HUMSAFAR

21~ Changes

AMREEN

The music was blaring and the air was filled with laughter and conversation. I stood at the crowded party, taking in the vibrant atmosphere.

As I looked through the sea of people, my eyes met his. Zaid. What is he doing here? I tried to make sense of his presence and it hit me. He was a pass out of our college, Of course, he would know some of the people here.

I found some friends and joined them, trying to distract myself from his overwhelming presence.

One of our common friends called me to introduce him. I walked towards them, trying my best to appear composed. He looked at me, my mind screamed at me to run. We exchanged a smile. My friends disappeared, leaving me alone with him. I could feel my palms becoming clammy. His eyes beckoned me towards him.

"Kahin bahar jaake baat kare?"

His voice rang out, I hesitated but then nodded in agreement. We stepped outside into the cool night air.

"Listen..I'm sorry for everything that happened-" he said breaking the silence.

"kya hum iss baare mein baat nahi kar sakte please?" 

"Okay.. I just..wanted to put it out there"

I smiled. "It's...fine"

"Can we at least be friends?"

His voice was filled with uncertainty, I looked at him confused. Could I really handle being just friends with him? I didn't want to push him away completely, so I decided to give it a chance. I smiled and agreed.

"So..you know quite a lot of people here?" I asked indicating the party.

"Haan..Har party mein bulate hai hume" 

"You know Sara?" He nodded.

"Sara,Aaliyah, Feroze, Salman..we were all close" 

"Oh" I replied.

"Do you play basketball?" 

"Yess!! I replied excitedly. "Kya aap bhi?"

"Haan! Team caption tha main"

"Agle hafte college mein match hai, aap aayenge?" I asked turning towards him.

"I'll try" he said and smiled. His smile, oh that smile! How am I going to manage being just friends with him when my heart certainly yearns for more? We walked for a while, he shared some of his college incidents and I got to know a little about him.

TIME SKIP (few weeks)

[FARUQUI HOUSE] 

MANNARA

I stepped onto the balcony, a cool evening breeze caressed my face. I looked at Amreen, sound asleep amidst a sea of scattered papers. I approached her and whispered her name, hoping to rouse her without any alarm. Amreen stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Time kya hua hai??" She asked tensed.

"Abhi 7 baje hai..kya hua? itni pareshan kyun ho?"

"Bhabhi Bohot saare assignments due hai, kal submit karna hai..time bohot kam hai aur mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha kya karu"

"Main tumhari help kar dungi, we'll pull an all nighter, tum chill karo ho jayega"

She sighed relieved and we got to work.

Engrossed in the task, she suddenly turned towards me,"aap kal bhai ko kya gift dengi?"

"Gift?" I asked surprised.