Daniyal leaned back in the car seat as they drove home, the city lights passing in a blur outside the window.
But his mind wasn't outside.
It was stuck in the balcony conversation.
Chaos… and peace.
He frowned slightly.
"Why did I even say that?" he muttered to himself.
Komal had smiled.
But something in her eyes… hadn't felt the same afterward.
He exhaled slowly.
Maybe I should stop this girlfriend-boyfriend thing altogether, he thought. It's getting too… complicated.
And then, almost immediately, another thought followed.
But with Saaniya… things are easy.
That realization unsettled him more than it should have.
Saturday in their world had a rule: if not spent together, they felt wasted.
And Usman was the first to break the silence.
Around midnight. Group Chat Message:"Seaside tomorrow?"
Saaniya read it while sipping her tea.
Sabuhi asked: "Saaniya, you coming?"
Shanaya saw it but stayed quiet.
Usman typed again."Seaside?"
After a pause, Shanaya finally replied:"Cant. I already had one planned."
Imran replied to Shanaya's message with a smile and heart emoji and then messaged
"She will come."
Shehla didn't respond at all.
Saaniya looked at the screen.
She understood immediately.
Something had shifted in all of them lately.
Still, she typed:
"I'm in."
Usman replied instantly."Done. I'll arrange everything."
Within minutes, plans were made.
Nearly 15 people confirmed.
The group was alive again—but not entirely the same.
The Next Day – Saturday Morning
Morning of the Trip
Cars gathered outside Usman's house one by one.
Laughter, horns, shouting—chaotic energy filled the street.
Saaniya arrived first, picking up Sabuhi on the way.
On the ride, Sabuhi barely spoke.
"You okay?" Saaniya asked, glancing at her.
Sabuhi smiled faintly. "Just tired."
Saaniya didn't push.
She had learned that silence sometimes meant more than words.
Before heading to Usman's house, they dropped Irene off at Irene's place.
Irene stood at the door, arms crossed.
"Enjoy!!!," she said and went inside.
"You can join us!" Sabuhi said.
"I don't do group chaos on weekends," Irene replied. "That's your job."
Saaniya laughed. "Suit yourself."
Irene smirked. "Bring me food on the way back."
And with that, she disappeared inside.
At Usman's House
By the time they arrived, everyone was already there.
Daniyal leaned against the gate, hands in pockets.
When he saw Saaniya step out of the car, his eyes briefly paused on her.
Just a second too long.
She noticed—but said nothing.
He walked over casually and sat beside her in the van.
Saaniya raised an eyebrow. "You're early."
"You're late," he replied.
She scoffed. "I'm always on time."
She walked up to Shanaya and snapped: "Someone had planned their weekend already!"
Shanaya replied: "I said I am working today"
Saaniya replied: Such a drama your are.
Usman called from the front. "Let's go!"
Seats were shuffled.
Sabuhi ended up sitting next to Usman.
She frowned. "Why am I here?"
"Because I said so," Usman replied, too quickly.
Sabuhi didn't argue—but her silence was heavier than usual.
On the Way
Daniyal surprised everyone.
He kept handing Saaniya snacks, drinks, even adjusting things for her without being asked.
"Eat this," he said.
"I'm not hungry."
"You always say that and then steal mine," he replied.
She rolled her eyes but took it anyway.
Shanaya whispered to Imran from behind. "What is happening here?"
Imran smiled slightly. "Don't ask questions you already know the answer to."
Saaniya heard it.
She didn't react.
But she felt it.
Daniyal sitting closer than usual.
Daniyal speaking softer than usual.
Daniyal… noticing her too much.
At the Seaside
The group scattered across the sand.
Some walked, some took photos, some argued over food.
Shanaya and Imran took a long peaceful walk oblivion of what is happening in the surrounding, trying to steal as many moments as they could.
Usman, however, pulled Sabuhi slightly away from the group.
"I need to talk to you," he said.
Sabuhi sighed. "Usman, don't start."
"I can't keep pretending," he replied sharply.
Her eyes narrowed. "Pretending what?"
"That I don't feel anything," he said. "You know exactly what this is."
Sabuhi froze slightly.
Usman stepped closer. "We were not strangers. We were everything once."
Sabuhi looked away. "That was a long time ago."
"It still exists," he said firmly. "I never stopped loving you."
Silence.
Then Usman continued, voice breaking slightly.
"I can accept your daughter. I can accept your life. Just don't shut me out completely."
Sabuhi's breath tightened.
"This is not simple," she said.
"It is simple," he replied. "You just don't want it to be."
Her voice rose slightly. "I have responsibilities. A marriage. A life."
"And I'm asking you to rethink it," Usman said.
Sabuhi stepped back.
"This is not fair."
"And what about what I feel?" he asked.
The argument grew sharper.
Words clashing like waves.
And from a distance—
Saaniya noticed.
But didn't interrupt.
Nearby – Daniyal and Saaniya
Daniyal sat on a rock, watching the waves.
Saaniya stood beside him.
"So," she said lightly, "about that girl…"
He turned slightly. "Hmm?"
"There is no girl," she said casually.
He blinked. "What?"
"It was a prank," she said, smiling faintly. "We just wanted to see your reaction."
Daniyal stared at her for a second.
Then laughed.
"You people are unbelievable."
She shrugged. "You passed the test."
He smirked. "So what now?"
She stood straight. "Nothing. Friends again."
"Friends," he repeated.
"Friends," she confirmed.
He nodded slowly.
"Okay then," he said. "Friends it is."
But neither of them moved away.
Usman and Sabuhi – Aftermath
The argument ended—but not in peace.
Sabuhi walked away first.
Usman stood still, fists clenched, breathing uneven.
He didn't follow.
But his eyes didn't leave her.
Saaniya watched from a distance, understanding more than she showed.
Some wounds don't close just because the conversation ends.
The Ride Back
Evening settled as they returned.
The van was quieter now.
Exhaustion had replaced energy.
Music played softly in the background.
Daniyal sat beside Saaniya again.
At first, he tried to keep distance.
Then silence grew heavier.
And slowly—
Without realizing it—
His head tilted.
And rested on her shoulder.
Saaniya froze for half a second.
She didn't move.
Didn't push him away.
Didn't lean in either.
She just stayed still.
Daniyal closed his eyes.
For the first time that day—
Everything felt quiet.
Too quiet.
And too right.