It was a normal Monday afternoon, the entire family was gathered at the dinner table. The aroma of biryani wafted in the air, Miraal's stomach grumbled as she eyed the dish. It's been three weeks of eating dal rice continuously that today she couldn't help but Thank Allah for her favourite dish.

Rukhsana sat at the head of the table, rings adorned her fingers, a golden bracelet with letter the letter Z- belonging to Zubiya made a continuous khanak as if mocking the poor girl. She served the food dividing them into equal portions, "Allah, ka laakh laakh shukar hai ke usne humein itne rizk se nawaaza (I am thankful to Allah for giving us such a luxurious life)", she prayed as a norm. Despite being extremely scheming Rukhsana Begum prayed five times, offered zakat to poor people.

When she was a kid she had once asked her father, " Baba saarey ibaadat guzar log nek hotey hain kya? (Are all religious humans pure hearted?) " She had asked naively, they had went the Eid Gaah that day and she had witnessed people crying.

"Nahi Miraal beta... Zaroori nahi hai, nek insaan ki niyat saaf hoti hai. Nek log khuda aur uske bandon se mohabbat karte hai, dono mukhtalif cheezein hai. Magar khuda ibadat guzar bandon ke man me neki zaroor daaltey hain (No, Miraal, my child. Being religious doesn't guarantee goodness. The intentions of a good-hearted person are pure. Good people love and show kindness to both Allah and His creations. These are two distinct things. But Allah rewards the worship of those who have goodness in their hearts)", he had explained now looking at her aunt, she understood the difference well enough. She could only pray to Allah to guide the woman back to the correct path, stealing an orphan's property is equivalent to filling one's stomach with fire.

"Miraal?" Her aunt brought her out of thoughts, since she couldn't speak up her actual thoughts Miraal would be mostly lost in her own internal conversations. She responded by forwarding her plate, Rukhsana filled it to the brim. Miraal couldn't help but smile, as the woman asked her to eat as much as she wanted.

They recited the dua and started eating, Miraal felt a sense of contentment as she savored the delicious biryani. The flavors danced on her tongue, and she couldn't help but be grateful for this moment of respite from their usual mundane meals. She glanced around the table, observing her family members enjoying the food, their faces filled with satisfaction.

Reading their satisfied expression, Miraal announced that she would be attending her college again, "Koi zaroorat nahi hai, mai samajhti hu ye tumhari zidd thi aur Haroon bhai ne usse pura kiya magar Miraal tumhari shaadi ki umar hai. Apne aagey ki zindagi k baarey m sochne ki zaroorat hai ( There is no need, Miraal. I understand that it was your stubbornness, and Haroon fulfilled that wish. But Miraal, you're of marriageable age now. It's time to think about your future)," she said, her smile masking her ulterior motives. The words stuck in Miraal's throat, preventing her from swallowing the food.

This might have been her breaking point, Miraal, she stood up and in firm voice declared, " Mai ab aapki aur koi baat nahi manungi, Baba kelihaaz m mai aaj tak khamosh thi. Magar ab samajh aarha mujhe unhoney mujhe aap logon se durr kyun rakha (I will no longer entertain any of your words. I have remained silent all this while out of respect for Baba's memory. But now, I realize why he kept me away from all of you!)"

As the weight of Miraal's defiant words settled in the room, a tense silence hung in the air. The expressions on the faces of family members ranged from shock to apprehension. Rukhsana, her eyes burning with anger, couldn't bear the challenge to her authority any longer. She clenched her fists, her face contorted with rage.

With swift and deliberate steps, Rukhsana approached Miraal, her heels echoing ominously on the floor. The room seemed to shrink, the air thick with anticipation. The sound of her aunt's bangles jingling intensified, amplifying the mounting tension.

Without warning, Rukhsana's hand shot forward, striking Miraal's cheek with a resounding slap. The force of the blow reverberated through the room, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.

Miraal stumbled backward, her hand instinctively flying to her stinging cheek. Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of pain and anger. The room seemed to spin around her, her mind reeling from the assault.

Rukhsana, her voice laced with venom, hissed through gritted teeth, "Aaj ke baad itni badtameezi se baat mat karna mujhse, na shukri yateem zaat!" (From now on, don't dare to speak to me with such insolence, ungrateful orphan!)

Miraal recoiled from the impact, her cheek throbbing with pain. She blinked back tears, a flicker of defiance igniting within her wounded spirit. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she met Rukhsana's gaze with unwavering determination.

"Bohot hogya," (Enough is enough) Miraal whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and resolve. "Mai ab aapko bilkul ijazat nahi dungi ke aap meri haisiyat giraye, mujhe zaleel karey. Haan, hu mai yateem zaat, magar aap isko meri kamzori mat samajhyega. Miraal hu me, aapne haq ke liye ladhna jaanti hu, aur mere Baba ke sapne ko mai pura karungi!" (Indeed, it's over. I will no longer allow you to demean my worth, to humiliate me. Yes, I am an orphan, but don't mistake it for weakness. I am Miraal, and I know how to fight for my rights. I will fulfill my father's dreams!)

The room fell into a hushed silence, the weight of Miraal's words lingering in the air. The once-united family now stood divided, their expressions revealing a mix of surprise, shock, and uncertainty. They had underestimated the strength that lay dormant within Miraal, and now they faced the repercussions of their actions.

