...[Private Call – Kashish & Archie]...
...The screen lit up with Archie’s name....
...Kashish hesitated....
...A part of her wanted to decline the call. To wallow in her feelings, to let herself drown in the silence that Zaid had left behind....
...But another part of her—the part that was tired of feeling like a second choice—pressed accept....
...“Yo.”...
...His voice was casual, easy, like he hadn’t just caught her in the middle of an emotional breakdown....
...Kashish let out a breath. “Yo.”...
...There was a pause. Then—...
...“Why do you look like someone stole your fries?”...
...She blinked. “Excuse me?”...
...Archie smirked. “You know. That’s the exact expression people make when someone snatches food off their plate. Pure betrayal.”...
...Despite herself, she snorted. “Wow. Deep analysis.”...
...“Hey, I know my stuff,” he said, leaning back against whatever chair he was sitting on. “So? Who stole your fries?”...
...Her smile faded slightly. “No one. I guess I just realized something.”...
...“Yeah?”...
...“That I don’t matter to certain people as much as I thought I did.”...
...Archie’s expression shifted. “You mean Zaid.”...
...She exhaled through her nose. “Why do you always say it like it’s obvious?”...
...“Because it is obvious.”...
...She flopped back against her pillow, staring at the ceiling. “Then why am I the only one who didn’t see it?”...
...Archie was quiet for a second....
...Then, in a softer voice, he said, “Maybe because you didn’t want to.”...
...The words settled heavily in her chest....
...Maybe he was right. Maybe she had chosen to be blind to it. Maybe she had convinced herself that Zaid would always be there, that he would always care, even if he never said it out loud....
...But he didn’t....
...At least, not in the way she wanted him to....
...Kashish cleared her throat, pushing away the sting behind her eyes. “Okay, enough depressing talk. Entertain me.”...
...Archie grinned. “Say less.”...
...And just like that, the conversation shifted....
...He made her laugh. He told her stupid stories. He distracted her....
...And for the first time in weeks, Kashish didn’t feel like she was waiting for Zaid to notice her absence....
...Because for once, she wasn’t thinking about him at all....
...—...
...[Group Chat – Chaos Unleashed]...
...Maryam: Uh, guys....
...Saba: ??...
...Maryam: Kashish left the group??...
...Saba: Wait, what??...
...Zaid: Yeah....
...Kashish: (typing... then deletes message.)...
...Her name was still tagged in the group....
...She had left, and yet they still talked about her instead of to her....
...Except Zaid....
...He knew....
...And he had nothing to say....
...—...
...[Private Chat – Saba & Kashish]...
...Saba: Hey....
...Kashish: Hey....
...Saba: Just saw you left the group. Everything okay?...
...Kashish hesitated....
...Was she okay? No. Not really....
...But she also didn’t want to make a scene....
...Kashish: Just needed a break from all the chaos....
...Saba: If this is about Zaid—...
...Kashish: It’s not....
...It was a lie....
...And they both knew it....
...—...
...[Private Chat – Zaid & Kashish]...
...Two days later, Zaid finally messaged....
...Zaid: So that’s it?...
...Kashish stared at the screen....
...She wasn’t sure what irritated her more—the fact that it had taken him this long to say something or the fact that he made it sound like she was the one giving up....
...She took a deep breath and typed....
...Kashish: What do you mean?...
...Zaid: You’re really cutting me off?...
...Kashish: I don’t know, Zaid. Are you giving me a reason not to?...
...Another pause....
...Another typing indicator....
...Another disappearance before a response ever came....
...She huffed out a laugh....
...She was done with this....
...—...
...[Private Chat – Archie & Kashish]...
...Archie: You free?...
...Kashish: Yeah....
...Archie: Let’s go somewhere....
...She frowned. Go where?...
...Kashish: Pretty sure we don’t live in the same country....
...Archie: Genius. Ever heard of online gaming?...
...Kashish: …You want me to play with you?...
...Archie: Yes. Duh....
...Kashish: Why?...
...Archie: Because I’m fun....
...Kashish: Debateable....
...Archie: Rude....
...Kashish: Fine. What game?...
...Archie: Let’s find out if you’re actually good at anything or if you’re all talk....
...Kashish: Bring it on....
...And just like that, she had something new to focus on....
...Something that wasn’t Zaid....
...—...
...[Group Chat – Archie & Zaid]...
...Archie: So....
...Zaid: What?...
...Archie: You and Kashish....
...Zaid: What about it?...
...Archie: You’re really letting her go?...
...Zaid: She left. What do you want me to do?...
...Archie: Fight for her?...
...Zaid was silent....
...Then—...
...Zaid: You don’t get it....
...Archie: Try me....
...Zaid: It’s better this way....
...Archie frowned at his screen....
...Something about that answer didn’t sit right with him....
...Because if Zaid really believed that, then why did he sound like he was trying to convince himself?...
...—...
...[Private Chat – Kashish & Agustya]...
...Agustya: So. You and Archie, huh?...
...Kashish: What? No....
...Agustya: You sure?...
...Kashish: Yes!...
...Agustya: So you definitely weren’t up all night playing games with him?...
...Kashish: …Shut up....
...Agustya sent a million laughing emojis....
...Agustya: Zaid noticed, you know....
...Her stomach flipped....
...Kashish: And?...
...Agustya: And nothing. Just thought you should know....
...She stared at the message....
...Did she want Zaid to notice?...
...Maybe....
...But did she want him to do something about it?...
...That was the real question....
...—...
...[Private Chat – Zaid & Kashish]...
...At 3 AM, her phone buzzed....
...It was him....
...Kashish: What do you want?...
...Zaid: Are you happy?...
...She blinked....
...Kashish: What?...
...Zaid: With Archie. Are you happy?...
...Her fingers hovered over the keyboard....
...Was she?...
...She was distracted. She was moving on. She was not waiting for Zaid anymore....
...But was she happy?...
...She typed her answer carefully....
...Kashish: Does it matter?...
...The typing indicator appeared....
...Then disappeared....
...Again....
...She exhaled....
...That was her answer, wasn’t it?...
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 76 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments