It started off like any other day.

Warm sunshine, a light breeze, and Zoya walking toward the library with her headphones in, mind halfway lost in some romantic playlist that Aarfa had sent her the night before.

She was humming softly when someone blocked her path.

"Zoya?"

She looked up.

Rishabh.

Third-year student. Decent-looking. Part of Aarfa’s extended friend circle. He’d spoken to Zoya a few times… and stared a little too long most times.

Zoya blinked. “Hey… um, everything okay?”

He scratched the back of his neck nervously, pulling out something from his pocket — a small chocolate bar. Wrapped in a golden ribbon.

Zoya tilted her head. “What’s that?”

“I… like you, Zoya,” he blurted out. “Like really. I’ve wanted to say this for weeks. You’re smart and beautiful and… you’re always so full of life. Would you… go out with me?”

Dead silence.

The wind paused.

Even the trees seemed to stop rustling.

Zoya’s brain blanked.

He was nice.

Sweet.

Cute enough, maybe.

But her lips parted and—

“No.”

It came out too fast. Too sharp.

Rishabh froze. “Oh. Uh—okay…”

“I—I’m sorry,” she added quickly. “I just… I don’t know. I can’t.”

He nodded awkwardly, mumbling something and walking away like a kicked puppy.

Zoya just stood there.

Confused.

She wasn’t dating anyone. She hadn’t promised anything. She hadn’t even considered saying yes.

So why had she said no?

Her heart thudded louder as an all-too-familiar figure appeared in the distance — tall, black hoodie, hands in his pockets.

Akif.

He had seen it.

Of course he had.

---

Later, in the café, she pretended everything was normal — sipping her cold coffee, laughing with Aarfa and Ayaan.

But Akif was quiet.

Too quiet.

Until finally, he leaned over and whispered, “So… was that a yes or a no?”

Zoya blinked. “What?”

“Rishabh.”

She stiffened. “I said no.”

Akif’s gaze lingered on her. “Any particular reason?”

Zoya looked away. “No. Not really. Just… didn’t feel like it.”

He smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That simple?”

“Yeah. That simple.”

He leaned back, sipping his coffee, but his jaw was tight. His fingers clenched.

Inside, his chest was in flames.

She had rejected someone.

Without even thinking.

And the only explanation he could find…

Was himself.

---

That night, Zoya stared at the ceiling in her dark room.

Her phone buzzed.

> Akif: “You didn’t say no because of me, right?”

She stared at the message.

Typed. Erased.

Typed again.

> Zoya: “I don’t know. Maybe I did.”

He didn’t reply.

But she saw the little typing… bubble appear.

Then disappear.

And her heart?

It had never beat so loud.

---

Hehe...what you thought it will be huh? Akif confessing to zoya? Naah, naah. Not so soon! It will take time~