preference delights

"Letdown at level 2"

----******Chapter 25******----

The university was bustling with activity; everyone seemed busy from head to toe. The sports gala was only fifteen days away, followed closely by final exams, leaving no one a moment to breathe. Zarmeena was the busiest of all, as she had to juggle responsibilities both at home and in the field.

Salaar was now the president of the swimming club. He had selected a limited number of members based on merit. Since it was the first time swimming was included in the sports event, he didn't have much time to train everyone, but they still needed practice to polish their skills. Due to the limited time, they even scheduled evening sessions for practice.

Dadi had been discharged from the hospital but was still not fully recovered. She needed complete nursing care. Since they couldn't afford to pay a nurse-and even a nurse couldn't care for her as much as Zareena could-Zareena took on the responsibility wholeheartedly.

Majida, who frequently visited with Fareed, offered financial help, but Zareena politely declined. She was already very grateful to Fareed for covering the hospital dues and didn't want to burden them further. Although she insisted on repaying the money, Fareed refused to take it.

Fareed didn't like Salaar's offer of friendship to Zarmeena. To him, Salaar seemed like a spoiled aristocrat who relied only on his wealth to win everything. One day, unable to hold back any longer, he asked Zarmeena, "Who was that boy in the hospital?" He questioned calmly, though he felt a storm inside.

"That was my senior at university," Zarmeena replied, unconcerned as she sorted through Dadi's medicines.

"He asked a question; did you think it over... or have you already accepted it?" Fareed questioned hesitantly, breaking up the pauses between them.

"I barely know him, so friendship is out of the question," Zarmeena replied offhandedly. Her answer did little to ease Fareed's concerns, as his own overprotectiveness continued to raise alarms. He was unsure if this was just brotherly concern or something more.

Every day, Salaar woke up with the hope that Zarmeena would respond positively, but he felt her becoming more distant. Time was running out, and his stay at the university was nearing its end, yet Zarmeena remained aloof.

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Fahad sat in front of Dadi, anxiously waiting for her to speak.

"Fahad, what did you do with the task I gave you?" Dadi demanded sternly.

"Which task, Dadi?" Fahad asked innocently, hastily finishing the refreshments Dadi had brought him.

"I told you to get me Zarmeena's biodata and details. Are you having memory issues, or are you pretending?" Dadi asked, annoyed, regretting asking for his help.

"Oh, that. I have everything at my fingertips," Fahad assured her, putting the empty plate on the table and continuing, "Zarmeena is one of the top students in our university. She's a third-year BS Mathematics student, multi-talented, and everyone calls her an all-rounder. She's also known for helping students. She even has a group that deals with bullies. But one thing about her-she's extremely anti-romance. She even slapped me for helping Salaar." Fahad blurted rapidly, stopping to rub his cheek as he remembered the slap.

"Warda, did you hear the qualities of your future daughter-in-law?" Dadi grinned at Warda, who had just walked in.

"Yes, Amma," Warda replied amusedly, and they both chuckled, enjoying Fahad's embarrassment.

"Are you two really on Salaar's side? Salaar is struggling, and you two are laughing. I feel sorry for him," Fahad said with a hint of surprise, shaking his head.