A hushed, conspiratorial meeting was taking place at the university's rooftop. The culprits? Sneha, Rudra, Komal, Siddarth, Aarav, and Akansha.
"Alright," Sneha clapped her hands together. "Mission: Get Those Two Idiots Together is officially in motion."
"Codename: Cupid Conspiracy," Rudra added dramatically.
"Step one," Komal smirked. "Get them in the same space."
"Step two," Siddarth leaned back, "make it awkward?."
"Step three?" Aarav raised a brow.
"Let chaos unfold," Akansha finished, deadpan.
Sneha grinned. "Exactly."
Phase One – The Library Trap
Everything was set. Rudra had 'borrowed' some library cards and reserved the last two available desks—right next to each other.
Shumaila entered first, her usual seat mysteriously occupied. With a frown, she glanced around and spotted an empty desk.
She sighed and sat down, pulling out her notes.
Minutes later, Hamza stepped inside.
He saw her. She saw him. Both froze.
Hamza blinked. Nope.
He turned around to leave, but—
Sneha and Rudra conveniently blocked the exit.
"Oh wow," Aarav said, feigning surprise. "No other seats available. Guess you two have to sit together."
Hamza shot him a glare. "I'll stand."
"Library rule #8: No standing for long durations," Komal chimed in smugly.
Shumaila sighed, rubbing her temples. "Fine. Whatever. Just don't breathe near me."
"Like I want to after my confession" Hamza muttered under his breath, sitting beside her sulkily.
The group watched from behind the bookshelves, whispering like maniacs.
For a while, painful silence stretched between the two.
Then, Shumaila shivered slightly. The AC was on full blast.
Hamza noticed.
Without a word, he slid his Jacket toward her.
She glanced at it, then at him. Her heart skipped—just a little.
Hamza cleared his throat and looked away "It's cold."
Shumaila rolled her eyes but didn't push it away.
From the bookshelves, Sneha elbowed Rudra. "Did… did that just work??"
Rudra grinned. "Phase one: success."
Phase Two – The Cafeteria Setup
The next day, the group moved to Operation Lunch Table.
Akansha 'reserved' a seat for Shumaila at the table—right across from Hamza. Basically whole group sat like, the only seats left for the two idiots are across each other.
Komal smirked, imagining Hamza getting dragged by Rudra here.
The two arrived separately, realized the setup, but now had no choice but to sit down.
Siddarth casually sipped his drink. "So… how's the food, guys?"
Shumaila stabbed her salad. Hamza drank his water like it was a coping mechanism. The group barely held in their laughter.
"I'd say phase two is going smoothly," Aarav whispered to Sneha.
"Not for long," Rudra muttered as he noticed a random classmate approaching their table —with flowers and a letter.
A well-dressed guy with slicked-back hair stopped beside their table, holding a bouquet and an envelope.
"Shumaila?" he said, smiling nervously.
Shumaila blinked. "Uh… yeah?"
"I, um… I've admired you for a while," he started. "And I wanted to give you this."
Silence.
Shumaila awkwardly took the flowers and letter. "Oh. Uh… thanks?"
The group immediately exploded into whispers and giggles.
"Wow, look at that!" Komal teased. "A secret admirer!"
Sneha smirked. "Let's hear what this guy wrote."
Before Shumaila could react, Sneha snatched the letter and dramatically cleared her throat.
"'Dearest Shumaila…'" she began, making everyone burst into laughter.
Shumaila groaned. "Give it back!"
"'Your presence in the lecture hall is like a beacon of light…'" Sneha continued.
"OH GOD." Shumaila buried her face in her hands.
"'I am bewitched by your intelligence and confidence…'" Sneha grinned, relishing the moment.
The entire table was in stitches—except for Hamza.
He was staring at the letter, his jaw clenched, his fingers gripping his fork just a little too tightly.
Rudra nudged Aarav. "Did you see that?"
Aarav smirked. "Bingo."
"This is getting interesting," Komal added with a smirk.
Hamza abruptly stood up and stormed off.
The group watched him leave, exchanging knowing glances.
"Welp," Sneha grinned. "We have progress."
Meanwhile, Shumaila sat there, staring at the flowers.
Why did that whole situation feel so… uncomfortable?
She didn't like attention from random guys, but something about today had felt different.
Why did Hamza's presence feel heavier?
Why did she subconsciously check his reaction?
She shook her head, scowling at herself. "What the hell is happening to me?"
The group exchanged smirks.
"Phase three," Rudra whispered. "Coming soon."