Third person's POV.

It was evening at Salman Villa. The sun was slowly setting, and the sky had turned orange and pink. In the backyard, everyone was busy decorating for Zoya’s surprise birthday party. Fairy lights were being wrapped around trees, colorful balloons were tied everywhere, and a “Happy Birthday Zoya” banner was hung near the fountain.

Aaliyan was leading everyone, holding a paper in his hand and giving instructions.
“Please don’t forget—this is a surprise! So be careful, no one should tell Zoya aapi anything,” he said seriously.

Inside the kitchen, Noor-ul-Ain and Ruhi were arranging Zoya’s favorite snacks. Hassan was trying to play music, but he kept changing the songs too quickly until Khalil grabbed the speaker from him.

The whole family was excited.

But the main thing was — Zoya didn’t know anything.

She and Zain were out at their extra college class. This was the excuse everyone used to prepare for the surprise.

---

By the time Zain and Zoya came out of their academy, the sun had almost set. The sky was a little dark, and the streetlights were turning on. They walked side by side quietly, listening to the birds and feeling the soft evening breeze.

Zoya sighed and said, “That was a long class. I don’t know why I joined it…”

Zain smiled, hands in his pockets. “You always say that, but you come early every time.”

She rolled her eyes playfully, “That’s because I care about my studies. Not like you—always acting confused when the teacher asks a question.”

Zain laughed. His laugh made her smile too.

They walked a bit more, then Zain spoke again.
“I like these walks,” he said softly.

Zoya looked at him. “Really? Why?”

He paused for a moment, then looked ahead and said,
“Because you’re with me.”

Zoya stopped for a second. Her heart suddenly beat faster. “Zain…”

He looked down and smiled, a little shy. “I’m not saying anything too deep. It’s just… you’re special. A special friend. Maybe more than you realize. More than I should say.”

She didn’t know how to reply. Her heart felt full. She looked away and smiled softly.

Zain noticed. He always noticed.

---

They kept walking slowly toward home, silence resting softly between them. The streetlights glowed above them and the wind gently moved Zoya’s dupatta.

Zain glanced at her again, a small smile on his lips.

“By the way…” he said, hands still in his pockets, “Happy Birthday again.”

Zoya looked at him, a little surprised. “You still remember?”

“How could I forget?” he replied, his voice low and calm. “It’s your day.”

She looked down and smiled. “No one else remembered. Not even Hoorain called me today. Not Baba. No one.” She gave a soft laugh. “Even I forgot… until you showed up at my door last night.”

“I didn’t want to make it a big thing,” Zain said, “but… I thought you deserved to be wished first. And… I wanted to be the first.”

Her heart fluttered again.

Zoya looked at him with soft eyes. “Thank you. For the gift too… the pendant… it’s really beautiful.”

Zain looked straight ahead but his ears turned slightly pink. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“But…” she asked, curious, “how did you know it was my birthday?”

Zain gave a short smile. “I just got to know. As I got to know, I thought to gift you something."

Zoya raised her eyebrows, a soft teasing smile on her lips. “So you’ve been planning it for a while?”

“Not really,” Zain said quickly. “Just… I thought about it. I kept the gift in my drawer for days, waiting for the right time.”

Zoya touched the pendant gently, the ‘ZZ’ letters resting near her collarbone.

“And why… double Z?” she asked, her voice light but her heart nervous.

Zain’s steps slowed. He took a deep breath. “Z for Zoya… and the other Z… is just someone who wants to stay close to her.”

Zoya’s eyes widened slightly. Her lips parted, but she didn’t say anything.

Their eyes met.

The air between them grew heavier with something unspoken, something warm and strong.

But before Zoya could respond, they reached the corner of their house. Laughter and lights could be seen from a distance.

Zain gently stepped ahead, breaking the moment with a half-smile.

“Let’s go,” he said. “I think you’re going to have a bigger surprise now.”

Zoya frowned in confusion, but followed him anyway—her heart still caught in the meaning of that second ‘Z’.

-----
Zoya followed Zain through the side path of the house, her brows slightly furrowed in confusion. She could see faint lights in the distance and hear the quiet sound of giggles and shuffling feet.

“What’s going on?” she asked, slowing her steps.

Zain didn’t reply. He just gave her a small smile and stepped ahead, pulling the curtain aside that was covering the entrance to the back lawn.

