Veiled In The Starlight

Author pov

The morning light seeped through the curtains as Zubia sat by the window, staring at the unopened jewelry box on her dressing table. It sat there like a verdict-unwanted, unavoidable.

Last night's events replayed in her mind. The expectant glances, the unwanted conversation, and most of all, Asad Siddique.

Fazeela khala had been all too eager to arrange this meeting, pushing her toward a match she never sought. And Asad...

"He was rigid. Narrow-minded. On paper, he seemed like the kind of man who'd cage her dreams rather than nurture them."

And now she feels that her job is not only for her late mother but for her also, because when she treats people she finds immense sense of happiness and satisfaction , like it was always going to be the purpose of her life no matter what .

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Her phone ringtone interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Areeba's name flashing on her phone.

She picked up. "Areeba?"

"Zu, what happened last night tell me the details?" Areeba's voice was sharp with curiosity.

Zubia sighed and narrated everything to her .

Areeba sighed. "Men like that only want a woman who fits their mold."

Zubia nodded, her grip tightening. "Exactly. And Fazeela khala ... she wants this for reasons that have nothing to do with me."

"What do you mean?" Areeba asked with confusion.

Zubia sighed .

Zubia knew why Fazeela khala was so invested in this rishta.

Asad Siddique wasn't just any proposal-he was a financial opportunity.

His family was well-off, and Fazeela saw this marriage as a way to secure her standing as she doesn't really believe when her so called husband will stop sending her money . Marrying Zubia into the Siddique family meant connections, wealth, and social prestige.

And Zubia?

She was just a means to an end.

Areeba's voice pulled her back. "Zu, where did you lost ?"

Zubia swallowed. "I don't know. But I won't just let them decide for me."

"That's my girl" areeba shouts and grinned.

Zubia doesn't say anything she just smile listening her enthusiastic voice .

Zubia doesn't know when they became so close friends that she is comfortable to share her family problems.

Because for Zubia it's a big thing.

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At the Hospital

The shift passed in a blur. Zubia tried to focus, but her mind was elsewhere.

During a break, she was heading toward the cafeteria when a familiar voice stopped her.

"Dr. Zubia."

She turned.

Faraj.

His expression was unreadable, but his gaze lingered on her face longer than usual.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice lower than usual.

Zubia hesitated before nodding. "I'm fine."

Faraj didn't look convinced. His dark eyes studied her, searching for something beneath her composed exterior.

"Did you meet him?" His question was blunt.

Zubia exhaled. "Yes."

Faraj's jaw tensed. "And?"

"And I don't like him." The words left her lips before she could stop them.

Faraj paused.

She expected him to say something, but he didn't. Instead, his gaze softened just a fraction, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes.

"You don't have to," he finally said, his voice quiet but firm.

Zubia looked at him, something shifting in her chest.

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Night time

That night, as she sat at the dinner table, Fazeela launched into another discussion about the proposal.

"Asad's family is waiting for your response, Zubia," she said, her tone firm.

Zubia set down her spoon, meeting her aunt's gaze. "I need more time."

Fazeela's expression tightened. "There's nothing to think about. Asad is a good match."

Zubia straightened. "For you, maybe. But I'm the one who has to live with him."

A heavy silence followed.

It was the first time she had openly challenged Fazeela's decision.

Her aunt's lips thinned, but before she could respond, Zubia pushed back her chair and stood up. "I'll let you know when I've decided."

Then, without waiting for an answer, she walked away.

For the first time, she had spoken for herself.

And there was no turning back now.

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