Kismet | ENGLOT

Chapter 12

Engfa's POV:

After the whirlwind of emotions from yesterday's events, I resolved to make amends with Charlotte. As the first light of dawn slipped through my curtains, I reached for my phone and sent her a message, hoping to sense whether the tension between us had eased.

"Good morning, Charlotte," I typed, my fingers hesitating momentarily before hitting send. The message was meant to be simple and casual, a gentle nudge to lighten the mood, but deep down, I was bracing myself for the possibility of silence.

As I moved through my morning routine, brushing my teeth and getting ready, I couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that lodged in my chest. Every few moments, I found myself glancing at my phone, willing it to light up with a reply. But the screen remained dark, void of any new notifications. The absence of her response hung heavy in the air, amplifying my unease.

As I eased my car into a parking spot, I couldn't help but notice the absence of Charlotte's car. A tight knot formed in my stomach at the thought that she might still be upset with me, a lingering consequence of our last conversation. Perhaps that was why she hadn't replied to my earlier message. I made my way toward the lockers, the familiar scent of the locker room filling my nostrils, when Pichy suddenly appeared beside me, her footsteps light but urgent.

"Hey! What happened last night? You just vanished," she remarked, her voice a mixture of concern and impatience. "Heidi and Nessa were really worried when they saw you run off."

I continued walking, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes as an exasperated sigh escaped my lips. "Not that it's any of your business, Pich, but I had something important to deal with last night. I didn't want to ruin the mood for you guys—you were all having fun."

"Something important? Was it about your dad?" Pichy's persistence was like a nagging itch I couldn't scratch, and irritation began to simmer within me. I halted mid-stride, pivoting to face her directly. Leaning in closer, I locked my gaze onto hers, my expression hardening into a glare. "Was I not clear when I said it's none of your business?" I said, my voice edged with frustration. "Why do you insist on acting like I owe you an explanation for everything? Have you forgotten? We are through, Pich. Please stop pretending I need to justify myself to you every single time." My tone was firm, the annoyance radiating from me unmistakable.

She was visibly startled by my words, her eyes widening in surprise. I noticed her flinch, a fleeting moment of vulnerability that made her step back as if my words had created a chasm between us. Her voice came out soft, almost hesitant, as she said, "I'm sorry, Fa. I just... I'm worried about you. I'm sorry if I keep on intruding." The sadness in her gaze was palpable, a storm of concern swirling within them, but it barely registered on my radar.

"Thank you, but I really don't need you worrying about me," I replied curtly, gathering my belongings with a sense of urgency. As I turned to walk away, I could feel her presence anchored to the spot, her silence hanging in the air like a suspended note, filled with unspoken thoughts. I left Pichy standing there, her expression a mix of distress and confusion, but I didn't look back.

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A lingering sourness enveloped my mood after the unsettling encounter with Pichy. As I approached the classroom, I glanced around and chose my usual spot at the back near the window—a sanctuary of solitude that no one dared to occupy. Settling into my chair, I gazed out at the view, feeling the quiet anticipation of another class, only to realise that Charlotte was conspicuously absent. She was typically the first to arrive, her presence lighting up the room well before the bell rang.

Midway through the lecture, unable to shake off my concern, I sent her another message, my fingers hovering over the screen: "Hey, why aren't you in class? Is everything okay?" I stared at my phone, watchful for any sign of life in the form of a reply, but the class concluded, and my message remained unanswered.