Ferisha stood amidst the chaos, her hazel eyes, usually calm and calculating, now blazed with unrelenting fury. On one hand, she clutched her phone so tightly that it seemed ready to snap in two, while her gaze swept over the scene before her: the workers had utterly botched the construction of her dream estate, a sanctuary she had envisioned as her masterpiece.

"This..." Her voice was low and controlled, but it held a lethal warning before the inevitable explosion. "This is not what I approved."

The workers stood in nervous silence, their heads bowed, trying to avoid her piercing gaze. But it was no use. Ferisha's frustration boiled over, her tone sharp enough to cut steel. "Do you even realize what you've done? This was supposed to be perfect. Perfect! You've ruined everything!"

Unable to contain her anger, she punched in the number of the chief engineer. The call connected after a single ring. "You need to redesign the layout immediately," she snapped, her tone unforgiving. "Start from scratch if you have to, but I expect this mess will be fixed now. Do you understand?"

The engineer's calm voice filtered through the line, attempting to soothe her. "Miss Ahmed, I understand your frustration. Let's-"

Before the engineer could finish, another voice, deep and steady, interrupted on the other end of the line.

"Uncle, I've dropped off the documents you needed. They're on the desk."

Ferisha froze. The voice was smooth and rich, with a slight baritone that resonated like a melody. Her grip on the phone loosened as the anger in her hazel eyes gave way to something else-curiosity, or perhaps surprise.

"Thank you, beta," the engineer replied. "Did you already inform your father?"

"Yes, Uncle," the young man replied politely. "He'll join the meeting later."

"Alright. Are you heading back to college?"

"Yes, Uncle. I'll leave now."

"Okay. Drive safely, beta. Allāh Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz."

Ferisha remained still, her lips parted slightly as she processed the exchange. The engineer's voice returned to the call. "Miss Ahmed, as I was saying, I'll oversee everything personally and ensure this doesn't happen again."

But Ferisha barely heard him. The deep, velvety voice of the young man lingered in her mind, an uninvited echo that refused to fade. She barely managed a muttered acknowledgement before ending the call.

To Be Continued...🦋

Author’s Note

Hello my lovely readers,

Welcome to this story and thank you for being here. I am Author Sugy, and this is my original piece of work, written straight from my imagination and heart. I hope you enjoy every emotion woven into these pages.

This story is different from the usual love tales you have read. We often hear about love at first sight, but what if love begins before eyes ever meet? What if it starts with a voice, a connection, a single call? This is a story of love at first call.

At its core, this is the story of a doctor and a stalker, a tale of obsession that blurs the line between devotion and madness. It is the story of a girl who loves intensely, obsessively, and unapologetically. A girl who gives Prince Treatment, even when her love is dangerous, misunderstood, and darkly beautiful.

Read with an open mind and heart. Your support, votes, and comments mean everything to me. 💙

The clock on the wall ticked relentlessly, marking the passage of yet another sleepless hour. Ferisha lay tangled in her sheets, tossing and turning as though her bed had become a battlefield. A soft groan escaped her lips, a sound of frustration mingled with exhaustion. Two weeks had passed, and yet the memory of that voice haunted her like an unshakable spectre.

She pressed her palms against her ears as if to drown out the ghostly echo of his words. But the effort was futile. The voice lingered-not sharp, not distinct, but persistently sweet, weaving itself into the threads of her thoughts. It was maddening.

Finally, with a sigh that was part exasperation and part surrender, she sat up abruptly. Her hands flew to her head, and she raked her fingers through her hair, turning the once, sleek strands into a wild, tangled mess.

"What the hell?" she muttered under her breath, her voice thick with irritation. "Ya Allah, Why can't I stop thinking about him? Allah! What's wrong with me?"

Her voice broke into a whine as she hugged her knees to her chest. "What should I do? I can't sleep."

The weight of her restlessness pressed on her chest like a suffocating blanket. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she slipped out of bed, her bare feet padding softly against the cool tiles. She left her room, her destination clear, and soon found herself at the far end of the dimly lit second floor.

There it was-her brother's door. Solid, unyielding, yet somehow comforting in its familiarity. Without a second thought, she raised her fist and banged on it, her frustration finding release in the sharp sound of her knocks.

