Why am I even here?
I stare at the whiteboard in front of me, currently filled with enough scribbles, arrows, and stick figures to make any sane man question his existence. But sanity? Yeah, that left the chat the moment I agreed to sit through Maha's eighteenth plan to infiltrate a mafia-run engagement.
Eighteenth.
I agreed because I can't ever reject those green eyes.
I glance at Zaid, who's sitting beside me, staring blankly at the board like it holds the secrets of the universe. Ahad is on the other side, grinning and nodding his head as if this plan is everything he needs. He's just staring at Hoorain.
And Ayan? Well...
"Guys, untie my hands, please?" Ayan whines from the floor, wriggling like a worm. His hands and feet are tightly bound with what appears to be...wait, is that Maha's pink fluffy scarf?
"Not happening," Ayra deadpans, crossing her arms as she stands in front of the board like some evil mastermind. "If we let you go, you'll do something stupid like entering the Shahriyar mansion without any plan and getting killed!"
"Then what do you want me to do? Become a witness at her wedding!" Ayan protests, flopping dramatically. "My foot's asleep, guys. I think it's gonna fall off. I might never walk again!"
"Good," Ayra smirks. "Less chances of you running straight into danger."
Hoorain, sitting quietly next to the pile of snacks on the couch, mumbles, "guys please can we focus on the plan..."
"Sure my love," Ahad mutters under his breath.
Maha, ever the drama queen, claps her hands. "Alright, focus! This plan is foolproof."
"That's what you said about the last seventeen plans," I point out dryly.
Maha flashes me a sweet smile, resting her hand on my arm. "You're just grumpy because you're hungry, love. Want me to get you a snack?"
I sigh, running a hand down my face. "Maha, no snack in the world will make me believe this plan isn't completely insane."
"It's organized insanity," she corrects proudly.
I groan, looking over at Zaid for support, but he just shrugs. "We're doomed either way so no benefit in complaining brother"
Ayra clears her throat, pointing at the board again. "Alright, listen up! Inaya's engagement is happening at La Casa Royale, which is basically a fortress. Guards everywhere, security is better than Ayan's skin..."
"Hey!" Ayan interrupts, glaring. "I have the best skin."
"Yes, yes, moving on," Ayra rolls her eyes. "So, Plan #18..."
Ayan groans from the floor. "Are we ever gonna get to Plan #20? I heard it's a lucky number!"
"We won't even get to Plan Survive if you keep talking," Zaid remarks.
"ANYWAY!" Ayra continues, ignoring the chaos. "Here's the plan. Y'all better hear every single detail because I'm not gonna repeat ..."
Ayra goes on narrating every part of the plan and no....this ain't happening... Why am I the sacrificial lamb here!!!!
"GUYS WHY MEE!" I stand up and throw my hands in the air, "it's unfair.. I'm always the one to be your target, that part is useless."
I dramatically plop back down on the couch, clutching a cushion to my chest like it's my last shred of sanity. "Why not Ayan? He loves this kind of stuff!"
"Because I'm already tied up!" Ayan pipes up from the floor, waving his bound hands proudly. "And you were the only one left to do that part."
I shoot him a glare. "Kya matlb mein koi last child hu jisse har bachi hui cheez de dete ho?"
(What do you guys mean? Am I last child who gets every leftover thing)
Maha, my very loving and extremely annoying girl, crouches beside me, patting my head like I'm a sad puppy. "Aww, pookie rhino can't you do this much for us?"
"Maha are you sane?" I groan. "Uhh poochna hi bekaar hai."
(It's useless to ask)
Ayra, ever the ruthless planner, crosses her arms and taps her pen against her chin. "Look, Rayan, you're the perfect choice."
"No, I'm not!" I whine, shaking my head furiously. "Pick Ahad, he's more responsible."
Ahad raises an eyebrow. "I'm already doing the car part. Give me a break."
"Zaid then!" I point at him in desperation. "He's tall, broody, and terrifying."
Zaid, sipping his chai like this entire situation doesn't concern him, shrugs. "I work better in the shadows, man."
"AND WHAT AM I?! A HUMAN LANTERN?!" I cry out, my voice cracking with frustration.
Ayra pinches the bridge of her nose. "Rayan, be reasonable..."
"I AM REASONABLE!" I interrupt, pointing wildly at everyone. "You just choose to ignore it!"
Hoorain, the innocent one, gently places a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Rayan. We believe in you."
I blink at her. "THAT doesn't make me feel better, Hoorain!"
Ayan, still lying on the floor, snickers. "Don't worry, man. If you die, we'll name the plan after you. Operation: Rayan's Sacrifice."
"I SWEAR TO GOD, AYAN..."
Maha grabs my face and squishes my cheeks. "Rhino listen. You're the only one who can pull this off. You're tall, you're broody, and you have that... that intense stare that makes people nervous!"
"I stare like that because I am nervous!" I snap.
Ayra rolls her eyes. "Fine, we'll give you an incentive. If you do this, I'll personally make sure Ayan stays tied up for an extra week."
Ayan gasps in betrayal. "HEY!"
I narrow my eyes. "One month."
"Deal."
Ayan starts thrashing dramatically. "I HATE YOU ALL! MAHA, BACK ME UP!"
Maha waves him off. "Sorry, Ayan. I have priorities, and Rayan's my top one."
I sigh deeply, sinking into the couch, throwing an arm over my eyes. "I can't believe I'm doing this... I'm too young to die."
Ayra pats my leg like she's consoling a grieving widow. "You're a hero, Rayan. A real hero."
Zaid, finally done with his tea, smirks. "Think of it this way...when it's over, you can brag about it for years."
"Or not live to tell the tale," I mutter.
Ahad nods solemnly. "That's a possibility."
Hoorain gasps. "Ahad!"
I groan, shoving the cushion over my face. "I hate my life. I hate all of you."
Maha leans in with a grin. "But you love me, right?"
I peek out from under the cushion. "Unfortunately."
Ayan snorts from the floor. "Look at him, a man whipped."
Ayra claps her hands. "Alright, team, let's suit up and get moving before Rayan changes his mind."
"I already changed my mind!" I protest.
Maha kisses my cheek quickly. "Too late! You're stuck with us!"
As they all rush around making final preparations, I sit there, clutching my cushion of doom. I really need to rethink my life choices.
