The next morning, Mahek woke up with a lite heart. A small smile touched her lips as she realized, that boy hadn't messaged her again. Zavian bhai's warning worked, she thought with relief.
It was Sunday. No university, no rushing just a quiet day for herself. She got out of bed, tied her hair into a loose bun & walked to the kitchen in her comfy T-shirt & trousers. The house was still sleepy. She made a cup of chai, then returned to her room.
Sitting cross-legged on her bed, she sipped the warm chai slowly. Peace, she thought. Something she hadn't felt in days.
Once done, she cleaned her room folded the blanket, arranged her bookshelf, dusted her table & then sat down at her study desk. She took out her sketchbook & pencils, planning to draw something for practice.
It was a slow, quiet Sunday morning , the kind she'd always loved.
On the other side...
It was the weekend, so Zavian took things slow. After a refreshing shower, he wore his favorite chocolate brown kurta shalwar, folding the sleeves up neatly to his elbows. His slightly damp wavy hair was set casually, a few strands brushing the back of his neck.
He stepped out to the balcony with a cup of chai in hand, letting the soft morning breeze hit his face. The world was quiet, calm, just how he liked his weekends.
Sitting back on the chair, he sipped his chai slowly & began scrolling through his phone, going through chats, pictures & random saved reels. A soft smile tugged at his lips when he passed by the group chat. His mind unknowingly thought of Mahi.
Peaceful moments like these were rare & today, he let himself enjoy one.
Suddenly, his mother knocked on the balcony door it was already open, but she still knocked out of habit. Zavian looked up slightly. He was sitting there lost in thoughts, no clear expression on his face.
She stepped in quietly & took the chair next to him. He glanced at her & asked casually,
"G?"
His mother looked at him with a calm expression & said:
"We have to go somewhere today & you're coming with us"
Zavian raised an eyebrow slightly, sipped his chai again & nodded slowly.
"Where?" he asked, still scrolling through his phone, not fully engaged yet.
His mother sat silently for a moment, then said:
"I talked to my friend about your marriage... to her daughter. Don't worry, I know it's not the right time for a full wedding. We'll just go for an engagement or maybe nikkah. You can decide when to officially bring her home"
Zavian's face changed instantly. He turned to her in disbelief.
"You talked to them? Fixed everything? Without even asking me?"
His mother stayed calm.
"You're my son, Zavian & I know you're not with Eman anymore. So I spoke to my friend. What's wrong with that?"
Zavian shook his head, the shock shifting into frustration.
"No, Maa. I can't marry someone else. Please go & tell your friend I'm not ready to marry her daughter not just her daughter, to all other girls too"
His mother's tone turned sharper.
"I've already given my word & I don't take my words back"
Zavian's voice rose, matching hers now.
"Well, then listen to mine too I won't marry another woman. Forget about it & if you push it, I'll reject the proposal right in front of everyone. You'll be the one facing disrespect, Maa. So please, do it yourself"
He stood up & walked back toward his room.
"Now, please... leave"
His mother stared at him for a moment longer, speechless, then quietly turned & left.
On the other side, everyone was chatting in the group. Zavian was active too, replying casually. Mahi was there, silently reading & occasionally responding.
Suddenly, she texted him privately:
"Bhai, what if that boy tries to talk to my parents?"
Zavian read the message & replied calmly:
"Relax, Mahi. I'll handle him"
But Mahi wasn't fully convinced.
"Still bhai... it can affect my pride"
Zavian let out a slow sigh, then typed softly,
"Mahi, your pride matters to me & now... you're more dear to me than you know. Do you understand?"
His tone was gentle, with meaning something between care & something more.
Mahi paused, maybe she caught a part of it, maybe not fully. She simply replied:
"Thank you, bhai"
Zavian smiled faintly at her message. She didn't get it completely but maybe, just maybe, she would... soon.
Zavian looked at the screen for a while, then typed:
"Mahi... do you know I'm not with Eman anymore?"
Mahi paused, surprised.
"What? Really?"
He nodded as if she could see him, then slowly told her everything how things ended, how he tried to make her understand, how toxic it became & how he finally walked away from it.
After listening quietly, Mahi replied with a soft tone:
"Bhai, don't worry. You're a good man. I'll find a nice Indian girl for you", she added teasingly, trying to lighten the mood.
Zavian smiled at her effort.
"Yeah, Indian girls are beautiful"
Mahi quickly texted back:
"Indeed bhai, they are so beautiful. No doubt I'm ugly lol"
Zavian's expression changed.
