After a long morning of classes, the group found themselves back at their usual spot—the cafeteria. The sound of chatter and laughter filled the air as trays clattered and students bustled around. However, at their table, the energy was something else entirely.
Shumaila had barely taken a seat when Hamza slid in next to her, sitting a little too close. She could feel the warmth of his body against her arm, and when she turned to glare at him, he simply smirked.
"What do you want?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Hamza leaned in, his breath brushing against her ear, and whispered, "You."
Shumaila choked on her drink, coughing violently.
The entire table turned to look at her, eyes filled with confusion before quickly morphing into amusement.
Sneha smirked. "What. Did. He. Say?"
Shumaila wiped her mouth, shaking her head frantically. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Komal wasn't convinced. "Hamza?"
Hamza, the walking menace, simply sipped his drink, watching Shumaila squirm.
Akansha raised a brow. "Yeah, he said nothing. That's why she looks like she's about to explode."
Siddarth grinned, enjoying the moment. "You do have that effect on people, Hamza."
Shumaila kicked him under the table, making him yelp.
Sneha, however, wasn't letting this go. She leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Should we assume it was rated 18+?"
Hamza chuckled lowly, gaze locked on Shumaila. "That depends on how she took it."
Shumaila pointed her fork at him. "You. Shut up."
The entire table erupted in laughter while Hamza simply leaned back, watching her with pure amusement.
"Alright, enough of this," Rudra cut in, grinning. "Let's make things interesting."
Shumaila raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
Rudra smirked. "A bet. Let's raise the stakes today."
Shumaila, ever the competitor, perked up. "What kind of bet?"
Hamza leaned forward, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Careful, sweetheart. I don't think you'd survive losing to me."
Shumaila scoffed. "Try me."
Rudra clapped his hands. "Alright. Whoever loses has to grant the winner one wish. No backing out."
Shumaila didn't even hesitate. "Done."
Hamza's smirk widened. "Oh, you're going to regret that."
Sneha grinned. "What's the bet?"
Siddarth suggested, "How about a spicy food challenge?"
Aarav shook his head. "Nah, Shumaila will definitely win that one."
Akansha gasped. "Ooooh, what about an arcade game?"
Rudra groaned. "Shumaila's a pro at those, too."
"Beach volleyball," Sneha suggested, smirking.
Shumaila smirked back. "Now that I can work with."
Hamza chuckled darkly. "Oh, you are so going to lose."
...
After their chaotic morning, the group decided a spontaneous beach trip was in order.
The girls immediately ran to get ready, picking out the perfect beach outfits.
Shumaila, being herself, went straight for a simple white shirt with shorts, but the girls refused to let her walk out looking like she was going to a grocery store.
After several protests and threats, she was finally convinced into wearing a three piece co-ord resortwear set, paired with delicate gold accessories. It was classy yet subtly hot.
...
The boys, on the other hand, went for casual yet hot.
Siddarth and Aarav opted for linen shirts left half unbuttoned, while Rudra kept it cool with a sleeveless black tank and board shorts.
Hamza? He was the real problem for Shumaila obviously.
He walked down wearing a loose, dark navy shirt left completely unbuttoned, exposing his toned torso, paired with white linen pants. The combination made him look like he had just walked out of a luxury yacht photoshoot.
When Shumaila saw him, she almost tripped.
Hamza smirked. "Like what you see?"
Shumaila scoffed, recovering quickly. "I was wondering how someone could look so stupid with their shirt undone."
Hamza chuckled. "Admit it, sweetheart. You love it."
Shumaila ignored him.
The volleyball match was nothing short of chaos.
Shumaila, Sneha, Akansha and Komal vs. Hamza, Rudra, Aarav and Siddarth.
It was intense—and, of course, dramatic.
"You cheated!" Shumaila accused, glaring at Hamza.
"I did not!" Hamza countered. "You just missed!"
Sneha threw her arms up. "FOR THE LOVE OF—JUST FINISH THE DAMN GAME!"
Finally, after what felt like ages, Hamza's team won.
Shumaila groaned. "Fine. What's your wish?"
Hamza leaned in, voice dropping, "A walk. Just you and me."
Her heart skipped a beat.
...
They walked along the quiet shore, waves crashing gently.
"You're weirdly quiet," Hamza teased.
Shumaila huffed. "I'm just processing the fact that I let you win."
Hamza smirked. "Or maybe you're nervous about being alone with me."
Shumaila scoffed. "Please."
Hamza suddenly stopped and turned to face her. His expression was serious yet teasing.
"You still scared?"
Shumaila raised a brow. "Of what?"
He leaned in, voice dropping. "Me."
Her breath hitched.
His fingers brushed against her chin, tilting her face up.
"You keep running, Shumaila," he murmured. "But tell me something—when are you going to stop?"
Shumaila's heart pounded. She didn't move away. If anything, she leaned in.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
And then—
"SNEHA, WHAT THE HELL?!"
The loud screech made them both jump apart.
They turned to see Sneha flailing in the water, screaming for help.
The group panicked, sprinting toward her.
But as soon as they reached the edge—Sneha stood up, laughing hysterically.
"You—" Komal gasped. "YOU WERE FREAKING PRETENDING?!"
Everyone groaned—except Rudra.
He wasn't laughing. He wasn't smirking.
He looked furious.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" His voice was sharp, serious.
Sneha blinked, taken aback. "Relax, it was just a joke—"
"Not funny," Rudra snapped. "What if something actually happened to you?"
The group went silent.
Sneha stared at him, surprised. Rudra never got angry like this.
But right now, his fists were clenched, his jaw was tight, and his eyes were filled with pure worry.
For the first time, Sneha didn't have a witty comeback.
And for the first time—she realized something shifted between them.