𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟕

ARZO

Two days after all the events are over, I’m back at university.

Can’t say I missed it. I’d rather be at home, painting or sleeping- or helping Ammi after she scolds me for always sleeping.

While my sister is having fun on her honeymoon, I’m here completing my pending work.

Thankfully, all of my professors were compromising and helped me quickly catch up. One of them even said he’ll send me his visual presentations he showed in the class that I missed.

I have so many assignments to get done and on top of that I’m waiting for an email from F&F Innovation regarding whether or not I got the internship.

I gave the interview a week ago and am still waiting for a reply.

I did apply for other companies but F&F Innovation was my top and first choice. It’s one of the most successful businesses in the country and their owners are very hardworking.

When I started my research, I only focused on applying for the internship and searched about the environment of the company.

It’s hard to even get an internship at this company because the owners are so strict and precise about what they want.

I don’t want to keep my hopes high but I really want to work at this company if I have to pick graphic designing as my career.

After my last class is over, I pack up my things and exit the classroom. The voices of people mingle in the halls, some planning hang outs, parties or study sessions as I make my way through. I exit the building and walk towards the parking lot to my car.

I get in my car, take out my phone and put my bag on the passenger seat. I sit back in my seat, release a breath before I open my emails.

None.

My shoulders slouch in disappointment. The anxiety of not knowing whether you got the internship or not is terrifying. There’s a huge chance that I might not get in but I still need an answer.

I look up and close my eyes as I make dua.

Ya Allah, please let me receive the email today and let it contain good news.

Ameen.

After I’m done making dua, I put away my phone, straighten my shoulders and start the car, driving it out of the parking lot and going home.

Soon my house starts to come into view. I slow down the speed of the car as I spot a familiar car parked outside the house.

Shoaib’s car.

I am not dealing with this today.

I quickly park my car in the garage and hurry inside after closing the garage door. As soon as I step inside, I hear voices coming from the living room. One voice is from Abbu and the other is from Chachi.

I quickly walk past the living room door and release a sigh of relief that they didn’t spot me. Then I make my way to find Ammi.

I find her in the kitchen helping the maid. From the look on her face, I can tell she’s stressed.

She looks up when I put down my bag, “Assalamu Alaikum, beta.”

“Wale Kum Assalam, Ammi,” I sign, “Why is chachi here?”

“I don’t know. She and Shoaib came unannounced saying they have an announcement.”

There’s so many things wrong with that sentence.

“Miss, chai is done.” the maid says.

“Okay, pour it into four cups and serve in the living room,” the maid nods then ammi turns to me, “beta, go fresh up and come greet them.”

My shoulders slouch but ammi straightens them, “come on, good girl.” she pats my shoulder then turns to help the maid.

I pick up my bag and make my way towards my room to fresh up.

After I freshen up, I wear my hijab then make my way downstairs.

“I have to ask Arzo first.”

My steps slow down at Abbu’s voice.

“Why do you have to ask her?” chachi asks, “you just have to inform her,”

I stand by the entrance and hear the rest of the conversation.

“We can’t just throw this at her, bhabhi.” ammi says.

“Bas kardo, Sadia. She’s your daughter, it’s her job to obey you.”

“We can’t force a decision on her and we won’t."

“Why? Because you want to marry her off to the billionaire?”

My jaw clenches at Shoaib's voice.

“What are you trying to say?” abbu asks, anger coating his voice.

“Your daughter looked way too comfortable with Hafsah's brother in law. I'm guessing she found herself a pity party.”

Dread creeps into my stomach. Shoaib is such a jerk. Abbu will take the wrong meaning and-

“You have no right talking about my daughter like that.” Abbu says, “I know my daughter enough to believe she would never do something like that.”

My shoulders relax at Abbu's words.

“You owe us your daughter,” chachi says, “you owe us for what happened that night.”

A frown appears between my brows.

What night?

“It was an accident.” Ammi says, softly, “we had nothing to do with it.”

“It costed a life.” Shoaib says.

My shoulders lock at the information. Costed a life? What life? Whose life?

“We will be waiting for your approval,” Shoaib says as he stands up, “I'm sure you won't disappoint us,”

No one says anything further. Shoaib and Chachi start walking towards the door, I quickly hide behind the stairs and wait for them to leave.

As soon as the door closes, I peek out then walk in the living room where I find ammi comforting a tensed abbu.

“Calm down, Saeed.” Ammi says, softly, “nothing will happen to her.”

“I will never forgive myself if something does happen to her,” abbu says, “I will prove them wrong,”

Ammi looks up as I step closer to them, abbu looks up as well. His face immediately softens at my sight.

“Are you okay, beta?” He asks.

My eyes sting with tears. I'm supposed to be the one who asks him that.

I lift my shaky fingers and sign, “are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” he smiles softly then gently pulls me down to sit beside him. I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him tightly, he hugs back. “Everything will be okay,” he says, gently rubbing my back, “I won't let anyone force you into anything,”

I close my eyes as he places a soft kiss on my head. I feel ammi's hand rubbing my arm.

After a moment I open my eyes pull away, both ammi and abbu give me a reassuring smile.

“I'll ask Salma to prepare the dining table,” ammi says, standing up. She kisses my head, “it's okay, beta. Go upstairs and collect yourself.”

I nod then get up and make my way upstairs to my room.

As soon as I enter my room, I fall on my bed.

You owe us your daughter.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

You owe us for what happened that night.

My eyes slowly open again.

What was she talking about?

Just when I'm thinking of taking a nap and missing lunch, my phone dings with a notification.

I pick it up and quickly sit up when my eyes catch the notification.

Email from F&F Innovation.

I take a deep breath, recite bismillah then open the email.

Dear Arzo,

We are thrilled to inform you that you have been selected for the internship position at F&F Innovation! On behalf of our team-

I got in.

I got in!

My face breaks into a huge grin as I read the rest of the email.

I release a sigh of relief, thank Allah then rush downstairs to tell ammi and abbu about the news.

At least we got some good news.