Seher:

Flash Back - 7 years ago:

Oh. My. Allah!!!

It's hard to believe that today is my first day of university. I've been dreaming about this moment for so long, and now it's finally here. A new chapter of my life is beginning, and I'm excited to see where it takes me.

I looked at the massive building where I would be spending the most crucial four years of my life as they would determine my future.

A feeling of pride washed over me as I looked at one of the most prestigious Universities in India.

The Deccan University in Hyderabad.

I worked really hard to get admitted into this university. Trust me, it's not easy to get in here, especially if you aren't loaded with money. Even though the admission process is unbiased, the fee structure is something you need to consider before applying.

Most students at this school come from affluent and healthy backgrounds. The parking space at the university where the most expensive and luxurious cars are parked is evidence of their wealthy background.

I heard the wealthy students run this university and bully the students who are not of their standards.

Initially, I was terrified when I heard all these rumours. I almost gave up on attending this university, but then I remembered that I had no other option as my father would not allow me to move out of the city to study. So, I encouraged myself and reminded myself that I was a strong person and that the bullies couldn't even harm a single hair on my head.

And with the determination to become a successful, independent woman in the future, I ignored the advice of others and followed my heart by enrolling in this university.

Despite my parents' objection, I decided to live in the dorms. They didn't want me to move out just yet. But I was eager to become independent. I wanted to experience the feeling of being self-dependent.

So, finally, here, I am standing in front of my future. All I need to do is work hard and study hard to get the best grades and credits so that I can finish up this four-year course with my scholarship.

I halted my train of thought to relish the feeling of being on campus. I took a deep breath and smiled brightly. I may have looked like a total weirdo, but I don't give two shits about it.

I was moving ahead without any care of where I was going. I was just trying to enjoy this moment to its fullest.

I was so lost in enjoying the moments that I didn't see where I was going and bumped into someone.

"Ouch!!" I yelped in pain.

"I'm so sorry. I couldn't see where I was going." A guy apologized to me while collecting his books that fell.

I crouched down and helped him collect his books.

"It's okay, it's not entirely your fault, even I wasn't looking where I was going. So don't be sorry." I said.

We both collected the books and stood up. I looked up to see that the guy was carrying a lot of books.

"Hi, I'm Seher."

"Hi, I'm Rahul." He said trying to balance the tower of books on his skinny hands.

"Here, let me help you."

"No, it's okay. I can carry it by myself." He denied.

"Are you sure? Those are a lot of books. I can help you if you want to." I offered to help him again.

He was hesitant at first but then accepted my help.

"So, are you new here?" I asked a very nervous Rahul who kept gulping and gulping.

"Yeah. And you?"

"Me too. It's my first day here." I replied a little too excitedly.

"Oh, but the Uni started a week ago." Rahul informed me.

"Yeah, I know. I came late because my parents were not okay with me moving in into the campus. It took a lot of convincing and, finally, they agreed yesterday to let me move out. That's why I'm late." I explained to him remembering all the hurdles I overcame to join this University.

"Okay. What will you major in?" He asked me.

"I have decided to major in interior design. How about you?" I asked him.

"Wow, mine is computer science."

"Oh cool."

We remained silent for a while until my stomach decided to make it obvious that I hadn't eaten anything since last night. I tucked my head down in embarrassment.

Rahul laughed at me and told me that we could stop by the cafeteria which was not so far. I agreed because I didn't want to embarrass myself again and there was still a lot of time for our first class to start.

Rahul told me about his first day at the University which was horrendous. Poor guy was bullied by the seniors here. His voice cracked while he described how he was made to remove his pants in front of everyone. I felt bad for Rahul. I looked at his lean figure. He wore spectacles which were huge for his face. I consoled him and told him not to stay quiet if they tried to bully him again.

We reached the cafeteria. I decided to have some coffee and a sandwich. I noticed that Rahul's arms were turning red because of the books he had been carrying. I told him that I would collect the order for him and in the meantime he could go to the library to drop the books. He immediately agreed with relief flashing on his face.

