Two and a half months later

It was Isahaq's birthday. Zamar and Isahaq's mother had gone to visit him in Australia for the occasion. Maha had overheard her mother, Asha talking to Maria aunty on the phone, saying how Isahaq was still settling in. The workload was a nightmare but he had made some good friends among his colleagues. Although he missed home, the bustling environment of Sydney was a positive change. 

Maha was waging a battle inside her mind, torn between wanting to send Isahaq a gift and wondering if sending a parcel all the way to another continent would seem too excessive or not.

She had already sent him a birthday text to which he had replied enthusiastically. But she felt like she wanted to do something more.

Before she could overthink this situation any more, she pressed send to the text she had been typing to Zamar, asking him if he could buy something for Isahaq as a gift from her.

Zamar:
Of course! I'm always at y'all's service. Plus this would make Isa's day.

Maha:
Thanks...and I'll pay you back when you return to Bangladesh.

Zamar:
Oh no no. I'm not taking any money from you.

Maha:
It's a gift from me. It won't be right if you pay for it.

Zamar:
Okay you can let me name your firstborn as a payment

Maha:
What the - you know what, nevermind. Don't bother

Zamar:
Just kidding Mahaha! Okay at least let me set your wedding menu? :D

Maha:
It's pointless talking to you.

Zamar:
Ouch, my Dil toots.

Maha:
Seriously though, what can I even give as a gift?

Zamar:
Maybe some home decor material? Consider it as a future investment (;

Maha:
I shouldn't have asked you for help -

Zamar:
Okay I'll be serious now. I'll give the home decor gift for your future home. You can give him the birthday cake maybe? We haven't bought that yet.

Maha:
Ignoring all your previous nonsense, yes that would be nice.

Zamar replied back a while later with the picture of a beautiful red velvet cake.

Zamar:
I stand by my words. I'll not take money from you for this tiny assistance

Maha:
If you want to be nice so badly, my birthday is in a week so you can just get me something then and let me pay for this cake now.

Zamar:
Woah- good thing you told me! I have to start planning. Here's an early present.

He had sent Maha a picture of Isahaq eating the cake Zamar had bought from her side. Isahaq's cheeks were smudged with red velvet cream as he took a bite from a piece of the treat.

Next came a video where a group of  unfamiliar people stood around a wooden table which had been set against a backdrop of twinkling party lights and a few scattered balloons.

Isahaq laughed loudly at something an unfamiliar yet desi-looking, raven-haired guy muttered near his ear.

Maria aunty stood to her son's left, smiling as she chatted with another stranger who looked somewhat Japanese or Korean, his sleek black hair framing his pale face.

To Isahaq's opposite side stood a blonde guy with tattoos on his neck, his messy hair falling over his pale forehead  as he ate a piece of cake, observing the scene with calm interest and a knowing smile.

A brunette with wavy locks and a hint of Middle Eastern features snapped Isahaq's picture, a wide, playful grin curling on his lips. The guy looked at the camera on Zamar's hand and grinned mischievously before sneaking forward and smearing Isahaq's unsuspecting face with fresh white cream.

The birthday boy groaned out loud as everyone else burst out in hearty chuckles.

Before Isahaq could make any move, the blonde guy joined in, smearing more cake on the rest of his face while the raven haired guy shook his head with pity, patting Isahaq on the back.

The video ended with the Japanese guy going forward to offer Isahaq tissues while Zamar muttered a small curse and scrambled to get away as the brunette troublemaker headed towards the camera, no doubt looking for his next victim of cream attack.

It seemed like Isahaq had found some interesting new friends.

Maha felt a pang of jealousy, and an unfamiliar feeling bubbled up inside her chest. His life was already filling up with new people. Would he eventually forget about her?

Just then, she received a text from the man in question:
"The cake was absolutely delicious. I really appreciate the gesture. Thanks, Maha. I hope you're doing good. (:"

A week later

Maha's birthday was quite uneventful. She had replied to birthday wishes from friends and families and spent the day watching dramas and eating her favorite food which her parents had ordered from outside. Although Maha's ammu and Nanu wanted to take her outside, she had refused, feeling too tired after attending classes all day.

Tahira was unfortunately busy with exams but she had promised to visit Maha as soon as possible, bombarding her friend with virtual wishes and heart emojis online.

Maha glared at her phone's screen when she saw that Tahira had deleted countless messages after saying she had some interesting news.

"Again! When will this habit of hers stop?" Maha huffed in frustration and sent a facepalming GIF to her friend.

