Beyond the game

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It was just another ordinary day for Azra at the supermarket. The hours passed slowly, as they always did on a Saturday, and the fluorescent lights above hummed softly as she moved from one task to another. Shelving items, assisting customers—routine, nothing special. Her eyes were tired, but she remained focused. It was her job, after all.

She didn't expect much to change today, but the sound of the door chimes caught her attention as a familiar figure walked through the entrance. Yuzarsif.

She had seen him the other day, of course. But today, he looked like he was in a rush, yet somehow he still had that same confident air about him, as if time itself could bend to his will. His smile was warm, but there was something about it that made Azra hesitate for a moment before she greeted him, just as she would any other customer.

He picked up a few things—a bottle of juice, a pack of snacks, and a box of chocolates. As he reached the counter, his gaze met hers, sharp and intent, almost as if he were sizing her up, but it was more than that. There was an unspoken challenge in his eyes.

"Hey, I didn't get your name last time," Yuzarsif said, leaning slightly forward, his voice smooth. "I'm Yuzarsif."

Azra raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of wariness in her expression. She wasn't the type to let strangers in, especially not men who were too persistent. Still, she responded as politely as she could, trying to keep things simple.

"Azra," she said, keeping her tone even, professional.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," Yuzarsif remarked with a smile, and for a split second, Azra wondered if it was genuine or just a line. He leaned a little closer, his voice lowering slightly. "I was wondering if you had some time for a coffee sometime? I'd love to get to know you better."

Azra kept her expression neutral, her mind already calculating her response. She wasn't in the habit of accepting offers from men she barely knew, and something about the way he approached her made her feel uncomfortable—like she was a puzzle to be solved.

"I'm sorry," Azra said firmly, "but I don't have time for coffee. I have a lot to focus on."

Yuzarsif's smile didn't falter, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—perhaps disappointment, or maybe something else. He seemed to take her rejection with ease, not flustered in the least.

"No worries," he said casually, his tone still smooth. "Maybe another time, then. I'll be around."

With a final, lingering glance, Yuzarsif paid for his items and walked away, leaving Azra to ring up the rest of his goods. She watched him leave, feeling a strange mixture of relief and curiosity. He hadn't seemed like the type to give up so easily, but she wasn't interested in pursuing anything with him.

---

Back in his sleek office building, Yuzarsif didn't seem bothered by the rejection. In fact, he looked more amused than anything else as he entered the conference room, his friends Malik and Jafar lounging in their chairs, waiting for him.

"Well, well, look who finally came to see us," Malik teased, his tone lighthearted. "Did she bite?"

Yuzarsif chuckled, sitting down and tossing his phone on the table. "Not yet. But I'll get her."

Jafar raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "She seemed different from the others, though. I don't think she's going to fall for your usual charm, Yuzarsif."

Yuzarsif shrugged, unbothered. "I'm not worried. She'll come around."

Malik and Jafar exchanged a look, both of them knowing Yuzarsif's reputation with women. But there was something about Azra that intrigued them both.

"Alright, let's make this interesting," Malik said with a grin. "If you actually manage to get her to go out with you, we'll buy you a Lamborghini."

Jafar laughed. "You know he can get any woman he wants, but this one? I don't know… she's different."

Yuzarsif leaned back in his chair, the thought of a challenge clearly amusing him. "You think I can't get her? I'll make it happen."

"We'll see," Jafar added, still skeptical but clearly entertained by the challenge. "But remember, we made a bet."

Yuzarsif's eyes gleamed with determination. "Deal," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "I'll get her to agree to a date. You'll see. And when I do, the Lamborghini's on you."

Malik and Jafar exchanged a smirk, clearly enjoying the bet. "Alright, Yuzarsif, but don't say we didn't warn you. This one's going to be tough."

As Yuzarsif leaned back in his chair, the thought of Azra lingered in his mind. She was definitely different. The way she had turned him down so easily, without hesitation, intrigued him. Most women didn't have the nerve to reject him outright. But Azra? She seemed different, and that made him want to pursue her even more.

---

Later that evening, after a long day at work, Azra returned home, the familiar quiet of her apartment greeting her. She tossed her keys on the counter, kicking off her shoes, and sighed. It had been a tiring day, and all she wanted was to relax.

She grabbed a glass of water and plopped down on the couch, pulling out her phone to scroll through messages. As she was about to dive into her online notes for her medical studies, her phone buzzed. It was a call, and the name on the screen made her pause.

Jamal.

Her heart skipped for a moment. It had been a while since they had spoken. Jamal was someone she considered a good friend, even though their relationship had been complicated in the past. He had always been there for her—since the orphanage days—but things had been tense lately.

Azra hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. She wasn't in the mood for small talk, but Jamal had been there when she needed him, so she answered.

"Hello?" she said, her voice a little softer than usual.

"Azra," Jamal's voice was warm, but there was something deeper in his tone. "How have you been?"

Azra smiled, even though he couldn't see it. "I'm good, just busy. You know how it is."

"I understand. I've been keeping myself busy too," Jamal said, his voice lingering in her ears. "But I've been thinking a lot about you lately. I know we haven't talked much, but I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."

Azra felt a pang of guilt. Jamal had always been supportive, and she had been distant lately. She didn't know what to say, but his words brought some comfort.

"I know, Jamal. I appreciate it," she replied quietly. "I'll be fine, though. Just a lot on my plate right now."

"Anything I can help with?" Jamal asked, his concern genuine.

Azra took a deep breath, leaning back against the couch. "Not really. Just need to focus on school and work."

There was a brief silence on the line before Jamal spoke again, his voice lower, almost hesitant. "Azra… can we talk more soon? I miss our talks."

Azra felt a warmth in her chest, but she knew it wasn't the right time to open up. "Of course, Jamal. I'll call you when I have some time. Take care."

"You too," Jamal replied, before the call ended.

Azra set her phone down, the silence in the room pressing in on her. She couldn't help but think about Yuzarsif again—about how persistent he was, about how different he was from anyone else she had met. But that wasn't important. She had other priorities.

As the evening wore on, Azra pushed her thoughts aside and turned her focus back to her studies. Tomorrow was another day, and she would face it the same way she always did—alone, with a purpose.

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