Sirf Tum~ Collection of Stories

3

Author's POV 

Zeeana's eyes welled up, her voice trembling. "Aap se baat karne mein mujhe aaj kuch aisa lag raha hai. Yeh engagement aur aapka busy schedule, sab kuch ek saath ho raha hai. Main samajh nahi pa rahi hoon ki main kaise handle karun. Aap ke saath apni zindagi ka sochna, mere liye itna simple nahi hai."

Rayyan reached out, taking her hand in his. "Zeeana, mujhe pata hai ki tumhara college aur hamari engagement dono hi ek saath aa gaye hain. Tumhare liye ye sab new hai, aur main chahta hoon ki tumhe pata chale ki main tumhare saath hoon. Agar tumhe zyada samay chahiye ya kuch clarity chahiye, main tumhara saath dunga."

Tears slipped down Zeeana's cheeks. "Main bhi apni feelings ko lekar confused hoon. Main nahi jaanti ki aapke saath is engagement ka matlab kya hai. Yeh sab mere liye overwhelming hai."

Rayyan gently wiped her tears. "Zeeana, main tumhe pressure nahi dena chahta. Tum jitna chaho, utna samay le sakti ho. Main bas yeh kehna chahta hoon ki main tumhare saath hoon, chahe kuch bhi ho."

Zeeana took a deep breath, her emotions pouring out. "Aapke saath yeh sab plan karna mujhe bahut stress kar raha hai. Main tumhare saath rahna chahti hoon, par mujhe bhi apni space aur time chahiye."

Rayyan's eyes softened with understanding. "Main tumhari baaton ko samajhta hoon. Tumhara college admission bhi ek bada achievement hai, aur main tumhe congratulate karta hoon. Tumhare saath hone ka mere liye matlab hai."

Inside, the room was bathed in a warm, ambient light. Zeeana changed into a soft nightdress—a simple yet elegant shirt and long pants—while Rayyan opted for a casual shirt and pants. They settled onto the bed, their earlier tension giving way to a more relaxed atmosphere.

Zeeana sprawled on the bed, her emotions still raw. Rayyan sat beside her, his hand resting gently on her arm.

"Aap ke saath is tarah baat karna mujhe bahut achha lagta hai," Zeeana began, her voice soft. "Par main ab bhi confused hoon ki yeh engagement kaise handle karu. Aapke saath hone ka matlab mere liye bahut hai, lekin mujhe lagta hai ki main apni zindagi kaise sambhalungi."

Rayyan turned to face her, his expression filled with concern. "Zeeana, main samajhta hoon ki yeh sab tumhare liye overwhelming ho sakta hai. Tumhe zyada time chahiye, toh main yeh kehna chahta hoon ki tumhara space aur waqt main de sakta hoon. Hamari engagement ko lekar tumhare jo bhi doubts hain, mujhe batayein."

Zeeana took a deep breath, feeling the comfort of his presence. "Main sach mein aapko paana chahti hoon, par mujhe lagta hai ki abhi mujhe aur time chahiye. College, engagement, sab kuch ek saath ho raha hai. Aapke saath yeh sab plan karna mere liye challenging hai."

Rayyan nodded, his hand gently caressing her hair. "Zeeana, tumhare emotions bilkul valid hain. Main tumhari har ek feeling ko samajhta hoon. Tum jaisa bhi feel kar rahi ho, woh sab theek hai. Tumhe apni pace pe chalne ka haq hai."

Zeeana looked up at him, her eyes reflecting gratitude. "Aapka support mujhe bahut zaroori hai. Aapke bina, main yeh sab handle nahi kar sakti."

Rayyan smiled reassuringly. "Main hamesha tumhare saath hoon. Aur tumhare college ka success ek bada milestone hai. Tum jahan bhi jaogi, main tumhare saath hoon."

Zeeana shifted closer to him, feeling a mix of relief and affection. "Aapke saath baat karna aur yeh sab discuss karna mujhe bahut comfort deta hai."

