Ties That Bind

EP4

The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the emerald green curtains of Fatima's bedroom, casting a warm hue across the luxurious space. Her room, a blend of elegance and modernity, was a sanctuary of comfort and style, and the only place where she could retreat from the weight of the decisions that had just altered her life forever. The walls, painted in soft cream, were adorned with bold, contemporary art pieces in shades of green and gold. A king-sized bed with an ornate headboard dominated the space, covered with a plush green and white duvet.

In one corner stood a cozy reading nook by the window, complete with a chaise lounge and a stack of business magazines that now seemed irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

Fatima lay sprawled on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her heart heavy with the weight of her signature on the contract earlier that day. The pen had felt like a thousand pounds as she scrawled her name on the dotted line, finalizing a decision that had been out of her control. She could still hear the rustle of papers, the polite congratulations, and the undercurrent of satisfaction from both families. It all felt surreal.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a video call from Rahila and Khayrat. With a deep sigh, Fatima swiped to answer, bracing herself for whatever words of wisdom or empathy they might offer.

Rahila, the eldest, appeared first on the screen, her serene smile ever-present. She always exuded calm, even in moments of chaos. Khayrat, however, had a more intense look on her face, her brow furrowed, eyes sharp as if trying to assess the situation from afar. She was in her kitchen, still dressed in her work clothes, though her hands now rested on the counter rather than whisking anything. They both knew what had happened, and neither needed to ask.

“I heard you signed it today,” Rahila began, her tone gentle but measured. “How are you holding up?”

Fatima couldn’t hide her bitterness as she snorted. “Holding up? I don’t even know what to say, Rahila. I feel like I’ve just thrown my life away.”

“I understand,” Rahila responded quietly. "But Zara, this isn't the end. You have more control over this than you think. You have the leverage."

Fatima shook her head, feeling the frustration boiling beneath the surface. “Leverage? What leverage, Rahila? I signed a contract. I’m bound to him for a year. Do you know what that feels like? To just be...sold off like a commodity?”

“Of course we know how you feel,” Khayrat interrupted, her voice surprisingly sharp. “We’re your sisters, Zara. Do you think I was happy when I heard about this whole contract nonsense?”

Fatima blinked, taken aback. "Wait...you’re not in favor of this?"

Khayrat scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Of course not. This whole thing is a mess. I’ve been trying to tell Dad that since I heard of the idea, but you know how he gets when he’s set on something. Politics and power blind people.”

Fatima’s chest tightened. Khayrat’s words were unexpected but validating. “Then why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“What was I supposed to say?” Khayrat threw her hands up, exasperated. “We’re up against our father, and this isn’t just about you, Zara. This is about the family business, his alliances, his ambitions. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see what you’re going through.”

Rahila sighed softly, her gaze shifting to her husband, who was listening quietly in the background. “Zara, I know this is hard. But you’re not alone in this. None of us are in favor of how this happened, but it’s done. What matters now is what you do with it.”

Fatima groaned, pressing her palm against her forehead. "I don't even know where to start. He’s so...stiff, serious. I don’t trust him, and I can’t imagine living with him, even with all the clauses."

Khayrat’s eyes darkened with understanding. “That’s what makes this even worse. Kabir Balogun is calculating. You’re smart, Zara, but you need to watch him. He’s going to play the long game with this. I know his type.”

The silence between them lingered, filled with the unspoken reality they all understood. Fatima had walked into a world that demanded strategy and patience, but she wasn’t sure how to navigate it.

“I just…” Fatima’s voice cracked, her façade of strength slipping for the first time. “I just wanted to choose for myself.”

Rahila’s expression softened, her hand resting against her husband’s chest as though seeking comfort for her sister. “You still can, Zara. Even within this contract, you can create boundaries, establish your power. And after a year, you can walk away if you choose.”

Fatima bit her lip, her thoughts swirling. A year felt like a lifetime when faced with living in the shadow of Kabir’s political ambitions and their families’ manipulations. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can,” Khayrat said firmly. “You’re stronger than you think. And trust me, you have more power than you realize. Kabir isn’t the only one with a game plan.”

Rahila nodded in agreement. “Just be smart about this. Don’t let him dictate everything. You can work this to your advantage.”

Fatima’s thoughts drifted back to the terms of the contract—investments, political alliances, and public appearances. Could she really use this as an opportunity to further her own goals, even if it meant playing along with the facade?

“Look, I’ll admit, I thought for a second it wouldn’t be that bad,” Fatima murmured, more to herself than to her sisters. “But every time I think about it...about him...I just feel trapped.”

“You’re not trapped, Zara,” Rahila reminded her softly. “You’re just in a very difficult position. But you’ll find a way to make it work. You always do.”

Khayrat’s tone softened as she added, “And we’re here, every step of the way. Even if Dad is pushing his agenda, we’ve got your back. You don’t have to handle Kabir alone.”

Fatima closed her eyes, the weight of their words offering her a small sense of relief. Her sisters, at least, understood her plight, even if the rest of the family was caught up in the political web.

“I’m scared,” Fatima admitted quietly. "Scared that I’ll lose myself in this.”

“You won’t,” Rahila reassured her. “You’re too strong for that. This situation might not be what you wanted, but you’ll come out of it on your own terms.”

Fatima sighed, sitting up straighter. “I guess I have no choice now”

Khayrat gave her a knowing look. “But you can still control how you go through with it.”

A silence settled over the three sisters, but it was not uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that came when words had finally reached their mark. They knew Fatima’s fight wasn’t over. It had just begun, and together they would navigate whatever challenges lay ahead.

“And remember, Zara, just because you signed a contract doesn’t mean you signed away your life. You’re still you, and you’re still in control anddd it's just a year.” Rahila added.

Fatima gave a small nod. She wasn't sure how much of that she believed, but for now, she needed to focus on the next step. The game had started, and now, it was up to her to decide how to play it.