Despite all their craziness these past few months, my parents loved me, and I’d never felt it more than I did in that particular moment. Would they continue to pester me about marriage? I had no doubt they would. But this time I felt stronger, more certain of myself. This time, I wouldn’t allow myself to succumb to the pressures like I had before. Because I, Leila Abid, realized that not all happy endings need to include a Bollywood hero. Sometimes the scene ends with just us, on our own, picking up the broken pieces so that we can start over again. Sometimes it’s letting go of cultural expectations in order to pave our own paths for the future. Or sometimes, the happy ending is simply moving forward.

Regardless of what happened, I had grown. I had learned. I had discovered my own self-worth. Hero or no hero, I was still the heroine of my story, and truth be told, my story was just beginning.

Acknowledgments

I’ve always believed that every person has a book within them. For me, this was the book I carried with me long before I even began writing it, so to see its transformation over the years into the very thing you are now holding has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

A part of me wants very much to thank every single person I have ever come into contact with because I feel that every presence, interaction, and moment has in some way led me to this exact point. However, for the sake of those reading this, I will resist that urge and focus on the specific few, without whom this book would not have been possible:

To my parents, both of whom I owe more to than words can ever express. My mother, whose unconditional support and love (and endless supply of chai), has always been my greatest source of strength. My father, who taught me the importance of patience and perseverance, and who never once discouraged me from following my passions.

My sister, Zunera, for being the first one to (voluntarily) read this book from cover to cover and for dubbing herself my “biggest fan.” Your sincere enthusiasm toward everything I’ve ever written motivates me more than you know. To my nieces, Ahyana and Amanah, my sources of light, you both are the inspiration behind everything I do.

Some say writing is something that cannot be taught; however, I owe so much of my writing accomplishments to the amazing teachers I’ve had the fortune of learning from throughout my life. Peggy Keller, I’m so grateful that our paths crossed when they did, and that you were willing to take the time to advise me even when this book was nothing more than a distant dream. Ellen Kleiner, thank you for your keen eye during the beginning stages of this manuscript. Your encouragement and guidance instilled a sense of confidence in me that I didn’t even know existed. Nick Taylor, you gave me an opportunity to take part in my first writing workshop at SJSU after reading a sample chapter from this novel, and for that I am forever thankful. To my professors in CSULB’s MFA program, my heartfelt thanks for your always kind generosity toward me and my work, and for shaping me into a better writer. Au-co Tran, my most trusted writing partner, I can always count on you for your honest feedback, and I thank you for being the perfect sounding board to all my rants and raves.