Chapter 2: The First Clash

The more Fariha saw Yunis, the more convinced she became—he was impossible.

It wasn't just that he barely spoke. Or that he had a way of making people feel like their words were irrelevant. It was the fact that he acted as if he existed in a world separate from everyone else.

Even in class, he was the type who didn't take notes unless absolutely necessary. Yet, when the teacher asked him a question, he'd answer in a way that made it seem like he had memorized the entire textbook without even trying.

It was irritating.

And for some reason, it bothered her more than it should.

Fariha had always been one of the top students. She studied hard, revised daily, and worked for every grade she got. But then Yunis walked in—Mr. Silent Genius—and suddenly, it felt like he wasn't even trying.

Their first real clash happened when their math teacher announced a quiz.

"It's a simple test," the teacher said. "We'll do it in pairs."

Fariha didn't even need to think about it. She always paired with Jiya. It was an unspoken rule.

Until the teacher crushed her plans.

"The pairs have already been assigned," he continued. "Check the list on the board."

Fariha's stomach dropped. No. No, no, no.

The list was pinned to the board, and as students rushed to see their names, Jiya returned with a horrified expression.

"Fariha…" she said, voice full of suppressed laughter. "You're with Yunis."

Fariha blinked. "What?"

Jiya grabbed her arm dramatically. "You and Yunis. Alone. In a pair. Together."

This had to be a joke.

Fariha shoved past the other students to check the list for herself. But there it was, clear as day.

Pair 5: Yunis & Fariha.

She felt her head pound. Out of all the students, why him?

Jiya was already biting back a smile. "At least he's smart?"

Fariha groaned. "I'd rather fail."

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Silent Tension

The quiz was set for the next day, meaning partners had to study together.

Fariha considered skipping it altogether. But no—she wasn't going to let Yunis be the reason she got a bad grade.

That evening, she forced herself to focus. It's just one study session. Just one quiz.

The next day, after school, she found herself in the library, waiting for Yunis.

The library was mostly empty, the shelves casting long shadows as the sun set outside. Fariha tapped her pen against her notebook impatiently. Was he even coming?

A few minutes later, he walked in.

He didn't say anything—just pulled out a chair across from her and set his book on the table.

Fariha exhaled sharply. Great. He's still acting like a statue.

"Alright," she said, trying to sound professional. "Let's go over the first few questions."

He gave a slight nod.

Silence.

Fariha pushed a worksheet toward him. "Here, I highlighted the important parts."

He glanced at the paper but didn't take it.

Seriously?

She narrowed her eyes. "You don't highlight?"

"I don't need to."

Fariha scoffed. Of course he didn't.

She flipped open her own notebook, determined to ignore him. But halfway through the first problem, she felt his gaze on her.

She looked up. He was watching her.

"What?" she snapped.

Yunis blinked, as if surprised by her reaction. Then, instead of answering, he took his pen and started solving the question on a separate sheet.

Fariha clenched her jaw. This guy…

Fine. If he wanted to act like this was some silent competition, then so be it.

For the next hour, neither of them spoke.

They just worked, solving question after question, only breaking the silence when absolutely necessary.

By the end of the session, Fariha was exhausted.

Yunis, on the other hand, looked completely unaffected. Unbothered. Calm. Like he hadn't just spent an hour studying.

As he packed up his things, Fariha watched him, irritation bubbling in her chest.

Why does he never show any emotion?

Without thinking, she muttered under her breath, "You could at least pretend to be human."

Yunis froze mid-motion.

For the first time since they met, he actually looked surprised.

Then, to her utter shock—he smirked.

A small, brief curve of his lips. Gone as quickly as it came.

"See you at the quiz," he said simply before walking away.

Fariha sat there, stunned.

Had she imagined it? That smirk? That slight amusement in his eyes?

She shook her head. No. It didn't matter.

But as she packed her own things, she couldn't help but think—for the first time, Yunis actually reacted.

And she had been the one to cause it.

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