The night finally passed and the sun arose.The rays of the sun fell upon the trees and the dark forest slowly brightened with sunlight.

The slanting rays of the sun struck straight into Zara's face and made her awake.She slowly opened her eyes and her lips parted into a smile,at the sight of the blue sky.

Then her eyes caught the jacket over her body and a look of astonishment crossed her face.She looked at her front to see Aabir who was in deep sleep,leaning his back against the rock.A smile lifted the corner of her lips as she realised that Aabir put it over her to cover her from cold at night .She looked back at the jacket,a shade of red tinting her cheeks .

She got up and washed her face in the river water.While wiping her face with her dupatta,she glanced at Aabir and noticed that the sun rays falling on his face,causing him to stir.

She slowly limped over to him and stood in front of him to block the sunrays from falling on his face.Her lips parted into a smile when she saw him relaxing his eyelids.

She kept standing there and watched him sleeping peacefully until Aabir blinked his eyes for a few times before opening them, catching her off guarded.

Aabir rubbed away the sleep fogging his vision with the fingers of his right hand and blinked to adjusted his vision.He furrowed when his vision cleared and he saw Zara standing in front of him.

He raised his left eyebrow and gave her a question look.

Zara began fidgeting nervously in her spot.

"Oh-h... Actually "She raked through her mind,trying to come up with an excuse "I-I was going to wake you up.Good that you've waken up on your own."

"Get up and freshen up quickly.We need to move."She added while trying to avoid his gaze.

"Okay."He nodded, yawning and stressing before standing up and walking up to the riverbank to wash his face.

Zara let out a sigh of relief ,placing her both hands on her chest.

Suddenly they heard stick snapping sound and got alarmed.

Aabir hurriedly came to her side and they exchanged a quick glance and then turned their head towards the direction of the sound.

Within a few moments their fear turned into happiness when they saw their friends coming out of the trees.

Misha and Simi came running to Zara and engulfed her in a tight hug whereas Umang and Kabeer hugged Aabir.

"What are you guys doing here?"Zara asked, pulling away from the hug.

"We're here for morning walk."Misha mocked for her silly question. "Isn't that obvious, dumbo? Obviously we're here for you two."

"We were searching you and Aabir since last night.Finally we found you two."Umang told them, smiling in relief.

Knowing that their friends looked for them the entire night ,Aabir and Zara became sentimental.

"I am so lucky to have you all as my friend."Zara said with happy tears.

"Love you guys."Aabir got emotional too and they all shared a group hug.

Zara fumed in rage as soon as her eyes caught Sam and her minions.

"What are you doing here?"Zara gritted out, approaching to Sam and her minions.

"How dare you three come in front of me after what you've done to me last night?Do you know how much Aabir and I suffered because of you three?"She boomed.

"Zara,Calm down.We've already scolded her enough.You don't waste your breath and energy on her."Misha said, trying to calm her down.

"You're right.I can't waste my energy on this brainless,senseless girl."Zara nodded, closing her eyes and exhaling sharply.

Sam got offended when Zara raised her voice on her and called her brainless and senseless in front of her crush but she held herself from replying back as she knew opening her mouth right now would do nothing good to her.

"Well...we should get going now.We need to go back to the camp before anyone finds out about us."Dinesh said, interrupting them at which others nodded in agreement and they began their way towards the camp.

"Zara,What's wrong?Why are you walking like this?"Misha demanded when she noticed her limping.

"Last night I fell and sprained my ankle."Zara answered.

"What?Let me take a look."Misha quickly bent down and checked her ankle.

"Ya Allah!Your ankle has swollen very badly.Why didn't you tell us before?"Misha said,worried sick.

"I am fine,Misha.Don't worry."Zara said, smiling.

Stop saying 'I'm fine' when you're definitely not.

Aabir wanted to say to Zara  but he didn't let it come out if mouth.He didn't want to interfere in her matter.

"Don't be ridiculous.You're anything but fine ."Misha snapped,glaring at her stupid friend.

Aabir was satisfied at Misha for scolding Zara.That girl deserve a scold,he believe.

"How'll you walk back to the camp in this condition ?"Simi was concerned.

"I can walk."Zara said her friends who were looking concerned about her.

"I don't think so."Kabeer said dubiously.

"She said that she can walk.Stop wasting time on her and let's move."Sam said irritated which , earned her glares from others.

As if Sam care.She just want to get out this damn forest as soon as possible.She ignored their death glare and marched on ahead, following by Sina and Tina.

Aabir couldn't take it anymore.He tried to ignore it but couldn't help worrying about her.Eventually he decided to help her even if she deny to take .

