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  Part- 312:

  They agreed to meet at a nearby coffee shop known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious pastries, a perfect setting for catg up. After getting her grandmother’s permission, Toya prepared herself, feeling a wave of excitement wash over her as she carefully selected her outfit, wanting to make a good impression on her old friend. She brushed her hair, applied a bit of lip gloss, and gnced in the mirror, a smile creeping across her face as she pictured the fun they would have. Maybe this outing would be the spark of fun she desperately o chase away the impending school blues.

  As Toya approached the coffee shop, a mix of excitement and ay ed iomach like a storm brewing on the horizon. The establishment, adorned with vibrant flowers bursting in shades of pink and yellow, stood out against the dreary backdrop of the overcast sky, exuding a warm and inviting vibe that tugged at her heart. The air was rich with the intoxig aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries, being her inside like a siren's song.

  Just as she stepped through the threshold, a familiar voice cut through the ambient chatter, sharp and clear. “Toya, wait!” Dipa shouted, her tone filled with urgency. The call halted Toya iracks, and she turned, feeling the weight of the moment hang heavy in the air.

  “What’s up?” she asked, trying to mask her growing apprehension.

  “I o call someone. You go ahead and find a table,” Dipa said, her hand already reag for her phone, a spark of determination in her eyes.

  Toya nodded, a mix of anticipation and trepidation swirling within her. She ehe shop, her gaze sweeping across the room in search of a pce to sit, but her heart dropped when it nded on a small table in the er. There, uhe soft glow of fairy lights, sat James and Mili, their heads bent together in an intimate huddle as they chatted animatedly. The sight of them sent a wave of frustration crashing over her, like ice-cold water plunging her into reality.

  *What are they doing together?* she thought, her mind rag with a torrent of emotions. The image of James’s carefree ughter, so easily shared with Mili, ignited a spark of jealousy that flickered and grew, threatening to e her. *It’s not like I own him,* she reminded herself, but the thought felt hollow, a desperate attempt to quell the rising tide of insecurity.

  For a fleeting moment, she sidered turning back, to escape the prig disfort that g her insides. But she could not shake the feeling that leaving would be g defeat. The pang of betrayal g her heart. Even if their retionship was nothing more than a facade, seeing him with anirl, ughing and sharis, felt like a dagger thrust deep into her chest.