ishq lost & found

16; Trip

It was a warm summer night, the kind that made the air feel heavy and the world seem to slow down. Since it was summer break, the Aslam's and the Khans decided to take a trip to a beach house for the weekend and distract their kids, especially Saad. With his junior year of high school over, and the impending doom of college applications and senior grades stressing him out, his parents thought this would help lessen the weight on his shoulders. 

This kind of thing wasn't common for their families. But it made quite a lot of sense since their families knew the same people, their close and distant circles tended to overlap, so naturally this wasn't an unusual idea. No matter what Saad and Ranya did, they always found themselves around each other. So naturally, of course this would happen too. 

The trip to the beach had been long and endless, Saad stuck in a vehicle with his younger brother and sister, trying to ignore their arguing as his mind focused elsewhere. The idea of college and figuring his life out was a lot to handle, especially with the pressure of being the eldest. He didn't know what he wanted in the future, he had some semblance, but not concrete ideas. He had wanted to be a lawyer for as long as he could recall, but was that just a childhood dream that wouldn't come true, or was it something he was truly passionate about? He didn't know. 

This wasn't the only thing bothering him. Not only could he not decipher his feelings regarding his career choices, but also his feelings towards a certain someone. Someone who was trailing behind his car with her family. 

He hadn't ever really, seriously, thought about confessing to Ranya. He thought it was futile since they were so young, so much could change, and so much could go wrong. He really did like the dynamic his family struck with hers, and he really liked where their relationship was at. But a part of him wondered if that was his wife, or just another girl in his life. 

The day passed in a haze, most of it taken up by the drive to the beach house, and then getting settled in. By the time everyone had gotten their things together, and had some food since they were starving, it was already pretty late. 

Saad laid awake in his room at his family's beach house, the sounds of ocean waves crashing softly against the shore drifting through the open window. The house was filled with the quiet breathing of everyone, they were all fast asleep after a tiring journey. 

But, Saad's mind was anything by rest. He couldn't stop thinking about Ranya. He wondered when things had changed, when his feelings had shifted. What was once a simple friendship had grown into something deeper, something that made his chest tighten and his thoughts race. 

He signed, staring at the ceiling. Confessing to Ranya seemed like a distant dream. What if she didn't feel the same way? What if it was all in his head, and telling her his feelings would make things awkward for their families? The risks felt too high, but the possibility of her feeling the same way was a hope he could not ignore. 

Unable to quiet his mind, Saad decided a walk might help. He slipped out of bed, careful not to make any noise, and made his way downstairs. The kitchen light was on, casting a soft glow at the bottom of the stairs, and as he entered, he froze. There stood Ranya, by the counter with a glass of water in her hand. 

"Ranya," he said, surprised to see her awake. 

She looked up from her phone, her eyes widening in surprise before she smiled. "Saad. Couldn't sleep either?"

He shook his head, trying to calm the fluttering in his chest. "No. I thought a walk might help." 

Ranya set her glass down, her smile growing. "Really? Is it okay if I come with you? I could use some fresh air." she asked, seizing the opportunity she had been hoping for all day. 

"Of course." Saad replied, trying to keep his voice steady. 

They left the house together, stepping onto the cool sand. The sensation helping the burning Saad felt in his face. The moon cast a silver path across the water, the night filled with soothing sounds of waves. They walked in a comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds being their footsteps and the ocean. 

Saad glanced at Ranya, her face serene in the moonlight. It hit her just right, highlighting her features beautifully. But he didn't really need the moon to do that. Taking a deep breath, he tried to summon the courage to speak his mind. 

"What's been keeping you up?" Ranya asked, breaking the silence as she look up towards him. 

"What do you mean?" He asked, worried she could see through the cool farce he was putting on. 

"Come on Saad, you've been different. You seem... worried? Maybe stressed. What's wrong?" She questioned, her tone reassuring him that he could tell her whatever it was. 

"I've been thinking a lot lately..." He began. 

Ranya softly chuckled, "I can tell." Looking away from him, ahead at the sand instead, she asked, "About what? You know you can tell me anything, we're friends." 

He looked towards her, the word 'friends' stung, his heart broke a little at the comment. But he pressed on. "You..." 

Ranya stopped in her tracks, turning to face him fully, her expression wearing a confusion that almost scared Saad. "Me?"

Saad nodded, gulping before treading onward, not wanting Ranya to see the look on his face as he spoke, "I just feel different..." he shrugged, digging his hands in his pockets as he kicked the sand lightly. 

"Different how?" Ranya pressed, unsure of what he meant. 

Saad felt his heart pounding in his chest, this airways tightening as if to silence him. It's like his body was warning him of the outcome. This was it. He could tell her everything, lay his feelings in front of her, and hope for the best. But the fear of rejection, the potential awkwardness, it held him back. He looked towards her, a small smile making its way to his lips. 

"You're important to me, Rani. I just want you to know that." 

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This was a short one 😭 I hope the 5 ppl reading this like it so far LOL