Chapter 19: Regrets

Zinat’s room around her was filled with memories, photographs capturing moments of joy and laughter, tokens of a life she had built with love and dedication. But as her gaze settled on these mementos, it also drifted to the empty spaces, the gaps where someone once stood, the void left by decisions that had to be made.

She had a promise to live up to, a destiny to fulfil, but the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty. She knew that life rarely followed a straight line, that it was a labyrinth of twists and turns, sometimes leading to places unforeseen. And it was in this labyrinth that she found herself, grappling with the weight of her promise.

*Flashback*

Zinat's heart raced with a mix of anger and concern as she watched Aayat unconscious on the floor. The doctor's words confirmed her suspicions – Aayat's drink had been spiked. She felt a surge of fury, knowing that this malicious act had been intended for her.

Aditya and Zubair, her pillars of support, were as clueless as she was about the vile scheme. Her first instinct was to storm into the living room, to confront the perpetrator, but strong arms held her back. Zubair, with his unwavering calm, refused to let her act recklessly.

"We will get back at her, but not by creating a scene," Zubair's voice was steady, his eyes reassuring.

Zinat's frustration simmered, and she demanded, "What do you mean?”

Aditya stepped forward, revealing a plastic container filled with powder. "This is what she added to Aayat's drink," he explained.

Zinat, still in the dark about their plan, asked, "What's the plan, then?”

"Zubbu will make her drink it," Aditya replied. "She's so infatuated with him that she won't hesitate to accept a drink from him.”

Zinat's protective instincts flared, and she tightened her hold around Zubair. "No, there's no way I'm letting that witch near my man.”

Zubair's calm demeanor didn't waver. "We can find another way. I don't want to upset my fiancée any further on our engagement day," he said, his smile warm and reassuring.

Zinat sometimes marveled at Zubair's ability to remain composed even in challenging situations. She agreed, reluctantly, to a different plan, one that wouldn't involve Zubair directly offering Rania the spiked drink.

As they returned to the living room, they engaged in friendly conversations, attempting to conceal their intentions. They spoke with Rania's family and then with Rania's younger sister, who seemed disinterested in engaging with them. Throughout, Zubair did most of the talking, while Zinat maintained her façade of a polite smile.

Their plan was to have Zubair offer Rania the spiked drink subtly. But before they could execute their scheme, Rania approached them on her own. She threw herself at Zubair, hugging him tightly, a move that caught both Zinat and Zubair by surprise.

Suppressing the urge to react violently, Zinat watched as Rania greeted Zubair with a plastic smile. She discreetly signalled Zubair to proceed with the plan, but Rania's clinginess was testing her patience.

Zubair, ever the gentleman, offered her the drink he'd spiked. Rania accepted it happily, and as the spiked drink began to take effect, she grew increasingly affectionate towards Zubair, much to Zinat's irritation.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Zinat pushed Rania away from Zubair and led him to the backyard. Her anger surged as she began to vent her frustration by hitting his chest. How could he let Rania touch him? How dare Rania place her hands on her fiancé?

Zubair didn't resist or protest. Instead, he allowed her to let out her anger, understanding the depth of her emotions. Once she had expressed her frustration physically, Zinat kissed the spot where Rania's hands had touched him, erasing any trace of her presence.

When she tried to walk away, Zubair gently stopped her. He rested his chin on her shoulder and nibbled her ear, whispering soothing words. Zinat gradually relaxed in his arms.

"Relax, my angry bird," he whispered.

They stood there for a while, finding solace in each other's embrace until Zinat's anger had completely subsided.

"Promise me one thing," she said firmly.

Zubair smiled, "Anything for you.”

"Let's get married as soon as I turn 18. I don't care what others think; I don't want to waste time. I want to spend the rest of my life with you," she declared.

Zubair nodded, his eyes filled with love and devotion. "I promise, we'll be together forever."

*Flashback end*

Aayat walked into Zinat's room and found her friend in tears. Without hesitation, she went over and enveloped Zinat in a comforting hug. "Zinat, please don't cry. You know how much Zubair hated to see your tears. He would move mountains just to make you smile," Aayat said, her voice filled with empathy.

