I took a deep breath, as if relieved of a burden, and headed towards the next class without looking back.
The room was packed. People were talking, laughing, but my mind was stuck on Suhina's fall... and also on the silent dagger that Arin had fired at me with her eyes.
"Aira... are you okay?"
A hand fell on my shoulder. It was Subh. The one who was always there where he was not needed.
"I am fine," I said, as if I was avoiding him. "What is the work?"
He winked. "Why do you always think that I have come to ask for something?"
Nami, who was scratching something on the table, said without raising her head, "Because you always ask."
Subh stared at him. "As if you are a god."
Nami shrugged. "At least not like you."
I folded my arms over my chest. "Now stop pretending and speak straight."
Subh opened his notebook as if he was about to unleash a spell. "You know... I like Suhina."
I pressed my lips to stop laughing. "And Suhina is crazy about Tenzin."
Nami moved back as if she was sitting down to watch a show. "If you here to save her, then leave ."
"Shut up, Nami," Subh snarled. "Just... give her time... let her compose herself... then—"
"Then?" we both asked at the same time.
He looked down. Then said softly, "I'll propose."
I kept staring at him. Then I laughed a little. "She's ready to die for Tenzin... and you're dreaming?"
"I'm seeing," he stiffened. "At least I'm trying. If you two stop interrupting, maybe something will work out."
Saying this, he turned on his heel and walked away.
We both remained silent.
Nami folded her arms tightly across her chest. "He has gone mad. He is going to jump into the fire."
My gaze went to the bench in front of me. Arin was writing with his head down. As if nothing had happened. As if he was just adding the next sentence after breaking another one.
A wild pang arose in my heart.
Love doesn't chase beauty," I murmured, half to myself. "It hunts ruin."
Nami looked at me as if she had sensed something. She tapped my shoulder. "You too may get burnt."
I turned my face away. But my mind... my mind remained stuck where it shouldn't have been.