𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞| how are you?

The driver's seat opens, and a man steps out, dressed in a sleek black suit with a crisp white dress shirt, casually unbuttoned at the collar. My gaze finally settles on his face and-boom.

He is...

I can feel the nervousness creeping into my lungs, my heart racing at the sight of him after so long.

So the guy I saw on the highway, the one who almost got me killed, was HIM!!

It was Aryan.

How come he changed so much.

I thought it was Adira who arrived, but it's him. I can't believe it-he's standing in front of me.

Staring so calmly into my eyes while every nerve in my body is ready to explode—"Eid Mubarak, fellas!" A familiar playful voice pulls my gaze from the man in front of me to Arhaan, grinning, dressed in a white kurta with a subtle pattern.

"Eid Mubarak." Despite the nervousness, I manage to greet Arhaan back. I don't know why I'm feeling this way. He's not part of my life anymore. I once tried to offer him the friendship I thought he deserved, but he proved me wrong.

"Where's Azhar bhai?" he asks,

"He's inside.."

He nods, and with a grin, he disappears inside. I turn back to him, and he hasn't moved an inch, standing still. His green eyes are so deep, so intense, it's hard to read him.

He has changed so much.

He finally looks away, and something I can't quite make out flickers in his eyes as he asks,

"How are you?" He asks, as soon as he turns back to me.

These are the last words I expected him to say.

"That's none of your concern." He doesn't even flinch or look startled at my harsh reply.

"Of course, you're not my concern," he shrugs, looking down before meeting my gaze again, "You're the headache I've had for the past seven years."

"Huh?" I snap before I can control myself. His lips twitch into what looks like a smile. He shakes his head, and the smile disappears.

"Nothing."

"Hey," my brother comes between us. "I was waiting for you." Azhar extends his hand to him, and he takes it with a firm shake before letting go.

Aryan glances toward the house and says, "Arhaan was looking for you. He’s probably inside now."

My brother follows his gaze, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"I was in the garden," he says slowly, as if piecing it together. "I guess we should go in too.

Azhar cast one last glance at my direction before gestures for Aryan to follow, stepping ahead as I trail behind them. The tightness in my chest lingers, unrelenting.

Azhar leads him to where Nazeera Aunty, her husband, and other guests are sitting.

Aryan greets my mother and the guests. My mother pats his head, and he gives a small smile before sitting beside my brother. He's not the same Aryan I used to know.

'He's just more handsome now,' my subconscious whispers, and I internally slap myself for even thinking that.

"Daughter, come sit with us," Nazeera Aunty's voice pulls me back to reality. I nod and sit in the chair she pats across from Aryan.

"So, Aryan, You do remember her, right?" she asks him playfully. He finally lifts his eyes to look at her before his gaze finds mine making my heart skip a beat.

He holds my gaze for a moment before I look away, down at the ground. I can hardly look him in the eyes.

What the hell is wrong with me.

"Of course, how could I forget her?" His voice halts my thoughts, and I look back up at him.

I blink, trying to process his words, before he speaks again.

"In fact, we just met yesterday," he adds.

Oh, no!

He tell the whole story of me almost dying while trying to save a cat, and now everyone is staring at me. I suddenly wish I could bury myself in the sofa. I turn to my brother, who's obviously waiting for an explanation.

"I'm sorry, I just...I got overwhelmed and didn't know what to do anymore." Embarrassment coats my words, and I feel like I can't even lift my gaze anymore.

All because of this pathetic jerk who's back to ruin my life. "No, daughter, you didn't do anything wrong," Nazeera Aunty soothes, patting my back.

"He's just teasing you, you didn't do anything wrong," Javed Uncle adds. "Yes, it was an act of kindness, but yeah, you could've been more careful." He says, "If something happens again, try stopping the car with a hand gesture, okay?"

I nod, finally lifting my gaze to the jerk sitting across from me. His expression remains stoic and utterly punchable.

In the evening,

All the guests have left, and now it's just my family and Javed Uncle's family. Adira has also arrived, and we are putting flowers on the table.

