the stranger at the gate

Chapter 2:

The next morning, Rayyan woke up feeling… watched.

It was stupid. Irrational. Paranoid, even.

But the feeling clung to him like mist — heavy and invisible.

He shook it off, dragging himself out of bed, trying to refocus. He had a class presentation at 10, a project due at 2, and a group meeting he didn’t want to attend.

No time to think about creepy library boys with cold smiles and warmer eyes.

But that smile — the calmness of it — wouldn’t leave his head.

> “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

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By 3 p.m., Rayyan had managed to go the whole day without seeing him.

No Zayan in the lecture hall. No Zayan in the cafeteria. No shadowy figure leaning against the library railing.

Maybe he got the message, Rayyan told himself.

Or maybe… maybe he imagined the whole thing to be more than it was.

He pushed open the gate to the student residence area, eyes on his phone, distracted.

And that’s when he saw him.

Leaning against the wall near the entrance.

Hood down this time. Arms crossed. Eyes locked onto Rayyan like they never left.

Rayyan stopped short.

“You’re kidding,” he muttered under his breath.

Zayan didn’t speak. Didn’t smile. Just stood there, watching.

“Are you seriously following me now?” Rayyan said, louder this time.

“I said I’d see you tomorrow,” Zayan replied smoothly, stepping closer. “I don’t break promises.”

Rayyan’s breath caught — not out of fear.

Out of something else.

This wasn’t like those movies where the stalker is messy and unpredictable.

Zayan was too composed. Controlled. Intentional.

“I live here,” Rayyan snapped. “You don’t. So you need to leave.”

Zayan nodded slowly, gaze unreadable. “I know. I’m not staying. I just wanted to make sure you got back safe.”

Rayyan stared at him. “Why would you care?”

A pause.

Zayan’s voice dropped, quieter now. “Because I saw you yesterday — in the parking lot. That guy who grabbed your arm. The one in the black leather jacket.”

Rayyan stiffened. His fingers curled around the strap of his bag. That had happened. He didn’t think anyone had noticed.

“How did you—”

“I see everything when it comes to you.”

Silence stretched between them.

“Look,” Rayyan said, voice softer now, “I don’t know what you think this is, but we don’t even know each other.”

Zayan finally looked away, just for a moment. “I know that,” he said. “But I will. If you let me.”

Rayyan didn’t move.

“I’m not a project,” he said. “And I’m definitely not a puzzle you get to solve.”

Zayan looked back at him then. And this time, his voice was firm.

“You’re not a puzzle,” he said. “You’re the answer.”

Rayyan’s heart slammed once in his chest — loud enough to make him dizzy.

He turned away, forcing himself toward the gate.