The Canaste of Deux

It is 2004, three years after the events of 9/11 sparked hatred for and fear of Muslims. Remas Dishruhk, a third-grader who lost many of his friends in the aftermath at his elementary school in Canada, has an alluring charm with the girls, despite all the negativity that surrounds him. Now he is residing in Lahore, Pakistan, with his family, and enrolled in a new school.

Soon Remas makes many friends that include the most popular girl in his grade, Zeha. As he matures and his friendship with Zeha grows, Remas eventually returns to Toronto where he builds self-discipline and eventually joins the Canadian Army with grand ambitions. Now immune to the troubles associated with romance, Remas becomes an arms dealer obsessed with his power. But he has no idea that very soon, he will have to decide between love and power as the girl of his dreams reappears in his life.

The Canaste of Deux is the short tale of a Muslim boy's coming-of-age journey as he battles to find true love-and his purpose-in a challenging post-9/11 world.