Seeing Ayra in such a vulnerable situation was enough to bring back the sack of hatred I have for her mother.
I can't fathom, what possibly more she wants from Ayra? Her grades are top notch, she's one of the brightest students in Aurelian's history- yet it's never enough for her.
My thoughts are interrupted by a group of intrusive girls, they are the same females who tried to bring me down at carnival (Ayan's fangirls) I don't understand why they are so persistent in getting me away from him? Not like we're in a romantic relationship.
"Oh Inaya" one of them, Minahil, calls me out with a sickly sweet tone. Enough to send waves of doubt to my brain.
Startled by their sweet tone, I turn towards them and offer them a polite smile "uh hello?"
They return my greeting with an exaggerated friendliness that only deepens my unease. Their sudden politeness is jarring, especially considering their usual hostility.
"Umm we all just wanted to apologize for our behavior at carnival" Minahil utters, her tone deceptively warm. "Don't bother I already forgot about it" I respond, trying to keep my voice steady despite the growing unease inside me.
"But there's something more" Sara chimes, her voice even warmer than Minahil's, this is definitely not normal, "other girls also wanted to apologize but they aren't here so you're coming with us or else we'd think you haven't forgiven us"
"But-"
"No buts or any excuses you're coming and that's all" Minahil says, gesturing vaguely with her hand. Why is it so hard for me to refuse anyone? Every fiber inside me would want me to shake my head but all I'd do is give a polite smile and say yes, like now.
Before I can ask where we are going, they both flank me, each grabbing one of my arms in a gentle yet insistent grip. "Come on, they are waiting" Sara encourages.
My mind woven every possible tapestry of what could go wrong, they might plan to lock me in a storeroom or even worse- what if they beat me?
But before I can react to one of the defensive tricks my brain presents, they lead me through the winding corridors of the university, their polite conversation doing little to soothe the anxiety building in my chest. I keep glancing around, hoping to catch sight of someone I know, but the halls are unusually empty. Where are they taking me?
Finally, we reach a door, and without a word, Minahil pushes it open. I hesitate at the threshold, but Sara gives me a little nudge, and I stumble inside.
"Uh, what's going on?" I ask, turning to Sara, but she just smiles-too wide, too fake.
"that's what you get for being a pick me" she says, stepping back. And then, without warning, Sara shoves me hard. I stumble, catching myself just in time to avoid falling, only to realize that I am no longer standing on solid ground-I am on a stage. My heart pounds as I glance around, the glaring lights blinding me momentarily. The murmur of an audience reaches my ears, followed by the unmistakable sound of girls snickering.
This can't be happening.
My head whips around, just in time to see Minahil stride confidently to the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Inaya Hassan!" she announces with exaggerated flair. "And her secret partner! Give them a huge round of applause!"
The room erupts in applause, and then everything goes silent. I stand frozen, my mind racing as I process the cruel trick they had pulled. I am on stage, alone, in front of a huge audience-everyone is staring at me.
My breath quickens, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks, tears stinging at the corners of my eyes.
Minahil and Sara's laughter echoes in the background, along with whispers and giggles from the audience. "Who would even want to dance with her?" someone sneers, the words cutting through me like a knife.
My heart sinks as I realize the full extent of their prank. They have entered me into a couple's dance competition, the same contest which had created a buzz in the entire Aurelian for weeks.
The room seems to close in on me, and I can feel my confidence crumbling with every passing second.
Tears wells up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Why did they do this to me? What did I do to deserve this? The laughter grows louder, and I can hear the taunts, the insults. My mind is racing with a thousand thoughts, each one worse than the last. I want to disappear, to escape this nightmare, but I'm trapped, alone on this stage, with nowhere to run.
My heart thumps like it's about to explode, desperate to escape this spotlight I take a step back, intending to flee from this place. But my foot catches the edge of the stage and I stumble- bracing myself for a humiliating fall~~
Why haven't I hit the floor yet? Am I dead?
Two strong arms are catching me before I hit the floor.
Gasping, I look up only to catch sight of honey orbs, and the intense gaze of Ayan Ansari. The embarrassing whispers shift into envious gasps, probably because of Ayan Ansari (the most handsome boy in university is holding me)
His hand is firm yet gentle on my waist, the other cradling my hand. His eyes never leave mine, and for a moment, I'm lost in them, forgetting everything else.
He gently brushes my tears "it's okay ma'am I'm here" he gives me a small reassuring smile, "were you thinking of dancing without me hazel?"
I chuckle through my tears "you won't stop flirting with me ever?"
"Never"
My breath hitches, for the first time his words seem to make my heart do summersaults "I ... c.. can't dance" I whisper, my voice trembling.
Ayan's lips curve into a chuckle, his eyes gleaming with something I can't decipher "can't agree with that. You've been making me dance around with your fingers. You can dance, hazel. Just follow my lead"
Before I can protest, he begins to move, guiding me gently across the stage. His hand stays on my waist, grounding me, while his other hand holds mine with an almost reverent touch. The music swells, filling the room with a soft, melodic rhythm, perfectly timed to our steps. My feet move of their own accord, following Ayan's steady lead.
[Ishq waala love]
Each movement is slow and deliberate, Ayan making sure I feel comfortable, yet there's an undeniable grace to our dance. He twirls me gently, his hand sliding around my waist as he pulls me close again, our steps perfectly in sync. The world around us fades as we become the center of attention, but for once, I don't feel like I'm being judged.
Instead, I feel... safe.