Yups, so this so-called "Operation Save Inaya" has officially started. Whether it goes smoothly or not? No clue. Do we have a solid plan? Absolutely not. But hey, we're doing it anyway.
"Pata hai nahi kya karna hai aur kaise karna hai, bas karna hai," I whisper to myself as we sneak in through the kitchen door, feeling very much like spies in an action movie...except we're definitely more comedy than action.
(We don't have any idea about how and what we are going to do, we're just gonna do it)
Ahad Bhai's voice crackles in our earpieces. "Alright team ARH, you're in. Security is stationed near the main hall, and I've looped the cameras for the next fifteen minutes. Don't mess it up."
"Define mess it up," Rayan mutters beside me, tugging at his all-black hoodie like it's choking him. "Because I already feel like my IQ dropped just by agreeing to this."
I roll my eyes. "What will be dropped from zero IQ?"
"STOP BEING SAVAGE!"
Hoorain, the innocent bundle of stress that she is, clutches onto my arm. "Ayra I should've just stayed in the car with Ahad"
I pat her hand. "Relax Hoor... Even if we get caught... Uncle Hassan would kill Ayan not us"
Rayan nods solemnly. "Solid plan."
We creep down the hallway, tiptoeing past the kitchen staff like we're in Mission Impossible...except Rayan trips over a bucket and nearly faceplants.
"Smooth," I mutter. "Very spy-like."
Ahad Bhai's voice pipes in again. "Ayra we can stop these savage retorts for once?"
I groan. "Bhai ask Rayan to stay upright"
Ignoring Ahad bhai, I lead the way down the hallway, peering around corners dramatically. We finally reach the hallway with all the rooms.
"This is it," I whisper, eyes scanning the golden nameplates on the doors.
"Why do rich people have nameplates on their rooms?" Hoorain wonders aloud.
"Decoration," Rayan mutters. "Like they're important or something."
Finally, I spot what we're looking for-The Groom's Room.
I grin. "Bingo. That's what I actually wanted."
Rayan sighs. "You say that like you're about to rob a bank."
Ignoring him, I knock on the door, putting on my best innocent voice. "Excuse me? Sir? Emergency!"
The door creaks open, and there stands the groom..smug, arrogant, and... stuffing his face with cake. Perfect.
He squints at us. "What?"
Without missing a beat, I shove Rayan forward. "Emergency."
Rayan stares at me. "Excuse me?"
"Sir there's an emergency" I add quickly, before pushing the door open and marching inside like I own the place. Hoorain follows hesitantly, and Rayan sighs before slamming the door behind us.
The groom looks thoroughly confused. "Who are you?"
I flash a fake badge I may have borrowed from Ahad bhai. "Health inspection, sir."
Rayan smirks. "Yeah. We heard you didn't wash your hands after dinner."
Yup Inaya told us.
The groom pales. "What?! Who told you that?"
Hoorain leans in with a horrified expression. "It's true?"
I shake my head dramatically. "Sir, this is a major red flag. Forget the wedding, you might be a public hazard."
The groom panics, wiping his hands on his sherwani frantically. "No, no, I did wash them, I swear!"
Uhh why did uncle Hassan choose this idiot for our Inaya?
Rayan steps closer, arms crossed. "If you're lying, we'll have to take action."
The groom gulps. "What kind of action?"
I flash a wicked grin. "The worst kind."
Rayan casually pulls out a small spray bottle from his pocket and sprays the air. "Sanitization spray. Do you feel guilty yet?"
The groom steps back, panic setting in. "Look, yaar, it's a misunderstanding.."
Hoorain nods, biting her lip to keep from laughing. "Sir, please cooperate. Otherwise, we'll have to involve...them."
The groom freezes. "Them?"
I nod solemnly. "The bridesmaids."
That does it. The groom looks like he's about to faint. "N-Nahi! Woh tou already mujhe judge kar rahi hain!"
(No please they're already judging me)
Rayan sighs dramatically. "Then you have one choice, my friend."
The groom's eyes widen. "What choice?"
"We won't tell because if we do you'll reject it" I interject.
The groom looks at me like I just told him he's being audited. His eyes dart nervously between us. "Do you think I'm gonna believe you?"
I flash him a sweet smile, the kind that screams "I'll ruin you." "Oh, you'll agree, alright. Because if you don't, we'll..." I pause dramatically, glancing at Rayan, who raises a brow in confusion. "Rayan, you tell him!"
Rayan glares at me. "Excuse me?"
"Just go with the flow man" I whisper hurriedly.
He rolls his eyes before putting on the worst fake serious expression I've ever seen."Uh... if you don't agree, we'll, um..." He looks around the room and grabs a random hanger from the closet. "We'll take this hanger. And... and hang you on the fan."
The groom stares at him, horrified. "Yeh kya bakwas hai?!"
"Bakwas?!" I gasp dramatically, placing a hand over my chest. "You'll be hanged right now"
Hoorain, bless her innocent soul, steps forward with the world's smallest stick in her hand, one that she probably picked up from the flower arrangement outside. "Sir, please... cooperate. This is your only chance."
Before I can say anything, Hoorain takes a deep breath, mutters something about "for Inaya," and WHACKS him on the head with the stick.
For a second, there's dead silence. The groom blinks. Rayan looks like he just witnessed a murder. And I... I honestly want to give Hoorain a standing ovation.
"Hoorain!" Rayan yells, grabbing his head like his entire life just flashed before his eyes. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
Hoorain stumbles back, dropping the stick like it's on fire. "I-I panicked!"
I give her a huge thumbs-up. "Good job! That's what I call improvisation!"
Rayan stares at the fainted groom like he's made of radioactive material. "What do you mean, good job? He's unconscious, Ayra! Why are y'all this unserious?!"
I roll my eyes. "Relax he's not dead."
Rayan gently pokes the groom's shoulder with his foot, leaning back like the guy might spring up and attack. "He's practically dead. What are we supposed to do with him now? Play hide-and-seek?"
"Great idea!" I clap my hands. "Let's hide him."
Rayan glares at me. "That was sarcasm."
"Yeah, well, your sarcasm just became Plan H," I retort, already surveying the room. "Let's put him... uh..." My eyes land on a large, ornate wardrobe in the corner. "There. Perfect!"
"The wardrobe?!" Rayan looks at me like I just suggested stuffing him in a blender.
"Do you have a better idea, genius?" I snap, crossing my arms.