He let out a sigh and came in front of Zara who looked up at him in confusion.

Before she knew or could ask him anything ,he picked her up in a bridal style.

"Hey,What are you doing?Put me down ."Zara protested but Aabir  kept on walking.

Everyone was in pure shock by his sudden action.But the person who was hell shocked and fumed in anger was Sam.

"Can't you hear me?I said put me down right now."Zara yelled while tussling in his arms.

Aabir heaved a deep sigh and  halted in his track.

"Look ,I am not interested in taking you in my arms.I am just doing it for everyone's sake.If you continue to walk in a snail speed , we won't be able to reach the camp in time and it will get us in trouble.So,I got no better solution than this.If you have a better one,you can suggest."Aabir said, fixing his stern gaze on her .

Zara racked through her brain but couldn't come up with a better solution.When Zara didn't reply to him for a while ,Aabir got the answer in her silence.

"I guess you don't.Then keep your mouth shut and stop punching on my chest.It's hurts ."He grunted.

"Yes,Zara.Aabir is right.Let him carry you."Simi said and the rest of them nodded in support.

"Okay.Fine ."Zara agreed while cursing herself quietly for agreeing to this.

Aabir could sense her discomfort and guess her thoughts which a conservative girl like her could get in her head in such a situation.

"I'm just trying to help you.I've no bad intention.You can trust me."He whispered, looking her in the eyes, hoping that she would believe his words and would feel secure in his arms.

It indeed work.

His honest gaze and true words really did something to her heart.Her heart fluttered and A sense of security washed over her .

"Now stop talking and walk fast."She murmured, averting her gaze from his hypnotic eyes.

"I hope you're strong enough to carry me.Don't drop me."Zara commented after a while and the next moment Aabir pretended to stumble, causing Zara instinctively tighten her hold in his shirt.

Aabir laughed at her reaction and Zara immediately realised that Aabir did that intentionally to tease her.

"Do you want me to strangle you to death?"Zara glared at him.

Aabir chuckled"As if I'll let you."he said,his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Try me."Zara retorted.

"The moment you try,I'll drop you."Aabir replied with a smirk as he continued walking through the forest with her in his arms ,alongside his friends.

"I really have a good muscle and strength.So don't you worry."he reassured her and it calmed Zara a bit.

"I can carry you affortlessly even though you're heavy."he added with a teasing tone and there you go.Zara was fuming mad in his arms again.

Their light banter continued and it kept their friends entertained throughout the journey.

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

Khusbu was strolling impatiently at the back side of the camp while waiting for her friends.As soon as she saw them coming out of the forest,She ran to them.She got astonished for a moment when she saw Zara in Aabir's arms .But she didn't waste time pondering over it.Right now her best friend was her main concern.

As soon as Aabir put her down, Khusbu hugged her tightly,sobbing in tears.

"Are you okay?"Khusbu asked ,pulling away.

"Except spraining my ankle,I am absolutely fine."Zara chuckled lowly.

"What?You sprained your ankle?How?"Khusbu gasped in shock.

"I fell."Zara heaved a exaggerated sigh.

"Take her to the medical tent and get her feet treated ."Aabir spoke up.

Zara looked at him.

"What about you? Aren't you coming?  You're also hurt."Zara said,concerned.

"I won't go ."

"Why?"

"Both of us can't go there with injuries.It can make them suspicious and raise question in their head."Aabir explained which seemed reasonable to everyone.

"I got a small cut.A band aid is all I need.Kabeer can help me with it."He added.

Kabeer nodded in agreement.

"But..."Zara was reluctant to go without him.

"I am fine.You don't worry about me and go."He reassured her.

"He's  right.Let's go,Zara.You need urgent treatment."Khusbu said and then the girls took her to the medical tent for treatment.

"How did you sprain your ankle?"The male doctor asked while examining her ankle.

"I slipped and fell last night."Zara answered.

"Why didn't you come for treatment at the night then?Look at your ankle swelled badly."

"I didn't think it'll get worse overnight."Zara answered timidly, lowering her gaze.

"You're a medical student.Don't you know delaying treatment can allow your sprain to turn into something serious?How can you be so careless?" The doctor scolded her for her foolishness .

Zara shrunk in her spot and mumbled sorry .

If only she could tell him the truth?

All she could do now was getting scolded and saying sorry for something that she didn't even do intentionally.

The doctor bandaged her ankle and gave her aspirin for the pain.

"You're lucky that it's just a sprain,you didn't break your bone.Take this medicines three times a day and avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.You'll be perfectly fine within a week or two."

Zara took the medicines and thanked the doctor and then left the medical tent with her friends.

