Chapter 5

After deciding what she wanted Zinat left Aayat to rest.

She knew that Aayat would be weak and could not afford to risk her life once again. On the other hand, Rabia was with Abyad and she was relishing her victory.

Abyad was devastated but was helpless.

If he was to choose between his happiness and her safety, he would without any doubt choose her safety.

He was disgusted by himself and retracted to a corner where he could reminisce all his memories with Aayat.

How he wished he tackled things with maturity and stood by her side, but alas, he did the complete opposite.

* 4 years back*

Abyad's p.o.v

One month has elapsed since we went our separate ways and there hasn't been a day that passed where she was not on my mind. But I knew if it was written in our faith, we would crossways again.

It was New Year's Eve; I was on my bed looking at her pictures and her stories on WhatsApp. Much to my dismay, I saw a quote that I presume she wrote herself

Far from each other but close by heart, wished I could retaliate and tell you how I feel.

This felt like she stabbed me in the heart, I could not bring myself to believe that she moved on so quickly. So, in the disturbed state that I was, I texted her without thinking.

I always thought that you were the one, but I was wrong. You are just like any other girl out there. I feel sick that I loved you. I cannot be more joyful that you are out of my life. Thank you for making me see how you are. Enjoy your pathetic life with your new boyfriend.

After typing that I could not stop the tears from streaming down my face. I was sitting beside the window wishing that someone would tell me all this is a misunderstanding, but there was no one. I knew I had to move on with life now. She made it clear, she did not even bother to reply to the text.

I took my phone and played some racing games to divert my attention. This was the best I could do for now.

* present*

Aayat laid on the bed trying to push away all the negative thoughts but she could not help that her sacrifice went in vain. Rania finally won the battle and destroyed her by snatching away Abyad. She knew that Abyad genuinely loved her however she could not comprehend his actions for his emotions were contradicting his every move.

She closed her eyes only to get a flashback to when she was forced to separate ways with Abyad. However, she never opted for the measures that Abyad had taken.

* 3 years back*

Aayat's P.O.V

It's been one month, I was completely lost, I didn't know what I should do anymore, without Zinat by my side I felt like I lost everything. I retired to my cousin's place in the south to change my environment and to build myself back. I was a total disaster, I would barely eat or drink anything, and I would spend most of my day helping out my aunt and my cousin in the kitchen.

It was New Year's Eve and I was walking down the busy street of the village Centre. There was some random guy who was stalking my cousin and I which was profusely annoying since I hated this kind of behaviour, to top it all, I was missing Abyad so much that I ended up writing poems about him, for this is the only way I could express my emotions.

I sighed and tried to keep my sanity while the stalker kept bugging me to have my phone number, but in the end, I lashed out on him. My eyes burned in fury, the guy and my cousin were taken aback by my sudden outburst. I rushed back to her house and went to isolate myself on her rooftop. It was nearly midnight when I received a heartbreaking text from Abyad.

I could not hold it in anymore, I broke down letting in all the feelings I had rush out of my system through my tears. I welcomed the new year with tears for someone in my past. Furthermore, it was the first new year that I had without Zinat by my side and it made me feel worst.

The first three months of my o-level went by in an instant, I lost myself in a load of work and responsibilities that were allocated to me. I participated in several academic competitions; I was even the leader of my group for most of them. The most interesting one was an entire year study about the marine environment of the Pacific Ocean and three students in each school were selected for this study.

Along with me, two other girls were selected, a shy and silent one named Ahaana and a bold and dominating one named Vani. Ahaana would always be around Vani, obeying whatever she said, which was quite irritating. However, I knew I was bound to work with them as a team, so I had to tolerate Vani which was quite challenging considering how impulsive I was.

Aside from workload, the Raina problem ended after I came up to her with an ultimatum. She was either bound to come clean to the police when I showed the proof, I collected against her or she could move away from here and never interfere with my life again. As presumed, she preferred the second choice.

Despite she was out of my life, I could not gather enough strength to communicate with Abyad and Zinat again. thus, I spent my entire day in the lab, working on the project and studying. I never allowed myself to rest for this would make me think about Abyad. Two of my classmates Meher and Rabia tried to talk me into eating and taking care of myself but everything was in vain. In the end, Meher got enough and called up Abyad.