The sound of the doorbell ringing cut through the air and Maha looked at the door quizzically. Who could be here at 11 pm?

She scrambled to wrap a dupatta (veil) around her head and answered the door, surprised to see a delivery guy standing there holding a huge bouquet of - wait, what?

"Delivery for Miss Maha?"

"That's me, but I didn't order anything."

"It's from...sorry ma'am the details are written inside the card. I'm sorry for the late delivery, the order was from Australia so it took a bit of time to process."

He handed the delivery to a shocked Maha and left as she stood there staring open mouthed at the bouquet.

A bouquet made of multiple story books with gorgeous blue flowers tucked in between.

Attached to the bouquet was a card with a simple yet heartfelt message,
"Happy birthday Maha! I wish I could give this to you in person but due to the circumstances this'll have to be the only way. I hope you haven't read any of these books yet? I tried to remember the ones you had mentioned you wanted to read along with a few new releases (:

From Isahaq"

Maha's heart felt like it would jump out of her chest as she grinned at the note. She didn't know whether she should laugh or cry in happiness at the beautiful gesture.

He had texted her a simple wish earlier in the day and Maha had been over the moon by that only. She wasn't expecting something so grand out of the blue. This was undoubtedly one of the most thoughtful and caring gifts she had ever received.

If this gift didn't prove how well Isahaq knew Maha, then she doesn't know what will.

"Who sent this?" Asha emerged out of her room, staring at the scene in  skeptical surprise.

Maha looked at her mother like a deer caught in headlights and stuttered, "Ah... Isahaq? I didn't know about this either. I'm as shocked as you are."

Asha's lips stretched around the corners as she came forward to inspect the bouquet with interest , "Such an unique gift! How come he knows you like storybooks? Anyway this looks so expensive! Wasn't his birthday a few days ago? Did you give anything to him? Otherwise-"

"I asked his cousin to buy him a cake from my side." Maha muttered shyly, hiding her face in embarrassment.

"Oh- well...good. Otherwise it would've looked like I hadn't taught you any manners."
Asha raised her eyebrows knowingly, still smiling as she turned around to walk away.

Waiting for her mother to go back, Maha immediately rushed inside her room and after snapping pictures of the bouquet from multiple angles she sent the best click to Isahaq with a thank you note.

"This is seriously one of the best gifts I've ever received! Thank you so much, I love it! P.S. I haven't read any of these books yet except for one, but I didn't have the physical copy so - thanks again!"

Isahaq replied after a few minutes,
"I'm so glad to know that. I was worried they messed up the delivery and you wouldn't receive it on time. Sorry the gift came so late."

"Areh, that doesn't matter! This honestly made my day <3"

Maha's fingers hovered above the keyboard hesitantly as she stared at the heart emoji she had sent.

"That's a relief. I'll talk to you later then? I'm in the middle of a rotation at the hospital. But do let me know your thoughts after reading the books!"

"Of course, all the best with work. Hope everything's going well over there."

Isahaq had pressed a heart reaction on her text and went offline, no doubt busy with work. 

Maha realized she had been smiling the whole time while texting him and once again, her grin widened at seeing the cute bouquet.

Her heart was swelling with hope after their exchange.
But little did she know from then onwards, their lives would only get busier and the texts scarcer.

She didn't know what plan the future had in store for them and that the next time they met, their lives would take a dramatic turn. Whether for the better or worse, that only time would tell.

Author's Note

Something sweet before ahem- well (:

Oh and here's a gift <3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note:  The next scene is about Raiyyan and it takes place on the Chand Raat (the night before Eid) of the very first Eid when Maha and Isahaq met. So basically the night before the incidents of the first chapter of this book.

Third Person POV

Tara carefully maneuvered her way through the bustling crowd, making sure not to touch anyone. She was especially conscious of keeping her hands safe from contact, as the intricately designed mehendi on her palms and fingers was still fresh.

She had just finished applying the mehendi when her cousins arrived and dragged her along to the Chand Raat celebration in the open square market.

Even at 11 p.m., the whole city seemed alive. People wandered beneath the starlit sky, doing their last-minute Eid shopping.

The crescent moon cast a soft silver glow, bathing everything in its light. Fairy lights and lanterns hung from the branches of trees surrounding the many stalls selling accessories and food.

