━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━     
         "A commotion is happening,
        there's a lot of noise. My heart
        has been stolen, I've gotten
         nearer to you.
                                 When the wind
         blows this way, it means love
         has happened."
       ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━      
   

FARIS was entranced. His sapphire orbs had been desperately wandering around to catch the sight of the girl with long chocolate-brown hair again.

The sun had disappeared below the horizon―dominated by the mighty mountains―making the sky wear a darker shade. The cold was starting to seep through the cozy clothes.

Faris sat on a woven bamboo swirl stool, encircled by his cousins who were chattering about the camps? Or bonfire? He wasn't sure and he couldn't care less. His attention was solely fixed on the spot ahead where the friends of the brown-haired girl had pitched their tents. 

But, she wasn't in sight.

Aleena.

Where was she? And, why was he getting so restless to see her again?

Faris's earnest gaze turned darker as he recalled the moment he had met her earlier.

A girl tip-toeing awkwardly on the rugged trail, looking like she could fall any minute.

And, she almost did.

But, Faris's body moved fast enough to stop her, grabbing her dainty little hand and pulling her backwards, making her petite body embrace his tall, sturdy frame.

He reminisced how the abrupt movement caused her beautiful brown locks to sway and wrap around his shoulders.

When she had moved away―letting his azure eyes fall on her face―he had almost stopped breathing.

Those feline-like walnut brown eyes, luscious raspberry lips parted in astonishment, slightly rounded rosy cheeks and a lovely beauty mark on her chin.

He had seen many beautiful faces in his life but never had a face made his heart flutter in his chest.

Never had someone knocked the wind out of him like that.

What was it about her? Why was he losing his senses because of a girl he had just seen few hours ago?

"Faris Bhai!" A high-pitched female voice made his train of thoughts come to a halt, demanding his attention. He turned to the black-haired girl who was frowning at her.

"Yeah what, Aiman?" He finally regarded his younger cousin.

"I've literally called your name three times, where's your attention?" Aiman's frown deepened.

Before Faris could reply, his other cousin, Rehan, beat him to it, "his attention is focused somewhere else, or rather someone else."

Aiman raised a curious brow, "who?"

"The girl in grey coat, I reckon?" The older cousin, Moiz, joined in―figuring  out Faris's little secret.

Faris swallowed hard and clenched his jaw, "what are you guys talking about? I was just a little distracted, that's all."

The family members directed their impish looks to Faris, making him roll his eyes and dismissing them with a wave of his hand but inside, he knew he was distracted.

Distracted by Aleena.

         
                •─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Carrying a pile of thick ground sheets in her hands, Aleena slowly sauntered towards the venue where the bonfire night was taking place.

The chilly temperature had made her add another layer of sweater to her attire and now, she was sure she was looking like a walking shop of winter outfits.

Hissing under her breath, she focused on the task at hand and kept moving her feet.

"You look like you need some help there."

A very familiar soft voice made her stop in her tracks. She turned her head and her eyes descended on the guy who was walking towards her.

Her mouth curved into a smile as Faris closed the gap between them, standing right in front of her.

"Nah-uh, I'm a strong girl." She jutted her chin in the air making Faris's mouth stretch into a smirk.

His hands moved, picking up half the sheets from her. "I never said you're weak."

Aleena softly stared at the guy who had so casually alleviated the weight off her hands―now carrying half the sheets.

Before she could say anything, Farwa appeared behind her. "Aleena are you―oh," she stopped when she noticed Faris.

"I'll take these." Faris informed, his gaze directed to the sheets and walked away.

Aleena frowned at Farwa who looked like she had gotten a birthday present.

"Aw, your knight in shining armor always comes to help you." Farwa nudged her friend playfully.

Aleena groaned, "oh god, zip your mouth please!" She started walking and Farwa followed suit.

"Where's Saliha?" Aleena queried.

Farwa pointed her finger ahead making Aleena's gaze trail untill it fell on a very cheerful Saliha casually talking to Faris's cousins.

Wait, what.

"Wow, look at her!" Aleena gaped at her friend.

"Maybe she's planning to set you up with that blue-eyed handsome," Farwa winked making her gulp.

"I hope she isn't." Aleena mumbled, moving her feet.

They reached to the spot chosen for the campfire, covering the sandy soil with sheets, making the seating arrangements. After few minutes, everyone gathered around the dark pile of woods set alight. The brilliant combination of orange, red and yellow flared up, battling the wintry air. The fiery flames roared skywards, flickering in the eyes of the people who sat in a circle, contented with the warmth they provided. 

"Okay guys, are you ready to play the great game of song charade?" Saliha chirped, standing  with a jet black-haired girl who had introduced herself earlier as Aiman―holding a box of paper chits. 

Everyone seemed enthusiastic except Aleena. She was very bad at this game. 

"Okay, I'll go first." Aiman pulled out a small paper chit while Saliha plopped down next to Aleena. 

