~THE SHADOW LURKS~
The silence between Maheen and Ayan was so loud, it almost drowned out everything else. We sat there, pretending things were normal, but their eyes refused to meet.
Finally, Ayan broke. "How many times do I have to say it? I wasn't cheating, Maheen!" His voice was sharp, frustrated.
Maheen's jaw tightened, her arms crossed. "And how many times do I have to remind you—I saw what I saw. Don't make me look like a fool, Ayan."
Raffy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Guys, seriously? This is getting out of control. We all know Ayan isn't like that."
I leaned forward, my voice steady. "Enough, both of you. If you keep feeding this stupid fight, you're going to break the crew apart. Is that what you want?"
They fell quiet, but the storm in their eyes was still there, waiting for its next chance to strike.
And somewhere, just a few steps away, Mehzil was watching. Her smile wasn't the playful kind—it was the kind that tasted like poison.
Ayan ran a hand over his face, frustration fading into calm. "Look, Maheen… I get it. You saw something that looked bad, but you have to trust me. I wouldn't do that to you. Not ever."
Maheen's arms slowly unfolded, her eyes softening just a fraction. "I… I guess I overreacted. I just—" She sighed. "I hate feeling like I'm invisible, like I don't matter."
"You do matter," I said firmly, leaning back. "Both of you matter. But blowing up in front of everyone won't fix anything. Talk it out, like adults, not like kids fighting over a toy."
Raffy nodded. "Exactly. We're friends. We fight, we argue, but we don't destroy each other."
They exchanged a long look, tension easing just enough for a fragile truce.
Maheen and Ayan finally calmed down, tension between them easing a little. I exhaled, thinking maybe things were finally settling.
But then I felt it—Mehzil, lurking a few steps away, her eyes locked on Raffy. The smile on her lips wasn't friendly. It was possessive, sharp, dangerous.
My eyes narrowed slightly, more annoyed than jealous.
She took a step closer, voice sweet but poisonous. "Oh Raffy… spending time with everyone else, huh? Don't forget who's really yours."
I smirked to myself, muttering under my breath, "Buffalo… doesn't she have her own life?"
Raffy stiffened beside me, aware of her presence, but didn't say much. I just crossed my arms, letting Mehzil's obsession speak for itself.
Her eyes flicked to me, realizing I wasn't scared or intimidated. That only made her smirk widen, dark and proud. "Interesting," she whispered. "You're not like the others… I'll remember that."
That buffolw's phone were ringing. She picked her phone up.
And while talking, she melted back into the shadows, throwing a fly kiss in direction of raffy. Raffy rolled his eyes trying to avoid her.