Chapter 1
Most people believe beginnings are loud, full of announcements, celebrations, and certainty. But real beginnings arrive quietly. They carry doubt instead of confidence, questions instead of answers. They are built from long nights spent learning what no one ever taught you, from mistakes that only become lessons after they hurt, and from the stubborn choice to keep going when giving up feels easier.
Knowledge doesn’t arrive as power at first. It comes as confusion. As thoughts that refuse to let you sleep. And somewhere between failure and understanding, a person realizes that growth isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about staying curious long enough to become someone different from who you were yesterday.
And so, it begins.
“Mira, Mira...wake up, sweetheart. You’re getting late,”
Her mother’s voice drifted into her dreams, gentle but persistent.
“Mom, just two more minutes,” she mumbled, turning her face into the pillow.
“Mira, wake up. You’re already late for collage, baby.”
Mira groaned. “What’s the time?”
“Eight forty.”
Her eyes flew open. Mira threw the blanket aside, her long hair tangled, her already large eyes widening in panic.
“What? Eight forty? Oh my God, I’m so late!”
She slipped into her slippers and rushed toward the washroom. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” she called out, panic rising in her voice.
“I’ve been trying for the past twenty minutes,” Her mother replied calmly.
“Well, try harder next time!” Mira shouted from inside.
Her mother smiled to herself. “All right, now hurry up and come down for breakfast.” She shook her head as she walked away. “Same routine every day.”
Mira splashed water on her face, brushed her teeth, and quickly tied her hair before letting it fall loose again. A little kajal around her eyes, a swipe of lip gloss done. She grabbed her bag, slipped on the watch her father had gifted her, and hurried downstairs.
Everything was already at the dining table. Her father sat quietly with the newspaper. Mira spotted her brother, Mohib, and gave him a pleading look, please take me, I missed the bus.
He shook his head.
She tried again.
With a sigh, he nodded.
Her father noticed the silent exchange. Mira rushed over, hugged him from behind, and kissed his head. “Good morning, Dad.”
She grabbed a piece of toast and headed for the door.
“Eat your breakfast!” her mother called after her.
“I’m getting late! I’ll eat at the collage canteen!” Mira shouted, already halfway down the steps.
“Mira, do you have money?” her father asked quickly.
“Yes, Dad!”
“Go carefully.”
“Bye!”
She jumped into the car, dropping her bag onto the seat.
“Finally awake!” Mohib said as he started the engine.
“Don’t tease me,” she groaned, buckling her seatbelt.
“Relax. Everything will be fine.”
“I hope so. Today already feels messy.”
He smirked. “Just sit back. I’ll handle the driving.”
“Thanks, Brother!”
He dropped her at the college gate. As Mira opened the door, Mohib leaned forward.
“Hey wait. Did your friend Fatima come to university today?”
Mira turned back, confused. “I don’t know. Why?”
“Just asking. Nothing special.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Hmm. Right. Just asking.”
He smiled, slightly embarrassed. “Go now. You’ll be late.”
Mira adjusted her bag and walked toward the gate, still thinking about his strange question.
The campus buzzed with energy, students laughing, rushing, calling out to one another. Mira moved quickly through the crowd and climbed the stairs to her department.
Out of habit, her eyes searched the corridor.
Fatima usually waited for her there.
Today, the spot was empty.
Mira slowed. “Where is she...?”
Inside the classroom, every seat was filled, except the one beside hers. Fatima’s chair remained empty.
A flicker of worry touched her chest. Fatima never missed university without telling her. Never.
When class finally ended, Mira checked her phone. No messages.
She called her mother. “Mom, Fatima didn’t come today. She didn’t even message me. I’m worried. I want to go to her house.”
A pause. Then another voice came faintly through the phone.
“Mom,”
Mohib? Mira frowned. He should have been at work.
She pushed the thought aside. “Mom, I’ll go check on her and call you when I reach."
She ended the call, adjusted her bag, and hurried toward Fatima’s house.
Mira reached Fatima’s house and rang the bell. Fatima’s mother opened the door with a warm smile.
“Hello, sweety! Everything okay? You’re with your bag did you just come from college?” her mother asked.
