Chapter 17: Rumors and Reality

Friday – Class 4IR

Winning the Pantun Lapan Kerat competition should have been the highlight of my week. But instead, it turned into the beginning of my suffering.

The moment I stepped into class, I felt it—dozens of eyes turning toward me. People whispering. Some smiling knowingly, others smirking.

I hesitated before walking to my seat. Azri was already there, grinning like he had been waiting for me all morning.

"Mana," he said dramatically, "our local celebrity has arrived."

I groaned. "What now?"

Rina, who sat nearby, smirked. "Oh, you definitely haven't heard, have you?"

My stomach sank. "Heard what?"

Azri leaned forward. "Bro… there's a rumor."

I blinked. "What rumor?"

Rina grinned. "That you and Nadirah are a thing."

My brain shut down for a full five seconds.

"What?!" I practically shouted.

Azri laughed. "It's all over school, man. People saw how you two worked together, how you looked at her—"

"I did not look at her in any special way!" I protested.

Rina rolled her eyes. "Sure. But that's not what they think."

I turned around, scanning the classroom. A few students quickly looked away when I caught them staring. Others giggled and whispered to their friends.

Oh no.

This was bad.

I sank into my chair. "How did this even start?"

Azri shrugged. "Probably because you two had great chemistry on stage."

Rina nodded. "And, you know, because she's Nadirah."

That was true. Nad wasn't just popular—she was admired. Kind, smart, talented. The kind of person everyone either wanted to be friends with or… well, more than friends with.

And now, for some reason, people thought I had a chance?

Impossible.

Azri smirked. "So… what are you going to do about it?"

I sighed. "Ignore it and hope it goes away?"

Rina shook her head. "Yeah, good luck with that."

Break Time – Hallway

I tried to keep a low profile, but it was useless. Everywhere I went, people whispered. Some even nudged me and gave me the look.

Then, the worst happened.

I ran into Nadirah.

She was by the lockers, flipping through a book when she noticed me. "Hey, Mana."

I tensed. "Oh. Hey, Nad."

She tilted her head. "Are you okay? You look… tense."

I forced a laugh. "Me? Tense? No, no, I'm totally fine. Completely fine."

She gave me a suspicious look. "Uh-huh."

Silence.

Then she asked the question I had been dreading.

"So… what's with the rumors?"

I nearly choked. "Rumors?"

She nodded. "People keep asking me if we're—" She stopped, then sighed. "You know."

I groaned. "I knew this would happen."

She raised an eyebrow. "So you have heard?"

"Of course. Azri and Rina told me first thing this morning."

Nad crossed her arms. "And?"

I hesitated. "And… I have no idea how to stop it."

She sighed. "Neither do I. Honestly, it doesn't bother me that much, but it's a little annoying when people keep asking."

I scratched the back of my head. "Yeah… same."

She gave me a curious look. "Unless…"

I blinked. "Unless what?"

She smirked. "Unless you do have a crush on me."

My soul left my body.

I felt my entire face heat up. "W-WHAT? No! That's not— I mean—"

She laughed. "Relax, I'm just messing with you."

I exhaled, relieved but also mildly dying inside.

She smiled. "Look, people will talk. They always do. Let's just ignore it, okay?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes. Ignore. Good plan."

She chuckled. "Good."

As she walked away, I slumped against the lockers.

Ignoring the rumors? Easy for her to say. She wasn't the one whose heart was practically exploding every time she spoke.

This was going to be a long semester.

—Mana, Feb 2017