Prologue
Ali knew this might not work, but he had no choice. He had to act, had to get up and rush to her house. It felt like his very soul depended on it. Bursting out the door, he jumped into his white Mercedes, his heart pounding as fast as the engine roared to life. Every second screamed at him that this might fail, but he couldn’t stop. He sped toward Clifton from Cantt, a trip that should take twenty minutes, but his reckless, desperate driving narrowed it down to eight. When he arrived, his eyes darted wildly, searching for Mr. Ahmer’s house, like a starving lion hunting its prey. And then he saw it, a mansion covered in lights, music spilling into the street, the unmistakable sound of a wedding celebration. His chest tightened as he stared at the glowing house, the song echoing in his ears. A single tear slipped from his foggy, watered eyes, blurring the world before him as he stood frozen, staring at the symbol of everything slipping away. He stepped into the house, uncertain if his heart would find what it was aching for. It seemed his heart, as he walked across the lawn, had suddenly taken control of him, leading and navigating him toward her. He entered the main lobby. About a hundred people stood around him, lost in their own worlds, totally oblivious to the storm that was going through inside him. His eyes began to blur again, the tears now flowing freely as he caught sight of the stage. It was adorned with vibrant tagetes patula and carnations, beautifully arranged for the mayo. And there she was. His heart twisted painfully in his chest, every breath a struggle.
This was her mayo.
His worst fear realized, unfolding before him, tearing at the last remnants of hope.
