Excerpt:

“Hale struggled to find a store, finally locating one where the manager was about to close up. Frustrated and apologetic, she reluctantly agreed to accompany Jahanzeb to her aunt’s house. As they arrived at the quaint cottage, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Jahanghir seemed both familiar and distant.”

Summary:

The story introduces Haya, a young woman who has just been selected for the Erasmus Mundus Exchange Program by Sabanci University in Istanbul, Turkey. The episode starts with Haya lying on her bed, deeply engrossed in her laptop. She receives an email confirming her selection for the exchange program, which fills her with excitement and disbelief. Eager to share the news, she calls her friend Zara. As they celebrate over the phone, Haya starts to think about her upcoming journey and the experiences that await her in Turkey.

Later, Haya, Zara, and their friend Aram go shopping for Dawar Bhai’s wedding. Amidst the wedding preparations, Haya finds herself daydreaming about her new adventure in Istanbul. She also discovers a bouquet of flowers with a mysterious note welcoming her to Sabanci University. The note puzzles her as the email notification had only just arrived, raising questions about who could have sent it.

Throughout the episode, Haya reflects on her life and her relationship with her family, particularly her father who has never forced her to wear a headscarf. This detail highlights the cultural and personal freedom she experiences, which plays a significant role in her decision to study abroad. As she prepares for Dawar Bhai’s wedding, she contemplates the cultural differences and challenges she might face in Turkey, especially regarding the university’s policy on headscarves.

The episode ends with Haya feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about the future. She is ready to embrace the new opportunities and challenges that come with studying abroad, leaving her familiar life in Pakistan for an adventure in Istanbul.