Chapter 3.......... **Fate Had Other Plans**
749 Words
Three weeks later...
The Rahman residence was as lively as ever.
"Who stole my coffee?"
Saif's voice echoed through the house.
Mira quickly hid the mug behind her back while Alina struggled not to laugh.
"I have absolutely no idea," Mira replied innocently.
Saif narrowed his eyes.
"You've got five seconds."
"Four..."
"Three..."
Mira squealed and ran.
Saif chased her through the living room while everyone burst into laughter.
Their mother sighed dramatically.
"One day this house will finally be peaceful."
"It'll be because we're married," Aariz said with a grin.
"Or because you kicked us all out," Ayla added.
The room filled with laughter again.
---
After breakfast, Mrs. Rahman handed a blue folder to Ayla.
"Sweetheart, could you give these papers to your brother?"
"He's in the backyard with his friends."
Ayla nodded.
"Sure, Mama."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and walked towards the garden.
---
The Rahman backyard looked more like a private resort than a family garden.
A wooden pergola stood beside a sparkling swimming pool.
The scent of fresh coffee drifted through the air.
Nearly fifteen people sat around a large table.
Doctors.
Lawyers.
Businessmen.
Architects.
Every one of them had built successful careers.
Despite their different professions...
They had remained inseparable since university.
One rule had always bound them together.
**Your friend's sister is your sister.**
It wasn't just a joke.
It was a promise.
A promise none of them had ever broken.
---
"Forget business for a minute," Rayyan laughed.
"We've listened to enough meetings."
"So..."
"When are you getting married, Zayan?"
Everyone turned towards him.
Zayan remained silent.
Then he quietly answered,
"I'll marry one day."
"When?"
"When I find the girl."
Haider smirked.
"The mysterious girl?"
Zayan nodded.
"I owe her more than an apology."
"You've been looking for her for three weeks," Daniyal sighed.
"You don't even know her name."
"I'll find her."
"How?"
"I don't know."
"But I will."
Before anyone could tease him again...
A voice interrupted.
"Bhai?"
Every conversation stopped.
Ayla stepped into the garden.
The afternoon breeze played with her long dark hair.
She wore an oversized beige shirt over blue jeans and white trainers.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Beautiful.
She looked down at the folder in her hands as she walked.
"I brought the documents Mama wanted to—"
She looked up.
Her words disappeared.
Across the table...
Zayan stood frozen.
Their eyes met.
Time seemed to stop.
For a heartbeat...
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
The same girl.
The same gentle eyes.
The same girl who had stayed.
The same girl who had saved him.
His breath caught.
*It's her...*
Then Aariz smiled proudly.
"Oh, perfect timing!"
He walked over and placed a hand on Ayla's shoulder.
"Gentlemen..."
"This is my eldest sister."
"Ayla Rahman."
Zayan's heart almost stopped.
*Aariz's... sister?*
The promise echoed in his mind.
**Your friend's sister is your sister.**
His chest tightened.
Of all the women in the world...
Why did it have to be her?
---
Ayla offered a polite smile.
"Assalamu Alaikum."
Everyone greeted her warmly.
Rayyan grinned.
"So this is the famous sister?"
"We've heard so much about you."
Ayla laughed softly.
"I hope only good things."
"Oh, definitely."
"Mostly."
Everyone laughed.
Everyone...
Except Zayan.
He couldn't take his eyes off her.
Not because she was beautiful.
But because he suddenly understood...
The woman he'd been searching for wasn't a stranger anymore.
She belonged to the family of one of the people he respected most.
And that changed everything.
---
"You're staring."
Haider whispered under his breath.
Zayan immediately looked away.
"I'm not."
"You haven't blinked in thirty seconds."
"I said I'm not."
Haider raised an eyebrow.
Then...
He noticed something unusual.
Ayla accidentally walked into the edge of a chair.
"Ouch!"
She rubbed her knee, embarrassed.
"I didn't even see that."
Everyone chuckled.
She smiled sheepishly.
"I'm fine."
As she turned to leave...
She almost dropped the folder.
Before it could hit the ground...
A hand caught it.
Zayan.
For a brief second...
Their fingers brushed.
Both of them pulled back at the same time.
"Thank you," Ayla whispered.
"You're welcome."
It was only two words.
But somehow...
Both of them remembered that moment for the rest of the day.
---
**Cliffhanger:**
That evening, Zayan receives a message from Rayyan:
> **"Tomorrow night. Family dinner at Aariz's house. Everyone is coming."**
Zayan stares at the screen.
His greatest wish has just come true...
And become his biggest problem.
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