Words & Wishes: A Novelette

By Fizza Younis

As Maya pursues her aspirations, an uninvited guest enters her heart—love. It arrives silently, like a butterfly's delicate touch, and disrupts her carefully planned life. The path she thought she had figured out became something she never anticipated. Love's unpredictable nature forces Maya to challenge her beliefs and priorities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fizza Younis
• Release date: Jun 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227238986

Fizza Younis

Dr. Fizza Younis resides in the vibrant city of Lahore, Pakistan, where her journey through life has been as diverse as the tapestry of her country. With a Ph.D. in economics, she has delved deep into the intricate webs of financial theory, but it's the enchanting realms of fiction and poetry that have captured her heart. As a dedicated indie author and ardent reader, she revels in the art of storytelling, crafting narratives that transcend the boundaries of her academic pursuits. Rooted in the principles of minimalism, equality, and harmony, her writing reflects her steadfast beliefs. Her stories are both mirrors of her philosophy and windows into the lives of intriguing characters navigating the labyrinth of existence. In her world, characters come alive, and their misadventures resonate with the shared joys and tribulations of humanity. With every word, she sprinkles love and encouragement, creating a cocoon of empathy and connection that envelops her readers. Though she might describe herself as an average person leading a mundane existence, in the world of fiction, Fizza is nothing short of spectacular. Join her on a journey through the written word, where ordinary lives take on extraordinary hues, and the essence of humanity is distilled into every sentence.

Book preview

Prologue

Love is a game that two can play and both win.

- Eva Gabor

Aphrodite leaned over Maya's bed and whispered in her ear, It's time for me to prove you wrong, little one. Her voice was like honey, and a mischievous smile played on her plump lips painted a dark shade of red.

She tsked and sighed deeply, but there wasn’t a shred of remorse on her face. Leaning back, she stared at Maya. You should have been more careful with what you say and how you speak, my dear. Anyone could be listening to the words that leave your lips. She chuckled as if she had said something humorous. Just like I was, and I didn't like what I heard, little girl.

Aphrodite shook her head in disapproval, and Maya stirred in her sleep, unaware of the fate that awaited her. She looked peaceful and innocent, with her dark hair spread over the pillow and her long lashes resting on her cheeks. She was a beautiful girl, smart and on her way to becoming successful, but with a heart cold and lonely destined for a life of solitude.

The goddess didn't pity the girl who claimed to be immune to the power of love and didn't believe in fairytales or destiny. Rather she felt challenged, and it's never a good idea to challenge a goddess—any goddess, let alone the goddess of love. A spark of excitement ignited in Aphrodite’s almond-shaped eyes.

Maya Wahaj believed love to be nothing more than a chemical reaction in the brain—not something to seek or hope for—now, she must face the consequences of her insolence.

Aphrodite looked at the sleeping form of the young girl and said, Everyone should fall in love at least once in their life. Even you.

Gently rubbing her right hand on Maya's forehead, she traced her finger along it, leaving a faint trail of golden dust. Then she muttered something only she could understand and sighed in satisfaction.

My curse is now in place. And you, my sweet girl, are about to find out what it feels like to be in love. Someone as accomplished as you shouldn't be alone. You deserve a soulmate, she gave the peacefully sleeping Maya one last affectionate smile, Someone who will cherish you forever as long as you're thankful for my gift.

She didn't care whom Maya would fall for. It could be anyone. A stranger, a friend, a colleague, or even an enemy. The only thing that mattered was that Maya would experience the power of love, whether she liked it or not.

"Words