One moment, I'm deep in a dream about my glorious future, where I've already become the world's greatest footballer, and Maha is wearing my jersey, cheering for me like the most devoted fangirl. And the next? I'm jolted awake by a scream so sharp it could cut through steel.
My body tenses. My survival instincts kick in. Years of rigorous training have prepared me for this moment. I snap my eyes open, ready to fight for my life...
Only to find myself surrounded by a small army of children.
Wide-eyed. Grinning. Watching me like I'm some kind of alien specimen.
"What. The. Hell." My voice is hoarse from sleep.
"Gora Bhai is awake!" one of them announces like it's breaking news.
Gora Bhai? What's with this name! They're obsessed with me like my wife.
"Oh my god, his eyes are so pretty," a tiny girl whispers to her cousin, who nods in agreement. "Golden brown. Just like the she-camel Haji Abba bought last year."
A she-camel compared to my eyes. Wow.
Another kid, a boy no older than ten, elbows his friend. "I told you he's strong. Look at those arms. He could totally fight a buffalo."
"Are you all serious right now?" I groan, rubbing my face.
One of the older boys grins mischievously. "Gora Bhai, do you play badminton?"
"No."
"That's okay if you don't know how to! You can still play with us. It's easy."
I scoff. "There isn't a sport I can't play."
"Good, then come on!" They start yanking my arms, dragging me off the bed like a pack of determined wolves.
Wait what? Go? Where?
"I said no...hey, stop...wait!"
But there's no escaping them. Apparently, my fate has already been sealed.
......
Now dressed in a black t-shirt, joggers, and my sports band keeping my hair intact, I step onto the makeshift badminton court in the haveli's backyard.
The kids cheer like I'm about to enter an international championship.
Then I see her.
Maha.
Standing across from me in a tracksuit, her long ponytail swinging with her movements, a cap shielding her face from the sun, her green eyes glowing like fresh emeralds. She's grinning...no, beaming. Sunshine personified. And suddenly, it's like the rest of the world dims.
My heartbeat stutters. Damn it.
The kids cheer like I'm about to enter an international championship.
"Oye rhino" Maha calls, twirling her badminton racket like she's about to perform a circus act. "You scared to lose?"
I scoff, rolling my shoulders as I spin my own racket. "You know I don't lose my crazy girl."
The kids erupt into cheers, some on my side, most on hers. Traitors.
"We'll see," she teases, bouncing on her toes like an overexcited person. "Remember, if you get angry, you lose."
I arch a brow. "I don't get angry."
Never on her... The day I get angry on her is probably the day I should stop calling myself a man.
"Sure, Mr. Grumpy. Let's test that."
We start the game. I serve first, the shuttlecock soaring over the makeshift net. Maha dashes forward, her movements quick and precise. She hits it back, and I return it effortlessly.
Then she smirks.
Oh no.
Maha, in all her chaotic glory, starts talking. Not just any talking..pure, unfiltered nonsense designed solely to distract me.
"Did you know giraffes only sleep for thirty minutes a day?"
"What?" I nearly miss the shot but recover at the last second.
"And that octopuses have three hearts?" She lunges to the left, barely getting the shuttlecock over the net.
"Focus, Maha."
"Oh, I am! Also, you look ridiculously handsome right now."
I freeze for half a second. Just enough time for the shuttlecock to hit my shoulder and drop to the ground.
The kids scream in laughter. Maha cackles like a madwoman.
"Oh my god, did you just LOSE?" she shrieks, clutching her stomach.
"I didn't lose." I scowl, picking up the shuttlecock. "I was distracted."
"Aw, distracted by little me?" She bats her lashes, and I swear she's enjoying this too much.
I exhale sharply, fighting a smile.
"You're lucky you're cute" she sing-songs.
The game continues. I'm determined now. No more distractions. I focus, hitting the shuttlecock harder, moving quicker. Maha, despite her crazy antics, is actually good. But I'm better.
Point after point, I gain the lead.
Her competitive streak kicks in. "No fair, you're too tall."
I smirk. "Not my fault you have the height of Dora"
She gasps. "Take that back, you lanky giraffe!"
"Nope."
She narrows her eyes, then suddenly shouts, "LOOK!"
I, like an idiot, actually glance to the side.
She smashes the shuttlecock over the net, winning the point.
The kids erupt in cheers.
I blink at her. "You just cheated."
Maha grins, twirling her racket. "I call it strategy."
I shake my head, unable to stop the fondness creeping into my chest. The kids rush in, jumping around, praising both of us, but mostly Maha. One particularly mischievous boy tugs my sleeve.
"Gora Bhai, are you gonna date Maha Baji?"
Maha nearly chokes on air.
I freeze.
The other kids join in. "Yeah, yeah! You like her, na?"
"I love her. I'm gonna marry your Maha baji"
Maha's face is so red, she looks like she might explode.