And then—

“Happy Birthday, Zoya!”

Lights turned on all around, fairy lights twinkling from trees and walls. A banner hung with her name on it, and her cousins stood around, clapping and cheering. A big cake stood on a table in the middle, surrounded by balloons and flowers.

Zoya stopped in shock. Her eyes widened as she looked around.

Aaliyan ran up to her, grinning wide. “Surprise! We planned it for you!”

“You… what?” she blinked, looking at all of them—Noor-ul-Ain, Hassan, Zubia, Khalil, even little kids jumping with excitement. Her parents, chachu Ahmad and Taya Hameed with their wives and the grandmother cheering for her happily.

“I’ve been saving my pocket money,” Aaliyan said proudly. “Just to do this for you!”

Zoya bent down and hugged him tightly, her eyes filling with tears. “You’re the best brother in the world.”

Then her eyes searched the crowd—only to land on Zain standing quietly near the tree, watching her reaction, a soft smile on his face.

She walked slowly toward him.

“You knew about this?” she asked, trying to hold her tears.

Zain nodded slightly. “I helped… just a little.”

She looked around once more, then back at him.

“I’ve never had a birthday like this,” she said honestly. “Not in years. Thank you…”

Zain tilted his head a little. “You deserve to be celebrated.”

Zoya smiled—genuine, wide, glowing. “And you remembered. You even got me the most special gift.”

Zain looked into her eyes, his voice low. “Some people… are just impossible to forget.”

Her heart skipped a beat again. She looked away, her cheeks slightly red.

“Let’s cut the cake!” Aaliyan shouted from the middle.

Everyone gathered around as Zoya walked to the table. She blew the candles with a big smile, cut the cake, and fed the first bite to Aaliyan, who jumped with joy.

But her eyes kept searching through the crowd… for someone whose quiet presence had changed everything inside her.

And when their eyes met across the party, she smiled again—because she knew her birthday this year would never be forgotten.

------

The party slowly faded. Everyone was tired after hours of fun, laughter, and dancing. Most of the cousins had gone back to their rooms, and the lights in the back lawn were dimmed, leaving a soft golden glow from the fairy lights still hanging on the trees.

Zoya stepped out again, holding her slippers in her hand, walking barefoot on the cool grass. Her dupatta was loosely wrapped, and her face still carried a soft smile from the evening.

Zain was already sitting on the bench under the tree—the same spot where he had quietly watched her before.

Zoya noticed him and walked toward him slowly.

“You’re still here?” she asked, her voice gentle.

He looked up, his expression calm. “Just needed some fresh air… and maybe a bit of quiet.”

She smiled and sat down beside him on the bench, a little space between them.

“It was a beautiful evening,” she said. “I still can’t believe you all did that for me.”

He glanced at her. “You were happy?”

She nodded. “Very. It’s been a long time since I felt this special.”

Zain was quiet for a moment. Then he said softly, “You are special, Zoya. More than you think.”

Her heart skipped again. She looked at him slowly, unsure what to say.

He looked down at the grass. “When you smile… it makes the whole room feel lighter.”

Zoya looked away, shy. Her fingers played with the pendant around her neck.

She spoke in a low voice, “Nobody ever remembered my birthday before. Not like this.”

Zain gave her a glance. “I didn’t forget.”

She smiled to herself. “How did you even know?”

He chuckled lightly. “Let’s just say… I noticed more than I should have.”

She looked at him again. “You do that a lot, don’t you? Notice things.”

Zain’s eyes held hers for a moment longer than usual.

“Only when they matter,” he said.

The silence between them was filled with warmth—unspoken, soft, heavy with unsaid words.

Zoya lowered her gaze, her heart too full. “Thank you, Zain. For everything.”

He smiled a little. “Happy birthday again, Zoya.”

And they sat there, under the stars, the quiet night wrapping around them, while something new, something tender, began to grow slowly in both of their hearts.

‐------------

The afternoon sunlight streamed into the grand drawing room of Salman Villa. Elders were seated with cups of tea, while laughter and voices of young cousins filled the room. The cushions were pulled onto the floor, and a proper circle had formed—Zain, Zoya, Aaliyan, Aleezay, Hassan, Ruhi, Rehan, and others sitting cross-legged, surrounding Mr. and Mrs. Ahmad and mr and mrs Salman, and also Mr. and Mrs. Saeed, who had joined in for post-engagement discussions.

