"Is it hurting here?"
"Ah, don't touch it," Arhaan groans, and Nazeera immediately pulls back her hand.
Her eyes are full of concern. Arhaan was lying on the bed, and beside him, his aunt was sitting.
"I've told this boy hundreds of times to be careful but no, tumne sar par chadha rakha hai isko." Javed, their uncle, grumbled with annoyance.
(I've told this boy hundreds of times to be careful but no, you've spoiled him.)
While Aryan stood there with no expression on his face, beside him was his best friend, Aiden, watching the scene with an amused smile.
"He's hurt, and what do you want me to do? Bacha hai abhi vo, ye sab toh hota rehta hai. I'm grateful to Allah that he made it out without a serious injury."
(He's still a kid, these things happen. I'm just thankful to Allah he didn't get badly hurt.)
Javed huff, , his annoyance not fading one bit. He turned around and walked out of the room quietly.
"He's fine, aunty, don't worry. Hum sambhal lenge isko, aap rest karein, thak gayi hongi." Aiden said, moving closer to the bed.
(We'll take care of him. You should rest, aunty. You must be tired.)
"Arey, trust me, itna kuch nahi hua isko." He added, seeing the concern in her eyes.
(Trust me, nothing serious happened to him)
Nazeera cast one look at Arhaan before getting up. "Main soup bhijwa rahi hoon tumhare liye, theek hai?"
(I'll send some soup, okay?)
Arhaan nodded.
With that, Nazeera too left the room, leaving the three boys alone.
Aiden turned to Arhaan, clasping him on the shoulder, making him whine in pain.
"It's hurting, man."
Aiden ignored his comment and glanced up at Aryan, a grin forming on his lips.
Arhaan followed his gaze.
"Inhe kya hua?"
(What happened to him?)
Aiden looked at him, amused and surprised.
"Pata nahi tujhe?"
(You don't know?)
Arhaan shook his head, confused-making Aiden laugh as he said.
"Kat gaya."
"Hein?"
Aiden let out a sigh, placing a hand dramatically over his heart.
"Dil toot gaya bhai ka, zakhm gehra hai. Emotional injury."
Arhaan blinked, then looked at his brother trying to appear busy on his phone.
"Oh... well..." Arhaan tried to suppress a smile.
"Meri wajah se hua kya?" he asked, shaking his head in amusement.
(Is it because of me?)
Just then, the maid entered with a tray. Aiden quickly shifted his foot, so it wasn't facing her direction.
She came and placed the tray down on the bedside table. Looking up, she asked,
"Is there anything else I should bring for you?"
Arhaan shook his head. "No, no, thank you. Just close the door behind, please."
As the maid made her way out of the room, Arhaan turned to look at his brother.
But Aryan was already on his heels, walking out of the room silently.
Both Arhaan and Aiden looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
"Arey, batao toh sahi, hua kya hai? Kis baat par ladai hue inki?"
(At least tell me what happened! What did they even fight about?)
"Jaa kar poochta hoon."
----------------
"Oh, so that's what happened?" Aryan nods, leaning back in his chair.
They were in the lawn, sitting on chairs, and Aryan had just explained the whole reason behind the argument he had with Zaira.
"Yeah," Aryan says, letting out a sigh, rubbing one hand over the knuckles of the other. There were a lot of emotions in his eyes right now.
Hurt. Guilt. Anger. Helplessness.
"I'm going crazy. I don't know what to do and what not to. I've heard love is the most beautiful thing in the world-this and that," he spoke, his voice full of frustration.
"Then what is this that I'm feeling? Why do I feel so freaking stupid in front of her? She said it to my face-she hates me. And though it hurts like hell, I still can't help but want her. If it was anyone else, I wouldn't have thought twice and wouldn't have given a damn. But with her...i can't seem not to care."
He looked away, raking a hand through his messy hair. His inner conflict was catching up to him. He looked at Aiden again, who was silently listening-something he rarely did.
