The campus was unusually loud that day. The sun was sharp, the street buzzing with honking horns and rushing feet. It was one of those chaotic afternoons where everything felt slightly out of rhythm.

Zoya had just finished an extra class and was hurrying down the main street outside the university gate, earbuds in, bag swinging at her side.

She was texting Aarfa back, her eyes on the screen, barely noticing the traffic ahead.

One step.

Then another.

And the world blurred.

A blaring horn.

Screams.

A screech of tires.

And in the blink of a moment—

Strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her back.

Her phone flew from her hand. She gasped, breath caught in her throat, as her back slammed softly into a firm chest.

Her heart pounded wildly.

“Are you out of your mind?!” a deep, furious voice snapped into her ear.

Zoya looked up.

Akif.

He was holding her so tightly her feet barely touched the ground. His jaw was clenched, eyes blazing.

The motorbike that had nearly hit her swerved past, shouting curses that faded into the noise.

Zoya finally exhaled.

“I—I didn’t see—”

“No, you didn’t,” he snapped, his hands still gripping her waist. “You were on your phone, crossing a road, like it was a park.”

She blinked.

And that’s when she saw it — his hand was shaking.

Not from anger.

From fear.

He was terrified.

“I’m okay,” she whispered.

“That’s not the point,” he said, voice low now. “You could’ve been hit. You could’ve—”

He couldn’t even finish the sentence.

Zoya slowly reached out, touching his arm. “But I wasn’t. Because of you.”

He closed his eyes, pulling in a shaky breath, then looked at her — raw, vulnerable.

“Don’t do that again,” he said softly. “Don’t scare me like that.”

Zoya nodded, speechless.

---

They sat together on a bench near the canteen. Zoya clutched a cold water bottle while Akif stared ahead, still quiet.

“Did I ever thank you properly?” she asked after a while.

He didn’t look at her. “No.”

“Well... thanks. For saving me. Again.”

He finally turned to her, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to keep saving you from things. I want you to be safe. Always.”

Something in her chest twisted.

“Why?” she asked, trying to keep her voice light.

He stared at her for a second too long.

Then stood up.

“I’ll walk you back.”

She followed him without another word, but deep inside, both of th

em knew:

That wasn’t just a near-accident.

That was the moment something shifted.

---