A bond of hearts is never bound by time. Sometimes, certain moments are so deep that even years of distance seem small before them.
Eshal closed her diary and moved toward the window. Outside, it was evening — a gentle cold breeze and golden sunlight falling over the rustling leaves. Today was her birthday… but the happiness a 22-year-old girl should feel on her special day was missing from her heart.
Nine years had passed.
He had met her in similar weather — Zayan. Back then, she was only 13, and Zayan was 15. They had first met at a school inter-house event. The first meeting, the first friendship… and then the journey from friendship to love began.
"It's your birthday, Eshal. At least smile," her mother said lovingly.
Eshal smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Did he message you?" her mother asked softly.
Eshal nodded. "He said we should meet tonight. At the same corner of the park where we used to meet every day."
Her mother simply prayed, "May Allah make your destiny easy, my daughter."
8:15 PM – Garden Behind Eshal's House
Zayan was already there. Just like before — calm, composed, with the same love in his eyes that he had nine years ago.
"Happy Birthday, princess," he said, handing her a small velvet box.
Eshal slowly opened the box — it was a necklace. A golden pendant hung from it, engraved with: "9 Years, 1 Love."
Tears welled up in her eyes. "You remembered?"
"I remember your every breath, Eshal. How could I forget your birthday?" Zayan replied with a gentle smile.
They stood in silence for a while. Time seemed to freeze.
"Zayan… Abbu…" Eshal hesitated.
"I know," Zayan completed her sentence.
"He said no again today. He said… you're from a family that brought nothing but pain into his life."
Zayan took her hand. "I'm not his pain, Eshal. I'm only yours. And even if it takes years to win his heart… I won't stop."
For the first time, light returned to Eshal's eyes. "You never change, Zayan."
"Does love ever change?" he asked with a smile.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice echoed: "How dare you meet my daughter!"
Eshal turned pale. Her father — Lord Haroon — had arrived from the back path. Anger burned in his eyes, and something else too — vengeance.
Zayan steadied himself and spoke respectfully, "Sir, I love Eshal. I have loved her for nine years. I sent a proposal to your house with full respect. My intentions are pure."
Lord Haroon stepped forward and shouted: "Love? With the family that ruined my brother's career in politics? Do you even know who I am?"
Zayan looked into his eyes and said, "Sir, I am just Zayan — a man asking for your daughter's hand with respect and loyalty. Politics is not greater than my love."
Haroon's face turned red. "You'll destroy her! I will never accept this relationship!"
Eshal cried out, "Abbu, please! He loves me! He's never hurt me!"
Haroon raised his voice, "If you ever meet him again, never show me your face."
Zayan paused, then said gently: "I didn't come to fight you, Sir. I only came to seek your approval. But even if I don't get it… I will never leave Eshal's side."
Haroon turned and stormed off in fury.
Silence returned to the night.
Eshal was crying — Zayan simply held her hand and said:
"Eshal… I promise you. I will keep falling as a prayer for you every night, until you become worthy of my name."