Raisa stood by the window, her fingers tracing the outline of her smartphone. The city outside was alive with flickering lights and bustling streets, but her heart felt heavy with the weight of unspoken words. The events from the night before echoed in her mind—Zayn's gaze, his soft laughter, the way their hands brushed against each other. “Why am I feeling this way?” she muttered to herself, the reflection in the glass staring back at her with equal parts confusion and excitement.

Bzzz! Her phone vibrated on the table, breaking the silence that hung in the air. Raisa’s heart raced as she picked it up, hoping it was Zayn.

“Good morning, beautiful! 🌞 Are we still on for lunch?” The message was from Kendra, a reminder that her friend was waiting for her at their favorite café.

Raisa quickly typed back, “Yes! I’ll be there in 30.” But as she set her phone down, her thoughts drifted back to Zayn. The way he had looked at her last night felt like an electric current, stirring feelings she thought she had buried beneath the layers of her influencer persona. “No, Raisa, don’t think about it!” she chastised herself, shaking her head.

At the café, Kendra was already seated at a table by the window, a camera resting beside her half-eaten croissant. “Hey, girl! You look like you’ve seen a ghost!” Kendra exclaimed, her tone teasing but her eyes sharp with curiosity.

“Just tired, I guess,” Raisa replied, forcing a smile. She settled into her chair, trying to push away the lingering thoughts of Zayn.

“Ah, come on! I know that look. Spill!” Kendra leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

Raisa sighed, “It’s Zayn. I mean, last night was... intense. I can’t stop thinking about him.”

Kendra raised an eyebrow, a sly smile creeping across her face. “Intense? You mean you guys had a moment?”

“Something like that,” Raisa said, her cheeks flushing slightly. “But it’s complicated. He’s... everything I’m not. He’s grounded, serious, and I’m... well, I’m just a digital facade.”

“Stop right there!” Kendra waved her hands dramatically. “You’re not just a facade. You have depth, Raisa! Zayn sees that, even if you don’t.”

As they chatted, Raisa’s phone buzzed again. She opened it, and her heart skipped a beat—it was Zayn.

“Hey, hope you’re not busy. Can we talk later?”

“Ugh!” Raisa groaned inwardly, glancing at Kendra, whose eyes widened in surprise. “What should I say?”

“Say yes! You need to figure this out,” Kendra urged, nudging her shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, Raisa replied, “Sure! What time?”

Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city, Raisa found herself pacing in her apartment. The clock ticked loudly, and anticipation buzzed in her veins.

Knock knock!

“Coming!” Raisa rushed to the door, her heart pounding. She opened it to find Zayn standing there, his face illuminated by the soft light behind him. He looked hesitant yet hopeful, the lines of worry etched on his forehead.

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“Hey,” he said softly, stepping inside. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Not at all! I was just... thinking,” she replied, gesturing toward the couch. “Want to sit?”

They settled onto the couch, a comfortable yet charged silence enveloping them. Raisa could feel the weight of their unsaid words hanging in the air.

“Raisa,” Zayn started, his voice low and steady. “About last night...”

“Yeah?” Her breath hitched, every word hanging on the edge of uncertainty.

“I know we’re from different worlds, but I can’t help how I feel,” he admitted, his eyes searching hers. “You make me feel... alive, you know? Like everything I thought I wanted doesn’t matter as long as you’re here.”

Raisa’s heart raced. “Zayn, I feel the same way, but—”

“Wait!” Zayn interrupted, raising a hand, his expression serious. “Let me finish. I’ve been running from my feelings, thinking I could just focus on work and my career. But you… You’ve changed that. I don’t want to lose you because of my fears.”

Thud! Her heart sank, a mix of relief and panic flooding her senses. “I’m scared too,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if we’re just... a moment? What if we’re not enough for each other?”

“Then let’s find out together,” he said, his hand reaching for hers, his touch warm and grounding. “I’m willing to try if you are.”

In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Raisa looked into Zayn's eyes, seeing the sincerity and vulnerability reflected back at her.

Ring! The sound of her phone broke the spell, pulling her back to reality. She glanced at the screen and saw Kendra’s name flashing.

“Sorry, it’s Kendra,” Raisa said, half-heartedly smiling. “She probably wants to know what’s happening.”

Zayn chuckled softly, “She’s the best wingwoman, huh?”

Raisa nodded, but her mind was still racing. “Zayn, I need to think about this. I really do like you, but… can we take it slow?”

Zayn nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. “Of course. No pressure. I just want you to know I’m here.”

As the evening wore on, they talked about everything and nothing, each word weaving a thread between them. Raisa felt a warmth blossom in her chest, a feeling she hadn’t allowed herself to embrace fully.

But just as hope began to settle in, the shadow of doubt lurked in the corners of her mind.

Knock knock! A loud noise interrupted them, echoing through the quiet apartment. The door swung open, and in walked Kendra, her camera slung around her neck, and excitement radiating from her.

“Surprise! I thought I’d drop by!” she announced cheerfully, only to freeze mid-sentence as she took in the scene—Zayn sitting closely next to Raisa, their hands intertwined.

“Oh! Uh, hey!” Kendra blinked rapidly, caught off guard.

“Perfect timing,” Zayn said, standing up, breaking the moment, but not the tension that hung in the air. “I was just leaving.”

Raisa’s heart sank as Zayn stood up, uncertainty flashing across his face.

“Wait, Zayn!” she called out, but he was already at the door.

“I’ll text you,” he replied softly before disappearing into the night.

Kendra looked at Raisa, wide-eyed. “What just happened?”

“I don’t know, Kendra! I think... I think I might have messed everything up,” Raisa said, frustration bubbling up inside her.

“Oh no! What do you mean?” Kendra stepped closer, her voice filled with concern.

“I should have said yes to taking a chance, but I hesitated. Now he’s gone, and I don’t know if he’ll come back,” Raisa admitted, her voice trembling.

“Raisa, it’s not too late! You need to call him!” Kendra urged, her expression serious.

Raisa nodded, her resolve hardening as she grabbed her phone, but a sinking feeling in her chest reminded her that love is never straightforward.

As she dialed Zayn’s number, the weight of uncertainty loomed, the sound of the ringing phone echoing in her ears.

Will he answer? Or will this be the end of something that had just begun?

Beep... beep... beep...

A single tear slipped down her cheek as the phone continued to ring, an uncertainty hanging in the air, waiting to be broken by his voice—or perhaps, waiting to reveal a deeper truth about love under the same sky.