"C'mon how would the world react if they knew Ayan Ansari the, to-be best criminal lawyer is getting ragged by his own cousins" I protest against these inconsiderate souls perching on our signature bench.
"How nice Ayan but for your information the world doesn't give a damn about who Ayan is" Zaid chimes in with his quirky remarks "And I highly doubt that you'll become a great criminal lawyer with your chaotic personality"
He is the one targeting his ire on me for taking Ayra's side and recording the insulting expressions of his face. It isn't my fault if his rival was more savage than him.
"Don't you dare insult me for the enjoyment of your embarrassment" I place my hand on my heart frantically pretending to get hurt "Rayan you should've seen how beautiful he looked with that strawberry pastry on his face right Ahad?"
We all snap our heads towards Ahad who is awkwardly different after our stunt in the cafeteria "Ahad?" Rayan tries to snap his fingers to bring his attention to the present time.
But he continues laying on the bench with his arm tucked under his head, staring at the blank sky "kahi mar to nahi gaya mein Ammi ko Kya jawab doonga?" I shake his arms
(Did he die? What will I tell Mom?)
"For God sake Ayan Ansari abhi na hi mare to theek hai, uncle is out of town, biryani bhi nahi banegi" I almost gasp for air as my ears are blessed with a joke coming from Rayan Khan.
(For God's sake, Ayan Ansari, it's better if he doesn't die now. Uncle is out of town, and there won't even be any biryani.)
He's the most stoic, reserved person in our family but in our presence he breaks his shell of insincerity and becomes his true self, that too happens occasionally
"Nothing has happened with him. He's busy thinking about some tech related issues. Blue eyes, ash brown hair, soft bangs and round face I presume Ahad"
Zaid smirks upon getting a reaction out of Ahad. He retrieves his sitting position and with frowned eyebrows he concerns Zaid "Shut up with your baseless theories"
"Wait wait wait are we missing something?" I interrogate these traitors as there is something known as friendship rules and one of them is to never hide anything from your best friends.
"Ayan, why do you think Ahad stayed quiet after a certain someone literally burned his chest?"
Suddenly the whole point of view clicks in my mind and all of Zaid's allegations starts making sense
"Strange, according to the description that someone appears to be an innocent individual, I thought you were interested in sharp girls Ahad" Rayan narrates his question with such gravity that makes me and Zaid laugh.
Ahad rubs the back of his neck, regarding us as we're all dumb, however no matter how much he endeavours to conceal, but it's very much evident in his eyes that the girl with blue eyes has softened this bad boy's heart.
"I'm not interested in her! Stop making useless assumptions" he whisper- screams leaning back against the bench
Zaid's mouth tugs up in a wide grin, this man loves to be perfect and right all the time "he never said you were interested in that girl, he just simply told what you were actually interested in Ahad"
I glance at my watch realizing that I'm running late for my class "as much as I hate to miss this wonderful conversation of ours, I must leave"
as I grab my bag I hear Zaid patting Ahad's shoulder and setting his glasses with free hand
"Hoorain Shah is her name and she studies in the English literature department, aspiring to be an author. Don't say I didn't tell you"
I hear low steps after me which means Zaid has left too, thankfully I didn't miss much details on Ahad's love life or else I would've been doomed.
Zaid appears to be an admirable, smart someone with specs but underneath his calm facade hides a cunning man. How else can he dig up information of every student in Aurelian within minutes! I recall randomly asking him about the girl that was ogling over me and he told me her background without a second of thought.
While I head to my class, a cluster of girls wave at me which I return with a dashing smile of mine. If there's one thing that females of Aurelian can't resist is the charm of Ayan Ansari.
I've been pursued by almost half of the university and what can I say itna handsome hu khudki hi Nazar na lagjaye.
(I'm so handsome that I might catch my own eye)
"Hey handsome" Aarab joins my walk with a wide smile and embraces me in a side hug. We're seeing each other after a long vacation since I went to my family's reunion.
"There's my mate" I shrug at him as he observes me from head to toe and trails his eyes then to the bunch of girls eyeing me "still the heartthrob I see. Man how do you manage to charm the girls effortlessly?"
