THE UNSEEN THREAD

PART 2

AREEBA POV

I screamed. My body jolted with excitement as I jumped up from the bed, my phone still lying on the mattress behind me. My heart was racing, and I began pacing around the room, muttering to myself in disbelief, "I got the job? I need to tell mama—now!"

Just then, a knock came at the door. Mama walked in, her expression slightly alarmed.

"Why did you scream, Areeba?" she asked, stepping further into the room.

I quickly moved toward her, grabbed her hand gently, and led her to the bed. I made her sit down, then sat beside her, holding her hand tightly in mine.

"Mama, I want to tell you something," I said, trying to control the tremble in my voice.

She looked at me seriously. "What is it, Areeba?"

"Mama... I sent my CV to a company in Korea."

"So?" she asked, already suspicious.

I held her hand even tighter, my eyes pleading. "They approved it, mama... they're calling me to Korea. They'll provide a place to live, everything I'll need."

Mama stood up immediately, her face tightening with concern. "No. You're not going anywhere. I can't let you go alone to a country where we know no one."

I got up, stepped in front of her, and gently cupped her cheeks. "Mama, please. Please let me go. It's my dream."

Her eyes softened a little but were still full of fear. "No means no, Areeba."

Just then, Ahmed Bhai entered the room. "What's happening?" he asked, looking between the two of us.

Mama didn't waste a second. "She wants to go to Korea. Alone."

I turned to him, hoping for support. "Yes, Bhai, but Maha is coming with me. And it's completely safe."

Ahmed Bhai walked up to Mama, placing his hand gently on her cheek. "Mama, don't worry. Our little idiot has grown up now. I'll look into everything properly. If it's safe, we'll let her go."

I smiled through misty eyes. "But Ahmed..."

He walked over to me and held my face in both his hands. "I know you're scared for her, Mama. But this idiot is now a big idiot. And I trust she can take care of herself."

I turned to Mama again, holding her face in my hands. "Mama, I promise I'll stay safe. Please. It's my dream." I gave her my best big doe eyes.

Mama sighed, her resistance finally breaking. "Okay... but only if Ahmed checks everything and says it's safe."

I squealed, hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek. "Thank you, Mama! I love you both!"

Mama placed her hand on my head, blessing me with a soft smile. Bhai did the same, ruffling my hair before they both left the room.

I picked up my phone from the bed and quickly dialed Maha's number.

"Assalamu alaikum, Maha! I got the job! Did you get the email?" I asked, still breathless.

"Walaikum assalam. Not yet," she replied.

My face fell. "Send your CV again, Maha. I told Mama and Bhai that you're coming with me—they gave permission because of that."

"Okay, okay, I'll send it again."

"Alright, Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz," I replied, hanging up and placing the phone back on the side table.

I got up, went to the washroom, and changed into my nightwear—a pink baggy shirt with white trousers. After doing wudu, I came back to the room, took out my namaz chador, prayer mat, and tasbih. I prayed two nafl of shukrana, thanking Allah, and did dhikr.