CHASE OF STARDUST

r soul was being auctioned off, lost to the highest bidder. She mourned the girl who once dared to believe in possibility, the girl who thought sheer will

its cruel irony, had a

rt itself with all the subtlety of a marching band. Golden rays pushed through the curtain

here

Standing in

eaper of h

g, as if he were delivering a daily weather fo

her future had been sealed without her consent. She sat up slowly, her hair a tangled mess, but her defiance sharper than

didn't

said flatly, the words landing like col

reams wasn't just shut-it was locked.

ered for the last time as she realized: There would be no more fights. No more pl

d with what could only be described as a green explosion-an A-line dress the color o

ya, you'll look so beautiful. Like a Mughal

th mechanical precision, clipping, pinning, powdering un

and times. "Daughters who strive to maintain their family's honor never feel unhappy. They prosper. Learn to

r the sheer effort it took not to scream, "Yes, life is unpredictable, especi

suffocating her. "Prosper," she muttered bitterly, "I

sing her face, but she said nothing further. This momen

le, out

for a budget cigarette commercial. Tall, dark, and handsome-exactly the type of guy girls in TV dramas warned you about. A wisp of smoke cu

oached with arms crossed, scowl in place. "Zaryab!" she snapped. "What the

his heel. He turned to face her, unbothered. "Relax,

herself a concussion. "You're supposed to make a good impression. Inste

ked. "Jealo

cally. "Of you? I'd r

tte. "I'm just being real. They'll get used to me event

funny? If you don't shape up, I'll tell Khal

la! Please, Saniya, not her!" He staggered back, hand

oached, slow but deliberate. The figure emerging from the shadows was unmistakable: Rukhsana Khala, a fortress in bl

urrender. "Saniya, please, I'll be good. I prom

ate. She had alr

fish boy! You're out here poisoning the air like it's your personal playgr

react, her stick WH

e a cartoon character, causing the cigaret

stick once more. "You think smoking is cool? Y

nd continued her tirade. "You're killing the environment. You're

way like he was in an action movie, avoi

n his shoulder. Zaryab let out a dramatic howl, clutc

him. "You're lucky I don't have a shovel

urrender. "I'll behave! I'll be charming!

e listening?" With a final flick of th

y, "Khala, please, I can'

then nodded with sudden calm. "

d to leave

you doing?" Saniy

ked up the fallen cigaret

"WHAT?! Khala!

uffled by her niqab. She glanced around quickly, making sure no one saw, and then, without missing a bea

's called research, Zaryab. I'm making sure I u

iya just stare

elievable," S

umbled, "But somehow, she's

he unstoppable force of nature, waddling ahead with her cigarette dangli

d out, "Hey Khala-have you been wo

back, "Finally, someone not

"Let's just get

as they entered the house. "Behave y

groom's party appro