“Yes, aunty. Just coming from college,” Mira replied, trying to sound casual.
Fatima’s mother nodded. “Good, good. Fatima is in her room. She just came home from college too.”
Mira froze for a moment. College? But I just came from college and didn’t see Fatima! She tried to stay calm.
Her mother frowned slightly. “Hmm... that’s strange. Both of you go to the same college. Didn’t you meet there?”
Mira’s mind raced. She needed an excuse. “Ah... um... Fatima must have forgotten her notebook in my bag. And tomorrow there’s a test so I thought I should come and give it to her,” she said quickly, forcing a casual smile.
Fatima’s mother tilted her head, a little suspicious now, but nodded. “Okay, Go see her then.”
Mira walked down the corridor towards Fatima’s room. When she opened the door, Fatima was lying on the bed, eyes closed, hugging a pillow.
Mira stopped. Fatima looked peaceful, but something felt off. Was she asleep or just pretending?
Mira quietly stepped inside and sat on the chair beside the bed.
Where were you all day, Fatima? Mira wondered, her chest tight.
Fatima didn’t move. She just hugged the pillow tighter, pretending to sleep. Mira sighed quietly. Something was wrong, but she decided to wait and watch, for now.
Mira waited for a few minutes, hoping Fatima would wake up on her own. But Fatima stayed still, pretending to sleep.
Mira got worried and angry. She pulled the blanket off Fatima sharply.
“Fatima! Where were you?” Mira asked loudly. “Your mom said you went to college, but you didn’t! And you didn’t even message me!”
Fatima opened her eyes, looking confused. She didn’t know what to say.
“Mira why are you acting like this?” Fatima said, trying to sound calm.
“I... I was with Noor today,” Fatima said quickly. “Noor told me she wasn’t coming to college, but I didn’t tell you because she wanted to prepare surprise for your birthday. I was with her.”
Mira frowned.
“If I tell my mom I was with Noor, she will get angry at me,” Fatima continued. “And Noor’s mom and my mom don’t get along, so I didn’t want any problem. That’s why i told my mom I went to college, not to Noor.”
Mira stared at her. Fatima’s eyes looked serious, but Mira felt worried and a little hurt.
“You could have just told me,” Mira said softly. “I was worried.”
Mira sighed. She still didn’t understand why Fatima did this, but she decided to calm down for now. Deep inside, she felt a little doubt and confusion about her.
Noor was one of Fatima’s close friends from her own side of the circle. but now Mira was also good friend of Noor.
Mira sat quietly, still looking at Fatima. Then she smiled a little.
“So, you were really with Noor today?” Mira asked gently.
Fatima nodded and smiled softly. “Yes, she wanted to surprise you for your birthday. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
Mira pretended to be angry, but her eyes were soft. “You scared me! I thought something happened to you!”
“I’m sorry,” Fatima said quietly. “I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“Okay but next time just tell me, I don’t mind surprises, but I get worried easily.” Mira says
“Okay, I will, but it was a little fun being sneaky!”
Mira laughed. “A little only a little!”
They both smiled at each other.
After some time, Mira stood up and straightened her bag.
“I should go now,” she said softly.
Fatima nodded, still hugging her pillow. “Okay thank you for coming, Mira.”
Mira walked out of the room and down the corridor. Her mind was full of questions.
Walking back home, Mira couldn’t stop thinking. “I hope she’s not hiding something,” she whispered to herself, hurrying along the street.
Mira reached home and opened the door quietly.
She was moving towards stairs when her mom bother her “You didn’t call me when you reached Fatima’s house. I was a little worried,”
“I’m sorry,” Mira said softly. “I just got caught up and forgot. Fatima was well, she was fine. I’ll tell you everything later.”
Her mother nodded but still looked a little worried. “Okay but don’t forget next time. You must call me.”
“I will,” Mira promised. And then move towards her room.
At night Mira came down for dinner, and everyone was already at the table. The room smelled so good.
Her granny had just come back today from her uncle’s house. Mira ran to her and hugged her from behind.
“Granny! I missed you so much!” Mira said, smiling.
Granny laughed and patted her head. “My girl! I missed you too. Look at you, still growing so fast!”
