The next morning in Pakistan was quiet & beautiful. Rain tapped gently against the windows, the sky changed in soft grey clouds. The air filled with the smell of wet soil & peace.
Zavian didn't go to work that day. Instead, he stayed in his warm, cozy bed, a thin blanket over him & the sound of rain comforting his soul.
He wasn't asleep anymore, just resting staring at the ceiling, thinking about her. About her laugh, her teasing, the way she said "Zavian bhai" even when she knew it drove him crazy.
His phone was next to him. Silent. Waiting.
On the other side of the border, in India, the scene was completely different.
It was a hot summer morning, the sun already bright & burning. Mahi was getting ready for her art exhibition & summer camp at university.
Her hands moved quickly, a simple suit, hair tied up neatly in peach hijab. She looked beautiful but she didn't notice. Her mind somewhere else.
With someone else.
She hadn't confessed anything yet maybe because she wasn't sure.
Or maybe she was avoiding it but deep down, something was changing.
There was a soft pull in her heart every time she saw Zavian's name on her phone. A strange peace when he texted. A quiet smile that refused to go away after their conversations.
Maybe it wasn't love yet.
Maybe she didn't even want to name it but it was something.
And that something was slowly becoming everything.
Zavian pulled his blanket tighter & glanced at his phone,
"Will she text first today?"
While at the same time, Mahi tied the last knot of her dupatta & looked at her screen, hesitating for a second,
"Should I text him before I leave?"
Two different skies. Two different mornings.
But the same unspoken feeling, the quiet beginning of love.
Zavian picked up his phone, the cool breeze from the rain brushing against the curtains. He smiled a little & typed:
"Mahi?"
She was already in the chat maybe waiting & she replied quickly:
"Uth gaye janab?" (Awake, mister?)
He chuckled softly, wiping the sleep from his eyes & replied:
"G uth gaya, mosam bht acha hai is liye der tak sota rha"
(Yes, I'm up. The weather is so nice, that's why I slept in late)
She replied quickly:
"Office nai gaye?" (Didn't go to the office?)
Zavian smiled & stretched a little before typing:
"Nai, aj kahin or jana hai" (No, I have to go somewhere else today.)
Her next message came just as fast:
"Kahan?" (Where?)
He looked outside at the rainy sky for a second, then replied:
"Kashmir jana hai kaam se, kuch din k liye"
(I'm going to Kashmir for some work, for a few days)
A pause & then she asked:
"Kashmir? Wapis kab ao gy?" (Kashmir? When will you come back?)
Her message carried more than just curiosity.
There was something in her words
A little worry, a little care & maybe just maybe, something more.
He looked at her message & smiled gently, then he typed:
"Maybe 3, 4 din tak" (Maybe for 3 or 4 days)
A moment later, her message popped up:
"Q ja rhy ho Zavian?" (Why are you going, Zavian?)
He could feel the softness behind her words like she didn't really want him to go, he replied:
"Kaam se, Mahi. Pareshan mat ho" (It's for work, Mahi. Don't worry)
Then came her short message:
"Hmm okay"
There was a quiet sadness behind it. Like something she didn't say out loud. He stared at the screen for a moment, feeling the silence stretch between them.
Then he softly typed:
"Miss kro gi mujhy?" (Will you miss me?)
She replied:
"Han shyd" (Maybe yes)
Zavian smiled softly at her honesty even if it was wrapped in hesitation.
He typed gently:
"Mai apko zarur miss kru ga, bht zyada" (I will definitely miss you, a lot)
On the other side, Mahi maybe smiled just a little but the weight in her chest didn't lift.
She was upset, though she wouldn't admit it.
Then she texted:
"Mera art exhibition hai toh mujhe whn jana hai Zavian, ap please dehan se jana"
(I have my art exhibition, so I have to go there Zavian. Please go safely)
He replied calmly, trying to make her feel light:
"Relax Mahi, mai jldi aa jaun ga" (Relax Mahi, I'll be back soon)
And just like that, their chat ended.
The rain still fell gently on his side of the world & the sun still burned brightly on hers.
But between them, something was growing quietly maybe even beautifully.
The Kashmir issue is known by everyone, both sides of the border Pakistan & India face daily tension. Crossfire is common, unpredictable, dangerous.
Zavian was headed to a place right near the border.