"I love her. I really do, man. Just when I accepted the fact that I'm in love, only to find out she already has someone in her life-wouldn't it hurt? It did. A lot." Aryan exhaled softly, looking down at his hands before speaking again.
"Fine. I accept-I was being a jerk yesterday. I understand where she's coming from. But i didn't do it intentionally," he paused, trying to make sense of his thoughts.
"Look, I don't know how I'm supposed to deal with my emotions. I don't know anything when it's about what I feel for her. Aiden, do you know even the idea of her liking someone else hurts like someone physically stabbed me? I don't like it. I don't want her to like anyone else. I want her to like me."
"I love her. I want her. And I'm tired of denying it."
"That was just my reaction to that phone call. That's not how I want to act towards her."
Aiden nodded, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms.
"That's good. But why are you telling me all this, by the way?" he muttered, watching Aryan like he hadn't just poured his heart out.
"See! That's the reason why i don't talk to you!" Aryan snapped, frustration and embarrassment flaring.
"Oh, forgive me, sir. I just came here to hear the tea, not your love confession. And bro, to be honest, it's your fault. You're the one who fell in love-not her. How would she know the change in your behavior is because you got jealous?"
"Her reaction isn't pointless. That 'I hate you' line sounds a little dramatic, but again, it's women. They just get like that. Even when my parents fought, na? They'd say half the things to each other they didn't even mean. So chill. Tu kab se itna sochne lag gaya?"
"I don't know. It's just so messed up," Aryan murmured, face-palming. His mind drifted to her tear-streaked face-the hurt in her eyes when she spoke to him.
Just thinking about that expression suddenly softened his inner need to prove himself right.
Then he recalled Aiden's words, "How would she know the change in your behavior is because you got jealous?"
He suddenly spoke up.
"You're right. It's not her fault. It's me. I fell in love, not her." His voice grew quieter. "I hope I didn't mess it up too much this time. She cried, man. I don't like that."
Aiden, sensing the shift in his tone, leaned forward and placed a hand on Aryan's shoulder.
"Give her some time to calm down. She'll forgive you. She just had an almost dying incident-she won't understand right now. Give her time."
Aryan nodded,"Pata nahi kaise saat saal usse bina baat ke raha main jab bhi vo upset thi. Abhi ek din bhi nahi hua, and I'm this restless."
(I don't know how I stayed without talking to her for seven years whenever she was upset. It hasn't even been a day now, and I'm already this restless)
Rubbing his temple, his expression turned thoughtful.
"Mana loonga main usko. Ab naraz nahi rehne doonga."
(I'll make it up to her. I won't let her stay upset)
Aiden smiled, his expression softening. It was rare-seeing his best friend this soft toward someone.
"Good. Now at least your matter is solved." Aiden pulled out his mobile, only half paying attention now.
A phone buzzed in Aryan's pocket, catching his attention. He pulled out his mobile-no calls. But then he felt another phone.
Realization hit.
It was Zaira's.
He'd forgotten to give it back to her earlier.
He pulled it out. The screen lit up with a name-the same name that had him going crazy.
"My Man."
He felt a flicker of annoyance rise in his chest again, but tried to brush it off.
[Author-I hate how cringe this freaking name sounds, AHH, idk what came over my mind choosing this! Sorry y'all!!!]
Aiden noticed Aryan's expression change and raised an eyebrow.
"Who is it?"
"No one," Aryan said, silencing the call. As he was about to put it back in his pocket, it buzzed again.
He couldn't help but narrow his eyes at the screen, trying not to give it much attention-but then, a flood of messages popped up.
"Why aren't you picking my phone?!!!"
"Are you okay??!!"
"I just found out now!"
"Why the hell are you not answering??"
Aryan's eyes narrowed even more.
He slipped the phone into his pocket again.
Aiden noticed the shift in his expression.
"Kya hua?"
(What happened?)
"Kuch nahi."