Zinat looked up at her best friend, her eyes still glistening with tears. "Promise me, Aayat, that you will live on. Be the happy Zinat, the one Zubbu loved, the strong one, his queen, our queen," Aayat continued, her words carrying a sense of determination and love.

"I won't return there, not because I lack the courage to face the past, but because I have a battle to finish," Aayat declared resolutely.

Zinat nodded, understanding the gravity of Aayat's mission. "Just promise me, Aayat, that you won't act impulsively. Be calm and wise, take one step at a time, and let the princess within you shine," she advised.

Aayat assured her friend, "I will come back, and by then, I want to see you even stronger, okay?”

Aayat helped Zinat pack her bags and spent the remainder of the day by her side. Aditya returned to his hotel after dinner to prepare for his own departure, while Dafne stayed overnight at her boyfriend's place. Irshad, though absent at the moment, was expected to leave as well. Aayat knew that this battle was hers alone, and she didn't want to endanger anyone else.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Abyad was still aboard his plane. He steeled himself, locking away all the cherished memories he had of Aayat. He fought back hot tears that threatened to escape. "I hate you, Aayat. I hate that I love you," he whispered to himself bitterly, letting a torrent of bittersweet memories wash over him.

*Flashback*

Abyad's gaze shifted to Rania, who seemed to be putting on an act, pretending to be close to him solely to hurt Aayat. Being caught in the same college environment as these two nemesis was becoming increasingly draining for Abyad. He found himself unintentionally entangled in the middle of their ongoing drama, a situation he had never intended to be a part of.

The lengths to which Rania was willing to go to provoke a reaction from Aayat were startlingly clear. Abyad couldn't help but notice her calculated moves, designed to make Aayat uncomfortable and perhaps even jealous. It was as if Rania was playing a dangerous game of emotions, using Abyad as a pawn to achieve her objectives.

On the other side of the spectrum, Aayat displayed a remarkable level of maturity and restraint. She seemed to have consciously chosen to rise above the chaos created by both Rania and Abyad. Her decision not to engage in their drama spoke volumes about her inner strength and determination. In Abyad's eyes, Aayat's ability to remain composed and unaffected by the external chaos only made her more admirable.

Yet, Abyad found himself at a crossroads. While he was willing to go to great lengths to keep Rania away from Aayat, he was also aware that his involvement with Rania was causing emotional turmoil for all parties involved. Initially, getting together with Rania had been fuelled by his anger towards Aayat after their initial breakup. But as time went on, he realised that this decision was beginning to backfire on him, emotionally and morally.

Abyad's heart weighed heavy as he carefully penned his thoughts onto the paper, his emotions pouring into each word.

Dear Aayat,

I know I've hurt you, and for that, I am truly sorry. I never meant for things to turn out this way, and if I could turn back time, I would do things differently. I understand that it will take time for you to heal, and I respect that.

Despite the mistakes I've made, I was hoping that we could find a way to remain friends, or at the very least, civil acquaintances. The bond we once shared meant a lot to me, and I don't want it to be completely lost in the wake of our differences.

I wish you all the best in Malaysia and hope that this journey brings you the happiness and peace you truly deserve. Please take care of yourself, and know that I'll be thinking of you, even from afar.

Sincerely,

Abyad

He folded the letter neatly, his feelings of regret and longing evident in every crease. Handing it to Dafne, he knew that this letter was a small but sincere step towards finding closure, and perhaps, a way to rebuild what had been broken between them.

Flashback end*

Abyad lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. The flight had given him some time to reflect, and he couldn't help but think about Aayat and the past they shared. He had made a promise to himself, a promise to forget her, but deep down, he knew it wouldn't be easy.

Memories of their time together flooded his mind, each one a painful reminder of what he had lost. He had hurt her deeply, and the guilt weighed heavily on his conscience. He wished he could turn back time and undo the mistakes he had made, but life didn't work that way.