The Love Algorithm - AdiYa FF

Chapter 11

Zoya glanced at her warily. "What?"

Noor said, "That when the moment comes... you won't let fear decide for you."

Zoya held her gaze, feeling the weight of the words settle in her chest. And for the first time in a long while, she let herself wonder—what if she really could say no?

Zoya leaned her head back against the terrace wall, exhaling as the cool night air brushed against her skin. The weight of her situation felt suffocating, but sitting here with Noor and Pooja made it feel a little lighter.

Noor, always the blunt one, nudged her with her elbow. "You know, you're acting like this is the only option you have. But what if there's someone better for you out there?"

Zoya gave her a confused look. "Better?"

Pooja smirked, sipping her tea. "It's possible, isn't it? You came here to study, to explore life on your own terms. Who's to say you won't come across someone who actually makes your heart race?"

Zoya shook her head with a small laugh. "You two are impossible."

"Think about it, though," Pooja pressed, her voice gentler now. "You're holding on to this engagement because of your father's expectations. But in doing that, you're not letting your heart find its own match. What if the person meant for you is right in front of you, but you're too caught up in obligations to see him?"

Zoya stilled at that, her fingers tightening around her mug. Her thoughts flickered to those deep brown eyes that held a mischievous gleam, those fingers that had guided hers over the delicate violin strings, to a voice that could be infuriating one second and unbearably gentle the next.

She swallowed and forced a small smile. "That's a big what if."

"Is it?" Noor teased. "Who knows? You could have already met your life partner."

Zoya rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the amused smile playing on her lips. "You both are hopeless romantics."

Pooja grinned. "We're just realists, Zoya. And the reality is—if you don't open your heart, you won't even recognize the right person when he comes along."

Noor nodded. "And you've got what? One and a half years left to complete your studies? That's a lot of time for life to surprise you."

Pooja leaned in, "Use this time wisely, Zoya. Not just for your studies, but to figure out what you really want—who you really want. Don't let someone else's decision dictate your future. Let your heart decide for once."

Zoya let their words settle in, a strange warmth blooming in her chest. Maybe they were right. Maybe, just maybe, she needed to stop running on autopilot and start listening to her own heart.

She smiled—small but genuine—as she looked at them. "You two are a terrible influence."

Pooja laughed. "And we're proud of it."

Noor smirked, leaning back on her palms. "Little did Waseem Siddiqui know that Zoya was surrounded by two such corrupting influences. If he did, he would've reported us both to the police by now."

The three of them burst into laughter, the tension from earlier melting away into the night air.

Zoya shook her head, still chuckling. "Honestly, I wouldn't put it past him."

"Well, good thing we have you to cover for us," Pooja teased. "And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll be the ones covering for you."

Zoya just smiled, sipping her tea, but deep down, she knew—this conversation had planted a seed of doubt in everything she thought she had accepted. And once planted, doubts had a way of growing.