The next day

The morning sun felt softer than usual as Ayesha and Ameena walked toward the college gate. Tomorrow was the big program, so both were a little excited… and a little nervous.

“Did you take your script?” Ayesha asked, hugging her file to her chest.

“Yes, yes,” Ameena replied, patting her bag. “I’m not like you… I don’t forget things.”

Ayesha rolled her eyes playfully.

“Last time you forgot your book.”

“Shhh!” Ameena hit her arm lightly. “Don’t remind me!”

They both laughed.

Meanwhile, Chawoon was in front of his mirror, brushing his hair with unusual care.

He looked… happy. Little Too happy.

“I will shock them today,” he murmured to himself, adjusting his collar.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

In another room, Ji Won was practically glowing.

“Finally, I’ll meet my friends!” she said to her reflection as she tied her hair.

Her cheeks were rosy from excitement.She had missed them

Across town, Ahmed and Umer were also getting ready.

Ahmed sprayed perfume generously.

Umer, who was tying his shoes, raised an eyebrow.

“Ohooo… whom do you have to impress, haaaa?” he teased.

Ahmed froze for a moment when Ameena’s image flashed in his mind, but he brushed it off and said .“People get impressed by me like that..I don’t need perfume for it” he smirked

Yet he blushed as Ameena’s image returned, lingering in his mind while he applied more perfume.

Umer smirked because he saw everything.

At college

Ameena stood alone in the corridor while Ayesha discussed her act with the professor

Her eyes wandered  and then she spotted the little cat she always fed.

The cat trotted toward her, tail up, meowing softly. Ameena smiled and crouched down, stroking its head.

“You again…” she whispered fondly.



She had grown attached to it, but pets weren’t allowed in the hostel.

Every time she saw the cat, a small ache filled her chest.

“I wish someone kind would adopt you,” she murmured, watching the tiny creature rub against her shoe. “You deserve a real home…"

“ohhh, do you want something?” she asked gently, while stroking .

She took out a packet of biscuits.

“Here… I only have this today. Sorry…” She kissed the cat’s head softly.

Behind her, someone was watching.

Ahmed.

He couldn’t help smiling."She’s so polite though. Maybe she’s only rude to me…

Then he narrowed his eyes jealously.

“Hmph. Even this cat is luckier than me.”

Ameena stood up and waved at the cat.“Byeee!”

Ahmed stepped toward the cat hesitantly.

“Why do girls think they’re cute…?” he muttered.“Let me see.”

He bent down very slowly  terrified  and whispered

The cat is actually a little defensive

"H-Hi… d-don’t worry! I’m a good boy, okay? I won’t hurt you...promise...But… um… in return, please don’t hurt me either… a..and… can I also touch you?”

He immediately panicked and whispered to himself,

“Ya Allah, bacha lena…”

(Allah please protect me)

With eyes squeezed shut, he touched the cat.

“WOAH! I touched it!” he gasped, feeling like he had won a world cup.

He looked at the cat proudly.

“Did you see that? I touched you.”

Then he winked at it.

“By the way… you’re cute too.”

He waved and walked away, grinning to himself.

“I think they are not so bad...so I’m going to get a cat,” he murmured.

Meanwhile, Chawoon looked around the campus.

“Where is everyone? I can’t wait to surprise them,” he said, practically bouncing.

Ji Won spotted him from afar  he was laughing alone like a crazy person.

She raised a brow.

“huh?...” Then she went to him "hey chawoon "

He turned as soon as he heard his name “Huh? Ji Won!” His face lit up. “You’re okay now? Why did you come? You should rest!”

“Yes, I’m fine. But it seems like you’re not.”

She smiled teasingly.

“W..What.?!” chawoon confused looked at her

“You were laughing alone like a mad person,” she said, trying not to burst out laughing.

He flushed and immediately replied

“Oh… I was thinking about something.”

He quickly changed the topic.

“Anyway, how did you come today? Didn’t the doctor ask you to rest?”

“I was bored. And the doctor said I can attend college.” she replied with a smile

“Really? That’s good. I’m glad you’re fine.” chawoon was happy to see her fine

Just then, Min Joon walked up.

"Hi, Chawoon! What’s up?" he said, grabbing his shoulder lightly.

“Hi! All good. You?” chawoon asked

“Good.” min join replied and his eyes moved to Ji Won. “Oh! Ji Won? After so many days! Where were you?”

