Unshackled

I Like Her

Asiyah's POV.

Today we are meeting our families. I am beyond excited to see them and get some answers about why I'm stuck here. I'm upset that they didn't care to ask for my opinion. After all, this is my life.

My father knows how much I care about my dreams and how badly I want to succeed in life. As a child up to now, I've always told him about my ambitions. I have a hard time believing he'd just give me away like that.

After breakfast, we went outside as they asked us to wait in line. My foot has gotten way better now.

Sultan joined and stood in front of us.

"You girls worked hard this month, I am proud of you all and I believe it is time to see your families," he said.

A few cars stopped in front of us. I noticed one car that seemed familiar to my dad's car.

Immediately, I ran to the car and as expected it was them. I was getting emotional already. They stepped out of the car. Abbu, Maa and my brother.

My mother wrapped her arms around me hugging the life out of me.

"My child, are you okay?" she asked sounding relieved. I swear when my mother hugs me, I feel like I'm healing every broken piece inside of me.

Then, my dad and brother hugged me as well. I felt at home being held by them.

"How have you been Asiyah?" Abbu asked me.

"Do I look okay?" I asked them. I was trying my best not to explode and cry.

We walked towards a bench and sat down all together.

"Why am I here mom?" I asked her.

"I—we can explain—"

"Please explain to me because I've been dying to know ever since I'm here" I said.

"Calm down Asiyah, we didn't have a choice," Abbu said. I waited for him to explain.

"You have to understand that this is not the UK—this is Pakistan, there are things we don't have control over and what I'm about to tell you is one of the things I couldn't control at all," he said. I'm still so confused right now.

"When I was younger my dad used to work for them, he dedicated his whole life to them and he wanted me to take over but I was just like you—I had no intention to stay here and..." he stopped when Mom squeezed his hand.

"I had no intention to work for them so I ran away with your mom and started my own family and business in the UK but now, I can't run away anymore—my business failed and I came back to Pakistan remembering I owed them a debt," he explained.

"What do they want from you? What do you owe them?" I asked.

"Your grandfather promised that our family would serve them after his departure," he said as my eyes went wide.

"How is that fair by any means when we were unaware? He just made a decision and we have to follow it?" I can't believe my ears.

"It's not like that dear," he said.

"Then what is it?" I asked.

"god Asiyah, stop pressuring your parents," Azaan joined us. What the hell does he want?

"Asalamualaykum, I am Azaan" he introduced himself to my parents.

"Why are you here?" I asked him. Again, why is he always meddling in my business? Does it amuse him?

"I was passing by when I overheard the conversation and I must say—this is dramatic," he said. He cannot be for real. How disrespectful of him.

I am here trying to understand what the hell is going on with my life and he thinks it's dramatic?