From salwar kameez, bangles, and mehendi to jalebi, fuchka, and flowers—there was something for everyone. Groups of friends and families roamed around, eating, talking, and buying whatever their hearts desired. Mirthful laughter and chatter filled the air, blending with the music playing in the background: "Ramjan er ei rojar shesh e elo khushir Eid."

Tara was tired of walking. She had already bought what she came for—a pair of bangles to match her Eid outfit—and had even picked up a cute bracelet, though it felt loose on her wrist. Her cousins, however, were far from done, darting from stall to stall, haggling with shopkeepers.

As Tara's gaze swept across the market, she stopped, her eyes landing on a young man.

He wore a simple white shirt and black sweatpants, pushing a stroller with a sleeping toddler inside. His tired, nonchalant expression contrasted sharply with the busy, smiling faces around him. Midnight-black hair fell over his tan forehead in an effortlessly tousled way, making him look even more attractive.

Tara watched as a pretty woman in a designer pink salwar kameez approached him, said something, and bent down to check on the toddler. She then returned to shopping, leaving the young man to follow her with the stroller.

Is that his wife? Tara wondered, her heart sinking.

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the strange thoughts, and continued wandering through the stalls. Yet, no matter where she went, she somehow kept finding herself near the young man with the stroller. Fate, it seemed, had other plans.

The fifth time their paths crossed, the stroller blocked her way. Tara paused as the guy maneuvered the sleeping toddler to the side. She stood still, watching as they walked away.

Moments later, she spotted him again, this time on her right. She hadn't realized she was staring until he turned around and caught her gaze.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly looked away.

A few seconds later, she dared to glance back. He stood there, rocking the stroller back and forth, looking bored. Then once again, their pupils clashed.

Tara blinked a few times before offering an awkward smile and looking away. She paced back and forth between stalls, her mind fixated on him. She knew she would regret it if she didn't at least try to talk to him. What were the chances they would ever meet again? This she decided to implement the bold idea that was clawing at the back of her mind

Her only hesitation was wondering if he was the child's father. If he were married, she would back off immediately. He looked young—early twenties perhaps—but the woman she saw earlier also appeared around the same age. How can she figure out how he was related to the kid?

Tara was going crazy thinking about all these so taking a deep breath, she braced herself and started her mission.

When she walked in that direction and looked at the guy, this time their gaze locked instantly and he raised his eyebrows as if silently questioning her behavior. Tara smiled and continued walking forward.

When she reached the stroller, she gazed at the sleeping child, her lips curling into a soft smile. "Ma Sha Allah, he's so cute. I've been noticing this little cutie for a while now," she said cheerfully.

The young man gave a small nod, a ghost of a smile flitting across his lips.

Tara noticed the slight trace of stubble surrounding his mouth indicating he hadn't shaved for a while. It enhanced his face in the perfect way.

"Yeah, I noticed you were looking this way for a while too," he finally spoke.

Tara's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice—deeper and more alluring than she had imagined. But she reminded herself not to get carried away, so she continued with her plan.

"Sorry if I seemed weird! I promise, I have good intentions. I love babies, and this one is especially adorable. He seems to have taken after you." She spoke bravely but winced when she saw him scrunch his eyebrows in a mysterious manner. She quickly averted her gaze.

"Thank you," he said simply, and Tara's heart sank. Why wasn't he elaborating? Was the child really his?

"Though, people say he mostly takes after his mother," he added, finally breaking the silence.

Tara's heart sank further but she forced a short laugh. "Oh! Your wife must be beautiful."

He blinked in shock at her words before bursting out in a fit of chuckles. "This is my nephew."

Laddoos seemed to be bursting in Tara's heart. "So...you're not married?"

The guy's lips curved into a small smirked. "No."

"Oh—I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding! I didn't mean to imply you're old. You look young! Really young. I mean—sorry! Excuse my words," she blabbered, flustered. "May I treat you to some chai to make up for it?"

He didn't reply immediately, so she added, "I'll have chai too, so you know I'm not a threat."

He shook his head, smiling. "No need, I didn't mind."

"I insist. Mr -? "

"Raiyyan. And you are ? "

"Tara. "

"Ah. Star."

Tara smiled and looked up at the sky and Raiyyan's gaze followed.

The sharp noise of a phone ringing cut through the air and burst the enchanting bubble they seemed to be in.

Raiyyan held the phone to his ear ,
"Okay. I'll meet you at the entrance then. "

Tara waited for him to say something as he cut the call.

"I'm feeling pretty sleepy so I would've taken you up on that chai offer but unfortunately I gotta go . But it was nice meeting you, Tara."

