Chapter 1: The Boy Everyone Noticed
Zain was the kind of person everyone noticed when he entered a room.
At 20 years old, he was a college student who always had people around him. His friends were always beside him, his name was always being mentioned, and everyone knew him.
But behind his confident smile was a person who was easily angered and never allowed anyone to see his softer side.
For most people, Zain was arrogant.
For some, he was difficult to understand.
But no one really knew what was happening inside his heart.
Noor was completely different.
She was also 20 years old and a college student, but unlike Zain, she preferred silence.
She was shy and quiet, someone who would rather sit peacefully than be surrounded by a crowd.
She had a beautiful smile, but she rarely showed it.
For the past two years, she had been in the same class as Zain.
And for those two years, she had quietly liked him.
She never told anyone.
She never expected anything from him.
She was happy just seeing him.
One afternoon, Noor was walking through the college corridor with her books in her hands.
As she turned around the corner, she saw him.
Zain.
He was standing there with his friends, laughing and talking like always.
For a moment, Noor stopped walking.
Her eyes stayed on him.
Then suddenly, Zain looked in her direction.
Noor immediately lowered her head.
Her heart started beating faster.
She quickly walked away, hoping he didn’t notice her.
But he did.
That evening, near the college gate, Noor was standing alone.
A few girls from college were surrounding her and making fun of her.
She tried to ignore them, but their words hurt.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them.
"Enough."
Everyone turned around.
It was Zain.
He walked towards them with a serious expression.
The girls became quiet.
After a few moments, they left.
Zain looked at Noor.
"Are you okay?"
Noor looked at him, surprised that he was the one asking. Then says
"Yes... thank you for helping me."
Zain looked confused.
"Why were they bullying you?"
"I don't know," Noor replied softly.
She was about to leave when Zain stopped her.
"What if they do it again next time?"
Noor looked at him.
"It's okay. I can handle it. Even today, I could have handled it. You just came and saved me."
Zain raised his eyebrows.
"You can't be so rude. I just helped you."
Noor immediately realized what she said.
"Oh... sorry. I didn't mean that."
Zain smiled slightly.
"If you didn’t mean that, then can we go for coffee?"
Noor looked surprised.
"Coffee?"
"Yes. Coffee. So you can thank me properly and maybe I will accept your apology."
For the first time, Noor smiled in front of him.
"Okay."
And that small moment became the beginning of something neither of them expected.