Rayyan wrapped his arms around her, his touch tender and calming. "I'm glad we're talking about this. I promise we'll navigate this journey together, step by step."

They shared a warm embrace and he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, their closeness easing the tension that had built up. The room was filled with a sense of calm as they lay together, their hearts and minds slowly finding peace.

The night deepened, and as they lay side by side, the bond between them grew stronger. 

Hyderabad, 6 months later

Zeeana stared at her laptop screen, her heart sinking as she read the headlines. "Rayyan Darwish Engaged to Zeeana Gashkhori: A Controversial Match" and "Public Reacts to Rayyan Darwish and Zeeana's Engagement" filled the screen. The comments were a mix of praise and criticism, with many people questioning her motives.

She shut her laptop with a frustrated sigh. The attention and judgment were becoming too much to handle. Zeeana had always been private, but now her engagement was making headlines, and people were talking about her behind her back.

Why does everyone care so much about my relationship? I've always kept things to myself, and now I feel like I'm being judged for it. It's hard to ignore the comments when they're so personal.

The comments ranged from admiration to harsh criticism. Some called her a "gold digger" while others questioned if the engagement was genuine. Zeeana felt overwhelmed and exposed, struggling with the sudden attention and negativity.

I didn't ask for this kind of attention. I just wanted to be happy with Rayyan and focus on my future. Why does everyone have to be so judgmental?

Zeeana sat in silence, feeling the weight of public opinion pressing down on her. She tried to push the thoughts away, but the impact of the headlines and comments lingered in her mind.

Zeeana sat alone in her room, the silence heavy around her. She had been trying to ignore the news articles and the whispers they sparked, but it was impossible to escape the scrutiny. As she stared blankly at the wall, Zain walked in, holding two cups of coffee.

Seeing his sister's distressed face, Zain set the cups down and went to her. "Zeeana, what's wrong?" he asked gently, noticing her tears.

Zeeana looked up at her brother, her eyes filled with tears of frustration and sadness. "Bhai, I just can't handle this anymore. Everyone's talking about me, saying things that aren't true. I'm being judged for my engagement with Rayyan."

Zain sat beside her and pulled her into a comforting hug. Zeeana leaned into him, tears streaming down her face. "I hate all this attention," she whispered. "People are calling me a gold digger and questioning our relationship. I've always been private, and now it feels like everyone is intruding on my life."

Zain stroked her hair soothingly. "Zeeana, I understand it's tough. The world can be harsh, and people will always find something to criticize. But you need to remember that their opinions don't define you or your relationship with Rayyan."

Zeeana clung to her brother, feeling some relief in his embrace. "I know, but it's hard to ignore it all. I just want things to be normal again."

Zain looked at her with a reassuring smile. "Hang in there. People will talk, but what matters is how you and Rayyan feel about each other. Focus on that, and don't let the negativity get to you."

Zeeana nodded, taking a deep breath as she tried to absorb Zain's comforting words. 

The day was dragging on, and Zeeana felt overwhelmed by the flood of negative comments and judgmental stares she'd received throughout the day. As she walked out of her college, her mind was still buzzing with the latest gossip and criticism. She spotted her car in the parking lot—a sleek, personal vehicle she had bought for herself. It was her escape, a small sanctuary away from the prying eyes of the public.

She climbed into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a sigh of frustration. She barely noticed when another car pulled in behind her—Rayyan's car. He parked and followed her from a distance, determined to have a word with her.

Zeeana drove in silence, her thoughts a storm of confusion and resentment. She was lost in her own world when Rayyan's car pulled up alongside hers. He overtook her, maneuvering his vehicle in front of hers and gently bringing her to a stop. He got out and approached her car, his presence unmistakable.

Zeeana watched with a mix of annoyance and surprise as Rayyan approached her window. She rolled it down, her face a mask of frustration. "What are you doing here, Rayyan?" she asked sharply.

"I came to see you," Rayyan replied calmly. "Let's talk."

TBC