*Next Day at College*

The bright morning sun cast its golden rays over the college grounds, bustling with energy as students gathered around the notice board. Excitement buzzed in the air as a new competition was announced-the annual Novel Writing Competition.

Rida stood near the board, her dark eyes scanning the details. She hesitated for a moment, clutching her notebook tightly. "Should I? What if no one likes my story?" she thought, biting her lip. But before doubt could win, she stepped forward and confidently wrote her name on the list: Rida Maha Farooq

In the background, Rihan was casually leaning against a tree, his sharp eyes watching the scene unfold. He had spotted Rida the moment she walked onto the grounds, her familiar presence drawing his attention like a magnet. His lips curved into a small smile.

"So, that's why she's always in the library," he murmured to himself, piecing things together. "She doesn't just read; she writes too. A future author, huh?"

The crowd began to disperse, and the head organizer, Ma'am Ariza, pinned the updated list for everyone to see. To no one's surprise, only three names were on it: Rida Maha Farooq, Mehroon Zafar, and Abida Khan.

Rihan's curiosity burned. He wanted to know her name, wanted to hear her name spoken aloud.

Without thinking too much, he pushed through the small crowd and wrote his own name: Rihan Shah Ayan

The murmurs began immediately.

"Rihan? Since when does he write novels?"

"Isn't he on the cricket team? What's he doing here?"

Mahira, his cousin sister, spotted his name on the list and rushed over, her expression both surprised and mischievous. "Bro, what's this?" she teased. "Are you planning to become an author now?"

Rihan rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Mahira. I'm just trying something new, that's all."

Mahira smirked. "Ohhh, just trying to be with...?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Rihan's face turned serious. "Not a word, Mahira," he warned, but his cousin sister wasn't paying attention. She suddenly spotted Zayaan Sir, the college's most admired professor, walking nearby.

"Oh my God, it's Zayaan Sir!" she whispered, her voice filled with excitement. Before Rihan could stop her, Mahira moved toward him, practically floating on air.

Watching her, Rihan sighed deeply. "This girl... one day, she'll propose to him and break her own heart. I need to do something before she gets hurt."

His best friend, Saad, appeared beside him, having seen the commotion. "Bro, what's this? Novel writing? Since when are you interested in this stuff?"

Rihan shrugged, playing it cool. "Just trying something new, that's all."

Saad narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, sure. Totally random.

Rihan ignored him, glancing toward the board one last time. Meanwhile, their classmate Zeeshan was in the middle of a group of girls, shamelessly flirting as usual.

From a distance, Haniya Safa Siddique rolled her eyes. "No manners at all," she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Zeeshan to hear.

He turned, smirking. "I can hear you, you know. Why don't you keep that big mouth of yours shut?"

Haniya glared at him. "Why don't you stop embarrassing yourself in public?"

Their bickering escalated quickly.

"You have no right to interfere in my business, donkey!" Zeeshan shot back.

"Donkey? Look who's talking, you Buffalo!" Haniya shouted, her hands on her hips.

"Monkey!" Zeeshan retorted.

"Cow!"

Their classmates gathered around, trying to stifle their laughter as the insults flew. Mahira, Rihan, Zain, Saad and fahad rushed over to stop them.

"Enough!" Mahira pulled Haniya back, her voice stern. "Do you two ever get tired of fighting?"

Zain grabbed Zeeshan by the arm, dragging him away. "Bro, calm down! You're making a scene."

Saad chuckled, nudging Rihan. "These two are fights like Tom and Jerry. Honestly!

Rihan shook his head, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. Together, the group headed toward their classroom, leaving the chaotic scene behind.

As they walked, Rihan's mind drifted back to Rida.

-------

Rida couldn't shake her thoughts as she prepared for the day. Sitting in her classroom, she glanced out the window, her notebook resting in her lap.

"Rihan Shah Ayan," she thought to herself, tapping her pen against the page. "So that's his name. He's the boy I bumped into yesterday. But why did everyone act like it was some big deal when he joined the competition? Is it that strange for him to write novels?"

She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe he loves writing too. Anyway, why do I even care? I should focus on myself. This competition means the world to me. Tomorrow's going to be amazing."

