"Life is like an ice cream -- enjoy it before it melts."
For sara, enjoyment ment security. It meant home, family , and the warmth of simple life. A world where nothing unexpected happened.
Predictable.
The predictablity gave her assurance and that was all she wanted or what she believed she wanted.
----
"sara, what are you doing ? you're going to be late!"
Her mother's voice rang through the room as she barged in, unannouced.
sara flinced, her pen slipping from her fingers as her mother's sharp gaze scanned the room. Annoyance flared as she turned to face her mother.
"mother, please! can you at least not barge in like this ?"
Her mother scoffed, crossing her arms.
She said, "oh? Now I have to take your permission before entering anywhere in this house?"
sara instantly tensed.
The sharp tone, the raised eyebrows-- she knew that look. Knew what would follow.
Dropping everything, she stood and walked towards her mother, trying to soothe her before this turned into a full-fledged argument.
"And why in the world was the door shut?" her mother pressed, pointing accusingly at it.
Sara hesitated, searching for an excuse. "I...umm.....needed privacy?" she stammered.
Her mother's eyes narrowed. "privacy?"
Sara sighed, her patience wearing thin. "I need privacy, Mummy. I'm trying to study."
Her mother's expression hardened. "Fine! Do what you want. I don't care!" She stormed out, leaving the door open.
The sudden silence felt heavy with unspoken emotion.
Sara wrinkled her nose, her heart sinking. It wasn't about the door anymore. It was about the fact that, no matter how old she got, she was never going to have a say in her own space.
Downstairs, she asked her father to drop her off. Seeing her tense expression, he asked what was wrong, but before she could answer, her mother's voice echoed from the kitchen. In a tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Madam needs privacy! Even after having a separate room, she wants another space!"
Sara's father gave her a knowing look, as if he had already figured out the full story.
As he drove, he asked her about the argument, but she simply shook her head. Sara didn't respond. She just stared out the window, watching the world pass by.
When they reached the college gates, her father placed a reassuring hand on her head before she stepped out.
Just as she let out another frustrated sigh—
A sharp slap landed on her back.
Sara jerked forward, startled. "Ow!"
Sana grinned beside her. "Why so serious?"
"Nothing. Just simple issues," Sara muttered. Then, eyeing her, she asked, "Wait, weren't you supposed to return tomorrow from your so-called Bali trip?"
Sana sighed dramatically. "Well, yeah, but Saransh's friend had to leave early because of some family emergency. So we all came back. But trust me, those few days were magical! If I tell you what I saw, you'll forget all your worries—"
Sara smirked, pretending to listen attentively before cracking a joke.
Sana gasped and nudged Sara. "You're so annoying."
But then Sana's expression turned mischievous,
and said, "Anyway, how would you know fun? Your family doesn't even let you go out for a sleepover at this age!"
Sara widening stopped her steps.
Her face burned as annoyance flared inside her.
Rolling her eyes, she quickened her pace, walking ahead of Sana.
"Hey! I was just joking!" Sana called after her.
Sara smirked but kept walking, pretending to be mad.
"Move aside!"
Sana's voice was urgent this time.
Sara frowned, turning back to look at her. But before she could react—
She crashed into something solid.
A firm chest.
Her breath hitched.
Before she could react, before her mind could even register what was happening—
She was falling.
But instead of hitting the cold, hard ground—
She landed on warmth.
A strong, steady hold wrapped around her waist.
For a second, her brain went blank.
She felt her heart hammering inside her chest, so fast, so loud, it echoed in her ears.
And then—
She opened her eyes.
And drowned in his eyes.
Dark brown. Deep. Intense. Seemed worried.
His long lashes framed them like shadows, making them seem even more consuming.
For a second her mind went blank.
Sara's breath caught in her throat.
Her fingers had instinctively grabbed onto his shirt—one hand gripping his collar.
Her entire body felt like it was on fire.
A slow, unbearable heat spread across her skin.
Her cheeks burned. Her ears turned red.
She was too close.
Her hands pressed against his chest, and she could feel the warmth of his skin beneath the fabric.
His heartbeat—strong, steady—was right beneath her palm.
And then, just as she thought she could move—
His grip on her waist tightened.
Sara's breath faltered.
The warmth of his touch sent an unfamiliar, electric sensation down her spine.
His fingers flexed slightly against her waist, and she felt the heat of his palm even through the layers of wet fabric.
A sharp inhale escaped her lips.
Her stomach flipped, her skin tingling where his fingers held her.
Her muscles tensed, every nerve in her body hyper-aware of his touch.
She tried to push herself up—
But her balance was off.
And just like that—Her knees wobbled,
She stumbled again.
his time, she fell forward, her face dangerously close to his.
Her eyes locked onto his deep-set, almond-shaped gaze. His sculpted features—so sharp, so achingly perfect—felt as though they belonged to a dream. A straight nose. Full lips, slightly parted. A light stubble kissed his jawline, adding an innocent charm to his otherwise aristocratic face.
His thick, wavy black hair framed him like an artist's masterpiece.
Her breath caught in her throat.
The warmth of his breath fanned against her lips.
A shiver ran down her spine.
She could hear her own heartbeat pounding like a drum inside her chest.
And then— with a deep, husky voice.
"Wait."
His breath ghosted over her ear.
Sara's entire body stiffened.
Her fingers twitched against his shirt, her lips parting slightly, but no words came out.
He was close. Too close.
He slowly moved his hand, sliding it from her waist to her shoulder, gently steadying her.
His fingers brushed against her bare skin for the briefest second—
And it was enough to send another shiver down her spine.
Her body reacted before her mind could catch up.
Her fingers curled into his shirt.
Her breathing turned shallow. And she hated the way her body refused to move.
She could feel his gaze on her, watching her, reading her.
For a second, it felt as if the world had stopped moving.
Then— "Sara!"
Sana's voice shattered the moment.
Sara snapped back to reality.
Her muscles unlocked, and she scrambled to get up—
Only to stumble again.
And once again, his hands caught her.
Her fingers clutched onto his shoulders this time.
Their eyes met again.
The world went silent.
Time seemed to freeze.
His grip on her didn't loosen.
His fingers, still holding onto her waist, twitched slightly.
And for a brief moment, she thought—
Could he hear her heartbeat?
"Sara!"
Sana finally reached them, breaking whatever trance they had been in.
Sara jerked away, standing up so fast she nearly lost her balance again.
Her whole body felt hot.
She refused to look at him.
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
She could still feel his touch on her skin.
Sana, panting, turned to the boy.
Then her eyes widened.
"Arshad?" she breathed.
Sara's heart stopped.
Slowly, she turned back—
And met his gaze once again.
His expression was unreadable.
But his eyes—There was Something intense in them.
They burned with something she couldn't quite understand.
Sara blinked in confusion, her heart still racing.
She turned to Sana, whispering urgently, "Who is he?"
Sana gave her a knowing look, silently promising to explain later.
Her legs wobbled, but this time Sana caught her, steadying her.
She dared to glance at him one last time.
His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—
They were still locked onto hers.
Dark. Intense. Unwavering.
Sara's throat went dry. with that they left.