(Nothing)
The phone rang again. With a loud sigh, Aryan pulled it out. Aiden leaned forward, trying to read the name.
He froze.
"Don't tell me that's her mobile!" he exclaimed.
"It is," Aryan said dryly. Before he could decline the call, the person on the other side hung up.
Aryan sighed in relief and placed the mobile on the table between them.
But as soon as he did, it started ringing again.
Aiden let out a chuckle.
"Utha lo."
(Pick it up)
"Kisko? The mobile or the person?"
Aryan muttered.
Aiden's smirk widened, enjoying his jealously.
"Who do you prefer?"
"I'd love to deal with the person instead." He reached for the phone, but Aiden grabbed it first.
"No-don't even think about it." Aryan warned, seeing the mischief in his best friend's eyes.
Aiden grinned.
"Why? C'mon, let's have fun."
"It's not funny."
"Oh what? I thought you hated this guy."
"Trust me, I do. But it's still someone in her life. Stop it. It's not funny."
"Aryan, c'mon man," Aiden said, pointing at the 'answer' button.
"Don't you dare-"
Too late.
Aiden swiped it.
They heard a woman's voice on the other end, yelling:
"WHAT THE HELL, ZAIRA???"
"Do you have any idea how worried I am?!"
"Why weren't you picking up?"
Both boys looked at each other-shock painted across their faces.
"Hello? Zaira? You there?"
The first to speak was Aiden.
"Uh... hi?"
"Who is it?" the voice snapped.
"I should be the one asking, who are you? Whose number is this? Yours?"
"Huh? Excuse me?! I called-so of course it's my number! I called my bestie, and instead of her, I'm hearing your voice! Who the hell are you, and where is she?"
Before Aiden could respond, Aryan quickly took the phone from him, knowing nothing Aiden said next would help.
"Hey, it's me-Aryan. Zaira's okay. She must've reached home by now."
"Aryan? So you know about it too? Is she really okay?"
"Yeah. She's fine. Her phone accidentally came with me. I'll send it back to her."
"Really??"
"Yeah."
"God. Kya karti rehti hai ye!"
"Theek hai Aryan, thank you."
The call ended.
Everything made sense now.
The jealousy that had clouded his heart... melted.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"It wasn't a man," Aiden said playfully, watching him closely.
Aryan nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to seem casual. But the soft smile and brightness in his eyes betrayed him.
He felt like a kid again-stupid, immature, and gullible.
But right now, he didn't mind it one bit.
He was just a man in love.
A love that confuses him... makes him feel stupid... yet alive at the same time.
Aiden scoffed, shaking his head.
"You've had your share of drama, man."
Aryan looks up at him, "If you were in love, you'd be worse."
"Tu toh aise bol raha jaise main pyar mein hurt hua hi nahi." Aiden stretched his legs out. "News flash! main bhi heartbreak se guzra hoon."
(You're talking like I've never been hurt in love.News flash-I've been through heartbreak too)
Aryan looked unimpressed."Bhai bola tha usne tujhe."
(Yeah, She called you brother.)
Aiden clutched his chest dramatically. "tu har baar yaad dilata hai. Dukhti nass ko aur dhuka deta hai."
(you remind me of this every single time. keep stabbing my most painful wound.)
Aryan shook his head, barely hiding a smile.
"But seriously," Aiden added, tone turning normal again, "you act like she's the only girl in the world."
Aryan didn't say anything. Just leaned his head back, staring up at the sky.
"Wahi toh," he murmured. "For me, she is."
Aiden blinked, caught off guard for a second. "Ah, getting all filmy, now, are we?"
Aryan gave him a side-eye.
"Shut up."
"Waise tu kuch zada hi soch raha tha, 'i hate you' hi toh bola tha, yaar. Itna kuch toh hua bhi nhi."
(You were overthinking, yaar. All she said was 'I hate you'. It's not like something huge happened.)
Aryan scoffed, "Aur tu jo sirf 'seen' pe ro deta hai? Bata?"
