Three days pass in a blink.
Aina's university break is still on, and most of her time is spent lounging around at home. Today, she's lying on her bed, scrolling through her phone, when a notification pops up.
It's a message from Rayyan.
Her heart skips a beat.
Rayyan:Hey, how are you?
She stares at the screen for a moment, a small smile creeping onto her lips. It's been days since the exhibition, but seeing his name still gives her butterflies.
She quickly sits up and types back.
Aina:Hey! I'm good, just being lazy at home. What about you?
His reply comes faster than she expects.
Rayyan:Same here. I finally got time to rest.
Rayyan:By the way… how's your project going?
Aina blinks.
He remembers her project?
Aina:Haha, honestly… I haven't touched it since the exhibition 😅 Taking a small break.
Rayyan:You deserve it. Your project was impressive. I still remember how confidently you explained it.
She blushes, staring at the screen. His words feel warm and sincere.
Aina:Thanks… that really means a lot. I didn't think you noticed.
Rayyan:I did. A lot more than you think.
Her heart thumps softly.
Their conversation keeps flowing. Aina has no idea how long they've been texting, but she doesn't want it to stop. Just seeing his name on the screen makes her cheeks warm.
Then Rayyan drops a surprise.
Rayyan:Oh, by the way, I'll be coming to your university after the break.
Her fingers pause over the keyboard.
Aina:Really? 😳 Why?
Rayyan:My supervisor wants me to discuss my final-year project with Dr. Hamid. She said I could get some expert advice.
Aina:Dr. Hamid? He's my advisor too…Rayyan:I know 😉
Her heart flutters again.
Is this just a coincidence? Or is fate being playful?
Aina:So… you'll be visiting our campus soon?
Rayyan:Yep. Who knows, maybe we'll bump into each other 👀
Aina:Then I'd better be prepared.
Rayyan:You already are.
She doesn't reply for a while. Instead, she lets the phone rest on her chest and stares at the ceiling.
Why do just a few words from him make her feel like this?
Two days later…
Aina stands in front of her mirror, holding a comb in one hand and her phone in the other. Her screen shows her old messages with Rayyan. She re-reads them for the tenth time.
"Who knows, maybe we'll bump into each other 👀"
Her heart skips again.
Today is the day.
She takes her time getting ready, more than usual. Her uni has always been just her uni… until now. Now it feels different. Exciting. Like something might happen.
She wears pleated, wide-leg pants in soft khaki, a black cropped T-shirt, and throws a loose checkered shirt over it. Casual but cool. Confident—without trying too hard.
One last look in the mirror. Her perfume is fresh and subtle.
"Chill, Aina," she whispers to herself. "You're just going to campus. Like always."
But deep down, she knows—it's not like always.
As soon as she steps through the university gate, her eyes instinctively search the crowd.
She's not even pretending.
She's looking for him.
But Rayyan isn't there.
Disappointed but hopeful, she heads to her first class. Then the second.
Still no sign.
With every passing minute, her mood dips. She doesn't want to admit it, but she can't focus. She barely hears what the lecturer is saying.
After class, Sarah nudges her."Hey, what topic did Sir assign for the project?"
Aina blinks, distracted. "I don't know, check it yourself," she snaps without realizing.
Sarah gives her a confused look, but Aina doesn't care.
She just wants to be alone.
Why didn't he show up? Wasn't he supposed to meet Dr. Hamid today?
The questions whirl around in her head like a storm.
Just as she's about to leave the corridor, Sarah calls out from behind.
"Wait—Dr. Hamid was asking for you!"
Aina stops, surprised. "Me?"
Sarah nods, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Yeah. I heard him say your name. Something about the project discussion."
Aina heads to Dr. Hamid's office, her steps light but steady. She raises her hand to knock—when—
Click.
The door opens from the inside.
She bumps into someone. Her body tilts backward, startled—
But before she can fall, a strong arm wraps around her waist, steadying her.
She gasps softly, eyes flying open.
She looks up, straight into a pair of familiar eyes.
Rayyan.
His hand still rests on her waist, brows furrowed slightly in concern.
"You okay?" he asks, calm and composed.
For a moment, Aina can't find her voice. Her heart races. Her mind blanks.
Rayyan's grip is firm, but there's amusement in his eyes now.
A small smirk curves on his lips."Do you have a habit of crashing into people?" he teases softly.
She blinks, trying to steady her breath. Her face flushes—not from the stumble, but from the closeness.
