It's a story from many years ago. In a grand haveli lived seven brothers… each one incredibly handsome, noble, and pure-hearted.They were the sons of Sardar Zartaj Shah.
But in that same haveli, there was also a daughter, whose existence neither Zartaj Shah nor his seven sons knew about…
The eldest brother, Zarman Shah, was the owner of a massive agricultural company.The second, Zain Shah, worked as an interior designer.The third, Afaq Ahmed Shah, was a movie director.Then came Arghman Shah, fiercely moody, quick-tempered, yet the owner of a leading architectural firm.After him were the twin brothers, Azlan and Arslan Shah, both pursuing BBA at university.And finally, the youngest, Salar Shah, still struggling miserably in the 12th grade.
On the other side… Ziniya Shah lived with her mother in the annex, forbidden from entering the haveli.Zartaj Shah believed that his wife, Neelam Shah, had betrayed him. He was convinced that Ziniya was not his child.Because of this, he treated her like a servant, always scolding her, humiliating her, reducing her to nothing more than a slave in her own home.
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That day too was just like every other ordinary day.When Ziniya woke up in the morning, she saw her mother preparing breakfast.
"Amma… you shouldn't keep coming here to the annex again and again. Baba doesn't like you visiting me… Bua Amma is already raising me, isn't she…"Ziniya repeated the same words she always told Neelam Begum.
"Why shouldn't I come? You're only fourteen, and you're my daughter. If Zartaj doesn't like it, that's not my fault. You're my blood, my part, my heartbeat… so beautiful, how can anyone hate you?" Neelam Begum whispered, her eyes wet but her voice steady.
Ziniya lowered her gaze.Somewhere deep inside, she wanted to believe her mother's words. But the world she lived in had already carved its truth: she was unwanted in the haveli.
Outside, the laughter of the seven brothers echoed through the courtyard, echoes that never reached her room.
Ziniya clenched her hands around the cup of tea.
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