Gujrat, Pakistan.
A town where legacy doesn't die - it simmers quietly, waiting to rise again.
Hasna Chaudhary Sikander was born with a name that once ruled the region. Her grandfather, Chaudhary Maqbool Sikander, wasn't just a minister - he was a legend. Three-time Nazim-e-Aala of the union council, unchallenged for fifteen years. People say the sun didn't rise in the valley without Maqbool's permission.
But then he stepped down.
Not because he lost.
Because he chose silence over politics.
And in his silence, a new name began to rise - the Haiders.
Now, twenty-one-year-old Hasna lives in the ancestral haveli, walls lined with fading portraits and louder silences. Her family hasn't contested in years. Her father, a quiet businessman. Her uncles, comfortable in the background. But respect - that never left the Sikander name. Especially not in Gujrat.
And now... another Chaudhary prepares to rise.
Chaudhary Shehryar Haider, son of Haider Sr., is only twenty-four. Young, sharp, and ambitious. He wasn't raised to follow; he was trained to rule. And this year, he's stepping into the ring. Posters with his face are already plastered across poles, rickshaws, and chai dhabas. The air smells like politics - thick and heavy.
Everyone expects a Haider vs. nobody election.
Until fate flips the board.
On a dusky afternoon in the old bazaar, Hasna's path crosses his. She's there for fabric. He's there to shake hands. But one gust of wind - deliberate by the universe - sends her dupatta flying... right onto Shehryar's shoulder.
Their eyes lock.
Her gaze - proud, unreadable.
His - calculating, lingering a second too long.
Two Chaudharys. Two legacies that were never meant to mix.
But what happens when forgotten power meets rising ambition?
He's the storm heading for the ballot.
She's the silence that once ruled it all.
But some silences... return with thunder.
She always felt like an outsider in this house. It was like she was a guest who had stayed too long. Her cousin's cold stares, Chachi's sharp words, and the hidden insults reminded her daily that she wasn't welcome. She was quiet, gentle, and really close to her faith, but being so reserved made her an easy target.
Even though she seemed soft, there was a strength inside her that no one could see. Her brown eyes showed a mix of hope and sadness, and her love for Feras was something she kept hidden, even though she wasn't sure he could ever feel the same.
Feras was different. He didn't talk much and had a strong sense of right and wrong. Tall with piercing eyes, he had this calm but serious presence. He didn't show much emotion, keeping everything locked inside, yet he somehow looked out for Anam. He wasn't mean, but he wasn't warm either. He was a mystery she couldn't figure out.
But fate had its own plans. The lies buried deep in their family were going to come to light, and Anam would find herself at the center of it all. It would force Feras to make a choice: save her... or destroy her.
Start date: 19 November 2024
Finish date: 18 December 2024
This is my first ever book. Please ignore all the grammar mistakes as English isn't my first language, and give this story a try. I promise it's worth your time, and who knows? You might even enjoy it more than you expect! 😉