"Bhaiiiiii! Open the door. I can't sleep," she called out, her voice tinged with desperation.

Silence.

She frowned and knocked again, louder this time. "Bro!!! Please open the door. How can you sleep when I'm still awake?"

Still, no response.

She began knocking in earnest, her fists pounding rhythmically against the door until her knuckles ached. When that wasn't enough, she leaned forward, resting her forehead against the wood, and continued her plea.

"Bhaijaan! Please! I'm going mad here. Bhai... Bhai... Bhai, please open the door!"

Her voice grew louder, more insistent, until finally, with an audible click, the door swung open. Ferisha caught off guard, stumbled forward, landing squarely in her brother's arms.

A young man, 21 years old and strikingly handsome, stood in front of her. Ariz Raees Ahmed, Ferisha's elder brother, exuded an effortless charm even in his state of half-asleep dishevelment. He wore a half-sleeved t-shirt that clung to his broad, muscular frame, the fabric stretched taut over his defined arms and chest. His full, length trousers hung comfortably, hinting at his casual demeanour, but it was his presence that demanded attention.

His hair was a tousled mess, as though he had just woken up, which he had and he stifled a yawn, his blue eyes glinting sleepily in the dim light. The combination of his fair olive skin, well-defined features, and the faint shadow of irritation on his face made him look both rugged and captivating.

"Ferisha," he muttered, his voice low and gravelly, "what is it now?" His tone carried a mix of exhaustion and brotherly patience, but his commanding presence was enough to quiet her frantic energy-if only for a moment.

Ferisha looked up at him, her face a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Bhai, I can't sleep."

Aariz sighed, his broad shoulders drooping slightly with fatigue, but he didn't hesitate. Wrapping his arms around her, he gently pulled her inside and shut the door behind them with a soft click. "But I need to sleep, sweetheart," he said, his voice laced with mock exasperation."I have college in the morning. So please, take my bed, get some rest, and let me do the same."

Ferisha let out a dramatic whine. "Bhai!!!" (Bro!!)

Aariz silenced her with a single raised finger, pressing it to his lips. "Shhh. No 'Bhai,' no complaints. I'm letting you sleep in my room, and you should be grateful I didn't just throw you out. Now, stop complaining and sleep."

Without waiting for her protests, he guided her to the bed, his grip firm but gentle. He tucked her in, pulling the quilt snugly around her, and before she could protest further, he turned away and sank onto the wide couch that dominated one corner of the room-a piece he'd chosen specifically for situations like this. Dragging his quilt over himself, he stretched out, his long frame fitting comfortably, and closed his eyes.

For a moment, silence reigned, broken only by the sound of Ferisha shifting restlessly under the covers. Aariz could feel her gaze, persistent and unrelenting, even with his eyes shut. With a resigned sigh, he cracked one eye open, only to find her sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of him, her sparkling blue eyes fixed intently on his face.

He groaned, sitting up slowly and raking a hand through his already messy hair. "Fine," he said, his voice tinged with both amusement and defeat. "Tell me-what's the problem now?"

Ferisha smiled, her face lighting up with an innocence that seemed to belong to a little girl rather than an 18-year-old. Her delicate features, framed by her loose, dark hair, radiated a charm that made it impossible for anyone to stay angry with her for long. As the only daughter in her small family, she was the apple of everyone's eye, and her giggle was a weapon no one could resist.

Seeing her grin, Ariz's frustration melted away. A faint, sleepy smile tugged at the corners of his lips, softening his sharp features. Though exhaustion still clouded his eyes, an undeniable warmth shone through as he looked at her.

"Stop giggling and just tell me," he said, shaking his head with a mock annoyance. "Tell me! What's your problem?"

Ferisha stood up and plopped herself beside him on the couch. Her small hands clasped his arm tightly, and she leaned her head against him, rubbing her cheek against his bicep like a kitten seeking comfort.

"Bhai," she murmured, her voice soft and uncertain. "I don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't sleep. I... I can't sleep bro. There's this voice... it's lingering in my head."

Aariz raised an eyebrow, his confusion is evident. "A voice? What kind of voice, my dear?"

She confessed, almost shyly. "A guy's voice."

Aariz blinked, taken aback. "A male voice? Seriously? You don't even like boys, you hate them. Then how come you're hearing a boy's voice? Wait! Maybe it's a ghost. Yeah, for sure. It must have come to greet you." he teased turning the situation from serious to comedy.

