"The Aftershock of a Moment"
The corridor outside the courtyard smelled faintly of damp stone. Students buzzed with excitement, retelling the fountain incident with exaggerated gestures and dramatic voices.
But Aaira Khan wanted to disappear.
Her hijab was slightly wet from the splash, droplets still clinging to its edge as she hurried away from the crowd with Zara practically dragging her by the wrist.
"Aaira! Slow down!" Zara complained, almost tripping.
"He just saved you—why are you running?"
Aaira kept walking, cheeks burning.
"Zara, the entire campus was staring… I can't."
Zara rolled her eyes.
"Ya Allah, you didn't do anything! He's the one who ran like a hero."
Aaira stopped, exasperated.
"That's exactly the problem. Now everyone thinks— I don't know what."
Zara stepped in front of her and held her shoulders.
"Aaira. Listen. It was an accident. And a good thing he noticed you, or the cyclist would've crashed straight into you."
Aaira exhaled shakily.
She hated attention.
And this… this was the kind that followed you for days.
But deep down, she knew Zara was right.
_________________
Across the courtyard — Rayan
Rayan stood near the fountain, water dripping down his sleeve.
He wasn't listening to the chatter around him.
His mind replayed only one moment:
Her eyes.
Wide.
Startled.
Soft like the morning sky.
He ran a hand through his wet hair.
Junaid smirked beside him.
"I didn't know you were passionate about saving random girls."
Rayan shot him a look.
"I wasn't saving anyone. The cyclist was reckless."
Junaid lifted a brow.
"Right. And you just happened to sprint toward that random girl."
Rayan stayed silent—a little too silent.
Junaid crossed his arms.
"So… you noticed her."
Rayan looked away toward the direction she had disappeared.
His heartbeat betrayed him long before he did.
"…I don't know her."
"Exactly," Junaid grinned.
"That's the interesting part."
_______________
Classroom 12 — First Lecture
Aaira and Zara slipped into the back row, hoping to stay unnoticed.
Their new classmates were lively.
Some introduced themselves, others exchanged notes, and a few students spoke Turkish too fast for Aaira to follow.
She nervously arranged her pens, notebook, and timetable.
Zara nudged her.
"Relax. You'll top the class by next month."
Aaira whispered,
"I just want a normal day. Quiet."
Fate didn't agree.
Because the door opened—slowly but with an authority that silenced half the room.
Rayan walked in.
And right behind him, grinning like trouble, Junaid.
Zara's jaw dropped.
"No. Way."
Aaira stiffened as if the oxygen had left the room.
They were in the same department.
Rayan scanned the rows—and his gaze paused the second it landed on her.
Aaira instinctively lowered her eyes.
Junaid flashed a dazzling smile at the class.
"Hello everyone. I'm Junaid Yalmir."
Several girls giggled.
Zara rolled her eyes and muttered,
"Show-off…"
He heard.
Junaid turned, spotting her easily.
"Oh, it's you again."
Zara crossed her arms.
"Do you greet everyone with annoyance or is it just me?"
"Only you," he said cheerfully.
Aaira pinched Zara's sleeve to stop the bickering.
Meanwhile, Rayan quietly took a seat—two rows ahead of Aaira.
Close enough to sense her presence.
Close enough for his heart to betray him.
He didn't turn around.
But he felt her.
Like a quiet gravity pulling at him.
___________________
The Lecture Begins
Professor Sadiq entered, carrying notes and a coffee mug.
"Good morning, class. We begin with introduction round."
Aaira's stomach twisted.
One by one, students stood up.
When it was her turn, her voice was soft, steady, respectful.
"I'm Aaira Khan. From India. I love literature and nature… and I'm grateful to be here."
Simple.
Modest.
Pure.
Rayan didn't look back.
But his hand froze mid-writing.
Her voice did something to him—
something unfamiliar, unsettling, yet… peaceful.
Zara's introduction was energetic and dramatic.
The class laughed.
Junaid shook his head as if saying, of course she's like this.
His turn came.
"Junaid Yalmir. From Ankara. I talk a lot."
