It was a day for 3 days and 2 nights camping. The venue was the countryside surrounded by forest and a waterfall inside the forest. Aiza was with a 5 membered group along with their 2 years elder senior Saad. He was blunt with his words and strict with his duty. He's a cold personality person though having an attractive body. Everyone admired him but was afraid of his strong aura.

Aiza casually and supportively interacted with her group in building a camp, cooking the group meal and other activities.

The purpose of the training was, 'How one can survive with limited things during emergency situations'.

Along with helping the village people with their handwork, they even had a survey of free testing, teaching and handing medication to those poor people.

At night they held a campfire, sang, talked and they enjoyed themselves with the village members.

After days of working, it was tomorrow, the end of their camping. The day was ending. Aiza was in a daze sitting in front of the house, in a daze watching the farmer and his son returning to their home after a long day.

His wife stood outside the house welcoming them. Though they returned late, the whole family seemed to be having a happy time.

"...?...Hey! What is she doing sitting over there?'', senior Saad asked one of the member.

''Do...don't know sir. She seemed unusual these days'', the girl responded.

''Actually sir...it's her father's death anniversary tomorrow. Each year she would give away something to the poor in her father's name and stay with her mother the whole day'', a girl from the group explained after hearing them talk.

Saad after letting the two off, he walked to Aiza,

''What are you doing here? It's dinner time, have your share and go to bed. We will be leaving around the afternoon''.

Aiza, still in her thoughts greeted her senior 'good night' and walked away.

She woke up before dawn. Seeing the others still sleeping, she got up from her bed and walked outside the house. It was still dark, and silence resided around the whole village.

It was cold and freezing. Aiza saw the sunrise with the gleaming eyes. It was the beautiful start of the day. After a while, that farmer seemed to be leaving the house. He walked towards his fields. But something seemed unusual, he kept rubbing his chest.

As Aiza was thinking, she heard a sudden sound. Everyone seemed to have woken up. She returned in.

''Aiza you seem to have woken earlier''. a girl noted.

''Hmm'', Aiza replied.

They began their routine. After returning from the morning workout, they began their breakfast preparation. With the last checkup routine, they finished their survey. Before leaving, the group decided to have some memories with the waterfall but with permission. Saad wasn't an interactive person.

He was all about his work and responsibility. No involvement in fun times or pastimes. During the campfire too, he was adjusting all the things and doing necessary paper works.

There were 3 girls and 3 boys in total. Everyone was a bit scared to ask about the waterfall bath.

''Hey why don't anyone of you go and ask senior about this?'', a girl spoke.

''Why should we go? You girls keep flattening over him, here's the chance to speak to him, go'', a boy remarked

''We are satisfied by looking. Why talk?''.

No one was ready to confront the senior. They stood thinking of the consequences. While doing so Saad noticed them all together.

''What are you doing here?'', he asked.

Noticing his dark eyes, they got startled.

Aiza sighed and looked at Saad's eyes.

''Senior, could we have your permission to visit the waterfall? Since we are returning home today, we would like to have a last memory of this beautiful place''. It wasn't that Aiza was brave. She was a whole nervous and speaking up had drained all her energy.

Saad gazed at her and saw everyone, after a long pause he agreed and walked away. Everyone was pleased. Aiza to fill her energy drank her bottle of water. Being grateful to her, they all thanked her and prepared for the visit.

Everyone had left. ''Aiza come fast. We're the only ones left behind!''. a girl complained while running out of the house.

''Coming!''. Aiza was leaving, she saw Saad wearing his specs, sitting near the table across the window and glancing over papers. The light coming through the window and falling over his boundary sure made him look breathtaking.

Saad noticed someone's presence and turned to see Aiza standing with a set of clothes.

''Did you need something?''.

''Huh?'', Aiza was brought back to her senses.

''They must be waiting for you, aren't you going?'' he asked taking his glasses off.

''N...no I'm leaving. Hmm, would you like to join? We don't know when we will get such an opportunity again...you too must be tired from the survey and other work, why don't you relax for a while? Sorry if I'm imposing on you", she was nervous. She wasn't good with boys much. She was ready to leave.

"...Guess I would do that". he got up from his seat, setting everything in place, he walked closer to Aiza.

"Wait for me", he whispered.

Everyone were already enjoying the water. Boys and girls together, splashing water over each other, pushing the other into water, swimming, diving.

The scenery too was fascinating. Water falling from a height, its ends rushing over the land level, trees surrounding its border with large boulders.

"It sure is worth coming", Saad complimented.

Aiza agreed. A girl playing in the water noticed the two and called Aiza.

Everyone gathered around the two,

"Senior are you here to join us?", a boy asked.

"Since it's a last day why not enjoy it all together", Aiza spoke.

The boys walked towards them and pulling Saad, pushed him into the water.

"HEY!". he was totally soaked in the water. He came up and glared at everyone.

The boy who pushed, Charan felt wronged, " Umm, was it bad?"

"You never think before acting do you!", a girl complained.

They all were scared. But unexpectedly he began smiling and the mood changed into a happy environment.

It was 10 in the morning. They all returned to their cabin. Their arranged vehicle which was scheduled to arrive afternoon would be coming late at the evening.

