In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 9: The Struggle Within

Morning came too quickly for Zara. She had hardly slept after the torment of her first day at university. Her pillow was still damp from the tears she had shed throughout the night. As the sun filtered through the curtains, Zara lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The ache in her chest from yesterday's bullying still lingered, making her dread the idea of facing another day.

But she knew she couldn't avoid it. Giving up wasn't an option—or at least, that's what she kept telling herself. With a heavy heart, she forced herself out of bed and began to get ready, her limbs feeling heavier than usual. 

She pulled out another modest shalwar kameez from her wardrobe, even more conscious now of how different she looked from the other girls at university. Her fingers hesitated as she touched her dupatta, remembering how it had been yanked off her shoulders the previous day. She wrapped it around herself with extra care this time, like it was a shield she needed for protection.

Nancy knocked softly on the door before entering. "Good morning, madam, breakfast is ready. Sir is waiting for you." she said with a bright smile. "So, are you ready for your second day?"

Zara nodded and forced a smile, trying to suppress the anxiety building inside her. "Yes, Nancy. I'm ready." She had no appetite, but she knew she had to go downstairs. Ibrahim had always insisted that she eat before leaving for the day, and she didn't want to raise any suspicions.

As they walked down for breakfast, Zara's mind was swirling with conflicting thoughts. She desperately wanted to avoid university, to escape the torment she knew awaited her. But she also didn't want to disappoint Ibrahim. He had done so much for her, and giving up after just one day felt like a failure.

When she reached the dining room, Ibrahim was already seated, reading the morning paper with his cup of coffee. He glanced up at her as she sat down but didn't say anything at first. She noticed a slight frown tugging at the corners of his mouth, as though he sensed her discomfort but was unsure how to approach it.

"Assalam O Alikum, Good Morning," Zara mumbled quietly, forcing a smile she didn't feel.Ibrahim set his newspaper down and looked at her for a long moment. "Walikum Assalam, Good morning. Are you ready for another day?"

She didn't meet his eyes, instead staring down at her plate. "Yes," she said softly, though the lie tasted bitter on her tongue. In truth, she wanted nothing more than to stay home, to hide from the cruel world of university where she felt like an outcast.

As they ate in silence, Zara's thoughts swirled in a storm of doubt and fear. What if today was worse than yesterday? What if the bullying escalated? She didn't know how much more she could take, but she had no choice. She had to go.

When breakfast was over, Ibrahim turned toward her. "Remember, everything will be fine. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call Me or Nancy."

Zara simply nodded at his kind gesture, her mind already drifting to the day ahead.

After breakfast, Zara climbed into the car, dreading the journey to university. As the campus came into view, her pulse quickened. The beautiful grounds that had once filled her with excitement now felt like a prison she couldn't escape.

The day passed slowly, each hour dragging on like an eternity. In class, Zara tried to focus on the lecture, but her mind kept wandering to the students who had mocked her the day before. She could feel their eyes on her, judging her, picking her apart.

During lunch, she sat alone in a quiet corner of the cafeteria, hoping to go unnoticed. But it wasn't long before the same group from yesterday found her. The girl from before, Natasha, with her perfectly styled hair and designer clothes, walked to Zara's table with a smug smile.