Aiman extended her arm, showing four fingers, indicating there are four words they have to guess. She cleared her throat and taking a step back, she slowly spread her arms―posing in a very familiar way. 

"Tujhe dekha to ye jana sanam!" Farwa exclaimed, earning a 'bingo' from Aiman as she happily went back and flumped down next to Faris. 

"Alright, it's Aleena's turn now," Saliha happily informed, making her eyes bulged in surprise. 

"What, already? Why don't you go first?" Aleena prodded. 

Saliha rolled her eyes, "oho, everyone will get a turn anyway, it doesn't matter. Now go!" She lightly pushed Aleena, receiving a glare from her. 

Aleena lazily got up, sparing Faris a passing glance, and pulled out a piece of paper from the box, silently praying it was an easy, act-able song. She didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of Faris. 

She unfolded the paper and read the words written on it. 

'Ishq Hua.' 

How splendid, Aleena gritted her teeth.

Now, how was she supposed to act out Ishq Hua?

She inhaled sharply and faced the group of people who were looking at her in anticipation. Swallowing hard, she imitated Aiman's earlier action of showing her two fingers. 

"Two words?" Aiman asked loudly and Aleena nodded her head. 

Now what? That song didn't even have any signature dance step or pose like the former song.

Ugh, Saliha, why did you do this to me?

Aleena formed her hands into a heart shape and stick it out in the air, hoping someone would guess it but all she obtained were confused stares and wild guesses. She tried once again but, again, no one could figure it out untill a soft and silvery voice resonated in the air. 

"Ishq hua!" Faris declared, making Aleena's jaw drop in amazement.

How did he... 

She clamped her mouth, nodding at the azure-eyed man. "You're right." 

His mouth curved into a satisfied smirk and Aleena felt butterflies dancing in her stomach. She walked back to her group of friends, avoiding looking at Faris. 

The fire burned brighter as the game continued under the silver dotted night sky. Amused laughter and songs filled the air. 

            •─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Aleena couldn't sleep.

Not when Saliha, who lay beside her, kept moving around the tent in her sleep. On other hand, Farwa's body was as still as a stone.

Sighing, she got up and wrapping a woolen shawl around her, she slipped out of the tent.

The harsh cold made her quiver as she slowly walked pass the extinguished flames, the remnants of the fun bonfire night they had.

Her steps halted when she noticed a tall figure rooted on the spot to her right. Her curious feet moved towards the person and when she got closer, she could tell who it was.

Faris.

As if he sensed her presence behind him, he flipped around and his forget-me-not blue eyes fell on her.

"Aleena."

Biting her lower lip, she dared to take a step forward, looking at his flawless face illuminated by the silvery moonlight. "Hey."

"Can't sleep?" He questioned amusingly.

Aleena chuckled, "I really miss my bed."

"Understandable." He nodded his head, pursing his lips.

"And you?"

Faris exhaled, raking his dark brown locks. "Rehan's snores are unbearable."

Aleena cracked into laughter, "poor you."

Faris made a face, "yeah yeah."

Aleena chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating whether to ask the question that had been swirling in her head.

"Uh, Faris. Can I ask you something?" And she voiced when she finally gave in.

His sapphire irises gleamed with interest, "Anything."

"How did you guess that song? I'm sure I was pretty horrendous at acting it out." Aleena stated, wrapping the shawl tighter around her torso.

She wouldn't have asked something so trivial had it not been for the fact that it was the only right song he had guessed throughout the whole game and that too, when the person acting out couldn't be more vague.

Faris moistened his lips before speaking, "maybe because it's the only Hindi song I like and still listen to."

Aleena's forehead crinkled, "so it was just a wild guess?"

Faris coked his head to the side, his fervent gaze caressing her face. "Mhm, or maybe there's some kind of telepathy between us."

Rosiness dusted her cheeks as she tried his best to hold his gaze. "I am sure it was a wild guess."

A tender smile touched his lips, deepening his dimple and Aleena felt heat crawling up her chest.

Oh god, that smile could melt glaciers.

Getting a grip on herself and her feral thoughts, she spoke again, "but seriously, you don't listen to Hindi/Urdu music?"

"I mostly listen to English music. I think it has more variety and originality."

Aleena knitted her brows, "you're such an Angraiz."

Faris grinned, "I'm pure desi, trust me. It's just my taste in music."

Aleena bobbed her head. "Hmm, but I think music in your native language hits different. It makes you feel and brings out more emotions."

"That's debatable. Why don't you share your playlist with me? I'll listen to the songs and then we can talk on that?" Faris suggested.

"Sounds like a plan," Aleena approved, feeling elated. "You need to move on from Ishq Hua and listen to more Hindi music anyway."

A teasing smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his gaze turned fiery.

"Ishq Hua will always be my favorite."

Word count: 1849

A/n: I really wanted to add more description and details in this chapter but unfortunately, my hands are tied coz of the word limit.

Anyways, I hope y'all enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Also, I'd really appreciate if you leave your precious feedback. :)

Happy reading.

Untill next time ~ xo