The school was big and a little old, with sunlit classrooms and echoing hallways that whispered secrets to those who listened.
The scent of fresh paint and worn wooden desks filled the air, transporting students to a world of learning and growth.
Rules were not very strict, but friendships bloomed easily, like wildflowers in spring.
Some teachers were kind, with warm smiles that lit up the room, while others were strict, with eyes that seemed to see right through you.
Everyone noticed everything—who sat where, who talked to whom, and who was hiding behind a mask of indifference.
It was a place where even quiet moments didn't go unnoticed, and every smile held a story.
It started with a simple message from an
unknown number: "Hey… what's your name?"
She stared at the message, her heart racing with anticipation. The glow of her phone illuminated her face in the darkness of her room.
After a moment, she typed back cautiously, her fingers trembling over the keyboard.
Her: "Zia."
Unknown Number: "I'm Ruqayyah. I'll be joining Class 9 tomorrow. Can you tell me how the school works? What's the uniform like?"
She replied with short, careful answers about uniforms, class timings, and strict teachers.
Ruqayyah asked follow-up questions, and they chatted about school life.
Ruqayyah also asked what subjects were taught that day and if she had any notes.
She replied with the subjects, the teachers' names, and even a picture of her rough notes.
The next day, she saw Ruqayyah sitting beside her sister Suraiya, their bright smiles illuminating the room like rays of sunshine.
Ruqayyah smiled brightly and waved, and her cheeks flushed slightly as she smiled back.
There was one more girl who was new to the class—Ayesha. She was funny and quick with jokes.
Ayesha, sitting in front of them, turned around and whispered, "Does our history teacher look like she's seen all world wars, or is it just me?"
She giggled at Ayesha's joke, feeling an instant connection.
As the days went by, she found herself looking forward to seeing Ruqayyah and her friends.
She would catch glimpses of them in the hallway, their laughter echoing off the walls.
But one day, she saw them sitting together, and she felt a pang of uncertainty.
Her mind began to wander, wondering if she was truly part of their group.
She decided to sit in the last bench, thinking they might not want her anymore.
But Ruqayyah noticed her hesitation and called out to her, her voice like a warm invitation to a secret party.
"Hey, come sit with us!" Ruqayyah's warm smile made her heart feel like it was home.
As they spent more time together, their friendship deepened.
They shared laughter, stories, and secrets, forming an unbreakable bond.
They formed a group called ZARS, a blend of unique personalities that complemented each other like pieces of a puzzle.
Ruqayyah was the lively leader, Suraiya was calm but supportive, Ayesha brought humor, and Zia was the quiet but thoughtful member.
The ZARS group did everything together – shared lunches, studied for exams, and explored the school like a treasure trove of adventures.
They were inseparable, like threads in a tightly woven fabric.
During tiffin breaks, Ruqayyah and she would race down the corridor, their laughter echoing through the walls, as if they were chasing freedom itself.
Sometimes Ayesha and Suraiya joined, turning the hallway into their private playground.
One afternoon, as they were rushing toward the canteen, Zia saw him walking from the other side.
Their eyes met – for just a second – and it felt like time slowed.
Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly stepped aside, her eyes fixed on the floor.
She watched him pass, her mind replaying the brief moment they shared.
He didn't say a word. But she carried that moment like a secret, a precious gem tucked away in her heart.
As she spent more time with the ZARS group, everyone in the class noticed the change in her.
She was more confident, more outgoing, and more herself.
When her classmates asked her a question,
"You've changed a lot since Ruqayyah came," they said.
She smiled and replied,
"My transformation is stark. From timid silence to unapologetic expression, I've found my voice, but it seems my growth is now a source of contention."
Her voice rang out clear and strong, like a bell tolling in the silence.
She knew she had found her tribe in the ZARS group. Ruqayyah, Suraiya, and Ayesha were more than just friends – they were her support system, her confidantes, and her best friends.
She finally felt like she belonged, like she had found her place in the world where she was seen and heard.
The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. The ZARS group continued to grow closer, their bond strengthened by shared experiences and laughter.
She found herself looking forward to each new day, eager to see her friends and explore the world around her.
And though she still caught glimpses of him, the focus was on the friendships that had grown.