“But you promised us a trip after the engagement!” Aaliyan dramatically put his hand over his heart.

“Yes!” echoed Aleezay, clapping her hands. “And it’s been postponed twice already!”

“After Noor aapi and Daniyal bhai’s engagement, it’s final, right?” Ruhi added, giving a hopeful smile to her father.

Mr. Saeed chuckled, “You kids are acting like you’re planning a world tour!”

“But we deserve a break!” Rehan joined, “Next week are our exams, and we need motivation!”

Everyone laughed.

Zoya looked toward Zain, who was quiet but smiling at the chaos. She whispered, “Do you think they’ll agree?”

Before he could reply, Mrs. Ahmad sighed playfully, “Fine. After the engagement and exams. A proper trip. But only if all of you promise to pass your exams.”

Cheers and applause broke out as the cousins jumped up, high-fiving each other. Aaliyan did a little happy dance in the middle of the room, making everyone laugh again.

------

A few days later, the city’s biggest mall was bustling with lights, music, and the sound of laughter.

Zoya walked beside her mother, checking earrings on a stall. Ruhi and Aleezay were ahead, giggling over bangles. Hassan was busy making jokes with Aaliyan, while Zain walked slowly behind them, helping Mrs. Ahmad with bags.

“Try this one, Zoya,” her mother offered a soft pastel dress.

Zain leaned closer from behind. “That would look nice on you.”

Zoya turned sharply, her cheeks heating. “You think?”

He gave a small nod, looking away as if he hadn’t said anything unusual. She smiled quietly and held the dress tighter.

---

Later in the week, Waseem and Kashif arrived with Rehan, Wasi, and Aaliyan to do their outfit shopping. They had all decided to wear matching traditional outfits in soft cream with golden embroidery.

Zain and Hassan joined them at the men’s boutique.

“Same color? For real?” Rehan frowned.

“It’s a code. Get used to it,” Waseem said while fixing his collar.

Just then, laughter erupted at the corner of the mall. Hoorain had bumped straight into Waseem, spilling her iced coffee on his sleeve.

“You again? Can't you see while walking” Waseem barked, wiping his sleeve.

“You walk like you own the mall!” Hoorain snapped back, wiping her drink from her own bag.

Aiza, Hoorain’s best friend, ran forward to stop her. “Okay okay, breathe. It’s just coffee.”

Kashif tried to calm Waseem. “Bro, chill. It’s not her mistake.  It was an accident. Let her go.”

Their eyes met—Kashif and Aiza—and for a second, time paused. Both blinked and looked away quickly.

Hassan leaned to Zain. “Did you just see what I saw?”

Zain grinned. “One more love story brewing.”

---

Meanwhile, at another boutique, Zoya, Ruhi, Aleezay, Hoorain, and Zubia stood in front of a mirror, all trying on matching dresses. A small, shiny nose ring completed the look.

“Perfect,” said Aleezay. “Now if only we could compete with boys.”

Zubia twirled. “We already do. Emotionally.”

Hoorain rolled her eyes. “Speak for yourself. Some boys are emotionally unavailable.”

Zoya chuckled, stealing a quick glance at the gold pendant she still wore.

The fitting area of the boutique was softly lit, warm golden lights dancing on the pastel-colored outfits hung neatly in rows. Zoya stood near the corner, a little away from the girls, her dupatta resting lightly on her shoulder as she quietly reached into her handbag.

Her fingers wrapped around a small velvet box.

She looked around. Everyone was busy—Ruhi was checking earrings, Hoorain was arguing about sizes, and Aleezay was making faces in the mirror.

With a soft breath, Zoya opened the box.

Inside lay a silver brooch, delicately shaped like a crescent with a tiny sapphire stone set in the middle.

Her lips curved into a shy smile.

She had bought it days ago—without knowing if she'd really get the courage to give it to him. But now, with the engagement coming and the trip ahead, she didn’t want the moment to pass her by.

Gently, she closed the box and slipped it back into her bag, the smile still lingering on her lips as she turned to try on her dress.

Just then, from the other side of the glass partition, Zain passed by. He was walking with Kashif and Waseem, laughing at something one of them said, when his eyes—almost by instinct—shifted toward the boutique.

