The Villa — 11:00 PM
Azhan couldn’t stay in his room any longer.
The walls were closing in.
The photo was burned into his mind.
Her brown eyes followed him everywhere.
He changed into sleepers and walked downstairs.
The living room was bright.
Voices echoed.
Saim sat on the sofa with Amir, Sameer, and Sana.
They were talking — laughing, teasing, arguing.
Saim saw Azhan first.
His advocate instincts sharpened immediately.
He came down, Saim thought.
He want to push him further he knows he is in love
So his advocate instincts grew wicked smile in his face
Saim turned to Amir casually.
“So, Amir.
Tell me about Riya’s roommate.
I heard she’s in your section.”
Azhan stopped walking.
He stood at the edge of the living room, half-hidden, pretending to look at his phone.
But his ears were open.
His heart was pounding.
Sameer laughed.
“Oh, that C Ismail?
Yes.
And what, Saim?
This guy —” he pointed at Amir, “— watched her all day.”
Azhan’s chest tightened.
Watched her all day.
The fire returned.
Hot.
Sharp.
Amir shook his head.
“There is nothing, bro.
I’ve told you a hundred times.
I was just…
observing.
She’s different.
That’s all.”
Sana shrugged.
“Oh, come on, Saim.
In our class, almost all the boys have a huge crush on that C.
But she ignores everyone.”
Azhan’s jaw tightened.
Crushes.
On her.
Saim glanced at Azhan — saw the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers gripped his phone.
He looked back at Sameer.
“How, Sameer?”
Sameer laughed.
“That Ray?
He embarrasses himself every day.
He talks to her, she doesn’t respond.
He blocks her path, she walks around him.
He called her rude once.
She didn’t even look at him.
Like he didn’t exist.”
Azhan’s heart beat faster.
She ignores him.
She ignores all of them.
Good.
Sana added, “Yeah, one thing I noticed — she helps girls in class.
But boys?
No existence.
Amir spoke quietly.
“Saim, don’t listen to them.
Yes, she is nervous.
Not very confident yet.
But she is a very nice girl.
She helped Kim when she asked.
She doesn’t bother anyone.
She just…
studies.”
Sameer raised his eyebrows.
“How do you know she studies?
You watch her all day?”
Sana laughed.
“Yeah, amir, how do you know?”
Amir face burned he didnt say anything yes his heart beat was fast dak dak,dak
Sameer looked at Saim.
“Amir told me.”
Azhan looked at Saim.
His blue eyes were cold.
But beneath the cold — fire.
Amir watches her.
Amir talks about her.
Amir told Sameer about her.
The jealousy burned.
Saim held Azhan’s gaze for a moment.
Then he turned to the others.
“Okay.
Enough.”
His voice was firm.
“If this girl covers her face, we must respect her.
Second — Amir, your parents trusted us.
No girl chasing.
Focus on your classes.”
Amir nodded
He stood up.
“I’m ordering pizza.
Everyone eat.”
The cousins cheered.
Azhan turned and walked upstairs.
His steps were heavy.
His heart was heavier.
The Upstairs Hallway — 11:15 PM
Saim followed him.
“Azhan.”
Azhan kept walking.
Saim caught up.
“You heard what Sameer said.
Amir watches her.”
Azhan stopped.
Turned.
His blue eyes were dark.
“I heard.”
Saim studied him.
“You love her, right?
Just say it.
Or at least accept the feeling.
I know you.
I know you will protect her.”
Azhan’s heart hammered against his ribs.
“There is nothing.”
Saim’s voice rose.
“So?
Body desire? You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Azhan Joseph Rehman, that girl needs respect.
Not your confused behavior.”
He stepped closer.
“You say there is nothing.
Then delete her photo.
Come on.
I’m pursuing her for myself.
Got it?”
Azhan’s hands clenched into fists.
Delete her photo.
Pursuing her.
For himself.
The words stabbed.
Saim grabbed his phone.
“Come on, Azhan.
Accept your feeling.
Or I will —”
He pulled out his own phone and dialed.
“Second cousin?
Yes.
Tomorrow.
Date with her.
Location?
Bring her to the big university shop, near the park.
Yes, yes.
I will buy you lots of things.
Make a plan.
Send me the location.
Yes.
Thank you.
Bye.”
Azhan stared at him.
“What did you do, Saim?”
Saim smiled — calm, deliberate, victorious.
“Chill.
My date.
You come with me.”
The Room — 11:30 PM
Azhan stood in his room.
The door was closed.
The lights were dim.
His phone was in his hand.
Delete her photo, Saim had said.
Pursuing her for myself.
My date.
Azhan opened the photo.
Pink dupatta.
Brown eyes.
Small mole.
She is not for Saim.
She is not for Amir.
She is not for anyone who looks at her with greedy eyes.
She is —
He couldn’t finish the thought.
But he didn’t delete the photo.
He couldn’t.
He lay on his bed, holding the phone against his chest, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow, he thought.
Saim will meet her.
Saim will talk to her.
Saim will —
The jealousy burned hotter.
No.
No .No one is allowed
To be continued…..