The day had barely begun, and yet, Shumaila could already sense trouble brewing.
As she walked toward the business department's corridor, a familiar voice rang out behind her, dripping with mockery. "Well, well, if it isn't the mastermind herself."
Shumaila didn't bother turning around. She knew exactly who it was.
"What's wrong? No witty response today?" Taniya sneered as she and her gang—Saanvi, Priya, and Nisha—flanked her from behind. "Guess all that strategy must be tiring. Betrayal is hard work, after all."
Shumaila exhaled through her nose, keeping her face unreadable. "Not interested, Taniya. Find another hobby."
"Oh, come on, don't be so cold," Priya chimed in, fake sympathy lacing her tone. "We're just trying to understand. What exactly did Hamza do to deserve such a knife in the back?"
Saanvi smirked. "Maybe she was just jealous. After all, he was getting all the attention, wasn't he? Couldn't stand being second place?"
"Or maybe," Nisha added, tilting her head, "she thought Karan was the better bet. You know, trade up. Can't blame her."
Shumaila stopped walking, finally turning to face them. Her expression remained indifferent, but her eyes held an icy sharpness. "You done? Or should I schedule another session for you guys to practice your third-rate acting?"
Taniya's smirk faltered for a second before she scoffed. "Wow, still playing the unbothered queen. I'd be impressed if it wasn't so pathetic."
Shumaila tilted her head, pretending to think. "Pathetic? You mean like a group of irrelevant extras trying so hard to make themselves feel important by clinging onto someone else's drama?"
Saanvi opened her mouth to retort, but Shumaila had already turned on her heel and walked away without another glance.
Taniya narrowed her eyes as she watched her go. "She thinks she's untouchable. Let's see how long that lasts."
Meanwhile, across campus, Aarav and Sneha were finalizing their plan.
"Are you sure this will work?" Sneha whispered as they stood near the university playground, watching the group gather for their usual break.
Aarav smirked. "Trust me. Hamza might be stubborn, but he's also predictable. We just need to set things up right."
Rudra, who had been listening nearby, crossed his arms. "If this backfires, I'm blaming both of you."
"Noted," Aarav said before casually making his way toward Hamza, who was standing alone by the cafeteria. "Hey, man. Need a place to sit?"
Hamza gave him a look. "I'm fine."
"Great, because we saved you a seat," Aarav continued smoothly, gesturing toward the playground. "Come on. It's just a break."
Hamza hesitated but then sighed. "Fine."
Sneha and Rudra exchanged a victorious glance as they saw Hamza heading toward the group.
On the other side of campus, Shumaila was making her way toward the playground when she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Easy there, princess," Karan's amused voice greeted her.
Shumaila took a step back, rubbing her arm. "Watch where you're going, Malhotra."
Karan chuckled. "Shouldn't I be saying that to you?"
She rolled her eyes and moved to walk past him, but he stepped in her way. "Relax, I'm just being nice. Besides, you look like you could use some company."
"I'm fine," Shumaila said sharply.
Karan smirked, eyes flickering toward the direction of the playground. "Sure you are. But since I'm heading the same way, might as well escort you."
Shumaila narrowed her eyes, suspicious. "Why?"
Karan grinned. "Let's just say I enjoy a little chaos."
Shumaila didn't like the sound of that, but before she could argue, he was already walking beside her.
The moment Shumaila reached the playground and saw who was sitting with the group, her steps faltered.
"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered, eyes locking onto Hamza.
The rest of the group fell silent, sensing the tension thickening instantly.
Shumaila took a deep breath before demanding, "Why the hell is he here?"
Hamza, who had been already in a sour mood, scoffed. "Oh, so now you get to decide where I sit? Impressive."
Before Shumaila could respond, Karan chuckled beside her. "Chill, sweetheart. You act like his presence personally offends you."
Hamza's gaze flickered to Karan, his jaw tightening. "Didn't know you two were hanging out so openly now. Shameless, really."
Shumaila's temper flared. "Excuse me?!"
Karan, clearly enjoying himself, placed a hand over his chest mockingly. "Ouch, Hamza. That almost sounded like jealousy."
Hamza's glare darkened. "Jealous? Of you? That's hilarious."
Shumaila's patience snapped. "Listen, Hamza, my life—who I talk to, who I walk with—is none of your business."
"Oh, but my life was your business when you decided to stab me in the back, right?" Hamza shot back, voice cold.
The group tensed at the venom in his words.
Komal sighed, rubbing her temples. "Okay, this is getting ridiculous—"
"More ridiculous than him sitting here and acting like everything's normal?" Shumaila snapped, pointing at Hamza.
Hamza smirked. "More ridiculous than you getting escorted by Karan like some helpless damsel?"
Shumaila gritted her teeth. "I swear to—"
"Enough!" Rudra's voice cut through the chaos, making both of them stop.
Everyone turned to look at him as he ran a hand through his hair. "This is exactly why I thought bringing Hamza back to the group was a bad idea."
Sneha, standing beside him, exhaled sharply. "Yeah. This isn't working."
Shumaila scoffed. "You think?"
Hamza stood up, grabbing his bag. "Don't worry. Won't happen again."
Without another word, he turned and walked off.
The group watched in silence, tension still heavy in the air.
Karan smirked, leaning closer to Shumaila. "Well, that was fun. We should do this more often."
Shumaila shot him a glare. "Shut up, Malhotra."
As she stormed off in the opposite direction, Sneha and Aarav exchanged looks.
"Yeah," Sneha muttered. "That went well."