Unspoken But Not Broken

The terrace fell into a haunting silence after Humera's hurried steps disappeared down the stairs. Aiyaz stood there, motionless, his chest rising and falling with the weight of everything left unsaid. His trembling hands released the railing, and for a moment, he stared into the vast expanse of the night sky, his vision blurred by unshed tears.

And then, unable to hold it in any longer, he screamed, "HUMU!"

His voice tore through the stillness, raw and desperate, echoing into the void as if he were calling out to the universe itself. The sound reverberated across the walls, carrying with it every ounce of his pain, love, and frustration.

He slammed his fist onto the metal railing, the sharp clang cutting through the air. Again. And again. Each bang more violent than the last, as if trying to shatter the invisible barrier that stood between him and her. His knuckles reddened, the pain dull compared to the storm raging inside him.

"Why won't you let me in, Humu?" he whispered hoarsely, his voice breaking. "Why won't you see what's in my heart?"

Unbeknownst to him, Humera had stopped just a few steps down the staircase. Her hand clutched the railing, her chest heaving as she tried to stifle her sobs. She had heard him. Every word. Every scream. The pain in his voice was undeniable, piercing through her resolve like a dagger.

Her knees felt weak, and she leaned against the wall, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out everything else. Tears streamed down her face, hot and relentless. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the sound of his agony, but it was impossible.

Aiyaz banged the railing one last time before collapsing onto his knees, his head hanging low. "Main aur kitna seh sakta hoon, Humu?" he murmured to himself, his voice a broken whisper. "Mujhse aur mat bhago... main tumhare bina kuch nahi hoon."
("How much more can I bear, Humu? Don't run from me anymore... I'm nothing without you.")

Humera bit her lip to keep from crying out, her body trembling as his words wrapped around her heart like a vice. She wanted to run back to him, to tell him everything she felt, but her fear held her back. The scars of her past were too deep, too fresh, and the thought of letting someone in, even him, was terrifying.

Slowly, she wiped her tears and forced herself to descend the rest of the stairs. She couldn't face him-not now, not when her emotions were too raw, too exposed.

As the night stretched on, Aiyaz remained on the terrace, staring into the distance. He didn't know how long he stayed there, the cool breeze brushing against his face, carrying with it a faint trace of jasmine.

"Humu," he whispered one last time, his voice barely audible, a prayer lost to the wind.

Vanya watches Aiyaz from the shadows of the terrace, her heart burning with a mix of jealousy and desire. She clenches her fists as she recalls the way Aiyaz had looked at Humera earlier, his eyes filled with longing and tenderness.

"She doesn't deserve you, Arhaan," Vanya muttered to herself, her voice low and venomous. "Not after everything she's done. She'll only bring you pain."

Determined, she decides to act. She enlists the help of her minions-Manar, Ayzal, Daggu, and Prasanna-each of them eager to please her, albeit for their own reasons. Together, they begin to devise ways to isolate Aiyaz from Humera.

The next day, Vanya approaches Aiyaz while he's lost in thought, staring at the horizon from the terrace. She's dressed elegantly, her demeanor soft and inviting.

"Arhaan," she said, her voice honeyed, "you've been so distant lately. Are you okay?"

He glances at her briefly, his expression guarded. "I'm fine, Vanya."

She steps closer, placing a hand lightly on the railing beside him. "You don't have to pretend with me. I can see the pain in your eyes. Humera... she doesn't understand you like I do."

Aiyaz stiffens at her words, his jaw tightening. "No one asked for your opinion".

Vanya tilted her head, feigning concern. "I mean... she's been through so much. Don't you think it's unfair to expect her to give you what you need? Maybe it's time to let her go."

His gaze sharpens, and he takes a step back, creating distance between them. "I don't need your advice, Vanya. Humera is everything to me. Stay out of it."

Her smile falters for a moment before she quickly recovers, masking her frustration. "I'm only trying to help, Aiyaz. You deserve someone who can love you fully, without hesitation."

"Aiyaz??? How dare you? How dare you call me by that name? I am Arhaan" he smirked. "but..but I thought you liked being called that way", replied Vanya.
"Yeah...only when she does", he answered and without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Vanya standing alone, her façade of confidence cracking. Her minions, watching from a distance, exchange uneasy glances. They've never seen Vanya fail to charm anyone before.