Excerpt:

Summary:

Haya was leaving the university’s female campus when she exited the entrance block, finding a long path leading to the main gate. Her feet ached in black-heeled sandals, but she quickened her pace, heading towards the car where Ilahi Bakhsh waited. As they drove through the mostly deserted area of H-10, a sleek black Accord abruptly blocked their path. The driver, Waleed, stepped out, fury evident in his eyes. Haya instructed Ilahi Bakhsh to call her father and stepped out to confront Waleed.

Waleed demanded Haya retract her statement about his attempted murder, threatening to release a compromising video of her. Despite the fear his threats instilled, Haya remained defiant. Waleed taunted her with the video, vowing to ruin her reputation if she testified against him. He left, leaving Haya shaken and numb. Ilahi Bakhsh asked what they should do, but she was too stunned to respond.

Upon arriving home, Haya felt disconnected from her surroundings. She entered the lounge to find her brother Rohail, recently returned and seemingly reconciled with their father. Rohail introduced Haya to his wife, Natasha, but Haya, overwhelmed by Waleed’s threats, excused herself and retreated to her room. She locked the door, her mind replaying the encounter with Waleed. Haya mechanically removed her abaya and scarf, and sat in the shower, letting the water pour over her as she pondered the consequences of Waleed’s threats.

Later, Haya dressed and joined the bustling house. She met Natasha again, noticing her sharp features and gold-streaked hair. Natasha asked if Haya felt better, and Haya apologized for her earlier abruptness. Haya learned from her aunt that Rohail’s marriage had been accepted after Natasha converted to Islam, despite their father’s previous heart attack over the marriage. Her aunt’s words about sons’ faults being easily forgiven, while daughters are crucified, deeply affected Haya.

In the lounge, Haya showed photos from Turkey on her laptop. Natasha recognized Jehanzeb in a photo, easing some of Haya’s tension with her sudden fondness for him. Later, Haya found Ayesha in her room, using her phone. Annoyed, Haya warned her not to clear the call log and checked it after Ayesha left. She saw the same number Ayesha had called, which was saved in a message on her phone, noting the significant thirty-minute call Ayesha had made, unaware of its importance.