Beside her, Sarah nudged her playfully, breaking her train of thought. "What are you smiling about, daydreamer?"

Rida blinked and turned to her best friend. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about tomorrow's competition. I'm so excited."

Sarah grinned widely. "Aww, my buddy is hyped for the Novel Writing Competition! Future author vibes, huh?" She patted Rida's shoulder. "All the best, dude. You've got this."

"Thanks, buddy." Rida's cheeks flushed with gratitude as she returned her attention to her notebook.

---

Meanwhile, in Rihan's class, he sat near the back, pretending to listen to the lecture. His mind, however, was elsewhere. He couldn't stop thinking about Rida.

He wasn't particularly excited about the competition itself; his thoughts revolved solely around her. "What will be her name?

Saad, sitting beside him, noticed his distracted state and leaned closer. "Bro, are you even here? Or are you already daydreaming about becoming the next big novelist?"

Rihan shot him a glare but couldn't hide his smirk. "Shut up, Saad."

But the truth was evident—this boy had completely fallen for Rida.

---

At home, Rida was bouncing on her bed with excitement. Her mom, Nafisa, peeked into the room with a warm smile. "What's got my daughter so happy today?" she asked, stepping inside.

Rida stopped bouncing and rushed to her mom. "Ammi, I've joined a competition—a Novel Writing Competition! It's my dream… my chance!" Her words tumbled out, filled with enthusiasm.

Nafisa placed her hands on Rida's shoulders and kissed her forehead. "MashaAllah, my girl. May Allah bless you with success. All the best, beta."

"Thank you, Ammi!" Rida hugged her tightly before Nafisa left the room.

---

In his room, Rihan leaned against the headboard, twirling a pen between his fingers. The competition was still on his mind—not the writing part, but the girl who had unknowingly captured his heart.

He pictured her at the notice board earlier that morning, the determination in her eyes when she wrote her name. The way she clutched her notebook as if it contained her dreams. "She's incredible," he thought, smiling to himself.

Excitement bubbled within him, but not for the competition itself. "I'm just excited to hear her name announcement."

And with that thought, he lay back on his bed, dreaming of the girl who had turned his world upside down.

------

*At Haniya's Home*

Haniya's mom called out from the living room. "Haniya, get ready quickly. We're heading out for family dinner."

Haniya, already sprawled across her bed with a book, groaned. "Ammi, why didn't you tell me earlier? I'm not in the mood for family dinners."

Her mom peeked into the room. "No excuses, Haniya. Go and change into something nice. We don't want to be late."

Rolling her eyes, Haniya muttered under her breath, "Something nice, huh? Let's hope this isn't one of those boring meet-ups." She got up reluctantly and headed to her closet.

---

*At the Restaurant*

The two families sat together at a long table in the restaurant. Zeeshan's parents and Haniya's parents were chatting animatedly, their friendship evident in their laughter and easy conversation. Haniya, however, was anything but comfortable. She leaned toward her mother and whispered, Mom, why didn't you tell me we'd be having dinner with this jerk?" Said looking at Zeeshan, who was seated across the table, smirking as usual.

Her mother smiled knowingly. "Because I knew you'd make a fuss. Now behave yourself."

Before Haniya could protest further, her older brother Nadim chimed in from her left. "You know, Haniya, the biggest jerk in this room is  you."

"Shut up, Nadim!" Haniya snapped, glaring at him.

He laughed loudly, ignoring her. Their mother sighed in exasperation. "That's enough, both of you. At least try to act civilized in front of our friends."

Zeeshan's dad cleared his throat, silencing the table. "Well, everyone, now that we're all here, it's time to share some news."

Haniya's father nodded in agreement. "Yes, we've been thinking about this for a while. Our families have been close friends for years, and we believe it's time to take that bond a step further."

Haniya frowned, sensing where this was going.

Her father continued, smiling warmly. "We've decided that we want Haniya and Zeeshan to get married after they finish their studies."

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the simultaneous shouts of Haniya and Zeeshan. "WHAT??"

Zeeshan stood up abruptly. "No, Dad! Uncle, I respect you both, but I can't marry this donkey! She acts like she's the smartest person on the planet!"