I glance at her, then back at the kids. "You all ask too many questions."
Maha all but shoves the kids away, her face still burning. "Okay, everyone go find another victim to terrorize."
The kids groan but scatter, giggling as they leave. One little girl turns back and winks at me. "Good luck, Gora Bhai!"
Maha groans again, dragging a hand over her face. "I swear, these kids will be the death of me."
I smirk. "Since when does Maha Aamir start getting shy?"
She glares at me. "Since you became so shameless"
I tuck my hands into my pockets, watching her fidget. She's flustered, and I'm enjoying every second of it. The great Maha, lost for words? A rare sight.
"So," I say, tilting my head, "you were going to show me something?"
She blinks, momentarily confused, then her eyes light up. "Oh! Yes, come on."
She grabs my wrist..soft fingers curling around my skin..and pulls me along. I let her, because let's be real, where else would I rather be?
She can take my hand and guide me anywhere... I'll travel the end of the world with her.
We walk past the Haveli's courtyard, past the large oak tree where kids swing from a tire, past the old brick walls covered in creeping vines, until we step into open fields. And then...
Sunflowers.
A sea of them.
Stretching as far as the horizon.
Golden petals sway in the warm breeze, turning toward the sun, bathing in its warmth. It's breathtaking. But not as breathtaking as the girl beside me.
Maha spreads her arms, spinning once, her ponytail flying behind her. "This is my favorite place in the world," she says, grinning at me. "No matter how crazy life gets, this stays the same. Peaceful."
I don't answer immediately. I'm too busy staring. At her.
The sunlight catches in her green eyes, making them even more vibrant. Her smile is so radiant, it rivals the sunflowers. She belongs here...wild, free, golden.
She turns to me, tilting her head. "What?"
I take a step closer. "Nothing," I murmur. "I'm just wondering when I started loving you so much that it's physically impossible for me to look at anywhere but you"
Her eyes widen. "I'm beautiful right?"
"If you saw yourself through my eyes than you'd realize that beauty is just a word and you give meaning to it... You're everything that eyes would kill to witness"
She huffs, looking away, but I see the pink dusting her cheeks. "Aren't you getting really shameless nowadays Mr rhino?"
She's really getting shy after her father accepted our relationship yesterday. Don't worry crazy Maha will be here in no time till then I should enjoy her shy state.
I smirk, stepping even closer. "Have to be when you're with Maha"
I watch her, completely lost, as the breeze plays with her hair, strands slipping free from her ponytail. The golden light of the setting sun filters through the endless field of sunflowers, bathing her in a glow so soft, so ethereal, that for a second, I forget how to breathe.
She's staring ahead, probably lost in some chaotic thought, utterly oblivious to the way she's unraveling me.
And before I even realize it, I'm moving.
Not thinking. Just acting.
I reach down and swiftly pluck a sunflower, twirling it between my fingers before stepping in front of her.
She blinks up at me, startled. "What?"
I don't answer. Instead, I gently tuck the sunflower behind her ear, my fingertips grazing her skin for the briefest second.
Her breath hitches.
"There," I murmur, stepping back to admire my work. "Looks perfect."
She scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Oh please, I'm already perfect. The sunflower's the lucky one."
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Maha seriously you won't get shy now?"
She smirks. "Zyada free na mein certified besharam hu. Rehna hai to raho"
I exhale, shaking my head fondly. "Where else would I go?"
Her smirk falters slightly, something flickering behind her eyes. Something unspoken.
But before she can respond, she does what Maha does best..something absolutely reckless.
With zero warning, she spreads her arms and twirls into the field, her laughter echoing through the air, her hair catching the wind as she runs through the sea of sunflowers.
I should've expected it.
I should've known she'd turn this moment into a whirlwind.
I should've known...
That I'd chase after her anyway.
"MAHA!" I groan, striding after her. "You're going to trip, you lunatic!"
"Then catch me!" she yells over her shoulder, her voice full of laughter, full of life.
Challenge. Accepted.
I pick up my pace, dodging sunflowers as she sprints ahead, ducking and weaving through the field. She's fast, but not faster than me.
And then...
She stumbles.
Not much, just a slight misstep, but it's enough. Enough for me to catch her by the wrist, pulling her back before she can fully fall.
But instead of regaining her balance, she crashes straight into me.
We tumble backward into the sunflowers, my arms instinctively wrapping around her to shield her from the impact. We land with a soft thud, her small frame half on top of me, my hands still holding her securely.
For a second, neither of us move.
Then, she looks up.
Her green eyes, wide and startled, lock onto mine. The world stills. The wind hushes. The sunflowers sway around us like silent spectators.
Her hands are on my chest, my arms still around her, and I can feel the rapid beat of her heart against me.
"I told you you'd trip," I whisper, a lazy smirk tugging at my lips.