“Ah… I was out of the city.” her voice was a little slow

Her eyes widened suddenly.

“Wait ..you both are friends again?”

The boys burst into laughter.

“Yesterday, we became friends again,”

Chawoon said, his usual dimpled smile appearing.

“Yes,” Min Joon added. “It feels like I found my lost brother.”

“But how?” Ji Won asked, confused. “Chawoon was so angry with you.”

“Yes… but because of Ayesha, he listened to me,” Min Joon said quietly.

Chawoon nodded with a shy smile.

Oh, that’s nice. Thanks to her, you both are friends again,” she said, her lips curving into a gentle smile

At Auditorium

Ayesha and her team rehearsed their performance.

I’m nervous…” Ayesha whispered, gripping her water bottle.

“Don’t worry, all will be fine,” Ameena said softly  as she sat beside her

“Yes,” Ahmed added, giving a small nod as if reassuring himself.

“In sha Allah,” Ayesha said, her hands still on bottle

“In sha Allah,” Ahmed echoed, his tone firm, almost hopeful.

“Have you both learned your parts?” Ayesha asked, glancing between them.

“Yes,” Ahmed said confidently, straightening his posture.

Ameena narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! I am.” He gave a proud look, lifting his chin slightly. “And what about you?”

“Same,” she said quickly, avoiding his gaze, and walked away without waiting for a response.

Ahmed smiled to himself, watching her retreating figure.

Is she the same girl I saw in the morning with a cat?..…

Ayesha sighed, shaking her head lightly. “I don’t understand you both.”

In the Classroom

Ayesha entered the classroom and saw Ji-won laughing with Chawoon and Min-joon. The sight made her pause at the doorway.

She smiled softly.

I’m happy to see them together again.

Ji-won noticed her smile fade just a little as nervousness flickered across her face. She hesitated, fingers curling together, then took a quiet breath and stepped away from the others.

After a moment, she slowly approached Ayesha.

“Hi,” she greeted, her voice softer than usual.

Ayesha smiled back, her expression calm and welcoming. “Hey.”

Ji Won lowered her head.

“I wanted to apologize for my behavior… I was so mad in the hospital. I misunderstood everything. Chawoon told me the truth. I don’t know why I acted like that…”

She took a shaky breath.

“I just… couldn’t see him with another girl....I love him...but it doesn't mean to hurt others..  I promise I won’t act like that again.”

Ayesha hugged her

“It’s okay...i already forgive you..I know you love him. And I want to see you both together always.”

Ji Won hugged her tighter.

“I really love you, pretty.” her eyes little filled with tears

Ayesha laughed. “I love you too,” she said with her calm smile

Ameena approached, confused.

“Ji Won and Ayesha… together? How?”

“Hi, Ameena!” Ji Won said as she saw her coming

Ameena ignored her with a half eye-roll.

Ji Won noticed the anger in her tone and expression. She took a small breath before speaking, her voice quiet but sincere.

“I’m sorry for my behavior. Please forgive me. I promised Ayesha I would never do it again… and I’m promising you too.”

Ameena crossed her arms.

“Really?” she said coldly. “Because I think you will do it again. I don’t know why Ayesha gave you another chance. Every time you feel like it, you insult her. And I can’t stand anyone insulting her.”

Ayesha felt her heart warm proud, grateful, and deeply touched.

“I know I was wrong,” Ji Won said softly, lowering her gaze. “You can punish me if you want.”

Ameena stepped forward, her voice firm and protective.

“I don’t want anything from you. Ayesha’s best and worst habit is that she forgives too easily. People take advantage of that. Just because she’s polite and humble doesn’t mean she doesn’t get hurt.”

Her words came one after another, sharp with concern.

“I’m her friend I want her to be protected from people like that.”

Ji Won couldn’t find a single word to reply. She stood silently as Ameena continued.

Then Ameena looked at Ayesha.

Ayesha met her eyes and gave a small, silent gesture "it’s okay."

Ameena rolling her eyes let out a slow sigh.

“what....!haa...Fine. It’s okay,” she said at last. “But remember your promise.”

Break it once more, and I won’t stay quiet.” she said sharp and clear

Ji Won hugged her.

“No I will never.... And added with a bright smile "We’re friends again!”

Ameena smiled a little and hugged her back.