Ferisha pouted, her lips forming a perfect, exaggerated curve. "Bro! I'm not joking here. I'm damn serious. And that's the main problem! I do hate boys. All of them-well, except a few. But him... His voice is stuck in my mind. I just can't get it out."

Aariz leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Who's this boy?"

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Aariz asked, frowning.

Ferisha sighed, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I heard his voice two weeks ago. I was shouting at the engineer on a call, and I heard him speaking on the other end. I didn't see him-I just heard his voice."

Aariz stared at her, his expression shifting between disbelief and amusement. "Let me get this straight. You don't know him, you've never met him, but his voice is haunting you?"

Ferisha nodded, her cheeks growing even warmer. "Yes."

Aariz sighed, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable, Ferisha. What am I supposed to do about this now?"

Ferisha let out a whine, her stress mingling with her natural cuteness. "I don't know, Bhai! I just don't know. What should I do?"

Aariz, desperate for sleep and clutching at his last thread of patience, suddenly had an idea. "Fine," he said, sitting up straighter. "I'll help you. I'll talk to that engineer and ask about him, okay?"

Her face lit up, but then her lips pursed in hesitation. "Okay! But..."

Aariz groaned, throwing his head back in mock despair. "Now what?" he cried, feigning a dramatic wail.

Ferisha played with her fingers nervously. "What do I do then?"

He sighed, rubbing his temples as if he were in physical pain. "Uf Allah! Feri!!! Please, we'll figure that out later. For now, just go to sleep. You have school tomorrow, remember? Please, my little apple of my eyes, I beg you. Go. To. Sleep."

Seeing her brother's exaggerated antics, Ferisha couldn't help but giggle. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she dashed to his bed and flopped down with a playful grin. "Okay, okay. I'll sleep. You take rest, Mr. Big B."

Aariz glared at her, though the corners of his mouth twitched with suppressed amusement. "Now dare to disturb me again," he warned, his voice stern. "And I swear I'll throw you out of my room."

Ferisha pulled the quilt up to her chin, hiding her grin. "Hehe. Sorry. I'm asleep now," she said sweetly, pretending to close her eyes.

Aariz sighed deeply, sinking back onto his couch. He had barely rested his head on the pillow when he heard her voice again, soft and teasing.

"Bhai!"

He bolted upright, narrowing his eyes at her. "Ferisha, you-"

But she was quicker. Giggling uncontrollably, she pulled the quilt over her head, shielding herself from his pretend wrath.

Aariz shook his head, laughing quietly to himself. "She's so cute I can't even throw her out. Allah help me," he muttered, a fond smile creeping onto his face.

He turned off the lamp and lay back down, his tone playful but firm. "This is your final warning, Ferisha."

Finally, the two siblings settled into a comfortable silence, their bond unshaken by the night's mischief. Moments later, the soft rhythm of their breathing filled the room as they drifted into a peaceful sleep.

The soft morning light filtered through the windows as Aariz woke promptly at 6 a.m. He moved through his routine with practised efficiency, freshening up and dressing in a casual outfit-an understated yet stylish sweatpants and shirt . He grabbed his gym bag and tiptoed out of the room, careful not to disturb his sleeping little sister.

The air was crisp when he arrived at the gym. The familiar rhythm of his workout calmed him, each rep and stretch grounding him for the day ahead. By 8 a.m., he returned home, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

One of the house helpers met him at the door, holding out a steaming cup of coffee. "Good morning, sir," the helper said politely.

Aariz took the cup and said, "Good Morning. Ferisha is still asleep?"

The helper nodded. "I believe so, sir."

"Alright. Get breakfast ready," Aariz instructed, sipping his coffee as he made his way back to his room.

When he pushed the door open, the sight before him made him pause. Ferisha lay sprawled on the bed, her features soft and peaceful, her breath slow and even. Aariz couldn't help but smile. For all her antics, she was still his little princess, and moments like this reminded him of just how young and innocent she truly was.

But the moment of sentimentality didn't last long. With a mischievous grin, Aariz stepped closer to the bed and, in one swift motion, yanked the quilt off her.

"Feri, run! Earthquake!" he shouted, his voice filled with mock urgency.