"No, Mahi. You don't have to say that. You're not ugly"
But she laughed & carried on teasing,
"Bhai come to India, I'll find one for you"
Zavian looked at her message, a playful thing in his eyes as he replied,
"I already like one Indian girl"
There was a pause before Mahi replied,
"Bhaiiiiii! Why didn't you tell me? Come on, tell me who?? I'll take your proposal there"
Zavian laughed softly to himself, trying to mask what he really felt.
"I'm kidding" he wrote back but deep down, they both knew... not entirely.
Mahi said:
"Bhai come on, my heart got stuck in my throat"
He replied with a teasing smile,
"Why? Mai ny tumhara naam toh nai liya"
("Why? I didn't even take your name.")
She was shocked for a second, then quickly typed back:
"Bhai, come on You can't leave me this curious"
He laughed softly again, shaking his head & said:
"Seriously Mahi, there's no other girl"
(He meant no one else but you, but didn't say it aloud.)
Mahi, not catching the full depth of his words, replied teasingly:
"Okay okay, then I'll find one for you"
He played along,
"Okay sure Mahi find the beautiful one"
Chat ended with both smiling at their screens one hiding a truth, the other unaware how close she was to it...
Both were busy in their own little worlds.
Zavian, after a long time, had finally picked up his PlayStation controller. He was lost in a game, a nostalgic old story based one that took him back to his younger days.
He had always loved gaming & even more than that, coding. He had studied computer science originally, but because of family pressure, he had to switch to business. Still, on weekends, when things were quiet, he liked to bring back that old version of himself the curious, excited boy who used to lose track of time building codes & exploring game worlds.
It was his escape, his comfort.
Zavian was deeply focused on the game, eyes locked on the screen, fingers moving on the controller. His headphones blocked out all the sounds around him.
Suddenly, the door opened.
It was his father.
Zavian quickly paused the game & pulled off his headphones.
"Assalamualaikum, Baba", he greeted, standing up slightly out of respect.
His father gave a warm smile & sat on the sofa in his room.
"Walaikum Assalam, How are you?" he asked casually.
"Alhamdulillah, I'm good" , Zavian replied.
"Your Amma was saying you misbehaved with her this morning", his father said
Zavian's smile faded a little. He looked down for a moment, trying to find the right words.
Zavian lowered his eyes, he said:
"Baba, you know I never misbehave with Amma but this time, she crossed a line. She fixed my rishta with her friend's daughter without even asking me"
His father exhaled quietly, not surprised.
"Zavian, you know your mother. She won't listen to anyone once she's made up her mind"
Zavian shook his head in frustration.
"I know, Baba but this time, I can't just let it go. I can't do this. Please, talk to her. She listens to you sometimes..."
His father gave a small, dry smile.
"She ever really listened to me, Zav?"
That hurt more than Zavian expected. He looked at his father his silent strength, the man who never complained & suddenly saw all the years of being unheard behind those tired eyes.
He sat down beside him.
"Baba what if I say I like someone else? I can't break my commitment. I learned that from you. Please, Baba just support me in this"
His voice cracked a little
His father's expression changed, a mix of surprise & concern.
"You like someone? Who?"
Zavian hesitated, then sighed.
"She's from India, Baba..."
There was a long pause. His father leaned back & took a deep breath, processing what he just heard.
"India..." he repeated slowly
Then, with a voice that carried both realism & disappointment, he said:
"Zavian, seriously? Beta... your Amma didn't even accept someone from Punjab, from our side of the border & you... you liked a girl from India?"
He looked away, tired.
"She won't listen to you, Zav. She won't because it's your choice, your happiness. That's how she is"
Zavian sat silently but still holding onto that small hope that maybe, just maybe, he could change something this time.
Zavian looked at his father, soft look yet tiredness in his eyes.
"Baba... I'll handle Amma. I'm already the son she never really listened to, so let me stay like that. She never liked my choices anyway but please... just try to help me with the visa. Or if I confess to her & if things go right... just talk to her parents for me. I don't expect anything from Amma"
His father's expression suddenly changed disbelief mixed with frustration.
He stared at Zavian for a moment & then said, almost in disgust,
"Zav... you haven't even confessed yet?
Beta, Allah ko mano..." (Son, for God's sake.)
He shook his head in disappointment, not because Zavian liked someone but because he was still stuck in silence, fearing rejection more than taking the risk.