Meanwhile Kabeer treated Aabir's wound and put band aid on it.

When the departure time came,All of the students and teachers got into their alloted buses .Aabir,Zara and their friends got in the same bus.Not to mention,before getting into the bus ,they didn't forget to thank Dinesh and paying him handsomely for helping them.

Since they were so tired, exhausted and didn't get proper sleep at night,they all slept off right after the journey started.

2 days later........

"Where is your best friend?"Aabir asked Khusbu when they all sat together at the cafeteria for lunch.

"She's in bed rest.She won't come to the college for a week or two."Khusbu answered him.

Aabir nodded and didn't give it much thought at first but when Zara didn't come to the college for days, Aabir actually started missing the small,petty fights he'd with her.He was actually looking forward to fighting with her.

One of these day,as usual Khusbu came back to the hostel after college.

"I am back."She announced her arrival while taking off her footwear at the door step.

Zara was talking over the phone,sitting on the bed at the moment.

She smiled at her from the bed in response.Khusbu smiled back at her and walked in.

Getting a pair of comfortable clothes and towel from the closet, She walked in the bathroom to freshen up.

It was ten minutes later when Khusbu was done freshen up and came out of the bathroom.

"Yes,Ammi.I got it.We'll take care of ourselves.Abbu and you take care of your health,too.I'm hanging up now.Khuda hafeez."Zara cut the call and dropped her phone on the bed.

"How is your parents doing?"Khusbu inquired while drying her hair in front of the mirror.

"They're doing fine."Zara answered,looking up at her.

"Did you tell them about your ankle?"Khusbu asked to which Zara shook her head,pursing her lips .

"Don't you think you should tell them about that?"Khusbu questioned as she hang the towel on stand and plopped down at the study desk .

"No,It'll only make them worry and I don't want that."Zara answered.

Khusbu smiled faintly and nodded her head in understanding.

"So how was your day?"Zara asked.

"As usual.Hectic."Khusbu replied,sighing deeply.

Suddenly a call from the warden interrupted their conversation and Zara answered her call.

"Zara Khan,You have a visitor, waiting outside for you."the warden informed her.

"Oh, okay."Zara replied and cut the call .

"What did the warden say?"Khusbu asked.

"She said I got a visitor."Zara replied."Can it be Misha or Simi?"

"But they visited you just yesterday, didn't they?And if they  were about to come,they would've told me in college."Khusbu said.

"Who can it be then?"Zara furrowed in confusion.

"You'll know once you get there ."Khusbu said matter of factly.

Zara nodded to her ,then got up from bed and limped towards the door.

"Do you need help? Should I come with you?"Khusbu offered, considering her condition.

"It's alright.I can go by myself."Zara assured her with a smile"I will be back soon."saying this she walked out of the room,closing the door behind her.

When she came out of the hostel building ,she saw a man standing outside the main entrance gate, facing his back towards her .

"Who is it?"Zara asked ,reaching to him.

She got surprised when the person turned towards her and it turned out Aabir.

"Hi,Zara."Aabir sent an awkward smile her way.

"Hi "Zara smiled back."What are you doing here?"She asked.

"Oh ,Actually.....I was passing by this road .So I thought I'd stop by and ask about your health."He explained"So,how are you?How is your ankle now?"He asked.

"It's recovering quite well.The pain and swollen has reduced a lot."She replied, smilingly .

"That's good to hear. "He smiled in relief.

"What about the wound of your forehead?"She asked,glancing up at his forehead.

"It's completely healed now."He smiled reassuringly.

"Well...I brought you some fruits and orange juice ."He forwarded a fruit basket then.

"That's not needed."Zara shook her head."You don't have to be so formal."

"I already brought it for you.Take it and get healthy soon."He insisted.

She hesitated for a moment,then smiled and nodded, accepting the basket from his outstretched hand.

"Okay,then.I'll take a leave."saying this he hoped on his bike .

"Bye."She waved at him .

"See you in a week ."He smiled, waving back and then zomed off.

"I am back."Zara announced , returning her room.

"What's that?A fruit basket!?"Khusbu got surprised."Who gave it to you?Who'd come?"She inquired.

"Aabir!"Zara answered,placing the fruit basket on the edge of the bed"He'd come to see me. "She added, dropping herself on bed.

"Ooh.Such a sweet guy."Khusbu acknowledged.

"Has he always been so sweet?"Zara thought to herself.

One week later, Zara returned to the college and when she came back, Aabir was the happiest to see her.He didn't show it on his face,though.But he did changed his attitude towards her.He didn't fight with her anymore and they remained on good terms after that.