Epilogue

Being royal doesn't always look fancy. At least, that’s how I see myself—a woman in a veil, who covers herself so that not an inch of her is seen by other men. That’s the community I belong to, where even if I hurt someone, I must face the consequences even after death. "You reap what you sow"—that’s the definition of the afterlife I believe in. But also, if you move a rock from the middle of the road, you will be rewarded. Treating everyone with kindness and love—that's what my Islam teaches me. I believe myself to be a princess of Momins. Momins means one who believes in Allah, a person who is pious and always faithful.

My name is Amina, and I come from a devoted Muslim family. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the values of our religion and the importance of following its teachings. I was content with my life, living in a small town and going to a madrasa, where I learned about Islam and its principles. But my parents had a different plan for me. They wanted me to pursue higher education and experience a different way of life. So, they sent me to a hostel in the city to study.

At first, I was hesitant and scared, but I trusted my parents' decision. The hostel was a whole new world for me. I was surrounded by people who had a completely different lifestyle. They wore modern clothes, had makeup on, and openly talked about dating and relationships. It was a culture shock, but I tried my best to adapt. As a child who always relied on her parents to make decisions, this was the toughest thing for me.

After our course completion, we had a few parties among us girls to celebrate in Bhisika's hostel, where there were no restrictions. It was my first time opening a bottle of wine. We were five in total, but I only knew Bhisika. Something took over me that day, and after having four pegs, I remember everything. Bhisika was wasted just after one drink and was being lovey-dovey on the phone with her boyfriend. Yamee, who was Bhisika's best friend, was wasted after two pegs and was crying to her ex-boyfriend, who had broken up with her after eight years of a relationship. Yamee's elder sister, Radhika, didn’t drink and was looking after us, especially her sister. After watching Yamee, Radhika's friend, Komal, called her ex and started crying about why he left her and married someone else.

In a corner, I was listening to everyone, having sips, and thinking about whom to call. Because I had neither dating experience nor a boyfriend, except for a crush. He was my crush for nine years, or I could say I had made it a habit to ignore anyone else and focus on my studies. But the problem started when I called him that night, and he didn’t pick up. Why did I even have to call him, knowing he would never love me? The reason lay here—he had recently broken up with his girlfriend. Marrying a relative was common in my caste, but I was afraid of my parents' strictness.

The next day, I was filled with regret and embarrassment. But then, something unexpected happened. My crush, Sameer, called me and apologized for our past misunderstandings. His voice was warm and soothing, a stark contrast to the anxiety that had consumed me. As we started talking, an unfamiliar feeling began to blossom in my heart. Was this a new beginning, or just another fleeting moment?

Our conversations became frequent, and each call was filled with laughter and shared memories. Yet, a shadow of doubt loomed over me. Was this what dating felt like? Or was I merely lost in a mirage of my own making? The conflict in my mind was relentless, a constant battle between my upbringing and the modern world I had stepped into.

But maybe I was wrong about something. In a relationship, it’s not just about love; it also holds the physical intimacy between lovers.

As our bond grew stronger, the suspense of the unknown future kept me on edge. The romance was there, undeniable and sweet, but so were the fears and uncertainties. In the end, I was left wondering—would my faith and upbringing allow me to embrace this new chapter, or would the pull of tradition hold me back?

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