𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔
What happens when Aena Kamran, a girl who has always kept her distance from men, crosses paths with Mahir Durani, the heir to the powerful Durani Group and future ruler of the business world? Aena, on a mission to...
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The journey from Islamabad to Karachi was exhausting. Our bus carried 18 students—10 boys and 8 girls. The atmosphere was lively; Lia and Mia were glued to their phones, while Soha mingled with the rest of the group. I, however, chose to plug in my headphones and play the acapella version of my favorite song, closing my eyes to disconnect. I’m not exactly an introvert, nor am I reserved; I just prefer to keep my words to a minimum when boys are around.
Looking out the window, I noticed other university buses on the highway. They were all headed to Gavendra, the nation’s most prestigious event. For two weeks leading up to the event, highways are reserved solely for university transportation, facilitating students from across the country to the hosting city.
20 Hours Later
When we finally arrived, our bus bypassed the terminal and drove directly to the Loost University grounds. As I stepped off with the others, I scanned the area, hoping to spot my sister, but she was nowhere to be found. The scene was chaotic—students from different universities milling about in excitement. Suddenly, a voice boomed over the microphone.
“As-salamu alaykum, students! Welcome to Loost University. Make yourselves at home. Your hostels are assigned to your respective professors. Today, NDE, Nest, and DWO have arrived. NDE students, proceed to Building 2, Floor 8. Nest students, Building 2, Floor 1. And DWO students, Building 1, Floor 5. Thank you, and we hope you move quickly.”
The announcement ended, and the crowd began moving.
“Oh my God, did you see him? That’s Shameer from Badge 4! He’s a Durani,” a girl behind me exclaimed. I turned briefly in confusion at the mention of “Durani” but brushed it off, following my friends to our assigned building.
In our hostel, four students were to share a room. Thankfully, I was paired with my best friends. Later in the evening, I got ready to meet my family. Standing at the university gate, I saw a car pull up. Instinctively, I stepped back as the window rolled down, revealing my younger brother, Saim.
“Hey, my love,” he greeted with his signature smirk.
I narrowed my eyes in mock disgust and pinched his nose. “What kind of mischief are you up to now?”