(Oh really? And what about ypu crying over being left on 'seen'? Should I remind you?)
"Seen ka toh dard hi alag hota hai," Aiden says, shaking his head.
(Being left on seen hits different, bro)
Aryan shook his head, hiding his laugh.
Then he went quiet.
Not the heavy, sad quiet-just the kind where something settles in your mind without you saying anything out loud.
Aiden kept talking nonsense, then paused and frowned.
Then Aiden frowned a little.
"By the way... wasn't your business trip today?"
Aryan exhaled and looked away. "Haan, but, Arhaan ka call aaya tha... bataaya ke she was hurt."
(Yeah, but, Arhaan called. Said she was hurt.)
Pauses.
"Dar gaya tha main." Aryan added simply, "Didn't feel like going after that."
(I got scared)
That was it.
Nothing more. No drama. No big declaration.
Just that.
Aiden didn't tease him this time. Didn't joke.
He just sat back, letting it settle.
Aryan's expression didn't change much. But something inside him had.
And he knew it
________________----------------
"Just tell me once, when are you going to stop being this reckless?"
Azhar asks, his voice strict, though his eyes are full of concern as he looks at his little sister's condition.
He had been scolding her ever since he got home, while Zaira sat silently, her head lowered. She didn't defend herself-because she knew it was her fault.
Their mother was there too, gently running her fingers through Zaira's hair. She had already scolded her earlier. Now, like a typical mom, she just felt guilty about it.
"Do you even realize how bad this could've been?!"
Zaira kept tracing her finger over the bedsheet and muttered,
"I'm sorry."
Azhar let out a heavy sigh, his expression softening.
"It's your life, not a joke. I got scared as hell when mom called me about this. Don't ever pull something like that again, understand?"
She nodded, still not lifting her gaze. Azhar looked at their mother once, then walked out of the room.
Their mom turned to her, brushing her hair again.
"Zaira."
"Yeah?" she answered softly, finally looking up at her. Her eyes were tired, sad.
"Don't mind him. He's just worried about you."
"I know."
"Then why the sad face?"
She shook her head, brushing it off.
"I'm just tired. I want to sleep."
Her mother nodded, understanding that her daughter needed some space. She patted Zaira's head one last time.
"Let me know if you need anything, theek hai?"
With that, her mother quietly left the room, closing the door behind her-leaving Zaira alone with her thoughts.
As soon as the door clicked shut, she let out a tired sigh.
She covered her face with her palms, letting her emotions run free. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
She didn't even know what exactly she was crying about. The scolding? The throbbing pain in her forehead? Or maybe that argument with Aryan?
Maybe it was everything.
[Author - yo, don't judge her! She's not a crybaby or anything, okay? Everyone has ups and downs... bas abhi ye sirf downs se hi guzar ti rehti hai hai, vo alag baat hai.]
----------------
Just a few minutes later, a car pulled up outside Zaira's house.
Adira stepped out, her face slightly pale-she wasn't feeling great herself, having caught a cold.
She walked over to the main gate. The watchman, recognizing her instantly, opened it without question.
She didn't waste time, practically rushing inside to see her best friend.
At the entrance stood Azhar, eyes fixed on his phone screen as he scrolled through his contact list, searching for a number.
At the same time, Adira, too lost in her own thoughts and distracted while trying to zip up her bag-hurried towards the entrance, not even glancing up.
Azhar had just found the name he was looking for. His thumb hovered over the call button when,
BAM
Adira collided straight into his chest, knocking the phone out of his hand.
"Ouch!" She stumbled back, wide-eyed, before her expression shifted to irritation as she realized who it was.
"Dekh ke nahi chal sakte?"
(Can't you watch where you're going?)
Azhar raised an eyebrow. "I was standing here." His tone was dry, unimpressed.
He looked anything but surprised, as his gaze shifted to glanced down at the phone now lying on the ground.
Adira followed his gaze, blinking.
Oh. His phone fell.
