Faiza, thinking to herself, "He will definitely come to get his handkerchief today, so I'll see his face," headed towards the bus stop. Once again, Faiza's aunt had sent her out to buy vegetables, and she was waiting at the bus stop for that mysterious man. She had missed two buses and knew that her aunt would give her a hard time when she got home. Just then, someone sat next to her and handed her a book. Shocked, Faiza looked at him. The man was wearing black jeans, black boots, a brown leather jacket, a black cap, a turtleneck white t-shirt, black shades, and a black mask, giving Faiza a strong criminal vibe.
"Are you the one with the handkerchief?" Faiza asked hesitantly.
As he nodded, Faiza smiled and handed him the handkerchief. Looking at the book, she asked, "This book?"
"I thought of giving you a gift yesterday... So, here's a diary where you can write your thoughts, especially if something happens and you can't share it with anyone," he explained calmly.
"But I can't accept this gift..." Faiza started to say but stopped.
"The truth is, I'm very lonely... I have no friends. I want you to be my friend!" he said. "If you accept my friendship, take this gift. If not, that's okay!"
Faiza felt pity for him, "Poor guy, he's as lonely as I am... Without friends, just like me... It's right, I should make friends with people like this." She was about to take the book when her aunt's words came to her mind, "You bring misfortune to anyone you get involved with! A serpent's job is to bite everyone and you're that serpent!"
So, she left the book there and started walking towards the bus. The man called out, "If you don't find me trustworthy, we can meet daily... You can get to know me before becoming friends!"
Faiza felt very happy that for the first time, someone was making an effort for her, but her aunt's words never let her live in peace. Ignoring him, she walked away.
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Many days passed, but Faiza never saw that mysterious man at the bus stop again. She went there every time her aunt sent her out for errands, but the anonymous man never appeared. Perhaps he had stopped coming because of her. Lost in these thoughts, she returned home.
"Where is your mind these days, Faiza? Useless girl... I asked for cilantro, and you brought mint? Go return it and get the right thing. You always need an excuse to roam... Staying at home means you won't get rid of me!" Aunt shouted angrily, sitting on the sofa.
"Mom, why do you get angry over such small things?" Shafiq said, entering the house.
"Oh dear! Is everything okay? How come you're back so soon?" Aunt asked, taking Shafiq's bag.
"Yes, Mom, you know it's my final year. There are a lot of projects, so I thought I'd come home and work on them." Shafiq said, looking weary, and went to his room.
"Instead of staring at me, go warm up the food and set the table. Poor Shafiq must be hungry!" Aunt told Faiza.
Nodding, Faiza went to the kitchen. While making bread for Shafiq, she thought she could also continue her education. If she joined college, her aunt wouldn't have to see her all day, and she wouldn't get scolded so often. It would keep her occupied, and she could stand on her own feet with a good education. Lost in these thoughts, she forgot about the bread, which had burnt a little.
"Oh no, you've ruined another thing... Useless girl," Aunt shouted, coming to check on Faiza and seeing the burnt bread. Faiza quickly took it off the stove and burned her hand in the process. After serving Shafiq, she sat in her room, thinking that joining college would be beneficial for her.
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"Uncle, I need to talk to you," Faiza said softly, sitting next to her uncle, who was engrossed in watching the news on TV. Hearing Faiza, Aunt, who was cutting vegetables at the dining table, quickly came and sat on the sofa beside her husband, fearing Faiza might tell him about the marriage proposal. Uncle turned off the TV and looked at Faiza, gesturing her to speak.
"Since I finished 10th grade..." Faiza began, but Aunt interrupted, "Nothing, she has nothing to say. I'll talk to her. Faiza, whatever it is, tell me... Why are you bothering your uncle?" Aunt, worried, gestured Faiza to stay quiet.
"No, let her speak. Go ahead, Faiza, what do you want to say?" Uncle asked.
"I want to continue my studies, Uncle!" Faiza quickly said, and Aunt sighed in relief.
"Then study, dear! Who's stopping you?" Uncle said, smiling.
"But where will the money for her education come from? You know we're struggling to pay Shafiq's fees, and managing the household expenses is also very tough!" Aunt said, worried.
"Yes, you're right! Wait for a few days, Faiza... I'll figure something out. In Sha Allah (If God wills), we'll manage!" Uncle reassured her.
Smiling, Faiza went to her room. Aunt followed and slapped Faiza hard, startling her. Angry, Aunt said, "First, your father burdened us with your mother's expenses when you were born. We got tired of bearing the costs, and now you have this new desire for education. Remember, as long as I'm alive, I won't let you waste money. If you want to study so badly, go find your father and get money from him!"
Hearing about her father, Faiza sat down on the floor. The slap didn't hurt as much as Aunt's words did. Father... How strange it is that for most girls, fathers are their pride, their first love, and their superheroes... But for Faiza, her father didn't even exist. She had almost forgotten what he looked like. She could only remember his face through some old photographs her mother had secretly kept.
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Love Obsession {Completed}
General FictionThey say first love is never forgotten, but for him, she was not just his first love, but also his last and only love, an obsession he could never let go of. Fardan Shehriyaar, the formidable owner of Shehriyaar Industries and known as the Shadow Ki...
