Maryam's POV

I gaze out of the car window at the busy streets of Delhi,reflecting on how three months have passed since I arrived in this city.

Coming here was an escape ,escape from the toxic environment of the home,where Ammi( mother) constently nag about my marriage.

" What if you failed this time as well" She asked, her tone harsh.

"Just give me another chance, Ammi.I will make it this time.I promise." I replied.

" You have to get married by the end of this year.Dont you think about Rumi,after marrying you off I also have to prepare for her dowry."She brought the topic that always haunts my soul and dignity.

Dowry the reason for me to escape marrying at all.I feel dowry as a disrespect for my self respect and dignity.For escaping this distress,I decided to prepare for civil services.I want to save myself as well as other women from this distress.

" You are already 24 ,Maryam.Its time for you to get married." She says.

'I will" I replied with the safe option. I tell her I will get married but I never tell when.

"Okay,its your last attempt.If you failed this time.I am getting you married." She said.

So its a do or die situation for me this time.

" Why are so silent,Maryam." A voice pulls me out of the haunting memory.Anaya turns her head towards me,her gaze questioning.

" Anaya,I should have stayed at home.I dont wanna go there." I say.

"Why,Maryam?You cant stay alone at home."she replies.

" It was way better than staying with Suhana." I say ,my voice low.

Suhana is the daughter of Anaya's sister in law.She is a rude and mannerless person.

"Maryam,you guys are not kids.Be mature.I know you dont like her but can you tolerate her just for an evening."she spoke,her grip tightening on the steering wheel.

" I dont like her"I ask in a loud voice "She doesnt like me or most of the people." I reply

I remember Anaya's engagement day,vividly,the day our path had crossed in a humiliating encounter.Suhana had asked me for water and I hand her a glass.She stared at me for a moment before sneering,"Do you drink water from sewage."Then she spat out the water,leaving my face burning with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

" Whatever,but bear with it.Faris is busy in his office and I cant leave you alone at home.Anita( suhana's mother) is going with me and she said you can company her daughter as she is also alone."Anaya states.

"Company"I say and laugh at my situation.

When we reach at her home,Anita greets us with snacks,Suhana comes out of her room and address her mother not even noticing us.

" Mama,I have to go to the DES's Alumni basketball tournament.I forgot to mention that earlier." She says.

"Okay,Take Maryam along."Anita replies

" Do I have any other option." She says,rolling her eyes.

I share glances with Anaya.My anger boiling over me but I know there is no escape from this.

We have been waiting for suhana's friends for five minutes when a car finally pulls over.Its a luxurious one,offcourse,just like her friends must be.They probably share the same traits:flaunting their wealth,arrogant and rude.

As we enter into the backseat of the Car ,I see a boy sitting on driver seat and a girl on passenger seat.I can tell they are sibilings.The girl greets Suhana and that boy is busy typing something on his phone.

Suhana says " I hate my parents for forcing me to entertain relative's kids.Now I am stuck her ."

"Suhana ,what are you saying."Girl sitting on the front seat looks at me ,her expression concerned and confused."Suhana doesnt mean that.She likes to joke around."the girl addresses me.

"Dont worry,Alia.She doesnt speak english."Suhana replies.

Thats how Suhana's mind works.She thinks people from small cities cant even speak english.

Instead of replying her I open my book and continue reading Mr Darcy.Suhana looks at me in surprise reading a book in english,her face pale.I look at her ,my eyes questioning her narrow mind set,Alia is also silent and suddenly the boys laughter breaks the tension.I cought his smile in rear view mirror- charming.Our eyes lock and I find myself staring into his beautiful black eyes.

I quickly look away,my heart skipping a beat.

"I didnt mean that." Suhana says

"You did.I know you dont like me.Believe me, I feel the same but we can not do anything about this so bear with me. AND you dont have to entertain me."I reply in english.

"You are interesting."The boy says looking at me in the rear view mirror.

" Hello,I am Alia Kamal.Suhana's friend Whats your name." She asks to make the atmosphere lighter.

"Maryam Ahmed."I reply

"I'm Rayan Kamal,"boy says, his voice low and smooth. "Nice to meet you."He adds

I hesitate, unsure how to respond. Rayan's eyes sparkle with amusement in the rearview mirror.

The silence hangs between us until Rayan breaks it by starting the car."

We arrive at the place and Suhana hastily departs with Alia, leaving me feeling abandoned.

I sit in the car, lost in thought, until Rayan opens the door.

"Why aren't you coming out?"he asks, his brow furrowed.

"I'll stay here," I reply.

"Why? You should come with us!"Rayan insists.

