Chapter 4: When Feelings Start Growing

After that day, things changed.

Not completely.

Not openly.

But quietly.

Softly.

Like the beginning of rain before a storm.

Yusra tried to act normal.

She talked normally in class.

She completed her work.

She avoided unnecessary conversations.

And most importantly…

She avoided Irfan.

Not completely.

Just enough to protect her heart.

Irfan, on the other hand, kept his promise.

No more teasing about love.

No more fake boy stories.

No more patience testing.

He behaved normally.

Like a simple classmate.

Like a friend.

But sometimes…

His eyes said things his words didn’t.

One evening, Yusra was studying when her phone buzzed.

Irfan:

History ka chapter complete hua?

She sighed.

This boy and his history obsession.

Yusra:

Haan

Irfan:

Good

Yusra:

Tumhara

Irfan:

Nahi

Yusra:

Expected

Irfan:

Tum meri teacher ho kya

Yusra:

Nahi

Irfan:

Phir itna attitude kyu

Yusra smiled slightly.

Yusra:

Habit

Irfan:

Achhi habit hai

Her fingers paused.

This was the same boy who once teased her endlessly.

Now he was calm.

Soft.

Careful.

Like he was trying not to hurt her.

Irfan:

Khaya kya

She frowned.

Yusra:

Kyu

Irfan:

Bas puch raha tha

Yusra:

Haan

Irfan:

Good

Yusra:

Tumne

Irfan:

Nahi

Yusra:

Kyu

Irfan:

Bhukh nahi thi

Yusra:

Khaya karo

He read the message.

And smiled.

Because this was the first time she cared.

Even a little.

Irfan:

Tumhe farq padta hai

Yusra immediately replied.

Yusra:

Nahi

Irfan:

Jhoot

Yusra:

Sach

Irfan:

Thoda sa padta hai

She didn’t reply.

Because he was right.

And she hated when he was right.

The next day in school, something unexpected happened.

During lunch break, Yusra was sitting with her friends when a boy from another section came.

“Excuse me, Yusra?”

She looked up.

“Yes?”

“Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Her friends started giggling.

Yusra felt uncomfortable.

“Why?”

“Bas ek minute.”

Before she could reply, Irfan saw this from the corridor.

His smile disappeared.

He walked closer slowly.

Arham noticed too.

“Bhai, koi ladka baat kar raha hai usse.”

Irfan’s jaw tightened.

“I can see.”

Meanwhile, the boy said nervously,

“I just wanted to say… you are really nice and I like you.”

Yusra froze.

“I’m sorry, but—”

Before she could finish, Irfan stepped in.

“She’s not interested.”

The boy looked confused.

“Tum kaun ho?”

Irfan looked straight at him.

“Classmate.”

The boy frowned.

“To tumhe kya problem hai?”

Irfan’s voice became calm but sharp.

“Problem nahi hai. Bas time waste mat karo.”

Yusra looked at Irfan in shock.

“Irfan…”

He ignored her.

The boy sighed and left.

Yusra stood up immediately.

“Tumne aisa kyu kiya?”

Irfan looked at her.

“Kyuki tum uncomfortable thi.”

“Main handle kar leti.”

“I know.”

“Then why interfere?”

He stayed silent.

She crossed her arms.

“Answer me.”

Irfan took a deep breath.

“Because I didn’t like it.”

“Why?”

Silence.

He looked away.

Then said quietly,

“Jealous ho gaya tha.”

Her heart skipped.

“You promised…”

“I know.”

“Then?”

He looked at her softly.

“Feelings band thodi hoti hain promise se.”

Yusra didn’t know what to say.

This boy was impossible.

And honest.

Dangerously honest.

That night, she received a message again.

Irfan:

Sorry

She stared at the screen.

Yusra:

Kis liye

Irfan:

Aaj ke liye

Yusra:

It's okay

Irfan:

Nahi

Yusra:

Kyu

Irfan:

Mujhe jealous nahi hona chahiye tha

Her heart softened.

Yusra:

It's normal

He read it.

And replied.

Irfan:

Tumhe bura laga

Yusra:

Thoda

Irfan:

Sorry

Yusra:

Hmm

After a few minutes…

Irfan:

Ek baat puchu

Yusra:

Haan

Irfan:

If someone else confesses you… will you ever say yes

Her fingers stopped.

This question again.

Her heart answered before her mind.

Yusra:

I don't know

Irfan:

And if I ask again someday

Her heartbeat increased.

Yusra:

Then we will see

Irfan smiled while reading this.

Because this was not a rejection.

This was hope.

Before sleeping, Yusra looked at the ceiling.

She whispered softly,

“Maybe… he’s not that bad.”

And for the first time…

She saved Irfan’s chat on top.

Somewhere else, Irfan looked at her last message and smiled.

“Then we will see.”

He whispered,

“I’ll make sure you say yes someday.”

Because slowly…

Silently…

Without realizing…

Feelings were growing between them.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***