THE CHASE OF STARDUST

carrying the weight of both exhaustion and hope. "There's more to life tha

words we

sdain. "Ugh, there you go again with your preaching attitude." she snapped, flipping

ps echoed down the hallway, followed by the

ays talking down to me like I'

e had b

on still tied at the waist, a wooden spoon in one hand and fury in

yourself and your books! What about your responsibilities here, hmm? The kitchen do

ack straight, but her hear

e. What do you think your in-laws will say, haan? That we raised a girl who can't even make a proper daal? They'll ques

. "I'm not asking you to stop being who you are. I'm

in her wrist taut with fury. "Become who you're meant to be?" she hissed. "And what is that, hm

d them all before-the accusations of selfishness, the constant reminders of her supposed failure as a woman. It felt as though h

uldn't let th

as it welled in her eyes. "I want to matter. I want a career, a purpose. I wan

to run a home has no place in a man's world-or her own!You're being unfilial, Raneya!This isn't how a daughter behaves! You are turning your back

m the tears at the edge of her vi

. "Just because you've got a trophy and a certificate, you think the world is going to bow at

her eyes. "At least you understand, beti.

-and her gaze, once maternal,

lt it lik

everything words couldn't: You are

ground, lips tremb

o throw another dagger, a quiet bu

he

eads

nds behind his back, eyes fixed on the

ed, as if even he was unsure of what he was about to deliver. "There's... there's a suitor. A potentia

hat followed

eneath her felt like it cracked ope

gers twitched, aching to clutch something solid

finally managed, her voic

ot yet. But... Fazeela thought we should m

Respectable people. Traditional values. A match any girl would

future drafted on paper-no cons

alls felt closer. Her dreams,

ng asked-she wa

this," she whispere

r mother snapped. "You had fun with y

family's voices closing in

see her drea

w them a

out it, her