What the Heart Knows

Areeba was stubborn. Proud. Fierce in her opinions. She had her walls built high and her judgments even higher. And the one man she had decided she couldn’t stand was Rayyan.

Rayyan was everything she disliked in a person—quiet, composed, and maddeningly kind. He didn’t react when she was sarcastic. He didn’t flinch when she ignored him in group settings. Worse, he smiled—as if he knew something she didn’t.

They both worked in the same non-profit. He was the project head; she was a field officer. They weren’t supposed to be close. But somehow, fate didn’t agree with that.

It started with simple things.

When he stayed late for work, she stayed too—without him asking.

When his file was missing, she found it—before he knew it was gone.

When he once stood in the rain to help an old woman cross the road, she found herself holding an umbrella over him—without realizing her own head was soaked.

She told herself it was coincidence. She wasn’t doing it for him. She was just… helping.

But it kept happening.

One day, Rayyan caught her in the hallway.

“You don’t like me, do you?” he asked with a small, amused smile.

“No,” she replied honestly. “I don’t.”

He nodded. “Then why do you always come through… when I need someone?”

She didn’t have an answer.

That night, she couldn’t sleep. His question echoed in her head like an unfinished song.

Why did she always do what he needed—even when her mind said no?

The next day, he was unusually quiet during a team meeting. He looked… tired. Unwell. Areeba felt something stir in her chest.

“Are you okay?” she asked, against her will.

He looked at her, surprised. “You care?”

“No,” she said quickly. “Just asking.”

He chuckled softly, “Of course.”

But she did care.

Later that week, she found out he hadn’t eaten all day. So she left a sandwich on his desk—with no name. He looked around, confused, then smiled at no one in particular.

She saw it from behind the door. And smiled too.

She hated this. Hated how her hands and heart moved before her brain agreed. Hated how she noticed when he wasn’t around. How she felt lighter when he laughed. How her silence grew louder when he wasn't near.

Areeba, the girl who swore she’d never fall for someone like Rayyan…

…was softening.

But she still told herself she didn’t like him.

It was just habit. Empathy. Nothing more.

Until the day he got transferred to another city.

No goodbyes. Just a quiet farewell email to the team. He didn’t even message her personally.

She pretended not to care. But her hands trembled as she typed her reply: “Wishing you the best.”

She didn’t hit send.

The office felt colder without him. The jokes weren’t as funny. The work didn’t feel as fulfilling. She kept looking at the empty chair across the room… expecting to see him walk in late with coffee and that same annoying, calm smile.

Weeks passed.

One rainy evening, she walked into the coffee shop they both used to go to. It was a habit now, even if he wasn’t there.

But that day—he was.

Rayyan sat in the corner, looking up in shock as she entered. His eyes softened, then smiled. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

She crossed her arms. “I didn’t come for you.”

“I know,” he said calmly. “But maybe your heart did.”

She didn’t answer.

He stood up, walked to her slowly. “You never liked me. I accepted that.”

“I still don’t,” she whispered.

“But you always did everything I needed. Without me ever asking.”

She swallowed hard. “I hated that part of me.”

“Why?”

“Because it felt like I was losing control.”

He stepped closer. “Or maybe… you were finally listening to the part of you that’s always been quiet. The part that loves without asking permission.”

Areeba looked away, tears burning behind her lashes. “Why didn’t you say anything before leaving?”

“Because I didn’t want to make you choose,” he said. “You’ve always done what I needed. But I wanted to know—would you ever do what you want?”

She met his eyes. “What if I don’t know what that is?”

“Then let’s find out. Together.”

He reached out, not to pull her in—but to let her decide.

This time, her heart didn’t wait for permission. She stepped forward.

The End