Chapter 12
755 Words
After School
The classroom was noisy.
As always.
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“Ei, Sakina, you no go join us for prep?” one girl asked.
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Sakina didn’t look up from her book.
“No.”
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“Why?”
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“I said no.”
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The girl rolled her eyes and walked away.
“See her… always forming.”
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Sakina heard it.
But didn’t react.
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Her mind wasn’t in class.
Not anymore.
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“Miss Rahman!”
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She looked up quickly.
The teacher stood in front of her.
“Are you with us?”
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“…yes, sir.”
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“Then answer the question.”
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Silence.
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Sakina blinked.
She hadn’t even heard it.
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A few students laughed quietly.
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“Stand up,” the teacher said.
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She did.
Slowly.
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“What did I just explain?”
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Her lips parted…
Then closed again.
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“I—I don’t know.”
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More laughter.
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The teacher sighed. “Sit down. Pay attention next time.”
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She sat.
Face calm.
But inside—
Frustrated.
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Why can’t I focus?
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Her fingers tightened slightly on her pen.
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Because her mind was somewhere else.
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With him.
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The bell rang.
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Freedom.
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Students rushed out, laughing, shouting.
Making plans.
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Sakina walked alone.
As usual.
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She reached the gate.
Paused.
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Her heart started beating faster.
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Will he call?
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She tried to ignore the thought.
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Then—
Her phone buzzed.
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She froze.
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Slowly…
She picked it up.
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Nii.
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Her face changed instantly.
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She answered quickly.
“Hello?”
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A brief silence.
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“…where are you?”
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His voice.
Low.
Calm.
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“At school… I just closed,” she said softly.
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“Come.”
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Just one word.
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Her heart skipped.
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“Now?”
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“…yes.”
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She didn’t hesitate.
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“Okay.”
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She ended the call.
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“Sakina!” someone called behind her.
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She turned slightly.
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“Are you going home?” the girl asked.
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Sakina shook her head.
“No.”
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“Where are you going?”
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A small pause.
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Then—
“Somewhere better.”
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She turned and walked away.
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Minutes later—
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She was on her way.
Again.
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Not thinking.
Not questioning.
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Just going.
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At the usual spot—
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Nii stood waiting.
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Like always.
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Sakina approached, trying to hide her smile.
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“You called.”
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Nii nodded once.
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“You came.”
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She laughed softly.
“You told me to.”
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Silence.
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Then she added, almost shy—
“I would have come anyway.”
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Nii looked at her.
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Didn’t respond.
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But he didn’t look away either.
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“You didn’t go home?” he asked.
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She shook her head.
“No.”
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“Why?”
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Sakina shrugged slightly.
“There’s nothing there.”
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A pause.
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“…only you here,” she added quietly.
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That lingered.
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Nii’s expression didn’t change.
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But his mind did.
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She’s attached.
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“Sit,” he said.
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She sat beside him immediately.
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“You missed me?” she asked playfully.
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A small pause.
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“…you talk too much,” he replied.
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She laughed.
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“I’ll take that as yes.”
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From a distance—
Abu watched again.
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He shook his head slowly.
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“Everyday…”
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Sakina leaned slightly closer.
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“I was thinking about you in class,” she admitted.
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Nii glanced at her.
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“Don’t.”
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She frowned slightly.
“Why?”
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“…focus on school.”
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That surprised her.
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“You care about my school?”
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Silence.
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Then—
“Yes.”
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Simple.
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But it felt real.
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Sakina smiled.
Soft.
Happy.
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“I like when you call me.”
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Nii didn’t respond.
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But he took out his phone.
Looked at it briefly.
Then put it back.
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Because now—
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It wasn’t just her waiting for his calls.
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He was starting to expect her too.
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And that…
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Was never part of the plan.
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🔥 End of Chapter Twelve
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- Writer
