❦ 𝑰'𝒎 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰 𝑾𝒂𝒔 ❦

She learned at a very young age that life is not easy, and that she must fight her own battles to achieve her dreams.

After years of continuous hard work, struggle, and silent sacrifices, her efforts finally paid off. The job she had always wished for was finally hers it was her first strong step toward success.

She wanted to fulfill every dream she had ever kept in her heart, every desire she never wanted to let die.

Today, she was happy........ truly very happy.

“Her life was like a novel, each page filled with a different story…”

“Mama… Mama, I got the job!”

As soon as she entered the house, she almost shouted with happiness. After years, such a bright glow could finally be seen on her face. Quickly placing her bag on the sofa, she sat beside her mother.

“And you know what? For now, they offered me a salary of thirty thousand… but if they like my work, they’ll increase it later!” Her voice was filled with excitement and hope.

Hearing her words, her mother smiled faintly while placing a plate of food in front of her.

“That’s good… now try to become a little more responsible. Save money and build something for yourself. If you children won’t become your parents’ support, then who will?”

The moment she heard her mother’s words, the happiness on her face faded for a second. Perhaps the weight of responsibilities had pulled her back to reality.

“Oh, leave all that for now!” Abeer suddenly said excitedly. “At least treat us with zinger burgers for this happy occasion!”

“Yes! I’ve been craving one too today…” Ayla immediately agreed with Abeer.

Liyana looked at both of her sisters and smiled softly. They usually weren’t that attached to her, but when it came to food, they knew very well how to persuade her.

After washing the dishes at night and finishing all the household chores, she came and lay down on her bed.

In the silence of the room, countless memories from her past began to rise in her mind like waves.

All those things… things she never wanted to do.

Life had forced her to do them all.

Going door to door to vaccinate children… just for a few thousand rupees.

An amount that meant almost nothing in today’s inflation, yet she silently endured everything, thinking that maybe it would ease some of her family’s burdens.

Then she got a job at a private school…

where she was paid only four thousand rupees in the name of salary.

But the real misery was not the low salary…

It was the principal’s filthy stares that made her uncomfortable every single moment.

“Sir… you called me?”

Liyana said softly as she entered the office.

“Yes, Miss Liyana… this is your salary for this month. Our senior teachers are very impressed with your work.”

There was a strange smile on his face… the kind of smile Liyana had sensed from the very beginning.

“Thanks, sir… but you said you would increase my salary after two months.”

She said while looking at the envelope that contained only four thousand rupees.

“Yes, Miss Liyana… I did say I would make it six thousand… but…”

He stood up from his chair and slowly started walking toward her.

“If you want… I can even make your salary fifteen thousand.”

There was something in his tone and his eyes that made alarm bells ring in Liyana’s heart.

“No, sir… you said six thousand, so just make it that.”

She quickly stood up.

“Oh, come on… sit for two more minutes. It’s for your own benefit, Miss Liyana…”

He stepped even closer.

“W....What are you doing?” Liyana took a frightened step back.

“I’m perfectly fine with the salary I already have.”

She turned to leave, but he suddenly grabbed her hand.

“You just have to keep me company…”

The very next moment

SLAP!!!

Liyana’s hard slap landed across his face.

He staggered backward while Liyana glared at him with hatred before quickly walking out of the office.

These bitter memories from the past brought tears to her eyes once again.

A few silent tears rolled down and disappeared into her pillow.

Just then, the ringing of her phone broke the silence.

The moment she saw the name appearing on the screen, a peaceful smile spread across her face.

“Assalamualaikum…”

The moment he answered the call, her soft voice reached his ears.

“Wa Alaikum Assalam, Madam… you should spare a little thought for me too. I’ve been waiting for just one message from you since morning.”

There was a faint complaint in his tone, yet his voice carried the same warmth and affection as always.

“I’m sorry… I was…”

she spoke hesitantly, “a little busy…”

“Hey, why are you apologizing?”

He let out a soft chuckle.

“I was only reminding you that there’s someone who can spend an entire day waiting for a single text from you. Anyway, leave that… tell me, how did the interview go?”

