Twin Rivalry Unleashed

Chapter 1: The encounter

The library was a haven of tranquility, shielded from the outside world by its serene silence. Students sought solace within its walls, immersed in the pages of their books. For Aleena, it was the perfect sanctuary to prepare for her upcoming exams.

As the clock on the wall caught her eye, Aleena quickly glanced at her wristwatch to confirm the time. A sense of urgency washed over her, prompting her to swiftly gather her belongings. It was evident that she had lost track of time amidst the library's enchantment or perhaps due to some other delightful distraction.

She found herself already ten minutes late, urging her to dash out of the library in the hope of reaching the exam hall before noon.

Regrettably, in her haste, she collided with a man, causing her books to scatter across the floor as she stumbled. Today seemed to be filled with unfortunate events as she stood there, witnessing her scattered books, while the man, oblivious to her predicament, remained motionless.

"Can't you lend a hand after pushing me? Is it necessary for you to stand idly by and observe?" she demanded, her anger simmering within. One of the men accompanying him bent down to help her, while the other simply turned away.

The man who stayed, gathering her fallen books, spoke in a calm voice. "I'm certain my friend didn't intentionally push you. Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding."

"What!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening, and her lips forming a scowl. "So it's my fault? Is that what you're insinuating?" she responded, her anger intensifying.

The man retorted, "I didn't mean to accuse you, but it's worth noting that my friend couldn't have pushed you if you had been walking carefully. A woman should carry herself gracefully, without the need to rush."

Aleena huffed in disbelief. This man was testing her patience! How could he defend his friend's actions while disregarding her own distress? What frustrated her even more was witnessing the man who had caused the collision walk away without a second thought.

Determined, Aleena marched over to the man, clutching the last book tightly. "Hey, wait, you need to hear this!" she called out, her voice ringing with determination.

Her legs trembled, her stomach twisted in nervousness, and her heart pounded within her chest. As her eyes met his, fear flickered across her face, although his sunglasses concealed his gaze. It was evident that anger consumed him. "Are you here to assault me? Is calling me a molester not enough?" he seethed with fury.

Aleena summoned the last vestiges of her energy, stepping aside without uttering another word, while the man hissed and walked away. He headed straight back to the library, with his companion, who had assisted her, following in his footsteps.

Shaking her head in disappointment, Aleena muttered to herself, "What have I done? How did fate bring me face to face with him like this?" She watched them until they disappeared from sight before sighing deeply and hurrying away.

Inside the library, the man approached the security guard and requested guidance to the section designated for people with visual impairments. His anger still smoldered within him. He could no longer wait for his friends. Today had marked the first time he encountered someone, a woman, who treated him so callously without any fault of his own. He was certain she had been unaware of his blindness.

Ejaz, seated not far away, made his way over to his friend, aware of Zia's tendency to dwell on troubling thoughts. Placing a comforting hand on Zia's shoulder, Ejaz pleaded, "Please, Zia, I implore you to let it go. I've been observing you from where I sat, and it seems you're fixated on what transpired. You know how young people can be. Please, put it behind you."

Zia's eyes were slightly closed, his brow furrowed in contemplation. While he appeared somewhat calmer, his facial expressions betrayed the turmoil within. "Why me? Is it solely because I am blind?" Zia grumbled, his face contorted with anger. Ejaz took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

"I'm certain the girl was unaware of your blindness. Please, release yourself from this burden. We need to concentrate on our studies and cover the extensive material for our exams. Ruminating or holding onto anger won't aid us," Ejaz pleaded, gripping Zia's hand firmly.

The exam hall was filled with a hushed ambiance, punctuated only by the sound of pages being turned. Most students were immersed in their papers, while Aleena found herself lost in thought. She couldn't shake the events that had transpired just minutes ago from her mind. She couldn't understand why she hadn't offered an apology. The fear of being despised by the person she held dearest prevented her from taking that leap. If it weren't for her pride, she would have long ago confessed her love, but it remained unsaid.

After submitting her paper, Aleena hurried back to the library, only to find that the man and his friend had already departed. She decided to visit the political science department in search of him, but her efforts proved fruitless. Calling her driver to pick her up, she reluctantly left the school, promising herself she would return to the same spot after the semester break, hoping for another chance encounter.

In a spacious room adorned with off-white walls and meticulously arranged tiles, Aleena lay atop the plush bed. Something was amiss, apparent from the pained expressions that flitted across her face as she shifted from one position to another. She transitioned from lying on her right side to prone, then assuming the Fowler position.

Restless, she rose from the bed and approached the wall, where a calendar hung, sighing in frustration. Time seemed to stand still. The semester break felt unnecessarily long. The growling of her stomach reminded her of her hunger, prompting her to venture a few steps to the refrigerator in the living room. It was 2:00 AM, and she had no appetite for a heavy meal. She settled for fresh milk and two apples before returning to her room. After consuming a small portion, she succumbed to drowsiness, her hunger having prevented her from falling asleep earlier.

Hours later, Aleena woke, finding herself lying on the carpet. Annoyed at having missed her prayer time, she rose at 7:00 AM and fulfilled her religious obligations. She made her way to her brother Shakir's room to exchange morning greetings before retiring to her own chamber, aware that her mother was likely engaged in her own prayers and her father was currently out of the country.