In a secluded corner of the school library, Amaya and Zeya sat together, the soft whispers of their conversation blending with the hushed atmosphere. Amaya flipped the page of her notebook, her eyes scanning the words, but her gaze was distant, as if she were peering into a world far away. The light in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a haunting paleness that hinted at unspoken worries. Zeya's brow furrowing in confusion as she glanced at Amaya's notes, which displayed two distinct handwritings.
"Which one is your handwriting?" Zeya asked gently, her voice a soothing balm that pulled Amaya back from her thoughts.
"Hmm? Uh... none of these are mine," Amaya replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she straightened up, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. She pointed to the elegant cursive that danced across the page, her finger lingering for a moment. "This one was written by, I think, Shreya… from your class." Her finger then traced over another handwriting, more jagged and less refined. "And this was from Grade 9 Section C's Vinya."
Zeya raised her eyebrows, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "Wow, you've got a whole fan club writing your notes! I can barely get my friends to reply to my texts. Maybe I should start charging for my notes too—'Get your A's with Zeya's premium handwriting!'" she joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned back in her chair, the atmosphere lightening between them. Amaya chuckled, the tension melting away as they both shared a laugh, the library suddenly feeling a lot less serious.
"My friends never write my notes. It's always juniors or friends from other classes or schools," Amaya said flatly, flipping the page without a hint of enthusiasm. "This is Mina's handwriting, our school captain."
Zeya leaned in, her curiosity piqued as she peered at the page. "Wow, it looks like a topper's note. I can't believe they just help you do your notes properly," she said, her tone a mix of admiration and disbelief as she traced the neatly underlined and highlighted sections.
"They had to since it's mine. Otherwise, I'm not going to kiss them over ugly notes," Amaya replied, her tone casual, as if discussing the weather.
Zeya's heart raced, and she dropped Amaya's notecopy, turning sharply to face her. "What did you say?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, feeling the weight of the moment.
Amaya blinked, her expression unchanged. "I'm not going to kiss them?"
Zeya's shock deepened, her body instinctively leaning closer. "You kiss them in return for your note?" she asked, disbelief etched on her face, searching for a spark of emotion in Amaya's eyes.
Amaya shrugged, her indifference palpable, the corners of her lips barely twitching, "Yeah.." she replied. "For you... kiss is nothing?" Zeya's heart sank as she asked Amaya, a heavy weight settling in her chest as the realization crashed over her like a cold wave, numbing her senses. "Are you ready to kiss anyone as long as they do your notes and projects?" Zeya's voice wavered, each word laced with pain, her brows knitting together in despair.
Amaya narrowed her eyes, the flicker of curiosity crossing her face as she remained oblivious to Zeya's turmoil. "I mean, I offer money too, but honestly, they just want kisses and relationships. What can I do? I just need to get my work done." Her tone was matter-of-fact, her shoulders lifting in a careless shrug. She picked up her note, pouting slightly as she smoothed out a crumpled page, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the lines as if they were more important than the conversation.
"I-I need to go to the bathroom," Zeya stammered, the words spilling out in a rush. She stood up abruptly, the weight of her emotions crashing down on her, and walked towards the exit, leaving Amaya staring in bewilderment, unaware of the heart she had just shattered.
"What happened to Zeya?" Somiya asked, her brow furrowed with concern as she approached Amaya, followed by Elli and Sophia. Amaya looked up, her expression unfazed, and shrugged slightly, her nonchalance evident. "She said she wants to go to the bathroom," she replied, leaning back against the wall, her posture relaxed, almost dismissive.
"Are boys in football practice?" Amaya added, her gaze drifting away as if the conversation no longer held her interest. Sophia nodded, settling beside Amaya, her fingers gently massaging Amaya's temple, her touch tender and soothing. "What were you thinking so deeply?" Sophia asked softly, her voice a gentle caress in the air. "Look, there's already a wrinkle in your forehead."
Amaya's shoulders relaxed slightly at the attention, her lips curling into a faint smile, though her eyes still held a distant look. Elli and Somiya exchanged glances, feeling like third and fourth wheels, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging in the air, thick and palpable, as they watched their friends navigate the complexities of their own hearts.
"Can I ask something?" Somiya asked, cupping her face with both hands, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Are you two lovers?" The question hung in the air, thick with anticipation. Sophia's hand twitched nervously, her gaze locking onto Amaya's deep ocean eyes, a storm of emotions swirling within her. Her heart thumped against her ribs, cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she slightly parted her lips, gulping down the knot of anxiety lodged in her throat. Behind Elli and Somiya, Zeya and Demi stood, their expressions a mix of confusion and dread. Zeya's heart raced as she anxiously clutched her skirt, her eyes fixed on Amaya, who appeared calm and casual, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around her.
Amaya raised her hand, revealing a stunning silver ring that glinted under the light. "I'm engaged," she announced, her voice steady, but the words struck like a thunderclap, plunging the room into a chilling silence. Somiya, Demi, and Zeya's eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched on their faces. "What?" Zeya finally managed to stammer, her voice barely a whisper, her paleness resembling that of someone who had just seen a ghost. Amaya's gaze met hers, and for a fleeting moment, Zeya felt as if the world had stopped spinning. "My fiancé is Seth Bernard," Amaya declared again, the name hanging in the air like a bitter aftertaste, shocking everyone anew.
Sophia clenched her fists under the table, a mask of calmness enveloping her, but inside, a tempest raged. "If Seth hears it, he'll throw you out of the window," Elli playfuly warned, a smirk dancing on her lips, her eyes narrowing with mischief. Amaya rolled her eyes, her demeanor unfazed. "He was the one who said they're friends and shouldn't hide the truth from friends," she replied, her tone light, yet a hint of annoyance flickered across her features. Elli burst into laughter, shaking her head in disbelief. "Did he again do something to piss you off?" she teased, fully aware of their playful rivalry. The laughter echoed in the room, but for Zeya and Sophia, it felt like a distant sound, overshadowed by the weight of their unspoken emotions, the realization that love can often be a cruel game of timing and truth.
