Chapter 1

The air inside the Khan Palace was thick with anticipation for the arrival of Dr. Azhar Ali Khan. The youngest clan was trying their best to please their Dada Jaan ( Grandfather) for the plea of mercy to them. The elder females of the house were shaking their heads at their antics. Ayaan, the peacemaker, tried to coax Dada Jaan, " Dada Jaan, aap baat karein na Bhai Jaan se." (Dada Jaan, talk to Bhai Jaan.) Before Dada Jaan could reply, the clicking of boots was heard. It announced the arrival of Dr. Azhar Ali Khan, that is their Bhai Jaan. Azhar came in his full glory and glanced at his siblings, sending a shiver down their spines.

Azhar sat on his chair and picked up his cutlery, indicating to others to start eating. Ibrahim and Osmaan were engaged in a hushed conversation while Dada Jaan tried to sneakily eat a piece of Gulab Jamun when Azhar's cold voice rang out, " Dado, keep that piece aside before I ban it for the whole two months." Dadi Jaan (Grandmother) gasps at finding Dada Jaan's fingers soaking with sugar syrup. " Captain! Yeh kya hai?" (Captain! What is this?)  The younger clan tried to muffle their laughter. Dada Jaan glanced accusingly at Azhar, " Thoda sa kha leta, tho kya hota?" ( What would happen if I ate just a little?) Azhar raised his eyebrow as if asking, You wanna know? He paused his eating and announced, " Ammi, aaj se Dado ki chai band. Only green tea allowed hai." ( Mom, from today, Dado's tea is banned. Only green tea is allowed.)

On hearing this, Dado's face moved like a puffer fish, and the younger clan burst out laughing. Dado Jaan scoffed, and Dadi Jaan shook her head at his childish behaviour. Azhar glanced at the younger clan. " Don't fly high, next is your turn."  A pin drop silence, and then groans were heard. Everyone called him in unison, "Bhai Jaan!" Azhar sipped his black coffee and shrugged. Ibrahim and Osmaan were enjoying the show with their wives, chuckling beside them. Azhar looked at them and said, " Aap dono kis baat ki khushi mana rahe hai? Aap dono ko ab se roz walking par jaana hai." (What are both of you celebrating? You both have to go for a walk every day from now on.) Hearing him, both of them stiffened, and Dada Jaan enjoyed their miseries. " Aur aurton ko kuch nahi bolenge?" (And you won't say anything to the women,) asked Osmaan.

Salma glared at her husband and looked at Azhar\, waiting for their verdict. **" Monitoring you all is already a big task for them." **Ibrahim scoffed and mumbled\, " Partiality kehte hai ise. Iski biwi aane do, phir dekhte hai." (This is called partiality. Let his wife come, then we'll see.) Osmaan agreed with his brother. Azhar glanced at his watch and looked at the younger clan, " In the study room at 7:30 pm." The clan groaned but agreed. This was the daily routine of the Khan Palace, with Azhar maintaining his discipline and rules. Azhar would drop the younger clan personally and go to the University. During this period what whatever issues the younger clan would face, they will discuss with him and seek advice.

After dropping everyone off at their respective place, he turned towards the University. He was greeted by the students and other professors. He greeted them back and headed to his class. He entered the class and was met with greetings, " Good Morning, Sir!" He nodded and gestured for them to sit down. He ran his gaze over the whole class but didn't find the one he was searching for. He then took the attendance of the class, calling them one by one. " Zubair Akram!" He raised his hand for attendance. " Mahveen Ali Khan!" She raised her hand for attendance. " Inayat Qureshi!" Silence. He once again repeated. " Inayat Qureshi!" A huffing was heard near the door. "H..Here\, Sir." He glanced at her and asked for the explanation of her late coming. **"M..Met with an accident\, Sir." **His attention then went to her bleeding foot. His eyes turned dark\, and he clenched his pen way too tightly.

"Ms Mahveen, take her to the infirmary." Mahveen stood up and guided Inayat to the infirmary. Soon they reached the infirmary\, and the nursing began. Sweat beads formed on her forehead due to the pain. The person on duty gasps seeing a glass piece stuck on her ankle. **" This is serious. I will remove the glass\, and it will be painful for you. You need to take an injection as well." **Inyat's eyes widened at the word Injection. She shook her head and looked at them pleadingly\, " P...Please, not the injection." Mahveen tried to calm her down. **" Inu\, kuch nahi hoga." **(Inu\, nothing will happen) The person began to remove the glass piece\, and Inayat bit her inner cheek to control her pain. But seeing that the piece was near her nerve\, the person stopped. She asked them to head to the hospital\, as it could be serious if not addressed. But Inayat asked her to continue and remove the piece. Mahveen had already filled Azhar with the information\, and he came to see the situation. But his eyes turned red hearing Inayat. " Is it, Ms Inayat Qureshi?"

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