Chapter Twelve: What’s Mine, Will Be Mine
422 Words
Zara’s POV
Zara stared at her phone long after the call ended.
Her reflection in the screen looked unfamiliar — her usually calm eyes wide with disbelief, her lips parted as though the words could be pulled back.
Rehaan had just… said it.
Like it was nothing.
Like years of growing up side by side meant little.
Like the plans their families had dreamt of weren’t stitched into the skin of their future.
"I’m not ready."
"It doesn’t feel right."
"You deserve more than that."
Empty lines, meant to sound noble.
But Zara had heard what he didn’t say.
He didn’t want her.
Not now.
Maybe not ever.
Her hands trembled as she placed the phone down on her desk. Outside her window, Kerala’s soft rain tapped rhythmically on the glass — but it no longer calmed her.
She had waited.
She had been patient.
She had done everything right.
For years, she stayed in the background, letting their parents push the idea forward, believing he’d come around — believing he would see her.
And now, just like that, he was backing away?
No.
Not like this.
She sat upright, wiping the corner of her eye with a force that felt more like war paint than sorrow.
Zara Shaikh was not some fragile girl who waited on fate.
She was someone who made things happen.
And she wouldn’t let this slip through her fingers because Rehaan was confused.
No — if he couldn’t love her on his own, then she would give him reasons to choose her.
She would make their parents tighten the rope.
She would play the daughter both families adored.
She would remind him, day by day, what they stood to lose — reputation, honour, respect.
She would not beg.
But she would bind.
And if love wasn’t enough to keep him…
Then guilt, pressure, and tradition would be.
She picked up her phone again, fingers flying across the screen.
Zara (to Rehaan):
I understand. I won’t pressure you. But our families are involved, Rehaan. They won’t take this well. I hope you’ve thought of that.
She hit send, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth — not of joy, but strategy.
Let Rehaan have his little moment of rebellion.
Let him feel like he made a brave choice.
Because soon enough, when their families start talking again… he’d realize there were some things in life you didn’t walk away from.
And Zara was not someone to be walked away from.
- Writer
