Beyond the game

Got it! Here's a revised version of the chapter where Azra remains aloof and doesn't t

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Azra's shift at the supermarket was finally over. The fluorescent lights of the store flickered as she walked out of the back room, tired but relieved. The mundane tasks of stacking shelves and assisting customers had kept her busy for the past several hours, leaving her little time to think about anything else. She was used to the routine, the repetition. It was her life for now, and there was no room for distractions.

Stepping outside into the cool night air, Azra pulled her jacket tighter around her, the warmth from the store now replaced by the crispness of the evening. The streets were relatively quiet, save for the occasional car passing by. She walked with purpose, not wanting to linger any longer than necessary. Her apartment was only a short walk away, and the sooner she got home, the better.

As she reached the entrance to her building, she felt the familiar weight of her backpack slung over her shoulder. She unlocked the door, the soft click echoing through the hallway. Azra's footsteps were light as she climbed the stairs, the sound of her shoes against the floor mixing with the quiet hum of the building.

She reached the second floor and opened the door to her apartment. Inside, the faint scent of cleaning supplies lingered in the air. Rahma, her best friend from the orphanage, was sitting on the couch, flipping through her phone.

"Azra! You're back early," Rahma said, glancing up with a smile. Rahma had been a constant in Azra's life ever since they met in the orphanage—a bond formed through shared hardships and the understanding that only those who had been through similar things could truly appreciate.

"Yeah, finished up quickly tonight," Azra replied, taking off her shoes and leaving them by the door. She was tired but didn't feel like resting just yet. "How was your day?"

Rahma shrugged. "Same old. Nothing exciting." She motioned to the kitchen. "Want some juice? You look like you could use it."

Azra nodded gratefully. "Yeah, that would be nice."

Rahma got up and went to the fridge, pulling out a carton of juice. Azra leaned against the counter, letting her thoughts wander for a moment. She didn't like the idea of being stuck in this routine forever, but it was the only thing she had for now. Medical school was the goal, but that was still a long way off. For now, she had to make do with her part-time job.

She grabbed the glass Rahma handed her and took a sip, enjoying the cool sweetness. As she set the glass down on the counter, Rahma plopped back onto the couch, her phone in hand again.

"So, any interesting customers today?" Rahma asked casually, though Azra could hear the curiosity in her tone.

Azra rolled her eyes. "No, nothing interesting. Just the usual people buying their groceries."

Rahma smirked. "Come on, there had to be someone who stood out. A cute guy, maybe?"

Azra raised an eyebrow. "You're really obsessed with me meeting some 'cute guy,' huh?"

Rahma laughed. "Well, you've been working nonstop. You can't tell me you've never noticed anyone. You're allowed to have a little fun, you know."

Azra sighed, setting the glass down. "I'm not interested in that. I've got enough on my plate already."

Rahma raised her hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. No need to get defensive. Just saying, don't close yourself off completely."

Azra didn't respond, instead choosing to change the subject. "How's everything at the orphanage?"

Rahma's expression softened as she glanced at Azra. "It's fine. You know how it is. The kids are great, but there's always something going on. I'm thinking about getting more involved in the activities there."

Azra smiled faintly. "You always had a big heart."

Rahma grinned. "Someone has to look after those kids. Besides, it keeps me busy."

They both fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Azra took another sip of juice, feeling the cool liquid refresh her, but her mind remained firmly grounded in the present. She had no time for distractions. Not now, not when there was so much ahead of her.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the quiet. Azra pulled it out, expecting it to be a message from her mother. Instead, it was a notification for a missed call.

Jamal.

Azra furrowed her brow. Jamal? She hadn't heard from him in a while. He was someone she knew from the orphanage, a familiar face. They had kept in touch over the years, but there had always been something a bit off between them. She'd never quite understood why he always seemed to have a certain expectation, as if he wanted more from their friendship than she was willing to give.

She didn't feel like talking to him right now, so she let the call go to voicemail. She wasn't in the mood for another one of their half-hearted conversations.

Rahma noticed her hesitation. "That Jamal guy again?"

Azra nodded, tucking her phone back into her pocket. "Yeah, I'm not really in the mood to talk to him right now."

Rahma gave her a knowing look. "I get it. But you should talk to him sometime. He worries about you."

Azra shook her head. "It's complicated. I don't know what he wants."

Rahma shrugged. "Maybe it's time you figure it out. You can't keep shutting people out forever."

Azra didn't reply. Instead, she changed the subject again, not wanting to get into another discussion about Jamal. "I'm going to go change."

Rahma didn't protest. "Alright, but you better come out and eat with me. I'm making dinner."

Azra gave a small nod, heading toward her room. She didn't feel like eating, but she didn't want to be rude either. Her mind wandered as she changed into something more comfortable, but she wasn't thinking about Yuzarsif. She had enough things to focus on without getting caught up in thoughts of some random guy she had met at the store.

As she sat on her bed, her phone buzzed again. This time, she didn't bother to check who it was. Instead, she laid back, staring at the ceiling.

Life was complicated enough without adding distractions to it.

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