A few days passed, and the calm rhythm of their neighbourhood life continued as always — but for Zayan, something had changed. He couldn't hold back his feelings any longer. He had waited, watched, convinced himself that Mahira was his — now he wanted her to know it too.
One quiet evening, he found Mahira alone near their gate, coming back from her classes. Gathering all his controlled confidence, he stopped her gently.
"Mahira, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice lower than usual.
Mahira looked up, surprised but calm. "Yes?"
Zayan didn't waste time. He looked straight into her eyes. "I like you, Mahira. I have for a long time. I don't know how you feel about me, but I want you to know — I want you to be mine."
Mahira's eyes widened for a second. She hadn't expected this — not so directly, not from him. Her heart thudded, but her mind stayed clear. She knew Zayan's nature: once he wanted something, he didn't let go. But she couldn't give him that power — not now.
She looked away, gathering her courage. "Zayan… I can't. I already have a boyfriend in college."
The lie slipped out so easily, but her voice stayed steady. Zayan froze. He stared at her — this girl he thought he knew so well — and for the first time, doubt crept into his mind. Mahira? A boyfriend? He couldn't picture it. She never even spoke to boys, everyone knew that.
He swallowed his anger. His pride hurt, but something deeper twisted in his chest — a silent disbelief. Yet he didn't push her, didn't question her.
"You never seemed like… that type of girl," he said quietly, trying not to let his coldness slip through.
Mahira's eyes softened a little. "Please, Zayan. Don't tell anyone. I'm asking you… please."
He looked at her for a long moment — so close, yet suddenly unreachable. Finally, he nodded once. "Fine. It's your choice."
Without another word, Zayan turned away, his mind swirling with questions he couldn't ask and anger he couldn't show.
While Zayan buried his secret, life moved ahead for Sahil and Inaya. Sahil, sure of his feelings for years, finally spoke to his family about Inaya. Their families, neighbours for so long, found no reason to refuse. When Sahil's mother brought the proposal to Inaya's parents, smiles and blessings followed naturally. Inaya, when asked, shyly accepted — she liked Sahil's caring nature, his quiet loyalty. For her, this felt right.
As the families exchanged sweets and congratulations, Sahil and Inaya found themselves talking more — late night calls, soft laughter under the stars, planning little things about the future. Their bond, always friendly and easy, now carried the warmth of something deeper.
Zayan watched it all quietly — his brother's happiness gave him a reason to smile, but deep inside, his own rejection still burned like an unanswered question. He said nothing to Sahil about Mahira — he had promised. And he always kept his promises.
But in the corners of his mind, one thought stayed: If she isn't mine now… she will be, someday.
✨ End of Chapter Two