A village surrounded by beauty & risk. He knew what he was walking into.
And so did Mahi.
That's why her heart was uneasy but she had to go. Her art exhibition, part of a summer camp at her university, was important. She had been preparing for it for weeks.
Still even while surrounded by canvases, colors & people.
Her mind was with him. The noise around her faded & Zavian's voice, his texts, his laughter played softly in her thoughts.
She kept checking her phone.
Waiting, hoping. That he'd reach safely. That he'd text her like always
"Chanda, I'm okay"
But this time, even her smile didn't feel complete because this wasn't just distance.
This was fear.
Zavian was quietly packing his things into a small black backpack.
It wasn't a long trip just a few days for work but the weight in his chest made it feel heavier.
He wore a fitted blue jeans & a crisp white shirt. Over it, a brown leather jacket. On his feet, brown leather Chelsea boots, polished & ready. His wavy hair was neatly set with a touch of gel, giving him that calm but collected look he always carried. A simple brown watch wrapped around his wrist ticking steadily, each second a little reminder that he was getting closer to leaving.
He looked in the mirror once before stepping out of the room.
Everything seemed perfect. He grabbed his phone, stared at Mahi's last message again.
She had said to be careful.
She had said it simply but he could read between the lines, she was scared.
Zavian took a deep breath.
Zipped up his bag & texted her softly,
"I'll be back soon ,Chanda...InShaAllah"
Zavian stepped out of the house with steady steps but his heart felt heavy.
He opened his car door, threw his backpack in the passenger seat & grabbed the steering wheel.
Adjusting his seat, checking the mirrors, he took a deep breath before starting the engine.
He turned on a soft playlist something slow, something calm.
Rain tapped gently against the windshield as he pulled out of the driveway & onto the main road.
He thought of Mahi.
The way she said, "Ap please dehan sy jana"
The city slowly began to fade behind him as the road opened up, stretching long & empty.
His phone on the dashboard, no new messages.
Still, he glanced at it again & again, hoping to see her name light up the screen.
After a long 6 hour drive through winding roads & grey skies, Zavian finally reached the entrance of Kashmir. The mountains stood tall around him, mist floating gently through the trees. The air was cooler, quieter. He rolled down the window, letting the breeze hit his face. A small smile formed as he reached for his phone.
He typed:
"Mahi, I'm in Kashmir. Driving to the hotel now. I'm fit & I love you"
He placed the phone back on the seat, eyes returning to the road, through the hills. His heart beat a little faster not from the journey but waiting for her reply.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed.
It was her.
"I'm back home too. Have to go for 3, 4 days continuously now"
Zavian read the message as he slowed the car near a checkpoint. She had just reached home probably tired, yet she replied.
He smiled gently, typing back:
"Take care of yourself, Chanda. Good luck for the exhibition & text me whenever you can, please"
"And I love you"
On the other side, Mahi read it & smiled quietly, cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. Sitting on her bed, still in her exhibition clothes, she typed back:
"Shukriya Mr. Cheesy, take care of yourself too"
Zavian laughed softly in his car, still driving through the calm Kashmir road, he replied:
"I love you"
Mahi, half laughing, half blushing, typed:
"Kitni baar bolo gy?" (How many times will you say it?)
Zavian took a deep breath, his heart calm now.
"Jb tak hun tb tak" (As long as I'm alive)
She stared at his reply, her lips curling into a shy smile.
"Stop making me blush, Zavian Ubaid" , she had typed half annoyed, half giggling to herself.
Within seconds, his response popped up:
"As you say, Mrs. Zavian"
Her heart skipped a beat.
She read his message & covered her face with her dupatta, hiding the smile that refused to leave.
"Itna mat sharmao, achi baat nai hoti, mera kya hoga, Chanda?"
(Don't blush this much, it's not a good thing, what will happen to me, Chanda?)
She typed back, still blushing:
"Zavian stoppp"
He replied instantly:
"Can't help it, ap blush krti rho gi toh waqiye mera kya hoga"
(Can't help it, if you keep blushing like this, seriously, what will happen to me?)
Mahi rolled her eyes playfully & shook her head, still smiling. Her cheeks were warm & her heart a little too fast.
Zavian again typed:
"Abi b sharma rhi hai meri Chanda?" (Are you still blushing, my Chanda?)
