Dedicated to _AlwaysInLove_ for her love and support 💕and sheshefi who is eagerly waiting for an update. 😝

The will-o'-the-wisp proffering a sense of tranquillity and serenity. Getting lost in your dreamland, experiencing things which can't be sophisticated in real life, coveting to linger in your dreams eternally and not to wake up anytime soon are some of the yearnings we have.

Sunday, a day to relax and sleep composedly, sticking on the bed by getting succumbed in daydreams. But this exaltation didn't last long as my phone started ringing. With great difficultly, I tried hard to open my slumberous eyes, snatched the phone from the nightstand and promptly accepted the call without looking at the caller ID.

"Naizaa, are you free today?" It was Salma.

"Hmm, I think so," I spoke in my sluggish voice.

"Get up quickly and come with me to a place," she said rapidly, almost decreeing me.

"Huh! why? where?" I questioned perplexed.

"To Zari's house. No more questions! Now go and brush your teeth. I'll come to pick you after twenty minutes," she stated and ended the call.

Salma and Zareen were cousins. When we were small, she always used to tell me about her cousin Zari, who was in India and on how much she missed her cousin. However, I only came to comprehend about this now and was surprised to on how Salma's close cousin also turn out to be my close friend. Nevertheless, I was confused about why she was taking me to Zari's house.

Even when we were in Dubai, Salma always used to give me a ride and came to pick me up from my home whenever we had to go out. The reason was I didn't know how to drive but Salma, she started to learn driving at the age of fifteen, so it was easy for her to get the license when she turned eighteen. Furthermore, Salma was there always as my personal chauffeur so, there was no need for me to learn driving.

Specifically, after twenty minutes, as she said, she was here to pick me up. The ride to Zari's home filled firing on so many questions to Salma on why we are going there, was there any reason. However, she didn't reply to any of my questions and informed me that she would say it when we reach our destination. I got annoyed and sealed my mouth with the bombarding questions.

When we reached Zari's home, she was sitting on her balcony and rushed downstairs when she saw us. She opened the door and welcomed us in carrying a glowing smile on her face. I greeted her mom and walked towards her room. I noticed that Salma was grinning ear to ear, glancing at Zari and me.

"Why are you smiling at Zari? What's the matter?" I probed.

"Zari got engaged!!!" She immediately replied, dropping the bomb on me.

"Whaaattt?! With who?!" I screeched because of happiness.

"Zanal himself," Salma replied, and Zari blushed when she heard the response.

My eyes protruded out, jaws open wide, literally hanging in the air for a few seconds as I was so startled.

Zanal saw Zari from a marriage ceremony, instantly like her character and proposed to her when she was studying in her 10th grade. Knowing that he was a good guy, she accepted without any hesitation. However, they were not like ordinary teenage couples like we get to see now. They were different and had no contact between them, knowing that it was not right. There was only one connection they both had that was they liked each other and decided to make it halal (permissible or lawful in Islam).

Solely Salma was the only one who knew about this relationship as she was Zari's cousin. She disclosed this secret with me when I mentioned Zari was my college friend, and I even shared this news with Zuha.

Zanal, her soon to be husband, asked her hand in marriage when the time was right, making it halal without involving in any haram relationship. The most fun part was, her parents didn't know that they already liked each other and were not strangers. They decided to reveal this later. So, it was not precisely a love-marriage but, for us, this counted as one.

"YAY! Wedding bells ringing!" I hollered.

"You know what? There is one more thing which would make you more excited" Zari stated, I blinked my eyes in response, already being thrilled.

"Zanal's house is three hours from here, which means the same town where Shaym's house is!" Salma announced.

"What?! Really?" Momentarily, I got more thrilled.

Hearing the news, I had a hope that I might get a chance to see Shaym one more time after college ends in March, which means I had only two months to see Shaym in college. Zari's marriage was fixed in April, the month after college closes so I hoped to see him at her wedding. I know it was an absurd thought, just because Zari's wedding would be at his hometown doesn't mean I might get a chance to see him. Nevertheless, I expected my dream to be a reality, to see him one last time.

As soon as I reached back home, I called Zuha and informed that Zari got engaged. She shrieked a 'whaaaatt' just like how I howled when I heard the news. Now, we were quite impatient to share this news to the rest of our gang. I was sure, just like us, they would be appalled knowing about the engagement. But the irony is they would be shocked even without knowing that it was love-cum arrange marriage as we were not planning to disclose it yet.

The next day at college, I ordered everyone to bunk the afternoon class so that we could spill out the surprise. We assembled in the enormous gallery near the college football ground, which was an open place, and commonly no one came here during class hours. So, it was the perfect spacious, quiet place for us to disclose the news.

All of my friends got aggravated. They were puzzled on why we abruptly told them to bunk their class and to assemble at the ground. We had slightly prepared everything on how to say this. So, Zuha released the bomb without further ado.

