Bridging Hearts.

#25

                          ZARA'S POV:

I had barely made it two steps into the launch where everyone was gathered, the first person who came to me was Rayah. As soon as she noticed my teary eyes, she asked me in a panic,"What happened, Zara?"

Before I could respond,I looked around me.There were my parents, Saif's family, guests, relatives, friends – everyone was present, enjoying themselves and happy, and they had no idea of the storm raging inside me, Hidden.

"Zara! Where have you been?"
Tayyi Ami came towards me. "Come, come! So many guests are waiting to meet the bride-to-be. You don't disappear from your own mehendi?"

Listening to her only irritated me further, and my anger exploded.“I don't want to meet anyone!" I snapped.

The silence that followed was deafening. I could hear my own ragged breathing, see the shocked faces of everyone, the disapproving looks, the judgmental whispers starting to build. But I didn't care anymore.

"Zara, what happened?" Mamma asked me with confusion and a little disappointment on her face, while Saif's parents rushed forward, worry etched on their faces. But there was something else too in their expressions –  Did they already know? Had they been aware of Saif and his conditions for this wedding?

I moved my attention towards my parents. "Mamma, Baba, I don't want to marry him!"

"Beta, what are you saying?" Saif's mother quickly reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

Just then, Saif appeared at the entrance, his face pale. Our eyes met across the room, and I saw the panic in him.
Good. Let him worry.

"Zara?" My father came to me, his weathered hands cupping my face like he used to do when I was little. "What happened, beta?”

Looking into Baba's concerned eyes,
I almost broke down. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back furiously. I wouldn't let my parents see how deeply I was hurt. I swallowed hard, forcing back the lump in my throat.

The entire hall was silent, waiting.

"Baba..." my voice trembled, but I steeled myself. “ This marriage will only bind me forever. He.." I pointed at Saif, "The man I'm going to marry, thinking he would be the best choice for me, wants me to give up my studies, my career, everything I've worked for."

"Zara, you're being unreasonable—"

"Unreasonable?" I turned to face him, my voice gaining strength. "Is it unreasonable to want to follow my dreams? Is it unreasonable to expect my life partner to support me?"

"Beta, what are you even saying, why would he do that!?" Tayyi Ami tried to intervene, but I wasn't finished.

"I'm sorry," I said, though I wasn't really sorry at all, "but I won't sacrifice my dreams for anyone."

The silence that followed was different this time – heavy with understanding. My father's hands dropped from my face, and when I looked at him, I saw something that gave me strength.

"Is this true?" Baba asked Saif, his voice stern. My father demanded, his usually jovial face dark with anger.

"Just a little misunderstanding, Uncle. Zara is being overly emotional-"

"Huh! Tell them what you really said. Tell them how you want to crush my dreams, how you think you own me!"

Just then his mom spoke,"Zara, is this the only reason?" Saif's mother chimed in, her tone mocking, leaving me utterly in disbelief.

I could see the shift in people's expressions - the raised eyebrows, the knowing looks, the judgmental whispers..

"See what happens when you give them too much freedom?" someone muttered.