At school
Hurain was standing in front of Evaan in staff room during lunch period as she was told to.
Her hands clutching the papers in her hand. Her eyes glued to the floor and her palms sweating in anxiety and her heartbeat accelerating.
Evaan sat on his desk before turning his attention on her. He was wearing a light blue checkered pattern shirt with black pants his hair combed back with a dark blue wrist watch in his hand.
"Look up at me and start the speech"
His voice low his manner professional and his eyes focused on her
She hesitantly forwarded the speech to him her hands shaking slightly but he shook his head before speaking again.
"No I don't need any papers. Just speak up what you have prepared"
He instructed calmly.
She nodded her head and took a deep breath before looking up at him.
She started speaking her voice soft and calm her expressions confident and her eyes focused ahead her demeanor professional and sharp but her words coming out quickly like always
"Good morning respected, director sir principal ma'am vice principal ma'am respected teachers and my dear friends.
I am Hurain Fatima the head girl and i am pleased to give
He stopped her in between with a raise of hand and she clenched her fist behind her back in anxiety and nervousness and her shoulders tightened expecting a negative remark.
"Miss Fatima calm down there's no need to be nervous. Everything is fine and you are doing absolutely amazing you just need to relax and take breath in between alright?"
He said in a calm and gentle reassuring manner. His words hitting her deeper then she expected. Her eyes widened at him and her fist uncurled on its own her shoulders relaxed and she let out a breath she herself didn't know she was holding.
She nodded her head. Her heartbeat coming to normal. She wasn't anxious anymore, someone finally acknowledged that she is going fast for a reason. She is nervous and anxious.
In that moment she saw him in a different light. His eyes that always scared her which she resembled as deep ocean without any sunlight now seemed like the top of ocean on which her sun shines. A calm water with soft waves.
The talks of staffroom was faded for her in background as she took another deep breath and gave her speech again this time she was not only confident but she was calm too. Now it seemed like she is speaking her heart out not some written lines.
"Good morning respected director sir, principal ma'am, vice principal ma'am, respected teacher, and my dear friends"
"I am Hurain Fatima the head girl and I am pleased to give a speech in front of you all on the auspicious occasion of independence day"
" Today, as we gather to celebrate our nation's 78th Independence Day, let us reflect on the incredible journey that led to this day. The freedom we enjoy today is the result of the determination and sacrifice of countless men and women who laid down their lives for our nation. Their stories of courage continue to inspire us and remind us of the true value of freedom.
The path to independence was long and marked by years of struggle against British rule. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, with his principles of non-violence, united millions in the fight for justice. His famous Salt March not only defied oppressive laws but also symbolized the strength of peaceful protest. Similarly, Subhas Chandra Bose, with his clarion call of 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom,' inspired many to join the struggle.We must also remember the sacrifices of young revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their courage in the face of death is a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom.
Now it's our duty to be a responsible citizen and keep growing not only individually but along with the society and not let anyone fool us on the name of religion caste or any type of racism"
"once again happy independence day"
" Jai hind Jai Bharat thank you "
She looked at him expectantly after giving her speech waiting for his review because now not only his approval but his reaction mattered to her the most.
He smiled appreciating and nodded as he spoke in his usual cold voice
"Very good. This was perfect. Now go and relax I will finalize it and then you can give the practice speeches in classes"
She smiled back and nodded
"thank you sir"
With that she left from there and crumpled the pages she had prepared.
She doesn't need it anymore. She smiled on her way back to the class feeling at peace. He was the last person she expected to be understanding yet, he was the one who understood what no one could.
She was feeling a strange feeling her heart fluttering in a way that never happened before. His smiling face his words were ringing deep in her mind like a soothing balm to the wounds she never knew they exist.
She went straight to his locker after that to take out the things still smiling to herself and climbed on the stool like usual taking out the books.
He was behind her like usual and he cleared his throat to make her realise his presence.
This time she looked back at him after taking out the books.
He didn't said anything and just outstretched his hand for her.
She looked at his hand then back at him her eyes were hesitant.
Blink blink blink blink again.
She raised her hand and it was trembling slightly hovering over some distance over his.
He smiled at her nervousness but didn't said anything.
She couldn't gather the courage to hold his hand and let her hand drop to her side before she stepped down herself and ran towards her class
He chuckled and put his hand back in his pants pocket and shook his head before following her to his period.
Her friends could see the different glow on her face but none of them said anything for now as the period went by and he left afterwards.
When it was math period hashim arrived in the class wearing a white shirt with dark grey pants and black shoes with a dark grey chain watch in his hand.
Zoya looked at her eyes lingered even more than usual then she looked down when she saw how his eyes paused on her when he scanned the class.
He started teaching and after the period ended he called her out with him and she without looking at friends who were looking at her with teasing smiles made her way out and followed him as he walked to the classroom.
She had to walk faster to match his pace so he chuckled quitely and slowed his pace.
He reached the staffroom and sat down before turning his attention towards her.
"So did you prepared the song? You know I am the incharge of all the singing performances right?"
He asked in a gentle yet professional manner
She shook her head sheepishly before speaking.
"Sir I have written two lyrics and now I am confused between "ae mere vatan ke logon" and "ae mere pyare vatan"
He nodded before speaking again
"okay I have some work for now but I was planning to meet your brother today anyway so if I visit then we will find solution for this okay? "
She immediately beamed at his question and nodded before she realised she looked too happy so she calmed down a little and nodded again.
He smiled knowingly before dismissing her.
************************************
The girls were gathered outside the school as zoya told how her interaction with hashim went and the other girls immediately started on the outfit discussion but zoya stopped them for a moment
"Ruko ruko. Pehle Hurain ye batao itna kyun muskura rahi thin haan chemistry k period me?"
{Wait wait. Hurain first you tell us why were you smiling so much during chemistry period}
She asked teasingly wiggling her eyebrows dramatically
Hurain's face flushed as she pretended to be oblivious
"Kya matlab?"
{What you mean?}
She asked innocently.
"Bano mat humne b dekha tha lal tamatar hote huye"
{Don't pretend we saw you blushing like a tomato}
Ayesha said teasingly while nudging her shoulder
Hurain rolled her eyes before filling them up about what happened.
"Arey unhone muje itne ache se samjhaya mere speech me kya problem h fir appreciate b kara or unhone muje very good bhi bola"
{He explained it to me so perfectly about what's wrong in my speech and then he appreciated me and told me very good as well}
She said in a soft and shy voice a smile making its way on her face.
"Unhone?? Acha ji??"
They all said in unison and Hurain instantly panicked looking around before motioning them to slow down.
"Age suno jab me unke locker se books nikalti hu to wo humesha apna hath age barha dete hen or me khud se utar jati hu par aj mene unke hath me hath de hi dia tha lekin fir himmat nhi Hui meri or fir khud se hi utar gai"
{And whenever I take out books from his locker he always outstretched his hand and I always get down by myself. But today I had almost put my hand in his but then I couldn't and hopped down by myself}
Her friends watched her in amusement and teasing smiles before Sidra whined playfully
"Itna kuch hogaya or tu Hume ab bata Rahi h??"
{So much happened and you are telling it to us now?}
"are it's not like I like him or anything"
Hurain exclaimed with wide eyes denying the obvious
"haan haan bilkul
{Yeah yeah ofcourse}
They all said sarcastically and laughed
************************************
Sidra visit the library in the evening like usual. It was her daily routine because of her deep love of novels specially the ones in urdu.