Without saying much, she bent down, picked it up, and noticed two thin cracks running across the screen.
She turned back to him, trying hard not to look guilty. She held the phone out toward him stiffly.
"Paise bata dena jo bhi lage gein.I'll pay for it."
(Just let me know the amount. Whatever it is, I'll pay for)
Azhar took the phone from her, still expressionless. Clearly, he wasn't worried about the phone.
As Adira turned to walk past him, his voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Koi zarurat nahi. Bas apni aankhon ka ilaaj karwa lena, taaki agli baar har kisi se takraati na firo."
(Just get your eyes checked next time so you don't go bumping into everyone.)
She turned back, visibly insulted.
"Excuse me? What did you just say?"
Azhar didn't bother replying. He simply walked away calmly, not giving her another glance.
Adira stared after him, fuming with disbelief.
"Batameez." She muttered under her breath.
______________________----------------
"Ohh," Adira says, the soft air making both their hair flow around their faces.
Zaira tucks a strand behind her ear and nods faintly.
"Yeah..."
Adira looks down at her cup of coffee, slowly tracing her finger along the rim.
She narrows her eyes slightly, trying to make sense of Zaira's thoughts.
"So... what are you concerned about now?"
Zaira stares down at her lap, her voice low. "I feel like... I hurt him. I didn't want to."
Adira looks at her, half in disbelief.
"Tell me one thing."
"Hm?"
"Chahti kya ho tum? Kabhi keh rahi ho usne tumhe hurt kar diya, kabhi keh rahi ho tumne usko hurt kar diya. Kya hai bhai?"
(Translation:What do you even want? One moment you're saying he hurt you, the next you're saying you hurt him. What is it, seriously?)
Zaira sighs, her chest feeling heavier than before. Her voice wavers as she finally speaks.
"It's just that... i think everything happened too fast. When i said i hate you....i wasn't in my right mind, Adira.
My head was pounding because of the injury, I was dizzy, tired, and honestly-emotionally all over the place"
"I know I hate you was extreme," Zaira continues. "I get it. But I said it out of pain. Not out of hate, na.It just slipped. I.. i was overwhelmed, I was not thinking clearly.
And the moment I said it, i regretted it. I feel awful. Really."
Adira lets out a quiet sigh, her tone softening as she watches Zaira.
"Zaira... look, I get it. You were in pain. Your head was injured, your emotions were everywhere-anyone in your place could've snapped. You're not a robot."
Zaira doesn't say anything.
Adira continues, more gently now,"But also, you need to stop overthinking every damn thing. Tum itna assume kyun karti ho hamesha? Maybe he wasn't ignoring you. Maybe he was just... I don't know, in a bad mood? Lost in his own thoughts? Not everything revolves around you, stupid."
(Translation: why do you assume everything so much?)
Zaira looks up at her, surprised. "I didn't mean to make it about me..."
"I know," Adira says, with a small smile. "But that's what we do when we're hurt, na? We start creating stories in our head. You said he looked hurt when you said it. That means he does care, right? So maybe... talk to him, Zaira. Instead of carrying all this guilt inside."
Zaira bites her lip. "And what if he doesn't want to talk to me now?"
"Don't decide it on your own. Tum apne dil mein courtroom chala ke sab judgement khud kyun pass karti ho?"
(Translation: Don't decide everything on your own. Why do you run a whole courtroom in your head and pass all the judgments by yourself?)
Zaira smiles, small but real.
Adira,"Bas ab, thoda chill kar.You're allowed to mess up sometimes. Just don't let it eat you alive."
(Translation: That's enough now, just chill a bit.)
Zaira blinks, unsure. "I don't know. He didn't even look at me. And it just-reminded me of when we were kids. Jab main usse baat karti thi and he would pretend like I didn't exist."
(Translation: Back when I'd talk to him, and he'd pretend I wasn't even there.)
Adira nods slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Ah. So maybe... it wasn't about him at all. Maybe it just poked at an old wound you never really got over."
