Novel

" Humnava "

Writer: Arisa Rashid

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Episode 1

∂σит ¢σρу ραѕтє ωιтнσυт му ρєямιѕѕισи. ❌

“I didn’t do anything, teacher! Teacher, she was the one who was shouting,” she cried—but the person in front of her didn’t seem to care at all. He poured a full bottle of cold water over her.

“Hahahaha!” laughing loudly, they all walked out of the classroom, while she stood in the corner, hiding her face and crying.

---

Arisa Writes

Sir Asif poured water on me,” Kainat said while crying to the teacher.

“Asif, you are becoming too naughty,” the teacher said while holding his ear. “Do sit-ups right now!”

He obeyed shyly and started doing sit-ups.

“Now stand up and apologize to Kainat,” the teacher said after five minutes. He went to Kainat, holding his ears, and said sorry.

“If you do this again, I will call your parents. Understood?”

“Now everyone go back to your classes.”

All students left. While leaving, Asif whispered angrily to himself, “Kainat, you got me punished from the teacher… now you won’t be spared.”

---

Arisa Writes

Asif was an 8-year-old mischievous boy from a rich family, while Kainat was a 7-year-old innocent and beautiful girl.

When she was 5, her father died in a car accident. After that, her grandmother threw her mother out of the house, calling Kainat unlucky.

Kainat’s father had secretly bought a flat, which only Kainat’s mother knew about, and that flat was in Kainat’s name. After leaving her in-laws, her mother moved to her own mother’s house.

Her maternal uncle had moved to Dubai with his wife, so Kainat’s mother stayed with her mother and rented out the flat. She didn’t want her daughter to suffer in the future, so she worked as a school teacher and admitted Kainat to an expensive school so she could become strong and independent.

Her mother even rejected other marriage proposals just for Kainat, believing that a real father is only a father.

---

Arisa Writes

At school leaving time, all children were going home. Asif’s eyes were searching for Kainat. He saw her sitting on a bench and walked toward her with a mischievous smile. He opened her small tied hair and messed it up before running away.

Kainat’s school van arrived, and she went home crying.

“Mom… Grandma… where are you?” she asked while entering the house.

“Your grandmother is not back yet, dear. And what happened to your hair?” Shazia Begum asked.

“I’m hungry.”

“Wash your hands and face, I’ll give you food.”

After eating, her mother arrived. Kainat ran and hugged her.

“Mom, there is a boy in school who troubles me a lot! Look at my hair—it was him! Tomorrow come with me and beat him up,” she said innocently in one breath.

“Sit here,” her mother said.

“We should fight our own battles; we should not depend on anyone except Allah,” she said.

“Yes, my child, we should only ask help from Allah.”

“So children’s fights should not involve adults, it makes things worse. You must learn to handle it yourself,” her mother said while kissing her forehead.

---

Arisa Writes

Next day…

When Asif came to class, no one was there. He saw Kainat’s bag and took out her math copy and left.

After assembly, the math teacher came and asked everyone to take out their books. Everyone did, but Kainat couldn’t find hers. The teacher hit her hand with a stick, and she started crying while writing in another copy.

At break time, Asif came to Kainat and told her he had her copy. He would return it only if she apologized.

Kainat refused.

Asif tore her copy page by page. In anger, Kainat slapped him. Everyone feared Asif, but he was shocked.

That was the first time Kainat stood against him. She left, and Asif couldn’t react.

His friend Rehan didn’t like this behavior but stayed silent.

---

Arisa Writes

Seven years passed…

Time changed everything. Both had grown more beautiful and were now in matric class.

Kainat was happy that she would finally be free from Asif, but she also felt sad as she would miss the school.

Asif started troubling her more, knowing they would separate after matric.

One day in class, Kainat was studying for a science test when Asif came and sat beside her. She ignored him.

Suddenly, he threw ink from his pen on her white dupatta and left.

“Stupid, disgusting person,” she said angrily.

During the test, the teacher left. Asif took advantage and threw a lizard on Kainat’s hand.

