## **Chapter 1: A Sweet Beginning**
The soft morning sunlight filtered through the window, dancing across a room filled with an intoxicating aroma that could captivate anyone—**Dark Cocoa and Roasted Hazelnuts.**
Zooni, a young Muslim woman standing at a **striking 5'8"**, stood by the kitchen counter with an enthusiastic energy. With her **healthy, fit physique**—a testament to her dedication and self-care—she looked every bit the professional chef. As a Business Graduate, she lived by one mantra: *"Presentation is everything."*
Carefully, she unmolded a fresh batch of chocolates, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.
**Zooni:** (Muttering to herself) *"Perfect! If these taste as good as they look, the orders are going to pour in today."*
Zooni was an **ambivert**. When she was immersed in her work or surrounded by friends, she was the life of the party. To strangers, however, she appeared **mysterious, smart, and well-groomed**—a woman who knew exactly how to set her boundaries.
While packing the chocolate boxes, her gaze drifted to an old diary resting on the counter. She had checked off almost everything on her list: the degree, the business, the lifestyle. But one thing remained stubbornly "Pending."
**"Love."**
Zooni had never truly been in love. She'd had crushes, but that "heart-stopping, breath-taking" feeling was missing from her life. Deep down, she was **immensely excited** for it. She longed for someone who could bring the same sweetness to her life that she brought to her chocolates.
To the world, she was a practical, sharp businesswoman; but in a quiet corner of her heart, she was a hopeless romantic who dreamt of rain, old songs, and a love that felt like home.
She pressed her logo onto a box: **"Zooni's Cocoa Bliss."**
*"Alright Zooni, the business is set... now we just wait for that 'Special Someone' to bring a little dramatic twist to this boring life,"* she sighed deeply, fixing her hair before picking up her phone.
Little did she know, today was about to bring something she hadn't even predicted in her most ambitious business plans.
---
## **Chapter 2: Snap, Chat, and a New Entry**
It was two in the morning. Zooni had spent the entire day fulfilling chocolate orders, and just as her exhausted eyes were about to drift shut, her phone screen lit up.
*'Ping!'*
**Snapchat Notification: Abraham added you as a friend!**
Zooni lifted her head from the pillow and squinted at the screen, her lips curling into a pout.
"Again? Seriously, the persistence is real... I've ignored this guy three times already. Clearly, he doesn't take 'No' for an answer."
Whether it was because she was overtired or just plain bored, she hesitated for a moment and then... *Accept.*
"Fine, let's see what this Abraham fellow wants," she whispered to herself and opened the chat.
---
### **The Chat:**
**Abraham:** "Finally! I thought I'd have to add you a hundred times before I was granted an audience in your 'Court'."
**Zooni:** (Eyes narrowing as she typed) "I don't just accept any stranger's request. And you've definitely crossed a limit. Who are you, exactly?"
**Abraham:** "Oho! Such a temper? First of all, I'm not a 'Stranger.' I saw a post for your chocolate business, and I must say... your style of working is even more interesting than the chocolates themselves."
**Zooni:** (Suppressing a small smile) "I'm a Business Graduate, so professionalism is a given. But is this 'Interest' just about the chocolates, or...?"
**Abraham:** "Initially, it was just the chocolates... but seeing how fast you reply and that 'bold' attitude of yours, I'm starting to think this friendship might cost me dearly."
**Zooni:** "Friendship? I never mentioned friendship. I just wanted to know why you were so desperate to add me."
**Abraham:** "Not desperate—'Determined.' When I like something, I don't give up easily. And the fact that you rejected me three times only made me more curious."
**Zooni:** (Twirling a strand of hair around her finger) "You're quite confident, aren't you?"
**Abraham:** "Confident? Nah... I just know what I want. Anyway, I heard you've never had a 'Special' conversation with anyone before? Why so strict, Zooni?"
Zooni's heart skipped a beat. How did he know she was single or that she didn't talk to guys like this?
**Zooni:** "You seem to know a lot about me... are you a spy?"
**Abraham:** "Let's just say... I'm a 'Secret Fan' of your online chocolate world who is ready to step out of the shadows. I want to place an order tomorrow. Do you do personal deliveries?"
---
Zooni clutched the phone to her chest, her heart racing. There was an undeniable charm in Abraham's words. That spark of excitement she had been searching for? She had just caught the first glimpse of it.
But then, a wave of hesitation hit her. She wasn't the type to get attached so easily, yet she felt a strange pull toward him. Despite being a strong, independent woman, she often felt a deep sense of loneliness that made her crave connection.
**Zooni typed:** "Listen, I won't be coming. A rider will deliver it. I don't meet strangers."
**Abraham:** "Aww man, don't be like that! Fine, I understand. Rest up for now and get to know me through our chats first. But next time, you *have* to meet me."
**Zooni:** (Unable to sleep, her curiosity winning out) "Wait, are you free? Let's actually introduce ourselves properly."
A 'Typing' bubble appeared immediately on Abraham's end. Zooni adjusted her pillow, genuinely intrigued by this mysterious guy.
**Abraham:** "You asked who I am? Here it is... I'm **Abraham**. I'm 23, recently finished my Software Engineering degree, and just started a job at an MNC. I enjoy reading people more than I enjoy coding."
Zooni smiled. Twenty-three... a year younger than her.
**Zooni:** "Oh, a Software Engineer? So, a boring guy who sits in front of a screen all day? And you asked why I'm so strict... honestly, people are usually intimidated by my 5'8" height. Maybe that's why."
Abraham replied instantly, his tone playful.
**Abraham:** "5'8"? Hmm... Not bad. But don't get too ahead of yourself, Miss Chocolate Maker. I'm **6 feet tall**. You'll have to look up to talk to me, so that 'height pride' won't work on me!"
Zooni rolled her eyes but couldn't stop grinning. This guy had an answer for everything.
**Zooni:** "Well, thank God I found someone taller than me for once. So, what's the family like? Or are you only married to your code?"
**Abraham:** "Haha, no. We're a typical desi family. Three siblings—my sister is married (Alhamdulillah), and my younger brother is in college, currently in that phase where he thinks he owns the world. And you?"
Zooni's fingers hovered over the screen. She took a breath and typed.
**Zooni:** "I'm an only child. My Mama is a school teacher; she's my whole world. My Papa passed away when I was little... it's been just the two of us navigating life together since then."
A long silence followed. Zooni worried she had dampened the mood. But then, Abraham's message arrived, his tone completely transformed.
**Abraham:** "I am so sorry, Zooni... I didn't know. Losing a father is an immense pain for a daughter. But seeing your strength, I know your Papa would be so proud of you. You aren't alone; your Mama has a 'Lioness' for a daughter who is out here building her own empire."
Tears welled up in Zooni's eyes. Abraham's ability to console her so deeply moved her. She hadn't expected a stranger to feel her grief so sincerely.
**Abraham:** "Hey... don't be sad. When you eventually come to deliver those chocolates, I promise I'll do my best to make you laugh. Deal?"
**Zooni:** (Smiling through the tears) "Deal. But first, send the address, Mr. Software Engineer!"
---
Zooni hugged her phone and closed her eyes. Tomorrow's meeting—or even just the interaction—was no longer just a business deal. It was something else... something she had never felt before.
**What will happen next? Neither of them has seen the other yet... how will this story unfold?**