Rayan opens his mouth to argue but is interrupted by Hoorain, who nervously whispers, "What if he wakes up?"
"Easy fix," I say, pulling out a tissue and a small bottle of chloroform from my bag. Rayan's jaw drops.
"WHY do you have chloroform?!"
"For emergencies!" I say defensively. "And guess what? This qualifies! I know Ayra isn't for beginners."
Hoorain peers over my shoulder at the bottle. "How much do you use? Like, a few drops?"
"Yeh ghar ka masala thodi hai!" Rayan snaps. "You don't measure chloroform like a recipe!"
"Can you stop yelling?" I hiss. "You'll wake him up!"
Rayan gestures wildly at the unconscious groom. "HE'S OUT COLD!"
"Exactly, and we want to keep it that way," I say, unscrewing the cap. "Now, help me lift him."
Rayan groans like I just asked him to donate a kidney. "I am NOT touching him."
"Rayan, stop being such a drama queen and grab his legs," I command, grabbing the groom's arms.
"No!" he protests.
"Fine." I shoot him a sweet smile. "I'll just tell Ayan to stay with Maha until...."
"Okay, okay!" Rayan grumbles, grabbing the groom's legs. "I'm the only sane person in this gang."
Together, we awkwardly drag the groom toward the wardrobe, with Rayan mumbling complaints the entire way.
"This guy weighs a ton," he grunts. "What's he been eating? Dumbbells?"
"Itni complain Maha ko uthane par nahi karte?" I reply, adjusting my grip. "Now lift!"
(You don't complain this much while lifting Maha)
As we hoist the groom into the wardrobe, his arm flops out dramatically, smacking Rayan in the face.
"UGH!" Rayan stumbles back, clutching his cheek. "I'm DONE! This is officially the worst day of my life!"
"Stop whining and stuff him in!" I order, shoving the arm back inside.
Hoorain watches nervously from the corner. "Do you think he can breathe in there?"
Rayan glares at her. "This care about his comfort? Eik kaam karte hai AC Laga dete hai, garmi na Lage bachare ko bhabhi jee"
(Let's do one thing, we should add an air conditioner so that he doesn't feel hot)
Finally, with one last heave, we manage to cram the groom into the wardrobe. I slam the doors shut and lean against them triumphantly.
"Mission accomplished," I declare.
Rayan wipes his hands on his pants, looking disgusted. "Mission ridiculous, more like."
"Wait!" Hoorain suddenly exclaims. "What if he wakes up and starts banging on the doors?"
I pull out the chloroform-soaked tissue with a smirk. "Don't worry, I've got it covered."
Before Rayan can protest, I crack the wardrobe door open just enough to slide the tissue inside.
"Goodnight, sweet prince, but Inaya is meant to be an Ansari" I whisper dramatically, then slam the door shut again.
Rayan stares at me, horrified. "Ayra sheikh... Zaid didn't lie when he said you're a walking she devil"
"I love being one" I reply with a wink.
As we step back to admire our work, Ahad's voice crackles in our earpieces. "What's taking so long? You need to move to Phase Two!"
Rayan shakes his head as we get ready for phase two. "I can't believe this is my life."
"Believe it, grumpy," I say, grinning. "And buckle up...this party's just getting started."
Phase Two.
The moment Ahad's voice crackled in my earpiece, informing us that the groom was safely tucked away (and, hopefully, unconscious), I knew the chaos wasn't over. Not with Maha around.
I make a mental note to give all of them a tight hug for helping me this much to get back with my love.
"I have a foolproof plan!" Maha chirps, her voice unnervingly cheerful.
My stomach sinks. Maha having a plan is equal to exploding a nuclear bomb but it always works.
"What is it?" I whisper, glancing nervously at Zaid, who looks equally concerned.
"Just trust me," she says, stepping out of the van.
When I see her, I freeze. My jaw drops. My brain short-circuits.
Maha is standing there in a bright, floral Patiala shalwar kameez, with a giant pillow stuffed under her shirt, making her look nine months pregnant. She even has a dupatta draped dramatically over her head.
"What. The. Hell." I manage to croak.
Zaid blinks at her in disbelief. "Maha... what is this?"
She flips her fake braid over her shoulder, giving us a smug grin. "Meet Mrs. Sharma, an extremely hormonal and very pregnant Punjabi woman. And you two idiots are here to escort me to the wedding. This always works they won't stop pregnant woman"
"And here I thought this plan was gonna be serious" Zaid mutters, rubbing his temples.
I point at the pillow, my voice rising. "Rayan ye tune KYA KARDIYA?!"
(Rayan what did you!?)
Maha glares at me, her hands on her fake belly. "He's too busy getting shy to do this.. understood servant"
"SERVANT?!" I repeat, horrified.
"Yes!" she snaps. "You're my loyal helper. Zaid is my protective big brother who's here to make sure no one stresses me out. Now, zip it and follow my lead."
Zaid pinches the bridge of his nose. "Maha, this is ridiculous."
"Oh, please." Maha rolls her eyes. "Ridiculous is hiding a groom in a wardrobe. This? This is genius."
Before I can protest, she grabs my arm and starts dragging me toward the main hallway. "Come on, Ayan Bhaiya, let's get to work."
I glance at Zaid, who shrugs helplessly before following us. "This is a bad idea," he mutters.
"It's Maha," I reply grinning. There's a reason she's my partner in crime.
The hallway leading to the main hall is guarded by two towering security men. They're scanning everyone who walks by with hawk-like eyes.
Maha, of course, doesn't falter. She straightens her back, puffs out her fake belly, and waddles forward like she owns the place. Zaid and I trail behind her, looking like unwilling participants in a circus act.
As we approach the guards, one of them steps forward, holding up a hand. "Ma'am, may I..."
"EXCUSE ME?!" Maha shrieks, cutting him off.
The guard looks startled. "Uh... ma'am.."
"Ma'am?!" Maha snaps, her voice rising to a dramatic pitch. "Do I look like a ma'am to you?!" She jabs a finger at her belly. "I'm carrying a human bowling ball in here, and you want to stop me?! Shame on you! Shame!"
The poor guard stammers, his face turning red. "I-I didn't mean..."
"Oh, so now I'm overreacting?!" Maha yells, tears springing to her eyes. "Do you know how hard it is to be pregnant?! The back pain, the cravings, the mood swings! My mother in law says the baby should be beautiful like her son." She sniffs.