She exhales sharply. "Shut up, Rhino."
But she doesn't move.
And neither do I.
Instead, I reach up, my thumb brushing the strand of hair that's fallen across her cheek. My voice is softer now, lower.
"You drive me insane, you know that?"
She swallows. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." I shift slightly, my hold on her tightening. "And yet, I'd chase after you a thousand times over."
Something flickers in her gaze. Something unguarded.
And then, I do something so completely, so ridiculously soft, it even surprises me.
I embrace her and let her feel my heartbeat. "Would you stay like this forever Maha?"
She punches my chest softly and looks at me again, "stop your fast heartbeats Mr Rayan because I am staying with you forever"
I just hold her there, letting her feel every beat, every unspoken confession, every single unguarded part of me that belongs to her.
She doesn't speak.
She doesn't have to.
Because I already know.
She feels it too.
I keep pacing, my hands in my hair, my anxiety climbing like I'm about to walk into a battlefield. But no, this is worse. This is Hoorain's birthday. And I can't just...can't just...walk up to her and say, Happy Birthday, Hoorain.
She deserves more.
She deserves the whole damn world.
But right now? She's out there, stuck between Zaid and Ayan's relentless chaos, probably wondering why they're both acting way too extra today. I already know what's happening...those two idiots are messing with her, keeping her occupied. Which is good. Because I need time.
A lot of time.
"It's just a birthday, Ahad Bhai," Inaya sighs from the bed, flipping through a book. "Not a mission to infiltrate a heavily guarded vault."
I shoot her a look. "Just a birthday? You do realize we're talking about Hoor, right?"
Inaya sighs dramatically. "Okay, Mr. Head Over Heels, whatâs the plan?"
I groan, running a hand down my face. "That's the problem, Naya. I don't have one."
She perks up. "Oh. That's new. You always have a plan."
"Yeah, well," I mutter, biting my nails, "but you know every time should be better than the last time for that surprising smile on her face."
I turn to Inaya, desperate. "You're her best friendâtell me something! What would make her happy?"
She hesitates. That tiny moment of silence? It has my stomach twisting.
"Ahad Bhaiâ¦" she starts gently. "She doesn't really celebrate her birthday."
I frown. "What?"
"She never has," she continues, closing the book. "Not since her mother..."
I go completely still.
Because I already know.
I know how Hoorain watched the violence in her home, how she grew up in an environment where love came with bruises and birthdays were just another day her mother had to survive.
And when she lost her..when the one person who could have made birthdays special was gone..she just⦠stopped celebrating.
A cold weight settles in my chest.
Zaid, Ayan, Maha, Ayra, Rayanâthey all know this. That's why no one throws her parties, why no one even mentions the day. They just⦠distract her. Like today.
But this? This won't do.
Not for her.
"Ahad Bhai, you don't have toâ"
"I do," I cut in, my voice firm. "I'm doing this."
Inaya watches me carefully. "Are you sure? She won't likeâ"
"That you can leave to this iconic gunda," I say, my voice softer now. "Let's make this one the most special."
I sigh. "Huff..it's a lot of work, then. Ahad Sikandar, you've got a mission."
Inaya raises a brow. "So, what's the plan, mastermind?"
I smirk. "Simple."
I grab my phone, already texting Zaid. "Distract her longer."
And then, looking at Inaya, I grin.
"I'm going to give Hoorain Shah and my fiance a birthday worth remembering. But I do need your help sister"
"Anything brother"
I tell her all those things which I'll require, relating it to those points I've noted down on my notes app which means everything to her.
The night is quiet, the kind of silence that presses against my ribs, making my heart feel heavier than it should.
I stroll through the garden, my fingers brushing against the cool petals of the flowers. The air is thick with the scent of roses and night-blooming jasmine, but none of it eases the ache in my chest.
No one wished me today.
Not Inaya. Not Ayra. Not Maha. Not even the boys.
It doesn't hurt because I know they are definitely UpTo something.
But my fingers curl into a fist.
It's just a day, Hoorain. Just another day.
I sigh, lifting my head to the dark sky, the stars blinking down at me like silent witnesses to my loneliness. Every year, I pretend not to care. Every year, I tell myself birthdays don't matter.
Because the only person who made them feel special is gone.
Ammiâ¦
I shake my head, pushing the thoughts away as I continue walking. It feels like I'm being led somewhereâZaid was the one who made sure I came here. I'm sure they are going to wish me birthday now.
Then suddenly...
The garden lights flicker off.
Darkness swallows everything.
I freeze, my heart hammering. "Zaid?" My voice is uncertain. "Ayan? C'mon guys you know I'm afraid of dark c'mon sing happy birthday now"
Silence.
Then..
A soft glow spreads ahead of me, warm, golden.
I turn toward it, my breath catching.
A tent.
