In the heart of the city of Zarvahn, nestled in the kingdom of Alshira, there was a family that many only dreamed of becoming. The Alvi family, known for their immense wealth, grace, and untouchable reputation, lived in a grand house where luxury met tradition, and innocence often disguised the sharp intellect beneath.
Fiza Alvi, the youngest of the family, was preparing for a day that would change everything. Her heart raced as anxiety coursed through her veins, each beat reminding her of the importance of today. *You can do this,* she whispered to herself. She stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her black hijab that matched her oversized black T-shirt and baggy pants. It was a look she kept simple, one that let no one see past the quiet exterior.
Her sneakers barely made a sound as she stepped down the grand staircase, the soft hum of the house greeting her. But what caught her attention was the sight of her parents and her older sister, Aqsa, sitting at the dining table, their laughter light and carefree. The contrast was jarring. They had no idea what today held for their beloved Fiza.
Fiza walked into the room and, without a word, lightly tapped her sister's head.
"Assalamualaikum, sissy," Fiza greeted her, her voice warm but with an edge of impatience.
Aqsa shot her a playful glare, rubbing her head. "Waalaikumassalam. Why do you have so much energy in the morning?" she teased, leaning back in her chair with a smile that was nothing short of angelic.
Fiza grinned, letting her fingers brush through her sister's hair, feeling the warmth of family settle around her. It was a feeling that kept her grounded, even as the weight of the unknown pressed heavily on her shoulders.
Turning to her father, she said, "Dad, Aqsa won the family trivia again. I swear, she cheats."
Her father chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Of course she does. You can't beat your sister when it comes to that, Fiza."
"Why do you both always gang up on me?" Fiza muttered, feigning annoyance as she took a seat beside her mother.
Her mother, ever the calm force, gave her a knowing look. "You have a lot of energy today, my dear. Where are you going so early?"
Fiza hesitated for a moment, her mind flickering to the day's events, to the unknown path she was about to walk. "Baba, I have some work to do... something that's important for my life," she said, her voice steady but with a trace of uncertainty that only she could hear.
Her mother raised an eyebrow, studying her closely. "Important? Is this something we should know about?"
Fiza shook her head, giving her mother a soft smile. "No, Mama. Just something I need to do. I'll explain later."
Aqsa looked at her, eyes narrowing slightly. "You're up to something. You always are, Fiza."
Fiza gave a playful shrug, trying to hide the rush of thoughts flooding her mind. "Maybe, maybe not," she replied, not wanting to reveal the real reason behind her unusual behavior today.
She stood up, her hand lingering on the edge of the table. "I'll be back later. Don't worry about me."
With a final glance at her family, Fiza turned toward the door. The anxiety in her chest grew heavier with every step she took. What was she about to face?
Just as she reached for the door handle, her father's voice stopped her.
"Fiza, wait."
She turned around, her heart racing.
"Be careful. Not all work is as easy as it seems," he said, his voice calm but with an edge of concern.
Fiza met his eyes, trying to mask the turmoil she felt inside. "I will, Baba. I promise."
And with that, she walked out, the door clicking shut behind her.
Outside, the world seemed to pause for a moment. The sun hung low in the sky over Zarvahn, casting long shadows over the streets. Fiza's pulse quickened. She didn't know what would happen next, but something in her gut told her that today would change everything.
And she was ready—ready for whatever came next.