Seven

                                    

                                          
Mukhriz leaned back against the canteen chair, his gaze scanning the crowd of students milling about as they filled the noisy room. Adam was sitting across from him, half-focused on his food, half-distracted by his surroundings. Mukhriz, on the other hand, couldn’t help but think back to the moment during PJ class when he had stepped in between Maha and Vicky.
The moment had felt instinctive, like he couldn't just stand by and watch Vicky get under her skin. Even now, he could picture her face—Maha’s quiet discomfort and the way she tried to hide it. It made something in him stir. But before he could get too lost in his thoughts, Adam’s voice pulled him back to the present.
Adam:"So," Adam began casually, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "what was that earlier?"
Mukhriz raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure what Adam was referring to. 
Mukhriz:"What are you talking about?"
Adam:"Don’t play dumb," Adam said with a smirk. Adam:"You know exactly what I’m talking about. The whole scene with you and Maha during PJ class. You shut Vicky down pretty fast."
Mukhriz rolled his eyes, trying to play it off as nothing. Mukhriz:"Vicky was just being his usual self. You know how he is."
Adam wasn’t buying it. He leaned in, lowering his voice slightly, though still teasing. 
Adam:"Sure, but the way you stepped in? Come on, man, you don’t do that for just anyone."
Mukhriz sighed, leaning back further in his chair and folding his arms. He knew Adam wouldn’t let this go easily. 
Mukhriz:"Look, I stepped in because he was being a jerk. Anyone would’ve done it," he said, keeping his tone neutral. "Maha’s our friend, right? You’d have done the same thing."
Adam grinned, clearly amused by Mukhriz’s attempt to downplay the situation. 
Adam:"Maybe," he admitted. "But you weren’t just being a 'friend.' Don’t tell me you didn’t notice how flustered she got afterward."
Mukhriz couldn’t help but think back to the way Maha had tried to cover her reaction. He had noticed, of course. The soft blush on her cheeks, the way she tried to hide her embarrassment from the teasing remarks. And yes, it had made him feel something—a strange mix of pride and protectiveness that he wasn’t entirely sure how to handle.But he wasn’t going to admit that. Not out loud, anyway.
Mukhriz:"Come on, man," Mukhriz said with a half-smile, hoping to deflect the conversation. Mukhriz:"You’re reading too much into this. It’s no big deal. I would’ve done the same for anyone."
Adam laughed, clearly not convinced. 
Adam:"Right. Anyone. That’s what you’re going with?"
Mukhriz shrugged again, keeping his expression neutral. Mukhriz:"Yeah, that’s what I’m going with. Friends look out for each other."
Adam shook his head, chuckling under his breath. Adam:"Friends, huh? If that’s all it is, then why do you keep sneaking glances at her every time we’re all hanging out?"
Mukhriz felt his face heat up slightly but forced himself to stay calm. 
Mukhriz:"I’m just making sure she’s okay, man. Vicky’s been on her case lately, and I don’t like it. Someone has to keep an eye on him."
Adam raised an eyebrow, a smirk still on his face. Adam:"You keep telling yourself that," he said with a wink, clearly enjoying Mukhriz’s discomfort.
For a moment, Mukhriz considered pushing back, but he decided against it. Instead, he just took a sip of his drink, his eyes flicking across the room to where Maha, Shini, Rina, Ashu, Vini, and Aananthiy were sitting, laughing together. Despite everything, he couldn’t deny that Adam had a point. He was paying more attention to Maha lately. More than usual. And while he told himself it was just out of concern, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more beneath the surface.
Adam, noticing Mukhriz’s gaze lingering, leaned in again. Adam:"See what I mean? You’re not just 'watching out for her.' You like her, don’t you?"
Mukhriz glanced away quickly, feeling slightly embarrassed by how obvious he must have been. But instead of denying it outright, he shrugged. Mukhriz:"I don’t know, man. Maybe. I guess I just... don’t want her to get hurt."
Adam grinned triumphantly. Adam:"Exactly what I thought. You’ve got a thing for her, don’t you?"
Mukhriz sighed, running a hand through his hair. Mukhriz:"Look, I’m not saying anything. I just don’t want her dealing with someone like Vicky, okay? He’s been messing with her for a while now, and it’s starting to piss me off."
Adam leaned back with a satisfied smile. 
Adam:"Fair enough. But if you’re serious, you should just tell her how you feel, you know? No point waiting around."
Mukhriz shook his head, chuckling softly.
Mukhriz:"Nah, I’m good for now. Besides, it’s not like she sees me that way. We’re just friends."
Adam:"Sure, if you say so," Adam replied, still wearing that knowing grin.
Adam: "But from where I’m sitting, it looks like there’s something more going on."
Mukhriz didn’t respond. Instead, he focused on his food, letting the conversation shift to other topics as their friends joined in. But despite the laughter and banter, his thoughts kept drifting back to Maha. He couldn’t deny that something about her had changed the way he looked at their friendship. But for now, he was content to let things be. At least, until he could figure out how to handle it.
As they wrapped up their time in the canteen and began heading back to class, Adam gave Mukhriz a final nudge. 
Adam:"Just think about it, man. Don’t wait too long."
Mukhriz smiled, shaking his head but appreciating Adam’s words. He had plenty to think about. For now, though, he’d let things stay as they were, even if his feelings were becoming harder to ignore.
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Hey dear readers I kindly apologize for not uploading the 7th chapter yesterday but here it is today 😅. Soon there will an update on the 8th chapter.Also seems like Mukhriz too kinda have something for Maha huh but is it real that he has something for her or it's just an misunderstanding let's see in the future. Till then bye 👋🏻