[Hua Jo dard bhi to humko..
aj kuch zyada hua
Ishq waala love]
His smile is the only thing I'm focusing on right now. The next step, where I'm falling and he's grabbing me by my waist remains for a few seconds. He stares deeply inside my hazel eyes, and why is it suddenly getting so intimidating?
"Falling for me already Hazel?"
I clear my throat "uh..n..no you're delusional"
[Ye Kya hua hai kya Khabar
Yehi pata Kay zyada hua
Ishq Wala love]
He chuckles before picking me up in the air and giving me one of those Disney twirls "I dare you to say that without stuttering" he places me back but doesn't let my hand go "please do. Because I'm falling for you"
I'm not in the power to draw a single breath without hitching, where did all my bravado fade? "Shut up"
"As you say hazel"
Heat builds up on my cheeks and I'm sure this bastard must be feeling so proud that he finally got a reaction out of me... But.. it's just the overwhelming emotions of this moment, nothing related to a hearthrob.
[Agar ye usko bhi hua hai
Phir bhi mujhko zyada hua
Ishq Wala love]
As the soft melody fades into a more upbeat rhythm, the familiar beats of "Chaleya" fill the air, causing the entire room to buzz with anticipation. I glance up at Ayan, and his lips curl into a smirk, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He arches a brow at me, a silent challenge in his expression.
[Tere saare rang aud Kay dhang aud Kay..tera hua mein sab
Ko chodr Kay]
My heart skips a beat, but there's no hesitation this time. I nod, feeling a newfound confidence as his smirk widens into a grin. With that, he releases my hand and strolls around the stage with an effortless swagger, radiating the kind of energy that makes everyone's eyes fix on him. Everyone in the audience is basically drooling at this sight of him.
[Ishq ye Karna naap tol Kay..raaz khol Kay..Aya hu mein sabko bol ke]
I can't help but laugh at his theatrics, a sound that comes out light and carefree. Ayan, always full of surprises, pulls out two black sunglasses from his pocket and, with a dramatic flourish, slips one pair onto his face before gently placing the other on me. The hoots and cheers from the crowd grow louder, their excitement infectious.
Ayan shoots me a playful look as he starts doing a dance move, and then, to my surprise, he pauses mid-move, dramatically placing a hand on his chin as if lost in thought. He leans in, watching me intently, as if I'm the only thing in the room worth seeing. The crowd roars with laughter and applause, feeding off his energy.
[Oh mein ta chaleya...Teri aur]
I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face as I start moving to the beat. It's like something has unlocked inside me, the anxiety that once gripped me gone, replaced with pure joy. Ayan straightens up and, without missing a beat, joins me as we both start performing the signature steps of "Chaleya," our movements perfectly in sync.
[Tera chaleya hai zor..tera Hoya mein yaar we..buleya we sansaar we]
The music pulses through the room, and I lose myself in the rhythm. Ayan and I move together effortlessly, his energy fueling mine. The crowd's cheers grow louder, the excitement in the room building to a fever pitch. With each step, I feel a sense of freedom, as if nothing can hold me back as long as Ayan is by my side.
We finish the dance with a flourish, and the room erupts in applause. I'm breathless, my heart pounding with exhilaration as I look around at the audience. They're all on their feet, giving us a standing ovation. For a moment, everything else fades away, and all I can feel is this overwhelming sense of happiness, like I'm on top of the world with him.
Ayan turns to me, his face lit up with the same happiness I feel. "Still think you can't dance?" he says, his voice filled with pride and maybe just a touch of smugness.
I laugh, shaking my head at him. "I never imagined that a day like this would come into my life"
He grins, clearly unbothered. "Unexpected things happen when Ayan Ansari is the company you have"
Before I can respond, the announcer's voice cuts through the noise, signaling that the results are about to be revealed. A hush falls over the room, and I feel my heart begin to race again, but this time with anticipation. Ayan and I exchange a glance, and he gives me a reassuring smile.
"And the winners of this year's couple dance competition are..." The pause feels like it stretches forever. "Ayan Ansari and Inaya Hassan!"
The crowd erupts into cheers and applause once again, even louder than before. I feel a surge of pure joy as I turn to Ayan, who's looking at me with a mix of triumph and something else-something warm and soft that makes my heart flutter.
"We won!" I exclaim, unable to contain my excitement.
Ayan chuckles, his eyes crinkling with genuine happiness. "Of course, we did. I'm not surprised, perfectionism is what I ace at"
I nod, my smile so wide it almost hurts but I smack his head "yeah idiot let's go and receive the award"
As we step off the stage together, the glasses still perched on our noses, I feel like I've just lived through a moment I'll never forget. Ayan's hand is still on mine, and he squeezes it gently, his grin as wide as mine. As the award is handed over to us, Ayan raises my hand high up and gestures his other hand towards me. Who knew? Ayan Ansari would turn out to be my savior.
"Kya kehti ho phir?" he says, that familiar hint of arrogance creeping into his voice. "Dance partner nahi life partner banjao?"
(What do you suggest?)
(Should I become your life partner instead of a dance partner)
I roll my eyes, but I can't stop smiling. "Murder na kardoo tumhara?"
(Shouldn't I just murder you?)
"Kardo, tumhara hi to hu" he replies, his tone teasing.
(Do it I'm yours anyway)
As we walk away from the stage, hand in hand, I realize that it's not right? I can't possibly feel safe beside him... It's better that Ayan stays as my friend, something beyond that would lead us both- especially me- getting hurt.
