Even though it was a dream

The shocking realization

The hall was noisy filled with excited faces, but Hala's attention was drawn to someone else. A man her teacher was going to introduce to her. He stood there, his eyes were locked on hala, a tender smile was on his lips. Hala became a little anxious but then a sudden realization made her vary of the man standing besides her. It was Ayan, her crush's best friend, a man who had a strange mix of familiarity and mystery. He knew her secrets, those secrets that she never wanted to tell anyone not even her crush because how she has been desiring him. But Ayan knew the hidden corners of her heart, better than anyone.

"Hala, you look gorgeous," Ayan said, his voice was low and manly that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Aaah Ayan! What are you doing here?" she asked him with shivers in her voice.

Before he could answer, her teacher, Mrs. Sera, approached them, her eyes were almost predatory looking at Hala with such deep interest. "Hala, darling, have you met my son, Ayan?"

Ayan had a charming smile on his face, but Hala felt uneasy in her stomach. She knew him, and she knew he was trouble. He had always been drawn to her, an interest that could be best explained as obsession. But there was something else in his eyes now, a hidden depth that both made her excited and frightened her.

"It's a pleasure, Hala," Ayan said, his gaze following her.

"The pleasure is all mine," she replied, trying to maintain a polite face.

Mrs. Sera then started excitedly about her son's interested. "Ayan has always admired you, Hala. And I believe you two would make a wonderful couple."

Hala's heart sank. She knew where this was going. Mrs. Sera had always been fond of her, but this was a new level of interest.

"We should visit your home soon, darling," Mrs. Sera continued. "Perhaps we can discuss this further."

Hala forced a smile. "Of course, Mrs. Sera. I would like that."

As they were discussing these things Hala knew her parents were also there and she couldn't dare to do something as she was thinking of taking Ayan right from there and telling him not to speak a single word about him, about Arham her crush. The familiar warmth of the wedding hall was fading, replaced by the chilling realization that her fantasy was about to become far more complicated.