"Zari got hitched! She is getting married!" Everyone screamed and soon congratulated her by shaking hands and embracing in a hug. All of them were equally felicitous and enthusiastic about her marriage as she was going to be the first bride from our gang.

During lunchtime, I was standing with Issa outside our classroom, she was still in euphoria, knowing the news of Zari's marriage. Seeing her, I got restless and released the secret bomb to her. Her expression at that moment was priceless as she was beyond amazed and never imagined this. I requested her to keep it as a secret from other friends as Zari may disclose this later.

After talking for some more time, we decided to go out. We both didn't feel like having food from outside. That was the reason why we were alone in the class.

There was a massive mob near the main gate, and many sonances were arising. When we reached near, I saw Shaym with a 'Happy Birthday' hat on his head, standing whilst holding a plastic knife on his hands, ready to cut the cake.

I imperceptibly glanced at him from the corner of my eyes. Instantly, he looked back and caught me staring at him. Feeling embarrassed, I lowered my gaze and went in the opposite direction. I already knew it was his birthday, and even thought to message him in the morning, but then, I thought there was no need for me to wish him as he didn't wish me on my birthday.

•••

Days were elapsing fast, and now only one more month was left in this academic year. I felt sorrowful concerning the fact that I won't be around Shaym after a few days with my retarded dramas.

I nudged up early and reached before nine in the morning at college. When I proceeded to my department, there was a crowd of students, and something seemed distinctive.

Do many students usually stand near the department early in the morning?

That's when I noticed there was a pretty, medium-sized box wrapped in red coloured gift paper, hanging outside the department. I observed Jina, Talha, and Shifa standing near that box and talking. I swiftly approached them and inquired, "What's with the crowd here, and what's inside that pretty box?"

"It's a Letterbox! Today is Valentine's Day!" Jina said passionately. Oh, Valentine's Day.

"English department made these boxes, and we can write a letter anonymously. We only need to mention the name of the person to whom we are writing the letter."

"Oh, wow, that's nice. Who will take out the letters and deliver?" I probed.

"Students who are in charge will take the letters and give it to the prescribed person," Jina responded fast and added, "Naizaa, I think you should write a letter to Shaym! It's the best way to express. He will not understand from whom it is, and you can express your feelings too."

"No, I don't think it's a good idea," I stated, and soon, the bell rang.

The first hour was tedious, and I felt like running away. Shortly, it was the second hour, but I was not interested in attending and writing the notes which Sir was dictating aloud.

Anna, who was sitting near me, started writing a letter for Talha; to fool him. As he was so innocent, she was sure that he would believe the letter would be from some other girl. Later, Issa and Jina likewise started writing a letter to other boys in our class to fool them, and all the letters they wrote were fun to read.

By seeing their dedication towards writing a fake letter, I got a bit of motivation, took my notebook and turned to the last page. And then, I started writing with the most cliché dialogue ever.

Hey,

I actually don't know when and how it happened, but I fell for you. I still regret not wishing you on your birthday. And you know what? Because of you, I even started liking Yamaha.

Asudden, I was out of words. Nothing was coming in my mind to write down. I presumed it might be for the reason that I had lots of things to say to him, which made me feel befuddled and resulting to not able to write. I dropped down my pen and closed the notebook. I quit.

"Issa, you should write a letter to Zayn! It's a perfect opportunity for you. Just write what you feel for him," I suggested her as she too had a crush but, it was not so deep like mine. Still, it was a chance for her to express something.

"No, he will understand it's me. I'm not going to write it," Issa said.

Argh, this Issaa is missing a great chance!

Scowling at her, I thought of writing a letter to Zayn from Issa's viewpoint. She fell for his dance that day, so I started to write by stating his dance and how magnificent it was. Damn, it was fun, and Issa laughed reading that letter.

Soon, it was lunchtime. We marched out of our class and saw there was a huge gathering near the letterbox. Some students were writing letters, sitting on the stone bench opposite to our department. Zuha and her friends were also present there, writing letters under the tree. We strolled near them and sat on the stone bench.

A boy from my class, Salman, came near me and asked for a piece of paper to write on. So, I took out my book, torn one page from the back and handed over to him. It was the same book in which I wrote my half letter during the class.

After he received the paper, he said that he wanted the book, which I was holding in my hand, for him to keep on it as a support and write the letter. He almost tried to snatch away the book from me. I screamed and told,

"No! I will not give you my book. I too have to write to someone!"

Zuha nonchalantly came towards me and said, "Naizaa, don't turn around. He is coming."

I immediately got up from my place where I was sitting. I decided to go near my gang who was sitting opposite to me, in front of the department.

When I was about to reach near them, something inside told me to turn back. Like a fool, I spontaneously turned and saw Shaym, along his gang walking towards my department.

Shaym was just behind my back. Jina saw that and was making some taunting expression, trying her best to not chuckle in front of him. I swayed with my eyes indicating her to not act like this, and mouthed, 'No!'