I sit in my hostel room, barely containing my smirk as I sip my cold coffee. The taste is rich and slightly bitter, just like the feeling of triumph that's bubbling inside me. I'd spent the last hour reveling in my recent academic victory. Beating Zaid at his own game, once again, had felt sweeter than usual, especially after seeing the frustration on his face. He looked like he was about to explode, and I couldn't help but laugh at the thought.
Setting down my cup, I open my laptop and scroll through my favorite blogs. There's one writer in particular whose words I've come to adore. He's anonymous, which only adds to the allure. The way he writes about the emotions and struggles of teenagers-he just gets it, you know? Recently, he started a Q&A session where readers could send in their queries, and he'd respond with advice or his own insights. It's become my guilty pleasure, reading his responses and feeling like someone out there understands.
But today, something else is nagging at me. Zaid. He's always been like this irritating thorn in my side, and I'm sick of it. Before I can second-guess myself, I find my fingers flying over the keyboard, typing out everything that's been festering in my mind.
Subject: I Hate Zaid, and Here's Why
Dear Writer,
I'm sure you've dealt with your fair share of teenage drama, but let me tell you about this guy named Zaid. We've been rivals for as long as I can remember, and every time I think I've finally gotten rid of him, he's back in my face. He's infuriating, arrogant, and acts like he's better than everyone else. But here's the thing-I just beat him in our latest academic challenge, and it felt amazing. I want him to realize that he can't always win, that he's not invincible. I know it's ridiculous, but the day Zaid Mirza would take responsibility for his doings, I'll be the happiest person on earth.
I wish he had to complete his main assignment and he loses his glasses, let's just say I want him on his knees.
I hit send, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt. Will he reply? I don't know, but it feels good to vent. Despite being a person who has no-nonsense attitude, like everyone I also have my hidden pleasures. And this blog thing is one of them.
I close my laptop and turn to see what the girls are up to. Before I can even process what's happening, a soft pillow hits me square in the face. I barely have time to react before I hear Maha's uncontrollable laughter filling the room. She's sprawled out on the bed, her face flushed from laughing too hard, clearly pleased with herself.
"Really, Maha?" I deadpan, picking up the pillow that betrayed me. She's still laughing as she gasps out, "You should've seen your face!"
"You're going to regret that," I warn, my voice dripping with mock-seriousness. Before she can respond, I launch the pillow back at her with all the precision of someone who's spent years perfecting their aim.
The pillow hits her right in the stomach, and she doubles over in laughter, clutching it to her chest like it's some sort of trophy. "Oh, it's on!" Maha declares, grabbing another pillow and hurling it in Inaya's direction.
Inaya, who's been quietly observing from the corner, suddenly finds herself in the middle of the chaos. She squeals as she ducks, the pillow narrowly missing her head. "Maha, what is wrong with you?!" But by now, it's too late.
The room has erupted into a full-on pillow fight. Feathers fly everywhere as pillows are thrown with varying degrees of accuracy. Hoorain, staying true to her image of a cute baby is wrapped in a blanket like a burrito, continuously munching her chips, looking at all of us with her big, blue eyes.
Inaya finally decides to join in. She grabs a pillow and starts swinging it around, though her attempts are more about self-defense than offense. I'm caught between dodging pillows and trying not to laugh too hard. The whole scene is ridiculous.
Just as I'm about to deliver the finishing blow to Maha, my phone starts ringing. I freeze mid-swing and glance at the screen. "It's my mom," I announce, suddenly serious. The room goes silent, all the girls pausing in their battle.
The girls gasps as they make up assumptions that mom is going to spoil my mood again. "Hello Mom" I answer, putting it on speaker so that everyone can hear it.
"Ayra I want you to come home this weekend" there it goes, mom will never bother to seek information about my well-being, all she cares about are my studies and Zaid, "bring your squad as well" she finishes.
"Why mom? What happened?" I ask, trying to put aside the concern and frustration in my tone.
All the girls exchange puzzled looks, and I can see Maha biting her lip to keep from laughing. "Mom, why do you want us to come home?"
"Just come, Ayra," she says, in that tone that leaves no room for argument.
The call ends as abruptly as it started, and for a moment, there's complete silence in the room. Then, predictably, Maha breaks it with a goofy remark. "So... your mom's planning to adopt us or something?"
As if? She would choose to abandon me and adopt Zaid, she has no space for any girl.
To brush off the lingering unpleasant effect of mom's sudden order, I invite girls to click our go-to solution "let's have an adventure?" A little chaotic time with them can vanish any hint of sadness.
"Nononononono, last time we ended up in jail! What do y'all want now? That we end up at my father's gunpoint" Inaya blurts out as always, in return she earns a snack from Maha.
Maha joins her hands and dramatically announces, "we have completed our century of adventures yet uncle's entry is pending" we all giggle at her remark, while Inaya just gives us a stern look.
Hoorain yawns and lets herself plop on the bed "wake me up after y'all are done convincing her and listening to uncle's deadly threats" she says with such exaggerated seriousness that even Inaya can't help but laugh.
however, she's having none of it. She narrows her eyes at us, clutching her blanket tighter as if it might protect her from our madness. "You guys go without me. I'm not getting out of this bed."
"Nayu please it's going to be a lot of fun like always...minus the jail part" Maha coaxes but Inaya is still not moving an inch from her point.
Maha looks at me, a mischievous glint in her eye, and then nods toward Hoorain. Without another word, the two of them spring into action. Before Inaya can react, Maha grabs her legs while Hoorain takes hold of her arms.