Haniya shot up from her chair, her face flushed with anger. "Donkey? That's rich coming from a Buffalo who thinks he's God's gift to women!"

Zeeshan scoffed, gesturing dramatically. "Oh, please. Just look at her! She's a high-maintenance, self-declared queen!"

Haniya gasped. "Self-declared queen? How dare you Call me that! You're nothing but a shameless flirt and an overgrown child!"

The argument quickly spiraled into a shouting match, drawing the attention of nearby diners.

"Enough!" Haniya's father raised his voice, trying to regain control. Turning to the zeeshan's parents, he sighed. "Maybe we've made the wrong decision. It's clear they're not ready for this."

Haniya and Zeeshan glared at each other, yelling simultaneously, "Yes, you have!"

The parents exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to salvage the situation.

---

After Dinner

The drive home was tense for Haniya. She sat in the back seat, arms crossed, fuming silently. Her mother tried to console her. "Beta, these things take time. Maybe you'll see things differently later."

"I don't need time, Mom. I'm never marrying that Buffalo!" Haniya declared, still furious.

Meanwhile, at Zeeshan's house, he was equally indignant. Sitting in his room, he vented to his group of friends over a phone call.

Zeeshan: "Hello, boys."

Zain: "Hey, man. What's up? You sound annoyed."

Zeeshan: "Annoyed? I'm furious! Can you believe this? My parents want me to marry that donkey, Haniya! She's absolutely impossible!"

Zain burst out laughing. "Relax, buddy."

Saad chimed in with a chuckle. "Yeah, man. You know what they say—love often starts with fights."

Zeeshan groaned loudly. "Shut up! I'm never going to marry that self-declared queen. Even if she were the last girl on earth, I'd still say no!"

Fahad, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, "Well, let's see about that, Zee. Stranger things have happened."

Zeeshan rolled his eyes. "Not this time, bro. Mark my words—it's never happening!"

Zain: "By the way, where's Rihan? Why didn't he pick up the call?"

Saad: "Maybe he's busy preparing his novel."

Everyone burst out laughing.

The call ended with his friends teasing him relentlessly, while Zeeshan sat back, still fuming over the absurdity of the situation.

*At Saad's home*

Saad lounged in his room, scrolling through his phone. Being the son of a successful businessman, his spacious room reflected his privileged lifestyle. A servant entered with a steaming cup of coffee.

"Sir, your coffee."

"Just put it on the table," Saad said without looking up, engrossed in his phone.

After the servant left, Saad leaned back in his chair and opened Zain's Instagram profile. Scrolling through Zain's following list, he finally found her account: @Sarahasimmalik

"There you are," he muttered, a small smile creeping onto his face. He hesitated for a moment before hitting the follow button.

To his surprise, within minutes, Sarah accepted his request and even followed him back. Saad sat up straight, his heart skipping a beat.

"She followed me back? What?" he whispered, staring at his phone screen in disbelief.

---

Meanwhile, at Sarah's house, she noticed the notification and couldn't help but smile. She had always harbored a soft spot for Saad, though she tried to keep it hidden.

"Saad Aslam followed you."

Her cheeks flushed as she clicked on his profile. Without overthinking, she followed him back.

Sitting in her room, she bit her lip, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had often asked Zain about Saad in a casual, indirect way, hoping not to seem too obvious. But Rida, her best friend, knew everything.

---

Earlier that day at college, Sarah had shared her feelings with Rida during lunch.

"I don't know, Rida," Sarah said, fiddling with the edge of her hijab. "He just seems… different. He's kind, funny, and—ugh, why am I even telling you this?"

Rida grinned knowingly. "Because you've got a crush, and you can't keep it to yourself. Admit it, Sarah—you're falling for your brother Zain's friend."

Sarah rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Fine. Maybe I do like him, okay? But what if he doesn't even notice me?"

Rida placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Trust me, Saad notices more than you think. Guys like him aren't as clueless as they seem."

Sarah laughed nervously. "I hope you're right."

Rida smirked. "Oh, and by the way, Saad is Rihan's best friend—the boy I bumped into yesterday."

