The Butterfly Effect

prologue

Ainaan had always been a dreamer. She had stars in her eyes and constellations itched on her skin. Her mind held whirlpools of galaxies that only drifted past the confines of her head when presented with a paper and a pen. Sometimes there was this overwhelming urge coursing through her being, drowning her in clouds filled with dreams of love, compassion and hope. Dreams of finding the Prince Charming of her books, the one man so perfect that she would just squeal with joy with thoughts of him.

Her mama would draw out her slippers and slam them against her skull if she could even sniff off these thoughts running through Ainaan's head and why wouldn't she? Men like princes only existed in books. Romance is so much more soul-wrenching in the head. After all, no man alive would be able to compete against the world Ainaan had created.

And Ainaan had to maintain the macho-woman facade as well so she would only think of her perfect Prince Charming while she was curled up in her bed, eyes fluttered close, coming up with the most sleazy of scenarios her tiny mind could procure. Aahh the pain of existing as a woman.

"Naani" called out her brother's annoying voice in a sing-song tune as he strutted inside the kitchen, his usually ruffled hair for once combed back neatly and his shorts cum worn out tee (bhikari combo) abandoned for a sleek sage green button up and khakis.

"Stop calling me that, you sastey Voldemort!" Ainaan grumbled, eyeing the simmering tea leaves in agony.

"Mumma is asking if you are making chai or preparing biryani in the kitchen since so long. Your future-in-laws are anticipating your grand entrance." He exclaimed before sliding up on the counter beside the fridge and picking up the china grass sweet dish clearly unfazed by the classy insult that was thrown his way.

"Ezaan, I feel like I am going to end up doing something horrible. I feel like I am going to spill the chai all over their clothes or I am going to trip and fall on my face." Turning off the gas, Ainaan cried, before pouring the tea in the delicate porcelain cups that Mama Sulaymaan only got out when special guests were over.

"That's obviously going to happen. Your grand entrance, after all." A snicker resonated soon after.

Throwing a stinky glare towards her brother, Ainaan heaved a huge puff of air as she walked out of the kitchen, a tray filled with tea filled cups. Her head bowed and palms clammy, she soon entered the living room mumbling a quiet greeting to everyone present in the room.

Before she knew she was seated between two ladies, who she assumed to be her potential sister and mother in law as they sang praises of their son and continued questioning her about her hobbies and life in general.

Ainaan felt like a thick fluid was filling up her ears as it swarmed down her head, making her dizzy. It seemed like too much stimulation and too soon. She was barely managing to process the information and answer back, but the topic of conversation soon flowed from her to her mother's keema khichadi, which made her feel like an apocalypse dodged.

Swindling with her two thumbs, Ainaan wondered why was she so nervous? She had no intentions of marrying anyone but only because her mother had insisted that this alliance was the best she had seen till date, she had agreed. It was going to be the first and last time. This whole ordeal had already begun to feel like she was scoring the highest mountain peak in the world. And mind you, she never was an adventurous person.

"Ainaan bete, our son wanted to speak to you before we go further with this alliance. I hope that's okay, Nouren?" The plump lady on her left smiled showing her whole thirty two teeth, looking at her mother expectantly.

"Of course, jee! Ezaan! Take your sister and bhaiya to the lawn." Her mother barked out in a sugar coated tone, smiling back at the lady with her own set of 32 teeth. It was like they were having a tournament on whose teeth were better. Ainaan had to suppress back a snort during the whole ordeal.