Rayan's POV

As I reach Anaya's house I find the house is lock.I call Anaya and find that they all went for suhana's birthday.

I turn my car to suhana's house.I need to talk to Maryam today or else I would go crazy thinking about her answer to my confession.

When I reach at the birthday party I scan the whole crowd and couldnt find Anaya and maryam so I call Anaya to ask where they exactly are but she doesnt pick up.

I make my way to the rooftop,My gaze stop by a crowd I hear a familiar voice.I reach inside and find my mother yelling at Maryam.

My mind stop working at the sight of all this." Mom" i say,confused.

Maryam looks up, and our eyes meet. Tears stream down her face, and her red-rimmed eyes well up with sorrow. "Maryam," her name escapes my lips in a whispered worry.

In her eyes , I see hurt, betrayal, and vulnerability. My heart constricts, heavy with regret. I should have been more protective of her. My mind races with the thought of my mother's harsh words or actions that could have caused this pain.

I feel a surge of anger toward my mother and myself. Why didn't I shield her from harm? Why did I let my mother get to her?

"What are you doing here,Rayan?" Mom demands but I ignore her.

I take a step forward, longing to comfort Maryam, but she turns away, disappearing into the sea of guests.

I turn to chase after Maryam, but my mother's grip on my arm stops me.

"Don't chase after her," she warns, her voice low and menacing. "Otherwise, I'll ruin her life."

I spin back, facing her cold, calculating eyes.

"I'm not joking, I mean it," she emphasizes, her fingers digging deeper into my arm.

"You're a pro at ruining lives, Mom," I snap, anger and disgust burning within me. "You don't care about anything or anyone except for money and status. That's all that matters to you, right?"

Her expression darkens, her eyes flashing with anger.

"How dare you," she hisses.

"I dare because it's the truth," I retort, shaking off her grip. "You've destroyed everything - our happy family, my childhood, my peace. But remember, I won't let you ruin my love. I won't let you ruin Maryam, Mom. Not her."

With resolve, I turn and sprint after Maryam.

I reach the parking lot and start unlocking my car when Suhana's voice stops me.

"Rayan, why are you doing this?" Suhana asks.

I turn to face Suhana, my expression firm.

"Please stop it," she continues, her eyes pleading. "Don't go near her. She's not good for you. She's only after your money. Your mother is right."

My grip on the car keys tightens, anger simmering beneath the surface.

"You told my mother about Maryam," I state, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, Rayan," she admits, desperation creeping into her voice. "I told her because I want Maryam to get out of your life. She's not good for you. I did all this because I love you. Can't you see?"

I shake my head, incredulous. "You're crazy."

Suhana's expression turns desperate. "I've loved you since high school, Rayan. You can't do this to me. That middle-class girl can't steal you from me."

"Stay away from me," I warn, done with the conversation.

Suhana's face twists in bitterness. "Being your wife is an utopian concept for someone like her. She doesn't deserve you."

I take a step closer, my eyes locked on hers. " Someone like her.You mean someone with a heart,someone with kindness,someone with zero arrogance,someone with perfection."

I turn,get into my car and leave immedietly , leaving suhana stunned and speechless.

I arrive at Anaya's home, the night air thick with tension. It's almost 11 PM. I knock on the door, and Anaya opens it, her voice laced with concern.

"Oh, Rayan," she says, her tone unusual.

"I'm really sorry about my mother's behavior," I say, regret etched in my voice. "Please forgive me."

Anaya's expression softens. "She's really rude,she doenst seems like she is your Mom. Maryam's been crying continuously." she adds, her words piercing my heart.

"Can I meet her?" I ask, urgency in my tone. "Please convince her to see me. I won't leave until I talk to her."

Anaya nods. "Come inside."

But I hesitate, choosing to stay on the doorstep. "I'll wait here," I say, my eyes fixed on the door.

Anaya understands, nodding before disappearing into the house. I wait, my mind racing with thoughts of Maryam's tears.

I sit on the porch, waiting for Maryam, my gaze drifting to the waning crescent moon. Just three nights before, it was full,Maryam and me gazed at it from the balcony. I recall the pale moonlight dancing across Maryam's face, accentuating her beauty.

Footsteps break the silence. I turn, and my heart skips a beat.

Maryam stands before me, her presence a mix of contrasts: Beautiful Maryam, kind Maryam, sad Maryam, broken Maryam. Her eyes, once bright, now dimmed by tears.

My breath catches as our gazes meet. My chest tightens, and my pulse quickens. I feel a pang in my heart, seeing her hurt. My hands clench into fists, fighting the urge to pull her close and erase her pain.

I rise from the porch step, my movements slow and deliberate. My eyes never leave hers, drinking in the sight of her.

"I don't know where to start saying sorry to you," I say, making eye contact. "I've hurt you a lot, directly or indirectly."

Maryam avoids my gaze, looking away.

" I am sorry for everything. Please forget about what my mother said. It's all nonsense," I plead.

Maryam's voice is barely audible, "She is right, Rayan."