"What are you doing?!" Inaya shrieks, her voice a mix of panic and disbelief as she's unceremoniously lifted off the bed.
"You're coming with us, whether you like it or not!" Maha declares, grinning from ear to ear as she adjusts her grip on Inaya's flailing legs.
"Ana to parega!" Hoorain chimes in, her face scrunched up with effort as she holds onto Inaya's arms for dear life.
(You'll have to come)
I can't help but laugh at the sight of Inaya, who is now hanging horizontally between them, her hair flying in every direction as she thrashes around like a fish out of water. "Put me down! This is kidnapping!" she cries, but her protests fall on deaf ears.
I step forward to assist, taking hold of her midsection to stabilize their hold. "Sorry, Naya, but you know the rules. No one gets left behind!"
"Rules? What rules? You're making this up as you go!" Inaya sputters, her eyes wide with betrayal as we maneuver her toward the door.
"Exactly!" Maha agrees cheerfully. "And right now, the rule is that you're coming with us, whether you want to or not."
We finally reach the door, with Inaya still wriggling like a worm caught on a hook. "This is not how friendships work! Zaalim ho Tum sabh" she warns, though it's clear she's starting to give up the fight.
(Y'all are cruel)
"Zaalim to Apke Abba hai jab Dekho program spoil karte hai" Hoorain asks, breathless from laughing so hard.
(Cruel is your dad who spoils our every program)
"Uhh y'all are crazy" Inaya retorts, though her indignant tone is somewhat undermined by the fact that she's upside down.
Maha smirks. "You're a part of us"
Inaya glares at us, though there's a hint of a smile on her lips now. "You guys are the worst."
"And you love us for it," I say, finally letting go as we reach the dormitory exit. Maha and Hoorain gently set her down on her feet, though they keep a firm grip on her arms just in case she tries to make a break for it.
Inaya sighs, clearly resigned to her fate. "Fine, fine. I'm coming. But if we get into trouble, I'm blaming all of you."
"Deal!" we chorus, practically skipping out into the night.
As we settle down and walk through the door of our dormitory, the quiet atmosphere of our hostel contrasts sharply with the adrenaline rushing through us. The thrill of sneaking out is as intoxicating as it is terrifying.
"Why am I even friends with you guys?" Inaya whispers as we carefully descend the staircase, trying to avoid making any noise. But suddenly, our steps freeze mid-motion, halted by a loud "shhh" that echoes through the corridor. My heart skips a beat as we all turn our heads toward the source of the sound.
There she is-Maha, the queen of chaos herself, standing glued to a door and barely able to control her laughter. But it's not just any door. It's the door to the warden's room.
"Guys, the warden is snoring like a broken engine" Maha giggles, pressing her ear even closer to the door, as if she's trying to catch the rhythm of the snores.
Inaya's eyes widen in sheer horror. Silently, she bends down, grabs a nearby slipper, and waves it at Maha like it's a weapon, threatening her silently. The rest of us stand there, torn between the urge to laugh and the absolute terror of getting caught.
"Maha!" I hiss, my voice barely above a whisper, "Get away from there! Are you trying to get us all expelled?"
Maha looks at the slipper Inaya is brandishing and grins wider. "Darwaza baja kay bhage?" she suggests, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
(Should we knock on the door and run?)
Inaya's jaw drops. "Iska qatal hojayega mere hathon!" she mutters, glaring daggers at Maha. "Do you have any idea what you're doing? You'll get us all killed!"
(I'm going to kill her)
Hoorain shakes her head, her face a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "Warden Tumhe Baja dengi" she warns, trying to pull Maha away from the door.
(Warden will kill you)
Maha, however, is unfazed. She raises her hand dramatically and says, "Fine, fine. No need to be so melodramatic. I was just trying to add a little spice to our night." She finally steps away from the door, and we all breathe a collective sigh of relief.
As we continue down the hallway, every creak of the floorboards sends a jolt of panic through us. Despite our best efforts to be quiet, the tension is broken by Maha's barely suppressed giggles. "I can't believe you were actually ready to smack me with a slipper, Naya!"
Inaya huffs, crossing her arms. "Trust me, I'm still considering it."
We make our way through the deserted corridors, not entirely sure where we're headed. The thrill of sneaking out without a plan feels reckless, but also exhilarating. Finally, Hoorain, who's been quiet this whole time, asks, "So, um, where are we even going?"
Maha spins around, walking backward as she grins at us. "I'm glad you asked! We're going to this new place I heard about-a café-cum-club! It's got a dance floor, amazing food, and the best part? It's only been open for a few weeks, so no one will expect us there!"
"A café-cum-club?" Inaya repeats, raising an eyebrow. "That sounds... like a recipe for disaster."
"Which is exactly why it's perfect for us!" Maha exclaims, her enthusiasm undeterred by Inaya's skepticism.
I give Maha a sideways glance. "And you're sure this place actually exists? Knowing you, we might end up in some abandoned warehouse."
Maha gasps in a mock offense. "Ayra, you wound me! Of course it exists. I have reliable sources."
"Like that time you took us to a newly opened haunted house which turned out to be an old granny's attic" I remind her, smirking.
"Okay, so maybe my sources were a bit off at that time," Maha admits with a shrug, "But trust me on this one! It'll be fun."
We finally make it outside, the cool night air hitting our faces as we step into the street. The tension from earlier fades away, replaced by the excitement of what's to come. Inaya, despite her earlier reluctance, seems to be warming up to the idea. "Fine, but if this turns into another one of your 'adventures,' I'm dragging you back to the hostel myself."
