Uncharted Roads ~ ZNMD OS [Arjun+Imran🌈] #PyarkaTropefest

Graphic Credits: itsShonali

This is one of my entries for the Love-O-Rama #1: Pyar ka Trope-fest

Trope:

Set A: Opposites Attract

Set B: Road Trip

Pairing: Imran from ZNMD and Arjun from ZNMD

The hum of the engine, the sound of the wind, and occasional laughs from Kabir filled the air as the trio cruised down a winding highway. The trip, originally planned as a bachelor’s escape for Kabir before his wedding, had evolved into something complicated for Arjun. Kabir, ever-optimistic, was sitting up front, chatting about wedding plans. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to get married! It still feels surreal.” His enthusiasm echoed, but Arjun, sitting quietly by the window, barely registered the words. His mind had grown louder the farther they traveled.

Imran glanced at Arjun, sensing the silence. “What’s up, Arjun? Kuch to bol,” he asked with concern. Arjun offered a weak smile. “Just thinking,” he replied quietly.

Kabir continued chatting, unaware of the tension. The trip was meant to be about Kabir’s last hurrah before his wedding, but for Arjun, it became an unexpected escape—one where his thoughts circled back to his breakup with Rohini. He had thought he was fine, but now, something else troubled him—something he wasn’t ready to face.

Arjun had never questioned himself before, but now everything felt uncertain. He couldn’t stop thinking about… Imran. It scared him. He’d never considered feelings for his best friend. It had always been jokes and shared laughter, but now it felt different.

Later that evening, at a roadside café, the trio stopped. Kabir, eager to grab food, asked, “Tum dono ko kuch chahiye?” Imran shook his head. Arjun lingered behind, stepping outside for a breath of fresh air. Imran followed.

“Tu itna chup chaap kyun hai?” Imran said, leaning against the wall beside Arjun. “What’s going on?”

Arjun ran a hand through his hair. “Just… still processing things,” he said, his voice tight.

Imran stepped closer. “It’s been over a month, Arjun. You can’t keep bottling it up. If you need to talk, main hoon yahan.”

Arjun met his gaze, offering a tight smile. “It’s just… I don’t know. It’s like I’m in a fog, trying to figure out who I am after everything that went downhill with Rohini.”

“You didn’t deserve that,” Imran said gently. “Rohini didn’t appreciate you. You did the right thing by ending it.”

“I don’t even know what the right thing was,” Arjun muttered. “Now that it’s over, I don’t know what’s next. I’m… confused.”

Imran leaned against the wall, quiet for a moment. “About what?”

Arjun bit his lip, unsure how to express what he was feeling. “I think there’s more to it. Something I’m not ready to say.”

Imran’s gaze softened. “You don’t have to figure it all out now. Just take it one day at a time. But I’m here. You’re not alone.”

Arjun nodded, but his thoughts still swirled. Kabir returned, waving a bag of snacks. “Snacks are here! Let’s eat, guys!”

Imran chuckled at Kabir’s enthusiasm over a bag of snacks and snatched it from him making Arjun smile.

The next day, they arrived at a secluded beach town. The days were meant to be carefree, but the tension between Arjun and Imran deepened. They spent the day walking along the shore, both knowing something had shifted.

Later, after Kabir had gone for a walk along the beach while talking to Natasha on FaceTime, Arjun found himself alone with Imran again. The house was quiet. Arjun took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

“Imran,” he said, his voice serious, “Mujhe tujhse baat karni hai.”

Imran turned to face him. “Kya hua?”

Arjun stood up and walked to the window. “I’ve been thinking about what I said the other night… and I can’t shake it off.”

Imran followed. “About being confused?”

Arjun nodded. “It’s more than that. I don’t think it’s just about Rohini. It’s… about me. And about us.”

Imran’s heart raced. “What do you mean ‘us’?”

Arjun finally faced him, his eyes serious but filled with something else. “I think I’ve been feeling something for you, Imran,” he whispered. “And I don’t know what it means. I don’t know if it’s just the breakup talking or if I’m really feeling this way.”

