We decided to go to the party together — me, Ritika, and Lavanya. While we were walking, I couldn't help but ask Ritika, "Do you really love Sultan?"
She smiled faintly, but her eyes looked sad. "He can't be with me. I'm Hindu, he's Muslim. And… he doesn't like me, so nothing is going on."
I shook my head softly. "If you love someone, there's nothing that can put them apart."
She looked down for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah… you're right. But he doesn't love me."
I didn't have any words left to say. Lavanya quickly changed the topic, trying to lift Ritika's spirits. I stayed quiet, my mind tangled in thoughts I wasn't ready to admit even to myself.
When we reached the party, the house was full of boys and girls, all chatting, laughing, and celebrating. I was distracted by the crowd, my eyes constantly scanning for Sultan. Someone from the boys nudged me and asked, "Are you and Sultan in a relationship?"
I quickly shook my head. "No, we're friends."
I turned around and froze. There he was — standing right behind me, eyes fixed on the boy who had asked the question. I could almost see him thinking, Now he's going to regret that. My heart skipped a beat.
The party carried on, the music loud, and everyone laughing, but I found it hard to enjoy myself. I tried not to look at Sultan, but it was impossible to ignore him. Just as I thought I could manage, he walked up to me with a small, confident smile.
"You're looking pretty," he said.
I blushed and smiled back. "Thanks… you're looking good too."
The birthday girl piped up, laughing. "Look at you two! Both wearing black! What a coincidence!"
I smiled politely and nodded, though inside I was thinking: If I weren't at her party, I would have given her a much better answer…
Even as the music and laughter surrounded me, my thoughts kept circling back to him — Sultan. That smile, that look… everything felt heavier than it should, and I couldn't figure out why.
Then came the cake-cutting part. I was standing with Ritika, Lavanya, and a few classmates, chatting quietly, when I saw Sultan looking at me. There was something in his eyes — something I couldn't describe — shining, intense, almost like he was seeing right through me. I smiled at him, not wanting to ignore it.
Just then, a boy came up and said, "You're looking pretty." Before I could react, Sultan was there, standing in front of him. "Keep some distance," he said sharply. The boy stammered, "O-okay," and backed away. Sultan turned and left, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest.
The birthday girl cut the cake, and I noticed her mother doing all the work alone. My heart sank — I couldn't just watch. I went over and offered to help. "Thank you so much, baby girl," she said with a grateful smile. I felt warm inside, happy to lend a hand.
As I was arranging the drinks, a group of boys approached. All of them took the drinks, except one — the same boy who had teased me earlier. When he took a glass, his finger brushed against mine, barely noticeable. I didn't even react, but in a flash, Sultan was there. Without a word, he grabbed the boy and started beating him.
Everyone froze, terrified. I rushed to pull Sultan away, trying to calm him down. His anger was intense, unstoppable, and the boy was bleeding. Outside, I held Sultan and pleaded, "Why are you doing this? He didn't mean anything!"
Sultan's voice was low but shaking with anger. "Why were you giving? Why?"
"I was just helping!" I said.
After a few tense moments, his fury finally subsided. We took a deep breath, and everything calmed down.
As the party ended and everyone began leaving, Sultan stayed with me. "Should I drop you?" he asked.
"No, I'll go with Lavanya and Ritika," I replied, smiling.
He shook his head. "No, I won't let you go alone. I'll drop you all."
I knew he wouldn't listen, so I agreed. The four of us left together, Lavanya chatting with him as usual. Ritika stayed quiet, lost in her own thoughts.
When I changed my clothes that night, I found myself staring at them, smiling like an idiot. I didn't know why I was smiling… until I realized.
But even as I tried to sleep, my mind wouldn't stop replaying the events — Sultan's protective stance, his gaze, his words. And then a sinking thought hit me: I love Rehan, my first and only love, the boy I had carried feelings for since childhood. And yet, I couldn't stop thinking about Sultan. My thoughts tangled, guilty and confused, and I realized that sometimes, the heart doesn't listen, no matter how much the mind protests.