Raiyyan finally gave a genuine smile as he turned around to leave.

"Wait! "

He looked back at Tara's sudden exclamation.

She looked anxious as if she was scared of losing something.

Tara knew that there was a very slim chance they would ever meet again in the future. She could ask for his number or insta ID but would he just randomly give it to a stranger ? She didn't want to take any risk of rejection. So she decided to take a chance at fate's game.

"The day after tomorrow at 5 pm, I'm going to the Crimson Cup Cafe with my friends. And Raiyyan - I think you're really cute!"

Tara spit out the words as fast as she could and didn't bother looking back at Raiyyan before she sprinted away from him, mentally praying he would understand her riddle-filled sentence inviting him to the cafe.

She thought if he's interested in keeping in contact he might come to that cafe at that time. If he doesn't show up - well Tara would consider that a sign from fate telling her they weren't meant to be.

On the other side Raiyyan watched dumbstruck as Tara ran away after dropping a bomb on him.

She thought he was cute ! But now she's gone.

And what did she mean by the first sentence? Crimson cup at - what time did she say again?

Raiyyan was brought out of his thoughts as his phone rang again.

He didn't bother picking up and got ready to leave but the stroller got stuck on something on the ground. The jerky movement woke up his nephew who started crying.

Raiyyan checked under the wheel of the stroller to find a bracelet.

He looked at it quizzically before searching around him to see if somebody was looking for a lost item. When he didn't find anyone like that he decided to take it with him as it looked quite precious and thought about discarding it in the lost and found box.

But when his phone rang again, urging him to leave the fair, he completely forgot about the bracelet tucked in his pocket which is how it ended up at his home.

Meanwhile Tara was back home thinking about today's events. She was feeling panicked and anxious by her actions and on top of that she had lost her newly bought bracelet!

Two days later

Tara sat in a cozy booth of the Crimson Cup Cafe, her head resting on the cool glass window as she saw the droplets of rainwater racing down. She tucked away the long, silky, dark strands of hair falling over her face and eagerly scanned the surroundings.

Gray clouds hung over the city as a soft drizzle poured down.

After lunch, most of Tara's friends had already left the cafe about two hours ago.

Now, only her best friend sat by her side. She was the only person Tara had confided in about her unexpected meeting with a stranger called Raiyyan whom she had instantly fallen for. She also knew that Tara had invited Raiyyan to the cafe today hoping they'll meet again.

Tara had taken extra care with her appearance today. Clad in her best attire with minimal but enchanting makeup covering her face, the young girl sighed, waiting longingly to catch a glimpse of a certain someone.

Every time the door opened, her eyes would shoot towards the newcomers wondering if it was who she was waiting for. But she waited with no luck, not a trace of the captivating stranger in sight.

"You don't have to wait with me anymore. You have some work right?" Tara turned towards her best friend who was looking at her with pity.

"It's okay, I don't want to leave you alone here."

"Nah Yaar it's fine. I was a fool for thinking he would come. I mean we're strangers who met for a few minutes! He would be crazy to come sauntering to meet me just because I asked him to. Besides, I didn't even invite him clearly, what if he didn't understand the underlying meaning behind my words." Tara's figure slumped on the cool leather seat as she rubbed her hand over her face,
"I'll wait for a few more minutes and go back home too. Seriously girl, you can go."

"If you say so. Text me when you reach home okay? Don't wait alone for too long!" Her best friend hugged her and left the cafe.

The hands on the clock hanging on the wall ticked away as seconds turned into minutes.

Tara had finished having one more cup of coffee but Raiyyan was nowhere in sight.

After half an hour of a long and agonizing wait, Tara gave up and packed up her belongings.

He wasn't coming.

Well that was the only logical thing anyway. Who went around meeting random strangers just because they hinted at something?

Still, it kind of hurts. The thought that she'll never see him again or get to know him was a feeling that gripped her heart with an overwhelming force.

But alas, what can we do against fate?

As Tara was heading out of the door, she nearly collided with someone who was about to enter from the opposite direction.

"Sorry-" The smooth, deep voice paused as their eyes clashed.

Tara blinked while the guy's eyes widened in recognition.
Both of their heartbeats sped up and the cool, damp sir seemed to be filled with crackling electricity.

She stepped back inside the cozy cafe to make space for him to enter.

Raiyyan was slightly drenched from the drizzle outside and he shook his head to get rid of the straggling water.

