Hamza hadn't planned on running into them.
The second he turned and saw Shumaila standing with the group, laughing, looking carefree for the first time in weeks, his heart twisted painfully.
He had spent every moment since his realization trying to make things right, trying to earn her forgiveness. But as he stood there, watching her be happy without him, he wondered if she even needed his redemption.
Because maybe, just maybe, she had already moved on— from the past, from everything.
His fingers clenched around the bag in his hand. She didn't even look at him.
And that hurt more than anything.
Without a word, he took his order, turned around, and walked away.
Shumaila's laughter faded the moment her eyes met his. Her eyes followed his retreating figure, but she said nothing.
"Well… that was unexpected," Rudra muttered.
"Did you see his face?" Akansha asked, watching Hamza disappear into the night. "He looked… different."
"Like a man who lost something he didn't realize he wanted," Aarav added quietly.
But Shumaila turned back to the group, her face carefully unreadable. "Let's go."
And with that, the topic of Hamza was closed. For now.
Monday
By the time Monday rolled around, the entire university had been called to the main grounds.
It wasn't hard to guess why.
At the front stood Taniya, Riya, Nisha, and the rest of their gang, looking furious but defeated.
"Finally decided to show their faces," Siddarth muttered, arms crossed. "Took them long enough."
Shumaila remained silent, watching as Professor Mehta stepped forward.
"After weeks of investigation, we have gathered enough evidence to hold these students accountable for their actions," the professor announced, his voice echoing across the assembly. "They have caused damage not just to one student, but to the integrity of this university. And today, they will offer their public apology."
Taniya let out an annoyed breath, stepping forward with barely concealed anger.
"We messed up," she said, voice laced with bitterness. "We lied, we spread rumors, and we set people up. Whatever."
"Not even an attempt at sincerity?" Komal scoffed.
"We did what we had to do," Riya muttered. "Now we're here, apologizing. That's what you all wanted, right?"
"Unbelievable," Sneha hissed.
But then, Taniya smirked. "Although, we're not the only ones who should be apologizing."
Professor Mehta narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Riya stepped forward smugly. "I mean, we weren't the only ones involved in framing Shumaila."
A sudden hush fell over the crowd.
"The fake voice note?" Riya continued. "That wasn't just us. Someone helped us make it. Someone with actual skills. Someone who wanted to see Hamza fall."
Siddarth tensed beside Komal. "What the hell are they saying?"
And then, Riya dropped the bomb.
"It was Karan."
The world seemed to freeze.
Karan stood among the students, his face unreadable. But the moment his name was spoken, all eyes turned to him.
"Karan," Rudra started, his voice low. "Tell me this isn't true."
Karan sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's… not that simple."
"Not that simple?!" Siddarth barked, taking a step forward. "You stood with us. You acted like you cared. And the whole time, you were one of them?"
Komal's expression twisted with fury. "I knew I couldn't trust you."
"Why?" Sneha demanded. "Why would you do this?"
Karan let out a slow breath before looking directly at Hamza. "Because it was never about Shumaila. It was about him."
Shumaila remained still, watching Karan without emotion.
"I wanted to take him down," Karan admitted. "I never expected it to get this out of control. I didn't think Hamza would confront Shumaila in front of everyone like that. I just—"
"You just what?" Akansha cut in. "Thought it'd be fun to ruin lives?"
"I never wanted to hurt Shumaila, I just wanted to show Hamza his right place." Karan said, looking at her now. "I like her. Since the moment I saw. I always have." (damn hero what a timing to confess eh)
A ripple of shock went through the crowd.
Hamza stood frozen.
"What?" Rudra said, his voice laced with disbelief.
"I wanted Hamza to suffer," Karan admitted. "But I never wanted this for you, Shumaila. I never meant to hurt you."
For the first time since the accusations began, Shumaila smiled. (bruh???)
It wasn't kind. It wasn't warm.
It was cold. Amused. Almost pitying. (ohh)
"That's the thing about betrayal, Karan," she murmured. "It doesn't matter what you meant to do. The damage is already done."
Meanwhile Hamza saw red.
The weight of everything—the betrayal, the anger, the pain of losing Shumaila—finally exploded inside him.
Before anyone could react, he stormed toward Karan and punched him, hard.
Karan stumbled back, blood trickling from his lip.
But Hamza wasn't done.
He grabbed Karan's collar and punched him again.
"Because of you—"
Another punch.
"She hates me—"
Another.
"I lost my friends—"
Another.
"And you have the nerve to say you like her?"
By now, Rudra and Aarav had rushed forward, pulling Hamza away.
"Enough, man!" Aarav shoved Hamza back. "This isn't going to fix anything."
Hamza breathed heavily, his fists shaking. His entire body trembled, his mind spiraling.
He had never felt so broken.
And then, a soft yet cold voice cut through the chaos.
"Komal," Shumaila murmured, brushing invisible dust off her sleeve. "Lend Hamza a handkerchief."
The entire group stilled.
Hamza's bloodied fists clenched as Shumaila turned and walked away, leaving him kneeling on the ground.