Maha links her arm with Inaya's, grinning ear to ear. "Deal! Now, let's go have some fun."
With that, we head off into the night, not entirely sure where we're going, but knowing that wherever it is, it'll be an adventure to remember. In a good way or bad? Well... that's a story yet to write.
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
â¯â¯â¯â¯
CLUB AESTHETICS
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The place is packed with people-some dancing, others lounging around in cozy booths, and a few huddled near the bar, deep in conversation. The dance floor is lit up with colorful lights that seem to pulse in time with the music, and the whole place has a vibe that screams fun.
Maha grins triumphantly. "See? Told you it was real!"
Hoorain, wide-eyed and clutching her bag like it's a lifeline, looks around at the bustling scene. "I don't know if I'm ready for this," she admits, her voice almost drowned out by the music. Inaya raises an eyebrow at Maha. "I'm not sure how you find these places, but if we end up on the news, I'm blaming you."
"Ok gurlz now we're here and let's enjoy" I exclaim already sensing the adrenaline rush coursing through me.
[Boy you don't have to be the last one standing, boy show me you could be the one]
Disregarding the peril of sneaking out and the danger dancing on the edge, all of us look at eachother and chant one thing "we only live once"
"As I say, aag Lage basti mein Maha apni masti Mai" Maha exclaims her moto as well rush to the dance floor, swaying ourselves on the beats of this song.
[Tu akhyan milake ha mere kol aaja.. ishq diya gallan..tu menu smjha ja]
We all start singing along, our voices blending with the music, though none of us are particularly in tune. Hoorain, who's usually the shyest among us, is suddenly belting out the lyrics with surprising confidence, her hands in the air as she dances like no one's watching. It's a sight to see.
[Tu Galla bari karda..be Karke vikhaja
Nede nede AA tu aja soneya]
I'm usually the more reserved one, but I've completely let go of my usual grumpy demeanor, swaying to the music with a carefree smile. My hair is flying around as I spin, and for a moment.
[I wanna see you walk like Rihanna get all the ponder, bom diggy diggy bom bom]
Inaya, despite her earlier protests, is now dancing with an intensity that rivals even Maha's. She's gone from clinging to the bed in terror to letting loose on the dance floor, her earlier caution replaced by pure joy. When she accidentally bumps into Maha, they both burst into laughter, their smiles lighting up the room.
[She burn it up the like the summer
She tell me I'm rid of bom diggy diggy bom bom]
Maha, of course, is in her element. She's leading the charge, her arms flailing and feet moving in ways that make it clear she's here to have the time of her life. "This is life!" she shouts, grabbing Inaya's hands and twirling her around in circles until they're both dizzy and stumbling.
[You got me like crazy that you call me! Bom diggy bom bom]
Hoorain and I join them, forming a small circle, our hands linked as we move together, laughing so hard that our sides ache. The crowd around us seems to fade away, leaving just the four of us and the music.
As the song finally begins to touch it's ending notes, me and Maha join the bar to grab us some drinks.
The moment we approach the bar, Maha's eyes light up like she has seen the most pleasant creature. Directing my gaze like her, my eyes widenes in horror as I grasp sight of James Darlington- the British student in our university.
Maha can't take her eyes off James Darlington. His tall frame, blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes make him stand out even in the dimly lit club. He's the epitome of the charming, aloof Brit that seems to have walked straight out of a romance novel-or at least, that's how Maha sees him. For me he's just another junkyard.
I take another sip of my scotch, the warm, tangy liquid sliding down my throat as I try to pull her back to reality. "Maha, seriously. He's a Brit. A benched player in our football team"
Maha, undeterred, grins. "Ayru, that's exactly why he's hawt, you know ocean blue eyes looking in mine, I feel like I might sink and drown and die"
I roll my eyes. "Maha, you have a boyfriend." I emphasize, hoping to snap her out of this ridiculous infatuation.
"Fake boyfriend," she counters, not missing a beat. "Besides, Rayan is just a temporary arrangement. This is the real deal, Ayra! Look at him, he's practically a walking masterpiece."
I can't help but scoff, glancing over at James, who seems to be nursing a drink with a casual smirk plastered on his face. "A masterpiece? Please. He looks like he's suffering through constipation"
"Ahh you'll always be single" Maha corrects, and before I can stop her, she's making her way over to him.
I let out an exasperated sigh and follow her, knowing full well that nothing good can come of this. As we approach, James looks up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he takes us in. His smirk widens as Maha steps closer.
"Well, what do we have here? Two lovely ladies in search of some company?" His British accent is smooth, with a flirtatious edge that makes Maha swoon even more.
"Actually, we were just grabbing drinks," I cut in, trying to maintain some distance. "No company needed."
Maha, however, is completely captivated. "And what about you, James? What brings you here?"
He chuckles, his eyes never leaving Maha. "Just enjoying the night, seeing where it takes me. And it seems it's led me to you, darling."
I roll my eyes so hard I'm surprised they don't get stuck in the back of my head. "Ridiculous," I mutter under my breath, but Maha's too engrossed in James to care.
As they continue their flirty exchange, I can't help but feel uneasy. Something about James rubs me the wrong way, and it's not just his overly smooth demeanor. Then I notice it-James subtly switches his drink with another glass on the bar, his hand moving so quickly it's almost imperceptible.
"Here, try this," he says, handing the glass to Maha. My instinct screams at me to stop her, but she takes the glass without hesitation. Before I can push the drink off Maha chugs it down.
