The Unexpected Call

Dr. Lamiya checked her patient's chart one more time before heading to the break room. The hospital buzzed with its usual afternoon energy, but she felt a strange heaviness in her chest.

Her phone rang. "Lamiya beta," her father's voice came through the speaker, unusually formal. "Can you come home early today? We need to discuss something important."

She frowned. "Is everything okay, Papa? Is Mama sick?"

"No, no, everyone is fine. Just... it's about your future. Please come."

The line went quiet. Lamiya stared at her phone, worry creeping up her spine. Her parents rarely called during work hours unless something serious had happened.

She glanced at the clock. Two more patients to see, then she could leave. Whatever this "important discussion" was about, it didn't sound good.

Her hands felt cold as she walked back toward the examination rooms.

Unexpected Visitors

Lamiya finished with her last patient and grabbed her coat from the locker. Her hands still felt cold from that strange phone call.

She walked through the hospital parking lot, keys jingling in her hand. A small sparrow landed on her car's hood, tilting its head at her curiously before flying away. Even the birds seemed to sense something was different today.

The drive home felt longer than usual. Traffic moved slowly, giving her too much time to think about her father's formal tone. He never spoke like that unless something serious was happening.

She pulled into the driveway of her family's house. Through the living room window, she could see her parents sitting stiffly on the sofa. A man she didn't recognize sat across from them - tall, wearing a neat military uniform with perfectly polished buttons.

Her mother spotted her car and waved frantically through the window.

Lamiya's stomach dropped. The mysterious phone call suddenly made perfect sense. This wasn't just any important discussion about her future. Her parents had invited someone to meet her.

Someone they wanted her to marry.