Firdose stared at the blank canvas in front of her, pencil in hand. Drawing had always been something she did to pass time, never something she imagined would define her. She once believed life would be simple—marry a kind man, have children, and live a peaceful, happy life. It was all she thought she needed. But life had other plans.
The sting of heartbreak still lingered in her chest, sharp and unforgiving. She never thought a breakup would change her, but it did. It shattered her into pieces, and as she slowly picked them up, she realized something—she didn't want to rely on anyone to complete her. She wanted to be whole on her own.
Her pencil started to move, sketching a design without thought, almost as if her heart was guiding her hand. As the lines turned into shapes, and shapes into art, a fire sparked within her.
"I want to be more."
The words echoed in her mind, over and over again. She wanted more than a quiet life—she wanted the world. She wanted to build something that was entirely hers, something she could look at and say, "I made this." And above all, she wanted to give her parents everything they ever dreamed of but couldn't have.
Her father, Imran, always talked about her getting a secure government job. It was safe, stable, and respected. But Firdose knew that wasn't her path. She could see the flicker of worry in her father's eyes whenever she spoke about fashion design. Yet, deep down, she knew both her parents, Imran and Amina, believed in her—even if they never said it out loud.
"One day, I'll give them the world," she whispered to herself, eyes glistening with determination. "I'll send them on a world tour. I'll give them a life where they never have to worry again."
Her dream wasn't just about herself. It was about them. It was about proving that a middle-class girl with big dreams could achieve the impossible. It was about becoming an independent woman who didn't need anyone to give her happiness—she would create her own.
Her heart raced at the thought of VITTORA, the brand she was yet to build, but already loved as if it were her child. She imagined her designs walking down the runways of Paris, New York, Milan. She imagined her parents sitting in the front row, proud smiles on their faces.
She smiled softly, wiping away a tear. Heartbreak had pushed her into the darkness, but her dreams pulled her into the light. And now, there was no turning back.
Firdose Shaik was going to conquer the world.
And this was just the beginning.
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