Chereads / The Pen Pal Paradox / Chapter 49 - Apology

Chapter 49 - Apology

The dinner ended in a uncomfortable way. Nobody talked anymore throughout the meal. Although Samir tried to crack a joke to change the atmosphere but stopped bcz nobody laughed.

After paying the bill, Arbaz said to Kifayat and her friends, Let us take you there. "No need," Kifayat sternly refused. Neil also insisted to escort them. Kifayat could refuse others but not her friends cousin. After reaching the girls dormitory they said good bye to each other and left. On the way Neil asked them, "what was wrong with you guys?Arbaz. Why did you mess with my sister's friend?"

"I was not messing with her."

"Then?"

"It's because I was too nervous."

"Huh? What?" Samir pulled Neil away from Arbaz and explained the whole story.

"I see. So She is the sweetheart you are always thinking about. "

"Yeah." Then Samir puzzledly looked at Arbaz "But brother today you really made her angry and left a bad impression on her. Your chasing wife period will be long."

Arbaz didn't say anything. Only he knows his heart is in turmoils now. He really didn't mean to say anything harsh to Kifayat but he said that to her because he was worried what if other guy also sent her letters and she became interested in others.

But Because of Arbaz's nervousness he became stiff but to others he looked cold and his words also sounded harsh. "What should I do now so that she won't be angry anymore?"

Arbaz asked. The boys were taken aback after hearing Arbaz asking about their advice so sincerely.

"Brother don't worry. We will help you. Now you should..."

The next morning dawned beautifully, with golden sunlight filtering through the curtains and gently kissing Kifayat's face. She stirred awake, feeling the warmth of the sun and the fresh energy of the day. It was her first morning at university, and a sense of excitement coursed through her. Rising early, she washed up and called her two roommates—Cyra and Dina.

Although Kifayat didn't have any classes today, Cyra and Dina did, and they had both woken up early to prepare for their first day. As they got ready for class, Kifayat decided to explore the campus and familiarize herself with the place. After a while, she got dressed, choosing a beautiful white dress that accentuated her delicate features. The dress, with its soft, flowing fabric, framed her figure perfectly, giving her a graceful and ethereal appearance. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the dress's simplicity only added to her natural beauty, making her look like a vision in the morning light.

Just as Kifayat was about to leave, her fourth roommate, Bella, stirred awake. Remembering the awkward encounter from yesterday, Kifayat hesitated but then decided to be polite. "I'm going to the cafeteria. Do you want to come with me?" she asked.

Bella barely glanced at her, her tone dismissive. "No. I don't eat those cheap, unhygienic foods from the cafeteria. You don't have to worry about me. My sister is taking me to the best restaurants in the city today."

Kifayat found Bella's behavior amusing. "Okay," she said with a slight smile and left.

As soon as Kifayat stepped out of the dormitory building, she spotted a familiar figure—the man from last night. He was engaged in conversation with a girl who was behaving coyly. Kifayat recognized the girl too; she was Bella's sister, a pretentious and self-absorbed girl.

"What a bad start to my morning, having to see these faces," Kifayat muttered under her breath as she walked past them.

Arbaz had been waiting for Kifayat since early in the morning. Suddenly, this girl approached him, talking nonstop. Although he wasn't familiar with her, he remembered her because she had a good relationship with his best friend, Samir. He tried to avoid her, growing impatient, until he noticed Kifayat walking past him. Seizing the opportunity, he excused himself from the girl and ran after Kifayat.

"Kifayat!" he called out.

She heard him but, instead of stopping, quickened her pace.

"Wait, wait!" Arbaz ran after her, easily catching up. He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. No matter how fast Kifayat walked, it was no match for Arbaz's long strides.

Kifayat stopped and looked at him coldly. "What?"

"Didn't you hear me calling you?"

"I did. But someone advised me to be mature and sensible, and not to talk to strangers."

Arbaz felt helpless. She was clearly still upset about last night. "I didn't say not to talk to people. I said not to accept things from strangers."

"So, talking to strangers is okay?" she retorted.

"No!" Arbaz replied strongly.

"Then I shouldn't talk to you either." Kifayat turned to walk away, but Arbaz followed closely behind.

"Hey, I'm not a stranger."

"You are."

"No, I'm not."

"Then who are you?"

"I'm your bo... brother. I mean, I was your senior in school, and now I'm also at your university. So I should be your senior brother, right?" Arbaz quickly corrected himself, almost letting his true feelings slip.

"Sorry, I don't need this senior brother."

"Okay, but please listen to me now. I came to apologize for last night."

Kifayat looked at him with an expression that urged him to continue.

"Last night, I didn't mean to call you immature or insensible. I'm sorry," Arbaz said sincerely.

"Oh."

"Does that mean you've accepted my apology?"

"I'll think about it."

"Can you think about it now?"

"No."

"What if I help you find the person you're looking for? Will you accept my apology then?" Kifayat, who had been slightly ahead, paused and looked back at him.

"Are you sure you can find him?" she asked, intrigued.

"I'm a hundred percent sure." Arbaz flashed her a confident smile. He thought to himself, That person is me—how could I not find myself? But he didn't want to reveal his identity just yet. He wanted her to discover it slowly, on her own.

Kifayat smiled back. "I guess I'll accept your apology then."

The unpleasantness from last night seemed to fade away, and Kifayat felt more comfortable talking to him. Arbaz asked, "Where are you going?"

"I was just going for a stroll."

"Then let me be your tour guide."

"Sure," Kifayat agreed.

As they walked together, the beautiful girl and the handsome man attracted the attention of many on campus. Arbaz was a well-known figure at the university, and soon, whispers started circulating. "Who's that beautiful girl? I've never seen her before. Is she his girlfriend?" Some students even took pictures of them and posted them on the campus forum, which quickly buzzed with discussion.

But Arbaz and Kifayat were oblivious to the whispers and the attention. Lost in their own world, they continued to enjoy their morning together, unaware that their newfound connection was already becoming the talk of the university.