When paths almost crossed
The cobblestone pathway inside the university courtyard shimmered under the morning sunlight. Students rushed past, their laughter mixing with the distant chirping of birds perched on the tall campus trees.
Aaira inhaled deeply, absorbing the scent of fresh leaves and old stone buildings. Her fingers brushed the strap of her bag, holding it close as if it carried her hopes with it.
Zara walked beside her, eyes wide with excitement.
"Aaira, we are actually here," she whispered, gripping her arm.
"Istanbul University… can you believe it?"
Aaira smiled softly.
"Alhamdulillah… it still feels unreal."
Zara spun once, arms open wide.
"Dream university, scholarship, a whole new life—Ya Allah, this is perfect!"
Aaira laughed quietly at her friend's enthusiasm.
"Let's not get late on the first day, okay?"
They walked toward the orientation hall, unaware that eyes were already following them—one pair in particular.
_______________
Rayan Demir
At the far end of the courtyard, leaning casually against a stone pillar, Rayan Demir was listening half-heartedly to something Junaid was saying. He looked bored, as he often did when surrounded by noise he didn't care for.
Girls nearby were pretending to take photos while secretly aiming their cameras at him. Others giggled, whispering loudly enough for him to hear.
He ignored them, unmoved.
Until he saw her.
A girl in a soft-coloured hijab walking quietly beside her friend.
A calm presence in a chaotic crowd.
A serenity he didn't know he had been craving.
His eyes followed her unconsciously—her gentle smile, the way she looked around with quiet wonder, the way she held her books as if they meant something deeper to her.
Something shifted in his chest—subtle, unexpected, uninvited.
He didn't understand it.
Not yet.
But it rooted him in place.
"Bro, are you even listening—?" Junaid stopped mid-sentence and snapped his fingers.
"Hello? Earth to Rayan?"
Rayan didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed.
Junaid followed his line of sight and spotted the girls.
"Oh… new students," he said casually.
"The cheerful one looks like trouble already."
Zara, across the courtyard, was arguing with a vending machine that swallowed her money.
"I said give me my chocolate! Don't test me on my first day!"
Aaira pulled her away, embarrassed.
Junaid chuckled.
"Yep. Definitely trouble."
But Rayan didn't laugh.
His attention stayed on Aaira.
"Who is she?" he murmured under his breath—confused as to why he even cared.
Junaid raised a brow.
"You interested?"
Rayan shot him a look, calm but sharp.
"No."
But his eyes betrayed him.
And Junaid noticed.
__________________
Inside the Orientation Hall
The hall buzzed with chatter as students took their seats.
Aaira and Zara found a corner spot near the window. Aaira opened her notebook, already prepared to jot down details, while Zara leaned closer.
"Did you notice how everyone here dresses so nicely?" Zara whispered.
"I need new outfits—modest but stylish."
Aaira chuckled.
"Focus on the orientation first."
But in the back of the hall, two boys entered—late but effortlessly confident.
Rayan and Junaid.
Students turned instantly.
Whispers spread.
Eyes followed them.
Zara poked Aaira's shoulder.
"Looks like celebrities just walked in."
Aaira didn't bother looking.
She hated unnecessary attention—on herself or anyone.
Rayan, however… noticed her.
Even among a sea of faces, he found her immediately.
Quiet. Focused. Unbothered by the noise around her.
Different.
His seat was far from hers, but his eyes drifted there again and again.
He didn't understand why.
But he didn't look away.
After Orientation
Outside the hall, students spread across the courtyard again.
Zara tugged Aaira toward the fountain, insisting on taking pictures together.
"Just one, Aaira! Smile for memories!"
Aaira frowned slightly.
"You know I don't like pictures—"
"Just one!"
While they were busy arguing, Junaid walked past them and paused, staring at Zara.
"You again?" he muttered.
Zara narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean you again? I didn't do anything to you."
"Your vending machine drama earlier? Half the courtyard heard."
Her jaw dropped.
"Excuse me?! It stole my money—of course I was going to fight it!"
Junaid grinned.
Zara glared.
And thus began their story.
Meanwhile, Rayan stood a few steps behind Junaid, his attention drifting—again—to Aaira.
He didn't approach.
He didn't speak.
He simply watched her.
Until something unexpected happened.
A cyclist rushed through the walkway too fast, heading straight toward Aaira—
and before she could turn—
Rayan moved. Fast.
He wasn't close enough to grab her,
but close enough to shout—
"Move!"
Aaira froze.
Zara screamed.
Junaid cursed.
And in that split second—
The cyclist swerved, hit the edge of the fountain, and crashed.
Water splashed everywhere—
including on Rayan and Aaira.
Chaos erupted.
Students gasped.
Security ran toward them.
The cyclist apologized breathlessly.
And Aaira—soaked, startled, confused—finally looked up…
Straight into Rayan Demir's eyes.
Her first thought was simple:
"…Who is he?"
His first thought was nothing short of a storm:
"Ya Allah… she's even more stunning up close."
But neither said a word.
Not yet.
Because fate wasn't done with them.
Not even close.
____________________________________
The incident becomes the talk of the day.
Aaira wants to forget it.
Rayan can't.
And Zara absolutely hates Junaid already.
"Some hearts don't collide by accident. Allah guides them—sometimes with calm winds, sometimes with a sudden storm."
♡♡♡
To be continued!!
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Love, samar<3