Saad gave Aiza order to return home for her family issue. The village bus stop was outside the village where the fields were located. As she was heading towards it, a small boy came running. He was the same boy who she saw last night. Crying and screaming for help, covered in blood, Aiza was alarmed. He pulled Aiza towards a field. Aiza on going there saw that farmer, lying on the wet ground. She ran near him and saw him unconscious. That farmer had his heartbeat stopped. His thigh was pierced by a sharp metal rod.

It seemed to have happened a minutes ago seeing the amount of blood loss.

Removing the metal out, Aiza first covered the wound from blood loss. Then she began giving CPR. She was compressing the man's chest for a longer time. Then the boy brought the other members to the site. Saad immediately took over Aiza. She with others help treated the wound. With Saad giving continuous CPR, the villagers were in a tense state. The wife was praying hardly while holding her son. Then suddenly the man took his breath.

The villagers gave out happy expressions, and the wife ran to the man. The members took the man to their camp, cleaning and bandaging his wound, he was given the final medication. The wife thanked Saad and everyone with her messed up face from crying. The boy also smiled for them. Then the group's van arrived.

Aiza caressed the boy's hair. She was eased and her body softened. Saad looked at Aiza, and then he called everyone over and send them to prepare for the leave. The man was admitted to a nearby medical centre.

Thus they all began the leave. Waving everyone and being greeted, the group was on their way home.

Aiza was looking out the van window.

" What's wrong Aiza, are you okay?", Shreya her colleague asked.

"No, it's just, I was thinking if I had already left the village it would have become a risky situation. I'm relieved that I saved someone on this day". Aiza before acting was stiff and her mind and body had stopped. But in some way, she controlled her body and worked out.

They returned home late that evening, and just before leaving, Saad leaned in close to Aiza, his voice low and almost teasing.

“It was a nice memory.”

She looked up, caught off guard, but before she could respond, he was already walking away.

---

A year passed.

Aiza had now graduated from university. Between studying further and working as an assistant, her days were full—her nights even fuller.

That morning, however, she was anything but full of energy. She lay sprawled in bed, her books scattered across the blanket like fallen leaves.

“AIZA! For how long will you sleep? The sun is above your head! And what’s with these books all over your bed?” her mother’s voice came sharp from the doorway.

Aiza groaned, burying her face under the blanket. “Ma… let it be. I’ll clean it up later.”

“And when is ‘later’? Your aunt just moved here from this morning. She’s going to be living at the apartment in the corner of the street. Oh—and why don’t you go see her? She’d be thrilled.”

“She just arrived… at least let her rest. I’ll meet her later.” Aiza said from under the blanket.

“No way,” her mother insisted. “You’re getting up now and going over there. You know she adores you more than her own. And I've prepared something for them, take them as you go—”

There was no reply.

“Aiza? Aiza!” Her mother yanked at the blanket.

“Aaah, going!” Aiza finally sat up, her hair in disarray, and stomped toward the bathroom. Her mother chuckled, shaking her head.

---

The walk to Aunt Naaz’s new place took only ten minutes. The apartment complex was buzzing with activity when she arrived—two men were unloading a van while a woman in a low ponytail directed them.

“Bonjour, je vous aide, puis?” Aiza called out with a playful smile.

The woman turned, her eyes widening.

“Hii, Aunt Naaz,” Aiza greeted warmly, a scarf loosely draped over her shirt and flared trousers. She balanced the food container in one hand.

“Aiza? Is that really you?” Aunt Naaz exclaimed, striding forward to clasp her hands. “Oh my goodness. Look at you! All grown up into such a lovely young lady. I’m so happy to see you after so long.” She pulled Aiza into a tight hug.

“How are you, Aunt?”

“Better now that I’ve seen you.”

“Ma’am!” the movers called.

Aiza grinned. “Let me help. You’re here for good now—we’ll have plenty of time to talk.”

They carried boxes inside, where two kids—a shy younger girl and a college-aged boy—greeted her politely before diving back into unpacking.

By the time afternoon rolled around, they’d made some progress, but there was still work left. Aiza suggested a lunch break, serving the dishes her mother had made. The kids ate with visible relief, their hunger obvious in the way they took generous bites. After cleaning up, they returned to finish setting up the apartment.

When evening came and the last box was pushed aside, Aiza stood by the door. “Ma has planned a small dinner for your welcome—make sure you all come.”

“Thanks, dear,” Aunt Naaz said warmly. “We finished much faster with you here.”

Aiza smiled, waved, and left for home.

---

9 p.m.

Naaz arrived at her younger sister Saba’s house, greeted by the smell of home-cooked food and the sound of laughter. The sisters embraced—two complete contrasts: Naaz, a tomboyish, soft-spoken teacher, and Saba, a sharply dressed clothes designer with an equally sharp tongue.

“It’s been years,” Naaz said, smiling as they sat down.

“It has,” Saba agreed.

Naaz’s expression softened. “You both had it tough after Aiza’s father passed.”

Saba nodded. “In the beginning, yes… but with your support, we managed.”

Naaz’s brow furrowed, "Yes, Aiza too did a lot during those times. That child worked and studied, never complained."

Saba agreeing with a nod asked, “Well, how are Omu and Naira?”

“Omu’s in university now. Naira’s in eighth grade—she’ll be attending the school nearby,” Naaz said proudly. “And Omu’s taking engineering. His university is near the hospital where Aiza works.”

“That’s good,” Saba said.

Naaz looked around. “Where is Aiza, anyway?”