DREAM GIRL

Chapter 4: Marriage is like a cup of coffee

The doctor's lounge is a small, cluttered room with mismatched furniture. There's a small, grimy window that overlooks the hospital parking lot. Dr. Farhan Siddiqui, a junior doctor in his late 20s with tired eyes and a white coat that's seen better days, sits at a worn-out table, sipping lukewarm coffee from a disposable cup. He's hunched over a stack of patient charts and yawns loudly as he scribbles notes.

Dr. Siddiqui's mind keeps drifting back to the worried expression on Mrs. Singh's face earlier that day. He knows that she is counting on him to provide the best care possible for her husband, who is currently in critical condition. Determined to ease her concerns, he meticulously goes through each chart, double-checking every detail and making sure that he is fully prepared for the upcoming rounds. Despite the fatigue settling in, he pushes himself to work extra hard, determined to make a difference in the lives of his patients and reassure Mrs. Singh that her husband is in capable hands.

The door swings open, and Dr. Nadia Osman, an experienced attending physician in her early 40s, enters the room. She's dressed impeccably in her white coat, and her confident demeanour stands in stark contrast to Farhan's weary appearance. She immediately notices the stack of notes on the desk.

Curiosity piqued, Dr. Osman scans through the notes, impressed by Farhan's dedication to detail despite his exhaustion. "I see you are hard at work" she says with a gentle smile.

Farhan stops writing to look at her. "Oh, good evening, Dr. Osman," he replies, returning the smile as he caps the pen. "I was just finishing up before I called it a night."

"Hm, good, good. Remember to not overwork yourself". She picks up the report and skims through it. "Is this the patient who refused to eat?"

"Yes, I was hoping we could refer him to get an abdominal ultrasound done before we reach any conclusion" , Farhan explains as he gets up. He yawns. "It could help us rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing his loss of appetite. I'm worried that it could be something more serious than just a lack of interest in food."

Dr. Osman nods in agreement, placing the report on the table, understanding the importance of thorough investigation in such cases. "You are right. I'll make the referral right away."

"I better get going; Dr. Osman, Ammi told me to come home early," Farhan says, gathering his belongings and heading towards the door.

"Make sure you sleep well."

"Thank you for your time and understanding. I'll keep you updated." He bids her goodbye and rushes to the car, eager to get home and catch up on his sleep.

As Farhan drives home, his mind races with the details of the case. He knows that a good night's sleep is crucial for his ability to think clearly and make sound decisions. As he pulls into his driveway, he reminds himself to prioritize his rest and create a calm environment to recharge.

However, upon hearing sounds of yelling from the driveway itself, he realizes that his peaceful recharge may have to be put on hold. He goes back and sits in the car to while away the time. As he watches funny videos and mindlessly scrolls through TikTok, he tries to distance himself from the chaos outside. The sounds of yelling grow louder, making it impossible for him to ignore the situation unfolding just a few feet away.

Unable to ignore it any longer, he reluctantly steps out of the car and builds up the courage to quietly walk in undetected with his key. As he walks in the living room with the windows open, he sees his mother's face flushed with anger, and her voice is raised as she points a finger accusingly at his father.

"You never listen, Tariq! You always think you know best, but this time, you've gone too far!"

His father, equally agitated, clenches his fists at his sides. "Well, someone has to make tough decisions around here, Alia. We can't just keep avoiding the issue!"

Farhan watches in shock as his parents continue to exchange heated words. He was used to seeing them argue but never like this before.

"And what about Farhan? What will he think when he finds out?"

His father suddenly notices Farhan standing in the doorway, his expression shifting from anger to stoic silence. Alia follows her husband's gaze, and her face turns a deep shade of crimson.

"Ammi? Abbu? What's going on?"

Alia and Tariq turn towards their son, their faces now reflecting a mix of anger and guilt.

"Farhan, we... didn't expect you here. With a sigh, he realizes that his peaceful evening will have to wait, as he must now intervene and restore calm to the situation.

"Kya hua Ammi? Everything...alright?" He asks carefully, not in the mood to wake up the grizzly bear. The grizzly bear in question was his father, who was notorious for his temper. Farhan knew that his father's temper could explode at any moment, especially when he found himself in a situation that he did not expect. It had always been a challenge to navigate his father's moods, but Farhan was determined to keep the peace and prevent any further escalation. He took a deep breath, and tried to focus on his breathing, preparing himself for the task at hand.

Alia opens her mouth to answer her son's question, but her husband beats her to it. "I have decided on a bride. You are getting married." 

Farhan's heart sank as his father's words hung in the air, heavy with a mix of surprise and apprehension. He hadn't known that his father had been searching for a suitable match for him, and had never anticipated that a decision would be made so abruptly. The room fell silent, the tension palpable as Farhan's mind raced, desperately searching for the right words to respond. 

Alia, sensing her son's distress, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, silently urging him to remain calm. As Farhan glanced at his mother, he saw a flicker of concern in her eyes, mirroring the same anxiety he felt. It was as if the weight of the world had suddenly been placed on his shoulders. But.. She is the one responsible for it. His mind goes. 

It was a good thing Farhan wasn't drinking anything because he would spat it out all over the marble. His mouth turned dry. His knees were weak, and his head felt faint. He never imagined his father would be the type to spring this up on him out of nowhere. He shrugs his mother's hand off.

"You are getting old," his father continues. "Start a family and then take over the business after you apply for your residency."

Farhan's mind was racing as he tried to process his father's words. He had always dreamed of pursuing his own passions and carving his own path in life; however, that option was never given to him. He had to walk on a predesigned path. A bitter path that had already been paved away painstakingly by his father and his mother. But Marriage? That was something he felt he would have the right to choose. After all, it was the matter of his life partner. Someone with whom he dreamed of spending the rest of his life. He believed that love should be a choice, not an obligation.

But... The weight of his father's expectations felt suffocating, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal. He had so many words to say. Words to express his anger. Words to express his frustration at being denied the freedom to choose his own path in life. He longed to break free from the chains of...chains of what? He didn't know. But he felt caged, and the battle between his own desires and the expectations placed on him raged within his heart, leaving him torn between duty and personal happiness.

Those unsaid words felt like daggers waiting to be released from the tip of his tongue. If only he would release them. But... But they were his parents, and he couldn't shatter their hearts. He didnt want to be Nafarman aulad. So he kept them locked away, buried deep within his soul.

"Say something!" His mother urges him. He opens his mouth, but the chains of adab tighten around his vocal cords. Unable to react, he looks at them with blank eyes, turns, and walks out of the main door, quickly walking to the car. His father yells threats at him to stop while his mother cries. Not looking back, he sits in the car and drives away to calm his racing mind and soul.

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A/N:

Noorie jaan is coming in the next chapter :)