Zoya walked into college the next day pretending nothing happened.

Last night? That was nothing. Just a project. Just two students working. Just—

> “TOO LATE,” she had said.

Her brain screamed. Her cheeks flushed all over again.

> “Ughhh why did I say that out loud!?”

---

She avoided Akif like he was a walking fire alarm.

Every time he came near, she found a reason to look away, walk away, or duck behind Aarfa.

> “You’re being weird,” Aarfa said flatly as they sat in the canteen.

> “I am always weird,” Zoya lied.

> “You spent three hours at his house. Did you kiss?”

Zoya almost choked on her juice. “NO! Aarfa what the hell?!”

> “So you wanted to?”

> “NO—stop!”

Ayaan walked by and grinned.

> “I heard the lovebirds made a PowerPoint and tension last night.”

Zoya buried her face in her hands.

---

But someone else was watching too.

Jiya.

From the far corner of the canteen, her sharp eyes locked on Zoya.

On her laugh. On her closeness to Aarfa. On Ayaan leaning over her to tease her.

And then…

Her eyes moved to Akif — who walked in with headphones, threw a lazy nod at Ayaan, and sat near Zoya.

> Not across from her.

Not beside Aarfa.

Directly beside Zoya.

Zoya looked like she might pass out.

Aarfa nudged her. “Say hi.”

> “H-hi,” she mumbled.

Akif just smiled and stole one of her fries.

> “You’re avoiding me, Don.”

She looked away. “I’m not.”

> “You’re literally looking at the wall right now.”

She groaned softly. “Why are you like this?”

> “Why are you blushing?”

Ayaan and Aarfa giggled. Zoya elbowed them both under the table.

But Jiya?

She clenched her jaw.

> “What the hell is happening,” she muttered to her friend.

> “They’re just… talking?” her friend offered weakly.

> “No. She’s trying to pull the innocent girl act. Again.”

> “You’re overthinking.”

> “Am I?” Jiya narrowed her eyes.

---

📸 Later that day...

Zoya stayed behind in class to get notes from a professor.

As she walked out, she spotted Akif near the basketball court, practicing alone.

And even though her heart screamed, just walk away...

She paused.

Watched.

He looked up.

> “You gonna just stare or join the team?”

> “I’d rather die.”

He laughed. “Fair.”

> “Your jump shot sucks.”

> “Your taste in music sucks.”

> “Touché.”

Silence.

But soft. Warm.

---

Behind a tree not too far away...

Jiya watched them.

> “She wants attention? Fine.”

“Let’s give her what she wants.”

---

To be continued...