Chapter 1

2 months ago

Sydell

@dellzcreationz

SUBHAN'S ROOM

Subhan, with a sweet smile on his face, sat at his desk, chatting with the one who had unknowingly become his heartbeat—the mysterious girl who messaged him on Facebook under the ID: Sweetheart.

Sweetheart (typing): "I miss you, Subhan... when will you arrive in India?"

Subhan smiles as he replies : "Miss Sweetheart, I’ll be arriving tomorrow."

IBAADAT'S ROOM

Ibaadat turned to her cousin excitedly.

Ibaadat:
“Mannat, I have good news—our childhood friend Subhan is coming back tomorrow!”

Mannat:
“Really? That’s amazing! I’ll definitely go to receive him. You should come along too!”

AIRPORT

Subhan walked out of the arrival gates, his eyes scanning the crowd—then pausing in surprise.

Two beautiful girls stood waiting. One in a soft peach kurti with a graceful smile—Ibaadat.

The other in bold maroon, confident and lively—Mannat.

Subhan (grinning):
“So… you’re Miss Sweetheart, right?”
(playfully) “Mujhse Dosti Karogi?”

Mannat (giggling):
“Yes, SS.”

Ibaadat was surprised. She took a step forward, still smiling, but her heart skipped.

Ibaadat:
“Hey Subhan…”

Subhan (looking at her, politely):
“Hmm… I guess you’re Ibaadat, right? Nice to meet you.”
(warmly) “Kya tum mujhse dosti karogi?”

Ibaadat (softly):
“Yes, Subhan. You’ve changed a lot, I must say…”

Ibaadat's POV:

“I have to tell him… I’m the one who chats with him every night as ‘Sweetheart’. But what if it ruins everything?”

Mannat's POV:

“He called me Sweetheart. That means he feels something for me, right? I should confess how I feel before I lose him.”

SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE

Ibaadat accompanied Subhan on a walk through the pine-lined path near their old school.

Subhan:
“Do you always go on walks like this?”

Ibaadat:
“Yes… since I was in 10th grade. It clears my mind and keeps me healthy.”

Subhan:
“I can tell… you’ve lost weight. Does Mannat walk too?”

Ibaadat:
“No, she does her own aerobics at home.”

(pausing briefly)

“Subhan… I’d love to meet your parents, if that’s okay.”

Subhan:
“Of course. Let’s go.”

SIDDIQUI MANSION (SM)

The door swung open. Mannat greeted them with a smile.

Mannat:
“Good you both came! I was just joining Subhan's parents for namaz. Come join.”

Ibaadat respectfully greeted Hafeez and Kaynaat Siddiqui followed them for the wazu and did thier namaz. Subhan followed suit with a quiet smile.

After the namaz, Ibaadat leaned toward Mannat, her voice low but firm.

Ibaadat:
“Why are you here?”

Mannat (sweetly):
“Actually, I wanted to meet Uncle and Aunty. It's been years since they returned. I thought I'd visit.”

Mannat’s POV:
“And also… I’m here to impress them. If I win their hearts, maybe I’ll win Subhan’s too.”