Imran froze. “Arjun, you’re—”

“I’m confused,” Arjun interrupted, stepping closer. “I didn’t plan for this. But it’s there. And I think I need to figure it out. I just didn’t want to leave it unsaid.”

Imran swallowed hard. He’d never considered Arjun feeling this way, but now, in the silence of the room, the air between them was thick with possibility.

“I don’t know what to say,” Imran said, his voice low. “I’ve never thought about it this way. But if you’re saying it’s real, then we’ll figure it out. Together. I’m not going anywhere.”

Arjun looked at him, eyes wide. “But what if it’s just a phase? What if I’m wrong?”

“Then we deal with it, like we always do,” Imran said, stepping closer. “One step at a time. No pressure.”

The tension snapped as Imran touched Arjun’s arm gently. It was a quiet moment, full of unspoken words, but it spoke volumes. They didn’t need to have everything figured out. Not yet.

A few days later, the road trip came to an end. Kabir, ever the optimist, had kept the mood light, while Arjun and Imran shared moments of silence and camaraderie, unsure of what the future held but knowing one thing for certain—they couldn’t ignore what had started between them.

On the drive back, Kabir turned to the backseat, smiling. “I’m glad we did this. It’s been unforgettable, guys.”

Imran and Arjun exchanged a quiet look. The trip had been a journey of new revelations, confusion, and unexpected closeness. The road ahead was still uncertain, but they would navigate it together—step by step, no matter where it led.

A few months later, the café buzzed with the usual crowd, but in their quiet corner, it was just the two of them. Arjun and Imran exchanged soft glances, the familiarity now a comfortable warmth between them.

Arjun cleared his throat, heart racing. “Imran, there’s something I need to say.”

Imran raised an eyebrow. “Are you finally going to admit you’re in love with me?”

Arjun’s breath hitched. “Well, yeah… I’ve been waiting for the right moment.”

Imran paused, smiling softly. “It’s about time.”

Arjun chuckled, leaning forward. “I love you, Imran. I’ve loved you for a while now. I didn’t know what it meant at first, but I do now. And I’m not confused anymore.”

Imran took his hand, his voice low. “I love you too. I’ve been waiting for you to figure it out.”

The moment hung between them, before Arjun leaned in, kissing him softly. When they pulled away, Imran smiled. “You’re not as clueless as you look.”

Arjun laughed, his heart full. “Guess I had to figure it out in my own time.”

Imran smirked. “Took you long enough.”

And another reserve!

Arjun did figure things out for himself in due time. Good for him. Did Imran always know but held back?

Originally posted by: coderlady

Arjun did figure things out for himself in due time. Good for him. Did Imran always know but held back?

Thank you for your comments.💙

Luckily I did think of a backstory for this one so I’ll tell you. Imran is gay but he never thought like that about Arjun since Arjun had a long term girlfriend.

And Arjun obviously post his breakup is working out his feelings and realizes his love for Imran is not just limited to friendship.

This was my first time reading this trope and I guess I wouldn't have given it a try if not for your writing!

ZNMD has been a favorite movie and Imran has been a favorite character. But never thought this could turn out this way too. Arjun's initial hesitation in accepting his feelings and then finally coming to terms with it was beautifully written! Kudos!

Aigooo!! So cute💞🩷 keep writing, sorry for the late comment🤭

Originally posted by: m4manju

This was my first time reading this trope and I guess I wouldn't have given it a try if not for your writing!

ZNMD has been a favorite movie and Imran has been a favorite character. But never thought this could turn out this way too. Arjun's initial hesitation in accepting his feelings and then finally coming to terms with it was beautifully written! Kudos!

I’m glad you read this purely because I wrote it. It means a lot. I was a little sceptical about this pairing but then I had some encouragement to attempt a lgbtq pairing which I haven’t ever before.

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Manju. Thank you for your kind comments.💙

Originally posted by: oh_nakhrewaali

Aigooo!! So cute💞🩷 keep writing, sorry for the late comment🤭

Thank you so much meri pyaari Shibu.🥰🤗

I dont usually read this trope or even a fan of any of the characters but I always love your writing style cant miss any of your stories and I didnt regret this one either!!