> "The moment you realize that someone's happiness means more than your own — that's when friendship quietly turns into love."
---
The Morning After That Night
Sunlight spilled through the thin curtains, painting soft gold across the room.
Raz blinked awake, half lost between dream and reality — and there she was.
Ziya.
Sleeping peacefully on the next bed, her hair scattered across the pillow, her face calm like she had no worries in the world.
For a second, Raz just stared.
Everything about last night came rushing back — the confession, the hug, the quiet heartbeat that matched his own.
> "I love you, Raz."
"I love you too."
He still couldn't believe it had happened.
After all those years of friendship, teasing, and distance — they'd finally said it.
He got up quietly, stretching his arms and walking to the window. The air outside was cool, carrying the faint scent of rain. For the first time in years, the world didn't feel so heavy.
Behind him, Ziya groaned softly and sat up, her eyes half open.
> "Good morning, Mr. 72%," she said sleepily.
Raz smirked.
"Good morning, Miss 89%. Dreamt of numbers again?"
She threw a pillow at him.
> "Oh please, I don't dream about math."
"Really? Because last night you literally calculated our love percentage."
"Shut up, Raz!"
They both laughed — that same childish laughter that used to echo in school corridors years ago. Only now, it felt different. Warmer. Closer.
---
Breakfast and Chaos
Downstairs, the aroma of parathas filled the house. Raz's mom was busy in the kitchen, while Ziya's mom sat at the table chatting about college plans.
Raz grabbed his plate, pretending to be casual, but his eyes kept finding Ziya.
She looked beautiful even in her simplest morning look — messy hair tied up, a plain blue kurti, and that easy smile.
> "Eat fast," she said. "We'll get late for the college tour."
"You're bossier now," he replied.
"And you're slower than ever."
His mom looked between them and smiled knowingly.
> "Looks like nothing's changed," she said.
Raz and Ziya exchanged a quick glance — trying not to blush.
---
The Ride to College
The car ride was filled with music and laughter. Ziya played her favorite songs — from soft Ed Sheeran tracks to chaotic Bollywood hits — while Raz kept complaining about her taste.
> "You call this music?" he teased.
"At least I have taste. You literally listen to motivational speeches for fun."
"They motivate me!"
"Yeah, to annoy me!"
Both burst out laughing.
At one point, Ziya leaned her head against the window, the sunlight tracing the outline of her face. Raz looked at her — really looked — and for a second, everything went silent.
He thought, Maybe this is what peace feels like.
---
The First Day of College
The college campus was massive — tall buildings, green lawns, students buzzing with energy.
Ziya was her confident self, walking like she owned the place. Raz followed, pretending to keep up but secretly admiring her energy.
> "Come on, Raz! Try to act like you belong here."
"I do! Just… not as dramatically as you."
"You'll thank me later when we don't get lost."
They found their classroom, and of course, ended up sitting together.
The teacher asked everyone to introduce themselves.
Ziya went first.
> "I'm Ziya. I believe numbers have emotions."
The class laughed.
Raz smirked when it was his turn.
> "I'm Raz. I believe emotions don't need numbers."
The class laughed louder this time — and Ziya tried to look annoyed but failed to hide her smile.
---
The Canteen Scene
During lunch break, they grabbed sandwiches and cold coffee. The place was crowded, full of new friendships forming.
> "You remember school canteen days?" Ziya said between bites.
"Yeah. You always stole my fries."
"Excuse me, our fries."
"No, mine! I bought them."
"With whose money?" she grinned.
"Touché."
They laughed, like two souls who had shared a hundred lifetimes of jokes.
Then, suddenly, her tone softened.
> "Raz… do you ever think how different life would be if we never met again after school?"
He paused.
> "I don't even want to imagine that."
"Why?"
"Because then I'd never know what happiness actually feels like."
Her eyes softened. The air between them shifted — like a whisper of something unspoken.
---
The Rain Scene
That evening, the sky turned gray.
And within minutes — it started raining.
Everyone ran for shelter, but not Ziya.
She stood outside in the open ground, arms wide, face lifted to the sky.
Raz ran towards her, shouting,
> "Ziya! Are you crazy? You'll get sick!"
She laughed, spinning around in the rain.
> "Let me live a little, Raz!"
He stood there, half soaked, half mesmerized.
She looked so alive — so free — that for a second, all he wanted was to freeze the moment.
