Aria was walking down the dimly lit street, her phone's flashlight cutting through the darkness.
She hadn't found a taxi yet and was muttering curses under her breath at every driver who passed by without stopping.
"Ugh… Mumbai taxi drivers," she grumbled, kicking a pebble from her path.
Just then, a sharp honk echoed from behind her.
She turned around quickly — and froze.
It was Sinas's car.
The headlights washed over her for a second before the car rolled to a stop beside her.
Sinas stepped out, the familiar mix of calm and concern on his face.
"Why are you so late?" he asked, his voice firm but not unkind.
Aria smiled awkwardly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Oh, I was at the café… didn't notice how late it got," she said, trying to sound casual — though her voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.
Sinas nodded slowly. "I heard Mia came to see you."
Aria blinked for a moment before remembering.
He was talking about the group of GHSS girls from last week.
She nodded. "Yeah… that was days ago."
"I know," Sinas said, sighing. "I wasn't in the city then. Guess I'm late to hear the news."
Aria just nodded again, unsure what else to say.
The silence between them stretched — not awkward, but strange, almost heavy.
Then Sinas broke it.
"I have something to talk to you about," he said quietly. "Let's have dinner together."
Aria hesitated for a moment,
After a beat, she nodded. "Okay."
Sinas smiled faintly and opened the car door for her.
Aria slipped inside, her heart beating a little faster than she wanted to admit.
The door closed softly, and the car began to roll forward —
two figures heading into the night.
Aria and Sinas ended up in a very luxurious restaurant. There were many dishes laid out in front of them, each one looking more delicious than the other. Aria stared at them, confused about what to eat first.
Smiling, Sinas took two dishes at random and served them onto her plate. Aria smiled back and began to eat, sitting comfortably and using her hands like always.
Sinas took a small sip of chai and asked gently, "Did Mia hurt you?"
Aria replied while chewing, "No, I didn't even know who they were. They just came, talked nonsense, and left." Her tone was casual and relaxed.
Seeing this, Sinas smiled and said, "I heard you guys are opening some kind of café or something?"
Aria nodded. "Yeah, it's something unique."
"So how's KHSS treating you?" Sinas asked with a teasing smirk. "I think you stopped hating them. Looks like you've started loving them now."
Aria laughed softly. "I didn't hate them to stop loving them."
Sinas nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah… I was just wondering if you're really okay there."
Aria smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Sinas. But they're actually really sweet—sweeter than you think. Maybe someday, you'll get to know them too."
Sinas smiled as he tore a piece of chapati. "I know them more than you, Aria. But the thing is, you've changed a lot. You're not that simple, crazy girl with the blue eyes anymore."
Aria looked up, amused. "Maybe you never really knew me, or maybe you just didn't get me back then. And my eyes," she pointed at him playfully, "they're still blue, right?"
Sinas chuckled softly. Their conversation continued, stretching late into the night, filled with quiet laughter .
Aria's Pov___
Today was such a nice day. I never imagined that Sinas would actually invite me to dinner one day. But honestly… he didn't feel like my crush anymore — not like the person I used to admire online or dream about like some celebrity. He just felt like a nice friend.
Maybe I've really changed. Is that because of Zorvath? No, no, that can't be it. I'm just busy with all the responsibilities at KHSS, that's all. Once everything settles down, I'm sure the dream life I've always imagined with Sinas will come true. I'm grateful to God for that hope.
Still, Sinas hasn't disappointed me. He's the same sweet, calm boy I fell for — and I'm happy he's still like that.
But Zorvath… he's something else entirely. He's full of mystery. Every day, I learn something new about him — and somehow, that makes me want to know even more.
Oh God, what am I even thinking? I really need to sleep before my mind keeps wandering down this road again.
NEXT DAY ___
The next day, Aria came to Café Corner. There was no one to be seen. She was confused. Slowly, she opened the door of Café Corner. In the empty room, one figure was lying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. It was Zorvath.
He already knew Aria had arrived, but he didn't move — he just smiled, still looking at the ceiling.
Aria slowly walked toward him. As she reached him, she lowered herself to the floor and sat beside him.
"Where is everyone?" she asked.
"I told them not to come," Zorvath replied.
"Why? Shouldn't we finish this today?" Aria asked.
Zorvath finally turned his head toward her and said, "What's there to finish? It's all clean and neat. Let them take a day's rest. They have plenty of things to handle beyond school and Café Corner."
Aria just nodded, assuming he was right. She didn't say anything.
Sitting in silence beside him, Aria's mind drifted back to yesterday — their talk, the laughter, the warmth of that moment. Without realizing it, a small smile formed on her lips.
Zorvath noticed and asked casually, "What's next?"
Aria turned toward him but didn't answer. She was still lost in her thoughts, her smile lingering.
When she didn't reply, Zorvath answered his own question. "Then let's go shopping."
Aria blinked in surprise. "Shopping? Isn't that a bit too fast?"
Zorvath raised his eyebrows, still sitting on the floor but now leaning forward slightly. "Didn't you say we need to finish this as soon as possible?"
It took her a second to realize he meant shopping for Café Corner supplies. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly stood up and started toward the door.
"Yeah, yeah, come on—let's go," she said quickly, trying to hide her flustered expression.
Zorvath watched her go, a soft smile forming on his lips. He knew exactly what she'd meant — and seeing her cute, retreating figure disappear outside made him smile even more.
While walking toward the bus stop, Aria glanced at Zorvath and asked,
"Don't you have a car?"
Zorvath replied simply, "I don't."
Aria frowned. "Then that day you…" she began to ask, but Zorvath interrupted with a small smile.
"Why do we have friends, Aria?"
Realization dawned on her face. "Oh…" she murmured, nodding with a little laugh.
"So," she said after a moment, "let's take the bus to the mall, right?"
"The mall?" Zorvath asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Yeah," Aria said cheerfully. "If everything's in one place, that's easier, right?"
Zorvath chuckled softly and shook his head. "They were right about you… you really were born with a golden spoon in your mouth."
Aria rolled her eyes. "Very funny," she muttered.
Just then, a big city bus to the mall arrived. Aria looked at Zorvath expectantly — but he didn't move. He didn't even glance at the bus.
When it drove away, she turned to him with a puzzled look. "What exactly are you planning, then?"
Before he could answer, a smaller, older bus pulled up. Zorvath stepped forward and said, "Come on."
Still confused, Aria followed him in. It was her first time taking a bus on that route.
As they sat down, she leaned toward him and whispered, "Where's this bus going?"
Zorvath didn't reply.
When the conductor came for tickets, he said, "Two to the local market."
Aria blinked. "Local market?" she repeated. "Are you seriously planning to buy dirty products for our café?"
Zorvath just gave her a quiet look — cold and scarey.
Feeling a little sacred, Aria turned away and walked toward the front of the bus, where the ladies' seats were. Zorvath stayed at the back.
The bus rattled forward through the narrow streets — Aria staring out the window in confusion, and Zorvath at the back, silently watching her with an amused smile.