Inaya's POV

After the wedding functions ended we got busy with assignments and tests. As our finals are very near, everyone's been so busy with studies and all. The pressure of exams is just too much.

Our first year is almost ending. I can't believe that it's almost an year of me being here.

Getting a scholarship in London was my main goal and dream ever since i decided what i've wanted to be. And my happiness was beyond when i got it.

At first i didn't expected myself to get this attached to this place, but now it feels just like a second home to me.

And i definitely didn't expect to get such good friends. I was scared that because of my shy nature, i would be all alone. But my friends proved it wrong. And how much i love them.

Andddd in all this i never in a million years expected or thought of meeting a guy like rayan. Before i met him, i thought that every men were same and not worth it. I was happy with my fictional men alot. But then he came into the picture. He is literally everything a girl could dream of. He's the epitome of fictional men. I was never interested in dating, and most importantly love. But still, life is so unexpected. You never know what could happen whenever.

I was reading my book as i was pent up with all the studying, but my mind was diverted with thoughts of certain someone. Whenever i think about our interactions, my heart fills with so much affection and warmth and a blush automatically forms on my cheeks.

My bubble of thoughts broke when my phone ringed. I checked the caller id and smiled when i saw it was a video call from ami. It's been so long since i've talked with her as i was busy with studies and all.

"Aslamalaikum ami" i greeted her with a huge smile.

"Walaikumaslam beta, how are you?" she asked with a smile of her own.

"I'm great! What about you and nano?" i asked and looked behind her to see if nano was present too.

"We're also good, and she slept early today" ami answered as i nodded.

We talked for a bit, i told her about my routine, exams and other things.

"Beta.. your birthday is just the day after tomorrow" ami said slowly causing my smile to vanish.

"I know.." i avoided her eyes and wanting to change the topic.

"Beta you need to forget and move on" ami's voice showed concern for me.

"Ami please i don't want to talk about it" i mustered up a little smile. She sighed and gladly let go of this topic.

After talking with her, i ended the call and sighed as my mind replayed the memories of years ago.

Usually everyone feels happy and excited about their birthdays, but not me. Because this day is also the day abu left from this world.

It was my sixth birthday and ami organised a party for me at home. Abu had to stay at office for some more hours and was late. But i being stubborn kept calling and pestering him to come back early. I even threatened to never talk to him if he doesn't come in time. That's why he left from office as soon as he completed his work and was in a rush while coming back. And that's when he got into an accident. It was an serious accident causing him to get severe injuries and he couldn't survive.

Ami broke down completely when she got the call from hospital.

The day which was supposed to be filled with good memories turned out to be the worst nightmare. I felt myself responsible for his death. Even when ami and nano consoled me not to blame myself and i tried to get over it for years, i still deep inside my heart feel like it was all my fault.

And from that day i started to dislike my own birthday. I never celebrated it after that day. And i don't want to ever again.

_________♡

I woke up feeling lower than any other day. It was my birthday. But i didn't even the tiniest bit of excited for it. Instead i wanted this day to finish as early as possible.

After taking a shower and reciting Surah Yaseen, i went downstairs for breakfast.

"Happy birthday beta" khala wished me. They also know that i dislike this day so they also don't force me to celebrate it and just wishes me. I thanked her and sat for breakfast.

"Happy birthday to my sabse pyaari dost" alizeh hugged me from behind and i chuckled as i thanked her.

Uncle and bhai also wished me. And they all didn't say or ask anything else, to which i was glad of.

After finishing breakfast we left for university with bhai.

Alizeh and i separated as we had different classes.

It was finally time for lunch break and i went towards the lockers because usually we girls join there before going to cafe. But today no one was there. I decided to check in cafe but they also weren't there. Not even the boys. I frowned.

I tried to call them but none of them picked up. I sighed as i heard the bell ring and since i had class so i rushed towards the classroom.

After getting free i again tried to find my friends. I checked almost everywhere but they were nowhere to be found.

As i was about to go inside, i saw adnan going towards the rooftop sneakily with a bunch of things in his hands.

I followed him as i was curious and because except of him i didn't saw any of my friends.

I followed him up till the rooftop making sure he doesn't notice me and a silent gasp left my mouth because of what i saw.

The whole area was decorated with balloons and fairy lights. Little cushions were placed for seating. And in the middle was a small sized table decorated with candles and a cake in the middle.

"Do some work too lazyass!" riya exclaimed smacking the head of ishaan.

"I am doing..!" he retorted back causing her to roll her eyes.

"Bhai be a little more fast" alizeh said to ali bhai who was blowing the balloons.

"You stay away from me!" eman hissed at adnan.

