Time's Cruel Twist: A Second Chance Amidst the Ruins

What do I truly desire? You, or your happiness? Splashing cold water on my face, I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

Zeya, Let's break up.

After sharing more than a decade of my life with you, those are the words you utter on our anniversary. I tried everything I could to ensure our happiness, but you remained indifferent and cold. Living without you was an unfathomable concept, so I chose to end my life instead.

Now that I have been granted a second chance at life, What was it that I always wanted? If I can't alter our paths, if it's all in lord's hand then what's the point of this second life? No..

*Ting*

With a yawn, Somiya woke up and stretched her hands. Glancing around she found herself in their classroom. "Demi, it's lunch time." Somiya nudged Demi. Rubbing her eyes, Demi yawned, waking up from her afternoon nap.

"Go and take the coupon. I'll come with Zeya." Somiya ordered walking towards the door. With a nod, Demi walked towards the cafeteria to take a coupon while Somiya made her way towards the bathroom.

As I washed my tear-streaked face and inhaled deeply, a surge of determination washed over me. "Amaya," I whispered to myself, "I wasn't able to alter our fateful encounter but I vow to shield Sophia from its devastating consequences."

With unwavering resolve, I gazed into my reflection. "Every incident that reshaped your destiny will be met with my unwavering resistance. The Amaya I witnessed today—that beautiful radiant smile of yours—I will protect with every fibre of my being. Even if I have to defy the heavens themselves, I will never let you fall to the darkness that threatens to consume you."

"Zeya! Are you finished beautifying yourself, or shall we abandon you to dine alone?" I splashed water on my face once more before emerging from the restroom only to see Somiya alone on the stairs.

"Where's Demi?" I inquired.

Somiya gestured towards the cafeteria. I spotted Demi eagerly clutching a coupon, her eyes fixed on the sky. With a warm embrace, Somiya and I joined Demi in line.

"Let's go," I muttered before taking the coupon from Demi's grasp.

To our misery, every table in the cafeteria was occupied, leaving us standing with food on hand. Suddenly, Demi's eyes narrowed at me, her voice laced with mock, she accused me, "This is entirely your fault."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Oh, come on, Demi! Let's not resort to baseless accusations."

At that moment, a piercing voice shattered the relative peace of the cafeteria. "Hey! Demi! Somiya! Zeya!"

My heart sank. Of all the things I loathed, public proclamations of my name ranked on the top. It was horrifying enough to stand in the crowd with food in hand, now Seth's announcement drawing even more unwanted attention our way. With a smile on our face, we made our ways towards Seth's table.

From this moment on, our group would start eating together—our pre-breakfast, breakfast, pre-lunch, lunch, and pre-dinner. "Come and sit. We have enough seats," Seth called us. Yeah, and enough food too. I had always wondered where their food goes. These five people eats the food of an entire army.

Sitting next to Elli, I placed my food on the table. I smiled at her. She smiled at me too. "How are you feeling today?" She asked. "Well.." I sighed. "Pretty much bad." She frowned and asked me in surprise. "What happened?" I shook my head remembering Mrs. Hailey and my mom's meeting. "Well, I might die tonight is all I can say. This might be my last meal." I whispered, with an exhausting sigh again. Fred and Elli exchanged a glance with Seth and Sophia in confusion.

In my previous life, this meeting never happened. I don't know what awaits me at home. Mrs. Hailey complained a lot about me. Mom, please give me a chance I'll improve myself. I'll make you proud of me, Mom. Just one chance, my dear mom.

"Where is Amaya?" Somiya asked, taking everyone's attention. I glanced at the table as I saw a sour expression on everyone's face. In my previous life too, Amaya wasn't around. I glanced at Sophia, the closest one to Amaya yet she didn't even bother to glance at us to reply to us. Will she also leave now, like in the previous life? "I'm full. I'll meet you at our spot." Sophia put her fork down and stood up to leave. Everyone nodded their heads while we just stared at her. "See you guys tomorrow!" She smiled at us before leaving the table.

Though she didn't leave because of us still the atmosphere became kinda awkward at the table. Demi and Somiya exchanged glances and looked at me. To ease the atmosphere, Fred breaks the unbearable silence. "It wasn't any of your fault so relax. She was going to leave after having her lunch. Actually Amaya just took leave too. It's nothing serious, they're just bunking the class." His reassurance did ease the awkward atmosphere but not the turmoil of my heart. I lowered my gaze as I glanced at the food in front of me, trying to remember if there was something I forgot from the past. Despite going through all the memories, I couldn't remember anything that happened on today's date. Will it ever affect Amaya's behaviour?

After the food, like every normal girl's group, we made our way to the bathroom. "Did you hear Ruby ma'am is going to get married!?" Elli asked, walking ahead with Somiya hand in hand. "Is she going to leave school?" Demi asked. Elli turned around to talk while walking backwards. If I remember correctly, she will definitely slip and fall with Somiya. "She didn't exactly say that but she hinted to us she will resign- AHH!"

"Elli!"

*Thud*

Elli and Somiya both ended up slipping on the wet tile. Sorry but not sorry, it's a little punishment for you two for all the pranks you'll be pulling in the future on us. "Are you alright!?" Demi helped Somiya and Elli to stand up. I also give my hand to them.

Embarrassed, they both didn't make eye contact with us. "Ouch my ass.." Elli cried in pain. I kinda feel guilty now. "You okay? Need to go to the nurse?" I asked, concerned about her. "It's okay.. I'll ask Amaya to massage it with oil AHH!" Elli screamed in pain. "Oh my god! I'm sorry!" I didn't realise I was squeezing her ass. I apologised and took a step back. She shook her head and clenched her fist in pain. Feeling Demi's intense gaze on me, I glanced at her and raised my eyebrows. She also shook her head and walked to the tap to wash her hands. What's wrong with her? I wasn't jealous or anything, my hand just slipped.

"Remember that white t-shirt from Elli's basketball competition?" Fred asked, sitting on a bench opposite of Seth. "The one that made you drool like a Saint Bernard?" Seth raised his eyebrows.

Fred nodded his head and grinned from ear to ear as if he had won the lottery. "No way! She didn't!" Seth widened his eyes in surprise and stood up, jaw dropped. "Man, she is your sister-in-law now." Fred announced.

Jay, one of their classmates, rubbing his stomach entered inside the classroom. "Man, I just took the greatest dump of my life!"

Fred and Seth ran towards Jay and hugged him, laughing. "Today your future sister-in-law will come to meet your brother!" Fred announced. "But you guys better not follow me tonight, or you'll have to deal with the wrath of my future wife!"