Ferisha's eyes snapped open, and in her panic, she scrambled to get off the bed. But her movements were clumsy, and before she could regain her balance, she tumbled to the floor with an unceremonious thud.

Aariz burst out laughing, clutching his sides as he watched her sit on the floor, disoriented and indignant.

Holding her arm, Ferisha's face crumpled, and tears welled up in her eyes. "You always do this! Why??" she wailed, her voice a mix of hurt and frustration.

Still laughing, Aariz shrugged. "Because you always disturb my sleep. Fair payback, don't you think?"

Ferisha's tears turned into full-blown crying as she called out, "Daddddddd!"

Aariz smirked, leaning casually against the bedpost. "Dad and Mom aren't home, sweetheart. Now get up, go to your room, and get ready. Or you'll be late."

Sniffling, Ferisha glared at him through her tears. "You're the worst!" she muttered, dragging herself to her feet and stomping off toward her room.

Aariz chuckled softly, shaking his head as he watched her retreat. "Little drama queen," he murmured affectionately before finishing his coffee and heading out to start the rest of his day.

After getting ready, Ferisha descended the staircase with an air of indignation, her steps deliberate and her expression set in a pout. At the dining table, she sat down, her piercing gaze fixed on Aariz as if she could bore holes into his soul. Aariz, however, remained unfazed, meeting her fiery stare with a mischievous grin that only deepened her annoyance.

"Good morning, Princess," he teased, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

She huffed, stabbing at her breakfast with more force than necessary, choosing to remain silent, though her expression spoke volumes.

Once breakfast was over, Aariz grabbed his car keys and motioned for her to follow. The drive to her school was uneventful, save for the occasional sideways glance from Ferisha, which Aariz countered with smug smirks.

As they reached the school gate, Ferisha got out of the car, turning to face her brother with a defiant look. "I'll make you pay for this, Bhai," she declared, her tone full of conviction.

Aariz leaned back in his seat, smirking. "Yeah, yeah. First, focus on your exams, Miss Revenge. Don't forget your boards are in just two months."

Ferisha narrowed her eyes at him. "Wait for me, Aariz Raees Ahmed. Once I join college, I'll be at your level. Then you'll see who I am!"

Aariz chuckled, mimicking her tone dramatically. "Wait for her, huh? Ooooh, I'm so scared." He gestured toward the school entrance. "Now go inside before I have to push you in myself."

With a flick of her hair and an exaggerated turn of her head, Ferisha stormed off toward the school gate, her bag swinging behind her. Aariz watched her go, shaking his head and smiling softly at her theatrics.

The guard saluted Aariz as he passed, and Aariz nodded in return before driving off, his day already brightened by his sister's antics.

After finishing his classes, Aariz made his way to the office where the engineer worked. Determined to help his sister, he asked to speak with him, but luck wasn't on his side-the engineer was out of town on a work assignment. Aariz sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. He didn't like disappointing Ferisha, but there wasn't much he could do at the moment.

Later that afternoon, he arrived at her school to pick her up. Ferisha climbed into the car silently, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed out the window. Aariz glanced at her, noting the pout that hadn't left her face since morning.

"Still mad at me, huh?" he asked, but she didn't respond.

Smiling to himself, he decided to break her sulkiness. Instead of heading straight home, he drove to her favourite café.

"Where are we going?" she finally asked, her curiosity overriding her annoyance.

"You'll see," Aariz replied, his tone playful.

When they arrived, he ushered her inside and ordered her favourite chocolate pastry and boba milk tea. As the server placed the treats in front of her, Ferisha's eyes lit up despite herself. Aariz chuckled, watching her mood shift.

"Don't think this means I've forgiven you," she muttered, though she was already taking a bite of the pastry.

"Of course not," Aariz replied with mock seriousness. "This is just damage control."

As she sipped her tea and nibbled on her dessert, Aariz decided it was time to tell her. "So, I went to the engineer's office today..."

Ferisha paused mid-bite, her eyes widening with hope. "And? Did you find out about him?"

Ariz's expression softened. "Unfortunately, no. The engineer's out of town for work."

Her face fell, the sparkle in her eyes dimmed. "Oh..."