"Definitely the mood swings," Zaid mutters under his breath.
Maha whirls around and slaps his arm. "Shut up, Bhaiya!"
The guard looks completely flustered. "Ma'am, I just need to check-"
"CHECK WHAT?!" Maha shrieks, slapping the guard lightly on the arm. "You think I'm smuggling something in my stomach?!"
"No, ma'am, I just..."
"OH!" Maha gasps, clutching her belly. "The baby's kicking! Bhai sahab do you even know if my husband comes to know about this he'll have you all dead by now!" She turns to me and grabs my collar. "Ayan! Do something!"
I stare at her, panicking. "What?"
"Convince him or something!" she snaps. "That's your job, isn't it?!"
The guards exchange horrified glances, clearly regretting every life decision that led them to this moment.
"M-ma'am, please, you can go," one of them stammers, stepping aside.
Maha sniffs dramatically, wiping fake tears from her eyes. "That's what I thought."
She waddles past them, muttering, "Unbelievable. No respect for pregnant women these days. Allah Tumhe bhi pregnant kare"
(May God make you pregnant)
Zaid and I follow her, our faces buried in our hands.
As soon as we're out of earshot, I hiss, "Maha, tum pagal ho!"
(Maha you're crazy)
She grins. "Proudly"
Zaid shakes his head. "Rayan will be delighted to hear about this"
"He'll be like why am I even here?" Maha quips.
I groan. "Now I just need to get my Naya back"
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
The hall is drowning in gold and ivory, every corner gleaming like it was dipped in stardust. The chandeliers sparkle above, the violins hum softly, and the air reeks of extravagance. The dessert table, stacked with delicate pastries, is where they are.
Maha is stuffing a macaron into her mouth while giving me an exaggerated thumbs-up. Ayra stands beside her, arms crossed, trying to look professional but clearly losing patience. Her sharp glare screams, Don't screw this up. And Hoorain is talking to Ahad with the special earpiece he gave her.
I pull the shawl tighter over my head, feeling ridiculous. I lean against a pillar, watching the crowd chatter and laugh, all oblivious to the chaos that's about to unfold.
Then, the lights dim. The music softens. Conversations fade into murmurs.
And she enters.
Inaya.
My breath catches.
She steps into the hall like she owns the air everyone is breathing. Her ivory saree flows behind her, delicate and shimmering, as if the stars decided to stitch themselves into her outfit. The soft glow of the lights kisses her face, highlighting every curve, every contour. Her hazel eyes sweep over the crowd, calm but sharp, like she's searching for me.
I can't move. My chest tightens as I watch her, my heart thundering in my ears. She's beautiful. No, she's more than that. She's Inaya. I wish I could run and hide her in my chest... That's what I'm gonna do when the time is right. Her father or no one can get her away from me.
(This poem was written by a very special friend of mine, I loved it so much and couldn't resist posting it here. If you want to explore more of her work then check out my insta)
She walks, adorned in all their gold,
A picture of grace, a story untold.
Her beauty blooms like the dawnâs first light,
Yet sheâs not mineânot yetâtonight.
Her gaze meets mineâno words are said,
For love like ours is always ahead.
The world thinks sheâs theirs, a bride-to-be,
But she knowsâand I knowâshe belongs with me.
The world believes she belongs to him,
But I see the truth in her eyes, though dim.
Each step she takes is laced with fate,
A bride she seems, but her heart will wait.
I stand in shadows, silent, still,
Holding the weight of my restless will.
For though she walks toward anotherâs side,
The bond we share cannot be denied.
This moment is theirs, this room, their show,
But deep in her heart, she already knows.
She's not yet mine, but soon sheâll seeâ
The aisle she walks will lead to me.
Her gaze flits across the hall, then lands on me.
She freezes.
It's just a second, but it feels like an eternity. Her hazel eyes widen ever so slightly, and I know...she knows I'm here.
I nod at her, subtle but deliberate, my hand resting over my chest. It's all I can do. It's all I need to do.
Her lips part, and for a moment, I think she might say something. But her father appears, guiding her toward the stage. She glances back once, just once, before stepping onto the platform. Her saree trails behind her like a silent goodbye. She knows I'm here to take her.
I stay rooted to my spot, my fists clenching as I wait. For a sign. For anything.
And then, uhh I wasn't waiting for sighn.
Nauman. Inaya's brother.
He saunters over, his smug grin already testing my patience. He positions himself in front of me, deliberately blocking my view of her.
"I knew you'd show up," he says, his voice low and dripping with mockery. "Couldn't resist, could you?"
I don't respond. My eyes flicker past him, locking on Inaya again. She's standing on the stage now, her father adjusting her dupatta. My jaw tightens.
Nauman notices and chuckles. "Look at you. Standing here, powerless. Watching while he gets everything you want. Do you see that? That's a man who can give her everything she deserves. And you? What do you have?"
I tilt my head, finally meeting his gaze, calm and composed. "B for billionaire is marrying her." He mocks me.
I let my smirk grow, leaning slightly closer. "I'm T for trillionaire, Nauman."
Well future one... But the retort was SAVAge lie or not.
His face hardens, but I don't stop. I tilt my head and point towards Inaya with a smirk, my voice dropping into something sharper, colder. "Aur usko Lene aya hoon."
(And I've come to take her)
Nauman's jaw twitches, his fists clenching, but I've already turned my attention back to her.
I'm standing on the stage, the weight of the world pressing down on my chest, but my eyes are elsewhere. The hall stretches out before me, and I feel like I'm suspended between two worlds. My gaze shifts, and for a brief second, everything slows.
His presence cuts through the crowd like a magnet. Just seeing him standing there, hidden beneath that shawl, makes the tension in my chest loosen. He's here. For a moment, I allow myself to breathe easy. It's like a weight I didn't even know I was carrying lifts. I can feel my lips twitch into a smile, but I stop myself.
I see my friends, too. Ayra, Hoorain and Maha are by the dessert table, engaged in some sort of conversation. Ayra's eyebrows are raised in her usual mock-serious way, while Hoorain looks like she's trying to hide laughter behind her hand. It's comforting. The whole gang's here. I'm not alone.
Then, the music shifts, and my heart beats faster. The groom enters.
I blink.
What?
I try to hide the disgust creeping up inside me. He's wearing a sehra. I gag inwardly. Who wears a sehra for an engagement? Wasn't this supposed to be classy? Elegant? Or at least bearable? Even though I'm not marrying him.