I chuckle at his antics and scratch the back of my neck "you know being good looking always works magic and to enchant any girl, my wink and smile are enough"
Just Ayan spitting facts, how thankful I am of my mother and father for passing me the best of their genes.
à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹
Letting out a sigh I enter the lavish library. It eludes me that when was the last time I stepped into this library?
The sight before me reminds of the horrific places in horror movies.
A vast, dark area flanked by tall book cabinets. Each student occupies a table space, their nose burried in thick books that makes me sick to even contemplate to read them.
How can they stick into such quite place for hours! I believe I'm not getting anything out of this library.
Let down and aggravated, I mulled over the idea of exiting this place but as my body shifts a tat bit diagonal, a soft lady clashes into my chest.
The pile of books falls from her hands and she immediately leans to pick them up. Understanding that I should assist her, I crouch down beside her.
"I'm really sorry..I wasn't focused on my way" I lowly mutter under my breath, passing her the book.
As she accepts the book from me our fingers slightly brushes making her to stare directly into my eyes.
Our eyes lock as I take in her features through my gaze. Almond-shaped eyes, glowing with a lovely hazel hue reminiscent of autumn leaves under the afternoon sun, dark hair partially held by a clip, cascading gracefully down, round face, and pink lips.
She's stunning-so much so that my eyes had never noticed before. I can't believe she's in this university.
"No it's not entirely your fault, I should've focused as well" she utters with her velvety voice, retrieving her position.
She seems to be an introverted girl caged in the realm of fantasy. Judging by the way she isn't lost in my features but brushing off the dust from her books; she isn't interested in me. But what's wrong with playing along
"Nah, pretty girls look good focusing on books, the gentleman needs to step out to clear their path" probably the cheesiest line I've ever said but the vexed look on her face awkwardly excites me.
"Excuse me?" Her brows joins in a furrow
"I'm sorry" I say unfazed "but your hazel shade is responsible for me blabbering anything appearing in my heart"
She rolls her eyes and adds a scowl to her face "do you literally flirt with any girl"
I smirk bottling up laughter in my throat "nope, only the enthralling hazel eyed girls who are lost in their books and bumps into me"
Flirting itself must be proud of me! I'm too good!
"See I'm not the type of girl who will fall for you or any of your flirting-" before she can finish her sentence I cut her off
"I'm aware" I say leaning against the book shelf "you're the type of girl who will make me fall for you"
Touchè Ayan!
I estimated her to at least smirk after hearing the most romantic line ever, a reader should be impressed by them but all I get is a deep scowl and annoyance from those hazel eyes
"So tell me is there any book called how to charm a hazel eyed girl"
Abruptly she steps ahead but turns back and says "yeah it's called mind your own business"
Damn! It means the innocent looking girl does have some steel, impressive
With all this session the main purpose of my presence here totally slips my mind. Clutching my bag tightly on my shoulder I rush after the same girl
"Hey" I yell out, placing my hands on my knees while panting
"Why don't you leave me alone" she squints her eyes and makes a fist of her hand, clearly I've made her furious
"Cute but does this hazel have a name?"
"I am Inaya Hassan"
Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.
I throw myself onto the bed, feeling the soft mattress bounce beneath me. The hostel room is our haven, a space where we shed the burdens of the day. Hoorain, Maha, and Ayra are already sprawled out in various states of exhaustion. The fluorescent light flickers slightly, casting a warm glow over the room, highlighting the tired smiles and playful banter that fills the air.
Ayra, ever the diligent one, is at her study table, furiously scribbling notes. Her brows are furrowed in concentration, but there's an unmistakable fire in her eyes.
"So, who had the worst day?" Maha asks, her voice muffled as she buries her face into a pillow.
"I nominate Ayra," Hoorain says with a giggle, glancing at Ayra, who doesn't even look up from her books.
Ayra finally lifts her head, a scowl forming on her face. "I wish I could add poison in his coffee" she spits out, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Oh, here we go," I say, settling in for one of Ayra's epic rants. "Didn't you return the favor with that strawberry pastry"
"He was the one to throw a sassy remark on me first, I simply returned the favor" Ayra's fists clench around her pen. Sometimes I wonder if she gets the chance she'll surely kill Zaid, the hatred between both of them is no joke especially when the seed was buried a long time ago.