She said teasingly,
"No, Mr. Cheesy, focus on driving"
He replied,
"Roger, mam"
He reached the hotel room, took out his comfy clothes, showered & changed into a simple white shirt & black trousers, slipping slippers on his feet.
He texted Mahi,
"Awake, begum?"
She replied,
"Almost sleepy"
He smiled & wrote back,
"I love you, sleep well. I'm tired too. InShaAllah subah hoti hai baat"
(InShaAllah, we'll talk in the morning)
They both slept peacefully.
Outside, the weather in Kashmir was calm, while at Mahek's place, the day had been too hot & sunny.
Next morning, Zavian woke up feeling refreshed. He headed straight to the bathroom, took a warm shower & got ready for the day. He chose his usual outfit a simple, neat shirt paired with comfortable trousers. His hair was lightly styled, just like every morning & he looked calm & focused as he prepared for the day ahead.
Meanwhile, far away, Mahi was already up & getting ready for her art exhibition. She carefully picked out a soft pink-skin kurti that matched her gentle personality. She slipped into a pair of traditional khussa's, their delicate embroidery adding a touch of elegance to her look. Wearing a light dupatta over her shoulders & head, she checked herself in the mirror one last time. Her skin glowed softly in the morning light & there was a quiet excitement in her eyes about the day ahead.
Zavian texted her:
"I'm heading to meet the person I came here for, Chanda. You take care & stay safe at your exhibition. After my meeting, I'll try to visit some beautiful places around here. I'll be waiting for you"
She replied,
"Okay, please be careful"
Zavian met the person he had come to see for work. After the meeting, he decided to visit some nearby valleys close to the border to enjoy the beautiful views but suddenly, there was loud gunfire at the border. Crossfire had started between the armies. Zavian quickly tried to find a safe place to hide but in the chaos, he got hurt. Two bullets hit him, one in his left arm & the other in his waist.
Far away, Mahi was busy with her art exhibition. Hours passed but she didn't get any message from Zavian. She started to worry. She opened their group chat Patar Patar where all their friends were talking. The messages were full of fear & concern. Everyone was asking about Zavian. When Mahi saw this, her heart stopped. She felt scared & didn't know what just happened to him.
Mahi quickly typed in the group chat,
"What happened to Zavian?"
One of their close friends replied,
"Zavian's sister sent a message. She said he got shot. He is in the ICU now"
Mahi's heart sank. The fear she had been feeling suddenly became real. She couldn't believe what she was reading.
Mahi didn't know what to do. She kept texting Zavian again & again, hoping for a reply.
"Zavian, what happened?"
"Zavian, they are saying you're in ICU. I can't believe it"
"I told you to stay safe"
"Zavian, mera kya hoga?" (What will happen to me?)
"Bewa kro gy mujhy?" (Will you widow me?)
She didn't even realize what she was typing her fear & worry were taking over completely.
Hours passed, then a whole day went by without any word from Zavian. Just when Mahi's hope was fading, her phone buzzed, a message from him finally came through.
Without wasting a second, she replied, her fingers shivering,
"Zavian, are you okay? Where are you? I've been so worried, Didn't you even think about me?"
His message came with a gentle surprise, showing how much her concern touched him. He answered softly,
"Mahi, relax Chanda, mai bilkul thk hun bs thori si chot ai hai"
(Mahi, relax my Chanda, I'm completely fine, just a little hurt)
She replied,
"Shut up Zavian, yay choti si chot hai??" (Shut up Zavian, is it just a small injury???)
He said,
"Mahi listen na, I'm okay chanda"
She replied,
"No, you are not okay Zavian" , She was crying.
He said teasingly,
"Chanda, wesy pareshani mei ap bhul gai k hum married nai hain"
(By the way, in this worry, you forgot that we're not married)
She said,
"Shut up Zavian"
Her mind went numb, she was surprised she said that.
He laughed softly.
"Sorry na, I'm okay"
She said in worry,
"Zavian, mai bht dar gai thi, tumhein kuch ho jata toh?"
(Zavian, I was really scared, what if something had happened to you?)
He felt happy that she cared & was worried for him but at the same time, he was upset to hear her crying.