We've set up a cute, aesthetic dining set, making the atmosphere look calm and inviting.

"You came late," I say to her. "You were supposed to be here before afternoon!" She stops what she's doing and looks at me with an apologetic expression.

"Sorry, there were so many guests at my house, I didn't get the time," she explains. "But now I'm here," she adds with a smile. "We can still have fun."

I scoff, "What fun, bro? That jerk is back."

She laughs, "We need more cushions," she says, scanning the entire table and noticing the need for more. "Yeah, go grab them while I finish arranging the table."

I nod and head inside. I can hear faint laughter coming from the living room, but I ignore it, not wanting to join any gathering.

I pick up 5-6 cushions from the store room, carefully making my way back to the garden, avoiding attention.

As I burst into the garden where we've set the table, I catch a glimpse of Aryan talking to someone, one hand holding his phone to his ear, the other in his pocket.

I want to talk to him, but something inside me won't let go of the hurt and anger I feel towards him.

"Bhaw," someone whispers in my ear, and I startle, dropping the cushions to the ground.

"AHH, MOM!" I turn around, only to see Arhaan laughing at my reaction.

He scared the life out of me. Both brothers are jerk.

"You bastard!" I snap, but he only laughs harder.

"Stop laughing!" My voice is harsher than I intended. He stops, raising his hands.

"Yoo, chill, I was just messing around."

I take a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm not mad at you. I'm furious at that asshole of a brother of yours. He just jumps back into my life out of nowhere and swears to ruin it again."

"You know, he's an asshole, a bastard, a jerk, and an absolute liar—."

"You done cursing me, Miss.Malik?" A familiar voice cuts through my rant, sending shivers down my spine. I turn to see Aryan standing there, both hands tucked into his pocket.

In my anger, I'd almost forgotten he was nearby.

"Not even close, Mr. Khan," I say coldly, despite being embarrassed that he had just caught me swearing about him.

A smirk touches his lips. Ignoring him, I turn to Arhaan, who watches us like he's waiting for a twist.

"Why don't you be a gentleman and take these cushions?"

He grins. "Oh yeah, of course. Why not?" He bends down to pick up the pillows and, without waiting for instructions, walks away, leaving me alone with the last person I want to be near.

I turn back to the jerk, and he hasn't moved an inch, his forest green eyes never leaving mine.

He holds my gaze for a moment before his phone buzzes in his pocket. He steps back and, before I can react, disappears inside.

Why do he act like a ghost? Like, bro, what the hell is wrong with you?

"Zaira?" Adira's voice captures my attention. I turn around to face her.

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing?" she asks, her eyebrows raised, expecting an answer.

I shake my head nonchalantly. "Nothing. Is everything ready? I'm starving, yaar"

(Dude)

She chuckles. "Yeah, everything's ready. You just need to go call everyone."

I nod and quickly head inside. Before stepping into the living room, I take a deep breath. I hate how nervous I get just thinking about entering a room full of people.

I just have to call them for dinner. That's it. I can do this!

I push the door open, and everyone's eyes fall on me. My gaze immediately locks onto the person sitting beside Rahil Uncle.

Zaid

He's wearing a white kurta with a matching shalwar and a silver watch on his wrist.

I could watch him for hours and never get tired.

(Author—i hate how cringe this line sounds lol)

I quickly tear my gaze away and look at Rahil Uncle, who smiles at me.

"As-salamu alaykum, Uncle," I greet him, bowing slightly so he can pat my head.

"Wa alaykumu as-salam, daughter," he replies warmly. I smile and turn to Zaid's mom, who watches me with a smile of her own. I greet her as well.

"I came to tell you guys that dinner is ready."

Later, we have dinner, with the elders talking about their usual topics and enjoying tea. This time, I actually enjoy it. Maybe because everyone here is close, and their presence doesn't make me nervous.

And Adira is by my side, whispering funny things and teasing me every time I serve Zaid anything.

Oh, Zaid... I can barely focus on my dinner because my mind is entirely on him.

I wonder, does he feel the same way? This overwhelming feeling?

Maybe he does.

Or maybe not.

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