The Untainted
Chapter Six
When Basit arrived at the quiet corridor of the abandoned building, he immediately understood why Rihannat loved the spot.
It was peaceful.
The kind of peacefulness that made your thoughts louder than your surroundings. No chatter. No rushing footsteps. Just the soft hum of wind slipping through half-open windows.
Perfect for studying.
But as he looked around more carefully, another thought crept in.
It was too quiet.
Too secluded.
He frowned slightly. Isn't this risky for her to be here alone?
From a short distance away, he saw her.
Seated on the floor near the window. Back straight. Books arranged neatly beside her. Pen moving occasionally. Completely absorbed.
She hadn't noticed him.
For a moment, he didn't want to disturb her.
So he sat down quietly behind a pillar a few steps away, pulled out his own book, and pretended to read.
Thirty minutes passed.
He glanced up.
She hadn't shifted.
Not once.
No phone distraction. No stretching. No wandering eyes.
Just focus.
He smiled unconsciously.
Her dedication was… attractive. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just steady.
Without realizing it, he found himself watching her more than his textbook.
Finally, he stood up and walked toward her.
"Rih—"
Before he could finish, she sensed movement and turned sharply.
Her eyes widened.
She nearly screamed.
Instinctively, Basit covered her mouth lightly. "Shh! It's me."
She blinked rapidly, heart racing, before pushing his hand away.
"What is wrong with you?!" she whispered angrily. "Why are you here?"
"I'm here to see you, of course," he replied casually, rolling his eyes. "What else would I be doing here?"
She glared at him.
But he grew serious.
"This place isn't safe for you."
She frowned slightly.
"It's too isolated. Anything can happen. You should think about your safety before studies."
The concern in his voice was genuine. Not controlling. Not dramatic. Just worried.
Rihannat's expression softened.
"I didn't think of it like that," she admitted quietly. "I just wanted somewhere quiet."
"You can study in quiet places that aren't hidden like this," he said firmly.
She nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll be careful."
"I can stay here till you're ready to leave," he offered immediately.
That caught her off guard.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," he interrupted gently. "No hidden intention. Just making sure you're safe."
She studied his face.
There was no mischief there this time.
"Okay," she said finally.
They began talking about their class schedules, comparing lectures and assignments.
After a short pause, Basit hesitated before asking, "Can I ask you something?"
She looked at him cautiously. "Depends."
"Why are you so against relationships?"
Her expression changed instantly.
"Can we not talk about that?" she said quietly.
He nodded immediately. "Alright. I won't press."
He changed the topic smoothly.
"Have you eaten?"
"I don't eat out," she replied, already reaching into her bag. "I brought food from home. What about you?"
"You don't eat out at all?" he asked, surprised.
"I don't like it. I prefer cooking."
He grinned. "Same here."
She raised a brow. "You cook?"
"Yes. We cook."
"We?"
He froze for half a second.
"I mean… me. My friend Ridwan. And my sister Faridat. We're used to homemade food. Mum made it a rule growing up."
"Oh," she nodded.
"Our body systems are trained," he chuckled. "Eating out too much will make our body to start protesting."
She laughed softly.
"So where's your food?"
He scratched his head. "Didn't bring it today. I was planning to grab gala or egg roll." I was in a hurry because of the early class I had this morning.
She looked at him in disbelief. "Will gala be enough till you get home? And why are you staring at my food like that?"
"There is love in sharing," he said dramatically — and before she could react, he had taken the flask from her hand.
"Basit!"
"Hmm…" He took a spoonful. "Wow. This smells amazing."
"Wait! I only brought one—"
tried
"Did I tell you I will make this poorexpect
"Will you get another one please?" he teased. "The aroma is killing me."
He pulled out some money from his bag and tried to hand it to her.
"Keep it," she said firmly, pushing it back.
"Wait! I only brought one—"
"Will you get another one please?" he teased. "The aroma is killing me."
He pulled out some money from his bag and tried to hand it to her.
"Keep it," she said firmly, pushing it back.
"Will you make food for me too whenever you make yours in the morning, please?" He took out a parcel of money to give her but she reject it again.
"For the food."
"Did I tell you I will make it"
"You won't help me?"
"Why should l?"
"Because I'm addicted. Is that enough?" Please just help this poor boy."
"I can help with the food but I won't be taking the money." Don't worry, I'm not heartless, though the food is just a normal rice, plantain and egg or sometimes beans and little stuff so don't expect much."
That is enough for me, really enough.... wow, this food is good."-"Should I keep some for you?" he asked mid-bite. "This is too good to miss."
She sighed deeply.
"Just eat it. No second plate. No second spoon. Just eat. I'll manage."
He stopped.
"Seriously? Is this your only food for today?"
She nodded.
"Subhanallah," he muttered. "Take it back."
"No, it's fine."
"I don't want to hear 'I'll manage.' I should be the one saying that, not you. You planned your food properly. I didn't."
She smiled faintly.
"I ate at home this morning. And I have homemade chin chin in my bag."
She brought out a small container.
The golden pieces smelled heavenly.
"You made this?" he asked, impressed.
"Yes."
"You're serious?"
"I always bring snacks," she explained. "In case of extra classes or delays."
He stared at her for a second.
Prepared. Organized. Disciplined.
"Okay," he said finally — and continued eating.
And eating.
And eating.
Until the flask was almost empty.
Rihannat burst into laughter.
"You're really a foodie, Basit."
He scratched his head shyly. "Am I?"
She leaned closer slightly and whispered conspiratorially, "Me too. I'm also a foodie. Don't tell anyone."
She glanced around dramatically as if guarding a national secret.
He stared at her.
Then they both burst into laughter.
"Can't believe the two class toppers are foodies!" he said loudly.
She smacked his arm lightly. "Keep your voice down! It's a secret."
"Yes ma," he mimicked obediently.
More laughter.
It felt… easy.
Natural.
Like they had known each other longer than they actually had.
After a while, she checked her watch.
"I have class soon."
"Oh," he sighed exaggeratedly. "Feels like time should pause."
"Lazy class president."
"Say that again and your marks will disappear."
"Try it," she challenged. "This semester, I won't let you beat me again."
He grinned.
"We'll see, beautiful."
She clenched her teeth playfully. Every semester, no matter how hard she worked, Basit always beat her — sometimes by just two or three marks.
Tiny, annoying margins.
He noticed her frustration and smiled wider.
"Work harder," he teased.
She stood up quickly, gathering her books.
"Let's see this semester. You'll regret bragging today."
"I'm waiting, our beautiful class assistant president," he said, emphasizing the title.
She glared at him — but there was no anger in it.
Only competition.
Only spark.
As they walked back toward the main building together, something had shifted subtly between them.
It was no longer just curiosity.
It was companionship.
And neither of them fully realized that the quiet corridor had just witnessed the beginning of something far deeper than shared food and shared grades.