The sun had barely risen on result day, but Mahnoor was already wide awake, the nerves from three years of hard work and relentless competition culminating in this one moment. She stared at her phone, waiting for the result to be released. She had checked it at least a dozen times, refreshing the page anxiously, willing the result to appear, but nothing yet. The stillness of her dorm room was suffocating, the silence only amplifying her heartbeat as it raced in anticipation.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a notification popped up. She quickly unlocked her phone and opened the results page, her eyes scanning the screen, breath catching in her throat.
3 distinctions, 1 pass.
A wave of relief, pride, and satisfaction crashed over her. She had done it. Her hard work had paid off. But just as she processed the result, her phone buzzed with an incoming call, the screen lighting up with a name she hadn't expected to see at this very moment: Javier.
It was ironic, almost poetic, that they had both reached out to each other at the exact same time—her about to text him and him calling her.
She hesitated for only a split second before answering the call, bringing the phone to her ear.
"Hey," she said, her voice a little unsteady, unsure of what this moment held. It had been weeks since they had spoken, since that last, intimate encounter in his dorm room. Their rivalry had simmered into something else, something more complex, but it hadn't entirely vanished.
"Hey," Javier's voice came through, warm and familiar. There was a slight pause before he continued, "So... how did you do?"
Mahnoor smiled to herself. Of course, that was the first thing he'd ask.
"Three distinctions, one pass," she said, her voice betraying a bit of the pride she felt. She had won again, just like so many times before. She could almost hear Javier's smile on the other end of the line.
"Well," he said, his tone playful, but there was a slight edge of admiration to it, "I got two distinctions and two passes. Looks like you've outdone me again."
Mahnoor chuckled softly. "Yeah, seems like it."
There was a moment of silence, but it wasn't the awkward kind. It was filled with mutual respect, with years of rivalry and tension distilled into this one conversation.
"Well, congratulations," Javier finally said, his voice warm and genuine.
"You too," Mahnoor replied. And with that, the call ended. No lingering words, no promises of future interactions—just a simple exchange of results and congratulations. A chapter closing, but somehow, it didn't feel like the end.
A week later, the university's grand auditorium was buzzing with excitement, families and friends gathered in clusters as the graduating class took their seats. The graduation ceremony was long and formal, the usual speeches and acknowledgments stretching on. Mahnoor, seated among her peers in her cap and gown, felt a strange sense of detachment. She had worked so hard for this moment, and yet, now that it was here, it didn't feel real.
Her eyes scanned the crowd of fellow graduates, searching for the one face she hadn't seen since their results call—Javier. Their rivalry had kept them in each other's orbit for so long that now, on this day of finality, she couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, what he felt about everything that had passed between them.
As the ceremony concluded and the caps were tossed into the air, Mahnoor found herself lost in the sea of bodies, everyone hugging and celebrating their achievements. She moved toward the exit, her mind already preparing for the next steps—her flight back to Pakistan, leaving this chapter of her life behind. She spotted Javier in the crowd, a few paces away, and for a moment, their eyes met.
There was a brief flicker of something between them—something unspoken. They both approached each other with formal smiles, and when they were close enough, Javier extended his hand.
"Congratulations, Mahnoor," he said, his voice even, polite, though his dark eyes held that familiar spark she had come to know so well.
"Congratulations, Javier," she replied, her hand slipping into his. The handshake was brief, and just like that, they parted, walking in opposite directions without another word.
The farewell event, held a week later, was a more informal affair—a last chance for everyone to mingle, say their goodbyes, and celebrate before heading off to their respective futures. The venue was decorated with fairy lights and soft music played in the background as the graduates laughed and danced, drinks in hand, reliving memories of their years together.
Mahnoor entered the venue, dressed in a deep red gown that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her long, dark hair cascaded in voluminous curls down her back, her makeup soft but striking, giving her an almost ethereal glow. She walked confidently through the room, her presence commanding attention without even trying.
As she made her way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and goodbyes with classmates, she felt a familiar presence behind her. She turned, and there he was—Javier.
He was dressed in a sleek tuxedo, his hair neatly styled, the sharp lines of his suit accentuating his broad shoulders and powerful build. He approached her slowly, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Farewell, Mahnoor," he said as he neared her, his voice low, almost intimate despite the formal setting.
"Farewell, Javi," she replied, her voice equally soft, though her heart began to race as she met his gaze.
For a moment, they stood there, just looking at each other, neither one willing to break the silence. And then, as if some invisible thread was pulling them apart, they began to walk in opposite directions, each moving away from the other, perhaps for the last time.
But just as Mahnoor was about to reach the exit, she felt a strong grip on her arm, stopping her in her tracks. Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately knew it was him.
Javier's held her firmly, his grip possessive yet gentle. She let her head fall back slightly, tilting it to look up at him, and the way he was looking at her—hungry, intense—made her knees weak.
"I need a farewell," he said, his voice thick with desire, "and I'm sure you want that too."
The tingling sensation that rushed through her body at his words made her lean back into him, her body reacting to him before her mind could catch up. She could feel the heat of him behind her, the magnetic pull that had always been there, but was now undeniable.
Without saying a word, Mahnoor nodded. He didn't need to ask twice.
"Let's go to my dorm," he murmured, his voice filled with promise.
When they reached his dorm, Javier locked the door behind them, shutting out the world and all its expectations. It was just the two of them now, no rivalries, no graduation ceremonies—just the raw, undeniable pull between them.
He crossed the small room in a few quick strides and flicked the light switch, brightening the room just enough to take her in. Mahnoor stood in the center of the room, bathed in the soft glow of the light, and he could barely breathe. She looked ethereal, the deep red of her dress contrasting beautifully with her dark hair and flushed skin. Her curves, accentuated by the fabric, were more inviting than ever, and he felt a deep ache of desire settle in his chest.
Javier's eyes roamed over her, lingering on every inch of her, as if trying to memorize the way she looked in this moment, knowing it might be the last time he'd see her like this.
He stepped closer, his gaze locked on hers, and when he was close enough, he reached out, his fingers brushing against her arm, sending a ripple of heat through her body.
"Mahnoor," he whispered, his voice husky with need, "you're... perfect."
She smiled, but it was a knowing, confident smile—the kind that told him she knew exactly the effect she had on him.
And just like that, the last barrier between them crumbled as they gave in, one last time.