Noor-e-Naseeb

If you ever love someone and they don't it for you then
*****
She thought 'I can't take rest when how much love I get from my family depend upon my grades.' she felt nothing.
*****
A dimly lit study room. A young woman, sits alone at her desk, staring at an old trophy with tear-filled eyes. Her reflection is faintly visible in the window

I used to be their pride.
"The brilliant girl," they'd say. The one who made everyone smile with her grades and her manners.
But one bad result... one slip... and suddenly, I'm a disappointment.
Now they notice my eyeliner, my lipstick,
"Why so much makeup, Meera?"
"Focus on your studies."
As if this...
As if this defines my worth?

It's funny, isn't it?
When I was perfect, they loved me for who I was.
Now that I'm flawed, they find excuses to tear me apart.

But I see you, Meera. I see the girl who tried her best,
even when no one else did.
And that's enough. It has to be enough.

*****
Cousin 1 (laughing): "Meri toh ab proper shape aa rahi hai. Sab bolte hain ki kitni achhi lagti hoon!"
("I'm getting a proper shape now. Everyone says I look so good!")

Cousin 2 (smirking): "Haan, meri bhi. Aur iska dekho..." (pointing towards her) "...bilkul flat hai. Lagta hi nahi ladki hai!"
("Yeah, me too. And look at her......completely flat. She doesn't even look like a girl!")

Cousin 3 (giggling): "Sach mein, iski toh kabhi nahi aayegi. Hijda lagti hai!"
("Seriously, she'll never develop. She looks like a transgender")

Cousin 4 (mocking): "itni badi hogai abhi tak periods bhi nhi aai sahi Mai toh hijda nhi. Dikhti bhi ek.."laughing she said.
("She is old enough to get period but till now she didn't get is she transgender in real. She even look like one.")

She lay still, her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep, her heart breaking with every cruel word. Tears silently rolled down her cheeks as their laughter echoed in the room. She buried her face in the pillow, trying to stifle her sobs, wishing she could disappear into the night.