I'm taken aback, shocked.

"She sees what you can't see.We belong to two different worlds. How can we end up together?" Maryam's eyes lock onto mine.
I step closer, urgency in my tone. "This is nonsense, 'my world' and 'your world'? Who categorizes it?"My voice low and convinsing.

"For my mother, this division is based on money. And you already know it's meaningless."I add but Maryam remains silent.

I press on, eager for clarity. "So, it's just about social status? That's what's keeping us apart?"

Maryam's silence hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions.

"It's enough to keep us apart, Rayan," she says, her tone firm. "You want me to get humiliated by your mother, family, and friends? They will never accept me, and my family would never fit into your world."

I take a step closer, my voice filled with conviction. "Do you like me?" I ask, my heart racing.

"That doesn't matter," Maryam replies, her voice trembling.

"It's the only thing that matters, Maryam," I insist. "If you want to be with me, I would die protecting you from people like my mother. Just tell me you like me."

Maryam's eyes lock onto mine, her voice barely above a whisper. "I like you, Rayan. How can I not like you when I trust you with my deepest and darkest thoughts."

"But I like you as a person, not in a romantic way," Maryam adds, her words slicing through my heart like a knife.

My world crumbles, and I feel my heart break into a million pieces.

"You're a kind soul," she continues, her voice gentle but devastating. "Even though you belong to a wealthy class, you never made me feel inferior. To you, people are just humans, not categories."

My world went upside down.The dream of a happy life with Maryam is shattering before me.I am eager to hold her even if there is a 0.01 percent of possibility so I plead.

"I love you,"  My voice cracking. "Please, have some mercy for me. You can't imagine how much I'm suffering right now."

Maryam's eyes well up with tears as she witnesses my anguish.

"Right now, it hurts you, but believe me, Rayan, it's best for you," Maryam says, her voice trembling.

"I don't deserve you. Please, forget me."

With those final words, she turns and closes the door behind her, leaving me alone and shattered.

I stand frozen, the sound of the door echoing through my mind like a death sentence.

My heart lies in pieces on the porch, and I'm unable to move or breathe.

The darkness closes in, and I'm left with only my anguish.

Maryam's POV

I close the door, leaving Rayan behind. The sound of door echoes through my mind, a haunting reminder of what I've done.

Rayan, the boy with a golden heart, the one who loves me unconditionally, who believes in me, and supports me unwaveringly.I have broken his heart.

My legs buckle, and I collapse against the door, unable to take another step. Tears stream down my face, choking my words. The weight of my decision crushes me.

"I broke his heart," the thought reverberates in my mind, fueling my anguish.

If only I could, I'd give him the world's happiness. He deserves it. His radiant smile alone is worth living for.

My sobs intensify, echoing through the silence. I weep uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the pain I've caused to Rayan.

Anaya appears before me, sympathy etched in her eyes. "He's calling again," she says, holding out my phone,fear in her eyes.

She gives me my phone,I rub away tears to see clearly, then take a deep breath and answer.

"It's better to be heartbroken than killed, isn't it, Love?Dont worry he will be fine." His voice sends shivers down my spine, haunting every fiber of my existence.

Memories of his last chilling call flood my mind. "If you say yes to Rayan,instead of flowers and chocolates, you'll receive human flesh, Love."

"Love, can you hear me?" he asks,observing the silence from my side.

I force myself to speak. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?"

The same questions I've asked for three agonizing weeks, that recieve same answer:"I'm someone you know, Love. Remember," he replies the same answer, his deep, manly voice sending shivers down my spine. He has a voice that could mesmerize, but instead, it terrifies me.

"I don't know you," I insist. "I've never met you,I am sure of it."

His tone drops to a disappointed whisper. "It hurts, Love, that you forgot me. How can you forget me after destabilizing my whole system?"

I frantically search my memory for clues. Could it be:

- That stalker from school?
- That creepy cousin from Ammi's side?
- Someone from my past?

But every face I conjure up ends in disappointment. None match this hauntingly beautiful voice.

My mind reels, frustration and fear entwined. Who is he? Why can't I remember?

"Have you remembered who am I?" he asks, his tone expectant.

"No, I can't remember," I snap, anger and frustration boiling over. "I don't know who you are, but I'm sure of one thing: whoever you are, you're a coward with a weak heart."

Silence from his side.

I provoke him more.

" You can only scare people from behind the curtains but in reality you are a weak person.Who have fun in hurting people.If you are a real man then lets meet."

"You want to meet me, Love?" he says, his voice still low and affectionate, sending shivers down my spine.

"Let's meet tomorrow. Sleep tight, Love." The line goes dead, and I'm left staring at my phone in horror.

"Hello!" I yell, but he's gone.

Anaya ask"What he said?"

"Nothing just scaring me more" I reply hiding the fact that he will meet me tomorrow.I won't put Anaya in danger. I will deal with him alone.He's capable of hurting people, and I must protect my family.

Anaya wraps her arms around me, pulling me close. I bury my face in her shoulder, seeking comfort.