Not just any tent...a glowing sanctuary in the middle of the night. And inside, hundreds of polaroids dangle from delicate strings, their edges curling in the soft breeze. I step closer, my fingers trembling as I reach out to touch one.
It's me.
Laughing. Studying. Glaring at Ahad. Throwing a cushion at him. And him...smirking, staring, his eyes always on me.
It's all..... us.
Something thick lodges in my throat.
Then...
A scent.
A scent so familiar, so painfully nostalgic, it grips my lungs and steals the air from them.
My feet move on their own.
I follow the scent, my hands shaking now, my heart thundering.
I reach a small wooden table, draped in soft white linen, and there, sitting in the center...
Ammi's food.
The same recipes. The same aroma.
I lower myself onto the chair, my fingers trembling as I take a bite.
And the moment the taste touches my tongue...
I break.
A sob escapes before I can stop it, my vision blurring. The flavors, the warmthâit's her. She's here.
Then suddenly...
A voice.
A voice I haven't heard in years.
"Happy birthday to you..."
I whip around, my heart stopping.
A projector screen glows to life, flickering slightly before steadying. And then...
There she is.
My mother.
Laughing. Smiling. Cooking. Singing.
My hands fly to my mouth as the sobs come harder. I don't even try to stop them.
"Happy birthday, meri jaan," her voice rings through the night, and I feel it in my soul.
This is the best surprise I can ever get... How did they even carry it out? How did the get recipes? It's the first time I'm hearing ammi's voice since her d...death. it feels as if she's here to personally wish me like she used to celebrate despite Abbu's anger.
I can't breathe. I can't think.
But I can feel.
And I feel everything at once.
Then.. again
A warm hand lands on my shoulder.
I turn, my vision hazy with tears, and meet his eyes.
Ahad.
Standing there, watching me with something in his gaze that makes my chest tighten even more. Ofcourse who would go to such lengths for me if not him.
"Ahadâ¦" I whisper, not trusting my voice.
He kneels in front of me, his hands gently wiping away my tears. "Do you like it?" His voice is low, careful, as if he's afraid I'll break.
I shake my head, trying to find words, trying to breathe. "You⦠you did this?"
He smiles. "You don't like celebrating your birthday, Hoor. And I get it. But you deserve to be happy today. Even if it's just for a little while."
I blink rapidly, another wave of emotion crashing over me.
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Jab apki tareef likhne ko aye... Sirf Ankhon par hi zamane lag jaye. Apko Akela chordein hum usse pehle maut naseeb ho jaye" he chuckles, "yeah I know I'm cheesy but let me be Hoor"
He exhales, his eyes locking onto mine.
"You are the first thought in my head when I wake up and the last before I sleep," he confesses softly. "You make me laugh when I don't want to. You challenge me like no one else. You make me want to be better. I don't know when or how, but it's you, Hoorain. It's always been you."
My breath hitches.
"You think your birthday doesn't matter? Well, it does to me," he continues, his voice thick with emotion. "Because this is the day your mom- the great lady gave me you. And I..." He stops, swallowing hard. "..I'd fight the entire damn world for you, Hoorain Shah. But more than that, I just want to see you smile and I'm sure my mother in law would want that too she'll be scolding you from heaven."
I stare at him, my heart pounding so hard I think it might shatter.
And then, before I can think, before I can stop myself...
I throw my arms around him.
Ahad stiffens for half a second. Thenâhe melts.
His arms wrap around me, one hand sliding up my back, the other cradling the back of my head. He holds me like I'm something precious, like I'm something he never wants to let go of.
"Thank you," I whisper, my face buried in his shoulder. "Thank you, Ahad."
He exhales, tightening his hold. "Anything for you, Hoor."
His grip on me tightens, like he's trying to etch this moment into his soul. His heartbeat thrums against mine, strong and steady, as if reminding meâhe's here, he's real, and tonight, everything he did was for me.
I pull back slightly, my fingers clutching his shirt, and tilt my head up to meet his gaze. There's something raw in his eyes, something unguarded, and it steals the breath right out of my lungs.
"How did you do all of this?" My voice is barely above a whisper.
Ahad lets out a breath, his lips twitching up into that half-smirk that makes my heart stutter. "I have my ways, Hoor," he says, like it's the simplest thing in the world. Like turning my worst day into the most beautiful one was second nature to him.
My gaze drops to his hand, the one resting on my waist, and that's when I see it.
Red. Blistered. Slightly swollen.
Burns.
Panic surges through me, and I grab his wrist, lifting it between us. "Ahad!" My voice wavers. "What is this? What happened?"
He tries to pull away, but I hold on tighter.
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Nothing.."
"Ahad." My eyes burn with unshed tears. "Tell me."
He exhales, dropping his head for a second before looking back at me. "I cooked," he mutters, like he's admitting something illegal.
I blink. "You what?"
