Iman's POV
Two weeks.
That's how long it had been since I had read few pages in the book.
And two weeks were enough for reality to pull us back in — projects, assignments, surprise tests, Viva practice, last-minute scribbled notes on the edge of registers. The book sat wrapped in that old maroon cloth, untouched in my drawer. The golden corners of its cover peeked out at me every time I opened it for socks or my lab apron… like it was watching me too.
I hadn't forgotten it. But lately, school had turned into a miniature battlefield of its own.
The break bell buzzed.
I stepped into the middle portion of our massive four-block school building . It always buzzed with voices during recess. Like now.
That's where I saw her — Shanzay. Sitting under the balustrade shade near the snack cart, swinging her legs over the edge of the bench, playing with her skirt(our uniform) with no books in sight, obviously.
"Oi, top topper," she called out when she spotted me, pulling me toward her with her usual grin. "Come here and tell me you finally fought Ahad again."
I rolled my eyes. "Not everyone fights daily like you and physics."
She burst out laughing. "Physics and I have an understanding. We avoid each other."
I slid in beside her, the faint smell of samosas and ink in the air. Our school had this weird mix of sounds — a teacher yelling from a tower window, someone practicing harmonium in the music room above us, and the dusty basketballs bouncing in the far court.
We chatted for a long time untill her drastically changing the topic,nearly gave me a head spin.
"I was thinking earlier," Shanzay said, leaning in dramatically, "I still can't believe Hafiz turned out so clingy. Like, I thought he was mysterious — not emotionally unemployed."
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "He always had that broody-beyond-the-syllabus look."
"Ummm Ahad saving you that day was kinda… unexpected,yeah,i know he is always protective when the situation involve you but..." she continued, eyes flickering with a memory I wasn't part of. "He's not the kind who steps in unless… you know."
Unless he cares. I knew. But I stayed silent.
"Anyway," she exhaled. "I've zeroed my GPA this term."
I arched an eyebrow. "Shanzay. Why don't you study properly? It's not like you don't get it."
Shanzay is a class junior of mine,in 9th currently..soon she would be in 10th and the girl has nuts over brains.Not that she didnt get things but, it simply does not intrest her.I don't know when she will take her studies seriously.But as an older friend,i could only advice .Rest was her thing to do.Right?
She gave me that signature blank blink. "Because it bores me. My head switches off."
I leaned back, thoughtful. "But what excites you then? Like... beyond gossip and hyperventilating over brown-eyed heartbreakers?"
She stuck her tongue out at me. "Okay fine, don't judge, but I wish I could just write or paint all day and someone else passed exams for me."
"That's not judgment, that's envy," I admitted. "I wish Sara was here". Sara is our friend,next to hanzay the person i can trust and who understands me.We are mutual friends in tye same class.Like me,Sara is also a class senior to shanzay.We are in the same class and section .She'd help you. She's one of the few who gets both worlds — practical and poetic."
At the name, or rather, the placeholder, Shanzay perked up.
"Oh my God, wait—did I not tell you?" She clapped her hands, nearly spilling her chips. "She's coming back! After, like, weeks in London. Her dad's back from a conference and they stayed extra for some cruise thing. She returns Friday!"
I blinked. "What? She didn't tell me."
Shanzay gave a smirk. "Maybe she trusts me more now."
I rolled my eyes again, smiling despite myself.
"I missed her though," I admitted. "It's not the same without her ranting about why we still call it 'literature' when boys in our class treat it like physics."
"She is your twin soul," Shanzay said, popping a fry into her mouth. "If only she liked novels more."
"She prefers real events. Historical non-fiction. Maybe she's the one who should read the book before me."
Shanzay raised her brow. "Wait—you haven't touched it?"
I nodded, guilty. "Exams. Life. I will. I promise."