.:.Manzil.:. MOVED (Read 19)

Table of Contents

Introduction – Below

Character Sketch & Pictures – Below

Chapter 1 – Page 2

Chapter 2 – Page 3

Chapter 3 – Page 5

Chapter 4 – Page 6

Chapter 5 – Page 6

Chapter 6 – Page 7

Chapter 7 – Page 8

Chapter 8 – Page 9

Chapter 9 – Page 10

Chapter 10 – Page 11

Chapter 11 – Page 12

Chapter 12 – Page 13

Chapter 13 – Page 15

Chapter 14 – Page 16

Chapter 15 – Page 18

PM List (Let me know if you want to be added or removed!)

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Introduction

Javed and Najma Rehman and their five children comprise a perfect family. Each one of them is intelligent, talented and motivated. As far as how much they can accomplish in life, the sky is the limit. When they meet Zaheer Akhtar, his wife Fatima and their four children, lifelong friendship begin to form immediately. The Akhtar family is also just as perfect. Two perfect families coming together. Seems like an ideal situation, doesn't it? But none of them knows what's really in store for them.

Within ten years of the day they meet, one of them will tragically lose their soul mate, one will possess everything except what she wants most, one will put his life on the line for his family, and one will betray her true love only to regret it later. Their paths will meet and diverge, but ultimately their destination is the same. Through the laughter and tears, they will discover themselves and see the inner beauty of everyone around them.

Perfect people and perfect lives do not really exist. However, as human beings, our goal in life should be to strive for excellence and set an example for others. The characters of my story will do just that.

Setting

The story begins on September 4, 2006 in Fremont, California.

Maps

Character Sketch

Rehman Family

Javed (45): A neurosurgeon by profession, passionate about his work and often puts duty before family. Don't get me wrong. He's not a bad husband or father. There just aren't enough hours in a day for him to spend as many as he wants with his family. However, any time not spent at the hospital or medical conferences is spent at home. Despite his efforts, he misses many milestones in his children's lives, which will ultimately force him to rethink his priorities.

Najma (43): A caring mother who always considers family as more important than anything else. She works as a Mathematics professor at the local community college. She only teaches two classes so her hours are flexible. Her children always come to her if they have any problems or need advice.

Aisha (19):

Just starting her third year as an economics major at the University of California, Berkeley, which is about an hour away from home. She lives in an apartment with friends during the school year and stays with family during vacations. Because she has always been a talkative and outgoing girl, her family is puzzled when she spends most of that summer by herself in her room. As much as they try to find out what is wrong, Aisha insists that she is fine.

Imraan (17):

One of the most brilliant minds in this story, but he would never acknowledge his intelligence. A final year high school student, he is shy by nature and emotional, almost too emotional for a guy. He can never hide his feelings from anyone. He trusts everyone, and so far, no one has betrayed his trust. In the next year, he will have to learn the hard way that the world is not always a friendly place.

Samira (16):

There is nothing she cannot do. Excellent student, accomplished singer and aspiring poet: these are just a few of her credentials. Even with her busy schedule, she manages to make time for family and friends. But there is someone out there who is not happy about her success. If she doesn't discover who it is soon enough, this harmless resentment might develop into something more dangerous.

Maryam (13):

She admires Samira and measures her own worth based on the things that Samira is good at. She always underestimates herself and is afraid to make mistakes. She will continue to have low self-esteem until a guy comes into her life and helps her realize her own potential.

Shamyl (3):

The baby of the family, born ten years after Maryam. The goal of the entire family is to teach him everything and make him a child prodigy. At such a young age, he speaks three languages fluently, reads chapter books, and knows basic arithmetic. Seems like their efforts have been successful, but what kind of social life will Shamyl have? Can he ever fit in with kids his age?

Akhtar Family

Zaheer (44): A total family man who is devoted to his wife and children. After his nine to five day as a mechanical engineer, he is always ready to help with the housework and assist the children with their homework. Every weekend, he wants the entire family to spend time together. As his children get older and they all begin to have their own lives, Zaheer is afraid that they don't need him anymore. Will the family be able to resolve his irrational fear?

Fatima (44): A good wife and mother, but not at all meant to be a housewife. She is a very independent and confident woman who expects her husband to be as active as she is in the home as well as outside of it. She met Zaheer when they were both studying engineering and is now just as successful as he is. The marriage is one of equals and she will never let him forget that.