"But," Aariz said quickly, leaning closer to her, "don't be sad, okay? I promise I'll find him for you. No matter how long it takes, I'll figure it out."

Her lips curved into a hesitant smile, and she looked up at him with a mixture of gratitude and affection. "Bhai?"

"Really," Aariz confirmed, his voice warm and sincere.

Unable to hold back her happiness, Ferisha grinned brightly. Aariz reached over and gently ruffled her hair, his hand lingering as if to comfort her.

"That's my little sister," he said, his tone teasing but full of love.

As they finished their snacks, the bond between them felt even stronger. Aariz knew this was just the beginning of the search, but for now, seeing his sister happy was all that mattered.

To Be Continued...🦋

Aariz had tried to brush off the thought of finding the mysterious voice his sister was obsessing over. However, as the days passed, Ferisha’s restlessness became impossible to ignore. She stayed up late into the night, her eyes shadowed with exhaustion, or spent hours lost in thought, her usually bubbly personality dulled.

Seeing his little sister so troubled began to gnaw at Aariz. He found himself thinking more and more about the strange pull that this voice seemed to have on her.

What was it about this voice that had shaken her so deeply?

One late night, unable to hold back his curiosity any longer, Aariz decided to confront her. He knocked softly on her door and stepped inside. Ferisha was sitting cross-legged on her bed, a bag of chips in her lap, munching absently as she stared at the wall.

“Feri, can I ask you something?” he began, his tone hesitant yet gentle.

She blinked and turned to him, her mouth full of chips. “What?” she mumbled.

Aariz took a seat on the edge of her bed, leaning forward slightly. “What is it about that voice that’s keeping you awake? I mean, I’ve seen people get obsessed with songs, movies, even books... but a voice? I’ve never seen anyone lose sleep over it.”

Ferisha sighed, setting the bag of chips aside. She pulled her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them as she thought about her answer. “I don’t know how to explain it, Bhai,” she admitted, her voice quiet. “It’s not just a voice. It’s the way it made me feel when I heard it. Like... it wasn’t just sound. It felt like...”

“Like what?” Aariz prompted, his brows furrowing in concern.

“Like it reached inside me,” she said, searching for the right words. “Like it spoke to something in me I didn’t even know was there. It was calm, warm, but strong. I don’t know who he is, but I can’t stop thinking about how it felt to hear him speak.”

Aariz frowned, trying to process what she was saying. “You mean... it felt personal? Like it was meant for you?”

She nodded slowly. “Yes, exactly.”

He studied her face, and the sincerity in her eyes made it impossible to dismiss her feelings. Aariz sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “You really are something else, Feri. Falling for a voice,” he muttered.

“I’m not falling for it!” she retorted, her cheeks flushing. “It’s just... I need to know who he is. I feel like I won’t be able to rest until I do.”

Aariz looked at her, the corners of his mouth twitching into a faint smile despite himself. “You’re one of a kind, you know that?”

“Does that mean you’ll help me for sure?” she asked, her voice tinged with hope.

He sighed dramatically. “What choice do I have? You’re clearly not going to let this go.”

Ferisha giggled.

Aariz leaned back slightly, chuckling as he watched his sister light up with excitement. “Well,” he said, trying to sound casual, “if you want, you can come to my room. You can sleep there.”

Before he even finished the sentence, Ferisha shot up from her bed, her eyes sparkling. “I was waiting for this, honestly!” she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face.

In her usual whirlwind manner, she grabbed her half-eaten bag of chips, her phone, and her trusty pillow, clutching everything like precious treasures. Aariz couldn’t hold back his laughter as he watched her hurriedly bounce around, her enthusiasm radiating through the room.

Then she leapt off her bed, the little tail of her green dinosaur onesie swishing adorably behind her as she ran toward the door. Aariz shook his head, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

As she reached the hallway, he muttered to himself, “Allah! When is this girl ever going to grow up?”

Ferisha turned her head to stick her tongue out at him before disappearing into his room. Aariz sighed, running a hand down his face, but the smile didn’t leave. Her energy might be endless, but moments like this reminded him of how much he cherished her.

He followed her to his room, knowing full well his bed had already been “hijacked.”

Aariz wasted no time the next day. Determined to address his sister’s growing restlessness, he immediately dialled the engineer’s number. When the call connected, Aariz greeted him and got straight to the point.

