Dua’s POV

I stepped into the university, and an uneasy feeling hit hard on my chest. Ignoring it, I continued walking toward what felt like my own destruction, unknowingly.

A smile spread across my lips as I looked around, realizing my dream had come true. I was finally here.

"Come," Rabiya said, beginning to walk inside, and I followed her. I was still mesmerized by the university’s beauty. This was the same university where my papa earned his degree, and now I would earn mine too. I was on cloud nine.

Lost in my own world, I bumped into someone and nearly fell, but that person caught my hand. My hair fell all over my face, and I was almost halfway to the floor. My heartbeat accelerated as I realized I would have fallen badly on my first day if that person hadn’t held me.

I slowly turned to look at him, my hair falling to the other side, and our eyes met.

I found the most handsome man—after Momin, of course—staring at me with astonishment, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

He held my hand tightly, pulling me up. I nearly crashed into his chest, but I placed my hand on his chest, keeping a distance. His piercing blue eyes didn’t leave mine, and I suddenly felt uncomfortable under his gaze, stepping back.

"Uh… thank you," I said meekly.

He tilted his head, searching for something, ignoring Rabiya.

"Ruhan," Rabiya called beside me, trying to get his attention. He finally turned toward her.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned. He bent his head, glancing at me again before saying,

"I’m dead," a small smile curving his lips. I tried to hide behind Rabiya.

"What!!" Rabiya exclaimed in confusion.

"Who is she?" he asked, ignoring her. Rabiya smiled.

"She is Dua, my cousin from India," Rabiya explained.

"Dua…"

A shiver ran down my spine as he uttered my name. But it was a bad, unsettling feeling.

---

Author’s POV

"Aj tak suna tha… ki Dua khubsurat hoti hai… aaj dekh bhi liya"

(Till now I had heard that Dua is beautiful… today I saw it for myself)

A pinkish blush spread across my cheeks without my knowing. It was the first time a boy had openly complimented me besides Momin. I knew the feeling of being praised by Momin, but to be praised by someone else—especially this handsome boy—was something new, something different. Considering I was only an eighteen-year-old girl who had always been sheltered, it was natural for me to feel a whirlwind of emotions.

"OMG! You’re speaking Urdu? That’s shocking!" Rabiya exclaimed. He ignored her and walked toward me.

"Welcome to my world, Dua," he said, dabbing his finger on my cheeks with a smile before walking away, leaving me utterly confused. I stared at where he had gone.

---

Momin’s POV (interlude)

"This is for you," Maham placed a glass of juice in front of Momin, staring at him. He had just come out of the washroom after freshening up.

"Thank you," he said, throwing the towel aside, picking up the glass, and taking a sip while scrolling on his mobile.

Maham waited for him to tell her to sit beside him, but he was absorbed in his phone.

"Momin," she called softly, affection lacing her voice. He looked up questioningly.

"Uh…"

She stopped, cheeks heating in embarrassment as his gaze met hers. She had let his name slip unintentionally and didn’t know what to say next.

"Why are you standing there? Sit," he said, gesturing to the couch and saving her from answering.

"So… what were you saying?" he prompted.

"I was… uh… will you take me to my friend’s place tomorrow before going to the office?" she asked nervously, fearing refusal. He glanced at her and nodded, making her smile.

"Thank you."

---

Dua’s POV

"Oh God! That class was so boring," Rabiya and her friends exclaimed as they walked out.

"Yeah, it was," I mumbled. I hated history. In my view, what was the point of learning about dead people? I didn’t understand why history mattered in education. They were dead, and so were their stories.

"Let’s go to the canteen," Rabiya suggested, and her friends agreed.

"But I want to go to the library. I want to see it," I said. I wasn’t someone who loved studying, but I loved exploring—big libraries, labs, and halls fascinated me.

"No, first we eat, then I’ll take you to the library," Rabiya said, shaking her head. Having no other option, I nodded.

We—Rabiya, her two friends Amy and Laiba, and I—settled at a table. Amy and Rabiya went to get our order while I started talking with Laiba.

"Hello, ladies," Ruhan appeared at our table out of nowhere.

"Oh God! Ruhan, you scared me!" Laiba exclaimed, clutching her chest. I was startled too but tried to hide it.

"Oh, sorry. I just got excited seeing Dua here," he said, sitting in front of me.

"Don’t even think about flirting with my cousin," Rabiya warned as she returned with our food.

