They stayed like that for some time, finding comfort and warmness in each other's embrace. They broke their hug abruptly when someone screamed.

"NAIRAAA!!!"

She got terrified and slowly looked at the direction where the noise emanated. The person who called her name marched towards her with a rage of anger evident in the person's eyes. Naira and Nayel swiftly made a distance between them and stood there pondering about what explanation to give.

"What were you doing Naira? And who is this?"

"Look, I-I can explain it's-"

"Wait, Is he Nayel?"

"Yes, this is Nayel. M-my Junior." She replied gazing down.

"No. I'm her Hu-"

"He is my Junior Laila. I said about him right?" Naira cut him off from spilling imbecility as it was not the time to reveal these to her cousin. She needed time and wanted to explain it coherently.

Laila eyed both of them and was sure they were hiding something as they looked suspicious. Naira had shared everything to her cousin through chats. She tells about how her day at college was and everything that happens when Laila is at Saudi. So, she even mentioned about Nayel being her junior and how close they were. Naira even planned to marry her off to Nayel as Laila was three years younger than her and looked like the perfect girl for Nayel. She wanted her sister and so-called brother to marry. But Laila was not at all interested in her plan and instead addressed Nayel as her Jeeju(Brother-in-law). How funny it is now, as Naira's plan was a failure and Laila's wish came true to get Nayel as her Jeeju. Even though her cousin knows about him, she didn't dare to reveal the sudden marriage they had. She was scared to know her reaction even when she was her best friend and younger sister.

"Naira, why were you both hugging?" Her orbs were red with shock and outrage.

"Laila, I'll explain to you everything but not now."

Naira introduced her to Nayel and then she went away, leaving both of them alone.

"So, are you going to tell her?" He queried gazing into her eyes.

"Maybe it's best to tell her so that I can feel at ease."

"Okay, If you feel good talking to her do that and don't stress yourself thinking about us. We'll find a solution." He beamed and added, "I'm not taking more of your time. I'll go now and call you at night. Assalamu Alaikum."

She replied to his Salaam and walked off to her cousin's house with a beaming smile on her face. Laila noticed this but thought to ask it later before sleeping.

At night, she shared all the secrets to her cousin. Laila was beyond agitated to hear this from Naira but at the same time, she was happy as she always rooted for Naira and Nayel.

"See, he became my Jeeju as I wanted. Yay!" Laila giggled.

"The situation was like that." She did not expect her to be this happy after hearing the news.

Maybe, we were meant to be like this by Allah SWT plan. She thought.

Her chain of thoughts was interrupted when she heard the phone ringing with the caller tune.

"Woohoo. Your Husband is calling." Laila said grabbing the phone from the table and gazing at it. Hearing upon her, Naira snatched the phone and hurriedly answered.

"Assalamu Alaikum Naira!"

"Wa Alaikumusalam."

"Seems like someone was waiting for my call." He teased.

"No. I was not." She replied instantly.

"But I think it is like that. Anyways, Tomorrow our college is opening and don't you dare try to ignore me!" He spoke in a serious tone.

She pondered upon what he asked and then replied, "I'll think about it. No guarantees." She giggled. The old Naira would never have replied in this manner. But now, she has changed because of him.

"Naira I'm being serious!" He declared.

"Okay. I will."

"Em... Also, We boys have planned to go out for lunch tomorrow from college. Your class some boys will also be there and our class girls are also there. So, we will invite you and some of your friends. Will you come?"

"If everyone is coming yeah sure I'll come." She replied.

"We would be going to restaurants and we'll be giving you a lift as you girls don't have a car. So, I need you to come with me."

"Seriously Nayel?" She laughed and asked.

"What? Let your friends also join us in the back seat." He stated.

"I'm not coming with you. One time I came with you which changed everything and I won't ever forget that in my life."

"But was that my fault?" He asked as it was not his fault why they are in this mess.

"Emm, No."

"Then why blame me? And are you planning to go with another boy when I'm here?" with a fake hurt tone he asked.

"So what? It doesn't matter." she countered back.

"You are asking me so what? It does matter!" He roared and instantly cut the call.