I bite back my warning, trying to shrug off my unease. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. But as I watch Maha finish the drink, I can't shake the feeling that something's off.
James turns his attention to me, offering a glass with a smirk. "And what about you, love? Care for a drink?"
I narrow my eyes at him, taking the glass reluctantly. "Call me that word again and you won't have a tongue to speak ever"
He raises an eyebrow, that infuriating smirk still playing on his lips. "Noted"
As I sip my scotch, keeping a wary eye on James, I notice Maha's expression change. She looks at me, her usual spark of mischief dimming as her eyelids droop slightly.
"Ayra, I feel a little weird..." Maha mumbles, her voice slurring as she sways on her feet.
My heart skips a beat. "Maha?" I reach out to steady her, but she's already stumbling, her grip on the bar loosening.
"Did... did you swap our drinks?" I demand, glaring at James, who only smirks wider, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
"I might've," he replies nonchalantly, his accent making the confession sound almost casual.
Anger and panic surge through me. I should've known something was wrong the moment he made that switch. I grab Maha's arm, trying to keep her upright, but she's slipping fast.
"Why, you-" I begin, but my own vision starts to blur. My legs feel like jelly, and it's as if the room is spinning around me.
"No... this can't be happening," I mutter, but the words come out in a sluggish drawl.
The last thing I see before everything goes dark is James' smirking face, his blue eyes gleaming with a sinister satisfaction.
We're all stuck in the theater room because Ayan insisted on watching cartoon movie. Apart from that, nothing in our mansion is comparatively normal, all of the ladies have shifted their behavior towards Zaid.
Zahra suggested that it's due to the fact that he's about to inherent Mirza industry after his graduation, but... Something does feel different about this.
Anyways, I focus on keeping my yawns on check as I'm neither interested in which cartoon is dying nor in any crazy activity.
Me and Ahad are clearly unenthusiastic and detached from watching Nemo getting more distant from his father.
Ayan is watching this movie for the fifth time and is crying drastically like he's at a funeral. Zaid is miserably failing to hold back his tears. C'mon guys! These are just fishes???
Their saddening moment is interrupted by the sound of ringing. Momentarily, I'm overjoyed to find an escape but as soon as I read the caller id, all of my joy is transformed in dismay.
"What is it now crazy girl? Can't you let me live in peace?!"
On the other end, there's a weird silence before I hear Maha's unmistakable giggle, except it's a little more... unhinged than usual. She's rambling incoherently, and I can barely make out what she's saying. What is this girl UpTo now?
"Maha, what the heck are you even talking about?" I ask, completely confused as I try to decipher her slurred words.
Her voice is all over the place, jumping from one topic to another, and it's clear that something's not right. My heart starts to pound. "Maha, are you drunk?" I ask, my tone sharpening with concern.
"Yesss, Rayan!" she practically shouts into the phone, giggling again. "James Darlington gave me... theeee best drink ever! You should try it!"
I feel the blood rush to my head. James Darlington? That slimy Brit? What the hell did he do to her? My hands clench into fists as I struggle to keep my voice steady. "Maha, listen to me. Stay right where you are, okay? I'm coming to get you."
"But I'm having fuuuuuun!" she whines, clearly not grasping the seriousness of the situation.
I'm already on my feet, grabbing my keys. "Maha, you tell James Darlington if he touches you again, he'll lose his arms. Understand?"
She giggles again, completely oblivious to the threat I just made. I hang up, seething with anger and worry, and turn to the guys. "We need to go. Now."
Ahad, who has been sitting quietly until now, suddenly looks worried. "What's going on? Is Hoorain with her?"
"I don't know," I admit, pulling on my jacket. "But knowing these girls, they're probably all together, and they're definitely not in a good place."
Ahad stands up immediately, his face tense. "Then what are we waiting for?"
Ayan and Zaid are still sniffling over Nemo, but when they see us rushing around, they quickly jump to their feet. "What's going on?" Zaid asks, wiping his eyes.
"Maha's drunk, and it sounds like James Darlington is involved," I explain, my voice clipped with anger. "We're going to get them."
"James Darlington?" Ayan repeats, his tone immediately shifting from sentimental to serious. "That guy's bad news. Let's go."
This girl is already a bad news when she's normal now I don't know what disaster she'll cause when she's not in her senses. Kaha phas gaya hu mein?
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
We finally reach the club, and I can already feel the tension building in my chest. But as soon as we push through the crowd and the scene in front of me comes into view, I stop dead in my tracks, running a hand through my hair in sheer disbelief.
"What the-" I mutter, my eyes wide as I take in the chaos unfolding before me.
Judging by appearance, this club doesn't appear professional by any angle. The rest of the people are drunk and not bothering to spare the girls' a single glance.
Maha and Ayra are both clearly drunk, and the two of them are giving James Darlington the time of his life-by which I mean he looks like he's regretting every life choice that led him to this moment. Maha is kicking his legs while Ayra is slapping him continuously.
Inaya is living the worst nightmare of her life by pleading them to stop and Hoorain..well...that poor girl is busy trying to sleep on the table nearby.
I don't even want to know how did they get into this because I already know the answer, ALL OF THEM ARE CRAZY.
Ahad wastes no time. He rushes over to Hoorain, he grabs her gently by the arm and instead of taking her out, he gives her his shoulder to sleep. Hoorain relaxes a bit, her panic giving way to relief as she clings to Ahad like he's her lifeline.