"I cooked," he repeats, now looking almost⦠shy. "Your mom's recipes. I wanted them to be exactly like hers, so I didn't let anyone else touch the food. And I..." He pauses, rolling his eyes at himself. "I might have burned my hand in the process."
My heart clenches so tightly it physically hurts. The lengths this man is willing to go for me.
"You..." My voice shakes as I trace a gentle finger over the burns. "You cooked everything yourself?"
He nods, watching me carefully. "I wanted you to feel her presence, Hoor. I wanted you to have a piece of her today." His voice turns softer, almost vulnerable. "Even if it meant setting my hand on fire in the process."
Tears spill before I can stop them.
"Idiot," I whisper, my voice breaking.
He chuckles, lifting his uninjured hand to wipe my tears away with his thumb. "I'll take that as a thank you."
"Hoor mujhe Dard nahi horaha"
"Lekin mujhe horaha hai Ahad"
I shake my head, overcome with so many emotions I don't know what to do with them. So I do the only thing that feels right..I press a kiss to his burned palm, as gently as possible, letting my lips linger there.
Ahad stills. Completely.
His breath audibly hitches, his hold on my waist tightening.
"Hoorâ¦" His voice is barely there, like I've stolen every ounce of air from his lungs.
I look up at him through my lashes. "It must have hurt," I whisper, my fingers wrapping around his wrist.
His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows hard. "Not more than seeing you sad does," he murmurs.
I stare at him, feeling like my heart might explode.
"You're really going to burn your hand for me," I say, shaking my head.
Ahad smirks, his fingers now brushing my hair behind my ear, his touch featherlight. "Ahad Sikandar will burn his entire world for you and you're stuck on a hand."
A shiver runs down my spine.
His hand moves, trailing down my arm before clasping my fingers between his own. He brings them to his lips, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to my knuckles. "If I had to burn my hands a thousand times to see you smile like this, I would."
I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself not to cry again.
"You don't have to," I whisper, stepping closer. "Just stay."
Ahad's gaze darkens, his eyes flickering to my lips before locking onto mine again. "I'm staying forever," he murmurs.
I don't know who moves first.
One second, there's space between us. The next, I'm in his arms again, my face buried in his chest, his lips pressing a whisper of a kiss against the top of my head.
His voice is warm, deep, wrapping around me like a promise.
"Happy birthday, meri jaan."
Laughter bubbles in my throat before I can stop it, warmth seeping into my chest like a slow-burning fire. I tighten my grip around Ahad, burying my face in his chest, letting myself feel this momentâthe steady rhythm of his heart, the scent of him, the way his arms hold me like I belong there.
And then...
A loud, dramatic voice shatters the silence.
"OH HELL NO...Ahad, you absolute traitor! I thought we had something special!"
I barely get a second to process before something crashes into my side, nearly knocking me off balance. Ahad grunts in irritation as I stumble slightly, only to be met with Ayan's dramatic gasp. His hands are clutching his chest like he's been personally wounded.
"You..." He points an accusing finger at Ahad. "You let this blue eyed girl steal you from me?! I always knew she was a villain, but this? This is betrayal of the highest order!"
Ahad sighs in frustration, already rolling up his sleeves. "Ayan, I swear to..."
"NO!" Ayan dramatically places a hand over his heart, taking a step back. "I need time to heal. This painâthis utter heartbreak.."
"Shut up, you idiot."
Finally my day is complete... My girls are here.
Ayra's sharp voice cuts through Ayan's theatrics like a knife, and I turn just in time to see her roll her eyes, crossing her arms. "If you're done embarrassing yourself, we do have a birthday to celebrate."
Before I can react, another excited squeal rings out.
"OUR PLAN WORKED!"
And then..Maha. Of course. My sunshineyyyy
The next thing I know, she's launching herself at me, nearly knocking me over for the second time. "Oh my God, Hoor, did you cry? Did our gunda make you sob?"
I laugh, "what?"
Maha wiggles her brows, leaning in conspiratorially. "Tell me he made you weak in the knees. Tell me you almost swooned."
Rayan smiles... SMILES, "so you do feel those things when I'm with you... Impressive"
She cackles ignoring Rayan. "Ladies and gentlemen, Ahad Sikandar has officially entered his simp era!"
Ahad chuckles beside me. "Ahad Sikandar was always in his simp era for Hoorain future Sikandar."
Ayan sighs dramatically. "He basically started the simp club."
And then..
"Alright, alright, enough of this nonsense."
Zaid, looking as unbothered as ever, steps forward, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips deepening his dimples. His sharp gaze flickers to Ahad before settling on me. "Happy birthday, birthday girl."
I smile, warmth blooming in my chest. "Thanks, Zaid."
His smirk softens, just a little. "Try not to let this guy ruin it," he says, nodding toward Ahad.
Ahad raises a brow. "I'll make sure you don't ruin anything with certain sassy girl."