Did he just hang up on me?

"What happened? Have the couple's quarrel already started?" Laila asked laughing.

"He is insane!" Saying this she pulled the blanket over her head and drifted off to slumber.

The next day they both didn't glance at each other and Nayel was the one who started ignoring first. She also decided to do the same and ignored him. At the time of lunch break, they all gathered near the parking area.

"Let's give a lift to the girls. Only some have scooters. So, others can join in our cars." Nayel declared looking at her but she turned back from his direction.

Shana, Farah quickly sat in Nowfan's car. She just stood there glancing at both the cars Nowfan and Nayel's. He was eyeing her to come and sit on his car. He looked so weird showing expressions with his eyes and indirectly talking. But she went towards her junior Sahla and Zari who was on the scooter.

"Can I come with you?" She pleaded.

"But going triple in the scooter is a risk. I'll go with them in the car." Zari said and got up. He glared at her and marched towards his car in anger.

They reached the restaurant, he sat opposite to her and they both were having a staring competition without uttering anything. Thankfully no one noticed their internal war. When the food arrived Nayel smiled and ate like a small boy.

I guess he loves food. She mumbled.

Their fight was long forgotten now after eating. The washroom was a common one where boys and girls used. Nayel and Naira went to wash at the same time as it felt like both had something to say each other.

"Come with me this time. Don't go in the scooter this time." He whispered to which she nodded.

"Also, We are having internal exams from Monday onwards. The first exam is Quantitative Techniques."

"So?" She questioned.

"You know right, how difficult that stupid subject is. Since you've already studied it last year and being a nerd you would know that subject right?"

"So?" She again questioned as she was not understanding what he was trying to say.

"So, I want you to tutor me." He beamed.

"But tomorrow is Saturday. College won't be there. How can I tutor you?"

"You can come to my home." He smirked.

"WHAT!" she almost yelled at him. Thankfully no one was there with them in the washroom and it was an open place in a corner so the sound was not a problem.

"What? My mom won't have any problem with you coming and its just a combined study or are you having some other thoughts?" He asked leaning towards her.

"N-no! My parents won't allow me to go like that to your house. Me and you, studying. No. No." She replied moving backwards.

"Wait, when did I say it's just me and you?" He asked laughing.

"Then?"

"Looks like someone was having some other thoughts and is now disappointed. HAHAHA." He laughed like a maniac standing there. She just glared at him for mocking, gritted her teeth in anger and didn't say back anything.

"Okay. I'm sorry. You need to tutor us, me, my friend Abdulla, Arshak, Mohammed, Sahla, Zari, Aysha and Fida. So, sadly we are not alone." He wiped away his fake tears dramatically.

She pondered for some time regarding his request to tutor them. After a few minutes she replied, "Okay, I'll tutor you. Remember I am very strict." She walked away from his after saying this.

She returned to college in Nayel's car and he was so happy when she came to him when he requested. But, Sahla was sitting in the passenger seat and she sat at the back seat. He glanced at her from the mirror from time to time until they reached the college.

At night, he messaged her reminding about what she has to teach them. Only his mom was there at his house as his dad and brother are in Saudi. Still, she was very nervous to meet his mom cause she was not just his mom but also her mother-in-law.

She lied to her mom saying it's a combined study at her friend's place. His mom warmly welcomed her in and without wasting any minute she started teaching them. Just like how she said, she was very strict and professional in teaching. She didn't even glance at Nayel for one moment and concentrated on teaching her juniors.

But, on the other hand, Nayel was staring at her continuously, not able to concentrate on his studies. In return, she gave him more difficult problems to do. They took a break for lunch and everyone got up from the big study table and marched towards his big open garden. When Naira was about to go there he stopped her by dragging her into a small room.

"Mom is in the kitchen. So, you go there and stay with her as you both can mingle each other and be happy in-laws." He winked and let her go.

She went towards the kitchen and saw his mom was mixing the Biriyani. She quickly went inside and said, "Aunty, I'll do it."

After having a delicious Biriyani and carrot halwa for dessert, everyone was so full from eating so they thought to relax sometime and then resume the studies later.