The class burst into laughter.
Zara muttered,
"At least he's self-aware."
He smirked at her whisper.
Then Rayan stood.
And the classroom straightened as if someone important had walked into court.
"Rayan Demir. Istanbul."
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Confident.
Calm.
Controlled.
Aaira didn't look up, but she felt the shift in the room's energy.
It was hard not to.
__________________
Break Time
Students poured out of the classroom.
Zara wanted coffee.
Aaira wanted air.
So they walked toward the garden behind the academic block.
Aaira stood beneath a tall tree, breathing deeply, grounding herself after the overwhelming morning.
Zara rambled beside her,
"Istanbul is so pretty, Aaira. Look at these leaves—wait, no, look at that cat!—no, look at—"
Aaira smiled softly.
But the moment was interrupted when a firm, familiar voice approached from behind.
Junaid.
"You're standing in our usual spot."
Zara turned sharply.
"Your what?"
"Our spot," he repeated, pointing at the tree.
"Mine and Rayan's."
Zara scoffed.
"It's a public garden, not your grandfather's balcony."
Junaid blinked.
Then burst out laughing.
"You're unbelievable."
"Thank you," she replied proudly.
Aaira tugged her arm.
"Zara, let's just find another place."
Zara:
"No. Principle."
Behind Junaid, Rayan approached quietly.
He expected his friend to argue.
He did not expect to see her again.
Aaira looked up—just for a second.
And their eyes met.
The world slowed.
He froze.
She inhaled sharply.
Then she quickly looked away, flustered.
Zara noticed.
Junaid definitely noticed.
Rayan said nothing—but something flickered in his eyes.
Something he didn't like.
Something he didn't understand.
Something that scared him more than he'd admit.
Junaid broke the tension.
"We're not chasing you away. Just stating tradition."
Zara lifted her chin.
"Then we'll make a new tradition."
Aaira whispered urgently,
"Zara, stop—"
Rayan finally spoke, voice deep and controlled.
"It's fine. They can stay."
Zara blinked.
"Huh?"
Even Junaid looked at him in shock.
Rayan didn't look at anyone except—
well—
he looked at the grass near Aaira, pretending not to look at her.
"Let's go, Junaid."
They walked away.
But not before Rayan stole one last glance at her—
a glance she wasn't supposed to see,
a glance he didn't mean to give.
Aaira felt it.
Warm.
Strange.
Uncomfortable.
Why was he looking?
________________
Later — Dorm Room
Back at the hostel, Aaira sat on her bed, hugging her notebook.
Zara paced around dramatically.
"Aaira, tell me. Tell me why the university heartthrob is staring at you like you stole his laptop."
Aaira smiled and said
"I don't know, Zara. Please stop."
Zara flopped beside her.
"Maybe he recognized your soul or something. Like… destiny vibes."
Aaira nudged her.
"Zara, stop reading romance novels."
Zara:
"Just saying."
But Aaira wasn't smiling anymore.
A strange worry crept into her chest.
Because she didn't like attention.
Especially from someone so well-known.
Especially from someone… like him.
_______________
Meanwhile — Rayan's Apartment
Rayan sat in silence, staring at the ceiling.
Junaid tossed a cushion at him.
"Bro. You've been zoned out since morning."
Rayan didn't answer.
Junaid grinned slowly.
"…I know that look."
"There is no look," Rayan said sharply.
"There is. And it started when you saw her."
Rayan stood abruptly, irritation obvious.
"I don't care who she is."
But his heart betrayed him again.
Because every time he blinked—
he saw her wet hijab,
her startled eyes,
her calm face.
And without meaning to—
he whispered under his breath,
"…Aaira."
Junaid's eyes widened.
"Ohhh… you're falling, aren't you?"
Rayan clenched his jaw.
He wasn't ready to accept it.
Not yet.
But the truth was already unfolding inside him.
________________________________
"Some connections begin before a single word is spoken—seen only by the heart that suddenly forgets how to stay still."
♡♡♡
To be continued!!
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Love, samar♡