Yusuf (21):

He loves to laugh and make others laugh. Anyone who knows Yusuf will say that he is fun to be around and adds excitement to any party. As his last year at UC Berkeley as a biology major begins, he is confident that he wants to be a doctor. Witihn the next year, he will change someone's life and start a new life himself.

Sabah (17):

The only sister of three loving brother, she has been protected and spoiled all her life. Her independence and confidence, which come from her mother, make her a very ambitious young woman. Her exceptional beauty attracts the attention of many guys, but she doesn't give any of them a second look. Her goal in life is to be more successful than anyone else she knows, and she's willing to do anything to achieve it, maybe even break someone's heart.

Rehan (16):

Intelligent and immensely creative, Rehan (like Samira) is good at many things, of which he loves singing, dancing and choreography the most. Thoughtful and good-natured, he makes friends easily. Despite having to deal with several tragedies and traumatic situations at a young age, he has never revealed his emotions to anyone. He believes that emotions are for the weak. It will take one more terrible event to change his mindset.

Amaan (14):

His life revolves around grades and soccer, both of which make him well-known at his school. But Amaan is a quiet guy who prefers to keep to himself. He has very few friends and he likes to keep it that way. There are many things about him that even his family does not know, but some of these will eventually be revealed.

Others (a few more will be added later)

Carissa Green:

Samira's best friend

David Miller:

Carissa's boyfriend

Anne Schwartz:

Maryam's best friend

Rahul Verma:

Rehan's best friend

Nisha & Anjali Mehta:

Sisters, friends with Samira and Sabah

Faisal Usmani:

Amaan's only close friend

Hasan Khan:

Someone from Aisha's past

Radhika Mukherjee

Aisha's roommate

Jason Lam:

Yusuf's roommate

Jyoti Sinha:

Samira's annoying classmate

seems interesting 😊 .... cant wait for u to continue
do continue asap 😳

heyy! seems real intresting yaar uve got a positive response from me 😉

its a great start! 😃 gdluck wiv da rest of ur story!
am looking forward for the next chap!
plz carry on!

Thanks for your response everyone! I'm glad you like it so far. Here is some info about the setting and characters. I have described the Rehman and Akhtar families in great detail but only wrote a few words about the other characters. It is a lot of names to remember, but I think when I begin the story, you will be able to relate to most of them. I will try to start the story within a few days. My final exams are coming up so I may decide to wait until they are over. Hope this update will keep you interested. Thanks again for reading!

EDIT: Character sketches moved to Post #1

wow!! im impressed! u seem to have every type of character in there n they seem really well sketched out!
ur rite itll take a while to get used to the characters but bliv me uve got a definite reader in me 😉

Originally posted by: coolniyu

wow!! im impressed! u seem to have every type of character in there n they seem really well sketched out!
ur rite itll take a while to get used to the characters but bliv me uve got a definite reader in me 😉

I couldnt have put it better... i have saved it so when i read it i can refer to the file...

hopefully you will update soon 😃

luv

-❤️Ysh❤️-

Just to let you guys know. Some of the characters in my story speak Hindi to each other, which is important to the story. In case some of you don't speak Hindi or have trouble reading it the way I have written it, I have translated everything. The translations are in green.

This is just the first day when the two families meet each other so it might seem a little uneventful. But it will get more interesting later. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

Chapter 1

As Samira awoke on the first day of 11^th grade, she saw gifts and flowers on her desk, dresser and side table. On the wall above her desk was a banner saying "Happy 16^th Birthday Samira Apa." Feeling fortunate to have such wonderful younger siblings, she got out of bed and began to get ready. Although Samira did not usually celebrate her birthday, this day felt special for some reason, so she wanted to look nice. She put on her favorite long pink skirt with a white blouse and tied a pink ribbon in her waist-length black hair.

When she went downstairs, she saw her younger sister Maryam eating breakfast in the kitchen. In the family room, their three year old brother was reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Samira was pleased to notice that although he had only started reading three days ago, he was already halfway done with the book. Both of them stopped what they were doing to wish her a happy birthday. Samira thanked them as she sat down at the breakfast table and began to pile pancakes onto her plate.

Maryam: Apa, aap ko pata hai, naye padosi kal raat aa gaye. Apa, did you know that the new neighbors moved in last night?

Samira: Achcha, tum unse mileen? Oh really, did you meet them yet?

Maryam: Nahin, lekin mummy abhi abhi un ko welcome karne gayi hain. No, but Mummy just went to welcome them.