Ayan, on the other hand, is chuckling like he's watching a comedy show. He leans in closer to me, still laughing under his breath. "Ye hamesha apni action movie kyun Chala lete hai?"
(Why do they start their action movie everywhere?)
Zaid leans against the wall and watches the show with an unfathomable look and smirk. Am I the only sensible person here?
I can't help but crack a small grin, despite the situation. It's clear that James is regretting every decision that led him to this moment. The guy looks like he's about to cry. I can relate the sentiments better, Maha's fake boyfie, her rhino.
Finally, I've had enough. I march over to them, pulling Maha away from James, who looks like he's just been granted a stay of execution. "Alright, that's enough," I say firmly, holding Maha up as she stumbles into me.
Maha looks up at me with those big, innocent, green eyes, her expression a mix of confusion and delight. "Rayan! You're here to... to save me!"
"More like save him from you," I mutter, glaring at James, who's already trying to slip away. "If you so much as look at her again, I'll make sure you regret it."
James doesn't need to be told twice. He practically sprints for the door, leaving us behind.
Inaya who was formerly worried is now frustrated again by Ayan's flirting skills.
Ayra, still giggling, stumbles over to Ayan, who catches her with a grin. "Woo you pervert I ain't nayuu" she slurs, poking his chest.
Right now I'm more focused on Maha who's not in her senses.
[Besharmi ki height...]
Maha is currently swaying on her feet and humming a song I can't quite place. Her cheeks are flushed, and there's a mischievous gleam in her eyes that tells me she's far from done causing trouble tonight.
I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "Maha you aren't sober, so we'll drop you home and that's all"
"Ooh only drop me home? Why not sp...end a night with me heheh" Maha flirts completely ignoring my words. She suddenly lunges forward, almost tripping over her own feet, and I have to reach out quickly to catch her. "Rayan!" she gasps, her eyes widening in a mock surprise. "You saved me again!"
[Eik tu..eik mein..aur ho dim dim ye light]
"You definitely need filters" I mutter, trying to keep her upright. "Add the word hesitate in your dictionary."
"Oohhh a..esi bakwaas dictionary mene nahi khareedi"
(I didn't buy such useless dictionary)
She's too busy trying to wiggle out of my grasp. She slips away and starts running-or stumbling-towards the dance floor again. I groan and take off after her, dodging people as I try to keep up.
"Maha, will you slow down for once?!" I call out, but she just giggles and keeps going.
"You're too slow, Rayan!" she teases, sticking her tongue out at me. "Catch me if you can!"
I finally manage to grab her arm and pull her back towards me. "You're going to get us both kicked out of here," I warn her, trying to keep my voice steady despite the chaos. "Can't you at least try to act like a normal person?"
Maha stops and turns to face me, her expression suddenly serious-well, as serious as it can get when she's this drunk. "Rayan," she says, leaning closer to me, her eyes locked on mine, "you really need to learn to have more fun."
"I'll have fun when you're not about to get us into more trouble," I reply, trying to keep some distance between us. But Maha doesn't seem to care. She grabs me by the collar, pulling me down to her level, her face inches away from mine.
"You," she says, poking my chest with her finger, "are such a grumpy rhino"
"Maha, you're not sober. You need to-" I start, but I'm cut off by the sudden press of her lips against my cheek.
[Saari night besharmi ki height]
For a second, I'm frozen in place, my brain trying to process what just happened. Maha pulls back, a wide grin on her face as she bursts into giggles again. The heat of her touch on my cheeks still lingers, not only she leaves me speechless, but she's able to blow my senses as well.
"Gotcha!" she cackles, completely oblivious to the fact that my heart is currently racing in my chest.
I blink a few times, trying to get my thoughts in order. "Maha, you... You're impossible, you know that?"
She just shrugs, swaying slightly on her feet. "I know," she says, her voice wobbly. "But that's why you like me, right?"
I roll my eyes, grabbing her arm again to keep her steady. "You definitely need to learn when to hesitate," I grumble, trying to steer her toward the exit. "Let's get you out of here before you do something even crazier."
Maha just giggles again, not resisting as I guide her away from the dance floor. "You're such a worrywart, Rayan," she teases, leaning heavily against me. "But you're also kinda cute when you're all serious like this."
I can feel my face heating up, and I quickly look away, trying to focus on getting us both out of the club without any more incidents. "You're definitely going to forget all of this by tomorrow," I mutter under my breath.
But for now, it's just me and Maha, navigating through the chaos of the club as I try to keep her from causing any more trouble. And as much as I want to be annoyed, there's a part of me that can't help but find this whole situation ridiculously endearing. At the end, she's forgetting everything by morning and again the same crazy Maha Aamir.
I can't believe my eyes. Of all the things I expected to see tonight, Ayraâprim and proper, always has a comeback ready Ayraâstumbling around the club, clearly drunk, was not one of them. It's almost laughable, except there's something unsettling about seeing her like this. The girl who normally wouldn't let me breathe without some sharp retort is now giggling like an idiot and looking around the room as if she's never seen anything like it.
This is not Ayra. This is some swapped version of her, and I'm not sure what to do with it.
I lean against the bar, narrowing my eyes as I watch her sway on her feet. She's holding onto Ayan, who looks equally surprised, though he's probably enjoying the spectacle. This isn't a situation I can just walk away from, even though every part of me is screaming to let her deal with the consequences of her actions.
I watch as Ayra stumbles out of Ayan's hold, nearly crashing into the edge of a nearby table. Without thinking, I push off the bar and stride toward her, my movements automatic. Ayan is laughing, not realizing the seriousness of the situation, and that only irritates me more.