Zavian looked down at his hands, the controller still resting loosely in them, but his mind far from the game now. His father's words echoed in his head.
He whispered to himself, almost helplessly,
"Baba... she's my friend. I can't lose her like that"
His father had already stood up by then, walking toward the door. Before leaving, he paused, gently placed a hand on Zavian's shoulder & said with warmth,
"Zavian, you should talk to her. Just tell me once you do... I'll take care of the rest, beta"
He gave a small nod & left the room.
Zavian sat still. The silence grew heavier. His thoughts louder.
What if I lose her?
What if this friendship breaks?
What if she stops talking to me forever?
He exhaled deeply, staring at the screen now showing a paused game.
He wasn't afraid of her rejection, he was afraid of her absence.
Zavian was deep in thought when his evening chai arrived. He quietly took the cup, sat on the chair near his window & looked at the sunset. The soft orange clouds painted the sky, but his mind was far from calm, tangled in emotions, fears & silent hopes.
On the other side of the border, Mahek was in the kitchen making her evening chai. She poured it into her favorite mug & walked up to the terrace. The breeze touched her softly as she took slow sips, feeling light for the first time in days. Finally, she thought, Yash is out of the picture. I'm at peace now.
She smiled to herself & thought, I'll text Bhai after finishing my chai.
Both sat in their quiet corners, sipping the same warmth, miles apart, but with each other on their mind, not knowing that the next morning would bring a change they never expected.
Zavian wiped the sweat from his forehead, confused. He was sitting in an air conditioned room, Something felt off, a strange restlessness in his chest he couldn't explain.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
The screen lit up Mahi.
His breath stopped for a second.
His hands, warm just a moment ago, suddenly turned cold.
Bhai, how are you?
Zavian whispered, bhai is going to die YA ALLAH...
But all he said:
Alhamdulillah. What about you, Mahi?
Mahi replied:
"I'm good bhai"
There was a pause.
Zavian stared at the screen, his thumb hovering over the keyboard.
He took a deep breath, but it felt stuck halfway.
His heart was shivering.
His hands were cold not from the room's AC, but from fear.
Fear of losing her.
Fear of ruining what they had.
But also, fear of staying silent forever.
He finally typed:
"Mahi, I wanna talk to you about something..."
Mahi replied calmly:
"Yes bhai, I'm listening. Go on"
Zavian sighed deeply, staring at the screen like the words might form themselves.
His heart was panicking in his chest, like it wanted to speak before he could.
Zavian typed with hesitation, the same sentence again:
"Mahi… I want to share something with you"
He paused. His fingers hesitated again.
Mahi noticed that he is nervous, she politely asked:
"Bhai, relax. I'm listening. You're looking nervous"
She sent a laughing emoji, trying to lighten the mood.
Zavian closed his eyes for a second, trying to calm himself.
He whispered to himself, “Bs keh do, Zavian… keh do.” (Say it Zavian, say it)
Still unsure of the right words but knowing he couldn’t keep them in anymore.
Zavian took a deep breath and finally typed
"Mahi, I like someone"
Mahi’s eyes lit up as she quickly replied:
"Bhai who??"
She was excited, curious like a little kid waiting for a secret to be revealed.
Zavian paused for a moment before replying,
"Mahi… she's Indian"
Mahi's excitement grew.
"Bhaaaaiiii, When I asked you before, you didn’t tell me" she said with playful tone.
"Now you have to tell me properly. Who is she? Is she from our group chat?"
Zavian stared at her message, his heart racing, fingers hovering over the keyboard, he knew this moment would change everything.
Mahi was getting more & more curious.
She quickly typed:
"Yes? Who is she, bhai? Come on tell meeee"
Zavian replied calmly but with a nervous heart:
"Yes, Mahi… she’s from our group chat & you know her really well."
Mahi’s excitement shot up.
"Whaaatttt I knew it okay okay, is it someone I talk to often?"
"Come on bhai, tell me"
Zavian smiled a little, shaking his head at her guesses.
"No, it’s not who you're thinking"
She paused, thinking.
"Then who, bhai??"
He took a long breath, then typed:
"Mahi… I can’t confess to her"
"She’s my friend & maybe if I tell her, our friendship will end"
Mahi replied with a warm & comforting text:
"No bhai, I don’t think that’ll happen. You’re a good man & if she has even a little understanding, she won’t walk away. What problem could she possibly have with you?"
She paused for a moment, then added:
"And bhai, the only thing in the way is border, if you really love her then Allah will make a way. Nothing is impossible for Allah"
Zavian read her message & sighed deeply. His heart felt heavy.