Samira: Jab school se wapis aayen, to humein bhi jaana chaahiye. When we return from school, we should go too.

Maryam: Haan, dekhen to sahi ke woh kaun hain. Achcha apa, main chalti hoon. Meri bus aati hogi. Have a great day! Yeah, we should find out who they are. Alright, I better leave. My bus will be here any minute. Have a great day!

Maryam grabbed her backpack from the family room and rushed off to catch her bus. Samira finished her breakfast and went to get her backpack. She wanted to wait until her mother returned to find out about the new neighbors, but she had promised her best friend Carissa that she would meet her before class.

Unlike Maryam's middle school, which was across town, John F. Kennedy high school was only four blocks from their house. But just as Samira started to walk, she noticed the public bus at the nearest stop and decided to take it. As the bus arrived at her school, the familiar faces excited her at the prospect of another great school year.

As she entered the main quad, Samira immediately noticed Carissa standing near the water fountain, holding balloons. When she noticed who she was standing with, Samira stopped in her tracks. Talking to Carissa was one of the best looking guys she had ever seen in her life! She watched as he ran his hand through the dark hair that was falling on his forehead, moving it away from his deep brown eyes. His smile was radiant, and from the sound of his voice, he seemed genuine and soft-spoken.

Carissa: Hi Samira!

Carissa's voice took Samira out of her trance, and she began to wonder whether anyone had noticed her staring at the gorgeous stranger.

Samira: Hey Carissa!

Carissa (handing her the balloons): Happy Birthday!

As she hugged Carissa, Samira stole a glance at the guy, who smiled at her.

Carissa: Samira, this is Rehan. His family just moved here from Los Angeles. He's a senior and as you can probably tell, he's yet another one of your people.

Carissa was referring to the fact that almost a third of their school was comprised of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or some other form of desi students. This was not surprising considering Fremont had one of the largest desi populations in the United States.

Carissa: Rehan, this is my best friend, Samira, who I was just telling you about.

Rehan (shaking hands with Samira): It's a pleasure to meet you. Happy Birthday.

Wow, he was a gentleman too? Samira could hardly believe that such a guy existed.

Carissa was just about to start up a conversation, when a loud voice saying her name echoed through the quad. Spotting her boyfriend David smiling at her from the entrance, Carissa excused herself and went to greet him. Samira decided to find out more about Rehan.

Samira: How do you like Fremont so far?

Rehan: It's a nice place. Seems much more peaceful than L.A.

Samira: Is that why your family moved here? You were looking for a more peaceful place?

Rehan: No actually, we just couldn't live in L.A. anymore…because of something that happened. It's a long story.

Samira (sensing that he didn't want to talk about whatever happened): Well, I'm sure you'll like it here. The kids at this school are pretty friendly.

Rehan smiled.

Samira: Where is your family originally from?

Rehan: Delhi. We came to the US when I was four. How about yours?

Samira: The same general area, Lucknow in UP. But I was born–

The sound of the bell interrupted their conversation. It was time to head to their first class of the day.

Samira: What's your first period?

Rehan (checking his schedule): Calculus BC, in room 313.

Samira: That's my first class too! I'll show you where the room is.

They walked up two flights of stairs and down the hall to room 313. Samira noticed her brother Imraan in the back of the room and sat next to him, putting her balloons against the wall. Rehan took the seat in front of hers.

Imraan: Hi Samira. Happy Birthday!

Samira: Thanks Bhaiya., Aap aaj subah ghar pe nahin the to mujhe laga aap abhi New York se waapis nahin aaye. Thanks Bhaiya, when I didn't see you at home this morning, I thought you hadn't returned from New York yet.

Imraan had been visiting a friend, who was a first year student at New York University.

Imraan: Sorry yaar. Mera plane delay ho gaya tha to main der se pahuncha. Tum tab tak nikal chuki theen. Sorry, my plane got delayed so I got home a little late. You had left by then.

Samira: Oh! Bhaiya, this is Rehan. His family just moved here from L.A. Rehan, this is my older brother Imraan. He's a senior like you.

As they were shaking hands, a beautiful girl walked into the classroom. Her dark curls, dimples, and perfect figure were so alluring that all the guys turned to look at her. She looked around nervously for a second, then spotted Rehan and smiled. Rehan waved at her. Samira's heart skipped a beat as she wondered how they knew each other. The girl walked over and sat down next to Rehan and in front of Imraan.