“We’re friends, and we’re really together this time. I want to do everything friends do,” Ji Won said softly, a hint of excitement in her voice. “I’ve never had a girl gang before.”

“Really?” Ayesha and Ameena asked together.

“Yeah! I was always with Min Joon and Chawoon. I never made girl friends.”

Chawoon overheard everything, smiling quietly  especially when he saw Ayesha convincing Ameena to forgive Ji Won he whispered, “Wherever Ayesha goes, she has a way of making everyone happy again.”

“if you treat good this time , we can be friends forever,” Ameena said playfully.

Ji-won smiled shyly. “Yes, I will.”

Ayesha grinned. “Then let’s think of a group name.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Ji-won nodded.

“Hmm… let me think.”

(( I’ll let my viewers (sparkles✨) choose the group name!))

After the lecture ended, everyone was heading home when Chawoon suddenly stopped all of them.

Ahmed, Ayesha, Ameena, Ji-won, Min Joon, Umer… everyone stood around him.

He looked nervous, cheeks a little red.

“What happened? What do you want to say?” Ahmed asked.

“Ahhh… listen carefully…” Chawoon said, taking a deep breath.

Everyone leaned in.

“Mera… neam… Chawoon he… aur mei… aap sab se… piyar… piyar karta hu…”

he said in his broken, adorable Hindi-Urdu accent.

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Whattt??” Ahmed laughed.

Ji-won and Min Joon looked completely confused.

“What did he say?”

Chawoon’s face fell a little embarrassed a little frustrated

“What? I practiced so much to learn Hindi/Urdu and to pronounce it…” he said, rolling his eyes.

Ameena calmed down. “Sorry, we didn’t mean to laugh. Your Hindi is cute just a little wrong in pronunciation.”

Umer gave a thumbs up. “You got 8/10! Good boy!”

“Really?” Chawoon brightened immediately.

But he still looked at Ayesha, waiting for her answer.

Ayesha smiled softly.

“I’m impressed, Chawoon...At least you tried. For me… it’s 10/10.”

His heart felt like it was flying.

“Really? Thank you…” he said, glowing this is where he wanted to hear

Min Joon turned to Ahmed. “What is the meaning?”

Ahmed translated, “He said..My name is Chawoon and I love you all.”

“Ohhh!” Min Joon nodded.

Ahmed smirked and asked “Why do you want to learn Hindi ? ...are you secretly planning to settle there?”

Ji-won also leaned in. “what...really ?”

“No nothing like that...I just wanted to learn a new language… so why not? Hindi/Urdu is interesting,” Chawoon said smiling dimple showing

Everyone shouted, “GOOD!!”

Ahmed stretched. “Okay, can we go now, Chawoon?”

“Yes, yes, you can go!” he replied.

Everyone started walking, but Chawoon suddenly stopped Ayesha.

Ji Won felt a sharp pinch of jealousy in her chest, but she promised herself she wouldn’t ruin her friendship with either of them. She swallowed the feeling, forcing a small smile.

“It’s okay, she told herself.Don’t think too much.”

Turning away, she walked off with Min Joon, pretending that everything was fine.

Outside, Ahmed spotted the same cat again.

The cat meowed loudly and walked toward him.

He knelt, patting her. “You remember me?”

He gave her some water.

Ameena wandered toward him.

“Ohooo… so you do have a heart.” she said dramatically

“I think everyone does,” he said simply, shrugging lightly.

“But you’re an alien,” she teased, chuckling as she tilted her head.

“Then you’re an alien to me,” he smirked, folding his arms dramatically.

“Funny?” she raised a brow, crossing her arms in return.

“You? So much,” he burst into laughter

She rolled her eyes but a smile slipped through anyway.

The cat meowed again, brushing against their legs. Both of them bent down, Ameena scratching under her chin while Ahmed gently patted her head.

“She’s so cute,” Ameena said, her voice soft as she smiled at the cat.

Ahmed’s hand paused. Instead of looking down, his gaze lifted to Ameena.

“True…” he whispered, almost absentmindedly.

His heart was racing, loud in his ears. He barely noticed the cat anymore his attention was f

ixed on her, admiring her without even realizing it.

Meanwhile, Ayesha stood with Chawoon, confused and nervous.

“Chawoon… why did you stop me?” she asked.

He took a deep breath.

“I… wanted to say something.”

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