1 1: Struggling In New Environment

The In the heart of Toronto, Canada, a captivating tale unfolds – a story that begins with a young woman named Zonish. Her life is a tapestry woven with threads of beauty, tradition, and ambition.  She possesses a timeless elegance that turns heads and hides the depth of her conservative upbringing. Zonish's roots trace back to an elite family, one where her father's stern demeanour and her mother's boundless love create a unique balance.

Beside her stands an elder brother, Rayan, whose path as a spoiled brat contrasts sharply with Zonish's journey. Rayan's role as a software engineer might seem incongruent, but it adds a layer of complexity to this tale. Their household, presided over by the no-nonsense Mr Baloch and sweet-as-honey Mrs Baloch, holds secrets and stories that unfold as the pages turn.

From her earliest days, Zonish's brilliance shone like a beacon. A child of kindness, she was always ready to extend a helping hand. Her maturity beyond her years bore the weight of expectations, especially those of her father, who dreamed of shaping her into a doctor. His pride knew no bounds as Zonish excelled in her studies.

But life's twists are unpredictable, and as Zonish reached the crossroads of 7th grade, fate wove a new chapter. A promotion beckoned her father, and the family transplanted itself to the bustling streets of Ontario City. The move left Zonish uprooted, bidding farewell to her old school and dear friend Irhaa. In a sea of newness, she navigated the treacherous waters of a new school, new faces, and new challenges.

Zonish's resolve, though mighty, was tested as she entered unfamiliar hallways. In this competitive world, her spirit faced the race to excel, surrounded by peers with eyes set on victory. Yet camaraderie seemed a distant dream, as helping hands were few and far between.

Amidst her struggles, Zonish grappled with the weight of change. The once-brilliant star dimmed in the face of anxiety and depression, her 8th-grade year marked by shadows. The fear of disappointing her father, the haunting spectre of failure, cast a long shadow over her. But Zonish, fragile yet resilient, pressed on. Her pursuit of excellence was a battle, not just against academic challenges, but against the confines of her mind.

Time passed quickly, and the dates for the 8th-grade final exams were announced. Zonish attended the exams on the scheduled date, and after two weeks, the results were announced. Zonish secured the 8th position, but she wasn't completely satisfied with her result because she was anxious and worried about her father's reaction. She thought about bluffing her grade, but she knew she would get caught. Suddenly, a spark appeared in her eyes as her mother came to her mind. She knew her mother could help her in this matter.

When Zonish arrived home, she started showing love and affection towards her mother but in reality, was scared and anxious inside.

Her mom asked. ''Is there something special today that you are showering me with so much love?"

"N-n-No Mom. Why would you say that? Can't I display my affection for you?"Zonish panicked but recovered and answered her mother.

"Alright If you say so. I am glad that you seem to be happy today." Her Mom told her. To which Zonish just nod.

Zonish wanted to explain to her mom that her love for her was not related to anything special. But, she also wanted to share her fear of her inner critic that was hindering her progress and making her feel stuck.

"Mom!" Zonish fidgeted with her fingers and called her mom timidly, helplessness etched on her innocent face.

"What is wrong sweety? What's bothering you?" Zonish's mom asked In a worried tone while rubbing her hand over Zonish head.

Zonish said to her mom, "I got 8th position in my final exams and you know how strict dad is when it comes to our studies. I'm scared that he might get angry with me or start hating me."

Zonish's mom smiled and hugged her, saying, "Oh my baby girl! Yes, he is strict when it comes to your studies, but he is also your father. He has a soft spot in his heart for his kids. Furthermore, me and your dad know how was your health this whole year. But still, we saw you tried your best. So don't worry. When he comes, let's talk to him after dinner. Okay? Now go, freshen up then have lunch with me."

"Yes. Thank you, Mom." Zonish smiled and was thankful to her Mother. "I'll be right back." She placed a kiss on her mom's cheek affectionately.

She scurried to her room, took a bath, and came downstairs to have lunch with her mom in the dining room. After lunch, she went back to her room and put her headphones in her ears while listening to songs. Eventually, she fell asleep.