Zaid smirks. "Ruin? You're so naive to think I'll ever ruin anything with her."
Before Ahad can retort, a soft voice speaks up.
"Happy birthday, Hoorain."
I turn, and there's Inayaâsweet, kind-hearted Inayaâoffering me the warmest smile. She holds a small box in her hands, wrapped in delicate ribbon. "I got you something."
My heart swells, and I step forward, squeezing her in a hug. "Omg nayu thankyou."
She hugs me back before suddenly..
"Hey, hey, back off, Hoor!"
Ayan swoops in, wrapping an arm around Inaya's shoulders, pulling her toward him. "This is my girl, and I do not share."
Inaya gasps, smacking his arm. "Ayan!"
He grins, unbothered. "What? Possessiveness is hot, no?"
Maha groans. "God, you two are insufferable."
Ayra mutters, "I second that."
Ayan winks. "You love me, grumpy."
Ayra glares. "I would rather swallow glass."
Zaid snorts. "I can arrange that."
"Told yahh he's the most whipped out of us" Ayan declares.
Before a full-blown argument can erupt, someone clears their throat loudly.
I turn...only to see a cake being held up, candles flickering against the night sky.
My breath catches.
The cake isn't extravagant. It's simple. But what gets to me is the delicate icing..handwritten in soft swirls:
Happy Birthday, Hoorain
And for the first time in years.?
It doesn't feel lonely. It doesn't feel empty.
It feels⦠full.
I glance around at the people in front of me...my friends, my family. And then, finally, my gaze settles on Ahad.
The boy who orchestrated all of this.
The boy who burned his hands for me.
The boy who brought my mother's presence back into my life.
And when he steps closer, his voice is softer now, just for me.
"Make a wish, Hoor."
I don't even have to think or wish..
Saari khwahishein to Tumne poori kardi hai Ahad ab aur Kya mangu?
I close my eyes, take a deep breath...
And wish for all of us to stick together. Forever.
The rough bark scrapes against my palms as I hoist myself higher, my fingers gripping onto the sturdy branch above me. The night air is crisp, the scent of damp earth and pine filling my lungs as I focus on my ascent. Almost there. The stars shimmer above like scattered diamonds on ink-black silk, and anticipation thrums in my chest.
Tonight is special.
Once every ten years, the universe gifts the sky-watchers a rare sight... constellations aligning, stars descending like liquid gold against the midnight sky. I just love stars.
Because unlike people, they never waver. Never leave. Never disappoint.
I reach for the next branch, my breath steady...
Until a sharp, twisting pain lances through my ankle.
"Damn it..."
A hiss escapes my lips, and before I can regain my balance, my foot betrays me entirely. The world tilts, my stomach lurches, gravity yanks me down.
Great. This is it. I'm going to crash onto the cold, unforgiving ground and...
Except I don't.
Instead of solid earth, I land against something warm. Something firm.
Or rather...someone. I guess I'm aware where.
A strong grip secures me before impact, the scent of cedarwood surroundings me. My breath is stolen as I'm cradled effortlessly, my heart hammering against my ribs.
I blink, dazed, and meet familiar dark eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses.
Zaid Mirza.
Former enemy. Reluctant academic rival. And now⦠someone who claims to love me.
He stares down at me with that same unreadable expression he always wears, but there's a flicker of something else tonight...something dangerously soft.
"Are you serious right now?" His voice is low, laced with exasperation, but I catch the concern beneath it. "Who in their right mind climbs a tree in the middle of the night with zero upper body strength?"
I scowl, ignoring the way his dimples make an unwelcome appearance. "Excuse you, I have plenty of upper body strength."
"Clearly." He adjusts his hold on me like I weigh nothing, his arms tightening ever so slightly. "That's why you almost broke yourself into fifty pieces."
I open my mouth to argue...because no way in hell am I letting Zaid Mirza get the last wordâwhen a sharp throb pulses through my ankle. I wince, cursing under my breath.
His brows furrow instantly. "Lagi hai?"
"Nahi nahi pedicure karwaya hai" I mutter, attempting to wriggle out of his hold, but he doesn't budge.
"Stop moving, woman," he snaps, his voice sharp but oddly gentle.
Before I can protest, he lowers me carefully onto a nearby bench, kneeling before me like this is something normal. Like this is something he does. His fingers trail lightly over my ankle, checking for swelling with the kind of care that makes my breath hitch.
"You're reckless," he mutters, shaking his head. "And stubborn. And you have zero regard for your own well-being."
I cross my arms, attempting to mask my racing pulse. "Thanks for the analysis, Doctor Mirza."
He exhales through his nose, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. "You are a menace to yourself, ira. A walking disaster. What were you even trying to do up there?"
I sigh, shifting slightly. "I wanted to watch the stars."