Sarah's eyes widened. "Wait, that Rihan? The one you've been thinking about?"

Rida's cheeks turned pink. "What? No, I haven't been thinking about him!"

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, Rida. Whatever you say."

---

Back at Saad's house, he stared at his phone, wondering if Sarah's follow meant anything. He debated whether to send her a message but decided against it, not wanting to seem too eager.

"She followed me back, though," he muttered, a small grin tugging at his lips.

Little did he know, Sarah was equally thrilled, her own thoughts drifting toward him as she lay in bed, scrolling through his profile.

One evening, unable to resist anymore, Saad decided to send Sarah a message on Instagram.

Saad: Hi.

He stared at the screen nervously, his heart racing. To his relief, her reply came almost instantly.

Sarah: Hello.

And just like that, their conversation started. What began as casual chats about college and mutual friends soon turned into late-night conversations about life, dreams, and little jokes only they understood. Over time, Saad and Sarah grew closer, sharing things they hadn't shared with anyone else.

But Saad kept this secret close, not even telling Zain, Sarah's brother. The only person he confided in was his best friend, Rihan.

---

One afternoon, while they were hanging out at Rihan's house, Saad spilled the beans.

Saad: "Bro, I've got to tell you something."

Rihan looked up from his book. "What is it?"

Saad grinned sheepishly. "I've been talking to someone… Sarah."

Rihan's eyebrows shot up. "Sarah? Zain's sister? That Sarah?"

Saad nodded, a bit embarrassed but also proud.

Rihan smirked. "Ho, my buddy is in love!"

Saad laughed. "Stop it, man. It's not like that… yet."

Rihan leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "How did this even start?"

Saad rubbed the back of his neck. "Social media. I followed her, she followed back, and… well, we started talking."

Rihan raised an eyebrow. "Does Zain know?"

"Are you crazy?" Saad exclaimed. "No way. No one knows except you and her best friend, Rida."

The mention of Rida caught Rihan's attention. He straightened up, trying to act casual. "Rida? You mean the one who…" He paused, searching for the right words.

Saad smirked knowingly. "The one you peek at every day and joined the competition because of her?"

Rihan's eyes narrowed. "How do you know about that?"

Saad chuckled. "Oh, my best friend, if I don't know about you, then who will?"

Rihan hesitated for a moment. "What's her name, anyway?"

Saad grinned. "Rida Maha Farooq."

Rihan repeated her name softly. "Rida Maha Farooq…" He whispered to himself, the name sounding more beautiful with each word.

Saad caught the look on his face and couldn't resist teasing. "Huh, beautiful, huh? My best friend is in love!"

Rihan snapped out of his thoughts. "No, not like that. I was just curious."

Saad raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Let's see, my friend. Let's see."

Rihan rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. Deep down, he knew Saad wasn't entirely wrong.

Next day, in the college competition of novel writing:

The morning sun shone brightly through the windows as Rihan entered the classroom for the competition. The desks were arranged in a circle, and he spotted Rida sitting at one of the tables. The seat directly in front of her was empty. Without a second thought, he made his way over and sat down, his gaze fixed on her.

Rida glanced up from her notebook, locking eyes with Rihan for a brief moment. She quickly looked away, focused on the task at hand, but Rihan couldn't take his eyes off her.

Just as he was about to look away, their eyes met again, and the moment was interrupted by the voice of their teacher, Ma'am Ariza.

"Okay, students, you can start."

The competition had begun, and everyone started to write. But Rihan, distracted by Rida's concentration, couldn't seem to focus on his own writing. His eyes kept drifting back to her, watching as her pen moved swiftly across the paper.

Ma'am Ariza's voice cut through his reverie. "Rihan, aren't you writing?"

Rihan snapped back to reality, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Yes, ma'am, I'm writing," he muttered, grabbing his pen. But the truth was, he had no idea what to write. He stared at the blank page for a moment, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Rida was completely engrossed in her novel, her focus unwavering. Rihan smiled to himself, admiring how dedicated she was. "My future author," he whispered under his breath, watching her work.

---

After the competition, Ma'am Ariza stood up to address the class. "The winner will be announced tomorrow at a small function. Also, make sure you stay focused on your subjects; exams are just around the corner."