Only he knew how he was carrying so much weight for such a long time. I was tired from just seeing him carry those books.

After a while, our order was ready to collect, so, I collected them and went towards the last booth that was beside the window.

I sat down and sipped my coffee while looking around the cafe. There were few people here and there moving and chatting around. And on the other hand, a few couples were getting cosy. I smiled looking at them but immediately turned my gaze when they started to make out.

I opened my novel and started reading it. While I was lost in the story someone came and sat on the table. Frowning, I looked up and saw that a few people were surrounding me and staring at me with amused expressions on their faces.

"Hey there, beautiful." A guy who sat on the table spoke while tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. I resisted the urge to swat his arm away. Instead, I moved my head away.

"Fresher?" He asked me to which I just nodded my head.

"That's why you sat here." He said.

I scowled at his words.

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

"What he meant was that only one person owns this table. No one except him and his friends can sit here." One of the guys answered.

Who are they talking about? I wondered.

"Why?! Did he pay any special fee for this table?" I asked no one in particular.

They were all taken aback by my reply. But then they all laughed at me making me nervous.

To be honest, I'm scared to death. Today is my first day and I don't want to create any drama that would make the center of attention. I want this day to go as smoothly as possible. But I didn't want to show them I was scared and nervous, so I tried my best to keep up a strong façade.

"Look, girl, since you're a fresher and it seems it is your first day here in college, we are forgiving you for sitting here. But remember, this booth belongs to our man and he doesn't like it when someone else sits here. So, grab your stuff and get the hell out of here." One of the girls said pretty rudely.

I was about to reply to her when Rahul came out of nowhere and stopped me.

"Come on, let's go." He said with his head bowed down. He wasn't even looking at anyone.

"But-" I was about to protest but the same guy spoke again.

"Oh, so she is your friend. I should've guessed. Why don't you do yourself a favour and tell your friend to never cross paths with us? Otherwise, you know the consequences pretty well, right?" The same guy who was sitting at the table spoke again.

"I'm sorry. She is new here. I promise that she will never sit here again." Rahul said.

I was bewildered after listening to his words. What is wrong with him? Why is he apologizing to them? And why the hell did he promise them that I wouldn't be sitting here? Moreover, who are these people to stop us from sitting here?

All these questions kept running in my mind.

"Yeah, you better do that if you don't want to repeat yesterday's task.." He said and started to laugh.

And that's when I understood that these were the same guys who bullied Rahul yesterday. I looked at him and felt sorry for him. He was shaking in fright and he turned red in embarrassment. These made my blood boil.

How could anyone be so cruel? How could they bully someone? Don't they know the kind of impact they'll be leaving on a person? Do they have any idea of how much it will affect a person's mental health?

"You can't bully him like that." I spoke out loud even before my mind could register what I was doing or more likely what I was saying.

All eyes turned towards me. Rahul's eyes were wide in fear. While the others were shocked, the girl in their group looked irritated with my intervention.

"What's happening here?" Someone asked in a deep voice from behind me. As soon as I heard his voice, goosebumps erupted all over my body.

Then I heard a commotion behind me. I turned back to see who it was but then I tripped. I closed my eyes preparing myself to kiss the ground when two very muscular hands grabbed my waist and saved me from falling.

He pulled me towards him making me collide with his chest. My eyes remained closed with my head still bent down. I felt him moving my hair that fell all over my face. Then I felt him gripping my chin and lifting my head. My eyes shot open when I felt his breath over my face.

A shiver ran down my spine when I saw a pair of black eyes that were so dark like a starless night. His gaze was steady and they held a glint of mischief and surprise?

He has perfect features with a straight nose and sharp jaw. His lips were plump and so pink as if they had a lip tint on them.