The groom's... well, he's trembling. I can see it from where I stand. His hands are shaking, and I swear, he's probably sweating under that ridiculous headdress.
I scoot away, trying to distance myself from the awkwardness. He doesn't even seem to notice, or maybe he's too lost in his nervousness to care.
But the strangest part?
I glance over to where the gang is. They're laughing, joking, and that's when I catch something.
Wait...
My eyes flicker back to the groom standing next to me. I lean in slightly, my curiosity piqued. "Is something wrong?"
I can't help but notice how utterly off everything feels. The groom's whole demeanor is odd, like he's trying to hold it together but can't.
He turns to me, "everything is wrong here but guess what this is our gang!"
Rayan.
I blink. No, it can't be... Rayan?
I stare at him, completely dumbfounded. The grumpy, serious member of our clan is standing right next to me, wearing the groom's attire... and a sehra. It's almost comical how out of place he looks.
My jaw drops slightly, but I quickly recover. What is he doing here?
The corners of my mouth twitch into an incredulous smile. Rayan, the football team captain, the guy who's known for being moody and impossible to deal with... and now he's pretending to be the groom?
I lean in closer, unable to hide my disbelief. "Rayan... what's going on? Why are you wearing this?"
His face doesn't change, but I swear there's a glimmer of embarrassment in his eyes. "Don't ask," he mutters under his breath.
I can't help myself. A laugh bursts out of me, and I quickly cover my mouth, trying to suppress it. But it's too late. His awkwardness is just too much. The entire situation is so bizarre that I'm torn between frustration, confusion, and a fit of laughter.
How did they even convince him to do this?
How in the world did they even convince him to do this?
I can't hold back any longer, and I say it aloud. "Rayan Khan, where's the actual groom?"
He looks at me like I've just insulted his very soul. "Inaya... He's in the cupboard and don't ask how... I'm already traumatized" He sighs dramatically, like he's in some emotional prison. "I didn't sign up for this. Just do something I can't get engaged to you"
I blink at him, stunned. "Then why are you here?" I almost scream the words out of sheer frustration, but my voice comes out in a deadpan tone. "What exactly is going on here? You should've said no"
He chuckles, "thankyou batane ke Liye wo Kya hai na Meri chalti nahi hai... What Maha says happens"
(Thankyou for this wonderful advice, actually I'm not the one to command here)
"Cute.. but we'll be engaged, I don't want to be engaged with a grumpy human"
"As if I'm dying"
My family enters, and it's like the chaos escalates by tenfold. My uncles and aunts are practically rushing toward us, holding engagement rings like they're some sort of prize. The look on their faces is pure joy, completely oblivious to the scene unfolding next to me.
The moment they see Rayan standing there, a fake groom with a sehra on his head, their faces freeze.
"Aah, the rings!" one of my uncles says enthusiastically, but he stops in his tracks when he sees Rayan sorry groom. "Isn't it a bit early to be getting that attached?" he says, motioning to the sehra on Rayan's head.
Rayan looks like he's about to combust. He practically yells, "I can't do this anymore!"
It happens in a blur: The rings come, the family's excited chatter fills the air, and then it's like the world comes to a screeching halt when Rayan, in a moment of dramatic relief, rips off his sehra.
I swear, time freezes. The gasp from my family is deafening. My uncles are staring at him like he's some sort of alien, and my aunt's mouth falls open as she stares at Rayan like she's just seen a ghost.
"Wait... WHAT?" One of my aunts practically screeches. "That's not the groom!"
I watch in absolute shock as Rayan just starts blabbering in a panic. "I'm sorry everyone but mission is now started" He points dramatically to no one in particular, looking like he's just been thrust into the world's worst soap opera.
The chaos is truly something. My uncles exchange bewildered glances, my aunts are whispering rapidly among themselves, and I just stand there, wide-eyed and speechless.
AUTHOR'S POV
The hall had turned into absolute chaos, and it seemed as though the universe had decided that no one, not even the mighty mafia family of the Shahriyar clan, would be spared from the madness that was about to unfold.
It all started with Rayan, standing there like a confused deer caught in headlights. His face was flushed, his eyes wide with panic, and a sehra awkwardly perched on his head like a misplaced accessory. Inaya stood beside him, looking both horrified and slightly amused at the absurdity of the situation.
But before they could even blink, Hassan Shahriyar stormed into the room. His expression was pure rage, and it was clear that whatever illusion of calm he had tried to maintain was crumbling faster than Rayan's dignity. His guards flanked him like human walls, their expressions as hard as stone.
"Where is my daughter's groom?" Hassan bellowed, his voice a deep growl that shook the foundations of the hall. His eyes immediately locked onto Rayan, who was still standing like a deer, shifting uncomfortably under the pressure.
But before anyone could even attempt to answer, the gang burst into action. It was like a scene straight out of a movie, and not the serious kind..the kind that had far too many explosions and unnecessary antics.
Maha was the first to make her grand entrance. She didn't sneak in or walk slowly...no, she simply plopped down at the dessert table, picked up a cupcake, and started tossing them around like it was a harmless game. Cupcakes flew everywhere, landing on guests, guards, and even Rayan, who looked like he had just been hit with a barrage of frosting bombs.
"Aha!" Maha squealed, her voice gleeful and utterly manic. "Perfect" She threw one directly at a guard's face, who immediately froze, unsure whether he should be horrified or amused.
And then came Ayra and Zaid, their usual sassy selves but now equipped with one mission: cause mayhem. Ayra, with a wicked grin, dashed toward the back, grabbing a bottle of oil from the table and tossing it in Zaid's direction.
"You know what to do," she said, her voice dripping with mischief.
Zaid, ever the accomplice, smirked. "Oh, I've got this."
Together, they poured the oil all over the slick marble floor like they were decorating a Christmas tree..except this tree was going to cause someone to slip and faceplant into the floor. Just as planned, Hassan Shahriyar's booted feet hit the oil, and in a moment that could only be described as a mishap of epic proportions, Hassan went flying, arms flailing, before crashing to the floor with a loud thud.
There was a collective gasp, followed by a silence that lasted all of two seconds. Then, chaos erupted again.
Hassan lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling in disbelief, while his guards stood frozen, unsure if they should help him up or run for cover. Hassan's face turned an alarming shade of red as he shot a death glare at his guards.
