Imraan's POV,
I threw my bag on the desk and sank on my seat. The same routine continues yet again, and again we follow it like machines without complaints. And again I look at my right, finding the desk....empty!
She didn't come today either. I sighed pointlessly taking out my phone to call her knowing well she won't answer and as expected, her phone was switched off.

I pushed my phone in my bag frustrated.

"Imraan miya, aap ka top floor kuch zyada hi garam hai aaj." (Your top floor is hotter today. Means he's angry)
Hanzala commented looking at me and I shot him a look as I was in no mood of jokes.

Damnit! It's been a week. Where is this girl? Now, I don't care anymore. I'm going to her house after college. I've already got the address from the students register in the library.

Prof Sana was taking the first lecture of economics switching it with Prof Azlaan and I was already bored. Just then, my eyes widened as She was standing at the door clutching at the belts of her bags.

"Miss Qadri, you're late. Take your seat quickly."

"Sorry ma'am." She said meekly and took her seat.

I didn't know what to say or what to do as I just gaped at her and that pricking emptiness that I was feeling the whole week was disappearing bit by bit as I was watching her to my heart's content. However, I was worried if she'd ignore me again but to my surprise, she looked in my direction grinning from ear to ear and I noticed she was even chewing a gum.

I blinked at her.
Since when did Meher become soo brave enough to defy class rules?

Also, she looked different. Her hair wasn't in her usual long braid but tied up in a messy bun making her look cuter. She was wearing a long sleeve black shrug over her white kurta and no duppatta. Her body language too was different. She was looking straight ahead resting her chin in both her hands instead of keeping her head down . Then she did the most unexpected thing I never imagined Meher Qadri to do.

When the Prof turned to write the points on the board, she literally took out the gum from between her teeth and stuck it below her desk.

"What the...."

"Yes Mr Malik, do you have the question?" Prof Sana looked at me.

Oops! I didn't realise that I said it out loud.

"Um....yes, what will be the position of the demand curve in this law?"

Shit! I said something so random not even being able to comprehend if it would make any sense.

"Good question....you see...." She started explaining while I pretended to pay attention. Heck, how could I even pay attention when I was finally seeing Meher after she went MIA for soo long and now she's acting soo.....um....not like Meher?!

After the 3rd lecture, as soon as ma'am left the class and the break started, I looked at Meher and she was busy packing her bag in a haste. She caught me staring at her and waved at me swinging the bag over her shoulder, gesturing me with her head and thumb to follow her outside. To say that I was confused was an understatement. Still, I took my bag too and followed her outside.

"Hi!" She smiled.

I frowned pretending to be mad.
"Do we know eachother?" I crossed my arms and she winced.

"You're still mad?"

"Take a wild guess." I challenged her.

"That would be yes." She wrinkled her nose and I lost it at her cuteness as I chuckled.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't well actually and was having mood swings....so, I was ignoring you. But, I won't do that anymore. I promise Imraan. You're someone precious to me I don't want to lose."

My heart skipped a beat at her words. I'm someone important to her!

"Fine... I'll forgive you this time." I couldn't hold my smile.

"Yes sir! Thankyou sir!" She giggled.

She was smiling, yes, but for some reason, it felt over exaggerated to me and that smile wasn't reaching her eyes. She wasn't herself even.

"Hey Imraan...."

"Hmm"

"Let's bunk."

"Huh? What did you say?" Those simple words felt alien from her mouth.

"I said let's bunk the next two lectures." She was wriggling her eyebrows at me.

I couldn't believe my ears.
"B...bunk, wait, what? You.....YOU of all people wants to bunk? Meher do you even know what bunk means?"

"Of course I do! I'm a college student silly!" She huffed pouting and I just looked at her in awe.

"Meher, you do realise you've already missed an entire week of college, right?"

She nodded.
"Yes, and I no you would be generous enough to lend me your notes."

"Of course I would, but next two lectures are of accounts." I reminded her.

She wrinkled her nose again.
"I know that's why I want to run away. You know na I don't understand shit of what he teaches. I only like and understand the way you teach and we can catch up on it from tomorrow."

Did she just say....shit?! Soo cute!

"Wait tomorrow? Then where do you wanna go now?" I enquired confused.

She smiled mysterious leaning forward to me with her hands behind her back making me slightly self-conscious.
"Take me somewhere on your bike." She whispered.

"Uh...my bike?"

She nodded.
"Let's go somewhere, away from here. Um...food street maybe. I'm kinda peckish."

Food street with Meher sitting behind me on my bike? My Ammi is the only woman I've had on my bike. So....is this like a....date?

I gulped.

"Pleeeeeeseeeee."

Shit! Don't act soo cute!!!

"O...ok ok. Let's go."

"Yes! Awesome. Just give me a minute huh, I need to use the ladies room." She smiled but again, her eyes were...

"Sure." I acted cool but inside I was a wreak as I waited for her pulling out my keys.

Deep breaths Imraan....Inhale, exhale

####
Meher's POV,
I sat on the toilet seat locking myself inside an empty stall. I could hear voices outside as there were girls chatting whilst fixing thier makeup.

It's soo hard trying to smile all the time. I could finally take a breather from all the acting. Looking down, I pulled up my left sleeve looking at the dried up lines. Almost half of my arm was covered with the scars in just 2-3 days. I moved my hand over them as they felt rough under my fingertips. It was satisfying. Only half the distance remained till I reached up ahead at the point I could no longer hide those scars and also, till the lines reach the blue veins on my wrist. Once they reach there....