"Why buttercup? Does my presence distract you?" he smirked.

"Stop teasing my sister!" rayan glared at him.

"And guys hurry up we don't have much time left" he scolded everyone while they started doing their work more fastly.

I couldn't maintain my laugh looking at my chaotic friends.

"What are you guys doing?" their heads snapped towards me and their eyes widened as if they weren't expecting me.

"Sweetheart"

"Inaya"

They all gasped in surprise and exchanged nervous glances to each other.

"Uhm.. sweetheart you weren't supposed to be here yet" rayan sighed.

"Uhh we were planning a surprise for you since it's your birthday.." eman said nervously.

"We know you don't like to celebrate it but we can't see you unhappy like this" alizeh explained and rest of them nodded.

I looked at them blankly as i was processing everything.

They've been busy doing this? For me? How did i get such good friends? I felt tears collecting in my eyes.

"Shit.." they muttered collectively.

"Sweetheart i'm really sorry... w-we just wanted to make you happy" rayan said coming near me looking worried.

I sniffled and laughed through my tears, "N-no i just i-i'm so overwhelmed."

"So you are not angry with us?" everyone looked at me.

"Of course not i'm happy to have friends like you all" i chuckled and they relieved a sigh of relief.

"Sweetheart this is your day and you have all the rights to celebrate it" Rayan wiped my tears and i gave him a grateful smile.

"Ok ok let's cut the cake!" alizeh exclaimed breaking our moment.

I cut the cake while they sang and wished. To be honest it felt good. I thought i'd never be able to celebrate this day ever again, but they made me prove wrong. I love them soo much.

I took a piece of cake and fed them one by one.

"Happy birthday sweetheart" rayan wished as he fed me the cake before taking a bite himself.

"Guys.. thank you so much for this, i can't even express how grateful i am for all of you. This was too special for me." i thanked them genuinely as i felt myself getting emotional.

The girls embraced me in a tight group hug causing me to stumble a little.

"Wait wait there's still something left!" eman exclaimed while looking at rayan in excitement.

"What?" i frowned and asked.

He glanced at me nervously then went somewhere to get something.

I gasped when he came back with a guitar. Wait is he-

"Sweetheart it may not be that perfect as i just learned, but i'll try my best" with that he started playing the guitar and sang.

Main baarish ki boli samajhta nahi tha
Hawaaon se main yun ulajhta nahi tha

Hai seene mein dil bhi
Kahaan thi mujhe ye khabar

His voice so smooth that i felt myself melting.

Kahin pe hon raatein
Kahin pe savere
Awaargi hi rahi saath mere
Thehar ja, thehar ja

Kya haal ho gaya hai ye mera
Aankhein meri har jagah
Dhoondhe tujhe bewajah
Ye main hoon ya koi aur hai meri tarah

He looked at me with so much emotions in his eyes as if he wasn't just singing lyrics but truly telling me this.

Kaise hua kaise hua
Tu itna zaroori kaise hua

I smiled through my tears as he held my one hand and kissed my knuckles.

Kaise hua kaise hua
Tu itna zaroori kaise hua

Butterflies were jumping like crazy in my stomach.

Kaise hua kaise hua
Tu itna zaroori kaise hua

He finished off his song with a slow rhythm.

"Rayan.." i spoke but no words came out as i was so overwhelmed.

"Did you like it?" he asked rubbing a hand behind his neck.

"I loved it!" i exclaimed and kissed his cheek not caring that our friends were here too.

He chuckled and his ears and neck went red.

__________♡

"Where are we going?" i asked rayan.

We were enjoying with our friends when suddenly rayan held my hand and said that he wanted to take me somewhere.

"Be patient sweetheart" i groaned when he didn't tell me.

It was getting dark and the place where we were at was very isolated.

"Are you thinking of murdering me?" i asked playfully and he chuckled.

"I mean it's a very suitable place for murder" he laughed and i smiled too.

He stopped walking when we reached near a vacant land. No one was there but the place was calm and peaceful and the view was beautiful from here.

"Why are we here?" i frowned.

He smiled before speaking, "One day when i'll become successful enough to earn on my own, i want to buy this place and build a house here. It'd be our home and we will live here with our little family."

He finished off as my heart fluttered.

"It may seem a little stupid but sweetheart i'm really serious about you.. about us. I don't think i cam ever leave-" before he could finish his sentence i hugged him.

I hugged him tight and felt comfort in his warmth. He also wrapped his hands around me.

"What did i even do to deserve you" i sighed.

He chuckled and kissed the side of my hair, "You deserve the whole world sweetheart"

"You are that whole world for me" i whispered, it's the truth.

I love him soo much.

___________♡