“ what” I whispered to myself .
My father look at me and smiled brightly “ Noor good you are here, I have found a suitable guy for you to get married “ my father announced like it just the most casual thing he said .
Now I know why my father was so happy at the breakfast table
I look at my mother for help to say something or stop my father , she knew that I wanted to become a doctor but she hung her head low and averted her eyes from mine.
I gulp as I felt tears slip through my eyes.
I gathered all my courage and said “ Abbu I want to become a doctor, I also pass the entrance exam , I don’t want to get married “ I beg him
“ What doctor, is this some kind of joke “ He look at my mother then me .
“ You have already studied more than you should, that does not mean you will do what you want , girls at your age got married and have kids “ He told me like it’s the matter of fact .
“ But abbu , becoming a doctor is my dream “ I tried to explain him .
“ ENOUGH “ he shouted “ these are the manners you have taught her “ my father questions my mother .
“ girls are only born to become one thing that is a housewife, your only purpose should be served your family that’s it “ he yelled at me angrily.
I clench my fist in anger “ You mean serve as a servant , isn’t it “
My father eyes filled with rage .
“Noor “ my mother shouted my name , her eyes widen at my word.
“ How dare you talk to me like that “ My father gritted his teeth “ Do you think being a housewife is a punishment look at your mother she lives in this luxurious house while I work hard even though she was so ungrateful and complains to me all the time , what is the thing I haven’t given her “
“ Respect, you haven’t given her respect that she deserves as a wife , you always treat her like nothing , you never introduced her to your friends because you feel ashamed, and the luxurious thing you are talking about let me tell you , she works all day , she cook , she wash your clothes, she does all the household chores sacrifice her dreams, left her family and you are calling her ungrateful “ tears slip through my eyes as I question my father.
“ The truth is abbu you are the one who is ungr-“ before I could say anything , I was slap by my mother , I look at her shocked even though I was defending her but she slap me .
“ is this how you should talk to your father “ my mother asked angrily.
“ Ammi I was-“ But before could say anything my father hold my wrist tightly and started dragging me to my room.
“ You tongue has grown too long but I won’t cut your tongue I will burn your dream , just like I did to your mother “ he push me on the floor and started throwing all the books on my desk .
My eyes widen as I look at my father throwing kerosene over my books “ Abbu what are you doing “ I shouted in horror.
I tried to stop him but he pushed me “ Burning your books just like your dream “
“ Abbu no I am sorry please don’t burn my books please abbu please “ I fold my hands in front of him but in vain .
Suddenly someone grab my arm and made me away from my books , I look at the person and saw Faiz smiling at me evilly .
My father lit the match stick and throw it on my books “ NO “ I shouted as fire immediately spread all over my books .
“ Look at these books Noor , and remember one thing You are going to get married to the guy I will say , you have no right to say anything and remember just like your books today , your dream has burnt into ashes too” with that they both left leaving me on the floor crying at my fate .
“ Why , why , why did you made me a girl “ I shouted to no one .
I felt a hand on my shoulder as I look at my mother looking at me helplessly.
I immediately shrugged her hand and got up .
“ Its all because of you , if you have defended yourself , or at least took a stand for yourself in front of your husband and these orthodox society then my dreams wouldn’t burn like this “ I pointed at fire .
I wanted to hold my words but something inside me wouldn’t let me stop. “you are a coward, Abbu is right you are just a housewife and nothing , you have no identify, you can’t stand for yourself, you can’t defend your dignity but I will , I will fight for my dream , I won’t give up on my dream like you did , I won’t be just a housewife , I will become a doctor and I will fight against these orthodox men and this society “ With that I wipe my tears and left from there leaving her alone.
Ayesha p.o.v
She left me leaving me all alone , I immediately turned around and went to washroom, I brought a bucket of water and splash it over the books , but it was too late all the books has burnt into ashes.
I sat down on the floor and cried “ Noor was right , I was a coward , I couldn’t complete my dreams because I was scared that if my husband left me then I will bring shame to my family, I was scared but my daughter is not , she will fight for her dream and she will not give up because she is not going to be Ayesha Azam ...... she will fight, and prove everyone that a women is not weak they are the strong creation of Allah .