...Kashish sat quietly, her fingers hovering over her phone. The screen illuminated her face in the darkness of her room, but it did little to ease the heavy weight pressing down on her chest. She had confessed her feelings to Zaid, hoping, wishing, praying that something would shift between them. But nothing had changed. Zaid still treated her like a friend, like a sibling. His rejection had stung, but it wasn’t the rejection that hurt the most—it was the fact that he didn’t see her the way she wanted him to....
...A message from Agustya popped up on her screen, and Kashish’s heart gave a small flutter. He was the one person who always knew how to make her feel better....
...Agustya: You good?...
...Kashish stared at the message for a moment before typing a response....
...Kashish: I don’t know, Agustya. It’s just... everything feels different now....
...Agustya: Different how?...
...Kashish hesitated, unsure of how to put her feelings into words. Her heart still ached when she thought of Zaid, but she knew that Agustya was the only one who would understand....
...Kashish: I told Zaid how I feel. He rejected me... I feel like things will never go back to how they were....
...Agustya: You didn’t deserve that, Kash. But you’ll get through this. He’s an idiot if he doesn’t see how amazing you are....
...Her heart warmed at Agustya’s words, but deep down, she knew that it wasn’t about Zaid seeing her in a different light. It was about her feelings for him, feelings she couldn’t just switch off. No matter how hard she tried to bury them, they kept resurfacing....
...As if on cue, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Maryam....
...Maryam: Have you heard? Zaid and Saba are getting closer. I think something might be happening between them....
...Kashish’s heart dropped into her stomach. The words felt like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. She tried to shake off the feeling, but the jealousy quickly bubbled up inside her. Zaid had always been so kind to Saba, and now it seemed like there was something more to their connection....
...She had to admit, she didn’t like the thought of them together. It wasn’t just jealousy—it was the fear of losing him. Zaid had been her constant, her support, even if he didn’t know it. And now, he was slipping away from her, becoming someone she no longer recognized....
...Kashish: I don’t know, Maryam. It just feels like everything’s changing....
...Maryam: Maybe you should talk to him. Tell him how you feel. It’s not too late....
...Kashish stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the reply button. She could tell Maryam was trying to manipulate her, trying to push her back into a corner. But despite herself, Kashish felt a flicker of hope....
...She couldn’t let go of Zaid, not yet. Maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance....
...But deep down, she knew Maryam wasn’t offering advice out of kindness. Maryam had always been a source of drama, and Kashish was beginning to suspect that there was more to her sudden interest in Zaid than met the eye. She couldn’t let herself be pulled into Maryam’s web....
...Kashish: I’m not sure. I’ll think about it....
...After she sent the message, Kashish stared at her phone, feeling the weight of her emotions pressing on her. She didn’t want to be like this, constantly wondering about Zaid, constantly being manipulated by Maryam. But no matter what, her feelings for him remained....
...At that moment, her phone rang. The caller ID read "Archie."...
...Kashish hadn’t spoken to Archie much since the day she’d confessed to Zaid. He’d always been in Zaid’s shadow, a quiet presence in the background. But there was something about Archie that made Kashish feel at ease, something comforting in his voice....
...She swiped to answer....
...Kashish: Hey, Archie....
...Archie: Hey, Kashish. How’s it going?...
...His voice was steady, calm. It was like a breath of fresh air after the chaos in her mind....
...Kashish: I’m okay, I guess. Just... thinking....
...Archie: About Zaid?...
...Kashish froze. She hadn’t realized how obvious her feelings were to Archie. But then again, it wasn’t like she had been subtle....
...Kashish: Yeah. Just... everything’s been weird lately. I don’t know where things stand anymore....
...Archie: I get it. I know it’s tough. But, you know, sometimes it’s okay to step back and focus on yourself. You don’t always have to have everything figured out....
...Kashish leaned back against her bed, sighing. She knew Archie was right. But how could she let go of the one person she’d always wanted to be close to? How could she forget about Zaid when he was always there, always in her life, even if only as a friend?...
...Kashish: I don’t know, Archie. It’s hard....
...Archie: I know. But you’re strong, Kashish. You’ll figure it out. Just take things one day at a time....
...Kashish smiled faintly, grateful for Archie’s words. There was something about him that made her feel like maybe everything wasn’t as hopeless as she thought....
...Kashish: Thanks, Archie. You always know what to say....
...Archie: Anytime. You’re not alone in this, okay?...
...As they hung up, Kashish felt a small sense of peace wash over her. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to remind her that she didn’t have to face everything alone. She had people who cared about her. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now....
...To Be Continued......
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