That night, Mahira couldn't sleep. The lie she had told Zayan on that rickshaw kept echoing in her mind — the way Zayan's eyes had hardened, the way Rayyan had just sat there, confused but loyal to her wordless plea.
Unable to bear it anymore, she picked up her phone and typed a message.
Mahira:I'm sorry, Rayyan. I know it must have felt so strange. I had no option… Zayan proposed to me. I rejected him by saying I have a boyfriend. On the rickshaw he asked again and I just… I didn't want him to think I'm that kind of girl who talks to everyone. Please forgive me.
After a few minutes, her screen lit up.
Rayyan:It's okay Mahira. I understand. Don't worry.
His short reply didn't make her feel any better — but at least he hadn't misunderstood her.
The next day in college, Mahira felt Rayyan's eyes on her more than once. Every time their eyes met across the corridor or class, she felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She finally called him aside near the canteen, where no one could hear.
"Rayyan," she whispered, looking down at the floor, "I'm really sorry for dragging you into this. If I hadn't said that… Zayan would think I talk to every boy like that. He would… think I'm characterless. You know how he is. Please don't feel awkward."
Rayyan gave her a small, understanding smile. "It's fine. I know you didn't mean it like that. I won't tell anyone, don't worry."
But outside that quiet corner, college was buzzing with questions. A few classmates had seen Mahira and Rayyan whispering. People who knew Mahira as the girl who never looked twice at any boy now raised eyebrows — murmuring in corridors, glancing at Rayyan with curiosity.
"Did something happen with Mahira and Rayyan?"
"They were on a rickshaw together yesterday, right?"
"She never even talks to boys — what's going on?"
Rayyan stayed quiet, shaking his head at every question. But inside, he felt the weight of Mahira's lie more than ever.
Back at home, wedding preparations for Sahil and Inaya filled both houses with noise and laughter. Families came and went with sweets, clothes, and endless lists — the sound of relatives arguing about decorations, music, food. Sahil and Inaya found small moments to smile at each other through it all — their chats growing longer every night, their dreams blending together.
Zayan helped Sahil with invitations, handling errands with a stiff politeness. On the outside, he looked calm — a dutiful younger brother happy for his elder brother's big day. But deep inside, his mind wouldn't settle.
Whenever he saw Mahira stepping out of her house, memories of her holding Rayyan's hand flashed in his mind — like an itch he couldn't scratch away. At night, lying awake, he replayed that moment again and again. He could not believe she had chosen that boy — a tier-three college, an ordinary face, no ambition to match his own.
What does he have that I don't? Zayan thought bitterly. What did Mahira see in him that she couldn't see in me?
One night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Zayan stepped out into the verandah, scrolling through his phone. He found Rayyan's name through Mahira's social media.
I should meet him. Just once, Zayan told himself. I need to know why.
He wanted to stand in front of Rayyan and ask, What do you have that I don't?
And deep in his mind, a darker thought whispered: How dare she choose him over me?
Inside the neighbouring house, Sahil laughed with Inaya over wedding outfits and guest lists — their happiness glowing warm under the same roof where Zayan's questions festered like quiet thunder.
✨ End of Chapter Four