In the evening, Zonish went to the kitchen to grab some snacks as she was feeling a bit hungry. As she entered the living room, she saw her dad and mom sitting on the couch, sipping coffee and chatting happily with each other. They looked up and smiled as she walked in, and Zonish greeted them warmly.

After joining them on the couch, she looked aimlessly.

"How was your day?" Zonish's dad asked her

"I spent the afternoon revising for my upcoming tests and had a short nap after lunch." She was feeling a little anxious about her exam results, but she didn't mention this to her parents.

"I saw your result online. You were remarkable." Mr Baloch appreciated his daughter for her hard work. "You make me proud every time you excel in your exams. It doesn't matter what rank you have secured as long as you are trying and learning." He smiled proudly at Zonish.

"Thanks, Dad." Zonish sighed in relief and was glad to hear his kind words.

They spent the next hour chatting and snacking on biscuits and coffee. Zonish's mom asked about her plans for the summer vacation, and Zonish shared her idea of joining a summer camp to improve her skills in painting and drawing. Also wanted to go to Toronto  to meet Irhaa

As the clock struck 9, Zonish's dad stood up and said it was time to hit the sack. He wished Zonish good luck with her upcoming exams and hugged her before heading off to bed.

Zonish felt content and happy as she too retired to her room, grateful for her parents' love and support.

During her summer vacation, Zonish had her heart set on visiting her birth city, Toronto, to meet her childhood best friend, Irhaa. They two had grown up together and shared an unbreakable bond. Irhaa had always been there for Zonish, through thick and thin, and their friendship had stood the test of time.

However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, Zonish's dad had no time to take her to visit her friend. Zonish was disappointed, but she knew that her dad had his reasons, and she didn't want to burden him with her desires.

Instead, Zonish decided to make the most of her summer vacation by pursuing her passion for painting and drawing. She enrolled in a summer camp that specialized in art and spent most of her days there, learning new techniques and honing her skills.

Despite missing her friend Irhaa dearly, Zonish was happy to be doing something she loved, and she was proud of the progress she had made in her art. She knew that her friend would be proud of her too and couldn't wait to share her work with Irhaa, but she had to wait until they meet in the future.

In the meantime, Zonish kept in touch with Irhaa through phone calls and video chats, and the two continued to strengthen their bond, even from a distance. They made plans for the future and promised never to let anything come between their friendship.

Also, she was studying for 9th grade and doing some advanced preparation. She also read some comics and romantic novels and watched K-dramas.

Time passed quickly, and on the last day of her vacation, Zonish had a moment of clarity. She realized how foolish she had been to think that way. She had accomplished a lot during her vacation, such as her preparation for 9th grade, indulging in her hobbies, and staying connected with her friend Irhaa. She understood that it's natural to miss someone, but that doesn't mean she should dwell on it and stop herself from enjoying other things in life.

Zonish decided to change her perspective and focus on the positive things in her life. She made a list of things she was grateful for, such as her supportive family, good health, and the opportunity to pursue her passions. This exercise helped her shift her focus from what she didn't have to what she did have.

Zonish learned an important lesson during her vacation: it's essential to take control of one's thoughts and emotions. She realized that negative thoughts can hold us back from experiencing life to its fullest. Instead of dwelling on what she couldn't change, she chose to focus on what she could control - her thoughts and actions.

As a result, Zonish returned to school with a positive outlook, a renewed sense of purpose, and the confidence to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.

Zonish tried her best to achieve her goals as she began her 9th-grade school year after summer vacation. She made a conscious effort to make new friends and engage in conversation with them, putting in the effort to be the person she was before her vacation. Zonish knew that it would take some time to get back to her old self, but she was determined to make the best of her situation.

She also realized the importance of balancing her academic and personal life. Zonish made a schedule and prioritized her tasks to ensure that she could focus on her studies while still engaging in her hobbies and spending time with friends and family. This helped her to stay organized and motivated throughout the school year.

Additionally, Zonish acknowledged that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. She didn't let her fear of failure hold her back from taking risks and trying new things. This allowed her to broaden her horizons and discover new interests.

Overall, Zonish approached her 9th-grade school year with a positive attitude and a growth mindset. She was determined to achieve her goals, make new friends, and learn from her experiences. Her hard work and dedication paid off, and she felt fulfilled and happy as a result.

