Maryam's POV

I focus on my test review, scribbling notes and revising key concepts. Suddenly, my phone buzzes, breaking my concentration.

An unknown number flashes on the screen:

Unknown: 2 am. You should consider sleeping. Love.

My heart skips a beat. My entire body trembles.

I try to process the creepy message, my mind racing.Wasnt sending those roses enough for him.He now got my phone number as well.

With shaking hands, I attempt to type a response, but my fingers hesitate.I should ask who is he? What he want? Why is he making my messed up life more messy?

I take a deep breath, grab my water bottle, and take a sip.

Summoning courage, I type,

Me:Who are you?

I wait anxiously for a response. My phone buzzes again:

Him:Someone you know.

Fear grips me.

Me:Hey listen, I don't care who you are, but stop bothering me,"

I type, trying to sound braver than I feel.

I wait, my eyes fixed on the screen, looking at the typing sign.

Is it really someone I know? And how did he get my number?I dont know many people in Delhi.I just came here 3 months ago.I barely leave house and meet people.

Him:I will stop bothering you if you turn off the lights and sleep.

The thought of him watching over my room window sends chills down my spine.

I cautiously approach the window, my heart racing. Slowly, I pull back the curtain, scanning the darkness.

Anaya's house, nestled in a quiet neighborhood, seems isolated. The empty streets stretch out like a deserted canvas.

My phone buzzes in my hand, making me jump.

Him:You can't see me, Love. Don't try."

Fear grips me.

Me:Why are you stalking me? What do you want?

I type, my hands shaking and sweat dripping.

Him: You

My mind spirals with worst-case scenarios.

Me:Leave me alone!

I type, desperation creeping in.

The silence that follows is oppressive.

Me:Are you that boy from village camp?

I type, my mind racing with that boy's memories.His intense stare, the unease I felt - it all comes flooding back.I recall the way he watched me, his eyes lingering on me with an unnerving intensity.

Him: He is in prison,Love.

My heart skips a beat.If he is not that boy who ruined the village camp than who is he?.I think to myself.How he know that he is in prison.

Suddenly I feel fear.I block him first and after that I leave the room after turning off the lights.

I came into living area,my mind is racing with creepy scenerios.How can I trape myself into this big problem.I am feeling terrified but I dont wanna wake up Anaya in the middle of night.

I storm into the kitchen and starts to bake a mug cake for me so I can distract myself.

Unknown: Dont block me,Love.

I block.

Unknown: Listen to me

Block

Unknown: I dont wanna scare you

Block

Unknown: Stop Blocking me,Love

Block

Unknown: Stop

Block

I am tired of blocking his numbers but its only way to get rid of him.

I start preparing my mug cake. The aroma of melting butter and milk filled the air .I placed it in the microwave.

My phone buzzes again.I know it must be from that stalker.I glance at my phone which is on kitchen table.

Rayan: Why are you online at this point of time? It's 2:30 in India.

Me: "Overthinking about my exam."

Before I could breathe a sigh of relief, another unknown number flash on my screen

Unknown:Love, this will be my 10th number you'll block.

My stomach twisted into knots.

I ignore him, knowing blocking him again would be of no use.

My phone starts ringing and I got a mini heart attack thinking its from him but Its from Rayan.I pick up and say Hello after composing myself.

Rayan's voice filled with warmth,"Hii Maryam"

I am hearing his voice in 15 days.

" How are you." I ask.

"I am good but it seems like you are not good.Stop thinking about it so much.You will make it this time." Rayan says

" I cant stop myself from overthinking." I reply.

" You can if you try." He replies.

" Leave this and tell me about yourself." I ask.

" what you wanna know?" He says i know he is smiling.

"Anything " i reply

" I thought You would ask me when I am coming back however it seems like you dont even care to miss me." He says dissapointed.

" I am missing you.Everyone miss you." I say ,I hear the beeping of microwave I take out my mug cake from microwave while talking to Rayan on phone.

