Akif wasn’t a man who believed in clichés.

But something about her stayed with him.

Every time Zoya laughed, his heart reacted before his mind could catch up.

Every time she looked away mid-conversation, brushing her hair behind her ear with that soft little nervous smile — it knocked the air out of his lungs.

And every time someone else looked at her, even by accident, a fire quietly rose in his chest.

He didn’t understand it at first.

He told himself it was concern. That she was a girl with a painful past. A friend of Aarfa. A soft-hearted, curious-eyed soul who needed protection.

But protection wasn’t what he wanted to give her anymore.

---

It started with a small moment.

Just a stupid, normal day on campus.

Zoya was sitting under the big peepal tree near the library, waiting for Aarfa. Her notebook was in her lap, a pen tapping against her lips as she hummed some random BTS song under her breath.

Akif saw her from across the courtyard.

He wasn’t even supposed to be there.

But his feet moved on their own.

He stood behind the tree, out of her sight, just... watching.

She smiled suddenly, eyes lighting up at something in her notebook.

And he felt it.

That strange, silent jolt in his chest.

Like something shifted inside him.

“She’s beautiful,” he thought.

No, his heart corrected, she’s everything.

---

Later that day, he found himself distracted in every class. Even Ayaan noticed.

“You good, bro?” Ayaan asked, slapping the back of his head.

Akif blinked. “Huh?”

“You zoned out during marketing. You never zone out.”

Akif didn’t answer.

He was still thinking about Zoya’s smile. About how she tucked her dupatta nervously when she got compliments. About how she always carried extra chocolate and shared it with strangers.

He wasn’t just concerned anymore.

He was in deep.

---

That evening, Zoya showed up at the basketball court with Aarfa, wearing jeans and his oversized hoodie she’d accidentally taken after the trip.

Akif nearly lost his breath.

She looked... his.

Not officially.

Not really.

But his in the way the universe kept pulling them closer, like gravity had personally signed the papers.

“You okay?” Zoya asked, walking up to him.

He nodded, clearing his throat. “You’re wearing that hoodie again.”

She shrugged. “It’s warm. Feels safe.”

He swallowed hard.

Safe.

She felt safe in something of his.

He didn’t say a word. Just stared at her like she was something out of a dream he hadn’t realized he was living in.

She tilted her head. “You’re being weird today.”

He chuckled. “Weird’s a strong word.”

“I’d say soft.”

His heart stopped.

Before he could reply, Aarfa called her away.

And he stood there alone again — gripping the basketball tight, staring at the space she left behind.

---

That night, he wrote something in the notes app he never planned to show anyone.

> I think I’m in love with her.

Not the loud kind. Not the dramatic kind.

The kind that creeps in when you’re not looking. The kind that sits quietly inside your ribs and makes a home.

The kind you never asked for… but can’t live without.

He stared at the screen for a long time.

Then locked it.

No confessions.

Not yet.

Because even if his heart had finally decided…

His story with Zoya was still writing itself.

Slowly.

Softly.

Just like her.

---

Yaaayyyyy he finally realised his feelings for her!