"Get up, you useless imbeciles!" he roared, but they were too busy trying to figure out if oil-slicked floors were a part of their standard operating procedure.
Meanwhile, Hoorain, looking all innocent and pure, took it upon herself to "help" the situation. She was trying her best to punch a guard that had gotten a little too close, but when she swung her fist, it connected with none other than Rayan's face.
BAM!
In an instant, Rayan's eyes went wide, and he let out an undignified grunt, clutching his cheek. "Ow! What the-Hoorain!"
Hoorain's face turned a bright shade of red. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I thought you were-"
"Don't worry," Rayan grumbled, rubbing his cheek. "Just... just keep punching the other guy. I'm fine."
Hoorain, ever so innocent, simply nodded and moved on to the next guard, her hands raised again, this time aiming in the right direction. But before she could land a punch, the gang's trusty earphones crackled to life, and Ahad's voice cut through the chaos.
"Hey guys stick together! Make sure no one gets shot!" Ahad shouted, his tone somewhere between a military commander and an exasperated older sibling.
Meanwhile, Ayan, standing by Inaya, was trying to keep a straight face, but it was becoming increasingly impossible. He was serious, yes, but also slightly enjoying the absurdity of it all.
He looked at Inaya. "I'm too invested in you to focus on anything else"
Inaya glanced at him, her expression a mix of amusement and sheer disbelief. "Zeher lag Rahi hai abhi tumhari flirting bhi" she whispered, trying hard to stifle a laugh.
(I'm hating your flirting right now)
As the hustle and bustle continued around them, more guards entered, and they weren't prepared for the next round of madness.
Ayra, now feeling particularly brave (and a little too powerful with the oil), turned toward Rayan, who was still rubbing his cheek from Hoorain's accidental punch.
"Rayan!" she called. "Are you ready to run? Or are you just gonna stand there looking like someone who's just been hit in the face with a cupcake?"
Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed a cupcake and, in true Ayra fashion, launched it at Rayan. He ducked just in time, but it hit a guard behind him, splattering frosting on the poor guy's face.
Rayan's eyes went wide as the guard stood frozen, covered in frosting. He took one look at the scene, then at Ayra, and then at Inaya.
"Let me get this straight," he said, deadpan, "This is happening because I wore a sehra?"
Inaya couldn't hold it in anymore. She doubled over in laughter, unable to stop the hysterics that bubbled up from within her.
"Yes, Rayan, yes it is!" she laughed, tears streaming down her face.
And with that, the entire hall exploded into even more chaos-guards slipping, cupcakes flying, people shouting in confusion-and all Inaya could do was laugh alongside her crazy, dysfunctional family and friends. This wedding wasn't just a wedding; it was a full-on circus, and they were the stars of the show.
Hassan Shahriyar's fury reached a boiling point, the veins in his neck bulging as he fired a shot into the air, the sharp crack of the gun echoing through the hall. Everyone paused for a moment-some in fear, others in confusion. But before anyone could process what had just happened, a voice boomed from behind the chaos.
"I'll take over! Listen to me!" Nauman Shahriyar stepped forward, trying to restore some semblance of order. He straightened his tie, cleared his throat, and began giving what was surely a serious speech. "This madness ends today, and we are going to handle this like civilized.."
And then-BOOM! A car blasted through the hall's entrance, screeching to a halt, and in the blink of an eye, it plowed directly into Nauman. The force sent him flying backwards, and he landed in an unceremonious heap, completely flattened by the hood of the car.
A stunned silence spread through the hall for a split second before a chorus of uncontrollable laughter erupted. The entire group, especially Ayra and Zaid, were clutching their sides, unable to breathe from laughing so hard. Even Inaya couldn't stop giggling. Someone remind her he's her brother.
From the driver's seat, Ahad's voice echoed in the earpiece. "RUN, NOW! EVERYONE MOVE!"
Instantly, chaos broke out. People ran in every direction, guards tripping over their own feet, confused mafia members shouting at one another, and Hassan Shahriyar, still fuming, shouting in all directions. He watched Nauman, now covered in dirt and car grime, scrambled to get up, but it was too late.
Rayan didn't even hesitate. He dashed toward Maha, who was surprisingly standing there filling her bag with food. "Maha! What are you doing? We have no time!" he yelled, grabbing her by the waist and hoisting her up as she squealed, "Wait! Khana to lene do, yaar!"
(Wait let me grab the food)
"You can take the food next time!" Rayan grumbled, running full speed with Maha still in his arms, not looking back.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group scrambled to get into the car. The engine roared to life as they drove toward the exit, tires screeching. But then, Inaya-beautiful, graceful Inaya-was still running. In her ivory saree, she was barely keeping up, trying to dodge obstacles, her shoes clicking against the floor as she pushed forward with everything she had.
Ayan, who had already jumped into the van, stuck his hand out of the window. "Inaya!" he yelled. "Come on, hurry up!"
Inaya caught sight of him and ran toward the van, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and determination. She reached out, and Ayan pulled her into the van with ease, dragging her inside just as the door slammed shut behind her.
Before anyone could even breathe, the van took off, screeching down the road, but the tension wasn't over. Oh no, far from it. Behind them, a sea of black cars-a full-blown mafia convoy-was tailing them, engines roaring in pursuit.
"Faster, faster! Don't let them catch up!" Ayan shouted, his voice tight with panic. He peered out the window, seeing the mafia's cars close in. "This is insane! They're going to kill us!"
"Chill, bro! It's just a car chase!" Zaid yelled, but his voice was more hysterical than reassuring. He was hanging halfway out the window, trying to throw things out of the car at the pursuing mafia, even though no one knew exactly what he was throwing.
"They're right behind us, you idiot!" Ayra shot back, throwing a cupcake at Zaid's head. "Focus!"
Meanwhile, Maha, still clutching a bag of cupcakes, was stuffing her face with as much food as possible. "Guys! I told you I wanted food! This is chaos, I'm starving!"
"You're eating cupcakes while mafia is chasing us?!" Rayan snapped, looking over at her in disbelief. But he couldn't even finish the sentence before a bullet pinged off the side of the van.
"Oh my god!" Inaya screamed, ducking instinctively. "Ahad bhai, please drive faster! They're shooting at us!"
"I am trying to!" Ahad bhai growled, his hands gripping the steering wheel. "We're gonna die if you keep shouting!"
