The sun was just beginning to peek through the school's dusty windows, casting long, golden shadows across the hallways. It was supposed to be a normal day, just like any other. But something felt off to Divangshi.
She glanced at her phone, half-expecting a message from Adil, or even a reply from Hamza to the simple “good morning” she'd sent him hours ago. Nothing. She shook her head, trying to brush away the gnawing unease creeping up her spine. It was silly, really. They were probably just busy.
As she made her way to class, the usual buzz of students filled the corridors. But this time, along with the friendly nods and greetings she usually got, she noticed something strange. Whispers. Side glances. Not aimed at her though, but when she could make out a familiar name being taken multiple times amidst the whispers, a bad feeling gnawed on her. Divangshi's steps faltered, her smile slipping slightly.
“Hey,” she called out to Maisha, who was standing with a group near the lockers. But Maisha's response was stiff, her eyes barely meeting Divangshi's.
“Hey...” Maisha mumbled, her voice lacking its usual warmth.
“Is something wrong?” Divangshi asked, her gut tightening with apprehension.
Maisha didn't answer right away. Instead, she exchanged a look with one of the girls, Dibya standing beside her, who gave her an understanding look, then turned back to Divangshi with a strained smile. “No, nothing. Just... never mind.”
“Never mind?” Divangshi's brow furrowed. “What's everyone whispering about?”
Before Maisha could respond, Adil came rushing up to her, his face set in an unusual expression. “Diva, we need to talk. Now.”
Something in his tone sent a jolt of panic through her. “What's going on, Adil?”
He didn't answer, just grabbed her arm and tugged her down the hallway, out of earshot from the others. They reached an empty corner, and Adil turned to her, his eyes filled with an intensity that made her heart pound out of an impending bad news.
Diva's hushed voice was nonetheless sharp as she spoke, "Unless you're telling me what's wrong I swear---"
“Jiya broke up with Sounak.” Adil said, his hands dropping to his sides.
That's it? That's what has got the entire school abuzz?
“That is normal. Break ups happen everyday, what's so strange in that?”
Adil let out a sigh, and Diva couldn't help but notice how tensed he looked. The tension made him look 10 years older. “It's not the fact that they broke up that's strange,” He paused, bringing his eyes back to Diva's who was intensely glaring at him, trying to make out whatever the hell he's trying to say. “It's the reason that they broke up that's strange. More like...she broke up with him.”
Two lines appeared between Diva's eyebrow's, confusion hovering over her features. “She... dumped him?”
Adil just nodded, as if words were suddenly too costly to waste.
“That isn't all of it, is it?” She tilted her head, scanning her best friends's reaction. “Maisha is acting wierd, so is Dibya, so are you...” She paused, as if joining the dots in her head. “It's about me, isn't it?”
“Did you see Hamza's story?” His voice was low, but sharp, like he was holding something back.
“What? No,” she stammered, fumbling for her phone. Her fingers moved clumsily as she opened Hamza's profile, dread pooling in her stomach. The latest post-a video, uploaded just an hour ago-showed Hamza... laughing, his arm slung casually around Jiya's shoulders.
