Destiny's Tapestry

Chapter 8

*Mahir's past*

Mahir

Beautiful as always, she radiates simplicity, kindness, passion, and confidence. I've never described a girl that way, nor did I express it to anybody in my whole life. She possesses the unique ability to inspire me to perceive her in this exceptional light, a feat no other woman has ever achieved.

My uncle has been adamant about me getting married soon, now that my sister is here, he wants us to see happy in our life, with our own family. I'd been ignoring all the proposals he had for me, but when the right time comes, I'll confess to him about my feelings. I'm confident that he will be overjoyed by my decision, because they have a bonding of a father and a daughter since the day they met. For someone like Daneen, who struggles to connect with new acquaintances, my uncle effortlessly creates an atmosphere of warmth and ease.

She was lost in the beauty around her, and I was lost in her. Her everything: eyes, smile, each fleeting moment, every word and every sentence. She remained blissfully unaware of the profound beauty she possessed and the overwhelming emotions she stirred within me. It wasn't just butterflies that she ignited in me; it was as if an entire aviary took flight within my stomach with every interaction we shared. In case you're wondering, yes, men and boys do experience that same fluttering sensation, or perhaps I should say an entire menagerie of emotions, when they encounter someone as captivating as 'her.'

It was all perfect by the time she came, with everything I wanted and planned it to be. There was no need to ask if she liked the place, because it was evident on her face. Her smile, her sparkling eyes and her unguarded expressions said it all. Usually, she never expresses her feelings by her facial expressions, it was evident that she couldn't contain the delight that swept over her as she took in her surroundings. I was content to see her reaction. We talked, and I tried to ease up the tension and nervousness I sensed from her. Surprisingly, all the restlessness I felt earlier, had evaporated into thin air the moment I saw her. It was magical, the way she unlocked and locked my emotions blissfully. It was as if she had casted a spell on me, a lovely one that I didn't want to escape, I thought stupidly.

She wanted to know about me, which in my opinion, signals a strong interest. It was a perfect time to tell my life story. Honestly, I wanted to be an open book in front of her, even though I typically keep a more guarded demeanor with others. This also is a fact that when a man has developed an interest in a woman, they'd like them to know every single thing about themselves, including secrets and stuff like that. Don't be surprised, though, I'm just spilling the facts. So, I started-

"Let's start with my parents." she had a curious look on her face. I smiled. "Theirs was a love marriage, a beautiful one. So beautiful that they could easily attract an evil eye towards them, and it did. They met each other in college, my father was a year older than my mom. They fell for each other the moment they saw one another. After my mother graduated and my father secured a stable 9-5 job, they decided to tie the knot. However, my father was never content with working for someone else; he had grand aspirations. His dream was to be his own boss, to build his own company, and to establish a unique identity for himself. When he finally accumulated enough savings, he took the bold step of starting his own business, which is now famously known as 'Malik's Textura.' Amusement was all over her face. We finished our dinner long back and now we were sitting on the sofa, facing each other.

"He worked really hard, and my mom was with him all the time. They faced numerous setbacks and challenges, but they never gave up on each other and on Malik's. They stood strong and confident. And then, they finally had the fruit of their patience and hard work, as the company began to thrive and prosper. After a year or so, they welcomed me. We were often referred to as 'the most adorable, happy family.' The joy my parents felt upon my arrival was immeasurable, and in honor of my grandfather, whose name was also Mahir and whom I closely resembled in build, personality, and facial features, they named me 'Mahir.' My early years, though mostly a blur in my memory, were truly the best of my life. I was the most fortunate child, showered with love, affection, care, and everything I needed. Unfortunately, this period of bliss didn't last long. When I was five, my mother gave birth to a beautiful girl, Zahra, completing our family. We were at the pinnacle of happiness, a state that, regrettably, proved fleeting. When she was one year old, my mom insisted that they both go to a park and spend some time there. I had my exams going, so I couldn't join them and my father was having a high time at his office. And so, he couldn't join them and let them go without even seeing them or having a chance to hug them goodbye.