Junoon 1

Author's POV

'I am being chased. Someone's running after me. People are trying to hold him back but he's pushing them away and coming after me. He's getting closer..... and closer. I look back to see that he's right behind me. His hand reaches out and latches on to my arm making me jerk back against his hard front. I can feel his heavy breathing on my neck. I've been caught.'

Zara wakes up sweating furiously and breathing heavily. She wipes the sweat beads off her forehead. She has been seeing this dream for the past 2 weeks from time to time. She has no idea what it means. It could be a sign or it could just be her body being tired.

She chose the latter option as the answer because why would anyone want to catch her. Although her delusional brain and the thousand romance novels she read had her thinking otherwise. Pushing back all thoughts, she checked the time which said 6 am.

She got up to offer her prayers and to get ready for her university. Her new semester started today and she was excited to say the least. One of her classes was with her seniors which means she would be with her brother Adeel. (A/N: not sure how unis work. My highschool has options of having classes ahead of your year so...not sure. We'll pretend like it happens lol.)

Zara was a smart and loved student in the uni. She was competitive but she wouldn't consider herself popular. She considered herself as an average girl with medium length brown volumed hair that turned flat if she didn't wash it for a few days. After she was done with her supplications, she packed her bag and went downstairs to make breakfast. She saw her dad, Mr. Siddiqui, outside with her brothers, Adeel and Ahsan, talking.

Zara greeted them and went to make breakfast with her mother, Mrs. Siddiqui. The Siddiqui's were middle class but they were happy about it as they had a peaceful life. Their children were high achieving with 2 of them in a great university pursuing medicine while the other was a cyber security specialist.

Zara was loved by her family although she wasn't super close with her brothers but she knew they were there for her if she needed them. She served breakfast and sat down. "Zara, aap ki konsi classes hen iss semester?" Mr. Siddiqui asked. (Zara, what classes do you have this semester?)

"Baba, meri iss semester Anatomy, Psychology, Math and Chemistry." Zara replied while counting on her fingers. Mr. Siddiqui hummed and proceeded to ask his son, Adeel. (Dad, I have Anatomy, Psychology, Math and Chemistry this semester.)

"Adeel, behn ka khial rkhna university men. Iss dafa to tum dono ki class aik sath bhi he. Aik sath bethna." Mr. Siddiqui said, giving Adeel the normal lecture. (Adeel, take care of your sister in university. You guys have a class together this time so make sure you sit together.)

"Mein nahi beth raha iss bhens ke sath." Adeel replied, teasing Zara. Mrs. Siddiqui gave her son a look with a small smile on her face. (I don't want to sit beside this cow.)

"BABAA dekhein bhai mujhe kya keh rahe hain. Wese men konsa tumhare sath bethna chahti hoon. Ghore kahin ke." Zara replied back with a humph. Zara pouted, turning to her dad for backup. (DADDD, look what he called me. Also, I don't want to sit with you anyway. Horse.)

"Abey, ghora kisse bola? University men dekhta hoon tumhein-" Adeel was cut off by his father, scolding him. He gave a glare to Zara who just stuck her tongue out. (Abey, who did you call a horse? I will deal with you in the University-)

Everyone at the table smiled, hearing their bickering. It was indeed a happy family with little problems. Unfortunately, happiness doesn't last a long time just like sadness.

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On the other hand, a normal business man's son had woken up. Salaar woke up exhausted as usual. He despised his university but had to go because his dad wished to see him there. He was a good student academically but his behavior was the total opposite. All he wanted to do was burn the university down. At this point, he wanted to go to university just because of having a full attendance.

Salaar's family was not filthy rich nor were they middle class. His dad was a fairly successful businessman with a car showroom but his dad always wanted one of his children to be a doctor and Salaar was the one who would fulfill his dream.

Salaar got ready for university with an exhausted body and went towards the living room. He plopped on the couch using his phone while waiting for his brother, Huzaifa, to come down so that they could go to university together.

Huzaifa came down and Mrs. Sikander served him breakfast while not disturbing Salaar as she knew he could be cranky in the mornings. Huzaifa had breakfast and the brothers set off to their university. The new semester was starting today and Salaar could not wait for it to be over already.