"Mahi… I’ll lose her. She’s too dear to me I can’t take that risk"
He paused for a second before typing again
"I’d rather keep her as a friend than lose her completely"
Mahi stared at the screen, feeling a strange thing in her chest she couldn’t explain.
At that moment, something shifted in Mahi’s heart, a soft pull, a strange feeling she couldn’t name.
Maybe it was a guess...
She finally gathered the courage & typed:
"Bhai… who's she?"
Zavian stared at her message. His chest tightened. His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
He took a deep breath, his heart beating louder than ever.
And then, he finally took the risk.
"Ap..." (It's You)
"Mahi before saying anything or leaving me please listen to me once" , Zavian said it in extreme feeling of fear, fear of losing his Mahi...
Mahi didn’t know how to react. She was completely surprised by Zavian’s message but deep inside, she felt it was true, it was about her. She knew he would say her name, but instead, she simply replied:
“Mai toh behan thi” (I was your sister)
With a cry emoji, like she was blushing & surprised at the same time
Her reply made Zavian question his existence, he was totally disgust like, Seriously Mahi??
Zavian took a deep breath & typed back quickly, his hands were cold like ice
“Woh majburi thi” (It was just a compulsion)
“I never saw you as my sister, Mahi”
There was so much fear inside him fear of losing her, fear that she didn’t feel the same, fear that maybe he’d ruined everything.
Then Mahi replied:
“Bhai, it’s just your attraction”
Those words hit him like a slap. Not angry just… sad. Deeply, quietly sad.
He quickly typed again, his hands slightly shaking:
"No Mahi no, It’s not like that. I find peace in you, Mahi"
"And if you're unsure of who you are to me, I'd say home..."
Zavian couldn’t hold it in anymore.
He typed slowly:
“Mahi, I have no one whom I love. I don’t feel loved by anyone except when it’s you”
“I feel peace with you, Mahi real peace”
“You healed a part of me that no one else ever could”
He paused, then typed again:
“Mahi, I don’t even know when or why this happened, All I know is… I love you”
“And I want you in my Nikkah”
His thumb hovered on the keyboard for just a second then he hit send.
The message was out.
Now everything would either begin…or end
Mahi didn’t know how to react. She just sat there, staring at the screen, completely silent. Her heart was racing but her mind was blank. She had never imagined hearing something like this from Zavian not like this, not so suddenly...
Then another message came.
"Mahi, mai chahta hun k ap mera deen mukammal kro, mujhy mukammal kro"
"Mahi, nikkah kr lo mujh sy..."
(Mahi, I want you to complete my faith, complete me… do Nikkah with me, Mahi)
It was not just a confession anymore. It was a proposal from the heart.
And Mahi… still hadn’t typed a word back.
Finally, she typed:
“Bhai…”
Zavian saw it instantly.
Something in him felt bad, not in anger, but in hurt.
He replied almost immediately:
“I can’t take this BHAI anymore”
“Call me Zavian, Mahek”
Mahi finally replied. Her message was calm but it carried a distance that Zavian could feel deep in his chest.
“Zavian, hamein is waqt baat nai krni chahiye. You’re not in your senses”
(Zavian, we shouldn’t be talking right now. You’re not in your right mind)
She didn’t argue, She didn’t yell.
She just… stepped back
Zavian’s chest tightened as he read her message. It felt like she was going way not with anger, but with silence. That kind of distance scared him the most.
He quickly typed, almost begging:
“Mahi, listen to me please. Tum kaho gi toh mai dobara zikar b nai kru ga. Esy mat jao”
(Mahi, please listen to me. If you say so, I won’t ever bring it up again. Just don’t leave like this)
A moment later, Mahi replied. Her words were soft but clear:
“I’m not going anywhere. It’s just not the right time to talk”
Zavian looked at her last message for a long time. Then, with heavy heart, he typed:
"I'll be waiting… ever after"
And just like that, the chat ended
He put his phone down & sat there quietly, staring at nothing. His chest felt heavy, like something inside him had cracked.
He slowly whispered,
"I shouldn’t have confessed" , "I shouldn’t have said anything"
He felt like he had lost her because now things weren’t the same anymore.
She didn’t shout, she didn’t block him but she went quiet.
And that quietness hurt more than anything.
Zavian felt like he had lost his closest person.
without even a last message, a proper reply...
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for the next part...📚🤍
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