I swallowed the lump in my throat and pulled out my small yet thick handkerchief along with the blade. Bhai keeps spare razor blades in the bathroom compartments. I never knew this is how it would come in use to me. I placed the hanky on my lap and placed my arm over it. Don't want to stain my white kurta. I slowly cut a long yet not soo deep line. The pain felt like a close friend. Something relaxing, like a weight was off my shoulder and I let out a heavy breath letting a single tear fall and mix with the flowing blood. The salt in my tears made it sting for a second as it fell on my wound but I bit my tongue controlling my hiss.

After a minute of watching my blood trickle down, I pressed the same handkerchief over the wound. When the blood stopped and there were no longer voices outside, I went out and washed my arm pulling my sleeves down. Looking into the mirror, I practiced my smile again and keeping it plastered on my face, I walked out.

#####
Imraan's POV,
She was taking too long. The break was already over. If Prof catches us, he won't leave us without a good reason. Everyone was returning back to thier classes. To be honest, I haven't ever bunked a lecture in between like this either.

She finally came smiling at me.

"Sorry I was late. Let's go."

We turned to exit the building when we heard Prof Khan's voice.
"Mr Malik and Miss Qadri, where are you going? The break is already over."

"Imraan..." She whispered looking straight ahead.
"....run!"

"Huh?" And before I knew it, she grabbed my hand and ran dragging me with her like her tail was on fire.

"Hey, come back here both of you...." Prof Azlaan's voice turned into a distant echo as we both ran hand in hand to the parking area. Her hair clip betrayed her making her long hair flying behind her as those soft strands gently hit my arm. My eyes not ready to leave her.

She was breathtaking.

We finally stopped near my bike panting and laughing.

"You're... crazy today Meher." I said catching my breath.

She grinned.
"In a good way....or bad way."

I shook my head and got on my bike.
"Hop on. Do you need help?" I questioned just in case.

"Nope!" She climbed on the foot space with her left leg throwing her right leg across the bike sitting on.
"I'm used to riding behind on my brother's bike." She said and placed both her hands on my shoulders. A shiver ran through my spine.

"Oh yeah...right." I cleared my throat.

"Is this ok?"

"Y... yeah sure." I tried to be cool but it it wasn't cool. Meher was literally on my bike grabbing on to me. I was all jittery inside!!!
"Just hold on tight."

"K."

Damn! I was soo nervous along the way. Whoever would've see us must've thought she was my girlfriend or something. Isn't this bad for her reputation too? Then why was she doing it?

"Hey Imraan." She screamed over the wind.

"Yes."

"Take me on a long drive first."

"Long drive?"

"Yes please."

So I changed the route and turned to the highway.

"Woooooooohooooo."

I laughed as she was screaming behind me over the air on the empty highway. Well, it wasn't totally empty as a few cars and bikes were passing by occasionally. Her hair was flying behind her and she stretched her one hand to the side closing her eyes, while her one hand clutched my shoulder tightly as I saw her from the mirror. There was a smile on her face but.... I don't know, it had this sad melancholy in it. It was as if she had escaped from a cage, yet it was painful for her to do so.

I wanted to keep looking at her through the mirror but it was dangerous so I kept my eyes at the road stealing glances at times.
After driving for more than half an hour, we halted at a dhaba.

"Oh wow! Smells soo yummy!"

When she got of the bike, I couldn't hold my laughter while she looked at me confused.
"What's soo funny?"

"Your...your hair Meher..." I said between my laughs. She looked at the rear view mirror and was laughing too.
"Ewww, I'm soo.... ugly and.... messy." She said between her laughing too.

She then moved her fingers through her hair flipping them to one side soo gracefully that I stopped laughing and watched her awestruck.
Damn! That was soo..... hot!

"Good enough now?"

I mentally slapped myself. What haram things was I even thinking?

"Um...yeah, it is. Your hair is really long huh?" I rebounded managing to look away.

She smiled slightly playing with her thick messed up hair.
"Hm. I haven't had a haircut since 2nd or 3rd grade. I really loved my long hair."

"It's pretty."

At this she look at me for a minute like I said something shocking but then she giggled.
"It's unruly frizzy and messy. How can it be pretty?"

I shrugged.
"It makes you look pretty." I bit my tongue in my mouth. I said it out loud and she was again looking at me shocked. I needed an excuse...fast!

"Um... I..uh... I mean it's..."

However, I was cut off when suddenly she threw herself on my chest hugging me tight. I froze like a rock.
"Thankyou. No one has ever said that."

It took me a few seconds to comprehend the situation. Maybe, this was my chance. I could tell her how I feel.

My heart was pounding out of control. I gulped and slowly managed to wrap my shakky arms around her. The feel of her hair was soft and tingly and her petite body felt soo nice in my arms. It made me realise just how delicate she was.
"You're hair really is nice." I breathed closing my eyes.

"You're soo warm." She mumbled.
"This is bad, my heart is wavering."

I heard those words I guess but I was too caught up in forming the words in my mind and I was about to say it when....

"You're a really good friend to me Imraan. I'm grateful to have found you."

Friend? I'm just a .....good friend.

My heart sank into a bottomless pit.

She abruptly got back grinning at me.
"Let's eat, but your treat huh?"

I was too disheartened to say anything and just followed her. We ordered parathas and she was laughing and giggling at pointless things, completely opposite to her character. Yet, the only thing running in my head was...

Even though I've fallen head over heels for her, but to her, I'll always be just a friend.

_____________________________________

Next chapter on Friday.

Ok, so the next chapter will be
THE MOST emotional and important chapter in this whole book. So I'm going to take my sweet time to write this one as I need to cry myself first to make you all cry by pouring all the emotions in it.

The chapter might also be triggering so, you've been warned.

That's why please NO requests for early or double updates 🥺