She screamed loudly and fainted due to her allergy.

Teachers rushed in, sprinkled water on her face, and tried to wake her. Asif poured the whole bottle of water on her.

When she woke up, the teacher scolded him badly.

He felt guilty but didn’t say anything.

---

Arisa Writes

That night, Asif couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about his behavior.

Next morning, he was already ready before his mother even woke him up.

His mother was surprised.

“I didn’t sleep well, Mom.”

“It’s okay, go to school and sleep later.”

---

Arisa Writes

After assembly, Asif looked for Kainat but she wasn’t there.

He went to the library and found her there.

She was standing on a small ladder when he coughed. She got scared and fell, but he caught her.

He quickly removed his hands and she fell again.

“Ouch! Don’t you have manners? Why are you here without telling anyone?” she said angrily.

“I came to apologize for yesterday,” Asif said without looking at her.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I will forgive you on one condition.”

“What?”

“Take down that blue file.”

“Okay,” he said, climbed the ladder, and brought it down. But when he was about to give it, he pulled it back.

“Give it to me.”

“First apologize.”

“Yes, I forgive you.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, now give it.”

He finally handed her the file.

---

To be continued…

---

“Class, since this is your last year here, I hope all of you will pass with good marks so you can continue your studies. Some girls and boys may stay at home after matric, while others will go to college to complete their education. So, what do you all want to do?”

The teacher asked, and all the students replied loudly,

“We will continue studying!”

“Good. It’s very nice to see your interest in studying further. I hope you all pass with good marks and make your parents proud.”

“This Friday, there will be a school party so you can make your final year more memorable,” the teacher said with a smile.

“Ma’am, do we have to come in uniform?” Asad asked.

“No, you all should come dressed nicely. The party will be in the school’s back garden,” she replied.

All the students started clapping.

---

“Will you come?” Mahnoor asked Kainat.

“Yes, I will.”

“What color dress will you wear?” Mahnoor asked while putting her notebook in her bag.

“I don’t have one yet. I’ll ask my mom, then I’ll know.”

“Hm… by the way, did Asif bother you today?” Mahnoor glanced at Asif.

“He said sorry yesterday. Maybe he’s embarrassed now. He won’t bother me again,” Kainat said, looking at Asif and then at Mahnoor.

---

“You didn’t bother Kainat today?” Rehan asked Asif, who was busy finishing homework quickly.

Asif glared at Rehan, then stood up and handed his notebook and pen to Kainat.

Kainat, who was busy talking to Mahnoor, heard him tapping on the desk and looked at him.

“Here, do my homework in my handwriting,” Asif said and went back to his seat.

Kainat glared at him angrily.

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“My choice. I want it done before sir comes. Hurry up.”

Rehan felt annoyed at himself for telling Asif.

Asif smirked and tilted his head toward Rehan.

“Happy now?”

Rehan turned his face toward the board.

Asif laughed.

---

(Break Time)

During the break, while students were eating and playing, Kainat was walking in the garden.

Asif, who was playing football, noticed her. After winning the match, he left the ground and ran toward her.

He untied her ponytail from behind.

Kainat turned back angrily.

“What is this behavior? Give it back!”

“Take it,” Asif said, holding it up.

When she tried to grab it, he threw it into the water fountain and walked away.

Kainat gathered her hair, covered her head with her dupatta, and went to the library in tears.

---

Back in class, Asif took out his water bottle.

As he moved, his hand hit the desk, and a pair of glasses fell and broke.

When he bent down to pick them up, he heard a voice.

“These are Sir Shazeb’s glasses,” Asad said, entering with a few boys.

“Oh no…” Asif held his head.

“Don’t you dare tell sir,” Asif grabbed Asad’s collar.

“I won’t,” Asad said.

Asif let him go and left the class.

---

“Who broke my glasses?” Sir Shazeb shouted. He was the strictest teacher, and everyone feared him.

“Sir, I know who did it,” Asad raised his hand.

Asif started sweating and nervously looked at him.

“Who did it?”

“Kainat,” Asad pointed at her.