"I've never been to a basketball game. " I reply

"So" he asks

"I don't know the rules,"I say but in reality i dont wanna disturb suhana's evening.

Rayan grins. "It's not hard. Just cheer when someone scores. You don't support a specific team. So its not stressing for you."

"I'd rather read my book," I say firmly.

Rayan chuckles. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Please lock the car."I reply

"What if someone thinks it's a kidnapping?"

Rayan laughs, but I shoot him a disapproving glance, disappointed by his joke.

I was about to get lost in Pride and Prejudice, but I paused to look outside. The parking lot was clean and filled with fancy cars. The evening sun made everything glow.

It was a peaceful scene. The trees swayed gently in the breeze. For a moment, the real world seemed more interesting than the one in my book.

As I am alone in the car, immersed in Pride and Prejudice, my gaze drifts outside. Suddenly, a chilling scene unfolds.

The car parked parallel to mine comes to life as a man unlocks it.He sit on the drivers seat. He shifts into reverse, and my heart skips a beat.

A stray dog, unnoticed by the him, lies sleeping beneath his car. The tire rolls over its paw, and the dog's agonized cries pierces the air.I can hear his voice in closed window as well.

My heart sinks as the man remains impassive, showing no remorse or concern. He doesn't even flinch.

With a cold detachment, he drives away, disappearing into the distance. I'm left feeling helpless, locked inside the car.

I feel a pang of helplessness, locked inside the car. Though I can't hear the dog's cries, I sense its distress. It's as if the dog is pleading for help.

My eyes well up with tears as I watch the dog limp away, searching for solace. I feel trapped, unable to intervene.

The words on my book blur, replaced by the image of the suffering animal. My mind races with thoughts of cruelty and indifference.

I scan the parking lot, desperate to find someone to help the suffering dog. But people walk by, ignoring him.

One or two individuals catch my gaze, acknowledging the dog's distress, yet they hurry away, unmoved.

Frustrated and helpless, I resort to prayer, pleading for a compassionate soul to appear.

"Please Allah send someone to help this innocent creature."I whisper, my eyes welling up.

I rummage through my bag in desperation to call someone for help but I realize I don't have Suhana's numbers.

Feeling isolated, I continue praying, hoping an angle will emerge.

Just as I'm losing hope, a car approaches to the parking lot,someone parks it to the opposite side to my car.A boy approaches the dog.He kneels beside it, examining the injured paw.

The boy is around my age. He scoops up the injured animal, cradling it in his arms, and begins to pat its head soothingly.

As he dials a number on his phone, his gaze lifts, and our eyes meet through the car window. His piercing stare sends a shiver down my spine.

Despite his breathtaking beauty, an air of intimidation surrounds him. His chiseled features and striking eyes seem chipped from granite, cold and unyielding.

I feel a flutter in my chest, unsure if it's fear or fascination. His gaze lingers, as if sizing me up, before returning to his conversation.

His sharp jawline and angular cheekbones frame a face that could grace magazine covers. But it's his eyes that hold me captive - hauntingly beautiful, yet unsettling.

Within minutes, two men dressed in crisp uniforms arrive, carrying a stretcher.

They gently take the dog from the boy and begin examining its paw. The boy watches intently, his expression concerned.

As the rescuers load the dog into their vehicle, the boy breathes a sigh of relief. He leans against the car behind him, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

I watch, torn between disgust at the smoking and admiration for his kindness. The smoke wafts upward, carrying my conflicting emotions.

The boy's eyes remain downcast, his gaze fixed on the ground as he inhales deeply.

His gaze lifts, and our eyes meet through the car window. I swiftly turn away, my heart racing.

But a bold impulse takes hold. I grab my notebook and scribble in capital letters:

"DON'T SMOKE. IT'S A BAD HABIT. YOU SEEM LIKE A GOOD PERSON. YOU NEED TO LIVE LONGER."

With shaking hands, I hold up the notebook, exposing my message.

His expression remains unreadable as he reads. I'm paralyzed with fear, unsure how he'll react.

His eyes narrow, piercing through me like a dagger. I feel exposed, as if he's gazing into my very soul.

Time freezes. The air thickens with tension.

How can someone so breathtakingly beautiful also be so intimidating? His glare is both captivating and terrifying.

Just as I'm trapped in his piercing gaze, he turn his head towards someone behind the car,i couldnt see.

He turn his head to me again,his eyes linger on mine for a fraction of a second before he walks away.

I'm left frozen, suspended in a zone of stillness. The sudden departure leaves me breathless and bewildered.

The silence that follows is deafening. My heart slowly regains its rhythm as I struggle to process the whirlwind encounter.

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