She didn’t know why, but saying “sorry” to Ehan never felt right to her. As if, between them, emotions spoke louder than words ever could.

“It went really well… I got the job too. For now, they’re offering thirty thousand salary, but they said they’ll increase it later, In Sha Allah.”

There was happiness in her voice… along with the quiet relief of finally finding peace after years of exhaustion.

“That’s actually wonderful…”

Ehan said with a smile.

“I knew you would succeed.”

A few moments passed in silence. Then he asked softly,

“Can I ask you something…?”

“Hmm?”

“Why do you love writing articles and stories so much?”

She fell silent for a moment, as if carefully choosing the words hidden deep inside her heart.

“I love writing because… in this crowded world, it becomes a way to say what I truly feel and to complete unfinished dreams in my own way…”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“Sometimes a person cannot live everything they feel in reality… so they create an entirely new world within their words.”

Ehan listened to her quietly. Perhaps more than her voice, it was her dreams that fascinated him.

The night grew darker, yet their conversation refused to end.

They kept talking for hours sometimes laughing, sometimes falling into comfortable silence… and sometimes simply feeling each other’s presence.

Then, when sleep finally began to settle in her eyes, she whispered softly,

“I’m feeling sleepy…”

“Hmm… then go to sleep.”

“Good night…”

“Good night… and yes, have beautiful dreams.”

A gentle smile appeared on her face before she ended the call and placed the phone beside her.

The room was silent…

But a faint smile still lingered on her lips.

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, spreading gently across the room.

She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few moments, as if lost somewhere between sleep and reality.

Then suddenly, the memories of last night came rushing back...

Ehan's voice...

His soft laughter...

And those final words...

"Sweet dreams..."

An involuntary smile appeared on her lips.

She sat up slowly and picked up the phone lying beside her. As soon as the screen lit up, a message flashed in the notification bar.

Ehan: "Good Morning, Miss Successful Girl."

She stared at the message for a few moments in silence.

She didn't know why, but even a simple text from Ehan filled her heart with an indescribable sense of peace.

With a faint smile, she typed back:

"You're awake this early?"

A reply came within seconds.

"Some people don't let me sleep."

She couldn't help but laugh.

Just then, her mother's voice echoed from outside.

"If you're done sleeping, come to the kitchen for a moment!"

She quickly composed herself.

"Yes, Ammi!"

As always, a long list of chores awaited her in the kitchen. Tea simmered on the stove, dishes were piled in the sink, and her mother was busy preparing breakfast.

"It's your first day at work. Don't be late."

Her mother said while flipping a paratha.

"Okay..."

She quietly got busy with the work, but something felt different today.

Perhaps a tiny flame of hope had finally begun to glow inside her.

After breakfast, she returned to her room.

Opening the wardrobe, her eyes fell on her old clothes. She didn't have many options.

After thinking for a while, she picked out a simple light-blue dress.

While getting ready, she looked at herself in the mirror.

The traces of exhaustion beneath her eyes were still there, but today they were accompanied by a new sparkle.

She was about to leave with her bag when her phone vibrated again.

Ehan: "Nervous?"

She took a deep breath before replying.

"A little..."

His response came immediately.

"Don't be. It's your first day; feeling nervous is normal. Besides, you're one of those people who keep fighting silently until one day they win."

She stared at the screen for a few moments.

Then, for reasons she couldn't explain, a slight moisture filled her eyes.

Some words don't make a person weak...

They simply remind them that they are not alone.

That somewhere, there is someone who understands their silent pain, their unspoken battles, and their weary courage.

And sometimes...

To move forward in life, love isn't necessary.

The belief that someone still keeps your name in their prayers is enough.

Some people don't enter our lives as light...

They simply teach us not to fear the darkness anymore.

She looked at Ehan's message on her screen one last time and smiled.

Sometimes, life makes you believe that everything is finally falling into place...

That fate is beginning to be kind to you...But often, life reveals its greatest trials at the very moment we experience our first taste of peace.

And Liyana had no idea that the real test of her story was only just beginning.