" Dont lie,you are not missing me." He says

" I did when I ran out of chocolate just some minutes ago.I thought if you were here I should ask you to buy that for me." I say

" I will buy roses for you.You like roses more than chocolates." He says and My mind starts thinking about those rose bouquets that stalker sended.He made me terrified of Roses.

" I like chocolate more.." I smile.

After a delighful conversation Rayan cuts the call saying he need to go somewhere.

I start eating my mug cake and I just gets an idea I snape a picture of my chocolate cake and write " I LIKE CHOCLATE MORE THAN ROSES" and sent it to Rayan.

I put my phone back on table amd starts enjoying my cake.I get notification and dont ask me what I did.I find out that I sent the cake picture to that stalker instead of Rayan.

I didnt double check before sending.His response makes my skin crawl.

Stalker: You want me to send you chocolate instead of Roses.

I bury my face into my hands,regretting my carelessness.

I block him again and I also switch off my phone.

The next day, I'm surprised by a knock on the door. A delivery person hands me a massive box filled with chocolates - assorted brands, shapes, and sizes.

My heart sinks as I read the note attached:

"Love, you didn't specify which brand. So I sent all. Send me which brand chocolate you eat."

Instantly, I know it's him - the stalker.

The chocolates keep coming, flooding Anaya's doorstep every day.

Different brands, flavors, and wrappers, but the same unsettling message:

"Love, try this one."

"Love, does this taste good?"

My frustration escalates, compounded by exam stress.

I'm already anxious about my exams; now I feel suffocated.

I need peace.

..........

I slump on the couch, surrounded by boxes of chocolates.

A new note accompanies the latest delivery:

"This one is the best, I think. Try it and give me your review.Love"

Exasperation washes over me. With only a week left before my exams, studying is impossible.I should be studying but instead I am dealing with this.

Faris walks in, breaking the silence.

"Maryam, have you got any idea about the mystery boy?" he asks, eyeing the chocolate-filled boxes.

"My mystery boy," I mutter, confusion and irritation etched on my face.

Faris picks up a chocolate, unwrapping it with a grin.

"Don't eat it! What if he drugged them?" I warn him.

Faris chuckles. "Are you serious? Why would someone kill their love?"

I say my voice filled with regret."Love? It's not love."

"It could be a prank," Anaya suggests, attempting to lighten the mood.

Faris's expression turns serious. "Even the police can't find him. I don't know what we'll do."

"Then He is a ghost"Anaya adds.

My anxiety spikes. The stalker's actions are escalating, and I feel trapped.

"I am really sorry guys I am causing you so much trouble." I mean it,Faris goes to police station in every two days.

I have tears in my eyes and Anaya notices it.

Anaya places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. " Dont apologize,Maryam.Its not your fault."

Rayan's POV

I step into my hotel room, dropping my luggage onto the floor. Finally, I've made it to India before Maryam's exams.

Unpacking my suitcase, I take a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and fatigue.

My phone rings, breaking the silence. Mom.

"Are you back from the USA?" she asks, her tone serious.

"Yes, today. How are you?" I reply, trying to sound casual.

"I'm fine. How was your interview?" she inquires.

"It went amazing. They'll reach out if I got selected," I add, hoping to alleviate any worry.

"I want you to come home. I need to talk to you about something important," she says, her voice laced with urgency.

My curiosity piques. What could be so important?

"Is everything okay, Mom?" I press, concern creeping in.

"Come home, and we'll discuss it," she insists.

.............

I enter the living room, finding Mom engrossed in a phone conversation. She gestures for me to sit.

I settle into the chair opposite her, curiosity etched on my face.

Finishing her call, Mom turns to me, her expression stern.

"What is this, Rayan?" she asks, her tone laced with anger.

"What, Mom?" I reply, feigning ignorance.

"Don't act like you don't know," she says, her eyes narrowing.

"Mom, tell me clearly what you're talking about," I press, seeking clarity.

"Who is this girl?" Mom asks, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "The one for whom you suddenly started volunteering at KINDNESS, despite your busy schedule?"