They reached the university and Huzaifa went towards his friends while Salaar parked the car and tiredly went towards his friends, Mikael and Rayan. The three guys had been together through thick and thin making their friendship really strong. They were infamous in the university for being good at sports and being good high achieving students

Mikael and Rayan were the only ones who understood the hate Salaar had for this place. The trio greeted each other and went to their respective lectures unaware of the turn of events that would take place soon.

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The day was passing by pretty nicely until 3rd period came along. Zara had this class with her seniors as she took an accelerated program which means she would be with her brother, Adeel. She entered the class with her friend, Rania and took a seat in the middle of the class.

Slowly, the students began to file in slowly and Zara saw Adeel taking a seat towards the back making sure to keep Zara in sight. The lecture soon began and the professor started the class with warm-up questions.

Zara and another guy were the only students who were actively participating in the class. Salaar on the other hand had a severe headache and just wished he could shut the whole class up. "Who can tell me the answer to question number 7 on the doc and what method have they used to solve the question?" The professor's voice rang through the classroom.

Zara raised her hand to answer the question. "Sir, we would solve this-" Zara was cut off by the loud thundering voice of someone at the back.

"CAN YOU SHUT THE F*** UP? I'M TIRED OF YOUR VOICE. SIR THIS, SIR THAT. Just...shut up." Salaar roared, causing the class to turn to him. His headache was already killing him and poor Zara became his victim. He snapped without caring about the consequences. Mikael pulled him down, trying to calm him down. The professor opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Zara.

"Excuse me sir. Who do you think you are, huh? We come to this class to study and if I choose to participate in class, it should not bother you. Idiot." Zara bit back while whispering the last part to herself . She wasn't going to go back down easily. She was a strong woman and she would not tolerate any disrespect towards her.

Salaar was shocked. He had never had any student talk back, especially not one from the female population. He was not going to tolerate this. Salaar got up from his seat fuming, about to say something when Mikael stopped him and dragged him out of the classroom and apologized to the professor.

"Mikael yr usse chup krwa lo warna uss larki ko mene maar dena he yaad rakhna." Salaar said as Mikael kept dragging him to the disciplinary office. (Mikael bro make that girl shut up or I swear I will kill her.)

"Usse baad mein marna abhi to tujhe disciplinary office jana he. Yr thora khial kr leta. Semester ka first day he." Mikael said, trying to change the topic. Salaar took a few breaths, still fuming. He took out 2 painkillers and swallowed them with water. (Kill her later, right now you have to go to the disciplinary office. You could've been a little mindful. It's literally the first day of the semester.)

Salaar didn't reply and both of them went to the disciplinary office where they were only warned. The university did not want to suspend Salaar because of his good achievements that made the university shine.

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Zara was pissed after Salaar left the class. Rania later told her who Salaar was and why the whole class was quiet. Zara thought it was weird. She had been here for the whole last semester but never knew who he was. She shrugged thinking it's just another wannabe gangster guy.

She went home and told her mom everything. "Haan to tum chup rehti Zara. Bara hero banne ka shok charha tha." Adeel, her brother remarked. (Yeah, you should've just kept quiet. You really wanted to be the hero, didn't you?)

"Usne mere sath badtameezi pehle ki. Men usse jawab de rahi thi." Zara replied, justifying her actions. Adeel turned her a deaf ear knowing that Zara had not witnessed Salaar's anger. (He was being rude with me. I just gave my reply to him.)

Zara humphed and went to her room to take a nap.

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A week had passed with no communication between Salaar or Zara. They would glare at each other whenever passing each other. Zara's classes were amazing and peaceful. Salaar had not really said anything that would cause ruckus, he was rather quiet.

The professor had informed the class that the highest scorer in the class by midterm would get an opportunity to work as an intern at a bank to see how things work. Zara, being really competitive, thought that she would take on the opportunity but someone else had also set his mind on the opportunity and it was none other than Salaar.

Salaar thought it was the perfect opportunity to get out of the university. Salaar never really studied hard but paid attention in class and aced everything. Some people suspected him of cheating.