They were sitting in the hall upstairs. Some of Nayel's sports items were placed in a big box.

"Is that carrom board?" Naira asked looking at the box.

"Yes."

"I always wanted to play carroms but never got a chance. How about playing carroms?" Naira suggested, glancing at that board yearning.

"Of cause! Let's play." Everyone agreed.

Since it was her first time to play she didn't know the rules or anything related to carroms. So, Nayel came forward and started explaining how to play. Her attention was full on his face and didn't even bother to listen to what he was saying. At that time she realised that someone can be so charming and attractive while explaining things.

"That's how we play. Did you understand?" He ended his explanation and took the carroms to start the game. She nodded nonchalantly.

Two teams playing was Nayel, with Arshak and Naira, with Sahla. At first, Naira was not able to strike down the carroms but later on, she got the tricks and strikes down almost all her black carroms. Now only two of her black carrom, red queen, the main carrom in the game and Nayel's one white carrom was left. It was his chance to strike. If he strikes the red queen and his white carrom he will be the winner but if he misses it, Naira will get the chance to strike the red queen and her black ones. Everyone was cheering for both of them as the competition was getting very interesting and unpredictable.

"Nayel Nayel Nayel."

"Naira Naira Naira."

"Nayel you can do it."

"Naira let's distract him!" Sahla whispered to her.

Nayel stretched his arms, rubbed the palms together and gazed at the red queen intently to strike. He was all set to strike down the queen and win. But he felt an intense gaze from the person sitting opposite to him which was Naira. He stared back at her and saw she was smiling warmly which instantly melted his heart. A small smile curled upon his face but shrugged it off immediately thinking about the game.

He again concentrated on the game and was ready to strike down but from the corner of his eyes he saw her smiling face and suddenly she winked at him. It startled him and the striker in his hand moved a little and he lost his chance. The girls strike down the next round and won the match.

"WE WON!" Sahla announced and hugged Naira.

"Girls team won! Boys are losers." All girls sang this in a baby voice.

"Enough of games! Let's go back to study. Everyone go back downstairs." Nayel stood up and said being frustrated. It was clear that his ego got hurt when he was defeated by Naira. But what annoyed him the most was she distracted him.

Everyone stood up and walked towards the stairs to go downstairs. Naira was the last one to get up and when she got up when everyone went, she saw Nayel coming towards her. Abruptly he caught her wrist and dragged her into a room.

"What are you doing Nayel?" She roared.

"What were YOU doing when I was playing?" He asked back, taking steps towards her and she took slow steps backwards.

"What did I do?" She asked innocently.

"Are you playing the dumb game! You distracted me and that's why I lost!"

"I didn't distract you. I did nothing." She replied looking down.

He walked towards her until she was halted by the wall behind her. He lifted his arms and caged her. He slowly moved towards her face which was now just inches apart.

"I dare you to wink at me now like how you did earlier." His warm breath almost whispering to her face.

"Na-Nayel move." She pleaded as this closeness was giving her some strange sensations.

"NO! Wink at me once again and I'll let you go." He came more forward towards her plump lips and whispered.

"Someone will come. Please, move." She again pleaded whilst trying to move from his caged arms on the wall.

"No one will come. Everyone is downstairs."

"Okay, I'll give you a choice. Wink at me now or I'll kiss you." He declared coming a little closer.

"Nayel, I- "

"Is it that hard to choose? Okay, then I'll choose my favourite option." He said and removed the arms as a cage. His hands drifted towards her cheeks and gently caressed her soft cheeks. Her brown hair locks hanging in her face urged him to touch it and slowly place the hair strands in her ear lobe.

It was the first time both of them were this close. Naira for the first time noticed that he had greyish black eyes, a slight dimple when he smiles and round-shaped pink lips. His midnight-black shiny hair looked so attractive at that time and she had an urge to touch them and play with his hair. Unknowingly she was about to lift her hands to feel them but halted when she heard a female yell.

"NAYEL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

He looked back at the person standing behind him and whispered, "Mom."

They both distanced themselves abruptly and looked down feeling ashamed of what they were doing.

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ASSALAMU ALAIKUM

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Thatabayagirl💕