The library engulfed in serene silence people minding their own businesses and the bookshelf filled up with all kind of books.
She reached for a book in the top shelf but she couldn't. She stood on her tip toes trying to reach for the book again but she was again too short.
Suddenly she felt a presence behind her a deep mesmerizing scent of a woody cologne surrounding her with a modest distance between her and the person behind her a hand reached up taking down the book se was reaching for with ease.

She looked up her brown eyes met a pair of dark green ones looking down at her.
A man dressed in a brown shirt his sleeve rolled up till his sleeve and a black mask covering his face and his hair messily combed back.
He stepped back after taking books and held it out for her. She kept looking at his eyes as she took the book from him and nodded slightly with a smile as she spoke
"Thank you"
After the words had left her mouth she realised how soft they came out.
He nodded back his eyes squinting a little like he smiled but before she could ask anything else he walked away and she found herself looking in the direction where he left for.
************************************
Muzammil stood waiting outside Ayesha's home in the evening dressed in a white shirt with black jeans and casual shoes his hair damp from the recent shower the setting sun shining on him as he leaned against his bike a his arms crossed a smile on his face.
She finally came out of the door putting the photo in her purse dressed in a pink kurti with baggy jeans and jutis.

Her hair tied in a messy bun with few strands shaping her face her lightly tanned skin shining in the sun as she made her way towards him smiling hopping in her steps
He stood straight and smiled at her his eyes shining with admiration for the woman he met a few days ago but fell so deep already.
"Bohot khubsurat lagrahi ho"
{You are looking beautiful}
He said in a warm voice a smile gazing his lips as he looked down at her and she just blushed before looking away
"Chalen?"
She asked softly and he nodded sitting on the bike and wearing his helmet and forwarding one to her too.
She sat behind him and he started the bike and started for their destination.
She hesitantly raised her hands hovering over his shoulders but was nervous to put them so he intentionally crossed a speed breaker roughly and her hands fell on his shoulders and he smiled in satisfaction.
"Tumne Jaan k Kara na"
{You did it intentionally right}
She asked in a playful manner and he shamelessly nodded.
************************************
zoya and hashim were sitting at the couch at zoya's home with Evaan working nearby and her mom Shabana at the kitchen.
Hashim was still in the same clothes he wore at school and zoya was dressed in a white kurta with black pants her eyes filled with Kohl and her hair left open with dainty jhumka in her ears