On the other hand, Zara worked day and night relentlessly to get good grades and to take full advantage of this opportunity. One day, Zara was with her friend Rania during lunch, "Yr Rania, mujhe ye internship chahiye. I really really want it. I think acha experience rahe ga." She said. (Rania, I want this internship....I think it would be a good experience.)

Salaar, who was passing by, stopped and saw Zara. He smirked knowing he was the one who would get it. He decided to test Zara's waters, "Yr Mikael, wo math class ki jo internship offer ho rahi he. Tumhe kia lagta he kon jeete ga?" Salaar was intentionally loud, making sure the girl behind him heard. (Mikael dude, you know the internship that is being offered in math class. Who do you think will get the internship?)

"Of course tum bro, aur kon?" Mikael replied earnestly. Salaar hummed, leaning against the pillar while running his fingers through his hairs. (Of course you bro, who else?)

"Nahi yar mujhe lagta he wo jo teacher ki chuzi class ke middle men bhethi he, usse shayad mil jaye?" Salaar faked seriousness. He could see Zara getting worked up, he smirked waiting for the bomb to explode. (No dude, I think the teacher's pet that sits in the middle of the class might take the internship.)

"No way Salaar, first test men tumhare full aaye the aur mene suna ke uske 80% aye the." Mikael replied not knowing what Salaar was going towards when he knew that Salaar would get the opportunity no matter what. (No way Salaar, you aced the first test while I heard she got 80%.)

"Mere 80% nahi, 98% aaye the." Zara's voice boomed. She came in front of them with Rania. Salaar smirked, his plan worked and he had found out what was precious to her. Zara got so mad hearing them talk like this. (I got 98%, not 80%.)

"Tumhe kisi ne sikhaya nahi ke chup chup ke logon ki batain sunna buri baat he." Salaar raised a brow towards her. He knew he was pushing buttons and he really liked it. (Didn't anyone tell you that eavesdropping is bad?)

"Btaya he but agr koi mere sar pe khare ho kr baat kr raha he to men apne kaan band nahi kr sakti." Zara sassed back. Something about Salaar ticked her off. (They told me but if someone is standing above my head and conversing, I can't possibly close my ears.)

"Aur ye internship men loon gi, dekh lena." Zara added on. (And I will take this internship.)

"Ziada overconfident na ho. Kahin ye overconfidence gir na jaye." Salaar warned her. (Don't be too overconfident. This confidence might go the wrong way.)

"Tum mujhe nasihatein na do. Beshak shart laga lo." Zara said, she could not let her pride fall this easily, especially not at the hands of this guy. (Don't give me advices. You can bet on it if you want.)

Salaar smiled knowing this would be fun. Seeing her crumble at the last moment. "Ok sure. Jo shart jeete ga usse kya mile ga." He asked. (Ok sure. What will the winner get?)

"Jo bhi wo kahe." Zara said without thinking. (Anything they want.)

"Jo bhi?" Salaar confirmed not expecting her to put anything on the table. Zara hummed in confirmation.(Anything?)

The bet was set and the opponents were ready to crush each other. After every test, Zara would go upto Salaar where he would forward his test paper that would always be above 95%. Zara would angrily accuse him of cheating but he will just wave her off.

He knew she was slowly crumbling inside and he enjoyed it. The girl had talked back to him and she should know the consequences. Soon enough the time passed and it was midterm's week. Zara was at the university late at night, studying separately.

Salaar was just done with his volleyball practice and was about to go home when he saw a girl crying, he could hear silent whimpers and went towards the noise. He saw the person he least expected, Zara.

But why was she crying? He went towards her and sat down. Zara quickly wiped her tears with the back of her hand when she saw someone sitting down beside her and continued doing her work, she didn't want the other person to see she was crying.

She picked up her pen and started writing something until she heard a deep voice. "Ro kyu rahi ho?" Salaar asked, clearly disturbed seeing her cry. (why are you crying?)

Zara turned her head towards him to see that he was already looking at her. "Wo wese hi, aankhon se paani nikal raha hai neend ki waja se." She replied, not wanting to tell him why. (My eyes are just watering because of sleep.)

"To jaa ke so jao, itni der ho gai he." Salaar said. (Then go and sleep, it's late.)

