The hallway was bustling with students, but Bulat paid them no mind as he made his way down the corridor. He kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, ignoring the stares and whispers that followed him. It was always the same, day in and day out. He was used to it by now.
As he walked, he caught a glimpse of Samira out of the corner of his eye. She was walking hand in hand with her new boyfriend, Ayirat, laughing and chatting as if the world belonged to them. Bulat felt a pang in his chest as he looked away, unable to bear the sight.
Gulynaz, Samira's best friend, appeared at his side, a smirk on her face. "Still pining for my best friend, I see," she said, teasing him mercilessly.
Bulat scoffed, trying to brush her off. "Please, I'm over it," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Gulynaz raised an eyebrow, calling him out on his lie. "Oh really? Then why do you still try to talk to her? Why do you still try to make her notice you?"
Bulat opened his mouth to protest, but Gulynaz cut him off. "Don't bother denying it. I see right through you, Bulat. You're only hurting yourself, you know."
Before he could respond, Gulynaz walked away, leaving him alone once again.
Bulat made his way to the cafeteria, his appetite gone. He sat at a table by himself, pushing his food around on his tray as he watched Samira and Ayirat from across the room. They were so happy together, so in love. It was enough to make Bulat's heart ache.
Gulynaz appeared again, sitting down across from him. She tried to engage him in conversation, but Bulat was distant and unresponsive. He couldn't focus on anything but Samira.
After a few minutes, Gulynaz sighed and stood up to leave. "You're only hurting yourself, you know," she said, giving him a small smile before walking away.
Bulat sat in the courtyard during lunch, staring off into the distance. He didn't even notice when Samira walked by, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before she kept walking. He felt a spark of hope, but it quickly died as reality set in.
Gulynaz appeared once again, a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, let's go for a walk," she said, giving him a small smile.
Bulat hesitated for a moment, but then stood up and followed Gulynaz. Maybe, just maybe, things would start to look up for him.
As they walked, Gulynaz turned to Bulat with a serious expression on her face. "Listen, I know you still have feelings for Samira. And I get it, she's amazing. But you need to move on. You're only hurting yourself by holding on to something that's never going to happen."
Bulat sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Gulynaz smiled softly, patting his shoulder. "It's going to be okay, Bulat. I promise."
And for the first time in a long time, Bulat believed her.
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