The Love Thief Short Stories collected

An Age-Gap Arranged Romance.

Character Description:

Anaya Ammar:

An 18 year old quiet girl. Having an introverted nature made it harder for her to make friends so she found solace in books to escape reality.

Shahnawaz Ali:

A 39 year old businessman whose sole reason of living is to work. Being a son of an abusive mother he avoids the female gender like a plague.

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Anaya POV:

Today is the day when i am finally graduating college. Despite having no friends college was the best time of my life. It give me some time away from home. I'm not well liked at home so college is a temporary escape for me.

i went down the stairs and collided with my bhabhi (sister-in-law). She was carrying a glass of milk. All of it was now on my shirt.

Instead of apologizing, She screamed, "Andhi ho kia" (Are you blind). I immediate apologized not wanting to create a scene. She huffed and went back to the kitchen to take another glass of milk.

I too went back to my room to change my shirt. Looking at the clock i realized i have got only 5 minutes before the bus leave. I hurriedly picked up the first shirt that came into view and ran towards the bus station.

Reaching the bus station, i saw bus has already left. I mentally curshed my bhabhi, if not for her I would have reached the station on time.

I began walking on foot because i have no money for taxi. Although my family owns a car but I'm not allowed to use it. My father doesn't even acknowledge my presence. His behavior with my brother and me are different. I never understood the reason for this biasness.

I was so lost in my thoughts that i didn't even realize i reached my college gate. As today is the last day of college our teachers gave us day off. There is a farewell party after school. Although i rarely talk to my classfellows they invited me out of courtesy.

I was still deciding whether i should go or not when a phone call came from house. It was my mother.

"Anaya when are you coming home"

"The time i usually come"

"Don't tell me you forgot"

"What did i forget"

"Today is your cousin valima (reception)"

"Alright i will come back Early"

After an hour, I decided to head back home. On the way i passed our neighbor and family friend Shahnawaz Ali. Out of basic human decency i gave him a smile which he flat out ignored. Rude. I don't know what's wrong with him. He is 39 and still single. He lives on his own.

Shrugging my shoulder, I went inside my house. I saw that everyone was already dressed. i immediately went inside my room and got dressed.

When i came outside, i saw that everyone has left. i called my mother to find out where is everyone and all she said that they accidentally forgot about me and i should come to the reception by a taxi and cut the call.