The night; dark and chilly, the stars twinkled like distant whispers and the lonely moon cast a silvery glow on the streets. Zeya stood beside her mom in the grocery shop, her head hung low, eyes lost in a sea of unspoken thoughts, reflecting a profound sense of loneliness. "Zeya, how is your preparation going on?" Her mom asked, her voice a warm contrast to the coldness surrounding them, as she took the grocery bag from the shopkeeper, the rustle of plastic breaking the silence.
"Good…" Zeya whispered, her voice barely audible, as she walked beside her mom down the dimly lit alley, the shadows dancing around them. "Zeya, can you skip school tomorrow?" Her mom's voice was laced with concern, the weight of worry palpable. "I need to go to your grandma's house to drop off something, and it'll be late when I get back. Why don't you come with me?" She observed Zeya's downcast expression, the way her lips formed a frown, and the dullness in her eyes, sensing that something was troubling her. "Is everything okay, Zeya?" she asked, her heart aching with maternal worry.
Zeya shook her head, mustering a smile that felt more like a mask than a true reflection of her feelings. "I can handle being alone. You should go; I'll be fine. My exam is coming up, and I can't afford to miss class." Her voice was firm, yet a quiver betrayed the turmoil beneath. Her mom continued to watch her, concern etched deep in her features, feeling the weight of Zeya's hidden struggle. "Zeya, did something happen at school?" she asked softly. Zeya sighed, her heart pounding as if bracing for a tempest, but she froze when she spotted Amaya and Seth approaching from the other side. Her mom noticed the sudden change in Zeya's demeanor, the spark in her eyes dimming, and followed her gaze, sensing the thickening tension in the air as the two figures drew closer.
"Hotel Paradise has been gaining popularity. What do you think about booking the top floor for a night?" Amaya suggested, her eyes bright with enthusiasm as she looked directly at Seth. He barely glanced up from his phone, scrolling through it with a casual air. "An hour will be enough. I'll ask Fred and Elli to reserve the floor," Seth replied, his voice indifferent, focused on the screen in front of him.
Suddenly, he looked up and exclaimed, "Oh, Zeya?" his voice filled with surprise as he stopped right in front of her. Amaya looked up from Seth's phone, her expression shifting to one of curiosity. "Oh, hey! What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone friendly but tinged with surprise. Zeya felt a tight knot in her stomach, her heart sinking as she took in the sight of Amaya and Seth together. "I was just coming home with my mom from grocery shopping," Zeya replied, her voice heavy with emotion. The sight of them, so comfortable and close, made her feel a wave of sadness wash over her, amplifying the turmoil she was already feeling inside.
Seth Bernard is my fiancé.
Amaya's voice echoed in Zeya's mind like a broken tape recorder, repeating, "Oh, I thought you were Zeya's sister! Please share your skincare routine with this girl beside me." Seth, with his warm smile, clasped Zeya's mom's hand, radiating charm. Zeya's mom chuckled at Seth's sweet words, her eyes sparkling with delight. Amaya playfully kicked Seth, nudging him slightly away. "Namaste, Aunty," she said, bowing her head respectfully. "Namaste," Zeya's mom replied, her voice warm and inviting.
"Why don't you come into my home with us?" she suggested, her eyes glowing with hospitality. Zeya, feeling a rush of nerves, grabbed her mom's hand and smiled hesitantly. "Mom, some other day. They're on a date right now." Her voice quivered, but she masked her broken heart with a brave face. "What?" Both Amaya and Seth made faces of pure disgust, their expressions shocking Zeya and her mom. "I'd rather go on a date with a dog than with this girl!" Seth exclaimed, his voice trembling as if the thought made him nauseous.
"Of course you would! Except for the dog, who would even agree to go on a date with you?" Amaya shot back, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "If you two don't mind, why don't you join us?" Zeya's mom interjected, trying to ease the tension. Seth and Amaya exchanged glances before looking at Zeya. "I'd love to go to this beautiful young lady's house, but I've got a package to pick up. Ama will go. She's totally free tonight," Seth said sweetly, apologizing to Zeya's mom. Amaya glared at Seth, her eyes narrowing like slits, ready to unleash another kick, but he swiftly caught her leg, causing her to lose her balance and fall right into Zeya's arms. The sudden impact made Zeya stumble back slightly, her heart racing as she instinctively wrapped her arms around Amaya to steady her.
"Act like a lady! Don't embarrass me in front of this beautiful, elegant woman," Seth declared, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. Amaya blinked, her eyes wide in disbelief, her mouth agape as if she were about to retort but found herself momentarily speechless. "Close your mouth before the fly enters!" Seth teased, playfully tapping her chin, causing her to wince as a flicker of indignation crossed her face.
"I'll be leaving, gorgeous lady," he added, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on Zeya's mom's hand, his charm evident as he flashed a disarming smile. He then pulled out Amaya's phone from his pocket, handing it to Amaya with a flourish.
"Wait! Are you really leaving!?" Amaya exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief, her brows furrowing in frustration seeing Seth walking away alone.
"It's okay if you don't want to come—" Zeya started, her voice hesitant, but she was quickly interrupted.
"What do you mean by it's okay! Come with me, dear," Zeya's mom interjected enthusiastically, her grip firm as she seized Amaya's hand, pulling her toward the inviting warmth of their home. Amaya glanced back at Zeya, her expression a mix of confusion and concern, noticing the way Zeya's shoulders tensed, a hint of discomfort flickering across her face.