Mira turned to everyone at the table and smiled. “It feels so nice to be home with all of you.”
“How was your day? Did you see Fatima?” her mother asked
Mira nodded. “Yes, she’s fine. Just resting at home.”
Mohib, who was quietly on his phone, paused and looked up, his face showing a little confusion.
“I hope you didn’t eat too much at college, Mira. Save some for dinner!” her father says
Mira laughed. “No dad, I didn’t. And this food smells amazing anyway.”
Mohib went back to his phone when her father bothers him, “Mohib, put the phone aside. Enjoy dinner with us.”
Mohib looked up, gave small smile and put the phone down.
After dinner, everyone slowly got up from the table. Mira helped her mother carry the plates to the kitchen.
Then Mira went upstairs to her room. She sat on her bed and picked up her phone.
She sent a message to Fatima.
“Hey Fatima, are you coming college tomorrow?”
Then Mira sent same message to Noor. Noor replied that she wasn’t coming tomorrow because she didn’t feel well.
after 5 minutes Mira saw again but no reply from Fatima.
Mira saw the online status under Fatima’s name.
Mira tried calling Fatima, but the phone didn’t connect. Her screen showed; “Fatima is on another call.”
Mira stared at the screen, wondering who Fatima was talking to at this time.
She quietly sends her message that she’s not coming college tomorrow and put her phone down and lay on her bed.
Next morning the sun was already bright when Mira came downstairs for breakfast. Her father was sipping his tea, and Mohib was already halfway through his breakfast.
She leaned down and kissed her father’s forehead like she always did.
“Morning, dad,” she said softly.
“Morning, sweety,” he smiled up at her.
Her mother came from the kitchen with a plate of fruit and set it down. She looked at Mira for a moment.
“You’re not going to college today?” she asked.
Mira sat down beside her father. “No. I don’t feel like it.”
“Why? Something happen?” Mohib asked.
“Just tired.” Mira shook her head.
“You’ve been tired every other day lately.” He didn’t buy it.
“Mohib, behave,” her mother said.
Mira stayed quiet, picking at her toast. Her father put his cup down and looked at her a little more seriously.
“Mira, you’re almost done with your degree. You need to start thinking about what comes next.”
Mohib leaned back, watching her carefully but without teasing this time.
“So, tell me. What do you want to do after graduation?” her father asks.
“I want to open a boutique.” She hesitated for a moment.
Mohib blinked, surprised. “A boutique? That sounds good.” He gave small approving nod, like he hadn’t expected that answer.
Her father stayed quiet for a few seconds, thinking. “Are you sure. If that’s what you want, remember I expect you to be committed.”
“I understand,” Mira nodded.
Her father reached for his tea again. “And what about your friends? What are they planning?”
“Noor wants to act. Her family isn’t supporting her. Fatima will join her father’s business.” Mira relied.
“Noor as an actress. That suits her.” Mohib let out a soft laugh.
Then breakfast carried on with the usual mix of small talk and comfortable noise. Mira felt the tension lift a little, and Mohib gave her a quick, supportive look before getting up to leave the table.
After breakfast, the house slowly settled into its usual rhythm. Her mother started clearing the table, her father went to get ready for work, and Mira hung around in the living room, hugging a cushion and staring out the window.
She heard footsteps behind her. Mohib walked in, jingling his car keys. “You’re really not going?”
“I told you. Not today.” Mira answer.
He sat down on the arm of the sofa, looking at her more gently than before. “You know dad isn’t against your boutique idea. He just wants to make sure you’re serious.”
“I am serious. I just don’t know where to start.” She speaks.
“Nobody does at first. You start small and figure it out on the way. Just don’t freeze.”
She looked up at him. “Since when are you this supportive?”
“Since always. You just don’t notice.”
“Liar.” She pushed his arm lightly.
He laughed and stood. “I’m heading out. If you want something let me know. I will bring.”
“Mumm.... nothing now” she answers.
He left with a playful tap on her head, and she watched him go, feeling a little lighter.
After a while, her mother came in with folded laundry.
“If you’re not going today, use the time. Do something don’t waste the whole day worrying.”
Mira nodded. “Okay mum.”
When the house finally went quiet, she went to her room and started cleaning her room.
