Starlit Promises (ON HOLD)

2. Whispers Of Fate

Seeking to divert her thoughts from him, she thought to find solace in Ifra's room. Rapping gently on the door, she ventured inside, only to find Ifra nestled in disarrayed slumber, the covers tangled around her.

Approaching Ifra's side, she gingerly shook her shoulder, prompting a groan of protest from her friend.

"Wake up," she implored, giving her shoulders another gentle shake.

"Ifra," she murmured, her voice laden with persistence, "it's time to wake up."

Ifra, still half-asleep, muttered with mild irritation, "Just leave my room."

Knowing that further persistence would only invite a scolding when Ifra finally awoke, Fida sighed in resignation.

Releasing a heavy sigh, she departed from the room. As she made her way toward her own quarters, Najma, Ifra's mother, intercepted her path.

"Mami," she acknowledged, meeting Najma's gaze.

"I wanted to inform you that Rabia's family will be joining us for dinner tonight," Najma revealed.

Fida nodded in acknowledgment.

"Kaamil asked me to remind you to dress appropriately," Najma continued.

Fida nodded once more, understanding the underlying implications.

"Last time, I overheard them gossiping about our lack of care for our orphaned niece. We cannot allow a repetition of such rumors," Najma concluded, before patting Fida's cheek with a pretentious sweet smile and departing to assist Ifra with her preparations.

Standing there, her heart heavy, Fida watched Najma's departing figure with a tinge of sadness.

On numerous occasions, she wished her father hadn't sent her away. However, it seemed her stepmother shirked her responsibility, compelling her father to abandon her. Initially, he would visit her for a few fleeting moments, but it had been over a year since his last appearance. Nevertheless, he faithfully sent her financial support without fail.

The Khan mansion bustled with inhabitants, including Sher Khan, her maternal grandfather, Abbas Khan, her eldest maternal uncle, accompanied by his wife Rashida and their two offspring: Behram, a twenty-five-year-old son, and Rahil, a twenty-three-year-old son.

Next in line was Kaamil Khan, Sher Khan's second eldest son, residing in the Khan mansion with his wife Najma and their twenty-year-old daughter, Ifra.

Her deceased mother, Sara, occupied the third position, followed by Altaf Khan, who had passed away three years prior.

Presently, Ammar and his mother Khadija, whom Altaf had brought from England nine years ago, also resided within the confines of the Khan mansion, precisely in the guest house. However, despite the bustling environment, she still felt profoundly alone.

With a heavy heart, she made her way towards her room to meticulously select a dress and jewelry.

Unlike Ifra, who had a mother to assist her, she had to undertake the task entirely on her own.

The dinner resonated with its customary clamor of gathering voices. She adorned herself in an ethereal, cream-colored chiffon frock, adorned with intricate stone embellishments, complemented by matching jewelry and delicate sandals. Her cascading hair flowed freely, with a few strands artfully secured on one side with exquisite hair clips. She radiated beauty, even garnering praise from Rabia, who couldn't help but admire her appearance.

The task of serving the dinner fell upon Khadija, as the household staff were granted a two-day leave of absence. While Altaf was alive, no one dared to assign work to Khadija in his presence. Even though she carried out her duties discreetly when he was absent from the mansion, everyone refrained from directing her actions when he was around. However, after his passing, she had become their maid.