CHAPTER 19:A NEW WAR

Amna walked into class, scanning the room for familiar faces. Her eyes landed on Shahmeer, sitting in his usual spot, and she smiled. "Hey, Shahmeer!"

Shahmeer looked up, his expression neutral, but he nodded in response. "Hi."

Just then, a voice behind Amna spoke up, laced with venom. "Well, well, well. Look who's trying to get Shahmeer's attention now."

Amna turned to face the speaker, a beautiful girl with piercing blue eyes and long, curly hair. She recognized her as Iqra, a classmate who had a reputation for being mean and manipulative.

Iqra's gaze narrowed. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal Shahmeer's attention? Please. He's way out of your league, Amna."

Amna felt a surge of annoyance but remained calm. "I was just saying hello, Iqra. No need to get defensive."

Iqra snorted. "Defensive? You have no idea what it's like to have a crush on someone who constantly ignores you. Shahmeer always tells me to get lost or ignores me altogether. But I bet he'll talk to you, won't he?"

Amna's eyes widened in understanding. Iqra had a crush on Shahmeer, and she felt threatened by Amna's friendly exchange with him.

Just as the tension between Amna and Iqra was becoming unbearable, Shahmeer suddenly stood up, his eyes fixed on Iqra with a cold, piercing gaze.

Iqra's expression faltered, and she took a step back, seemingly intimidated by Shahmeer's intensity.

Then, without a word, Shahmeer turned to Amna and nodded curtly. "Sit with me, Amna."

Amna felt a shiver run down her spine as she got up and walked over to Shahmeer's desk, her heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear. She sat down beside him, feeling his intense gaze on her, as if he was trying to convey a message only she could understand.

Throughout the rest of the class, Shahmeer's attention remained fixed on Amna, his eyes never once straying to Iqra or anyone else. It was as if he had declared his territory, and Amna was now under his protection.

Iqra's anger and frustration were palpable, but Shahmeer didn't seem to care. He was too busy engaging Amna in a silent conversation, his eyes speaking a language only she could decipher.

The air was thick with tension, but Amna felt a sense of security with Shahmeer by her side. She knew she had somehow become a pawn in a game between Shahmeer and Iqra, but she was determined to play along, curious about where this new dynamic would lead.