Jai, finally admitting with a sheepish smile: "I left my purse there by the river. I went back to get it."

Jaan, sighing but not entirely surprised, nods: "Alright, fine. Let's just get moving."

The group continues walking, the sun starting to rise higher in the sky, casting warm light over the bustling college campus. Laughter and chatter fill the air as they head toward the entrance. Suddenly, Jaan, who's lost in her thoughts, accidentally bumps into someone while trying to navigate through a crowd. Startled, she instinctively closes her eyes, bracing herself for the worst—expecting to fall or crash into someone hard.

Her heart races, and for a split second, she feels a wave of anxiety. What if it's someone she knows? What if it's someone she doesn't want to face?

But when she finally opens her eyes, she's met with a familiar face that leaves her frozen in place.

Standing right in front of her is Faisal. The boy she once knew, the boy who had disappeared from her life, now suddenly reappearing like a ghost from the past.

For a moment, Jaan doesn't know how to react. Her mind goes blank. Faisal? Here? She hadn't expected to see him again, and definitely not in this place. It's like a whirlwind of emotions, confusion, and disbelief all at once.

Her heart skips a beat, and her thoughts swirl—Was it really him? Or had her mind just tricked her? She stares at him, almost as if she's waiting for him to say something that makes sense of the shock she's feeling.

The others in the group, noticing her reaction, pause as well. They glance between her and Faisal, confused by the sudden tension in the air.

Jaan, her voice soft but sharp, breaking the silence: "Faisal? What are you doing here?"

She takes a cautious step back, trying to process the situation, still unsure if this is some kind of bizarre coincidence.

Jan, looking between Jaan and Faisal with a raised eyebrow, her curiosity piqued: "Wait, wasn't he studying at St. Teresa's College? What's he doing here?"

Faisal, sensing the surprise, gives a relaxed shrug, as if it's no big deal.

Faisal: "Yeah, I used to study there, but my dad got transferred to this area for work, so now I'm studying here."

His tone is nonchalant, but Jaan can sense there's more to the story, like he's leaving something out. She can't shake off the odd feeling in her stomach, like she's missed something important.

Jai, who's been watching the exchange with a raised brow, steps forward, clearly not impressed: 

"Hold on a second, Faisal. You should've told us you were transferring here. You can't just show up like this out of nowhere!"

He crosses his arms, annoyed, but there's a hint of concern in his voice. The group had all shared memories with Faisal—some good, some complicated—and now, with him back in the picture, things felt off balance.

Faisal, still calm, glances at Jai, then back to Jaan: 

"I know, I know. I should've called or messaged, but it all happened so fast. One minute, I was at St. Teresa's, and the next, we're moving to a new place."

He gives a half-smile, though it seems almost forced. Jaan can't quite place it.

Jaan, feeling a mix of relief and confusion, exhales deeply:

 "So... you're really here now, huh?"

The words hang in the air. There's an unspoken tension between them, like there's more to this reunion than just a simple exchange of pleasantries.

Jai, shaking his head in disbelief: "Well, you could've at least told someone before showing up, man. You can't just disappear and then pop back in without any warning."

Reem, who's been unusually quiet, steps forward with a sly grin: 

"So, what's the deal, Faisal? You planning on sticking around, or is this just another one of your disappearing acts?"

Faisal laughs awkwardly, trying to deflect the question. He can't tell them everything, especially not now. Not when there's still so much unresolved between him and Jaan.

Faisal: "I'll be around. And hey, I'll try to keep in touch from now on, promise."

There's a silence, and it feels like the air is thick with unspoken words. Jaan wants to ask more, but something holds her back. She's not sure she's ready for the answers yet.

Just then, Avu, who has been walking beside Reem, finally speaks up, her usual mischievous grin on her face.

Avu: "Well, well, well... Faisal, you just had to pop up like a surprise guest, didn't you? And here I thought you'd vanished off the face of the earth for good!"

Her tone is playful, but there's an edge of curiosity in her voice. She's always been the type to poke fun at awkward situations.

Avu, with a teasing glint in her eye: "You've got a lot of explaining to do. I mean, you couldn't even text us to let us know you're back?"

Faisal, scratching the back of his neck nervously, responds: "I know, I should've, but things got... complicated."

Avu, still smiling, nudges Reem: "What do you think, Reem? Is he going to make up for all this mystery with a grand explanation or just more drama?"

Reem chuckles, clearly entertained by the situation, but adds her own take.

Reem: "I'm not buying it yet. You've got to do better than that, Faisal."

As the group continues to walk toward their classes, the mood is still mixed. Jai's skepticism lingers, Jaan is lost in her own whirlwind of thoughts, Avu is having her fun, and Reem is just enjoying the drama. Faisal's unexpected return has certainly shaken things up, and the group can't help but wonder what this new chapter will bring