But just then, Hoorain-who had been seriously trying to pray for divine intervention-let out a terrified scream. "Allah! What is happening?!" Her eyes were wide with horror. She raised her fist in the air, and in her panic, swung it at a nearby guard... but ended up punching Rayan in the face again.
"Not again, Hoorain!" Rayan groaned, his hands clutching his face in disbelief. "Why me?!"
"I'm sorry, Rayan bhai!!" Hoorain gasped, her face a mix of horror and guilt. "I didn't mean it!"
"Yeah, sure. Because I look just like a guard," Rayan muttered, shaking his head.
Ahad slammed his foot on the accelerator, gripping the steering wheel like his life depended on it-because, well, it literally did. The van swerved violently, nearly sending everyone inside flying.
"AHAD, STRAIGHT! DRIVE STRAIGHT!" Ayan shouted, clutching the ceiling handle for dear life.
"I am driving straight, you idiot! The bullets are coming from behind! Should I stop and let them shoot us instead?!" Ahad barked back, swerving again just to prove a point.
Another bullet pinged off the side of the van, and Inaya let out a shriek, gripping Ayan's arm. "I swear to God, we are going to die! We are actually going to die!"
Ayan, despite the sheer terror of the situation, turned to her and grinned. "Don't worry, Naya, if we die, at least we'll die in style. We should marry now"
"WHAT STYLE?! WE'RE IN A VAN WITH BULLET HOLES IN IT! We can have a funeral instead" Inaya shrieked.
Meanwhile, Maha, completely unfazed, was still munching on a cupcake, shaking her head dramatically. "Rul te gaye aan par chas bari aayi hai," she sighed, licking the frosting off her fingers like they weren't currently in the middle of a high-speed mafia chase.
(We're doomed but it's fun)
Just Maha being Maha.
"MAHA, WHAT THE HELL?!" Rayan shot her a look of pure betrayal. "WE ARE ABOUT TO DIE, AND YOU'RE HAVING A SNACK?!"
Maha shrugged. "Bhook lagi thi. Aur tension mai bhook aur ziada lagti hai," she said, stuffing another cupcake into her mouth. "Tum log bhi lo, achi wali chocolate frosting hai pakke wale ameeron ki engagement thi."
(I was hungry and I get even hungrier when I'm in tension)
(You guys should try some, the chocolate frosting is tasty. It was loaded people's engagement.)
Zaid, who had been half-hanging out of the window trying to throw coins at the pursuing mafia cars for some reason, turned to her, blinking. "Wait, are there vanilla ones too?"
"ZAID!" Ayra screamed in frustration, smacking him upside the head. "THEY HAVE GUNS! STOP THROWING LOOSE CHANGE AT THEM LIKE WE'RE PAYING A DAMN TOLL TAX!"
"Okay, first of all...I'm out of coins now," Zaid muttered. "And second, if they shoot us, at least I won't die broke."
Ayra rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw another dimension. Then, just because she could, she leaned out of the window and showed the mafia both middle fingers. "Screw you, losers! Your boss is just mad cause his hairline is receding!"
One of the mafia guys actually gasped in offense before firing another shot.
Ahad growled. "AYRA, STOP PROVOKING THEM!"
"I'M SORRY, I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE SOUND OF THESE LOSERS MISSING THEIR SHOTS!" she yelled back.
Another bullet whizzed past, and Ahad swerved so violently that Maha's bag of stolen food flew out of her hands.
Maha gasped in absolute horror, watching her beloved snacks fly out the window. "My food!" she wailed. "Ahad Bhai you spoiled my food!"
Ahad didn't even blink. "You know what? I'd apologize, but I'm kinda BUSY TRYING TO KEEP US ALIVE!"
Meanwhile, in the back of the van, Hoorain was gripping onto Inaya's arm, eyes squeezed shut as she prayed under her breath. "Ya Allah, please save us this time we won't ever run next time!" she whispered.
Ayan turned to her, grinning. "Hoorain, stop lying to Allah. You know we're gonna run again."
Before she could respond, another swerve of the van sent everyone tumbling into each other.
"AHAD, DRIVE PROPERLY!" Rayan shouted.
"DRIVE PROPERLY?! WE'RE BEING CHASED BY FIFTY CARS, RAYAN! WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, PUT ON A DAMN INDICATOR?!" Ahad snapped.
Just then, another explosion sounded behind them. Everyone turned just in time to see one of the mafia cars flip and crash into the others, setting off a chaotic domino effect.
Ayan blinked. "Damn... who did that?"
They all turned to see Ayra and Zaid smirking, very pleased with themselves.
Zaid dusted his hands. "We may or may not have spilled oil on the road back there."
"And Hassan Shahriyar may or may not have slipped and faceplanted in front of his entire army," Ayra added smugly.
"YOU GUYS ARE ACTUAL MENACES!" Inaya gasped.
"AND WE'RE PROUD OF IT!" Ayra and Zaid said in unison.
Ahad groaned. "I swear to God, if we survive this, I'm buying a one-way ticket to another country and never coming back."
"Ahad bhai, drive first, existential crisis later," Ayan patted his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Maha sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "Bas, agay se mujhe sirf ek request hai-agar hum phir kabhi mafia se bhagen, pehle mujhe takeaway order karne do."
(I only have one request.. if we're running again so please let me order a takeaway)
Rayan turned to her, exasperated. "Maha, I am begging you, just SHUT UP!"
Ayan gets his phone out, "dear gorgeous readers it's my responsibility to share with y'all... Your handsome Ayan Ansari is in this car because he saved his beautiful bride... Please pray for us all"
"Ayan Ansari shut up!" Everyone screamed at him causing the box of memories to slip from his hands.
Maha was still munching on a ladooo she had pulled out from God knows where.
Rayan had officially had enough. "MAHA, WHERE DID YOU EVEN GET THAT?!"
She licked her fingers with a satisfied sigh. "Pouch mai tha. Tum log guns aur goliyaan dekh rahe ho, mai snack options evaluate kar rahi hoon. I know I'm smart. Aag Lage basti mein Maha apni masti mein)
(It was in my pouch. You guys can continue analyzing the shots and I'll evaluate the snack options.)
A bullet pinged off the side of the van again. Inaya screamed and latched onto Ayan's arm. "WE ARE GOING TO DIE, AYAN!"
Ayan, being Ayan, just grinned. "At least I'll die holding your hand."