We all burst into laughter. "I was looking at her with wide eyes but thankfully her stunt protected me from that gunda" Hoorain asks, eyes wide with relief.
"But honestly I would've kissed you had you burned Zaid instead of Ahad" Ayra replies, a satisfied grin spreading across her face.
The room erupts in laughter again. "Hoor got me at gunda" Maha says, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.
Hoorain shakes her head, still giggling. "The murmurs around made me think that I was going to die right there"
We all must be thinking the same thing, that incident with Ahad must have triggered her PTSD. So we always try to keep her out of that topic
Maha gasps dramatically. "The way Ahad's face changed the color and he groaned in pain was hilarious I thought everyone in the cafeteria was going to indulge In a pastry fight, I even bought some" only Maha can laugh in such situations and think to have fun at every stage.
"He's probably more afraid of you than you are of him," I tease, nudging Hoorain with my elbow.
Hoorain laughs, relieved. "Whatever I just never want to bump into him again"
I take a deep breath, ready to share my own ordeal. "Well, you won't believe who decided to flirt with me today-Ayan." Even the memory creeps me out
"Ayan Chichora?" Maha asks, her eyebrows shooting up. "What did he say?"
"I was in the library minding my own business and he just popped out of nowhere and started praising my Hazel eyes" I mimic his cheesy tone, rolling my eyes.
Everyone bursts into laughter again. "He's such a creep, stay away from that Zaid and his gang" Ayra mutters, shaking her head as she goes back to her books.
"Yeah, honestly" I say, grinning.
Maha props herself up on one elbow. "Well, my day wasn't that great either. But maybe I'm just too stubborn to focus on any negativity."
"That's the spirit," Hoorain says, throwing a pillow at Maha.
We all collapse into giggles again, the room fills with the warmth of our camaraderie. Despite the bad days, the frustrations, and the encounters with annoying boys, we find solace and strength in each other. In this little hostel room, we're more than friends-we're family.
Ayra's determined scratching of her pen against the paper continues, a steady rhythm that grounds us. "Alright, ladies, let's make a pact," she says without looking up. "No matter how bad the day gets, we always have each other's backs."
"Deal," we all say in unison, feeling a renewed sense of unity and determination.
Lying in our hostel room, the anticipation for the orientation function hangs in the air like a restless energy. Tonight, as seniors ourselves, the thought of mingling with the newer students adds an extra layer of intrigue to the mix.
"What about the orientation function probably the welcoming of freshman tonight? Are we going? Rumour has it that this time it's going to be on a big scale" I affirm
"I'm probably just going to sleep," Hoorain declares, already pulling a blanket over herself.
"I'll be studying," Ayra chimes in, her eyes still glued to her textbooks.
"But guys, this is our chance to make some memories!" Maha interjects feeling a sudden surge of enthusiasm. "We should embrace our last year and go out with a bang!"
I support Maha "I agree, it's our last year together" I may be introverted for the world but with them I'm my real self.
Hoorain looks torn, but eventually relents. "Fine, but only because you two are so persistent."
"Yes! That's the spirit!" Maha cheers, grabbing Ayra's arm and pulling her away from her books. "You can study later. Tonight, we're making memories!"
With a reluctant smile, Ayra gives in. "Alright, alright. But only for a little while."
Maha pumps her fists in the air triumphantly. "Yes! Now that's what I'm talking about! Let's show those freshmen how it's done!"
Hoorain laughs, shaking her head. "I hope you know what you're getting us into, Maha."
"Of course I do!" Maha replies, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Now, let's get ready to dazzle!"
Ayra chuckles, finally closing her textbooks. "Alright, alright. But if this turns into a disaster, I'm blaming you, Maha."
Maha gasps dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Me? A disaster? Never!"
We all burst into laughter, the tension from before melting away as we prepare for the evening ahead. Despite our initial reluctance, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling inside me. With Maha's infectious energy leading the charge, I know tonight is going to be unforgettable, for better or for worse.
â¯â¯â¯â¯
Hey guys I hope y'all are doing fine and well. Please don't leave before voting as it's just a tap guys ð¤§
I really enjoy reading comments so please do comment your views on this chapter
I promise this journey will be worth remembering.