He said,
"Mahi meri jaan, relax, dekho mujhy kuch nai hua"
(Mahi, my love, relax, see, nothing happened to me)
He said,
"Mahi Chanda, stop crying, esy nai roty" (Mahi Chanda, stop crying like this)
She said,
"Bht bury ho tum" (You're very bad)
He said teasingly with love,
"G meri jaan, bht zyada"
(Yes my love, very much)
He was gently, trying to calm her softly,
"Don't worry, Mahi, everything will be fine. I'm right here & I'm okay"
His voice was full of warmth, hoping to ease her fears & make her feel okay.
He teased her softly, a playful smile in his text,
"Looks like someone is falling in love, ahan?" (Someone is falling in love, ahan?)
She replied quickly, trying to hide her feelings,
"Not with you, I hate you"
But even as she said it, her tears mixed with a small smile.
He chuckled warmly & said gently,
"I love you more, Chanda. Esy na roya kro please"
(I love you more, Chanda, Don't cry like that, please)
They talked softly for a little longer, sharing small moment & quiet memories. Slowly, the tension eased between them. Then, with a gentle goodnight, their chat ended.
Zavian was sitting on his bed, a blanket loosely covering him, the soft morning light slipping through the curtains of the hotel room. His arm ached a little from the wound but the warmth of his cup of tea helped soothe him. He held his phone in one hand, messaging Mahek as he slowly ate the simple breakfast placed on the table beside him.
Mahek, on the other side, sat cross legged by the window in her room in India, the sun already strong outside, her chai steamed softly in her favorite mug. She hadn't gone to university today her heart wasn't in it. All she wanted was to talk to Zavian, to know he was okay.
Their conversation was calm, filled with soft smiles & comfort until Mahi suddenly typed,
"Zavian, I don't know how we'll be together. How do you have so much hope?"
Zavian paused for a moment, looking at the message. His eyes softened.
He replied,
"Because I have you, Chanda. That's enough reason for me to hope"
She stared at her screen, her heart feeling heavy, her fingers slightly shivering, she typed:
"Zavian... how are you so sure?"
There was a pause. A few seconds. Then his reply came gentle, full of warmth, as if he could feel her doubt through the screen:
"Mahi, just hold my hand"
"Hold onto me, hold onto us"
It wasn't just words.
It was his way of saying don't let go no matter how blurry the future looked, no matter how far the borders stretched between them.
She texted him, a little broken, a little lost in her own thoughts.
"Zavian, this can only happen with miracles & I don't think miracles happen anymore"
Zavian stared at her message for a long moment. He didn't rush to reply. He just sat there, feeling the weight in her words, the doubt, the fear & still, he smiled softly.
And then he typed:
We are like an eclipse
We'll meet with some miracle.
We are like wandering stars
We'll meet with some miracle.
We are like the sunset and sunrise
We'll meet with some miracle.
We exist, Mahi & I think that's enough for miracles to happen
She replied, a little in awe, a little amused:
"You wrote this yourself?"
Zavian with a teasing smile, texted back:
"No, no Mr. Cheesy wrote this"
Just like he hoped, it made her smile that small, helpless kind of smile you give when someone just knows how to soften your heart
She blushed & typed:
"Dfa ho" (Go away)
But they both knew, she didn't mean it...
Two days had passed since the crossfire incident. Zavian had finally returned to his hometown, leaving behind those heavy, tragic memories in Kashmir. The journey back was long & quiet. His wounds were healing, slowly.
He stepped into his house, the familiar scent of home wrapping around him like a gentle hug. Everything looked the same, but he didn't feel the same.
He dropped his backpack in the corner of his room, took off his jacket & sat on the edge of his bed in silence for a moment, eyes closed, breathing slowly. The ticking clock on the wall was the only sound in the room.
He picked up his phone.
There was no message from Mahi yet but he didn't panic. He smiled faintly, because he knew she must be waiting too. He opened her chat & typed slowly:
"Mahi, I'm back finally"
A few seconds later, the screen lit up.
It was Mahi.
"Thank God. I was holding my breath these past two days"
His heart softened. Just two days & it felt like a lifetime.
"Zavian, take some rest & please take care of your wounds"
He read her message, a faint smile at his lips, he replied softly:
"I love you"
She smiled on the other side & replied:
"Phr shuru ho gaye tum" (You've started again)
He laughed gently & typed back:
"Ab mohabbat ho gai hai ap sy, kya krein"
(Now that I've fallen in love with you, what can I do?)
