The night breeze was gentle, carrying the scent of the sea as the group slowly started to call it a day. Komal stretched her arms with a yawn, nudging Siddarth.
"I think that's enough drama for one night," she said. "Let's head back."
Akansha nodded, her eyes drifting toward Sneha's empty spot. "Yeah… It's been a long day."
Aarav slung an arm around her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go. We'll check on Sneha in the morning."
With that, the four of them retreated to their booked rooms near the beach, leaving behind only Shumaila and Hamza.
Neither of them was in a hurry to leave.
Hamza turned toward her, hands in his pockets, his expression softer than usual. "So… we're finally alone."
Shumaila rolled her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips. "Don't get any ideas."
He smirked. "Too late for that."
She sighed, but instead of pulling away, she reached out, her fingers brushing against his before slowly intertwining their hands.
Hamza stiffened.
Shumaila pretended not to notice, staring at the moonlit waves as they walked along the shoreline, their footsteps sinking into the cool sand.
"Are you trying to kill me?" Hamza asked after a moment. His voice was slightly strained.
She turned to him with an amused expression. "What?"
He looked down at their hands, her fingers perfectly laced with his. "This."
Shumaila smirked. "You're acting like we haven't done worse."
Hamza let out a low chuckle. "You're getting bold, Miss Shumaila."
She shrugged, giving his hand a small squeeze. "Maybe."
Hamza was about to say something, but then—
Shumaila froze.
Hamza felt it instantly. Her grip on his hand went slack, and her posture turned rigid.
He frowned, following her gaze.
A man stood a few feet away, dressed in a light button-up shirt and casual jeans, his hands in his pockets. He had a sharp, handsome face, but what caught Hamza's attention the most was the way his eyes softened the moment they landed on Shumaila.
Who the fuck is this?!
Before Hamza could open his mouth, the man took a step forward.
"Shumaila?"
Her breath hitched. "Rayan?"
Hamza's entire body turned frigid.
The name alone was enough to make his jaw tighten.
Rayan smiled, taking another step toward them. He glanced at Hamza briefly but completely ignored his presence, walking straight up to Shumaila.
"It's been a while, how are you?" he said, his voice light, familiar.
Shumaila's lips parted awkwardly, and she replied, "I am fine. How are you?"
Rayan laughed. "Fine as well. I won't lie. Seeing you here is a surprise."
Hamza's grip on Shumaila's hand tightened.
"Oh," Rayan glanced at Hamza, continued. "And before you get any wrong ideas, I'm here with my girlfriend."
At that, Shumaila visibly relaxed.
Hamza, however, did not.
"I won't cause trouble between you and your…I suppose boyfriend over here by his reaction," Rayan added, finally acknowledging Hamza with an amused look.
Shumaila let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "You're still the same."
Rayan grinned. "You know me."
Hamza had had enough.
Before Rayan could say anything else, Hamza's icy voice cut through the air.
"Hamza," he said flatly, introducing himself before Rayan could pretend he didn't exist again.
Rayan raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Right. Shumaila's boyfriend?"
Shumaila turned to Rayan, playfully smacking his arm. "Stop teasing."
Rayan laughed, giving her a mock salute. "Alright, alright. I'll let you two get back to your night. It was nice seeing you, Shumaila."
With that, he walked away.
The moment he was gone, Shumaila turned toward Hamza—only to find him staring daggers at the waves.
She giggled. "Oh my God."
Hamza didn't say anything.
Shumaila bit her lip. "Hamza."
Still nothing.
She grinned. "Are you jealous?"
Hamza finally turned to her, his expression dark and brooding.
"Of that guy?" he scoffed. "No."
Shumaila folded her arms. "Mhm."
Hamza exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. Then, he started.
"I mean, who does he think he is, completely ignoring me like I'm not standing right here?" he muttered. "Then he has the audacity to smirk like—like he knows something I don't? And the way he said 'boyfriend'? What was that? Was he mocking me? For what? He was mocking me, wasn't he?"
Shumaila laughed.
Hamza glared at her.
She stepped forward, grabbing his collar and pulling him down to her level.
Hamza's breath caught.
Then, she kissed him.
It was a quick, soft, fleeting peck on the lips, but it was enough to silence him completely. When she pulled away, Hamza was frozen.
"I only have eyes for you," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead.
Hamza was still frozen.
His brain was not functioning.
Then, suddenly, his grip on her waist tightened.
"Wait," he said, his voice low. "Have you… Ever kissed someone before?"
Shumaila blinked. "What?"
Hamza tilted his head, studying her face. "This wasn't your first kiss, right?"
Shumaila frowned. "No. This was my first. Why?"
Hamza's lips curled into a smirk.
"Oh, sweetheart."
Before she could react, he pulled her flush against him, his lips hovering dangerously close to her ear.
"What you did..." he whispered huskily, "That's not called a kiss."
Shumaila shivered.
She lifted her chin defiantly. "And you would know because…?"
Hamza smirked, eyes darkening. "Because I just do."
Shumaila narrowed her eyes. "You have experience?"
His grip on her waist tightened just a fraction. "Not exactly."
Shumaila raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Hamza leaned in further, his lips brushing against her earlobe.
"I mean, what you did was my first, too" he murmured.
Shumaila's breath hitched.
"But…" He pulled back slightly, eyes locked onto hers. "I know that this is called a peck."
Then, before she could react, he was already leaning in.
Just a simple, soft peck on the lips.
Shumaila's brain short-circuited.
Hamza smiled against her lips. "See?"
Shumaila blinked.
"Now," he continued, his tone dipping lower, "let me show you what a real kiss feels like."
And then, he kissed her.
It began gently, a tantalising dance of hesitation and curiosity. Hamza leaned in, his heart racing as he gauged Shumaila's response. She didn't flinch or pull away; instead, her eyes sparkled with a mix of intrigue and challenge. Encouraged by her relaxed demeanour, he took a bold step forward, deepening the kiss with a sense of urgency that spoke volumes of his growing desire. Their connection ignited, swirling around them like a warm embrace, as the world faded away, leaving just the two of them suspended in that moment. His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer.
And this time, she leaned in, her soft lips brushing against his with a tender yet passionate warmth that sent shivers down his spine. As their mouths met, time seemed to stretch, and the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them tangled in this electrifying moment. The sweetness of her kiss ignited a fire within him, making his heart race like never before, as if every beat echoed the thrill of finally sharing this connection. It felt like a long-awaited promise fulfilled, leaving Hamza breathless and longing for more. Her fingers curled into his shirt, tugging him toward her, their breaths mingling, their heartbeats racing.
By the time they finally broke apart, they were both panting.
Hamza leaned his forehead against hers, a lazy, satisfied grin spreading across his lips.
"I love you," he whispered.
Shumaila smiled.
She pecked his cheek.
"I know."
And with that, they walked back like lovesick idiots, lost in their own world.
As they got closer to the beach bar, Shumaila's smile slowly faded. Because there, sitting by herself and looking completely adrift, was Sneha. It pained Shumaila to see her friend so lost.
Shumaila sighed. "You go ahead. I need to talk to her."
Hamza hesitated, then nodded.
And just like that, the night was far from over.