I take a deep breath, my voice clear and resolute.

"I love her."

Mom's expression darkens, her voice laced with venom.

"Don't tell me you like a girl who works in an NGO. She's definitely a poor girl seducing you to get rich."

I feel a surge of protectiveness, my eyes locking onto hers.

"Mom, don't talk about her like that. I don't like it," I say firmly.

Mom's tone turns disdainful.

"I know you don't care about your life, but at least think about our class. You're my son, Son of Tara Waqas Ibrahim. You have a name. How can you get trapped by a girl like her?"

My voice rises, passion and conviction driving me.

"I don't care about any of that. She's more important to me than status and class. You know what I think? I think I don't deserve her. She has class because she has a pure heart. She deserves the world."

Mom's anger escalates, her face reddening.

"Stop it, Rayan! She's trapped you in love. She's after your money," she accuses, her voice venomous.

I stand up, my eyes blazing.

"That's not true, Mom. She is not like you," I retort, my words laced with hurt and anger. "You divorced your husband after he went bankrupt and married Waqas for his money. You know nothing about love."

Mom's expression twists in rage. She slaps me.

"Get out of this illusion, Rayan! I will never accept her as my daughter-in-law. Never," she declares, her voice cold and final.

I take a deep breath, standing firm.

"I don't need your consent," I say, my voice steady and resolute.

With that, I turn and walk away, leaving the tension-filled room behind.

The door closes with a resounding thud, echoing the rift between us.

..............

Anaya opens the door with a wide smile, her eyes sparkling.

"So, finally, you're proposing to her!" Anaya teases, her gaze fixed on the roses bouquet in my hand.

I chuckle, feeling a slight flush rise to my cheeks.

"It's a good luck bouquet for Maryam's exam tomorrow," I clarify.

Anaya raises an eyebrow, her grin persisting.

"Oh, okay," she says, her tone playful. "But you like Maryam, I know."

"No, Anaya, you're wrong. I don't like her, I love her," I reply, my voice filled with conviction.I dont know why but I told Anaya.

Anaya's expression changes from teasing to shocked, her eyes widening.

Then, a bright smile spreads across her face.

"I knew it!" she exclaims. "You guys will make a great couple.Dont worry I will not tell her before you."

Anaya steps aside, allowing me to enter.

I step onto the balcony, where Maryam stands by the window, her eyes fixed on the moon. The full moon night casts a serene glow.

"It's beautiful," I say, walking up to her.

She startles, turning to me with a surprised "Rayan!" She hadn't known I was back from the USA.

I hand her the roses. "Your favorite."

Maryam's face lights up with a warm smile as she takes the flowers.

"When did you arrive?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

"This morning," I reply.

I stand beside her, gazing out at the night sky.

"What are you doing alone here?" I ask, concern etched on my face.

"Nothing." She wispher.

"Must be worrying about your exam."I say.

Maryam forces a smile.

"Don't worry," I reassure her.

Maryam's gaze drifts back to the moon. "How can I not? It's my last attempt."

I lean against the railing, watching as the pale moonlight illuminates Maryam's face, accentuating her profile.

"Okay, if you fail this time and your mother forces you to marry, I'll marry you," I say, my tone deadpan.

Maryam laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Rayan!" she exclaims, her voice laced with incredulity.

I meet her gaze, my expression unwavering.

"I won't take dowry, so you shouldn't have any issues marrying me," I say, my tone casual.I wanna know what she feels about me.

Maryam rolls her eyes, a hint of irritation in her voice.

"Rayan, why do you always joke with me? Be serious."

I lock eyes with her, my expression unwavering.

"I am serious," I assert.

"How can we marry? You're shifting to the USA," she asks, still chuckling, still thinking that I am joking.

"We'll figure it out. We'll make it work," I promise.

Maryam burst into laughter," Rayan you are really funny.Now stop joking."

'Funny' I say under my breathe,dissapointed.She wont take me serious.

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