The campus felt lighter.

Zoya didn’t know if it was because she stood up to Jiya or because Akif had looked at her like she was fire and poetry at once, but something in her heart felt freer.

She sat under the same tree near the back gate, her notebook untouched in her lap.

Then — a familiar shadow.

> “You like this spot, huh?” Akif’s voice was low, teasing.

Zoya looked up. “I like peace.”

> “So you keep attracting drama?”

She chuckled. “I guess it’s attracted to me.”

He sat beside her, close but not too close.

> “Wanna walk?”

She blinked. “Now?”

> “Now’s good.”

---

🌃 The Walk

They walked silently through the quieter side of campus. The sun was melting into gold, the air still and soft.

> “So…” Akif started, “Was that the first time you slapped someone without using your hand?”

Zoya grinned. “Maybe.”

> “That was iconic, Don.”

> “Stop calling me that,” she said — but smiled.

They walked past the fountain.

> “Why are you so calm after all that?” he asked.

> “Because I’ve survived worse.”

He looked at her, waiting.

> “My home wasn’t made for softness,” she said quietly.

“I learned to be quiet so I wouldn’t be broken.”

Akif’s jaw tightened.

> “No one should have to do that.”

> “It made me strong,” she said. “But sometimes I wish I didn’t have to be.”

He didn’t say anything — just reached over and softly tugged her sleeve so she’d stop walking.

She looked up at him.

> “Zoya… if you ever need to not be strong, I’ll hold the weight for you.”

Her breath caught.

The silence between them was electric.

No words.

Just eyes.

His, serious. Hers, wide.

She opened her mouth to say something—

And then—

---

> “Zoya?”

She FROZE.

That voice.

Her heartbeat collapsed into her stomach.

Slowly, she turned.

Her elder brother.

Standing just a few feet away.

Wearing a formal blazer, holding his phone, eyes locked on her and Akif together.

> “Bhai…?” she whispered.

> “What are you doing here?” His voice was low and cold.

Akif immediately stepped forward.

> “Sir—”

> “You stay out of this,” her brother snapped.

Zoya flinched.

> “You ran away. And now you’re with a boy?”

> “It’s not like that—” she started, panicked.

> “You disgraced us. Do you have any idea what Abbu went through?”

> “He never let me breathe!” she shot back, trembling.

“You think I left for fun?”

Akif gently stepped between them, calm but firm.

> “Sir, please. She’s safe. She’s doing well in college. Let’s not do this here.”

> “You think I don’t know who you are?” her brother snapped.

“This city, this freedom—it’s poison.”

Akif's expression didn’t waver.

> “Zoya’s not poisoned. She’s finally living.”

> “Come with me. Now,” her brother ordered her.

Zoya’s hands shook.

> “I can’t.”

> “Zoya!”

> “She’s not going anywhere,” Akif said, now firm.

There was a full pause. No one moved.

Then—Akif stepped closer to Zoya, took her wrist gently, and said:

> “There’s a back gate. I know the way. Let’s go.”

She looked up at him — shocked, scared, breathless.

And she nodded.

---

They ran.

Through the garden path, through the back side of the dorm area, hearts pounding.

Akif’s hand gripped hers tightly.

She didn’t look back.

---

🏠 Back at the apartment

Zoya collapsed onto the couch, chest heaving, eyes wide.

> “I can’t believe that just happened.”

Akif was still standing, heart racing.

> “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

She nodded.

Then her voice broke—

> “Thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

He sat beside her. Carefully. Silently.

And this time...

He didn’t say anything.

Just sat with her.

And she leaned her head on his shoulder.

---

To be continued...

_____

How was it? Didn't got any more firey lines 😅

Now tell me : how many of you are BTS ARMY? Because I am!💜

Borahe!💜