Zonish's POV:-

Time passed so quickly, and before I knew it, I had completed my 12th grade with flying colours, achieving A1 grades. My family was proud of me, and I felt a sense of accomplishment, but deep down in my heart, I knew that I wasn't interested in pursuing a career in medicine. It was my father's dream that I become a doctor, and I felt obligated to fulfil it, even though I knew that I wasn't passionate about it.

Despite my lack of interest, I continued to work hard and prepared for my entrance exams to get admission into a medical university. I spent hours studying and tried my best to improve my weaknesses in certain subjects. However, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I wasn't following my path in life.

I was afraid of failing and not getting admission into a medical university. My fear was compounded by the fact that my brother, Rayan had already secured admission to an engineering university and was doing well. I worried that if I failed, my father and Rayan would be disappointed in me, and my brother, who could be difficult at times, would make things even more challenging for me. Because Rayan is someone who loves to rub salt into my wounds. He is a pain in Ass😓

Anyways ....!

Time flew by, and before I knew it, six months had passed, and it was time for my university entry exam. I attended the test for medical university admission. Upon exiting the building, I saw my dad waiting for me.  My heart filled with warmth as I found him searching for me in the swarm of students.

I approached him with a radiant smile on my face and He return my smile and gave me a quick side hug. "Let's Go! Your mom is waiting."  Dad rushed to the driver's seat while I hopped in the passenger seat.

He looked happy and hopeful that I would pass, but deep down, I knew that my exam wasn't good enough to secure admission. I felt anxious about how my father would react if I didn't get admission, but I didn't want to disappoint him either. I was conflicted and unsure of what to do next.

"How was ur exam, my princess?" Dad turned towards me and asked me the question that I was dreading.

"That was the good Dad."I placed a fake smile on my face, praying silently to God that Dad won't look through me.

"That's great." Dad reached over and ruffled my hair. "I'm sure you did well. Let's hope for the best." He starts the car and drove out of the campus.

"Yes, Dad let's hope for the best." I was feeling guilty for lying to my dad.

I noticed that my dad was beaming like a Cheshire cat on catnip, but deep down, I felt like a squirrel trying to cross a busy road during rush hour. My exam was just okay, and I wasn't sure if I would pass or if I'd be hit by a truckload of criticism from my family.

As I sat in the car with my fake smile, I couldn't help but feel like a clumsy koala who had fallen off a tree. I hoped for a miracle but knew deep down that my chances were as slim as a flamingo on one leg. I cursed myself for binge-watching K-dramas instead of studying and felt like a silly goose who had played hooky at school.

We reached home and Mom welcome us with her beautiful smile and affection hug. Well! The hug was only for me. She swatted Dad's hand when he tried to reach and hug her. I laughed at their antics and forgot my guilt for a moment.

"Go and freshen up then come back to have lunch. Rayan is back  we both were waiting for you." She smiled and pointed towards my evil brother who opened his arms wide to catch me in.

"Mom, I have a headache, and I'm not hungry. I want to sleep. I will join you guys later." I placed a kiss on my mom's cheek.

I swiftly duck down, skipping the cage of his arms and sprint towards my room while laughing.

As soon as I entered my room, I dramatically threw my bag on the sofa like I was in some kind of teenage movie. Then, I locked the door as if I was guarding some precious treasure.

I put my headphones on my ears, blasted the volume to the max, and started listening to a lullaby - yes, a lullaby - called 'Come Little Children'.  It was the only thing that could help me sleep peacefully with all the stress and anxiety.

(The song Come Little Children was to be sung by the witch, Sarah Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker). Sarah was one of the three Sanderson Sisters. They were the witch antagonists of the movie. In the film the song had the mysterious power to enthral children so Sarah could lure them away for their diabolical purposes.)

I don't care about the witch's purpose for singing the lullaby. All I care about is the catchy melody that's putting me to sleep faster than a sloth on a Sunday morning. Plus, who knows, maybe the witches are just trying to help me out with my headache? Either way, I'm not complaining - I'll take all the help I can get!😜

As I listened to the soothing lullaby, all my worries slowly drifted away, and I fell asleep in no time. It was as if the music had cast a magical spell on me, and I surrendered to the comforting embrace of slumber.

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