Sticky_Dough_twist

Fariha never believed in fate, but looking back, she wonders if destiny had been playing tricks on her all along.

It all started in eighth grade, when a boy named Yunis transferred to her school. The whispers followed him—brilliant in science, a rising star. But Fariha wasn’t impressed. She had seen him before, every morning, waiting for his school bus in the same neighborhood. He was just another student… or so she thought.

Until everything started changing.

Her once unshakable friendship with Jiya began to crack, leaving her wondering if she ever truly knew her best friend. A new English teacher arrived—Mr. Rashid—who seemed to despise her for no reason, targeting her with punishments that made her question her own worth. Her rank, once secure, began to slip, and Jiya, once her greatest supporter, now stood on the other side.

And then there was Yunis. Always near, yet always distant. Silent, but observant. A boy who defied punishments and walked out of class without a second thought. A boy who, for reasons she couldn't understand, seemed to be at the center of everything.

With friendships fading, rivalries growing, and secrets lurking beneath the surface, Fariha finds herself tangled in a web of almosts—almost friends, almost rivals, almost something more.

But in a world where nothing is as it seems, will she uncover the truth before she loses herself completely?

The Almosts

Fariha sat at her desk, tapping her pen against the wooden surface, waiting for the quiz papers to be handed out. She wasn't nervous. Not at all.

If anything, she was ready to prove that she didn't need some "genius" partner to carry her through.

Across the room, Yunis sat with his usual detached expression, his gaze fixed on the teacher as if the quiz was just another insignificant event in his day.

"Okay, class," the teacher announced, distributing the papers. "This is a paired quiz. Both of you must contribute. No solo solving."

Fariha snatched the paper as it was placed on their desk, quickly scanning the questions. Easy.

Yunis glanced at it once and then—of course—he leaned back in his chair like he had already solved everything in his head.

Fariha clenched her jaw. Nope. Not today.

"You're solving the first two questions," she said, sliding the paper toward him.

His gaze lifted, meeting hers. "Why?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Because that's how teamwork works?"

Yunis didn't argue. He took his pen, effortlessly wrote down the answers, and handed the paper back.

Fariha looked at his work, expecting to find a mistake—but there was none.

She forced herself to focus, solving the next set of problems quickly, matching his pace. If he could do it, so could she.

With each question, their silent battle continued—an unspoken rivalry.

By the time the quiz ended, they had finished first.

Yunis leaned back again, as if completely uninterested in the result.

Fariha, on the other hand, felt a strange mix of satisfaction and frustration. They had worked well together, but it didn't feel like teamwork. It felt like war.

When the teacher collected the papers, she glanced at them and smiled.

"Well done. You two make a great team."

Fariha scoffed under her breath. Yeah, right.

Later that afternoon, Fariha was at her family's shop, helping restock shelves, when the bell above the door chimed.

She turned, half expecting another regular customer—only to freeze.

He had been here before—his mom was a frequent customer. But seeing him walk in, alone, was… unusual.

He didn't even look at her. He just took something from the shelf and placed it on the counter.

Fariha swallowed, forcing herself to act normal.

She scanned the item. "Thirty shillings."

Yunis pulled out the money and placed it on the counter, his fingers brushing hers slightly.

Fariha ignored the weird jolt that ran up her arm and focused on the register.

When she handed him the change, he finally met her eyes.

"You were good at the quiz," he said casually.

Fariha blinked. Was that… a compliment? From him?

The corner of his mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. Just the smallest hint of amusement.

Then he picked up his item and turned toward the door.

Before she could stop herself, she called out, "Wait."

He paused, looking over his shoulder.

Fariha hesitated. Why had she stopped him? She didn't even know. But something about his presence in her shop felt… strange. Different.

"You always come here with your mom," she blurted. "Why are you here alone?"

Yunis tilted his head slightly. "Why do you care?"

Fariha opened her mouth, then closed it.

He smirked. "See you in class, Fariha."

Leaving her standing there, confused—and maybe just a little intrigued.

Chapter 3: Unspoken Rivalry.