tears before I could utter a word in reprimand. Lies rolled off her tongue effortlessly, painting me as the villain in her stories. I was scolded for incidents I hadn't orchestrated, bearing the brunt of her deceit.

I saw her as a little devil, a chaos magnet that disrupted my meticulously structured life.

---

It was a tranquil evening at the Khan estate, or so it seemed until Meerab barged into my sanctuary-my room. I was engrossed in my studies, seeking a moment of solace from the chaos she often brought.

"What do you want, Meerab?" I sighed, my patience already wearing thin.

She sauntered in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Just wanted to say hi."

Her mock-innocent demeanor irked me. "Don't you have better things to do than bother me?"

A devilish smirk played on her lips. "Oh, like what? Study all day like you?"

Her taunts hit a nerve. "At least I don't spend my time wrecking everything in sight!"

Before I knew it, my books were scattered, the result of Meerab's casual swipes. "Oops, clumsy me!" she exclaimed, feigning innocence.

My anger boiled over. "That's it, Meerab! Leave now!"

But she wouldn't. Instead, she feigned distress, her eyes welling up with manufactured tears. "Mama, Murtasim yelled at me!"

I felt trapped in her world of deceit, where every move I made seemed to amplify her innocence. My frustration mounted, unable to comprehend how effortlessly she twisted situations to her advantage.

___

On a particularly serene afternoon, I found solace in the garden, seeking respite from the persistent chaos caused by Meerab. The tranquility was short-lived as she appeared, skipping merrily into the peaceful haven I cherished.

"Can't you stay away, Meerab?" I groaned, feeling my patience waning.

She flashed an impish grin. "Why would I? You're so much fun to annoy!"

Frustration surged within me. "Fun for you, perhaps! But you're nothing but a nuisance to me."

Her smile faltered, replaced by a look of mock-innocence. "Nuisance? I was just coming to play."

Her attempts at innocence grated on my nerves. "Playing doesn't involve destroying everything around you!"

I watched, exasperated, as she plucked a nearby flower and twirled it carelessly. "Oops, did I do that?"

My anger boiled, but before I could respond, she ran off, leaving me seething with frustration. I knew her games all too well, her knack for turning the blame on me leaving me helpless in the eyes of our parents.

She was a master manipulator, leaving chaos in her wake while skillfully evading any consequences.

---

As the evening descended, I sought refuge in my room, hoping for a moment of peace away from Meerab's ceaseless disruptions. Alas, peace was a foreign concept whenever she was around.

The door creaked open, and there she stood, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What are you doing, Murtasim?" she chimed, her voice sing-song and irritating.

"Trying to study, Meerab. Can't you see?" I retorted, my patience wearing thin.

She sauntered in, eyeing my belongings with playful curiosity. "Study, study, study! So boring!"

Annoyance surged through me. "You wouldn't understand, would you? You're always creating chaos."

With an impish grin, she grabbed my prized comic book and waved it teasingly. "This? Yours?"

I lunged forward, attempting to retrieve it. "Yes, it's mine! Give it back!"

She giggled, darting away, her laughter echoing down the hall. "Catch me if you can, Murtasim!"

Our chase ended in the hallway, where she dramatically tripped over nothing, dropping the book. "Ow! Mama, Murtasim pushed me!"

My frustration knew no bounds. How effortlessly she twisted situations, how easily she played the victim. No matter my protests, I was always the one reprimanded.

She was the chaos I couldn't escape, the little devil playing games with my life.

---

One sunny afternoon, I devised a playful prank to spook Meerab, knowing well her vulnerability to eerie tales. With a mischievous glint in my eye, I approached her.

"Hey, Meerab, want to see something really spooky?" I teased, relishing the opportunity for a good prank.

Her curiosity mingled with apprehension as she asked, "What is it?"

Leaning in, I adopted a mysterious tone. "In my study, there's an old, haunted painting. Legend has it, there's a ghost of a lady who lives within it, waiting to grab anyone who dares to disturb her."

Meerab's face drained of color, a shiver running down her spine. "No way! I'm not going in there."

I couldn't help but grin mischievously. "I'll protect you, but only if you're brave enough to come with me."

With a mix of reluctance and curiosity, Meerab cautiously followed me to the study. Switching off the lights, the room was cast in a dim glow from a lone candle.

Meerab gazed at the old painting, her imagination running wild. Every creak seemed amplified, heightening her fear. Just as her terror peaked, I flicked the lights back on, revealing a goofy mask I'd hidden behind the painting.

Meerab screamed, jumping back in fright, only to gaze at me in disbelief as I held the mask up, grinning from ear to ear.