Arjenmaruff

HOT LOVE Chapter 1 — The Girl in the Rain The rain came down heavily that evening, washing the streets beneath a blanket of silver. Maruff stood outside a small café, watching people rush past with umbrellas over their heads. He had been waiting for his friend for almost an hour, but his friend had not shown up. He was about to leave when he saw her. A girl was standing across the street, struggling with a broken umbrella. Her long hair was already wet, and she looked annoyed as she tried to force the umbrella back into shape. Maruff smiled. Without thinking, he walked toward her. “Do you need help?” She looked up. Their eyes met. For a moment, neither of them spoke. There was something about her eyes that caught Maruff completely off guard. “I think my umbrella has given up on me,” she said. Maruff laughed. “I can see that.” She looked at him suspiciously. “Are you laughing at me?” “No. I'm laughing at the umbrella.” “That's what everyone says.” Maruff took off his jacket and held it over her head. “You're getting soaked.” “So are you.” “I'll survive.” She smiled. It was the first time Maruff saw her smile, and somehow that small smile stayed in his mind. They walked into the café together. “My name is Sarah,” she said. “Maruff.” “Nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you too.” They sat near the window. Neither of them knew that this simple meeting would change both their lives. As they talked, Maruff discovered that Sarah was confident, intelligent, stubborn, and surprisingly funny. Sarah discovered that Maruff was calm but playful, the kind of man who could make her laugh without even trying. An hour passed without either of them noticing. When Sarah finally stood up, Maruff felt disappointed. “I should go.” “Already?” She smiled. “You'll survive.” Maruff laughed. “I don't know about that.” Sarah paused. “Do you always flirt with women you just met?” “Only when I like them.” Her smile disappeared for a second. Then she looked away. “Good night, Maruff.” “Good night, Sarah.” She walked away. Maruff watched her until she disappeared into the rain. That night, he couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about her. Her voice. Her smile. The way she looked at him. Then his phone vibrated. Sarah: You still owe me a coffee. Maruff smiled. Maruff: I thought you owed me one. Sarah: Maybe I'll let you take me out. His heart suddenly beat faster. Maruff: Tomorrow? There was a long pause. Then her reply came. Sarah: Tomorrow. Chapter 2 — Too Close The following evening, Maruff arrived at the restaurant early. He checked his reflection in the glass twice. He laughed at himself. “Why am I nervous?” Then Sarah arrived. He forgot the answer. She walked toward him wearing a simple black dress. Nothing about her appearance seemed forced. She wasn't trying to impress anyone. Yet Maruff couldn't take his eyes off her. Sarah noticed. “Why are you staring?” Maruff smiled. “Because you're beautiful.” She looked down, suddenly shy. “You're making me uncomfortable.” “Sorry.” “No.” She looked back at him. “I didn't say I disliked it.” Maruff smiled. They sat together. Dinner became conversation. Conversation became laughter. And laughter became something neither of them wanted to end. At one point, Sarah reached across the table for her glass. Her fingers accidentally touched Maruff's. Neither moved. They looked at each other. The restaurant suddenly seemed very quiet. Sarah slowly pulled her hand away. “Sorry.” “You don't have to apologize.” “I wasn't.” Maruff smiled. “I know.” There was something growing between them. Neither wanted to name it yet. After dinner, they walked through the quiet streets. Sarah's shoulder occasionally brushed against Maruff's arm. Every time it happened, neither moved away. “You're quiet,” Sarah said. “I'm thinking.” “About what?” “You.” She laughed softly. “You barely know me.” “Sometimes you don't need years to know when someone is special.” Sarah stopped walking. Maruff stopped too. They stood facing each other beneath the streetlight. “Maruff…” “Yes?” “Don't make me believe something you don't mean.” His expression became serious. “I don't say things I don't mean.” She looked into his eyes. For a moment, the distance between them seemed to disappear. Maruff slowly reached for her hand. Sarah allowed him to take it. Their fingers intertwined. Her heart raced. His did too. Neither wanted to let go. Sarah whispered, “This is happening too fast.” “Then tell me to stop.” She looked at him. She