"Can you not keep her upright for more than five seconds?" I snap at him, grabbing Ayraâs arm to steady her.
"Relax, Zaid," Ayan says, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "She's fine. Just a little drunk."
"Drunk?" I scoff, tightening my grip on Ayra's arm. "She's plastered. And if you think I'm going to let her make a fool of herself in front of everyone, you're even more delusional than I thought."
Ayra looks up at me, her eyes glassy and unfocused. She squints, trying to place who I am, but instead of scowling at me, she giggles. "Zaid", she slurs, trying to pull away from me. "What are you doing here? Shouldnât you be off ruining someone else's life?"
"Saving you from ruining yours," I retort, ignoring the jolt of anger that I feel at James for making them drink "You've had enough, Ayra. Let's get you out of here."
She tries to get out of my grip but her body has no match for my strength "genius" she chuckles "you know...I hate you..but-"
A part of me can't help but be eager to listen what she has to say "but these dimples makes it way too hard" before I can realize a smirk plays on lips as she pokes my dimples. "I didn't realize they were that attractive?"
"Of course you're just a namesake genius" she stumbles again but I catch her, causing her arms to wrap around my neck. For once, her grey eyes stares into mine and I'm blank.
[Nashe SI chad gayi]
"Mr Mirza"
"Hmm?"
But she doesn't answer. Instead, she smirks, reaches up, andâwithout warningâsnatches the glasses right off my face. Before I can react, she darts out of my grip, laughing maniacally as she slips my glasses on her own face, the oversized frames making her look ridiculous and somehow endearing all at once.
"Hey!" I shout, chasing after her as she bolts out of the club. "Give those back!"
But Ayra is already halfway down the street, arms spread wide as if she's flying. She's drunk, laughing, and utterly unpredictable, weaving between people and streetlights like she's in some kind of chaotic dance.
Is this seriously the same Ayra Shaikh who prides herself on being the most composed and serious person I know?
"Are you insane?!" I call after her, my voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.
Ayra just laughs harder, her pace quickening. I'm closing in on her when, out of nowhere, a car rounds the corner, its headlights cutting through the night. My heart lurches as I realize it's heading straight for her.
"Ayra!" I shout, panic gripping me as I sprint forward. At the last second, I grab her by the waist, yanking her out of the street and into my arms. We crash onto the sidewalk, her body colliding with mine, and I'm left panting, my heart pounding in my chest as the car speeds by, oblivious to the close call.
For a moment, neither of us moves. I'm too busy trying to catch my breath, and Ayra... well, she's just sitting there, leaning against me with a dazed expression on her face.
Then, without warning, she bursts into tears.
"What theâ" I start, completely thrown off by the sudden shift in her mood.
"I didnât mean to do it!" she sobs, clutching at my shirt as tears streak down her cheeks. "I didn't mean it, Zaid... I had to... because of my mom..."
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and suddenly, I know exactly what she's talking about. The past. That incident. The one thing that's kept this bitter tension between us alive for so long. And now, in her drunken state, she's letting it all out.
"We'll talk about it when you're sober," I say firmly, trying to keep my voice steady.
"No, Zaid," she insists, her voice breaking. "I promise... I didn't mean it..."
"Ayra, I don't want to talk about it," I mutter, feeling that old anger start to bubble up inside me. This is not the time or place for this conversation, not when she's in no condition to even think straight.
I stand up, ready to walk away, but before I can take a step, Ayra's hand shoots out and grabs my arm. "Wait a minute, you brat!" she snaps, her voice suddenly sharp again.
I turn back to her, half-expecting another tearful confession, but instead, she reaches down, grabs a stone from the ground, and hurls it at a nearby car. The rock smashes through the windshield with a deafening crash.
My blood runs cold.
"What the heck, Ayra?!" I yell, eyes wide in horror.
She just grins, a wild, defiant look in her eyes. "Felt good, didn't it?" she slurs.
And now I'm standing in the middle of the street, with Ayra Shaikhâmy supposed enemyâsmashing windshields, and all I can think is, "What the hell are we going to do now?"
As I stand there, trying to figure out what to do next, the rest of the gang finally shows up, looking like they've just walked into a war zone. And to be honest, it might as well be, given the chaos that Ayra and the other girls have unleashed.
Maha, of course, is passed out on Rayan's back, snoring lightly as if this whole night hasnât been a complete disaster. Rayan, on the other hand, looks like he's aged ten years in the last hour, his face twisted into a mix of exhaustion and exasperation.
"Don't ask what happened" he grumbles, clutching Maha tighter. While Ahad still has a gentle grip on Hoorain.
Ayan looks at the windshield and instead of introducing a productive solution, he laughs!! Of course he had to! "That looks like a perfect shot"
Inaya looks like she's struggling to draw a breath "what is this!!! Oh shit we're getting expelled, our entire career is gone"
Ahad pats his hand on Inaya's head "don't worry I'll handle everything, no one will say anything to you girls"
Transforming into his Ahad Bhai's role he takes the charge to clean this mess up "Hoor would you do something for me?"
Hoorain nods while smiling "Inaya and you take Maha and Ayra at hostel, I promise we'll handle everything here"
With that, the girls leaves and Ahad solves the problem with the single go.
I'd never forget to script this day with golden words. These girls are the packet of chaos, the craziest I've ever seen. I wonder, how many adventures are left?
I'm seriously blocking everyone's phone before going to bed.
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
Hey guys I hope y'all are doing fine and well.
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