Zaira doesn't respond right away. She looks uo at her, "I don't know, Adira... maybe I overreacted. But in that moment, it felt real. The hurt, the way he didn't even look at me-everything just hit all at once."
She looks down again. "I didn't mean to say it... but now I can't stop thinking about it. Kya pata woh ek line sab kuch khatam kar gayi ho, aur aab meri usse kabhi baat hi na ho."
(Translation: What if that one line ruined everything... and now I'll never get a chance to speak to him again?)
Adira gives her a side glance, half-annoyed, half-concerned.
"Bas yahi problem hai na tumhari. Tum hamesha assume kar leti ho sab kuch. Tum uske dimaag mein ghus gayi ho kya?"
(Translation: (That's your problem, isn't it? You always assume everything. Have you gotten inside his head or what?)
Zaira lets out a short breath, more like a sad chuckle. "Kaash ghus paati. Toh shayad itna sochna nahi padta."
(Translation: I wish i had. Maybe then i wouldn't have to think this much)
____________________________________
"Yaar, ruk jaati na tum thodi der aur," Zaira said as they both walked out through her house's main gate.
(Translation: You could've stayed a little longer, y'know..)
Adira smiled. "Main shaam ko aayi thi, bhai. Raat ho gayi ab. Kal se classes bhi attend karni hain. Khud toh sarr par chot lagwa kar bethi gayi ho."
(Translation; i got here this evening, bro, now it's already night. I've to attend classes from tomorrow too, and here you are, got your forehead injured)
Zaira chuckled quietly and nodded.
They reached the gate. Adira pulled out her car keys and turned to her.
"Okay, I am going now," she said, pulling Zaira into a warm hug.
Pulling back, she smiled and added,"Take care, han? And don't overthink for God's sake."
Zaira nodded. "Thank you, yaar."
"Arey, always here for you." She smiled and stepped back."Now I really have to go. Allah Hafiz!"
(May God protect you.)
She hugged Zaira one last time before heading to her car.
"Message me once you reach home!" Zaira called after her.
"Okieee!!" Adira replied, waving.
Zaira stood still for a moment, watching her drive off into the night.
Just then, another car pulled up near the gate.
She frowned slightly as it stopped right in front of her. A man stepped out-his uniform made it clear he was a driver.
He glanced at her briefly, then turned to open the backseat door and pulled out a stunning bouquet of bright sunflowers.
He walked over to her. Zaira's confusion deepened.
"Hi, ma'am. You might be Zaira?"
She blinked. "Uh... yes."
The man nodded and extended the bouquet towards her.
"This is for you, ma'am."
Zaira hesitated, her hands frozen mid-air.
"Um... who sent this?"
The driver replied calmly.
"Aryan sir."
Zaira's heart skipped a beat. She looked up quickly.
"Who?" She asks, thinking she might've heard it wrong.
"Aryan... Aryan Khan."
Zaira's eyes widen, and for a second, she just stares at the bouquet in the man's hand.
Like it's some sort of mistake.
Her throat feels dry. She blinks once, then again, slower this time-processing.
"He sent this?" she says, almost to herself.
Her fingers twitch slightly before she finally reaches out and takes it.
She looks at the sunflower bouquet in her hand, and it smells like the sun-dry, warm, a little like the wind after a long day.
But then she frowns when she spots a white note tucked between the flowers.
She reaches for it and, with her other hand, gently unfolds it.
Her breath catches as she starts reading what's written inside.
'Forgive me? It was never my intention to make you feel bad, amore. Truly. Yours doesn't always know how to cope with his thoughts, and sometimes, he acts like someone he never want to become. Not with you. Never with you. I'm sorry-again. Please accept this small bouquet, and don't throw those flowers. I remembered them being your favorite. I'm sorry. I truly am.'
~Aryan.k
To be continue...
Next chapter will be updated before Sunday.
Don't forget to vote, and mind you, i don't hate comments on my book๐โ๏ธ
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