We went away from there to eat and pray. Jina and I were the first to finish our prayers. So, we thought to go back to our class.

Whilst walking, Jina stated, "Naizaa, this is your last and only chance. Just write that damn letter and give it to him. Just express what you feel. A chance like this will not come again!"

By hearing her advice, I got the inspiration to write and give him the letter as the things she spoke was right. It was my last and only chance. She also mentioned that the boxes would be taken back after the lunchtime. I quickly glanced at the time on my watch. Only five minutes were left for the people to take the box from all the departments.

Oh, shit!

"Naiza, let's run. Otherwise, we will be late." Jina said, and we hastily ran.

When we reached our department, the box was already gone. It was nowhere near the area. I got panicked all of a sudden. Now, what I thought was not going to happen; he would not get to know about my feelings.

"Let's go to the English department and check. The boxes will be there. Come hurry!" Jina announced and started running to the English department. I ran behind her, clutching my abaya.

When she reached near the department, she shouted, "Naizaa, the box is here!" I stood near the box and took out my unfinished letter from my bag and kept the book on the wall for support to write. I scribbled down the things which came to my mind first without pondering much and ended the letter by writing, Your Crush.

During the last hour of the class, few students came with many piles of papers in their hand. Well, not precisely papers as it was Love letters. They read out the names aloud and distributed it to the prescribed person. Almost all boys got letters, and we were sure that seventy per cent of them were pranked letters. Like we assumed, poor Talha believed that it was a genuine letter from a girl. We acted normal without bursting out with laughter.

It was time to go. Usually, I stay back a few minutes inside the campus after classes, but today, I wanted to run from here as I didn't know whether Shaym received my letter or not. What if after reading it, he understands that the person who wrote the letter was me. Without waiting for anyone, I went home alone. My friends didn't even try to stop me from going early, and I was grateful for that.

After reaching home, when I opened Instagram, there were countless messages in my Instagram group. Zuha had shared a private post, so Fathima asked to send the screenshot. It was a new Instagram page called 'The Confessions' created by someone from our college. The page was exclusive for our college students and accepted the students only from our college. The page had a Sarahah account where anyone can message anonymously. I promptly sent a request to that account, and they accepted it.

The page posted all the anonymous messages they received on the Sarahah account. All the anonymous messages included the user ID to whom this message was at the end. And, the page posts it by tagging that person's account.

The page was pretty fun to read. There were numerous confessions. Some of the messages looked genuine, but most of them were a prank. Scrolling through their account, I noticed they posted a new photo. It was to Shaym!

I think it is some girl from another department!

Now, will he think that I send that to him? ARGH.

My phone vibrated, and I swiped to look from who the message was. The name read Anna.

Anna: Naizaa, Shaym didn't get your letter!

Me: How do you know that?

Anna: Recently, I got a new friend Aysha, who is in Mr Cute's class, so in the evening, after you went, I saw her. We were talking about today's letters. That's when she told me that Shaym and Shabeeb are the ones who got lots of letters from their class.

Me: Ooh, so?

Anna: So, Aysha and her friends took those letters when it arrived and didn't give them to Shaym and Shabeeb!

Me: Oh, will they give it to them tomorrow?

Anna: I don't know maybe...

I will send an anonymous message in Sarahah to Shaym asking whether he got a letter or not.

Me: Okay, you ask.

Anna: Hehe

Zuha shared this post in the group, to which all of my friends replied and asked whether it was me who wrote this message. I informed them it was Anna's doings and were not sent by me. I immediately made a Sarahah account and thought to prank all of my friends as these anonymous messages seemed fun.

I sent a message in Sarahah to almost all my friends, and some of them really believed it. My poor friends were pondering on who send that messages and at that moment I felt sad for pranking them.

Moreover, there were numerous messages for Shaym. Huh, is he the only boy in our college? Even Zayn received many messages, and he gained several fans because of his dance.

I checked whether Shaym was following The Confessions page or not. Surprisingly, he was following, and he even liked all the posts in which he was tagged in. I think it was Shaym's Day and not Valentine's Day. Again, I saw a message for him,

"I heard that you are a dancer in our college dance group for a state-level, inter-college, dance competition, and this time I will come to see you, but you won't see me because I will be standing in a corner and watching you.

@Shaym"

I immediately shared this post to the group and said, "I already knew about this dance competition from Talha, and even planned to go and see his dance, but now, he will think that I am the one who sent this message!"

To my message, everyone sent a laughing emoji. I replied back with a crying emoji. Argh, this was all fun for them! There were not understanding my situation. Now, should I go to watch his performance?

Assalamu Alaikum

How was the chapter?

I wanted to add few moments with Naiza's friends So, who all excited for Zari's marriage 💃

Anyone ever wrote a love letter ?

If you liked it please don't forget to VOTE & COMMENT

Lots of Love💕
Thatabayagirl