After the Storm: Mariyam Zikrur Rehman on Success, Self-Discovery, and Stories that Shape Us

In the months since her debut novel That Night on the Bridge quietly entered the literary world, Mariyam Zikrur Rehman has found herself at the center of a conversation she never expected. As of this week, the book has crossed over 10,000 copies sold—a remarkable feat for a first-time author navigating both a deeply personal narrative and an increasingly crowded publishing landscape.

But ask Mariyam what this milestone means, and her answer is measured, thoughtful.

“It’s more than just numbers. It’s the fact that something I wrote in silence, out of grief and need, is now speaking to people I’ve never met. That’s the real success.”

Raised in Rampur and shaped by personal loss and resilience, Mariyam first drew public attention when she shared how writing became a refuge after the death of her mother in 2020 and the responsibility of raising her younger brother at a young age. Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in the same year, she turned to storytelling not just as a means of survival, but as a mirror to make sense of a world that no longer felt whole.

In That Night on the Bridge, readers found a compelling psychological drama anchored in themes of identity, memory, and emotional survival. The story follows Graxe, a woman who emerges from a near-death experience with no memory, only to find herself entangled in a new life with Lieutenant Juan Ramirez—and haunted by the reappearance of a man from her past. It’s a story rich in metaphor, set between urban chaos and haunting stillness, reflective of the author’s own inner geography.

Turning Points, Not Endings

Now, with her first major literary success behind her, Mariyam reflects more openly on the changes that have shaped her since that initial release.

“There’s no single turning point,” she says. “But there are moments when I became softer, not weaker—just more understanding. The grief didn’t go away, it just folded itself into everything I do.”

This shift in outlook is perhaps best seen in how she speaks about her diagnosis. Rather than viewing Borderline Personality Disorder as a limitation, Mariyam describes it as “a gift of empathy and emotion.”

“It allows me to feel things deeper, notice things others might miss. Yes, it comes with its struggles, but I don’t believe BPD is something I have to live with as much as something I’ve learned to live through. Sometimes, people with BPD don’t just live normal lives—we change things.”

The Books That Guided Her

When asked if she reads, and whether any books have left a lasting impact, Mariyam names several without hesitation. Among them:

• The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

• The Cause of Suppression by L. Ron Hubbard

• The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

Each book, she explains, served a different emotional purpose at different stages.

“The Forty Rules of Love taught me that religion, at its core, is just another word for love and humanity. That belief grounded me during times I could’ve become bitter. The Midnight Library helped me stop tormenting myself over the ‘could haves’ and ‘should haves’ that came after losing my mother.”

Even titles like A Man Called Ove, a quiet exploration of grief and belonging, left an indelible impression—reminding her that people carry silent stories, and often, quiet redemption.

Looking Ahead: The Dervish and the Departure

Mariyam is currently working on her second novel—a work she describes as darker, more introspective, and deeply spiritual.

“It’s about a Dervish who ends up taking his own life. It’s not just a story about loss; it’s about presence—about what it means to exist in a world that often asks you to vanish to be accepted.”

She remains tight-lipped about the finer details but assures that, like her debut, it will explore emotional landscapes rarely spoken about with honesty. The new project promises to be a continuation—not in plot, but in emotional tone—of her literary mission to challenge silence with story.

In Her Own Words

Perhaps what defines Mariyam Zikrur Rehman today is not her success or survival, but her ability to find language for emotions many fear to name.

“I don’t write to escape my life,” she says. “I write so others know they’re not alone in theirs.”

In an era hungry for authenticity and emotional depth, Rehman is emerging not just as a voice, but as a quiet force—proof that even in solitude, stories can echo far beyond the page.