The following day arrived, and the much-anticipated announcement of the competition winner was made. As expected, Rida was the winner. Rihan felt a swell of pride as he heard her name being called.

He made his way over to her, a playful grin on his face. "Congratulations, my author. Oh, I mean, Author Rida Maha Farooq."

Rida was caught off guard by his words, her eyes widening. She hesitated for a moment before she managed a soft, "Thank you."

---

*At Rida's home*

Rida's POV:

Rida sat on her bed, staring at the trophy in her hands. Why did he call me his author? What does he mean by that? She thought to herself, feeling a strange mix of confusion and curiosity. I think it was just a mistake… But then, she glanced at the shiny trophy in her hands, the symbol of her victory. Anyway, I got my trophy. I'm going to show this to Abbu. He's always been against me pursuing novel writing. Maybe this will change things.

Rida walked into the living room, where her father was sitting. With a proud smile, she showed him the trophy. "Abbu, look! I won the competition."

Her father's eyes lit up with pride. "Well done, beta!" He patted her on the back. "You've made me proud. You've always had the talent. You can decide whatever you want to become. I'll support you."

Rida felt a warmth in her chest. Her father's encouragement meant the world to her. She was determined to make him proud, no matter what.

---

That evening, Rida's Bua came over to visit. Rida didn't particularly like her Bua, who always seemed to have something negative to say. As soon as she walked in, she gave Rida a disapproving look.

"Why should a girl study more?" her Bua asked, a sneer on her face. "You should be learning to cook and clean for your future husband. That's what you'll have to do after marriage, not this nonsense about writing novels."

Rida's heart sank, but before she could respond, her father intervened. "Salma, please stop it.My daughter will make me proud one day. She'll do great things."

Salma scoffed. "Let's see, let's see. Even though my daughter, Razia, studies, she never talks about her ambitions in the way you do. She knows her place."

Her father's face hardened. "You may not understand, but my daughter will achieve whatever she sets her mind to. And I'll always support her."

Rida could feel her Bua's jealousy and bitterness. It was clear that Salma resented the idea of Rida following her dreams and pursuing something different from what was expected of her. But Rida was determined to prove her wrong. One day, I'll make them all see that I can do this.

Rihan's POV:

Rihan paced back and forth in his room, his hands stuffed in his pockets. What is wrong with me? Why did I say my author what she will think about me? He couldn't shake the thoughts that had been consuming him since the competition. Every time he closed his eyes, Rida's face would flash in his mind—her focused expression while she wrote, the way she smiled when she thanked him. She's just a girl from college, Rihan. Why is this bothering you so much?

He stopped in front of his mirror, staring at his reflection. You're overthinking it. She's just a girl who won a competition, that's it. But his thoughts were already racing ahead, weaving their own narrative. He could see her eyes, sparkling with excitement as she held her trophy. She's something different, something I can't ignore. What is it about her?

He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting. She's talented. She's got that fire in her, that passion. And she doesn't even seem to realize it. She just... shines without even trying. He paused, his voice barely above a whisper. Why do I care so much?

He leaned against the wall, staring at the floor, trying to make sense of his emotions. I don't have time for distractions. I've got my own goals, my own path. Why am I letting her get to me?

But the answer was clear, even if he didn't want to admit it.

It's because of the way she makes me feel. She's different from everyone else. She makes me want to be better, to be more than I am right now.

Rihan closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. You're just curious. That's all. She's talented, and you respect that. It's not anything more than that. But even as he said it, he knew deep down it wasn't true. But what if it is more? What if I want to be there for her, to see her succeed?

He opened his eyes, staring at his reflection once more. Don't get ahead of yourself, Rihan. She's just a colleague. You don't need to make it more complicated than it is.

But his thoughts kept circling back to Rida. Damn it. Why can't I stop thinking about her?

----

Rihan's POV (continuation):

Rihan lay in bed that night, his mind restless as he stared at the ceiling. Why can't I stop thinking about her? The thoughts of Rida swirled in his head like a constant, uninvited presence. He had been trying to push it all aside, to focus on his own life, his studies, his future. But no matter how hard he tried, Rida's image wouldn't leave him. Her smile. Her confidence. Her quiet strength.

