Chapter 17: Whispers and Realizations

The cafeteria buzzed with the usual chatter, the clinking of trays, and the faint sound of music playing from someone’s phone. But for Malang, the world around him felt distant.

He stirred his coffee absentmindedly, staring at the liquid as if it held the answers to his confusion. Who did that to the bullies? Why were they so terrified? Why did they apologize to him? Nothing made sense.

Across from him, Veronica and Kahani were busy gossiping about Maya.

"I swear, Veronica, everybody is interested in my man!" Kahani whined dramatically, flipping her hair. "First, that annoying Neha Sharma, and now Maya! Did you see the way she was looking at Malang? I think she’s into him!"

Veronica smirked, sipping her drink. "Well, can you blame them?" she teased.

Kahani huffed, rolling her eyes. "It’s frustrating! It’s like they don’t care that he’s already taken!" she grumbled, stabbing at her salad with unnecessary force.

Veronica chuckled. "Maybe they think Malang is just too good to belong to one person."

"Veronica!" Kahani gasped, scandalized, but Veronica only laughed, clearly enjoying teasing her.

Just as Kahani was about to continue her rant, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, and her expression turned serious. It was her father.

"Ugh, I have to go home," she sighed. Without another word, she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the cafeteria, not even bothering to tell Malang.

Malang blinked, realizing her absence only when he looked up from his coffee.

"Where’s Kahani?" he asked, frowning slightly.

Veronica leaned back in her chair, a knowing look in her eyes. "She left. Something urgent, I guess."

Malang’s frown deepened. Of course, she left without telling him. It wasn’t new. Kahani always did things on her own terms. He should be used to it by now.

But for some reason, today, it bothered him.

Veronica, watching his expression closely, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her touch was soft, reassuring.

"What’s bothering you, Malang?" she asked, her voice gentle.

He glanced at her, feeling something… unfamiliar.

It wasn’t just her concern—it was the way she looked at him, like she actually wanted to know how he felt.

He shook his head, sighing. "It’s nothing."

But Veronica wasn’t convinced.

"You seem lost in thought. Is it about those boys?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Malang hesitated but nodded. "Yeah… It’s just strange. They gave me such a hard time, and now they’re apologizing like their lives depend on it."

Veronica let out a soft hum, as if she were contemplating something. "Maybe they realized they were wrong," she said simply.

Malang scoffed. "People like them don’t just 'realize' things overnight."

Veronica shrugged. "True, but sometimes, people change when they’re forced to face consequences."

Malang narrowed his eyes slightly. "You sound like you know something."

Veronica gave him an innocent smile. "I just believe in karma."

Malang didn’t press further, but his mind raced with possibilities.

Just then, a loud gasp came from the other end of the cafeteria. A group of students whispered excitedly as someone entered. Malang and Veronica turned to see who had captured everyone’s attention.

Maya Rathore.

She walked in gracefully, her presence commanding immediate attention. Unlike Veronica, who had stunned people with her beauty when she first arrived, Maya’s aura was different. She wasn’t angelic—she was intimidating.

Her sharp, piercing eyes scanned the room, passing over the students as if she were analyzing their worth. And then—her gaze stopped.

Right on Malang.

Veronica noticed.

And for the first time in a long time, she felt… irritated.

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