"Nahi, so nahi sakti. Abhi ye chapter poora karna he." Zara said and continued, "Wese bhi tumhe kia masla he." (No, I can't sleep. I still have to finish this chapter.) (Also, why do you care?)

Salaar ignored her question and said, "Acha, konsa chapter he? Men karwa deta hoon?" He tried grabbing the book but she just pulled it away. He was getting annoyed so he roughly grabbed the book and yanked it. (Alright, What chapter is it? I can teach you.)

"Koi chapter nahi he Salaar, mujhe meri book wapis do aur tum apna kaam karo. I don't need your help." Zara said frustratedly, she wanted to get rid of him here. She did not want him to see her weak point. (It's nothing Salaar, give me back my book and do your work.)

"Men tumse pooch nahi raha, lao men parha deta hoon." Salaar insisted. He did not like seeing her like this, it didn't annoy him but he did not like the idea of his competitor being this weak. (I wasn't asking you, come I'll teach you.)

"Tumhein samajh nahi aa rahi kia, mene tumse nahi parhna. Men tumhari waja se iss position men hoon. I don't get it, tum itne easily pass ho jate ho mgr no matter what I do, men nahi ace kar sakti exams. Kion Salaar, esa kion he?" Zara couldn't hold it in her and bursted. (Why can't you understand? I don't want to be taught by you. I am in this position because of you. I don't get it, you can easily ace the exam but no matter what I do, I can never ace the exam. Why Salaar, why is it like this?)

They had a moment of silence between them, Salaar had no idea that she was under so much stress about the internship. "You know, I do study. A lot actually. My dad used to force me to study. He always wanted to see me as a doctor even though I never wanted to be a doctor. I hate this place because it reminds me of the torture my father put me through. So agr tumhe lage ke men ese hi pass hota hoon then you're wrong." Salaar let out. He had no idea why he told her that but she looked like someone who would not judge.

Zara stilled and looked at him with teary eyes. She had never expected that. She thought he used to bribe the teachers but it was the total opposite. She didn't know what to say. "I–uh..I am sorry Salaar, I didn't know."

Salaar just clicked his tongue staring into space. "Do you...um want to share? You know, let everything out?" Zara said in a small voice. Salaar was shocked. Anytime he mentioned being abused, everyone would say sorry and change the topic while this girl wanted to let him feel lighter. He didn't know what came over him but he spilled.

"It started when I was 5, I failed my first test and my father was very angry. He called me a failure and locked me up without food. My mother tried to help me but he told her that he couldn't have failures in his home and I needed to learn. He hired tutors that were abusive. Every night, he would ask me a question from the things I learned and if I got it right, I would be able to sleep peacefully and if not, he would lock me up in a cold room that was very dark." Salaar said not trying to put in too many emotions.

"It got better once I turned 15, I got really good at academics. I learned stuff ahead of my class and did really well in sports too. The abuse finally stopped but the scars still remain. Once I was done with college, I got an admission in this university because my dad wanted it. I absolutely hated the place because it reminds me that I am only following orders and I am a mere object of entertainment for my dad. If that is what I can call him." Salaar let out, looking at Zara.

Zara softly smiled, "You're really strong, you know? I'm so proud of you! You endured all that. I hope you can have all the happiness in the entire world." She gently smiled at him.

Salaar genuinely smiled, he really liked her being so nice and supportive. He normally did not open up to people. Heck, the only people he opened up to were Mikael and Rayan.

"Although, this does not mean I will go easy on you during midterms." Zara said to make the atmosphere a little light.

The two friends sat talking while Adeel came and picked Zara up, giving her and Salaar a suspicious look. She explained that they were studying together and Adeel scolded her to stay away but she turned a deaf ear. Her heart ached for Salaar.

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Assalamualaikum Lovely readers!!!

I know I have been saying that I will update but I don't. School has been so hard and other extra curriculars aren't allowing me free time either. Anyway here is the new story. I personally think this story is a little fast-paced, you guys let me know.

I won't promise regular updates however I will try.

If you see any mistakes, feel free to point it out in the comments or contact me privately. If you have any concerns, leave a comment or contact me privately.

Adore y'all <3

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See you in the next chapter, Till then Allah Hafiz lovely people!!!! <3