"Hi. I'm sorry if I'm late. I didn't remember the exact time you mentioned -" He explained, waiting for Tara's response.

"It's okay! You're right on time." her lips curved into a shy yet bright smile as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

It didn't matter if he was late. What mattered is that he was finally here.

One and a half year later

Tara hadn't worn that salwar kameez from the previous Eid because she had lost the matching bracelet after buying it. She was a perfectionist who wanted every tiny detail to be perfect. So that Eid, she had opted for a different dress. Now after a long time while cleaning out her closet, her eyes fell on that beautiful set of salwar kameez from that previous year, reminding her of the Chaand Raat where she first met Raiyyan.

Maybe she could wear this outfit this Eid after finding something to match with it.

Being freshly graduated, Tara had free time before she started her masters after a few months. So she had started babysitting as a part time gig and somehow ended up taking care of that same little kid due to whom she noticed Raiyyan in the first place. Tara had been babysitting Raiyyan's nephew whenever the kid's parents were busy as they both worked full time.

At Raiyyan's house she was sitting in his room chatting with him as she cuddled the sleeping toddler in her arms. Raiyyan and Tara had grown closer through the year. Although he knew she liked him, he hadn't made any moves yet and just treated her as a friend. But he was also slowly falling for her and was waiting for the perfect opportunity to confess his feelings.

He knew she was the perfect match for him. Being a bit shy and reserved, he never dared speak up if he ever liked a girl, which in itself was a rare incident. Tara's outgoing nature and bold confession right on their first meeting had made Raiyyan see her in a special light. It took guts to tell your feelings out loud without stressing about the consequences and Raiyyan admired her bravery and spirited nature.

He had finally confided his feelings to his cousin, Maha, who smirked at him with excited screams of "I knew it" before she started jumping up and down. After knowing Raiyyan was thinking of proposing to Tara, Maha immediately started searching in Pinterest to plan the perfect proposal to help her cousin who was confused about how to do so. He wanted it to be absolutely perfect. Something that would make Tara's eyes shine with happiness like the stars twinkling in the night sky.

"Raiyyan, do you happen to have any scrunchie or something in your house ? I forgot to bring mine and my hair is getting in the way."

"Sure, there might be something in the drawer." Raiyyan motioned towards his bedside table.

By the time he could move, Tara had already reached out to the side and suddenly stopped her hand midair as she found herself examining something lying inside his bedside drawer.

"Where did you get this bracelet?" Surprise swam in her eyes as she dangled the bracelet on her hand to inspect it closely.

"Oh- it was a lost item I found on the ground but never got around to finding the owner...when was it again?" He scrunched his eyebrows as he tried to remember how exactly the accessory had come into his possession.

"I lost this the night I met you." Tara's soft voice broke through the air, bringing Raiyyan out of his thoughts.

His eyes widened in realization and suddenly his nephew woke up and blinked up at them innocently, "Wa wa?"

"Right, water! Sure thing baby." Tara got up to carry the kid to the kitchen to get his tiny water bottle while Raiyyan leaned against the wall, thinking about the ways of fate and how it seems like they were meant to be after all.

An idea popped up into his head and he started planning the perfect proposal. One that involved stars, fairy lights, a garden beside a certain market place where they first met and a few other theatrics for which he would ask Maha for help.

The boy who used to chuckle at the idea of love, someone who never really bothered to think about finding his perfect person, was now ready to steal a star from the sky if it meant the shining Tara on earth could be his for life.

Author's Note

So now we know why Raiyyan suddenly got interested in stars XD
Did you like his mystery girl and their story ?

1 more chapter to go until 🫣-
You'll see.

Any prediction of how Isahaq and Maha's story is gonna go forward?

Though unfortunately the next update won't be before the end of the month as I have to focus on my studies :(

I spend a lot of time trying to make the chapters the best I can before publishing as I don't want to give y'all a rushed product which isn't good.

Thanks for your patience, please bear with me as I navigate this hectic time of my life which isn't allowing me to write as much as I want.

Press that star ⭐

Love- A.M.K

Mini glossary:

Salwar kameez-
a pair of light, loose, pleated trousers, usually tapering to a tight fit around the ankles, worn by women from South Asia typically with a kameez (the two together being a salwar kameez ).

Chand Raat -
The eve of Eid is known as Chand Raat, which stands for 'Night of the Moon'. It holds special significance and marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of festivities. The sighting of the moon on Chand Raat marks the beginning of Eid-Al-Fitr celebrations