Kainat turned in shock.

Asif opened his eyes in surprise.

“Kainat!” Sir shouted.

Her breathing became fast.

“Sir, I didn’t do it…”

“Come here.”

She walked slowly toward him.

“What punishment should I give you? Can’t you see?”

Tears filled her eyes.

“Put your hand forward,” he said, raising his stick.

“Sir, I didn’t—”

“Quiet. Hand forward.”

She tremblingly stretched her hand and closed her eyes…

But instead of pain, she felt something else.

She opened her eyes — Asif was standing beside her, his hand placed over hers.

“Sir, the glasses fell because of me. It’s my fault. Kainat has nothing to do with it. Punish me.”

Kainat stared at him.

“Why? Can’t you see?” Sir said.

“It was by mistake. I didn’t do it intentionally,” Asif said, lowering his gaze and removing her hand.

Sir hit him with the stick. The sound echoed in the class.

The pain was his, but Kainat flinched.

His hand turned red.

“Now go sit down.”

Both went back to their seats.

Rehan held Asif’s hand.

“It’s nothing,” Asif pulled it away.

“What happened? Your hand is all red. Did you really break the glasses?”

“Yes.”

---

(After School)

“Why hasn’t the driver come yet?” Asif said, holding his hand.

“If your driver isn’t here, come with me,” Rehan suggested.

“No, you go. He’ll come,” Asif replied.

“Okay, bye.”

“Bye,” Asif smiled.

---

Asif walked out of school. He was sixteen, tall for his age.

As he walked ahead, a blue car stopped in front of him.

He looked at it, confused.

Two masked men stepped out.

“Hey boy, stop right there,” they said, pointing a gun at him.

Asif froze.

They started walking toward him.

He slowly stepped back…

Suddenly, someone grabbed his hand and pulled him.

It was Kainat.

“Run!” she shouted and threw dust into the men’s eyes.

She held his hand and ran fast.

Asif looked back — a third man was chasing them.

While running, Kainat threw her bag into a nearby street and took Asif’s bag and threw it too.

“Why did you throw our bags?” Asif asked.

“They were slowing us down. He would’ve caught us,” she said, covering her head with her dupatta.

They ran back to the school gate, breathing heavily.

“What about our bags?” Asif asked.

“You care more about bags than your life? If you’re alive, you’ll get them back. If they caught us, they could’ve forced us into something wrong and sold us,” she said seriously.

“How do you know?” he asked.

“My mother told me… and today I saw it myself. Thank God we’re safe.”

“But the bags?”

She glared at him.

“You didn’t go home?” he changed the topic.

“My van had already left.”

“Let’s ask someone for help,” she said.

They asked a man for help and went back to the street.

They found their bags safe.

“Be careful next time,” the man said and left.

---

“How will you go home?” Asif asked.

“I’ll manage,” she said, taking out her water bottle and handing it to him.

“Thanks.”

---

To be continued… ✨

---

“Why weren’t you there on time?” Hammad Sahib shouted angrily at the driver.

“Sir… the tire got punctured,” the driver replied with his head lowered.

“Then you could’ve sent another car! What if something had happened to Asif? God forbid, what if they had fired the gun? Anything could’ve happened!”

“Sir, it won’t happen again.”

“From tomorrow onward, you’ll leave half an hour earlier.”

Then he turned toward Asif, who had been silently watching everything from the side.

“And Asif… learn to wait patiently, or come back with Rehan. But don’t come alone.”

Asif nodded obediently.

“Yes, Dad.”

---

“Are you okay? Did anything happen to you?” Maria Begum asked worriedly after hearing Kainat’s story, cupping her cheeks in her hands.

“I’m fine, Mom. I understood from far away that they were kidnappers,” Kainat said, raising her hand slightly.

“Dear, try to come home in the van only. I don’t want to take any risks. What if something had happened to you?” Maria Begum kissed her forehead lovingly.

“Mom… there’s a school party, and I want to go. But I don’t have any dress suitable for it.”