Rukhsana, momentarily taken aback by Miraal's newfound strength, attempted to conceal her surprise with a dismissive laugh. "Ahh, Miraal meri jaan, lagta hai tum apni jagah bhul gayi ho. Tum humarey rehmon karam par pal rahi ho." (Oh, Miraal, it seems you've forgotten your place. You are living under our mercy.)

But Miraal was undeterred. She had found her voice, her determination unyielding. She wiped away her tears, her gaze steady as she met Rukhsana's eyes. "Nahi chachi (No, chachi)," she replied firmly, her voice unwavering. "Aapko kya lagta hai mujhe maalum nahi ye ghar mere Baba ka hai? Itne din mai chup thi bas Baba ke liye ab aur nahi (Do you think I don't know that this house belongs to my father? I was quiet only for my father) "

Her words hung in the air, marking a turning point in Miraal's life. The room remained silent, the tension thick, as the battle for Miraal's dignity and autonomy reached its defining moment.

But Miraal was undeterred. She had found her voice, her determination unyielding. The din of the dinner table grew hushed as her family members watched, their expressions a mixture of surprise and shock.

The next evening, the family gathered in the living room, the air thick with anticipation. Miraal sat nervously, sensing an impending announcement. Her heart pounded as her chachi, wearing a deceitful smile, addressed everyone.

"Miraal beta humne ek faisla kiya hai (Miraal, my dear, we have come to a decision)," her chachi announced, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Maine tumhe apne bete Zohaib ke liye mukhatib kiya hai (You are to be engaged to Zoheb, your cousin)."

Miraal's eyes widened in disbelief. "Kya? Aap aisa nahi karsakti, aap meri marzi ke bina meri mangni nahi karsakti. (What? No, that can't be true! I never agreed to this)," she protested, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.

Her chachi chuckled condescendingly. "Miraal tumhare bhaley ke liye keh rahi hu, Zohaib se accha ladka tumhe nahi milega. Humne shaadi ki saari tayariyan karli hai. Aur tumhe toh khush hona chahiye ke mai tumhe apne ghar ki bahu banarahi hu (Oh, Miraal, it's for your own good. Zoheb is a good match for you. We've made all the arrangements. You should be grateful for our concern)"

"Meri mangni pehle se ho chuki hai," Miraal interjected, her voice trembling, as she tried to put an end to their plans. She held up her diamond ring, hoping it would make them reconsider.

Miraal's other aunt responded, feigning sympathy. "Abraar Khan se? Sab jhoot hai. Tumhare Baba ne tumhe jhoot bola tha, Miraal. Ye anghoti tumhari Ammi ki hai (With Abraar Khan? It's all a lie. Your father lied to you, Miraal. This ring belongs to your mother)," she said, her words laced with accusation.

Miraal's heart sank, and her mind raced with confusion and betrayal. The room seemed to spin around her as the weight of her family's deceit bore down upon her. She clutched the ring tightly, her fingers trembling with a mix of anger and despair.

"Nahi Baba jhoot nahi bolte kabhi. Aap ye sab isliye bolrahey haina takey mai dabau me aakar haan bol du? kabhi nahi!" She rejected, backing off.

Her uncle, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward with a stern expression. "Miraal, ye sab tumhari behtari ke liye hai. Tumhe khule dimaag se sochne ki zaroorat hai. Hum sirf tumhari behtari ke liye ye sab kar rahe (Miraal, we are doing what's best for you. It's time to be realistic and accept your fate. We know what's right for you)"

Miraal's voice quivered as tears welled up in her eyes. "Magar mujhe ye shaadi nahi karni. Meri marzi ke bina aap meri zindagi ke faisle nahi karsakte (But this isn't what I want. I deserve a choice, a say in my own life)"

Her cousin, Zoheb, who had been silently observing the scene, finally spoke up. His voice was laced with sympathy. "Miraal ye sab humare khaandan ke liye hai. Humein apne bado ki baatein maan ni chahiye (Miraal, it's for the sake of our family's honor and unity. We must do what is expected of us)"

Her heart sank as she realized even Zoheb had turned against her. Betrayal etched deep within her, strengthening her resolve to break free from their control.

Her protests fell on deaf ears as her relatives reveled in their newfound power over her. Tears streamed down Miraal's face, a torrent of emotions crashing within her. She felt violated, robbed of her agency and the right to choose her own path. Her relatives' betrayal cut deep, and her spirit trembled under the weight of their manipulation.

Rukhsana's eyes went to the ring in Miraal's hand, and she approached her. Removing her old one, she tried to snatch it away.

Miraal shook her head, backing away, refusing to let go of the precious ring. "Please chachi, ye Baba ki aakhri nishaani hai (Please, Aunt, this is the last memento of my father)," she pleaded, hoping her words would touch their hearts.

But her chachi didn't care about her sentiments as she clutched Miraal's wrist in a tight grip. "Aap mera haq nahi cheen sakti, khuda se darey! (You cannot take away my right, fear Allah!)" Miraal screamed, her voice filled with anguish and desperation.

Despite her resistance, the ring that fit her finger was forcefully removed from her grasp. Tears streamed down Miraal's face as her father's last memoir was snatched away from her. The ring, now replaced with an old and cheap one, symbolized the loss of her dreams and the violation of her autonomy. Her fingers turned red from the tight grip as Miraal covered her mouth, stifling the sobs that threatened to escape.

In that moment, surrounded by betrayal and loss, Miraal's heart shattered. The weight of her family's cruelty bore down upon her, a suffocating realization that she was alone in her fight for justice and freedom.