"Sorry, I’m not thinking about flirting," he said in an offended tone. I looked up at him, uncomfortable.

"I am flirting with her," he said boldly, staring at me. I felt my cheeks heat under his gaze.

"Ruhan… she’s not the type of girl you usually hang around with," Rabiya said, trying to intervene.

"I know, that’s why I’m here. Otherwise, you know how girls chase me—I don’t chase them," he said.

"Bia… I’m leaving. Will you come to the library with me?" I asked, getting up, feeling uncomfortable. The canteen was full of students holding each other, talking, and even kissing openly. My adventurous side was thrilled, but my innocent, sheltered side was scared.

"Dua… I brought the food. You should eat first; I won’t come without it," Rabiya said, shoving a burger in her mouth.

"I don’t want it. I’ll go," I said, walking toward the library. My eyes shone with excitement—the campus was my dream, and it was more beautiful than I imagined.

Suddenly, loud voices stopped me.

"Hey, fresher!"

I turned to see a gang of boys and girls approaching.

"New admission?" they asked. I nodded, trying to appear confident.

"Name?"

"Dua."

"From?"

"India."

"Hmm… pretty," one boy mumbled, smirking as he appraised me.

"Take off that thing and tie it around your head," he ordered, pointing to my scarf. I narrowed my eyes.

"I will not," I snapped, shocking them.

"Yes, you will, or face the consequences," a girl yelled, glaring at me.

"You guys can’t rag me. I’ll complain," I threatened, enraging them further.

*"You bitch…" the girl advanced, but before she could touch me, someone intervened.

"Won’t! Woahh! Woahh!!" Ruhan stood in front of me, hands raised. He seemed surprised by my feisty side, but when he noticed Lara’s anger, he had to step in.

"Ruh… move away. I’ll teach her a lesson for messing with us."

"Lara… darling, calm down. She’s my friend, and you all can’t rag her," he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, leaving me stunned.

"What? You know her?!" they asked. Ruhan nodded.

They hesitated, realizing that if Ruhan made friends with someone, that person must be special.

"Fine… leaving you because she’s your friend. Otherwise, no one could save you," a boy muttered, dragging Lara away.

"Keep her away from me!" she yelled before disappearing.

"What the hell!" I exclaimed, pushing his hand away.

"You should be thankful I saved you," he said sharply.

"I don’t need anyone’s help. I could’ve handled them myself," I said, holding my head high.

"Yeah, right," he rolled his eyes. "Before jumping into fights, learn about your opponents." With that, he walked away.

I sighed with relief, sitting on a nearby bench and pulling out my phone.

---

Dua’s POV – Night Call

"Assalamualaikum!"

"Walaikum assalam," Momin’s sleepy voice came. I realized it must be night there and palm-faced myself.

"I’m sorry, I forgot it’s night there."

"It’s okay, Dua. I’ve given you enough rights to call me anytime, anywhere," he said, his romantic words fluttering my heart. I smiled shyly.

"Hmm… I’m missing you," I mumbled, pouting.

"I knew you couldn’t live without me," he said happily.

"I can’t," I admitted. I felt horrible facing just a little trouble. I always ran to Momin for comfort, but now he wasn’t here to protect me or deal with those who troubled me.

"Dua…"

"Momin, I’m fine," I hastily reassured him before he could panic and call Hamdan bhai.

"Then why do you sound so low?" he asked. I told him everything—except about Ruhan touching me. Momin was very possessive; he couldn’t bear anyone laying a hand on me, let alone touching me.

"Dua, you should be careful. You don’t know anyone there. They could be dangerous. And we should be thankful that he saved you," Momin said, sighing. I felt bad for snapping at Ruhan instead of thanking him.

"I’ll thank him," I promised.

We talked a little more before I had to hang up for class.

---

"Lara and her gang?!" Rabiya shrieked. "And they left you unharmed?!"

"Ruhan saved me!" Amy reminded her. I rolled my eyes.

"I heard they wouldn’t spare you if Ruhan wasn’t there."

"Oh yeah! You should thank him. He saved you from the devils," Rabiya said.

"Yeah, I will thank him, but I didn’t see him after that incident," I said. It was time to go back to the hostel, and I wanted to thank him and apologize for my inconsiderate behavior.

"He must have left," Rabiya shrugged.

"Hmm… I’ll thank him tomorrow," I decided, and we walked out of the university toward our hostel.

★★★★