our wounded heartbeat

6-

AUTHOR'S POV

Sakina walked briskly through the school gates, her heartbeat quickening as she noticed the whispers surrounding her like a tightening vice. Peering around, she felt eyes on her, mocking and judging. She couldn't comprehend why her arrival drew attention. As she hurried inside, her heart sank. The corridor seemed alive with whispers, glances exchanged, fingers pointing.

"Sakina! Wait up!" Zayn called, catching up to her as she reached their classroom. He was her benchmate and a good friend, with an easy smile that often calmed her nerves.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice barely rising above a whisper. "Why is everyone talking about me?"

Zayn shrugged, leaning closer to her so only she could hear. "You might want to sit down for this. Rina saw you with Kamran yesterday."

Sakina's stomach twisted at the mention of his name. Kamran, the heartthrob of the school and her sworn enemy. They shared a history of pranks and taunts that made her skin crawl. "What's that got to do with me?"

Zayn sighed, glancing around. "Rina has a crush on him. She got jealous and started spreading rumors. Now, everyone thinks you're dating him."

"What? No! We were just... bunking classes!" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly. Panic surged through her, and she felt the weight of the whispers pressing down on her.

"I know!" Zayn assured her. "But the more Rina talks, the more people will believe it. You should be careful."

Sakina felt like the walls were closing in. She wasn't dating Kamran, he was the last person she would willingly associate with. The mere thought of being linked to him made her blood boil.

She walked towards kamran's classroom, Zayn followed her behind, yelling at her to not go to his classroom as it will just add fuel to the rumours, but she didn't listen.

She went straight towards him, and stood on the desk, to be able to reach at least till his shoulders and held him by his collar, "why didn't you deny the rumours huh?? I'm not dating you!!!!!!!!" Sakina yelled at kamran.

Kamran held her waist and pulled her down the desk and made her stand on the ground.

"Abh bolo, kya bol rahi thi aap?" Kamran said as he smirked.

(Tr: now tell me, what were you saying?)

"I SAID I'M NOT DATING YOU!!! TELL IT TO EVERYONE" she once again yelled at him, keeping hands over her waist.

He just chuckled in response.

"HOW DARE YOU LAUGH AT ME, HUH?" sakina said frustratedly.

"Do I look like a person who's dying to have you in a relationship with me?" Kamran said rolling his eyes.

"Then why didn't you deny the rumours?" Sakina said narrowing her eyes.

"I don't have time for all these stuff, i have better things to worry about" kamran said.

Sakina stomped her feet and left his classroom.
--
As lunchtime approached, Sakina felt the tension in her chest tighten. She didn't want to leave the safety of her classroom, but her growling stomach urged her to step out.

Gathering her courage, she opened the door. The hallway buzzed with conversations, but she held her head high, until Rina appeared in her path. "Hey, Sakina!" she called out, smirking.

Before Sakina could respond, Rina grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward the washroom. "You need to pay for what you did!"

"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything!" Sakina protested, struggling against Rina's grip.