The week after the beach trip flew by in a blur of business meetings and market dealings, but Saad's mind kept circling back to his personal life. As the dinner party that he and Maya planned for Fahad and Ayesha approached, he found himself worrying about the tangled web he had spun. Maya was blissfully unaware of the emotional mess Saad had found himself in, and Zara... well, Zara had been texting more often, asking to meet, and Saad couldn't bring himself to refuse.
The dinner party was set for Friday night at Maya's apartment. Saad tried to focus on the details—making sure everything was perfect for Fahad and Ayesha, preparing dishes he knew they'd like, and coordinating with Maya to make sure the evening ran smoothly. But deep down, his thoughts were elsewhere. He hadn't responded to Zara's latest text yet, and it was eating at him.
Friday evening came quicker than expected. Saad arrived at Maya's apartment a little earlier to help her set up. Maya, radiant in a simple yet elegant dress, was excited about the evening. She beamed at him as they worked together in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and arranging dishes.
"You've been a little distant this week," Maya said casually as she stirred the pasta. "Everything okay?"
Saad paused for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "Yeah, just busy with work stuff. You know how it is."
Maya gave him a quick smile, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "Well, tonight's going to be fun. I can't wait to see how things go between Fahad and Ayesha. She's been talking about him since the last time we all met. I think she likes him."
Saad grinned, relieved to shift the conversation away from himself. "Yeah, Fahad's pretty nervous about it. I hope it works out for him."
The doorbell rang, and Saad's heart jumped slightly. Maya rushed to the door, and in walked Fahad, looking nervous but excited. He exchanged a quick hug with Saad before settling into the couch. Ayesha arrived soon after, looking beautiful in a flowy dress, her eyes lighting up when she saw Fahad.
The evening began on a high note. Everyone was in good spirits, the conversation flowed easily, and Saad was glad to see Fahad and Ayesha connecting over dinner. They shared laughs, inside jokes, and it was clear that there was chemistry between them.
As the night wore on, Saad felt Maya's hand gently on his arm. "Let's take a quick walk," she said, her voice soft.
Confused, but curious, Saad agreed. They stepped out onto the balcony, the city lights twinkling in the distance, and Maya closed the sliding door behind them.
"I've been thinking," Maya began, her voice quiet but serious. "About us."
Saad's stomach tightened. He knew this conversation was coming, but he wasn't prepared for it. He leaned against the railing, bracing himself.
"We've been together for a while now, and I know things have been great between us... but lately, I feel like you're... distracted," she said, her eyes searching his face for an answer. "I don't know what it is, Saad. But I can feel it. Are you okay?"
Saad sighed, the weight of his double life crushing him. He had been trying to navigate his feelings for both Maya and Zara, but now it was clear that things were reaching a breaking point. He couldn't keep pretending forever.
"I... I don't know how to say this, Maya," Saad began slowly, his voice thick with guilt. "But there's something I need to tell you."
Maya's face paled slightly, her grip on the balcony railing tightening. "What is it?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Saad looked down, unable to meet her gaze. "I've been... talking to Zara again."
There it was. The truth hung in the air between them, heavy and undeniable.
Maya's expression hardened. "Zara? Your ex?"
Saad nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "It started out innocently. She reached out, and I didn't want to be rude. But... I didn't stop it. I don't know why, Maya, but I've been confused. I care about you, so much. But there are still unresolved feelings with Zara that I didn't deal with before."
Maya's eyes filled with hurt and betrayal. She stepped back, shaking her head. "Saad, I thought we were building something real. And now you're telling me you've been talking to your ex behind my back? What do you want, Saad? Me or her?"
Saad was silent, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. He cared deeply for Maya—she had been his rock through everything. But Zara had a hold on him that he couldn't fully explain. She represented a part of his past, and the unresolved feelings between them were making everything complicated.
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't know what I want right now."
Maya's face crumpled as tears welled up in her eyes. "I can't do this, Saad. I can't be second to someone from your past. You need to figure out what you want, but I won't wait around forever."
Without another word, she turned and walked back into the apartment, leaving Saad standing alone on the balcony, guilt and confusion washing over him like a tidal wave.
Inside, Fahad and Ayesha were laughing over some shared joke, completely oblivious to the emotional storm brewing outside. Zain and his girlfriend Iman had joined in as well, the group completely engrossed in their fun. Saad reentered the room, feeling like a ghost in his own life.
As the night wound down, Fahad offered to drive Ayesha home. They left the apartment together, smiling and exchanging playful glances—Fahad's luck had clearly turned. Zain and Iman were the next to leave, leaving Saad alone in the now-quiet apartment.
Maya was nowhere to be seen.
He knew she was likely in her room, avoiding him. Saad sat down on the couch, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him. He had never felt more lost. Everything was slipping out of his control—his relationship with Maya, his unresolved feelings for Zara, and even his friendships.
Saad's phone buzzed. It was a message from Zara.
Hey, are you free tomorrow? I'd love to talk...
He stared at the message for what felt like an eternity, unsure of how to respond.