He slowly moved his gaze towards my lips. I immediately ran my tongue over my lips to moisten them. I don't know if it's the way he looked at my lips or if my lips were actually parched but I felt the strong urge to moisten them.. Keeping his gaze on my lips, he brought his free hand towards my lips and ran his fingers lightly over them.

My eyes widened at this and I immediately realised what was happening and pulled myself away from him by swatting his arms.

"What the hell are you doing, you pervert?" I yelled at him.

Everyone around me gasped. I looked at them only to find them gaping at me.

Ignoring all of them, I turned my attention back towards the Hulk.

"Who are you?" He asked me.

"Who are you?!" I questioned him back.

He chuckled and came towards me. With great difficulty, I fought back the urge to step back.

"I'm Zayn Ahmed."

Present Day:

"Hello Seher." Zayn greeted me.

"Hi Zayn." I greeted him back.

Before I could say anything, he enveloped me in a tight hug.

"Oh my god!!! I can't believe it's you. It's been so long. How have you been?" Zayn asked while he hugged me as if his life depended on me.

But, I on the other hand, couldn't bring myself to even speak. I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out of my mouth.

I was just standing there, frozen in my place when he hugged me out of nowhere.

I guess he realised that I was uncomfortable when I didn't return his hug.

Breaking the hug, he looked at me and said, "I'm sorry. I couldn't contain my happiness."

He turned red with embarrassment.

I felt bad for him. It was not his fault. Anyone would've reacted the same way if they met their friend after such a long period. I would have done the same thing but I detest man's touch.

"It's alright. I'm fine. How are you?" I asked him trying my best to clear out the awkwardness but I failed miserably.

"I'm good." He said and paused for a while and said, "I've missed you."

My eyes widened slightly in surprise. No. Not because of his confession. But it was because of the emotions that flashed in his eyes. His eyes displayed the kind of emotions that would usually erupt butterflies in your stomach.

"You know him?!" My thoughts were interrupted by Madiha's shrill voice.

I turned around and gave her a look telling her to compose herself.

"Yes, Madiha. I know him. Now, can you please go and get some coffee for our client?"

She immediately composed herself and scurried away from the cabin.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and turned towards Zayn.

"Please come in."

Pointing towards the chair in front of my desk I was about to ask him to take the seat but he directly went and sat on the couch while checking out my office.

I cleared my throat to bring back his attention.

He looked at me and smiled warmly. I don't know why but his warm smile is making me uncomfortable. Maybe because I'm not used to guys smiling at me with pure intentions.

"I asked my assistant to get me the names of top interior designers, and he pulled out a list of quite a few. But the only name that caught my attention was yours, Seher. I knew it in my heart that it was you, Seher. You have no idea how hard I have been trying to find you. I have been praying to God to help me find you. And, look, my long search for you has finally ended now."

After his words, I asked only one question: Why?"

"Uh?! What do you mean?"

"Why were you trying to find me? It's not like we were in a relationship or something. I mean we were just friends, so why would look for me and pray to find me?"

After listening to this, Zayn's face was visibly covered with disappointment. But then he composed himself.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Yeah, you're right, we were just friends. But, for me, you are more of a special friend whom I cannot afford to lose."

Special friend?! What does he mean by that?!

I buried this thought at the back of my mind even though I was desperate to know the meaning behind his words.

Before we could take our conversation further, Madiha came in with our coffee.

Thank god!

I internally thanked god for sending her at the right moment because I hated the direction in which the conversation was heading!

I hope, no, I need to keep the conversations limited to a professional extent. I cannot let him drift towards my personal life, especially my past.

*****

Hey guys!!

How are you all? I hope you're all well.

Summer is here and so is the vacation. What have you all planned to do this vacation? Do let me know.

Also, comment down the place you're all from so that I can know more about my lovely readers.

Anyway, here is another chapter of Seher. I hope you all enjoyed reading it.

And please do not forget to vote, comment and share guys. It really means a lot.

Keep reading!

Keep smiling!!

Keep loving!!!

Bubye.