Wings of Longing: A Woman’s Journey Through Freedom, Duty, and Self-Discovery

"Like a bird that knows the sky is endless but still returns to its nest, Sheba longs for freedom yet carries the weight of responsibility."

Set against the breathtaking yet turbulent backdrop of Kashmir, Barf Aashna Parindey (originally written in Urdu) follows Sheba, a young woman torn between her desire for freedom and the weight of tradition. A keen observer of birds, she admires their effortless flight—yearning for the same liberation—while grappling with the responsibilities imposed by family and society.

As Sheba pursues her studies, she finds herself drawn into an unexpected act of selflessness: caring for her once-formidable professor after a stroke leaves him vulnerable. What begins as a collective effort with her peers soon becomes Sheba’s solitary responsibility, setting her apart from friends who chase their ambitions while she remains bound by duty.

A poignant exploration of womanhood, sacrifice, and resilience, this novel weaves together intimate family dynamics, the complexities of the mother-daughter bond, and the quiet strength required to forge one’s own path in a world that demands conformity.