Arcane Hearts

Chapter#2: Looking for trouble

Rayyan stood on the rooftop of his three-story house, gazing out over the quiet neighborhood as the sun dipped lower, casting a soft orange glow across the horizon. The rooftop was his "safe space", home to the pigeons and parrots he had looked after since childhood. Their soft coos and flutters surrounded him, a gentle contrast to the heaviness in his mind, he felt a deep connection to animals and loved taking care of them.
Below, his younger siblings played cricket in the yard, their laughter drifting upward, but it felt distant to him. Inside, the scent of his mother's cooking filled the air, spices wafting through the open windows. His father, a man of stern principles, sat in the living room watching the evening news, while the rest of his large family busied themselves with their evening routines.
Despite the warmth and familiarity of home, Rayyan often felt disconnected-existing in a world of his own, one burdened by the purpose of his very existence. Something that no one in his household would ever fully understand. Up here, among his birds, he found a strange sense of peace, but the weight of his gift was always present, reminding him that he lived in a reality separate from the noise and joy of those around him.

It had been months since he had left the scholar, the man he had once thought of as a father figure. His family never knew the full extent of Rayyan's relationship with the scholar, Mr. Asad. To them, he was just a religious teacher Rayyan respected deeply. But Rayyan had confided in him more than anyone else in his life-shared his dreams, his fears, even his love for Aleena, the girl his parents would never approve of.

Rayyan's thoughts drifted back to that moment of betrayal.
Asad had been the first person who Rayyan trusted enough to talk about Aleena. He had hoped the man, with all his wisdom and spiritual knowledge, could guide him-help him find a way to convince his family to accept her. Aleena, despite being a devout Muslim, came from a family with slightly different practices, a difference that Rayyan's father would never tolerate. Rayyan had been desperate for a solution, and Mr. Asad had seemed like his last hope.
The memory played out in Rayyan's mind as if it had just happened.

Rayyan had been sitting across from him, his hands clasped together, his voice low and full of trust. "I love her. I know this is the right path for me. I've prayed about it, and I believe God has sent her into my life for a reason. But my father... he will never agree. I need your help. Please, talk to him for me. Make him see what I see."
Asad had nodded, his long beard framing a thoughtful expression. "Rayyan, my son, this is a difficult matter. But I will do what I can. You must trust in God's plan."
Rayyan had left that day with hope, believing Asad would speak on his behalf. But what he didn't know was that he had his own motives, his own fears. The man had used Rayyan's trust to solidify his position with Rayyan's father, twisting the truth to serve his own interests.

Rayyan clenched his fist at the memory of how his father had confronted him just days later.
"You will not marry that girl!" his father had thundered. "She is not from our people, not from our traditions. Do you know what you're risking? My respect, our family's honor-you will not tarnish it for some Shia girl! We are Sunnis for God's sake, have some respect!"
Rayyan had been confused at first, unsure of how his father had found out. He had been careful, keeping his feelings for Aleena private for the past eight years, except for the one person he trusted. But then it became clear. His father let slip the words that cut Rayyan deeper than anything.
"Mr. Asad told me everything. He said you've been blinded by this girl and you need to be brought back to your senses."
That was the moment Rayyan realized the man he had considered a father figure had betrayed him.

Staring at the parrot resting on his hand, Rayyan could feel his anger bubbling just beneath the surface, but he quickly forced himself to calm down. The betrayal had taught him something valuable: that no one could be trusted blindly, not even those who appeared to be on the righteous path.
It was after that moment that Rayyan had taken full control of his powers.
Asad had always known Rayyan was special, had seen it in him from a young age. His ability to see into people's pasts, to understand their deepest fears and weaknesses-it had been something Rayyan struggled with for years. Asad had guided him in mastering those gifts, but Rayyan now saw that the man had only wanted to keep Rayyan close for his own benefit. He had seen Rayyan's powers as a tool, a way to gain more influence.
But once Rayyan realized the betrayal, he unlocked a deeper connection with his gifts. Asad no longer controlled his development-Rayyan was free to explore his powers fully, to use them for the good of others, not for someone else's agenda.
Now, with just a glance into someone's eyes, Rayyan could see their insecurities, their hidden pain. He could see the arguments between lovers, the unresolved guilt between family members. And he could heal those wounds-not by himself, but through the words of God. He had learned that his role was not to fix people's lives directly but to guide them back to the right path, to remind them of God's mercy and the strength they could find in faith.
But despite all his powers, despite how easily he could fix the problems of others, he had not been able to fix his own. His love for Aleena remained unresolved. His family would never accept her, and Rayyan's powers could not change that.
A cricket ball bounced against his foot, jarring him from his thoughts. His younger brother came running over, a grin on his face. "Rayyan bhai, come play with us!"
Rayyan smiled despite himself. Cricket was one of the few things that could distract him from the weight he carried. It was a game that came naturally to him, just like his powers. He was good at it-so good, in fact, that the neighborhood girls often gathered to watch him play, giggling and whispering among themselves. Rayyan knew he often caught the eye of public. He had been told many times about his "charming" smile, his athletic build, and his deep voice that seemed to echo in the air.
But for Rayyan, all of this attention was just another test. God had given him his powers, but with them came trials. The constant attention from people was one of those trials-a way to test his chastity, his ability to remain pure despite the temptations that surrounded him.
Rayyan had passed every test that life had thrown at him. He knew his abilities weren't something to be exploited-they were a responsibility, a weight he carried with quiet dignity. But with the respect and silent admiration his gifts earned him, also came envy and malice. His rising popularity didn't just draw admiration; it attracted enemies, those who coveted his abilities and secretly wished for his downfall. For Rayyan, the real challenge wasn't just navigating the complexity of his powers, but guarding himself against the darker intentions lurking in the shadows around him.