“Sir, I need your help,” Aariz stated, projecting confidence. “I’m looking for someone, and I believe you may know who I’m talking about.”

The engineer, clearly occupied, sounded distracted. “Who are you referring to? I deal with many people daily. Be more specific.”

Aariz took a deep breath and pressed on. “It’s someone my sister overheard during a call with you the time when our Mansion construction went wrong. A young man—his voice made a lasting impression on her. I understand it sounds unusual, but I need to identify him.”

The engineer paused briefly before responding, “I’m sorry, but I can’t recall who you mean. I’ve been swamped with work. Perhaps when I’m back in town, we can discuss this in detail. Give me two weeks.”

Aariz hesitated for a moment but then firmly agreed. “Alright. Two weeks it is, but I need you to remember this.”

Once the call ended, Aariz leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. Two weeks felt lengthy, especially with Ferisha’s impatience escalating by the day.

The next two weeks proved challenging. Every evening when Aariz returned home, whether from college, the gym, or meeting friends, Ferisha would be waiting for him, her hopeful eyes lighting up the moment he walked through the door.

“Bhai!” she called out eagerly. “Did you find him?”

Each time, Aariz sighed and placed a reassuring hand on her head. “Not yet, Feri. You need to be patient.”

However, patience was not Ferisha’s strong suit, and Aariz knew this all too well. He could see the disappointment flicker across her face, even though she attempted to mask it. It was wearing on him too—watching her become increasingly consumed by this unknown voice.

Despite his reassurances, Aariz found himself pondering her restlessness more.

What was it about that voice that had captivated her so intensely?

And what would happen if they never found him?

As the two weeks dragged on, Aariz resolutely committed to doing whatever it took to bring a smile back to his sister’s face, even if it meant stepping far outside his comfort zone. For now, he would wait, but he wouldn’t let this matter rest for long.

___

Two weeks had passed, yet the engineer still had not returned. Aariz was left with no choice but to wait for him to arrive.

___

The Next Month.

Ferisha lay on her bed, her heart racing with anticipation. It was her 18th birthday, and she knew her family would surprise her, as they always did. She glanced at the clock, willing the hands to move faster.

When the clock struck 12, she sat up with a confident smile, eyes fixed on the door. She expected the familiar sound of footsteps, the cheerful knock, the door swinging open with her family bearing gifts and laughter.

But nothing happened.

Her smile faded, replaced by irritation. She checked the clock again. “It’s already 12. Why hasn’t anyone come?” she murmured, disappointment creeping into her voice.

She waited longer, her hope dwindling with each tick of the clock. By 12:05, her heart sank. This had never happened before. Her family had never forgotten her birthday. And Aariz, her brother, was always the first to burst into her room with a teasing grin and warm wishes. Where was he?

Resolutely, she climbed out of bed, the initial excitement now giving way to concern. She tiptoed to the door and cracked it open, peering into the dimly lit hallway. Silence reigned.

Stepping out, she surveyed the corridor. Nothing. The house, usually vibrant with energy, now felt hauntingly still. She marched to Aariz’s room, her bare feet brushing against the cool floor.

At his door, she pressed her ear against it, determined to catch any sound—a shuffle, a voice, anything. But it was silent. Frustration bubbled inside her.

She knocked firmly, calling out, “Bhai? Are you in there?” Yet, still, no response.

Feeling defeated but resolute, she turned away from the door and descended the staircase. The lavish hall below loomed in shadows, faintly illuminated by the dim LED lights. The house, once her sanctuary, felt alien now.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she paused, her eyes adjusting to the low light. Disappointment pressed against her chest like a stone. “Did they really forget?” she thought, her determination hardening with each passing moment.

Ferisha positioned herself on the last stair, her elbows resting firmly on her knees, hands cupping her cheeks. Disappointment weighed heavily on her heart, draining away the excitement she had felt. She glared into the dimly lit hall, determined to understand how everyone could forget such a crucial day.

Just as she let out an exasperated sigh, the house erupted into life. All the lights flickered on simultaneously, flooding the space with a warm, golden glow.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as the hall transformed dramatically. The sleek black and silver theme creates a sophisticated ambiance, with a shimmering sequin backdrop that adds a luxurious touch. The illuminated "Happy Birthday" neon sign takes center stage, making the decoration look more glamorous.

