Aiza lay sprawled across her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The tension from her earlier confrontation with Sufyan hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the burden she felt pressing down on her chest. Her parents’ expectations loomed large in her mind, a shadow that darkened her every thought.

As she rolled over, her phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the silence. It was a message from her best friend, Layla, asking if they were still on for their weekend plans. Aiza hesitated for a moment, then typed back a quick "yes," her fingers moving mechanically across the screen. She needed an escape, a temporary reprieve from the suffocating reality of her situation.

The next day, Aiza and Layla met at their favorite café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the chatter of patrons. As they settled into their usual corner, Aiza noticed Layla's concerned expression.

"Okay, spill it. What's going on?" Layla prompted, leaning in closer, her dark curls tumbling over her shoulders.

Aiza sighed, stirring her drink absentmindedly. "It's Sufyan. He wants to talk about the wedding again. I just... I can't do it, Layla. I don’t want to marry him."

Layla's eyes widened. "But your parents—"

"I know!" Aiza interrupted, her voice rising slightly. "But it’s my life! I can't just go along with something that feels so wrong."

Layla nodded slowly, understanding the depth of Aiza's frustration. "Have you thought about talking to your parents? Maybe if they understood how you felt—"

"I can't," Aiza said, shaking her head. "They’re so set on this idea. They see Sufyan as the perfect match. I feel trapped."

As they talked, Aiza couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. She had to make a decision, but the weight of her family's expectations paralyzed her. Just then, Layla's phone chimed, and she excused herself to take a call.

Aiza gazed out the window, her thoughts swirling. What if she could find a way to escape this life? The idea blossomed in her mind—perhaps a trip, a chance to see the world beyond her small town, beyond the walls of her parents' expectations.

When Layla returned, Aiza’s expression had shifted. "What if I took a break? Just for a little while?"

Layla's brows furrowed. "A break? Like a vacation?"

"More like a... escape," Aiza replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to figure things out on my own. Maybe I could go visit my aunt in the city. She always said I could stay with her if I needed space."

Layla tilted her head, contemplating. "That could work, but what about Sufyan and your parents? They’ll freak out."

Aiza felt a rush of adrenaline at the thought of breaking free. "Let them freak out. I can't keep living like this."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting warm hues across the café, Aiza felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. It was a small ember, but it was enough to spark her resolve. She would talk to her aunt, and maybe, just maybe, she could find the courage to stand up for herself.

The following day, Aiza took a deep breath and dialed her aunt's number, her heart racing as the phone rang. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her, Sufyan was already discussing their future with Aiza’s parents, determined to convince them of the importance of their union.

As Aiza’s aunt answered, Aiza felt the weight of her decision hanging in the balance. Little did she know, Sufyan's intentions and her parents' plans were about to collide in ways she could never have anticipated.

In call "Auntie, I need your help."

Aiza was ready to take the first step toward reclaiming her future.