As Eva arrived on the scene, she immediately sensed the tension between Zain, Arish, and Zayra. Concerned, she rushed over to Zayra and asked, “What’s going on, Zayra? Why do Zain and Arish look like they’ve been fighting?”

Zayra, still shaken, didn’t respond immediately. Eva turned to the boys, her voice firm. “Were you two fighting over Zayra?”

Neither Zain nor Arish answered, both too caught up in their own anger and pride to say anything. Eva, noticing the situation was tense and not wanting to escalate things, decided it was time to get Zayra out of there.

“Zayra, let’s go,” Eva suggested, her tone gentle but insistent. “We’re having a girls’ night at my house. Lily’s already waiting for us in the bus.”

Zayra looked between the two boys before nodding. She turned to Arish, her voice soft but firm. “Arish, I won’t be coming home tonight. Please let Aunt know. And… bandage your wounds before you go home. I don’t want Aunt to worry.”

Arish forced a smile, though his eyes betrayed the jealousy simmering beneath. “Sure, I’ll tell her. You just focus on having a good time tonight. But be careful, okay? I don’t want anything happening to you.”

Zayra nodded, her gaze shifting to Zain, her worry evident. “Zain, I’m serious—please take care of those wounds. I don’t want them to get infected.”

Zain met her concerned eyes with a reassuring smile, his tone soft. “I’ll be fine, Zayra, I promise. It’s nothing serious. You go and enjoy your night with Eva and Lily. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Zayra lingered for a moment, clearly still concerned, but eventually, she let Eva lead her away.
With that, Eva and Zayra walked away, leaving Zain and Arish alone. The silence between them was thick with tension, neither willing to back down.

Arish finally broke the silence, his voice low and filled with barely-contained anger. “Zain, you think you can just walk into her life and take her away from me? You’re wrong.”

Zain’s eyes flashed with defiance as he stepped closer. “I’m not taking anything from you, Arish. She’s not some possession you can hold onto.”

They walked towards their cars, which were parked side by side. As Arish reached his car, he froze, staring in disbelief at the completely flat tire. His frustration bubbled over as he kicked the tire in anger.

Zain couldn’t resist a smirk. “So, this is the car you were going to take Zayra home in? Looks like fate had other plans.”

Arish’s glare could have cut through steel. “Shut up, Zain. This has nothing to do with you.”

Zain raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the moment. “Need a ride? I’d be happy to drop you off.”

Arish’s pride bristled at the offer. “I don’t need your help,” he snapped, storming off toward the bus stop. “I’ll find my own way.”

Zain watched him go, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. “Suit yourself,” he muttered, before getting into his car.
As Arish got on the bus, he saw Zayra and Eva sitting in the front row. Zayra’s eyes widened with concern. “Arish, what are you doing on the bus? Where’s your car?”

Arish sighed, frustrated. “It’s broken.”

Zayra felt uneasy. After everything that had happened, why was Arish on the bus?

With no other seats available, Arish sat next to Lily, who immediately noticed his bruises. “Hey, are you a school bully or something? You look like you just got into a fight.”

Arish, already annoyed, snapped back, “It’s none of your business.”

Lily didn’t back down. “I’m worried about safety. Maybe I should report you to the police for bullying. Who knows what you’re up to with those bruises?”

Arish’s irritation grew. “I’m not a monster. If you want to report me, go ahead. But you better have proof. We don’t know each other.”

Lily leaned in, her tone sharp. “Well, I’m just keeping an eye out. Maybe you need a little accountability.”

Before Arish could respond, Eva stepped in, trying to calm things down. “Lily, he’s our friend.”

Arish turned to Zayra with a sarcastic tone. “Zayra, since when did you start hanging out with people like Lily?”

Zayra, worried about Arish but frustrated with his attitude, shot back, “She’s my friend, Arish!”

Realizing he had crossed a line, Arish mumbled, “Sorry, Zayra.”

The bus ride was tense, with Lily and Arish’s argument adding to the discomfort. Zayra, concerned for Arish and remembering the confrontation with Zain, felt the ride was especially heavy.

When they reached their destination, Zayra, Eva, and Lily were the first to get off the bus, leaving Arish behind.