Author's Pov
In Shah Mansion
Saturday morning at 8:30 am, it's time for the religiously followed breakfast in the Shah mansion. As usual, Azlan woke up, dressed casually since it was his day off, and made his way downstairs for the awaiting meal. There, at the table, sat the head of the Shah family and Azlan's grandfather, Mr. Zehaan Shah.
"Salaam walekum Dada," Azlan greeted him with a smile as he took his seat next to his grandpa.
"Walaikum assalam meri jaan," his dada replied, returning the smile warmly. They began their breakfast when suddenly one of the household workers in their mansion approached Mr. Zeehaan and asked for permission to speak. Mr. Zeehaan nodded his approval, and the worker updated him about the preparations.
Taking in the scene, Azlan asked, "What preparations, Dada?"
"Oh, there is a small reunion planned for this evening. That's what all the preparations are about. Since you're free today, I assumed your friends would be too, so I thought today would be perfect for getting everything done swiftly," replied Dada.
"Okay..." Azlan said, trying to process the information. Suddenly, a realization struck him, and he exclaimed, "Wait a second... those two idiots already know about this?"
"Of course! How do you think the preparations were done so quickly, huh? Mr. Workaholic," Zehaan Shah said with a chuckle. "Come on, beta, sometimes I feel like you are my guardian and I am the grandchild... Just relax a bit and enjoy your life too," he added, his eyes filled with concern for Azlan.
"Moreover, it's my reunion party, so I didn't think it was all that important to inform you," said Dada mischievously. Azlan made a playful, judgmental face towards his granddad and said, "What are you, 18? Seriously, a reunion at this age? Allah, okay, do whatever you want, but don't—"
Azlan was cut off by his Dada, who mimicked, "DON'T DISTURB ME WHILE I AM WORKING!" Then they both started laughing.
Azlan is naturally a very reserved and strict person but he opens up only to his loved ones, which include his Dada, Zehaan Shah, and his two best friends, Rehaan Khan and Danish Abrar. They grew up together, attending the same school and college.
Azlan parents died in a dreadful manners when he was 15 and was in hostel from than on he's everything thing is this 3 males.
He was very close with his mother and there's not a day when he doesn't miss his mumma.
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By the time the evening comes and Zehaan Shah's guest cum friends starts coming and enjoying the party
Meanwhile in the home office our beloved Azlan is busy working like a maniac.
Suddenly the door of the office gets open and there comes our very charming and extrovert Danish Abrar.
"Hey you! why are you not in the party everyone is here come on man" Danish said while closing the door and approaching Azlan to his desk.
(Seriously! you too!) Said Azlan with a bored face not moving his eyes from the laptop he's working on.
"What's interesting about that party anyways huh! you should also get working okay all the oldies are gonna be there, also you can't even flirt with them then why are you so interested in them?"
"If you are not coming then I am going to call your DAda okay so it's your choice now" Danish said playfully making Azlan's eyes narrowed at him .
Azlan knowing very well that if his Dada comes to approach him for the party he won't be able to deny not that he's scared but he loves his Dada too much that even his arrogant self gets melted.
"Okay okay I'm coming just give me a minute I'll get freshen up and will be downstairs in a minute now get out!" Azlan said.
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.
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(Only if he knows what's waiting for him in the party 🤫🤫)
.
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Soon, Azlan came downstairs and greeted everyone with a warm smile. Each guest already adored him, not only because of his success but also for how he had handled everything from a very young age.
Just last week, he had been named one of the Top 20 richest entrepreneurs in the world.
He walked over to his two best friends, who were sitting on a couch in the corner.
"Feels like you people are enjoying more than the old ones catching up huh.." said Azlan taking the drink from the table and sitting beside them and resting his body lazily on the couch watching over the party.
"We are being normal unlike you..." Rehan scoff at Azlan and Danish smirk. Azlan not giving a damn continue with sipping his drink and roaming his gaze around the party.
"Where's Dada by the way?" Asked Azlan lazily gazing over people.
"He's in the backyard catching up with some very old friend of his playing chess." Danish said
"Playing chess ?.. interesting... let's check it out " he said getting up keeping his drink on the table and moves towards the backyard corner .
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There's a small crowd covering the seated player playing chess not letting anyone able to see what's going on from outside.
Azlan moved forward, and as people noticed him, they greeted him warmly and made way for him to pass through.
He could hear faint laughter from his Dada and another voice, which he assumed must belong to his Dada's opponent in the chess game.
As he got closer to the table, his eyes caught sight of a person, and that's when his world got flipped.......
It felt as though everything around him vanished.
His focus narrowed to the figure sitting across the table from his Dada.
It wasn't an old friend from his father’s past as he had assumed, but a young woman, her attention riveted on the chessboard.
With a confident motion, she moved her piece and declared, "Checkmate."
"Checkmate... indeed " he whispers... To himself with a devilish smile.
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