She quickly steps back, adjusting her shirt.
"No, I don't!" she says quickly, avoiding his eyes.
Rayyan raises an eyebrow, smirk deepening. "Oh? So it's just me, then?"
She opens her mouth—then shuts it again.
He chuckles and steps aside, letting her pass.
But as she walks past him, she still feels the warmth of his touch on her waist… and the teasing smirk he leaves behind.
Inside, Aina gathers herself.
"Hello, Dr. Hamid," she says politely.
Dr. Hamid looks up and nods. "Ah, Aina. Come in. I was just about to go over your project."
He dives right in. "So, how much of the work is done? Have you finalized the analysis section? The report looked incomplete."
Aina nods. "Yes, most of it's done. I just need to polish the conclusion and add the references. I'll submit the final version tomorrow."
"Good. Make sure the formatting is correct this time," he says, sighing as he returns to his screen.
She gives a quick smile and quietly slips out of the room.
As the door shuts behind her, she pauses.
Rayyan is right there, leaning casually against the wall, arms folded. His sleeves are pushed up, veins visible on his forearms. His hair looks slightly tousled, and somehow it makes him look even better—effortlessly hot.
He raises an eyebrow, a crooked smile playing on his lips.
"Done impressing the boss?" he asks, voice low and teasing.
Aina blinks, caught off guard—and very aware of how good he looks.
"Why are you here?" she asks, keeping her voice neutral. Cool.
He doesn't move. Still leaning, still smirking.
"Waiting."
"For what?"
His gaze lingers on her. "Maybe for you."
She stiffens. "Well, you shouldn't have. I don't want to talk right now."
She brushes past him without looking back.
But she can feel his eyes on her.
Rayyan watches her walk away. His smile fades slightly.
Something's off.
The last time they talked, she laughed. Teased him. But today, she's distant. Cold. Like she's hiding behind something.
That's not her.
He pushes off the wall and follows her.
Just as she reaches the stairwell, he gently catches her wrist.
She freezes.
"Aina," he says, his voice low. "What happened?"
She doesn't turn around.
"Is something bothering you?"
There's a pause.
Rayyan isn't teasing anymore. His voice is soft. Sincere.
And somehow… that makes it harder for her to hold it in.
She still doesn't look at him.
"Nothing," she says flatly. "And even if something did happen, why would I tell you?"
Rayyan's hand loosens on her wrist, surprised by her tone.
"We're not even friends," she says, sharper now. "We're just strangers who met at an exhibition. That's all."
She finally turns. Her eyes flash—not with anger, but something close to hurt.
"If we were friends, you could at least tell me when you're coming. Not leave me waiting like an idiot, thinking you'd show up."
As soon as the words leave her mouth, she freezes.
Wait around like an idiot?...
Her expression shifts.
She looks away, biting her cheek, her fingers fidgeting.
She speaks again, softer now.
"I mean—whatever. It's not a big deal. I just… had questions. Thought you'd show up. That's all."
But even she doesn't believe it.
Rayyan watches her. His usual smirk is gone.
A slow, knowing smile curves his lips.
"So," he says gently, "you were waiting for me."
Aina flushes red.
"I—That's not what I meant," she mutters. "You're reading too much into it."
But her voice has lost its edge. Her eyes flicker.
Rayyan steps a little closer, his voice low.
"No," he says. "I think I'm finally reading it right."
He watches her for a moment, the weight of her words—and the emotion behind them—still hanging in the air.
Then he exhales slowly, the corners of his mouth twitching in a small, regretful smile.
"Okay," he says softly, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
Aina looks at him, caught off guard by how genuine he sounds.
"I should've messaged you," he continues. "I didn't mean to leave you waiting. That wasn't fair."
There's a pause. His gaze stays steady on hers.
"Can I at least offer you a coffee… as a settlement?"
Aina blinks.
The knot in her chest starts to ease.
She crosses her arms. "A settlement?"
Rayyan shrugs, a playful glint back in his eyes. "Peace treaty. One coffee. And next time, I text before I disappear."
She narrows her eyes. "You think coffee can fix this?"
He leans in. "Not just any coffee. My treat. Extra shot. No waiting involved."
She rolls her eyes — but doesn't say no.
"Fine," she says after a beat, pretending to sound reluctant. "But only because I'm already too tired to argue."
Rayyan grins, clearly pleased with himself.
"Perfect," he says. "Let's call it the beginning of… not being strangers anymore."