Something in the first Snow..

Chapter 8 : Spilled Drinks, Side-Eyes & Scandals.

23rd June, 2025

The days that followed settled into a rhythm so smooth, Kinza almost felt suspicious.

Lectures flowed with surprising clarity. Group discussions didn’t involve any passive-aggressive breakdowns. Her professors were supportive, the coffee on campus was strong, and her friends—Noor and Maya—were a daily dose of chaos and cheer.

Even her homesickness didn’t sting as much anymore. Every couple of days, she’d video call her parents. Her mother always asked if she was eating properly; her father always reminded her to "keep your eyes on the syllabus, not the boys." To which Kinza always replied with a snort and a, “Baba, have you seen the boys? Please.”

London was beginning to feel… good.

Too good.

And when life gets too perfect, Kinza had learned to expect drama knocking at her door with an iced latte.

One week into her academic year, Kinza found herself standing near the university’s main parking lot after class. She wasn’t waiting for anyone—just walking with Noor and Maya, sipping on her honey oat latte, when her eyes instinctively flicked toward it.

The Forbidden Spot.

Still empty.

Still untouched.

Still glowing with invisible “touch-me-and-die” energy.

“You know,” Kinza said, squinting at it. “That spot’s been empty the entire week. What’s the point of guarding it like it’s the Crown Jewels?”

Noor shrugged, tucking her scarf into her coat. “Maybe it’s just a power flex. Like putting your bag on the chair next to you so no one else sits there.”

“Except this isn’t a café,” Kinza muttered. “It’s a parking space. In a very crowded campus.”

Maya leaned in, lowering her voice like she was about to share state secrets. “I heard a rumor about that spot.”

Kinza raised a brow. “You always start like that and then deliver something insane.”

Maya grinned. “That’s because the rumors are insane. Apparently… the parking spot belongs to Zaheer Farooqui.”

Kinza frowned. “Who’s that?”

Noor glanced around before saying, “A former student. Used to be part of that ‘group’—Shahan, Zaan, Muaaz... and Zidan.”

Kinza’s ears perked up at the last name.

Maya continued, “Something happened between Zaheer and Zidan. Some huge fight. Zaheer left London. And now? His spot’s still left untouched.”

Kinza’s brows knit together. “Wait. Even though he doesn’t attend anymore?”

“That’s the eerie part,” Noor said. “No one parks there. It’s like an unsaid rule.”

Kinza looked back at the empty space, suddenly colder than the London breeze. “Why?”

Maya shrugged. “Some say it’s out of respect. Others say it’s fear. The group he was a part of? Let’s just say they don’t like disobedience. Especially Zaheer.”

Kinza’s thoughts spiraled.

Zaheer. Hmm

Later that evening, as her final class ended, Kinza checked her phone.

Sharmin: Stuck in traffic, Kinzu! 30 mins more. Please don’t come outside, it’s raining again.

Kinza sighed. She looked out the building’s glass window. The sky had indeed turned its usual brooding shade, and soft droplets were already pattering down.