The late afternoon sun cast a dull glow through the window, painting the room in an unwelcoming light. Haya sat by her window, fingers twisting at the edge of her scarf, trying to quiet the storm inside her chest.
A knock at the door startled her. Before she could respond, it opened, and her mother walked in, her stepfather just behind her.
Haya stood, her heart dropping into her stomach. Her mother's face was set in lines of disapproval.
"Why are you sitting here all day, Haya?" her mother snapped. "You've embarrassed us enough already. Do you think hiding in your room will fix anything?" She looked like she was going to explode.
Haya flinched, but said nothing.
Her stepfather crossed his arms and gave her a cold look. "Your mother is right. We've decided. You'll get married next month. No more of this childish behavior. You're a grown woman, and you need to accept your responsibilities."
Tears threatened to spill, but she blinked them back, pressing her lips together. It was the first time he ever talked to her like this.
Her mother sat on the couch and her voice softened a little but her words were enough to stab her heart. "I don't know how long my parents will live? They are old. They'll die eventually. What will you do then? You don't have a father. I can't take you to my house, but the only way to give you a home is for you to get married."
Tears escape Haya's eyes, she wipes them brutally.
Her mother sighed. "Haider doesn't love you! He disowned you in front of everyone! Why don't you understand!?" She nearly shouted.
Haya's breath hitched. He'd been the center of her world — and now the same world felt like it had shattered around her.
Her mother shook her head. "It's your own fault. But enough now. You'll listen to us. We know what's best." She said.
Haya looks up in disbelief. "My fault? You were the one who wanted me to marry Haider!" She said, her voice cracks.
Her mother's words got even harsher. "Wow! Now it's all on me? Well and good. I would never have done that if you didn't tell me that you liked him! You were the one who fell in love!"
She felt like she couldn't breathe, like the walls were closing in. "Mama… please…" she whispered.
But her mother's eyes flashed with impatience. "No. You've caused enough trouble. You will marry whomever we choose. Do you understand?"
Her step father walks over to her and puts his hand on her shoulder. "You think I don't care? I've watched you suffer for months. I can't stand by and do nothing. Please, Haya… just trust me. I wish I could do this differently, but I can't." He said persuasively.
Haya couldn't even nod. She stared at the floor, her arms wrapped around herself.
Without another word, they turned and left, leaving the room heavy with silence.
---
Haya sank to the edge of her bed, her phone trembling in her hands. She scrolled through her contacts, stopping at Zoya's name.
She hesitated. Zoya was more than just a step sister for her. She was her best friend.
Haya was waiting for a notification from Zoya from the day Haider divorced Haya, but there was an unusual silence.
She typed a quick message:
"Hi. How are you?" She texted her
A few seconds later, Zoya replies,"I'm fine... what about you?" Her message was unusually formal.
Haya types:
"It's been days you didn't text me. Are you mad at me?" Haya was trying not to cry. She was her only hope. The only person that would never judge her.
Zoya replied after a few seconds. "I'm too ashamed of myself. I couldn't face you. I thought you hate me."
Haya blinked back tears. She pictured Zoya's wide, innocent eyes, filled with regret and helplessness. "It's not your mistake. You did nothing wrong. Don't think like that."
Haya gets another text."Haya, I'm so sorry. I wish I could have stopped all this. I feel like I failed you."
Haya's throat tightened. She could almost see Zoya's tearful face.
She typed again:
"Don't blame yourself. You've always been the best sister. I don't want to lose you too."
Her hands trembled as she hit send. She curled up on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest, whispering a silent prayer that one day — somehow — she'd find the strength to fight for herself. She typed a quick message:
"Hey Zoya. I hope you're okay. I'm alright too. Don't worry about anything, okay?"
"Promise..?" Zoya texts back.
"I promise. You'll always be my sister. " She says.
"I'm leaving...I have to go to Adam's house. Good bye. Take care of yourself." Zoya texted.
She turns off her mobile and hugs the phone to her chest, the only warmth she could hold on to in that moment.
Somewhere deep inside, she knew the battle wasn't over. She would need every ounce of strength to face what was coming. But for now, Zoya's love was a lifeline — a thread connecting her to the girl she used to be, the one who still believed in family, in love, in hope.
And maybe — just maybe — that thread would be enough to keep her from breaking completely.
After a few minutes when she's about to sleep her mobile screen lits up with a notification. "Haya...wanna meet?"