Kainat said this while Maria Begum sat busy doing calculations with a pen in her hand.

“When is the party?”

“On Friday… and Friday is the day after tomorrow. You’ll buy me a dress, right?”

“Yes, of course. We’ll go this evening.”

“Thank you!” Kainat said happily, clapping her hands together.

“Nano, bring the food too! I’m hungry!” she shouted loudly.

Shazia Begum came out of the kitchen carrying a tray.

“Here, dear. I warmed it up for you.”

---

“You know what? I’m fully prepared already,” Mahnoor said to Kainat, who was filling ink into her pen.

“Oh really? What color are you wearing?” Kainat asked while handing her the ink bottle.

“You’ll see when I wear it,” Mahnoor said proudly, placing her hands on her cheeks.

Kainat laughed.

---

“MashAllah, you look very beautiful,” the teacher said while touching Mahnoor’s cheek.

“Thank you, Miss.”

“Kainat didn’t come?”

“She said she would, but she still hasn’t arrived yet,” Mahnoor replied while looking around.

---

“Wow, brother… you look amazing,” Rehan said, placing a hand on Asif’s shoulder.

Asif was wearing a black shirt with a black coat. He looked incredibly handsome.

Asif smiled.

Just then, his eyes landed on Kainat entering the hall.

She was wearing a black frock with her dupatta resting around her neck. She looked breathtaking in black.

Kainat’s eyes searched for Mahnoor. She felt strange and lonely among so many people.

While looking around, she unknowingly walked toward Asif.

She wouldn’t have noticed him if Asad hadn’t called out his name.

The moment she heard “Asif,” she turned and saw him standing with some classmates… already staring at her.

As soon as their eyes met, Asif walked toward her.

Kainat stepped back nervously as he moved closer.

She didn’t realize there was a swimming pool behind her.

She was about to fall when Asif quickly grabbed her hand.

Seeing this, Asif’s friends rushed toward him and told him to let go of her hand.

Asif’s grip loosened—

And Kainat fell straight into the swimming pool.

She splashed helplessly, trying to come back up.

Asif panicked instantly. He hadn’t meant to let go.

The students standing nearby started shouting,

“What if she drowns?!”

Without another thought, Asif jumped into the pool.

He emerged from the water, pushing his wet hair back—

Just then, from the other side, Kainat also came up from the water and brushed her wet hair back before glaring angrily at him.

The students standing around the pool burst into laughter.

Even Asif smiled.

The pool wasn’t very deep after all.

Kainat had fallen in herself…

But she had dragged Asif into it too.

---

Kainat sat inside the classroom, trying to dry herself. She felt furious at herself.

“I shouldn’t have come here at all…”

“How could you have known this would happen?” Mahnoor comforted her.

“Yesterday I saved him… and today he pushed me into the swimming pool.”

“Who told you to go near that side?” Mahnoor replied.

“How was I supposed to know he’d be there?” Kainat said helplessly.

“What’s done is done. Forget it.”

“He ruined the final year party too. He’s probably enjoying himself out there.”

“I just want this year to end so I can finally get rid of him,” Kainat muttered, holding her forehead.

Asif, who had just entered the classroom, heard everything.

“Look… I didn’t do it intentionally. My hand slipped.”

He cleaned his coat sleeve with a tissue while speaking.

“But still… sorry. Your dress got ruined. Mine too.”

He made a face dramatically and walked out of the class.

“You both wore the same color, by the way,” Mahnoor pointed out.

“Unfortunately,” Kainat shrugged.

---

“Asif bhai! Asif bhai!”

Asad came running into the classroom, breathing heavily.

“What happened?” Asif asked.

The whole class turned toward Asad.

“Someone has come to our school!”

Hearing this, the entire class immediately stood up and started searching for hiding places.

“Why are you all hiding?” Asad asked in confusion.

“You just said people entered our school!” Rehan replied, peeking from behind the desk.

“Oh God… they’re from another school!” Asad slapped his forehead.

Asif walked toward him.

“What do you mean?”

Before Asad could explain properly, Sir Shazeb and another teacher entered the class.