The afternoon sun burned high above as Mahek sat near the window, fanning herself with her notebook. The heat was unbearable, even for someone used to Indian summers. Her hair were tied in a loose bun & the sunlight touched her face in soft gold. She messaged Zavian teasingly.
"Zavian, it's too hot today, Let's test your love"
There was a playful smirk behind her words.
Zavian, lying on his bed back in his hometown, read the message & smiled, already knowing she was about to say something dramatic.
"How, begum?" he replied.
"First of all," she typed quickly,
"Stop calling me begum. Secondly, if it rains today, I'll take it as a sign from Allah. That your love is real"
He stared at her message, a soft laugh escaping his lips. The way she connected his love with a miracle like rain in this weather, it melted something inside him.
He took a moment, then gently replied:
"As you say, begum"
And there it was again begum slipping from his fingers like it belonged to her name.
Mahek saw the message & rolled her eyes but her heart skipped a beat.
He didn't stop calling her that, not even when she told him to.
Maybe deep down, she didn't really want him to stop.
Zavian didn't even remember when sleep took over. One moment he was staring at the ceiling & the next, his eyes open to the faint light of morning slipping through the curtains. His shoes were still on, one foot awkwardly half off the bed & his back ached from the odd position he had passed out in. Groaning softly, he sat up & rubbed the back of his neck.
Still half asleep, the first thing his hands reached for was his phone.
One unread message from Chanda.
He opened it & there it was her drama, her warmth, her way of wrapping care in threats.
"Don't go to office today, Zavian or else I'll call you bhai from now"
He stared at the screen, a soft smile on his lips. His voice was husky from sleep when he whispered,
"So dramatic"
But he loved it.
Zavian quickly replied,
"Begum, I'll just go & check the work, then I'll come back home"
Her reply came almost immediately,
"Okay, just go & come back quickly"
He smiled softly at her message, feeling that familiar warmth in his chest. Without wasting any time, he got up, took a quick shower & dressed neatly. The pain in his back was still there but he pushed it aside, work had to be done.
Once ready, he stepped out & headed to the office. The morning flew by as he checked everything carefully, making sure nothing was left undone.
After wrapping up, he started his drive back home, thinking about Mahi & how much he missed the comfort of being near her even if it was just through messages. The road ahead felt lighter somehow, as if her words were carrying him back.
On the other side, Mahek was sitting in her room, studying quietly but her mind wasn't really on her books. She kept thinking about that little wish she made, the test she playfully asked from Zavian's love. How could it happen? It was nearly 40 degrees outside, hot. Rain felt impossible.
Then, just minutes later, she suddenly heard the soft, gentle noise of raindrops hitting the window. The sweet, fresh smell of dry soil mixing with rain filled the air. Her thoughts drifted away like they were on a peaceful vacation.
She jumped up & went to the balcony & there it was...
Rain pouring down heavily, the sky filled with dark grey clouds, washing the world in coolness. Mahek stood there for a moment, her hand slowly rising to her lips in surprise, her eyes wide open, sparkling with wonder.
For a moment, everything felt magical as if the universe was answering her little test, sending a sign just for her & her Zavian.
Zavian reached home & went straight to his room. He changed into comfy clothes & grabbed his phone. He texted Mahi,
"Mahi, mai ghar agaya hun" (Mahi, I'm home)
Meanwhile, Mahi was excitedly waiting, typing quickly
"Zavi, Zavi, Zavi, you know what???"
He smiled softly at her childish excitement & replied,
"Yes, my Chanda?"
She said,
"Zavian, it's raining outside, too much"
He smiled even more & asked,
"Happy?"
She giggled & said,
"How can it be possible? Like I'm in India & you're in Pakistan"
He replied softly,
"It was your wish, Mahi & my wish is to make you my wife. If Allah fulfilled your wish, He can surely fulfill mine too"
His words made Mahek blush & smile at the same time.
She teasingly said,
"I hate you"
Zavian knew exactly what she meant, so he softly replied,
"I love you more, spark of my soul"
Mahi blushed deeply, Zavian's cheeks tinted with a soft pink too.
In that quiet moment, it felt like destiny had quietly knotted their hearts together unspoken but unbreakable...
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for the next part...📚🤍
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