chapter 5

The morning air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and blooming jasmine, but Aisha barely noticed. Her senses were dulled, her heart numb as she walked towards the mango tree, the site of so many cherished memories, now a symbol of her impending loss.

She clutched the letter to Rayan, its paper softened by her tears, its words a testament to the love she was being forced to abandon. She knew that delivering this letter would be the hardest thing she had ever done, but she also knew that she owed him the truth, however painful it might be.

As she approached the tree, she saw Rayan sitting on their usual branch, his back to her. He was carving something, his brow furrowed in concentration. The sight of him, so familiar and so dear, brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes.

She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself, then called out his name. "Rayan?"

He turned around, his face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Aisha! You're up early," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "I was just finishing something for you."

He hopped down from the tree and walked towards her, holding out his hand. Aisha hesitated for a moment, then took his hand, her fingers trembling against his.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rayan smiled and opened his hand, revealing a small wooden figure – a miniature version of Aisha, sitting beneath the mango tree, sketching in her notebook.

Aisha gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, a perfect representation of their shared world, their shared love.

"It's beautiful, Rayan," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you."

Rayan's smile faltered as he noticed the tears streaming down her face. "Aisha, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "Why are you crying?"

Aisha couldn't hold it in any longer. The dam that had been holding back her emotions finally broke, and she burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

Rayan immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, his body trembling with fear. "Aisha, please tell me what's happening," he pleaded, his voice laced with panic. "What's wrong?"

Aisha clung to him, burying her face in his chest, her sobs racking her body. "It's... it's my family," she finally managed to choke out. "We're... we're in trouble."

Rayan held her tighter, his hand stroking her hair. "What kind of trouble? Tell me, Aisha. I'll do anything to help."

Aisha pulled away from him, her eyes red and swollen. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter, handing it to him with trembling hands. "Read this," she said, her voice barely audible. "It explains everything."

Rayan took the letter, his expression filled with apprehension. He unfolded it carefully and began to read, his brow furrowing with each passing sentence.

Aisha watched him, her heart breaking as she witnessed the emotions flickering across his face – confusion, disbelief, pain, and finally, a deep, profound sadness.

When he had finished reading, he looked up at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of heartbreak and understanding. "Is this true, Aisha?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are you really going to marry Zayn Khan?"

Aisha nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I have to, Rayan," she said, her voice breaking. "I have no choice. It's the only way to save my family."

Rayan stared at her, his face pale and drawn. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He simply stood there, frozen in place, his eyes filled with a pain that mirrored her own.

The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating, broken only by Aisha's sobs. Finally, Rayan spoke, his voice barely audible. "So... this is goodbye?"

Aisha nodded, her tears flowing freely. "I'm so sorry, Rayan," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "I'll never forget you. I'll always love you."

Rayan reached out and cupped her face, his touch gentle and loving. "I'll never forget you either, Aisha," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You'll always be in my heart."

He leaned down and kissed her, a soft, lingering kiss that was both a farewell and a promise. It was a kiss filled with years of shared love, a kiss that sealed their fate, a kiss that would haunt them both for the rest of their lives.

When the kiss ended, they simply stood there, holding each other close, their tears mingling together, a testament to the love they were being forced to leave behind.

Finally, Aisha pulled away, her heart breaking with each step. "I have to go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Goodbye, Rayan."

She turned and walked away,

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