Zaid pauses, his fingers stilling against my ankle. His eyes soften, something unreadable flickering across his face. "Stars?"
I nod, biting the inside of my cheek. "It's a rare sight tonight. But I guess I won't be able to see it now, thanks to my amazing luck."
Silence stretches between us. For a moment, I expect him to mock me...to tease me for being dramatic. But he doesn't.
Instead, his lips curve into something dangerously soft.
"You really love the stars, huh?"
I look away, feeling oddly vulnerable. "They're⦠constant. They don't change. They don't leave."
Another pause. And then..
"Come on."
I blink. "What?"
Zaid stands, his hand extending toward me. His gaze holds something almost mischievous. "We're watching the stars."
I frown. "How, exactly? Chashme ka number bar gaya hai Kya Zaid? My ankle is not in the best shape."
His smirk deepens, dimples pressing into his cheeks. "You talk too much, grumpy."
Before I can respond, he bends down and...
Lifts me effortlessly into his arms.
A squeak...an actual squeak...escapes me as my arms instinctively loop around his neck. "ZAID!"
He chuckles, adjusting his grip. "Relax, grump. You're light as hell."
I glare up at him. "Put me down, you four eyed..."
"Shhh." He smirks. "Stars, remember?"
And just like that, I'm speechless.
Because for the first time in my life, someone isn't just telling me to be careful, or telling me to stop being who I am.
No.
Zaid Mirza is carrying me toward what I love.
What does he even see in me?
A grumpy, unbothered girl who's irritated by her own existence? Someone who's spent so long pushing people away that she never expected someone to push back, someone to never give up on her?
Zaid walks with the kind of effortless confidence that grates on my nerves, his arms securely wrapped around me as if carrying me is the most natural thing in the world. The night air is crisp, brushing against my skin, but his warmth is an anchor...steady, unwavering.
I scowl up at him, the weight of this moment pressing against my chest in a way I don't quite understand. "You know," I grumble, "this is technically considered kidnapping."
He huffs out a laugh, his dimples deepening. "Kidnapping?" His voice is laced with amusement. "Ira if I ever kidnapped you, you'd kill me not cling to me like a koala."
I immediately loosen my grip around his neck, heat creeping up my face. "I am not clinging!"
He raises a brow. "Oh?" He shifts me slightly, and I let out an embarrassing yelp, instinctively gripping onto his sweater again. His smirk is infuriatingly smug. "Hate to break it to you, but your arms say otherwise well that's how it should be Mrs Mirza."
I glare. "Drop me, and I will bite you."
"Oh I'd love that."
"ZAID!"
His laughter rings through the night, light and carefree, and I hate how much I don't hate it. Dimples!!!! Can I touch them?
He finally stops walking, setting me down gently onto a wide, smooth rock at the edge of the clearing. The view here is breathtaking..endless sky stretching above us, the stars gleaming brighter, closer. The constellations are shifting, aligning, and for a moment, I forget everything else.
Zaid settles beside me, his gaze flickering between the sky and me, his arms resting casually on his knees. The way he looks at me...it does something strange to my pulse. Like he's seeing something I don't.
I swallow, my voice quieter than before. "Zaid⦠how do you know?"
He tilts his head, intrigued. "Know what?"
I hesitate, then exhale. "That you're in love?"
The smirk on his face widens. "Oh? Are you asking for yourself?"
I roll my eyes. "I'm asking you, genius."
He hums, pretending to think. "Well," he drawls, "you know you're in love when the person you used to want to strangle becomes the person you want to strangle everyone else for."
I stare at him, unimpressed. "That was the worst answer I have ever heard."
"Oh, I'm sorry," he deadpans. "Did you want me to start reciting poetry? Should I quote Shakespeare? 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
I shove his shoulder, but my lips betray me, curving slightly. "Zaid, be serious."
He exhales, glancing up at the sky, then back at me.
"You know you're in love," he says, softer this time, "when suddenly, you don"t mind losing."
My breath catches. "Losing?"
He shrugs. "I've spent my whole life trying to be the best at everything. Winning every argument, every competition, every battle..." His gaze flickers to me. "...but with you?"
He leans in slightly, voice dipping. "I don't mind if you win."
Something warm pools in my chest, unfamiliar and terrifying. I open my mouth to respond, but he beats me to it, smirking again. "Well, except in academics. That's where I draw the line."
I huff out a laugh, shaking my head. "As if I'll let you."
Zaid grins, that stupidly attractive, deep-dimpled smirk that makes my fists itch. "Hmm let me see" he drawls, "didn't I score higher in the last test?"
I punch his shoulder, because what else am I supposed to do? He lets out a dramatic groan, clutching his arm. "Oof...grump alert! Someone call 911, I've been assaulted by a tiny, furious human.."
"Tiny?!" I punch him again, harder this time, and he's laughing, his glasses slipping slightly down his nose. Before I can react, he reaches out, plucking them off his face and...