He was guiding her through the complicated lyrics and notes as they had finalized "ae mere pyare vatan" after 45 minutes of discussion
She started singing with his guidance her notes a little stumbled yet her voice on point
"ae mere pyare vatan ae mere bichre chaman tujpe Dil qurbaan.. tu hi meri aarzoo tu hi meri abroo tu hi meri jaan.. "
Ending the first stanza she looked at him to see his reaction and he nodded appreciatively
"Tere Daman se Jo aaye un hawaon ko salaam.."
"Tere Daman se Jo aaye un hawaon ko salaam chum lun me us zubaan ko jispe aaye Tera naam.. sabse pyari subah teri.. sabse rangeen Teri shaan"
"Tu hi meri aarzoo tu hi meri aabroo tu hi meri jaan.."
As she sang her eyes were closed her hand in air flowing alongside her notes and he took his time staring at her with a fond look in his eyes his head tilted to the side.
When she opened her eyes after singing the last notes their eyes met for a moment before she looked down again
"how was it? "
She asked hesitantly and he smiled before answering in a appreciative and encouraging manner
"bohot acha. Practice krti raho 10 din hen independence day me perfect ho jaogi. Me tumhari performance approve krdunga"
{Very good. Now keep practicing you have 10 days you will become perfect in the meantime and I will approve your performance now}
She blushed slightly before speaking
"thank you sir "
***********************************
All the while Hurain tried to distract herself in everything possible. She tried studying scrolling sleeping but nothing worked. The picture of Evaan the way he acknowledged her fear without judging her and how her hand hovered over his just didn't leave her mind.
She finally opened her Instagram and found his I'd which all of them followed the other day because the girls posted stories. She started staring at his photos her heart calming down instantly and a smile gazing her face
************************************
In the meantime Ayesha and Muzammil sat on a roadside chai shop's table which was her favourite.
He put the cup in front of her and smiled and she looked at him. It was raining they were sitting in the shelter his hand was on table just beside her which she wanted to hold but was hesitating and the radio on the chai shop started playing "Rozana"
"Tere hathon ki taraf mere hathon ka Safar rozana rozana"
She found herself relating with the song as if it's saying what she feels.
She looked at his face her grey eyes locking with his amber ones like it's just how it's meant to be.
"Teri aankhon se kahe kuch to meri Nazar rozana rozana"
She smiled and looked down finding peace in the silence while sitting with him the sound of rain surrounding them with the sweet fragrance of soil filled with the steaming chai which they were enjoying.
"Rozana me sochun yahi Kahan ajkal me hun laa pata tuje dekh lun to hasne lagen mere dard bhi kyun khamakha"
The song speaking her heart out. She feels something which she haven't felt before. She wasn't looking for love when she found it in him and suddenly her heart felt at peace.
"Hawaon ki tarah mujhe chuke tu guzar rozana rozana.. tere hathon ki taraf mere hathon ka Safar rozana rozana"
She inched her hand closer to his and he looked at her. Her long lashes framing her eyes as she looked at their hands with a look in her eyes that made him feel warmth inside.
"In aankhon se ye bata kitna me dekhun tujhe reh jati h kuch kami jitna bhi dekhun tujhe"
"Rozana me sochun yahi k jee lungi me besaans bhi.. esehi tu muje milta rahe agar rozana rozana.. tere hathon ki taraf mere hathon ka Safar rozana rozana.."
He gently took her hand in his her soft and tiny hand a stark contrast to his big and rough one but he held her hand with so much care as if it's the most precious thing in the world.
She looked up at him surprised but when she saw him already looking at her she averted her eyes down again.
"Yun aa mila tu mujhe jese tu mera hi h.. aaraam Dil ko Jo de.. wo zikr Tera hi h.. rozana me sochun yahi k chalti rahin baaten Teri ate jate yun hi mere liye teher rozana rozana.. "
She silently interlaced their fingers reciprocating the gesture with acceptance and love..

As the song ended she looked up at him and the the question she asked come out hesitant
"What are we Muzammil?"
He smiled before gently squeezing her hand before he spoke
"We are whatever you want us to be Ayesha. If you want to take this slow we will take it slow if you want us to be dating we are dating if you want me to be your boyfriend I am your boyfriend and if you want to marry me right here right now I will marry you in the blink of an eye. All I know is I am all yours. Tum jese chahogi hum wese rahenge.. "
His words were gentle yet serious his eyes locked into hers showing the warmth and intensity and an emotion they both are unfamiliar with but they mirrored in their eyes.
She couldn't say anything. She felt her throat locked with the emotions with the intensity he expressed which was not like his usual carefree personality
But the way her eyes glistened and a pink tint s
pread on her face with a smile he got her answer.
When the rain stopped he stood up still holding her hand to drop her home.
************************************
(a/n: if you like the chapter please vote and comment and give your suggestions you can also follow my Instagram author account for spoilers.
Lots of love 💕)
Write a comment ...