FEAR OF FONDNESS

CHAPTER 63 CORE

Shinaya's POV:

Reading lines one by one, "first learn then write" formula, or reading after small breaks...nothing worked in the case of Furniture history. I knew it was going to be a headache for me, but still, I can't do anything about it. At last, when I felt I would have a brain hemorrhage if I studied even a second more, I closed all the tabs and tossed my laptop in the bag. 

" If this goes on like this, I will drop this degree!" I cried as I lay my head on the table. "Now, why would you do that?" Maira asked while chewing momos. Maira was my first university friend. As Me, Maryam, Mahnoor, and Aqsa had admissions in different universities per our programs. "Because I don't want to fail a course!" I told her, reminding her that our history exam didn't go well, and to add more misery in our lives, we don't have any preparations for the finals. 

"Oh come on, we'll pass, chill up!" she assured me, casually taking another bite. I squinted my eyes, my lips pressed in a straight line, "We don't just need to pass, we need to maintain our grades!" I recalled. She gave me the same look, "YOU need grades, I just need to pass this damn course" she mentioned barely with her mouth full. Giving me an eye roll, she remained busy with her lunch. "Watching my situation, I might also only need to pass this course," I muttered, taking a sip of strawberry smoothie. "Don't make that face now," Maria scoffed, staring at me as I lazily sipped my smoothie. "You should gear up for the trip! Your friends can join in," she mentioned with excitement. As outsiders were also allowed so I could ask them to join me, and in this we would be able to enjoy a nice tour together. "Yeah, but it would be nicer I you could join," I said in a low tone. " I wish I could, yaar!" Her lips curled into a pout. "But you know it's my uncle's wedding, can't leave it, yar!". 

"Yeah, I understand," I said. I really wanted her to join me on the trip. Maira was one of those rare people who made tough days a little easier. Friendly, helpful, and funny as hell. If I'd managed to pass the last semester, half the credit definitely went to her jokes and random pep talks.

After the lectures, as we reached the parking spot, I bade goodbye to Maria. "Gonna miss you, yar, " I murmured in a sadistic tone. "Me too," she said with the same tone. As we pulled apart, she glanced at the fully energetic battalion of guards standing next to my car, ready for any kind of action. "Will you take these bodyguards there too?" she let out a sarcastic laugh. "No, of course not!" I scoffed. "It's a trip, we will have the university's security, there will be no issue as such," I added confidently. "Are you sure? I don't think your possessive baby will let you go," she taunted, raising her eyebrows, twisting her fingers. I rolled my eyes. "No, he would!" I narrowed my eyes. Maira surrendered, raising her hand, "Oksss, if you say so!" and we both chuckled.

He will let me go.

He will...

He will?

A question had started to swirl in my mind...The confidence had vanished in the air as I thought about the possibilities. 

A buzzing sound of a message tone caught my attention. It was from our group. Four messages from "Pretty Criminals". It was a combo of Mahnoor and Aqsa's suggestion, pretty girls and spooky criminals. Maryam and I were the judges, so we sorted out a middle way. 

"Yeah, my schedule is clear, but I need to ask my parents then crystal yahh 👌" Reply from Mari.

"Done! I was dying for a nice tour 😭" Reply from Mahi.

"Hell yeah!" Reply from Aqsu.

These replies could have given me positive goosebumps, but then, they were giving me negative goosebumps. 

If Wassal asked me to take the guards? No, no, no, no! 

The car hit the brakes. I'll sort a way out, I assured myself.