Rehan (realizing that all four of them could speak Hindi): Yeh meri badi bahen Sabah hai. Baji, yeh hai Samira aur yeh uske bhai Imraan. This is my older sister Sabah. Baji, this is Samira and her brother Imraan.

Relieved that Sabah was Rehan's sister and pleased that his Hindi was so good, Samira smiled and shook hands with Sabah. As Sabah was shaking hands with Imraan, the teacher walked in and the class became silent.

After Calculus, the four of them parted ways and went to their respective classes. The next three classes went by extra slowly for Samira because she was waiting for lunchtime when she would get to see Rehan again.

During lunch, Imraan and Samira introduced Rehan and Sabah to their group of friends. Everyone was eager to learn more about the new kids. They found out that although Sabah was almost a year older than Rehan, they were in the same grade because Rehan had skipped a grade during elementary school.

Samira had the chance to talk to Rehan again in her 6^th period Spanish 4 class, the final class of the day. She had never before felt so glad to be taking classes that were advanced for her year.

As they walked out of class, they saw Imraan putting a textbook in his locker and Sabah standing nearby talking to him. When he saw them, Imraan signaled excitedly for them to come over.

Imraan: Samira, tumhen yaqin nahin aayega ke Sabah ne mujhe abhi kya bataaya. Guess karo ke yeh dono kahan rehte hain. Samira, you won't believe what Sabah just told me. Guess where these two live.

Samira: Kahan? Where?

Imraan: 1092 Coral Way

It took a couple seconds for this to register in Samira's mind. Coral way? That's where she lived. Her house was 1090, so….1092 had to be the house next door! So they were the new neighbors! When Imraan explained this to Rehan and Sabah, they were also delighted to hear that they lived near each other.

Imraan had driven his car to school that morning, so he gave everyone a ride back. Samira introduced Rehan and Sabah to her parents and younger siblings, and then she, Imran and Maryam went over to their house. They met Rehan and Sabah's parents and younger brother Amaan. They also learned that the three of them had an older brother named Yusuf who was studying at UC Berkeley. Imraan told them that their older sister Aisha was also at Berkeley, and they all wondered whether Yusuf and Aisha knew each other.

Later that evening, Samira called Aisha.

Aisha: Hello?

Samira: Hi Apa! How's it going?

Aisha: Pretty good. Tum kaisi ho? Pretty good. How are you?

Samira noticed that Aisha had the same gloomy, disinterested tone in her voice that she had all summer. This was not like her all! Aisha was the most talkative person that Samira knew, and it was very strange for her to be acting like this.

Samira: Sab theek to hai? Is everything okay?

Aisha: Haan, bas padhayi karte karte thak gayi hoon. Yea, I'm just a little tired from studying.

Samira: Achcha, to phir main aap ka zyaada waqt nahin loongi. Bas yeh bataana chahti thi ke humaare naye padosi aa gaye hain aur unke bachchon mein se do humaare school mein padte hain. Unke ek bade bhai hain Yusuf jo Berkeley mein hain. Aap unko jaanti hain? Yusuf Akhtar? Okay, then I won't take too much of your time. Just wanted to tell you that our new neighbors have arrived and two of them attend our school. They have an older brother named Yusuf who studies at Berkeley. Do you know him? Yusuf Akhtar?

Aisha: Haan, ek do baar mili hoon. Lekin zyaada jaan pehchaan nahin hai. Yes, I have met him a few times, but I don't know him too well.

They talked for a few more minutes before Aisha had to return to her school work.

Samira got ready for bed and prayed before going to sleep. Like every night, she remembered the guy who had saved her life six years ago and included him in her prayers. She prayed that he would live a long, happy life and that someday she would meet him again. She also prayed for Aisha, hoping that she would return to her old happy self.

It wasn't until she was in bed that Samira thought about Rehan once again. She knew that it was ridiculous for her to think she was in love since she barely knew him. But she did know for sure that she was attracted to him and wanted to know more about him. Planning what questions she would ask him the next morning, Samira slowly drifted off to sleep.

Next part will be added in about two weeks.

hey!! well its wonderful n if u call this introduction boring i can hardly wait for the next chapters 😉
so its luv at first sight for samira 😳 i like her a lot 😃
n its so sweet of you to include translations 😆 evn tho i understnd hindi i get lazy to read hinglish dilogs 😆
btw cud u increase ur font size or style slightly? itll make it easier 😃 thnxx n update soon!