The village buzzed with an unusual energy. Word had spread that a new face had arrived, and a ripple of curiosity and excitement came with it. Zara, the newcomer, was the talk of the day. 

Tall, graceful, with a presence that seemed to command attention without effort, she quickly became the center of every conversation.

Lila heard the chatter as she walked through the village square. Women at the market stalls gossiped, their voices tinged with admiration, and perhaps a bit of envy. "Did you see her? She's stunning!" one vendor exclaimed, her eyes wide. "She even smiled at me. I've never seen anyone like her here before."

Lila's heart tightened, though she couldn't place why. She wasn't one for gossip, but the excitement in the air was hard to ignore. She pushed the thoughts away and focused on her errands. After all, what did it matter? Zara was passing through, like many others who came and went.

Later that afternoon, she went to the mango tree where she and Jamal usually met. But this time, as she approached, she saw someone already standing there. Zara. Her tall, elegant figure was hard to miss, her colorful dress flowing in the gentle breeze as she chatted animatedly with Jamal.

Lila's steps faltered, her heart sinking as she watched the scene unfold. Jamal was laughing, his usual relaxed smile even brighter than before. He looked... mesmerized by Zara.

Lila forced herself to walk toward them, trying to ignore the way her chest tightened with every step. Zara's laughter was light, like music in the air, and her smile seemed to shine brighter than the sun.

"Hey, Lila!" Jamal called out, waving her over. His eyes still sparkled from whatever joke Zara had made. "Come meet Zara. She just arrived in the village today."

Zara turned, flashing Lila a brilliant smile. "Lila, right? Jamal told me about you. It's so nice to meet you."

Her voice was smooth and confident. Lila smiled back, though it felt forced, her throat tight. "Nice to meet you, too."

Jamal's eyes flicked between the two girls, seemingly oblivious to the sudden tension in the air. "Zara's staying with her aunt for a while," he explained, his voice full of excitement. "She's a musician too."

"A musician?" Lila repeated, her voice softer than she intended.

Zara nodded, her smile never faltering. "Yes, I play the violin. Maybe we could all play together sometime. I'm sure Jamal mentioned his guitar skills."

Lila felt the world around her shift ever so slightly. She had never thought of herself as the jealous type, but something about Zara, the way she effortlessly charmed Jamal, the way her presence seemed to shift everything... unsettled her.

She smiled again, this time more genuinely, though it took effort. "That sounds nice," she said, her voice steady. "We'll have to do that."

As the three of them talked, Lila couldn't help but notice how easily Zara fit into the rhythm of their conversation, how Jamal's attention seemed to linger on her just a little too long. 

The sun was sinking behind the hills by the time Lila reached home, but the beauty of the evening sky went unnoticed. Her mind was consumed by the image of Zara and Jamal together, laughing, their conversation flowing with ease that twisted something deep inside her. 

It was the first time she'd ever felt this way about Jamal, unsure, insecure, like something precious was slipping through her fingers.

She could hear her mother in the kitchen as she stepped into the house, but her thoughts were too heavy to focus on the comforting sounds of home. Her feet dragged, her heart heavy, and the warmth of the familiar setting couldn't chase away the rising tide of doubt and jealousy swirling inside her.

"Lila?" her mother called, noticing her daughter's silence as she set the table for dinner. "You're late today. Everything alright?"

Lila forced herself to answer, her voice barely above a murmur. "I'm fine, just a long day." The lie was obvious, even to her ears, but she hoped it would be enough to keep her parents from asking too many questions.

Her father looked up from his seat, studying her face for a moment before returning to his evening tea. "You look tired, Lila. You should rest more," he added, his tone softer than usual.

Lila nodded, but the words barely registered. She sat down to eat, but each bite felt like a chore. Her appetite was gone, replaced by the nagging thoughts of Zara...Zara with her effortless charm, Zara who seemed to fit into Jamal's world so easily. 

She poked at her food, pushing the vegetables around her plate, forcing herself to take small bites just so her parents wouldn't question her further.

"You're not eating much," her mother observed, her brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm just not that hungry tonight," Lila responded, her voice weak. She forced another smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Her parents exchanged glances, sensing something was wrong but choosing not to push. Her mother gave a gentle nod. "Alright, but make sure you don't skip your meals."

Lila barely managed to finish half her plate before she excused herself. "I think I'll go to bed early tonight," she said, standing up with a forced smile. "I'm feeling a little tired."

Her mother looked at her again, this time with more concern. "You're usually the last one to bed. Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, just need some sleep," Lila replied, avoiding her mother's gaze. She turned and made her way to her room, her heart heavy, her mind still spinning with thoughts of Jamal and Zara.

In the quiet of her room, Lila slipped into bed, but sleep didn't come easily. She tossed and turned, her thoughts still loud, still haunting. 

The jealousy she'd never known before clung to her, making it impossible to rest. And as the hours passed, she could only wonder if everything she feared was slowly becoming a reality.