The Obligation

Alia, thirty and unmarried, stands on her balcony haunted by memories of judgment from potential suitors' families. Society's expectations suffocate her. Overhearing her mother's anxious conversations about marriage deepens her despair. The story of Alia mirrors an increasingly common experience in Pakistani households, where societal pressures around marriage can restrict personal happiness and self-esteem. The harmful practice of judging women mainly on their looks and age not only limits their freedom but also spreads damaging stereotypes.