Why does this idiot tease me so much?
Oh.
He slides them onto mine.
The world blurs instantly, the frames oversized for my face, and I blink up at him, a pout forming. "Zaid, I'm going blind."
He looks at my grey eyes with amusement. "You look adorable."
I shove the glasses up my nose, trying to glare at him properly. "You're laughing, aren't you?"
"Nooo," he says, biting his lip, failing miserably to hide his smirk.
I scowl, reaching up to pull them off, but he stops me, fingers curling around my wrist. "Keep them on."
My heart stutters. "Why?"
He leans in slightly, voice dropping. "Because I like seeing the world through your eyes for once."
My stomach flips. I open my mouth, ready to counter with something snarky after I remove the glasses regardless, but..
The first star streaks across the sky.
Then another. And another.
The constellation event begins, the stars falling like liquid silver, painting the night with a beauty so unreal, so ethereal, that my breath catches. The sky is alive...dancing, shifting, whispering secrets only the lucky ones get to witness.
It's mesmerizing.
But I don't look at it.
I look at him.
Zaid Mirza, bathed in starlight, his sharp jawline cutting against the glow, his dark eyes reflecting the constellations, the corners of his lips faintly lifted as he watches the sky.
And suddenly, memories flood me...
The first time I saw him, all arrogant smirks and sharp retorts.
The way we used to argue over everything.
The way he always had to have the last word.
The way I always had to have the last word.
The way he never gave up on irritating me, on getting under my skin.
The way he never let me disappear.
The way he carried me here tonight, without hesitation, without question.
I stare at him, heart hammering, and it hits me like a freight train.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit.
I'm doomed.
Because I...
I like him.
I like Zaid Mirza.
Maybe even...No. No, nope, we're not thinking that far ahead. I refuse.
The event ends, the last streak of light fading, and I don't even register it. My mind is still short-circuiting, still screaming at me for this ridiculous, unacceptable realization.
So, like any mature, rational adult, I...
I strangle him.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" I yell, tackling him with all my strength.
"IRA, WHAT THE HELL?!" Zaid yelps as he topples backward, crashing onto the grass with me on top of him.
We roll, limbs tangling, ME cursing and HIM laughing at the same time. He ends up beneath me, his hands gripping my wrists, my hair falling into his face.
We're both panting, breathless.
My heart is pounding.
He's staring up at me, his grey eyes unreadable, his lips slightly parted.
I freeze.
He doesn't say anything.
Neither do I.
Because suddenly, there's nothing left to say.
I stare down at him, my breath tangled with his, my heart hammering so loudly I'm afraid he might hear it. His eyes search mine, unreadable, unguarded.
And for the first time, I whisper the question that has been clawing at my mind since the moment I realized what this was...what we were.
"How did you even fall in love with me?" My voice is barely a breath between us. "We argue all the time. We fight, we yell, we drive each other insane. How⦠how do you see a future where we don't leave?"
Zaid blinks, his grip on my wrists tightening for a fraction of a second before he exhales a soft laugh. "Because I don't mind losing to you."
I frown, confused, and he smirks. "Any argument, any fight, any moment where you're mad at me..I'll just say sorry then." His voice drops lower, laced with something tender. "I'll lose every single battle, if it means keeping you."
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
Because what the hell am I supposed to say to that? He says he's ready to lose every battle... But he won and I lost! I've lost myself to him. Zaid Mirza successfully made me fall for him.
He shifts beneath me, and suddenly, his hand is curling around mine, pressing something cool and solid into my palm.
I look down.
An engagement ring.
My throat dries. "Zaid�"
Wth is he going to break the engagement!
His bitter smile makes something ache in my chest. "Ira," he murmurs, voice rough. "I've been living in a hope..a stupid, ridiculous hope..that one day you'll come to me and say that I'm yours."
My fingers curl around the ring instinctively, as if my body already knows what my mind refuses to accept.
His voice shakes, just a little, as he lifts his hand to cup my cheek, thumb grazing my skin like I'm something fragile. "Ira, main saari zindagi tumhare aage aankhein nahi uthaoonga." His eyes glisten with something raw, something that steals the air from my lungs. "Utha bhi nahi saktaâ¦" He swallows hard, his smile faint, pained. "Please, mujhse mohabbat kar lo. Apna lo mujhe."
I stare at him, my heart crumbling, my walls breaking.
Because this...this isn't some game. This isn't teasing, or banter, or one of our stupid, endless fights.
This is real.
This is him.
Completely, irrevocably, mine.
And God help me, I think I might just be his too.
"Am I really bad that you can't love me ira?" He looks down protecting the sight of his tears, "tell me sweetheart and I'll change myself entirely for you... Please don't ask me to leave me because I'll do that for you but then I'd leave myself with you"
How am I supposed to say no to this person?
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
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