Chapter 1
Wait..first the beginning
So, you’re reading this book, a book a not much significance and you must’ve just rolled upon the
book on the internet or the bookshelves in the library (if you still go to the library then props to you). I
know that this is not one of the books that was on your yearly book list, no matter how long or short or
long it is. But what the hell? You’re reading it anyways, so might as well just sit back and get on with this
this long journey.
First, no story begins with action like Fast and Furious, but with the person telling it. My name is
Abdul Hadi Khan, and I am, at the time of starting of this story, 16 years of age in 2025. For future
reference, I am going to start 11th grade in this calendar year. Simple yes, but for me, it bears a lot of
meaning. For you guys, I am just a normal kid going through this journey called life but let me tell you
this; no one considers themselves ordinary but special, in one way another. They cannot imagine other
people not doing the things that they don’t do, which is a queer thing for humans to do, and I will get to
this at another time.
This chapter is all about beginnings, what are the things that happened to me prior to this moment, me
turning 16, and let me tell you, it is going to be a long one. You might be thinking, “this dude has
traversed the lands of war, terrorism, and danger and is now going to describe the psychological mumbo
jumbo and all that deep shit”. Let me tell you that that could not be farther from the truth, whether that be
a good thing or bad thing, I will leave you to decide. I have, thank God, been given a privileged
childhood, one not containing McLarin for birthdays or $10,000 pocket money, but a one that has been
giving me nothing but peace and comfort, which I hope goes on towards the end of my days. So, this
story is (I hope) unique in that sense.
I can get straight to my birth but let me give a bit of background on what ways I have come from, and
that start not in Houston, not in Okinawa, not in Berlin, but in a small city in the southeastern part of
Pakistan, Bahawalpur. This city has immense importance for my country, in more ways than one. Known
to be the hub of farming and cattle grazing, and a haven for farmers and nomads coming from the western
dry province Balochistan to take advantage of our vast landscape and fertility. The city, at the time, was
almost just the size of any small town in the outskirts of Canada but much less modern or developed. I
can assure that till this day, it can be called the ‘Mother or Mangos and Mangoholics’ because I tell you,
if you take bite out of that damn mango, freshly plucked from the nursery trees, in June, when it is 50
degrees Celsius, you will want to live there. The city has now expanded and become one of the quickest
populating countries in all of Pakistan. It has become quite modern, with institutions, hospitals and many
other ‘high tech’ amenities being built there, but the city always has that hint of ‘oldness’ inside it, which
I think will never go away (unless flying cars will ever exist).
My family is tree is not the one full of successful businessmen, doctors, engineers or any other high
demand Job, but consists of carpenters, ice cream sellers, tailors and many others. Now, these skills in the
Western countries wouldn’t be as bad as you think, but back in my country, it is the most down looked
upon job anyone can do, and usually, these people are just one step up from beggars. However, my
father’s side was okay, middle-class family, but it did not help that they were 6 siblings and 2 parents. My
father ended up as an English teacher, and believe it or not, that was the step from poverty into a better
life, no matter how much the field is dying now
And then there I was, born quite a neat suburb in the city hospital, in 2009. And my life before you
knew it changed after 5 months of being born. After 2 months, my grandfather died, which wasn’t really a
shock, as I barely knew him, and 3 months later, I am being shipped to Saudi Arabia. Yeah, crazy right,
especially right after you awoke to this new life. Let me just give you a bit of nuance on this ‘move’.
Prospects for my father and the country in general were not looking so good, and my father’s skills could
be awarded much handsomely elsewhere, and that elsewhere was The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was
common for several people who wanted a superior future to move out of my country, either for a
temporary or permanent bases, and most of my people went to Saudi Arabia, due to a multitude of
reasons. One being its was one of the nearest nearly developed country and two, most of my people are
Muslims, and if you didn’t know, the two holiest sites are in that country. So, it came natural to many
people to move there, despite the country pretty much not giving immigration at all to foreigners. And
yeah, me and my mom, (my father went earlier) hopped on a plane on Saudi Airlines and started to long
trip to a land that I didn’t know at the time, would become a stepping stone where I am today.
Let me just be clear about the living accommodations that I spent time in. In total, I only moved houses
once in Saudi and lived the most time in the second home. I know that y’all who are from the west may
be thinking I lived in a house but no, I lived in flats Saudi Arabia is one of those countries who don’t
allow foreigners to purchase property, or houses except for businesses. It’s a weird rule, and is widely
criticized, so because of that, in 2026, they are actually allowing non-natives to purchase property of all
kinds.
One other very peculiar fact about that country is that you can’t actually become a citizen of the land.
You must be of Arab heritage, which must be pure, and only then are you considered a ‘Saudi’. I have
many friends who have families (no native families) who have been living in that country for generations,
and only have permanent residence, no nationality. This unfortunately, as of today, is being continued and
not coming to a stop anytime soon.
It really interesting to hear people reactions when you tell them that you dream of being a citizen of
such a country and they say,’ What? A citizen of sand and sun?’ That is actually hilarious, because you
know, if you take this very person to that so-called ‘sand and sun’ land, they will want to die there. Saudi
Arabia in the past years, has become a safe haven for several ethnicities to come, work and live,
especially for Muslims. First of all, the country is rich as f***, and is ruled by the richest living monarchy
of this age; The Saud’s. They run the country by one natural resource, the source of all power and
greatness: OIL. And lots of it. This land is actually one of the only land people actually use electricity as
if it is ‘free energy’ because I mean, there is so much of it, and it never seems to run out. Plus, your bills
are still surprisingly low. “Oh but Abdul, that is bad for the environment and the animals blah blah blah
blah blah..” Whatever!? WHAT? DO you think a country, built for scrapes and sandstorms care about
creatures that don’t even exist there. Get out’a here!! I’m kidding, yes you are right, but those thoughts , I
don’t think are crossing their minds anytime soon, let me tell you that.
The people there are not awful, but there not the great. In business and marketing, you couldn’t want
anyone better on you team, which is partly why they are the most successful businessmen in the world.
But in any other dealings, especially sports..OOOOH.. you might want to hop of to the next flight to
Japan, because you couldn’t get rougher then them. Hardcore football (or soccer as we call it) fans and
never argue on who is better Messi or Ronaldo, because I God Damn tell you, Ronaldo is the Holy one,
the Saviour, the LORD in there hearts. Apart from that, they are a bit rude in traffic, not to mention make
horrific drivers. Forget rules, they drive cars on two side wheels in the sand. While these may be some
bad characteristics of these people, by no means am I downgrading these people. They are my people and
will always have a place in my heart. I am just saying, they can get peculiar at times.