And in that moment, she turned.

Their eyes met through the glass.

Just for a second.

A heartbeat suspended in time.

No smile, no words, just a quiet connection—like something unspoken had been acknowledged.

Zoya quickly looked away, her cheeks turning pink as she stepped back behind the curtain.

Zain stood still for a breath longer, a thoughtful softness settling in his gaze before he moved on.

Behind the curtain, Zoya gently placed her hand over her bag.

A promise, tucked away.

-------

The house was glowing with excitement. Laughter echoed from one corner to another. Strings of fairy lights blinked like stars over the beautifully decorated back lawn, while fresh flower garlands filled the air with their delicate scent. It was the engagement day of Daniyal and Noor-ul-Ain — a long-awaited moment.

Inside the boys’ room, Zain opened his wardrobe and pulled out the matching outfit — a cream-colored kurta with subtle silver embroidery and a deep blue waistcoat, the same as all his cousins had decided. Quietly, he walked to the dressing side of the room, changed, and returned while combing his hair in the mirror.

Just then, Hassan barged in with his usual energy.
"Finally! Mian Sahab tayaar ho gaye!" Hassan teased, grinning.

Zain gave him a light glare in the mirror. "Shut up.You’re just late as always."

Hassan flopped on the bed with a dramatic sigh but paused as his eyes caught a small box resting neatly in the center of the bed.

"What's this?" he asked, sitting up and picking up the box.
Zain turned, confused. "I don'tknow. "

Hassan raised an eyebrow and looked at the small name tag attached to the ribbon.

"To Zain," he read aloud with a wide grin. “Wah bhai. Secret admirer?”

Zain took the box with a puzzled smile. Unwrapping the soft cover, he slowly opened it.

Inside lay the silver brooch—shaped like a crescent, a tiny sapphire stone nestled in its heart. Elegant, unique, simple. Zain stared at it, a slow, knowing smile forming on his lips.

Hassan wiggled his brows. "Ahaaan… So? Yeh toh kisi khaas ne diya hai."

Zain didn’t say anything. But his heart knew. His fingers brushed gently over the stone, his smile quiet, warm, touched.

Outside in the garden, the boys had all gathered — Aaliyan, Rehan, Wasi, Kashif, Hassan, and Waseem — all dressed in the same coordinated outfits. The garden looked like a dream. Flower canopies, soft golden lights, and a small stage in the center where the engagement would take place.

The girls were also there, walking around with their giggles and cheerful chatter. Aleezay, Ruhi, Zubia, Hoorain — all dressed in pastel peach lehengas with silver work, matching jhumkas, their dupattas lightly pinned over one shoulder, and all wearing a small silver nose ring — their outfit code.

But Zoya was still inside, getting ready.

Zain’s eyes, although calm, kept glancing toward the entrance. The smile hadn’t left his lips since morning. The brooch now rested on the left side of his waistcoat — the secret, the symbol — and maybe even the start of something new.

On the women’s seating side, Mr. and Mrs. Ahmad were glowing with pride and joy. Noor’s mother was seated beside them, teary-eyed yet smiling. Mr. Salman couldn’t hide his excitement for big day.

Zain was sitting beside his grandmother, speaking to her softly.

"May you all stay happy, always," she said, placing her hand over his head.

"Ameen, Dadi," he smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

And just then — her eyes noticed it.

"That's a beautiful brooch." she teased, her eyes twinkling.

Zain chuckled, slightly embarrassed, looking away.

But before he could respond, something caught his eye.

Zoya.

She had just stepped into the garden, almost running, her sandals soft on the grass as she held the edge of her lehenga.

She wore the same pastel peach as the other girls — but it looked made just for her. The lehenga hugged her frame lightly, with soft silver details dancing in the light. Her dupatta was tucked neatly, but a few strands of her curled hair framed her glowing face. A small silver nose pin sparkled on her nose… but what held his breath was the pendant around her neck — the double Z catching the light as she moved.

His heart smiled.

Zain cleared his throat, shook his head with a shy laugh, and stood up quickly.

“I should go check on the guys,” he mumbled.

He walked away… but not before stealing one more glance over his shoulder.

She was laughing with Ruhi now, adjusting her dupatta, unaware that someone had already memorized the way she looked in that moment.

And somewhere deep inside him, he already knew.

She was his forever favorite scene.