The large "18" numbers with glowing lights stand out, signifying a milestone moment in Ferisha's life. Surrounding the display are clusters of black, silver, and metallic balloons, arranged by her brother to match her taste. The combination of glossy and transparent balloons with glittery elements adds depth and texture to the decoration.



“Happy Birthday, Feri!” her family shouted in unison, their voices ringing through the hall.

She blinked, her mouth dropping open as she took in the surprising scene. Aariz stepped forward, a mischievous grin plastered on his face, holding a bouquet of roses in one hand and a party hat in the other. “You didn’t honestly think we’d forget, did you?” he teased, placing the hat firmly on her head.

Their parents emerged from behind him, clapping and beaming with warmth. “Surprise, darling!” her mother declared, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Ferisha’s shock swiftly shifted to laughter, her cheeks flushing with a mix of joy and playful indignation. “You guys are unbelievable!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with delight.

Aariz chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. “Unbelievable? Honestly, Feri, admit it—we pulled off the ultimate surprise!”

She couldn't suppress her laughter, tears of happiness welling up in her eyes. “You absolutely did,” she confessed, her heart swelling with gratitude as she surveyed the people she cherished most.

“Now, make a wish,” Aariz urged, gesturing to the cake. “And don’t take your time. I’m starving.”

Everyone laughed, and Ferisha confidently stepped toward the cake, the candles flickering brightly before her. She closed her eyes, a smile firmly settling on her lips as she made her wish.

When she opened them, she blew out the candles to the thunderous cheers and applause, feeling more ecstatic than she had in weeks.

It was the triumphant beginning to her 18th birthday.

__

After the birthday celebration wrapped up, Aariz led Ferisha to his room with a purposeful stride. She followed closely, balancing the remaining pieces of her birthday cake in her hands, a triumphant grin lighting up her face.

“Bhai! My cake's going to fall,” she half-heartedly protested, her tone playful yet firm. “Where are we headed?”

Aariz glanced back at her, a confident smirk on his lips. “Just come with me. You’ll see.”

Once they entered his room, Ferisha confidently dropped onto the couch, instantly prioritizing her cake over her surroundings. As Aariz moved toward his wardrobe, she caught a glimpse of him sifting through it but held off her curiosity until he pulled out a file and approached her, extending it with a teasing grin.

“Here’s your birthday gift,” he declared, his voice filled with mischief.

Ferisha eyed the file with a hint of suspicion. “What’s this? Are you seriously gifting me a house in LA?” she asked, her excitement palpable.

Aariz let out a laugh, settling next to her with an air of assurance. “Trust me, it’s something way better,” he teased.

Intrigued, Ferisha handed him her cake without hesitation. “Hold this,” she commanded playfully, grabbing a wet wipe from the side table to clean her hands. Once content, she took the file, anticipation bubbling within her.

As she opened it, her brows furrowed at the sight of a man’s picture clipped to the top page. Confusion washed over her as she looked up at Aariz. “Who’s this? Bhai, don’t tell me you and Mom-Dad are trying to marry me off. That’s not happening!”

Aariz rolled his eyes, suppressing a groan. “Stop being so dramatic, Feri. If this were a marriage proposal, I’d be the first in line to get married. Now, focus and look properly.”

Still skeptical, she pointed insistently at the photo. “Then who is this guy?”

With a composed demeanour, Aariz leaned back, crossing his arms, a smirk dancing on his lips. “Someone you’ve desperately wanted to meet. Your love at first call.”

Ferisha froze, her eyes widening with realization. She snapped her gaze back to the file, intently studying the striking man in the picture. Her heartbeat quickened as clarity dawned on her.

“He’s the one?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Aariz, already enjoying her leftover cake with satisfaction, nodded affirmatively. “He’s the one. Your first love.”

Pure joy erupted on Ferisha’s face. She eagerly flipped through the file, absorbing the details. The man’s name was clearly typed at the top: Zehraan Ali Nawaz.

Her lips curled into a triumphant smile as she spoke his name softly yet assertively, “Zehraan Ali Nawaz.”

Ariz observed her reaction, feeling a mixture of amusement and pride. Seeing his sister this happy made all his efforts undeniably worthwhile.

To Be Continued... 🦋