The Untainted
Chapter 7 – The Bombshell
The lecture hall doors burst open, releasing a flood of students into the corridor like water spilling from a broken dam. Laughter, chatter, footsteps, the rustling of bags—everything blended into one chaotic symphony.
Amidst the crowd stood Ridwan.
His eyes searched frantically from face to face. Hope flickered… then dimmed. He checked his watch for the third time.
Did she not come to class today? he wondered, disappointment settling in his chest.
After waiting for what felt like forever, he exhaled sharply. Maybe she had left through another exit. Maybe she didn't come at all.
He turned to leave, shoulders slumped—only to bump into someone.
"Ouch! Watch it—Ridwan?" the girl exclaimed.
He blinked. It was one of Faridat's close friends.
"Sorry… have you seen Faridat?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"She's still inside. Packing up, I think."
That was all he needed.
His hopelessness vanished instantly. Without another word, Ridwan dashed back into the classroom.
Inside, Faridat stood by her desk, carefully arranging her books into her bag. She looked up—only to freeze.
"Ridwan?" she frowned. "Why are you here?"
It was unusual. Very unusual.
Normally, he either waited outside quietly or simply left and called her later. That had always been their routine—him and her brother, Basit. The inseparable duo. The campus legends. People often joked that they were twins separated at birth.
But this?
This was new.
Before she could process anything, Ridwan grabbed her hand.
"Hey! What—?"
He pulled her out of the classroom without explanation.
Her friends exchanged glances and began winking mischievously.
Faridat gasped. "Stop it! He's my brother's best friend!" she snapped, her cheeks warming in embarrassment.
"Where are you taking me?" she demanded as he continued dragging her down the corridor. "And what is wrong with you? This is not normal, Ridwan!"
Her confusion grew with every step.
Finally, he stopped in a quieter corner of the building. He looked around cautiously, as though he were about to reveal a state secret.
Faridat folded her arms. "Talk. Now. Or I'm leaving."
Ridwan scratched the back of his head.
Then he smiled cheekily.
"Guess what?"
She blinked slowly.
"Ridwan. I swear—"
"Okay, okay!" He raised his hands dramatically. Then he leaned closer and whispered, "Your brother is in love."
Silence.
Faridat stared at him.
One second.
Two seconds.
Five seconds.
And then—
She burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Stop it!" she said between breaths. "That's impossible! Basit? In love? You must have hit your head."
But Ridwan didn't laugh.
He didn't smile.
He just looked at her—dead serious.
Her laughter slowly faded.
"Wait…" she squinted at him. "You're not joking?"
He shook his head.
Her eyes widened.
"WHAT?!" she shrieked so loudly that two students passing by turned to stare.
Ridwan chuckled. "Lower your voice before security comes."
"The almighty Basit?" she whispered harshly. "The same Basit that rejects girls like he's marking scripts? The same Basit that says 'relationship is distraction' every semester?"
Ridwan nodded slowly.
"And you expect me to believe he has fallen in love?"
"Yes."
"With who?" she demanded, leaning forward like a detective.
Ridwan folded his arms smugly. "Ah, now you're interested."
"Ridwan!"
He grinned. "Fine. I'll tell you."
He began recounting everything—how Basit noticed her, how he grew protective, how he started lingering around certain spots just to catch a glimpse of her, how his usually composed friend suddenly turned thoughtful… distracted… softer.
As Ridwan spoke, Faridat's expressions transformed repeatedly—shock, disbelief, curiosity, excitement.
By the time he finished, she was practically glowing.
"Where is she?" she asked immediately. "Which department? Do I know her? Is she beautiful? Intelligent? What's her name? What's her background? Does she—"
"Faridat!" Ridwan interrupted, holding his head. "One question at a time!"
"Sorry!" she said quickly, bouncing slightly in place. "I'm just excited! Tell me!"
Ridwan leaned closer.
"She's someone you know."
Faridat narrowed her eyes.
"The beauty and brain of their department. The one with that 'don't come too close' aura around men."
Recognition dawned slowly.
"Rihannat."
Ridwan nodded.
Faridat screamed again.
"WHAT?!"
A student nearby muttered, "Is she okay?"
Ridwan shook his head, laughing.
"Rihannat?" she whispered dramatically. "That Rihannat? The neat, serious, top-of-the-class Rihannat? The one that doesn't even entertain nonsense?"
"The same."
Faridat placed her hand on her chest. "I feel sorry for him."
Ridwan blinked. "Sorry?"
"Yes! That girl is disciplined..., like a military trained girl. But…" her eyes sparkled mischievously, "…we are stubborn people. It runs in our blood. My brother will not give up."
Ridwan chuckled. "I can already see trouble."
After a few more minutes of animated discussion, Ridwan stepped back.
"I should go before I accidentally expose more secrets."
"Oh no, you don't," Faridat said suddenly, narrowing her eyes.
He paused mid-step.
"What about you?" faridat asked
"Me?"
"Yes, you." She crossed her arms. "Now that your best friend has fallen in love and is ready to be responsible, what about you?"
Ridwan almost tripped over thin air.
"I—ehm—cough—"
"Don't cough. Answer."
He looked left. Looked right.
Then he ran.
"RIDWAN!" she shouted after him, laughing. "Be expecting me this weekend! You and my love-puppy brother! Especially you! You can run now—but not forever!"
Ridwan didn't stop running.
His heart pounded—not from exhaustion, but from panic.
Why did I even come here? he groaned internally. My mouth will put me in trouble one day.
He slowed to a walk, wiping his forehead dramatically.
"You can't blame me," he muttered to himself. "All the girls I've met feel like anatomy lab specimens. No spark. No feeling. Just… nothing."
He sighed.
"Most especially the ones on campus. Too dramatic. Too complicated."
Still grumbling under his breath, he turned sharply—
—and collided with someone.
"Oof!"
Strong hands steadied him before he could fall.
Ridwan looked up.
Basit.
Arms folded. Brows raised.
"Where have you been?" Basit asked slowly. "I've been looking for you everywhere."
Ridwan swallowed.
"And why do you look like someone that just saw a ghost?"
Ridwan cleared his throat.
"I… ehm…"
Basit narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Ridwan."
"Cough… Faridat…"
Basit's expression changed instantly.
"What did you tell her?"
Ridwan forced an awkward smile.
"Well…"
Basit stepped closer.
"What. Did. You. Tell. Her?"
Ridwan laughed nervously.
"Just small information. Very tiny. Microscopic. Harmless."
Basit closed his eyes briefly.
"Ya Allah…"
Ridwan raised his hands defensively. "Relax! She was going to find out anyway!"
Basit stared at him.
"You are not serious."
Ridwan grinned weakly. "Actually… I am."
Basit shook his head slowly, but there was no real anger in his eyes—only worry.
"You talk too much." basit said
"And you love too much," Ridwan shot back.
Basit stiffened.
Ridwan smirked.
Silence hung between them for a moment.
Then Basit sighed.
"Is it that obvious?"
Ridwan's teasing expression softened.
"To me? Yes."
Basit looked away, thoughtful.
Ridwan nudged him lightly. "You really like her, don't you?"
Basit didn't answer immediately.
But the small smile that appeared on his face said everything.
And for the first time, Ridwan realized—
This wasn't a joke.
This wasn't a crush.
Basit was truly, deeply falling.
And somewhere across campus, unaware of the storm forming around her name…
Rihannat remained beautifully ...unbothered and calm.