For the next few seconds, Kiya just studied Chahat, like she was deciding whether to be amused or impressed.
Then, she leaned in with a wicked grin. "Alright, Chahat. You have my attention. What's your plan?"
Chahat crossed her arms, her mind racing. She hadn't exactly figured that part out yet. But there was no way she'd let Kiya think she was bluffing.
Simple. She just had to do what Kiya did—but better.
She smirked. "We give them something completely ridiculous. Something so over-the-top that no one knows what to believe anymore."
Kiya's grin widened. "Now this is the Chahat I was waiting for."
Tiya suddenly appeared from behind the tree, munching on an apple. "Ohhh, this is gonna be good."
Chahat jumped. "Where the hell did you come from?!"
Tiya shrugged. "I like to be present when history is made." She looked at Kiya. "So? What's the move?"
Kiya tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. We could spread something completely absurd… Like—oh! What if we pretend Chahat is actually engaged? Secretly."
Chahat deadpanned. "No."
Tiya laughed. "Oooh, or we could say she's running away to become a monk."
Chahat's eye twitched. "Absolutely not."
Kiya snapped her fingers. "Wait. I got it. Chahat, you and I? We're in a secret relationship. That's why I was fighting with Jay—because I was jealous."
Chahat gasped in horror. "ARE YOU INSANE?!"
Tiya cackled. "I love this! Do it, do it, do it!"
Chahat grabbed her head, regretting everything. "No! I said we flip the script, not throw gasoline into the fire!"
Kiya, however, was already fully committed. "Oh, but Chahat, this is perfect. They want drama? Let's give them romance. No one will even care about the Jay rumors anymore!"
Tiya nudged Chahat. "You did say you wanted control."
Chahat groaned. "I hate that you're right."
Kiya draped an arm around her dramatically. "Trust me, babe. By the time we're done, the entire campus will be begging for clarity. And we?" She smirked. "We will never give it to them."
Tiya wiped away a fake tear. "This is art."
Chahat sighed. What had she just signed up for?
By the time Chahat walked into the cafeteria, she could already feel the shift in energy. Whispers, stares—people were eating up the mystery that Kiya had started.
And Kiya? She was thriving.
She strolled beside Chahat with an air of absolute confidence, like she owned the damn place. Every few steps, she would gently touch Chahat's arm or lean in as if whispering something secretive—only to smirk and walk off without a word.
Tiya followed behind them, casually biting into an apple like she was watching an exclusive premiere.
Chahat gritted her teeth. "You're enjoying this way too much."
Kiya sighed dramatically. "Babe, we're creating cinema right now."
"Babe?! BABE?!" Chahat hissed.
Kiya gave her a look. "Commit to the role, darling."
Chahat had to stop herself from screaming.
But the worst part?
It was working.
As they passed a group of students, one of them whispered just loud enough for Chahat to hear—"Wait, is this about Kiya and Chahat?!"
Another gasped. "I knew something was up when Kiya fought with Jay!"
Chahat bit her tongue to keep from losing her mind.
Tiya snorted. "They're so easy to manipulate. It's almost sad."
Kiya flipped her hair. "It's a talent, really."
Chahat groaned. "Okay, we've done enough. Can we—"
But before she could finish, Kiya suddenly grabbed her hand.
Chahat froze.
The entire cafeteria noticed.
Kiya turned to her with a perfectly rehearsed smirk. "Oh, Chahat. Don't look so shocked."
Chahat had no idea what she was supposed to do. But she did know that everyone was staring.
Tiya covered her mouth, dying from laughter.
Kiya leaned in slightly. "Relax, darling," she murmured just loud enough for the crowd to hear. "Let them wonder."
And just like that, she dropped Chahat's hand and walked off like she hadn't just caused a full-blown social explosion.
Tiya clapped. "ICONIC. Just iconic."
Chahat?
She needed therapy. Immediately.