Then she reached out and grabbed his hand.
> "Come on! Don't be boring!"
> "Ziya, I—"
"Shhh. Just feel it."
He let go. And for the first time in his life, Raz stopped thinking.
The rain poured down, their fingers intertwined, laughter echoing in the air.
He looked at her, droplets tracing her face, her eyes bright with joy — and realized,
This isn't just friendship anymore.
---
The Rooftop Night
That night, neither of them could sleep.
Ziya texted first.
Ziya: "You awake?"
Raz: "Always for you."
Ziya: "Come to the rooftop."
When he reached, she was sitting there in his oversized hoodie, hair loose, eyes glowing in the dim moonlight.
> "Hey," she said softly.
"Hey," he replied, sitting beside her.
There was silence for a while — peaceful, familiar.
> "You think stars listen to wishes?" she asked, looking up.
"Maybe. Why?"
"Because I just made one."
"What did you wish for?"
"That nothing changes between us."
Raz smiled, eyes on her instead of the sky.
> "Then I'll make the same wish."
She turned, catching his gaze.
> "You're serious, aren't you?"
"Always have been. I just hide it better."
She chuckled and leaned her head on his shoulder.
> "Raz…"
"Hmm?"
"You're the only person who makes me feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
He looked down at her.
> "That's because you are."
---
Jealousy and Realization
A few days later, a new guy joined their class — Adil.
He was charming, funny, and way too friendly with Ziya.
Raz tried to act cool but couldn't ignore how often Adil made her laugh.
> "You're quiet today," Ziya said during lunch.
"Just tired."
"Or jealous?" she teased.
"Jealous? Of what?"
"Of Adil maybe?"
Raz looked away, hiding his smirk.
> "No reason to be jealous. He's funny, I'm smarter."
"Oh really?"
"Want me to prove it?"
"How?"
"I got you."
She blinked.
> "Got me what?"
"Got you. You're here with me, not him."
Her face turned pink.
> "You're impossible."
"And you love it."
She laughed but didn't deny it.
---
Late Night Call
That night, Ziya called. Her voice was soft, tired.
> "Raz, can I tell you something?"
"Always."
"I don't know what love really means… but when I'm around you, I forget everything that hurts."
Raz didn't speak for a moment.
Then he said quietly,
> "Maybe that's what love actually is — peace that feels like home."
There was silence, followed by a whisper.
> "Good night, Raz."
"Good night, Ziya."
But neither of them slept for hours.
---
The Festival
College organized a cultural night. Music, lights, food — chaos everywhere.
Ziya wore a simple white dress with silver bangles, and Raz couldn't look away.
> "What?" she asked, blushing.
"You look… dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"Yeah. Dangerous for my heartbeat."
She hit his arm playfully, but her cheeks stayed red.
Later that night, during the slow dance, she hesitated.
> "I don't dance, Raz."
"Good. Then we'll just sway."
He held her close, both moving slowly under fairy lights.
The world around them blurred — music fading, laughter distant — just their heartbeat syncing quietly.
> "You know," Ziya whispered, "I never believed in perfect moments."
"And now?"
"Now I do."
---
A Little Distance
The next week, Ziya got busy with studies and projects. Raz saw less of her, and though he didn't say it, he missed her.
One day, he found her sitting alone in the library, stressed.
> "Hey," he said softly. "You okay?"
"Just overwhelmed."
"You don't have to do everything alone, Ziya."
"I'm used to it."
"Not anymore. Not when I'm here."
She looked up, eyes teary.
He wiped a tear from her cheek.
> "You're not alone. You never will be."
Her hand tightened around his.
---
The Confession That Felt Like Forever
Weeks passed. Exams ended. Life slowed down.
One evening, they were sitting again at the same rooftop where it had all started. The sky was full of stars, the city quiet.
> "Remember your wish?" Raz asked.
"That nothing changes?"
"Yeah."
"It didn't. It just got stronger."
She smiled, resting her head on his chest.
> "Raz…"
"Yeah?"
"I don't think I can ever unlove you."
He laughed softly.
> "Good. Because I'm not planning to stop either."
They both sat there — no grand gestures, no fireworks — just a quiet promise written in the way their fingers fit together, perfectly.
And in that silence, they both knew…
Love wasn't about finding perfection.
It was about finding peace — and they had found it in each other.
---
✨ To be continued...
Part 3: "When Life Tests Love." 💔