The Day Everything Changed

With a heart-wrenching scream, I jolted awake.

I looked at the clock: 1:54 AM. With sleepy eyes, I rushed toward the door. I stepped out of the room—no one was there. Then Nazanin followed me out and said,

“Come back inside.”

I asked, “What’s going on? Where is that sound coming from? What happened?”

Nazanin said, “Just come in, girl. Take a breath first, you’re asking questions back-to-back.”

There were noises coming from outside the house. Nazanin was watching through the window.

I said, “What are you doing? What are you looking at? What happened?”

Nazanin: “Come, come, look—your Majnun has gone mad again. He’s here, haha!”

As soon as she said “your Majnun,” it felt like someone poured boiling water over my head. I was furious—blood rushed to my face.

I stared at her with anger and rushed to the window. I saw him—Miwand—arguing with my cousin Omar. My father was there too.

Nazanin said, “Why don’t you just accept him already? He’s so crazy about you—he must truly love you. Poor guy. He’s wealthy, not bad-looking either.”

I glared at her and said, “If he’s so great, go marry him yourself.”

Nazanin: “Oh my God, why are you so mad? Alright, I’ll shut up.”

I said, “That idiot ruined my sleep showing up at this hour. He must’ve gone insane and lost his way again.”

Nazanin: “Let’s just go back to sleep, I think he’s gone now.”

We both went back to bed.

The next morning, I woke up to my mother's sweet voice calling me gently, full of love and care.

Just as I was about to sit up, Nazanin hit me hard with a pillow.

“Ouch!” I said, turning to look at her. “Are you crazy? What are you doing this early?”

Nazanin was laughing so hard she couldn’t sit straight. She looked at my mother and said,

“Auntie, what do you feed this girl to make her so serious all the time?”

My mother laughed and said, “Alright, enough now. Come to the kitchen—we’ve prepared breakfast. Go wash up.”

---

My name is Hour, born into a wealthy family. My father is a businessman. I have three brothers, and I’m the only daughter.

My eldest brother, Omar, is six years older than me. He’s married to our cousin Ayesha, and they have a three-year-old son.

My second brother, Idris, is two years older than me and is engaged to the daughter of my father’s friend.

My youngest brother, Ahmad, is two years younger than me and still in school.

Everyone says I take after my mother in appearance—Mahpari, a stunning woman with colorful eyes, fair skin, and a smile that never fades. She’s kind and warm.

But in personality, I take after my father—stubborn, strict, and serious.

I’m 19 years old. I finished school five months ago and just turned 19 last month. We were a happy family, thanks to my mother who always taught us to be kind and loving.

But everything changed the day a storm came into our lives and stole all our happiness…

I had a very special bond with my father. He raised me like a princess and never said a word to hurt me.

He was my hero, my guardian angel—the one who loved me unconditionally.

That love only grew stronger over time…

But now, none of that means anything.

Now, I fear he might sacrifice me.

Years ago, when that storm struck, our happiness was ripped away.

Yes—my father married another woman.

It was midnight when he brought her home and said, “This is my wife.”

We were in shock—still are. I still can’t accept that my father did something so cruel to my mother.

Since that day, my mother has chosen silence. I always tell her to confront him, but she says, “Silence is the strongest weapon.”

I still don’t understand what she means.

The name of that storm is Shakila. I always call her “the witch.”

I’m sure she used sorcery on my father—he used to be completely devoted to my mother.

He would never have done such a thing otherwise.

And if she wasn’t enough, she has a foolish nephew named Miwand who claims to be in love with me.

I can’t even stand him—let alone consider his feelings.

I hate even hearing his name.

He’s the kind of guy who stares at people like he’s eating them with his eyes.

Despite my mother’s efforts to keep me away from them, we still run into them at family gatherings.

That witch Shakila insists that her nephew has turned into a drunkard out of love for me.

She always threatens that I should accept him.

I told her, “Sure, so I can be stuck with you forever? No thanks.”

---

Present Day

Nazanin and I went to the kitchen to have breakfast. She’s my cousin and Ayesha’s younger sister. We’re the same age and best friends.

She had come to our house yesterday to help with preparations for Idris’ wedding.

Today, we planned to go shopping. After breakfast, we headed to a big mall and finished half our shopping, had lunch at a restaurant, and came home around 4 PM.

When we got home, my mom and my two aunts—Nazanin’s mom and our younger aunt Yasmin—were there.

We were all sitting together when Nazanin asked,

“Hour, when is Roya coming? Are you going to the airport to pick her up?”

Hour: “She’s arriving tomorrow—and of course I’ll go. It’s been so long; I’ve missed her.”

Roya was my best friend from school—we’d been classmates since first grade.

Our families are close, and our fathers are business partners.

She now lives in Dubai, married with a daughter. After three years, I’ll finally see her again.

When Idris came home, I reminded him,

“Don’t forget you’re taking me to the airport tomorrow.”

Idris: “How could I forget? Orders from the princess must be obeyed.”

Hour: “Good. We need to leave by 11.”

Idris: “Sure. Your driver is at your service.”

That night, our aunts stayed over. Yasmin, Nazanin, and I slept in my room.

---

Next Morning

I woke up early—excited to go pick up Roya from the airport.

I took a cold shower, and when I got out, I saw Nazanin and Yasmin still asleep.

A mischievous idea struck me.

I splashed water on both of them.

Nazanin: “Hour! What’s wrong with you? Is this how you wake people up?”

Hour: “Mission accomplished.”

Yasmin: “And what did I do to deserve this? No respect for your aunt at all?”

Hour: “None, haha.”

I dried my hair, which takes a long time since it’s very long.

Then I had a royal breakfast with my mom, Omar, Ayesha, little Elias (Omar’s son), Aunt Noormah, Yasmin, Nazanin, Idris, and Ahmad.

After that, I went to my room to get ready.

I wore a delicate black hijab, applied a bit of mascara—my blue eyes looked even prettier.

I tied my long hair, put on a scarf, sprayed some perfume, and added a soft pink gloss to my lips…

Just then, Yasmin walked into the room…