"Ahad Bhai throw him so that he could flirt with my dad!" Inaya shoved him off, smacking his arm so hard he yelped.
"AHAD, CAN YOU DRIVE ANY FASTER?" Zaid yelled, gripping the dashboard like his soul was leaving his body.
"DO I LOOK LIKE A FORMULA ONE DRIVER TO YOU?!" Ahad barked back, swerving so violently that Ayra almost fell out of the van.
"YA ALLAH, MAIN SHAADI BHI NAHI KI ABHI TAK!" Hoorain screamed, clutching onto Maha like a lifeline.
(I haven't even married yet)
"No worries my love we can turn to a masjid then and there" Ahad cheekily said.
"Yaha to Tum formula one bhi banjaoge?" Zaid taunted.
(And you'll turn into a formula one now)
"I haven't hit any of the guards yet!" Maha wailed, dramatically wiping a fake tear. "Aur ye sab meri innocent rooh par zulm ho raha hai!"
(It's torture on my innocent soul)
Ayra, who had been flipping off the mafia cars again, smirked. "Not true, you murdered my sanity years ago."
Another gunshot rang out, and this time it barely missed the side mirror.
Rayan groaned. "WHY ARE WE STILL BEING CHASED?!"
Zaid rolled his eyes. "Maybe because you literally ran away from an engagement with the daughter of a literal MAFIA BOSS?"
Rayan scowled. "Mujhe toh pehle hi lag raha tha koi gadbad hai jab uska baap sirf meri muscles ke baray mai baat kar raha tha!"
Ayan burst into laughter. "Bro really thought he was getting a love marriage, but it was a hostage situation."
"Guys, this is all very entertaining, but can we FOCUS ON NOT DYING?" Inaya shrieked, dodging another bullet.
Just then, one of the mafia cars tried to cut them off from the side.
"AHAD, LEFT! LEFT!" Ayra shouted.
"NAYE RASTAY DIKH RAHAY HAIN, BHAI!" Ayan screamed, shaking Ahad's shoulder. "APNAY ZINDAGI KA WHEEL KAHAN MODNA HAI, DECIDE KARO!"
"TUM SAB CHUP KARO, WARNA MAIN GADDI KAHI LAKE WALL PE MAR DOON GA!" Ahad snapped, swerving again.
Maha, completely unfazed, suddenly perked up. "Oye! I have an idea!"
Rayan groaned. "Oh no, not you-"
"Shut up listen!" Maha interrupted, pulling out Google Maps on her phone like they weren't in the middle of a life-threatening chase. "Dekho, agar tum is raste pe right lo na, then left, then phir ek aur right, toh hum unke nazron se OUT ho jayenge!"
Ahad blinked. "Maha, is this a shortcut or a treasure hunt?"
"TRUST ME!" Maha grinned. "I've been on this road before!"
"Mujhe to is baat pe aur ziada shak ho raha hai!" Rayan muttered.
(I have a doubt on this thing)
Ayra, however, was interested. "Maha, where does this road even lead?"
Maha gave a beaming smile. "My village!"
The van went completely silent.
Ahad nearly crashed the car. "WHAT?!"
"Yess!" Maha nodded enthusiastically. "It's totally safe! No one will think to look for us in a small village full of innocent log!"
Ayan snorted. "Yeah, because nothing about our group is innocent."
Inaya, still in shock, whispered, "We're... going to a village?"
Maha nodded proudly. "Yes! My village! No cctvs are over there so there is no way that mafia can find us"
Rayan froze. "Wait. Your parents will be there?"
"Haan! Ek dum filmy jagah hai! Signal ke bina romance bhi achi hoti hai!" Maha winked.
Rayan looked deeply betrayed. "I'm not ready to meet your family"
Ayra cackled. "Ha as if we're going for a rishta!"
Meanwhile, Ahad had no choice but to follow Maha's crazy route. He turned the van onto the dirt road, kicking up a storm of dust. Within seconds, the mafia cars screeched to a halt, unable to follow the sudden rough terrain.
And just like that, they were out of sight.
The entire van went dead silent.
Then Maha leaned back against her seat, stretching with a satisfied sigh. "And the day is saved by none other than Maha Aamir."
Rayan turned to glare at her. "Maha, I swear to God, if I ever get arrested for murder, you will be the REASON."
Maha just winked at him. "But first y'all are gonna drink tea in my village."
The group groaned, but there was nothing they could do now. They were officially stuck in Maha's village.
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
HEY GUYS I HOPE Y'ALL ARE DOING FINE AND WELL.
THIS ONE WAS QUITE DIFFICULT TO WRITE ð
NOW Y'ALL ARE GOING TO HAE ROMANCE AND FAMILY DRAMA IN THE NEXT CHAPTERS.
THE BOOK IS GONNA END SOON.
THIS CHAPTER WASN'T SCHEDULED FOR TODAY BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO SURPRISE Y'ALL.
GUYS FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AS SOME OF YOU AREN'T RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATIONS FROM WATTPAD.
I WANTED TO DISCUSS ONE THING WITH Y'ALL.
IT'S TRULY DISHEARTENING TO SEE MY WORK BEING COPIED AGAINâMY PLOT, CHARACTER DYNAMICS, EVEN EXACT SCENES AND DIALOGUES. WRITING IS DEEPLY PERSONAL, AND HAVING MY CREATIVITY TAKEN WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PAINFUL.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO A READER FOR BRINGING THIS TO MY ATTENTION. YOUR SUPPORT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME. I WISH PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT TRUE CREATIVITY COMES FROM PASSION, NOT COPYING SOMEONE ELSE'S EFFORTS.
THE BOOK IS NAMED HUMRAH AND THE LINK IS IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF MY PREVIOUS CHAPTER.
THE AUTHOR IS @AKWritezzz
THANK YOU ALL FOR STANDING BY ME..I APPRECIATE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN EXPRESS.
I WONâT BE ABLE TO UPDATE OR STAY ACTIVE FOR SOME TIME DUE TO MY UPCOMING EXAMS AND CONTESTS. ITâS A BUSY TIME, AND I NEED TO FOCUS, BUT I PROMISE IâLL BE BACK AS SOON AS I CAN!
YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME, AND I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING. PLEASE KEEP SUPPORTING ME DURING THIS BREAKâI'LL MISS INTERACTING WITH YOU ALL!
WISH ME LUCK, AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON!
STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY.