“People often look at me, a Muslim woman draped in a hijab, and immediately assume they know my story. ‘You must make the best curries and breyani,’ they say. ‘And don’t get me started on your samosas, I hope you sell them so I can be your customer, they continue.’ With a smile, I almost always respond, “Cooking is not my passion.” The surprise that dances across their faces is unmistakable, a reflection of the stereotypes that often cloud their perceptions. “That’s too bad,” they reply, “then what do you do? It must be pretty boring to be cooped up at home doing nothing” But here’s the twist: I’m not just a stereotype. “I’m actually a seasonal property developer, I own an IT company, and I’m also a casual writer.” And you are about to dive into one of my books.