didn't say stop. Instead, she stepped closer. Their faces were only inches apart. Maruff could feel her breath. Sarah looked into his eyes, then briefly at his lips. The moment stretched between them. But before anything happened, Sarah stepped back. “I should go.” Maruff nodded. “Okay.” She smiled. “Good night.” “Good night.” She walked away. After a few steps, she turned around. Maruff was still watching her. She smiled. And that smile told him everything. Chapter 3 — Jealousy The next morning, Maruff woke up to a message. Sarah: Good morning. He smiled immediately. Maruff: Good morning, beautiful. She didn't reply for several minutes. Then: Sarah: Beautiful? Already? Maruff: Should I call you something else? Sarah: Maybe. Maruff: What? Sarah: You'll have to find out. Maruff laughed. Their messages continued throughout the day. But that evening, everything changed. Maruff saw Sarah outside a restaurant with another man. The man was standing very close to her. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder. Maruff stopped. A strange feeling filled his chest. Jealousy. He didn't understand why it affected him so much. He and Sarah weren't officially together. But seeing another man beside her hurt. Sarah noticed him. “Maruff?” He forced a smile. “Hi.” The man beside her looked at him. Sarah quickly introduced them. “This is Daniel. He's an old friend.” Maruff nodded. “Nice to meet you.” Daniel smiled. “You too.” Maruff looked at Sarah. “I didn't know you were busy.” “I didn't know I had to report my schedule to you.” Her words were playful, but Maruff sensed something behind them. “Of course not.” He turned to leave. Sarah caught his arm. “Wait.” He looked down at her hand. She released him slowly. “Are you angry?” “No.” “You're jealous.” Maruff smiled. “Maybe.” Sarah's eyes softened. “Why?” He looked directly into her eyes. “Because I like you.” She became silent. “And I don't like seeing another man touching you.” Sarah's heart began beating faster. “Maruff…” “I know I don't have the right to say that yet.” He stepped closer. “But I want that right.” Sarah stared at him. For the first time, she realized that what was growing between them wasn't just attraction. It was becoming something much deeper. She reached for his hand. “You might get it.” Maruff smiled. “Then I'll wait.” But neither of them noticed Daniel watching them from a distance. His expression had changed. He wasn't smiling anymore. And Sarah had no idea that Daniel knew a secret about her past. A secret that could destroy everything between her and Maruff. Chapter 4 — The Secret Three days later, Sarah received a message from Daniel. Daniel: We need to talk. She stared at the screen. Her hands trembled. She knew exactly what he wanted. She had hoped that part of her life was finally behind her. But Daniel wasn't going away. Meanwhile, Maruff was becoming more attached to Sarah every day. He loved the way she laughed. He loved how she became quiet when she was thinking. He loved the little arguments they had over meaningless things. Most of all, he loved how safe he felt whenever she was beside him. One evening, they sat together in Maruff's car, talking. Sarah rested her head against his shoulder. Maruff gently held her hand. “I don't want this to end,” she whispered. “It won't.” “You can't promise that.” “I can promise that I'll fight for us.” Sarah lifted her head. “What if I'm not who you think I am?” Maruff looked at her. “Then I'll get to know the real you.” A tear appeared in her eye. “Why are you so good to me?” “Because I love you.” Sarah froze. Those three words changed everything. Maruff looked nervous for the first time. “I wasn't planning to say it tonight.” Sarah smiled through her tears. “But you did.” “I did.” She leaned closer and whispered: “I love you too.” Their foreheads touched. For a moment, the world outside disappeared. There was only the two of them. Two hearts that had found each other unexpectedly. But Sarah knew something Maruff didn't. And before their love could have a happy ending, the past was coming for them. The next morning, Maruff received an anonymous message. Unknown: If you really love Sarah, ask her about Daniel. Maruff stared at the screen. His smile disappeared. Then another message arrived. Unknown: She hasn't told you the truth. Maruff looked toward Sarah's name on his phone. For the first time, doubt entered his heart. And somewhere across the city, Sarah received a message of her own. Daniel: It's time he knows everything.