She's just a classmate, Rihan. Just a girl who won a writing competition, he reminded himself again. You barely know her. It doesn't have to be anything more than that. But the more he thought about it, the more the words felt hollow.

He shut his eyes tightly, hoping that sleep would bring him some peace. But even in the quiet of the night, Rida's face was there. Her shy smile, the way she had looked at him when he congratulated her—everything about her seemed to have an effect on him that he couldn't explain.

Focus, he thought, as he let sleep finally take over. You've got exams to prepare for.

---

*The next day at college*

The morning air was fresh, the sun shining brightly through the college gates as students filed into the lecture hall. Rihan made his way to class, his mind still clouded with thoughts of Rida. He tried to push them down, reminding himself that there were other, more important things to focus on.

Suddenly, the announcement came. "Everyone, please step outside for an important announcement," the professor called, making everyone stand up and head out into the open courtyard.

Haniya had been sick for two days, so she had been on leave. She returned to college today after her brief absence.

As they gathered outside, Rihan found himself near a group of students, his eyes scanning the crowd. That's when he saw her. Rida...

Before he could dwell on it, he heard Zeeshan's voice cut through the crowd. "Look who's back—the self-declared queen," he teased.

Rihan couldn't help but smirk at Zeeshan's antics, but his attention shifted back to Haniya, who had just walked up, looking a bit annoyed.

Haniya shot back, her voice sharp, "You just shut your mouth, FAB."

Zeeshan laughed out loud, clearly enjoying the banter. "FAB? She's calling me fabulous, guys!"

Haniya's eyes narrowed. "Huh, shut your big mouth, you flirty, annoying bastard."

Zeeshan winked at her, grinning from ear to ear. "What? That was short form. Huh! when you'll say something nice about me. you're just the self-declared queen bitch."

Haniya's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "What? What did you just call me?"

"Yes, you heard it right." Zeeshan laughed louder now, clearly loving the moment. "You bitch!"

Haniya's face flushed with anger. "You bastard, jerk," she spat.

Rihan watched the exchange, chuckling to himself. Same old Haniya and Zeeshan, he thought. Their arguments always ended the same way, with their friends stepping in to break it up before things got too heated.

Zeeshan, still grinning, finally backed off when their friends intervened, as usual. The laughter in the group returned, but Rihan couldn't shake the feeling that his thoughts were still on someone.

Rida… He sighed to himself. What are you doing to me?

As the laughter from Zeeshan and Haniya's exchange died down, Saad's attention was caught by someone across the courtyard. He spotted Sarah, standing with a group of friends, her eyes scanning the crowd.

A grin spread across Saad's face as he raised his hand and waved at her. Sarah, noticing him, smiled and waved back, her eyes lighting up with recognition.

Zain, who was standing next to Saad, raised an eyebrow, clearly noticing the interaction. "Who are you waving at?" he asked, his tone teasing.

Saad quickly brushed it off, his face momentarily turning a little red. "No one," he replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Rihan, overhearing the exchange, couldn't resist teasing Saad. "Someone important, right?"

Saad shot him a glare. "Shut up, Rihan."

Rihan smirked but didn't press it any further. Saad was good at hiding his feelings, but Rihan could tell there was more to the situation than he was letting on.

The bell rang, signaling that it was time to head back inside for class. The students reluctantly filed in, settling into their seats.

As they entered the classroom, the professor stood at the front, her voice cutting through the murmurs of the students. "Alright, everyone. As you know, exams are just two days away, so we'll be starting our revision session today. Pay attention and take notes, as this will be your last chance to go over everything before the big day."

Rihan took his seat, his mind still on Rida, but he quickly refocused. Exams first, everything else later, he reminded himself.

Saad, sitting next to him, pulled out his notebook, though he seemed distracted. Rihan couldn't help but glance over at him.

The class settled into a serious tone as the professor started the revision, and Rihan finally shifted his focus to the material. But no matter how hard he tried, Rida's image lingered in the back of his mind, waiting for the moment when he could no longer ignore it.

*********************