“Good morning, Sir! Good morning, Teacher!”

The students greeted them together.

“Who likes cricket?” the teacher asked.

Almost everyone raised their hands.

“Would you all like to play cricket?”

“Yes, Ma’am!” the class echoed excitedly.

“Next week, there will be a cricket match against another school. Are you all ready?”

“Yes, Ma’am!”

“Children, this is a competition between our school and another school.”

“Ma’am, can girls participate too?” Mahnoor asked.

“No, this is only for boys. But girls can watch.”

“Those who want to participate should come to my office one by one after break.”

After saying this, the teacher left along with Sir Shazeb.

Another teacher soon entered to teach the next subject.

“Will you participate?” Rehan asked Asif.

“Of course I will,” Asif replied confidently.

“Do you really think our team will win?” Rehan offered him a packet of chips.

“Yes. Our team will definitely win.”

“Then let’s join.”

Asif immediately stood up.

“Where are you going? To the graveyard? Can’t you see the teacher is still here?” Rehan whispered.

Asif instantly sat back down.

“Hide those chips first!” Asif hissed.

Rehan stuffed the packet into his bag and secretly continued eating from it.

---

Asif entered the classroom quietly and sat down silently.

Kainat hadn’t come to school that day.

For eleven years, he had spent his time teasing her. It had become a habit now.

Even if he did something good for her, he still ended up bothering her afterward.

Today, he hadn’t teased her…

Because she wasn’t there.

And strangely enough, Asif felt bored.

All he wanted was for school to end quickly so he could go home and rest.

He lowered his head onto the desk.

---

“The boys from our class participated,” Ayesha informed Kainat the next day while sitting beside her.

Just then, Asif and the other boys entered the classroom.

Asif looked at Kainat.

A smile appeared on his lips, though he himself didn’t know why he smiled.

Loosening his tie, he sat down.

Soon the teacher arrived, taught the lesson, and left after some time.

After thinking for a moment, Asif walked outside the class.

Standing outside, he counted slowly to five on his fingers before returning inside.

“Kainat, Sir Shazeb is calling you,” he said while standing beside her.

“Yes, let me finish writing this first,” Kainat replied while copying work from the board.

“Didn’t you hear me? Sir Shazeb is calling you. He’ll get angry if you’re late,” Asif stressed Sir Shazeb’s name and snatched the pen from her hand.

Kainat immediately stood up and left the class.

“Hurry up, or I’ll erase this,” Asif warned, tapping his hand.

The students quickly copied everything from the board before he erased it.

---

“Sir, may I come in?”

“Yes.”

“Sir, you called me?”

“No, I didn’t,” Sir Shazeb replied.

“Sorry, Sir. Someone told me you called me.”

Feeling embarrassed, Kainat left the office.

Why did Asif lie to me?

she wondered while walking back slowly.

As soon as she entered the class, she glared angrily at Asif.

“You lied to me. Sir didn’t call me.”

“Oh really?” Asif pretended innocently.

Kainat sat down, opened her notebook, and picked up her pen.

But when she looked at the board—

It was completely clean.

Everything the teacher had written was gone.

“Who erased it?” she asked, standing up.

Asif raised his hand proudly.

“I did.”

He stood before her with a mischievous grin.

“What will you do about it?”

“So this was your plan…” Kainat’s face looked close to tears.

“Oh wow, you’re smart. Too bad you realized it late. I could’ve erased it in front of you, but they hadn’t finished copying yet…”

He gestured toward the other students.

“So… how did you like my plan?”

Kainat stood there silently, struggling to hold back her tears.

Asif laughed and returned to his seat.

Helplessly, Kainat sat back down too.

She knew no one in the class could help her.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she buried her face in her arms.

Rehan watched everything quietly.

He felt terrible…

But what could he do?

Asif was his best friend.

And he didn’t want to upset him.

---

“Kainat—”

Kainat was about to step into the van when she heard someone call her name.

She turned around—

And saw Rehan running toward her.

To be continued… ✨