They hadn't spoken since the volunteer orientation.
Kairo had been annoyingly radiant the whole session — cracking jokes, handing out papers, making people laugh.
Ayan had stayed on the edge of the group. Silent. Sharp. Watchful.
Then halfway through the day, Kairo had looked right at him and said:
> "We're gonna be stuck doing this all semester, aren't we? …Here—"
He scribbled something on the back of the schedule and slid it toward Ayan on the desk.
> "My number. I'm warning you though, I text with emojis and terrible timing."
Ayan hadn't even looked at it.
But he didn't tear it.
Didn't toss it.
---
Later that night — storm pelting the city, classes running late, streets already flooding — Ayan stepped out into the wet dark and heard his phone buzz.
> Kairo [7:48PM]:
You probably won't reply.
But I saw the weather. Wait there. I'm coming.
Ayan stared at the screen.
His thumb hovered. He didn't reply. Didn't move.
Ten minutes passed. Rain soaking through his collar. Wind cutting through fabric. He stayed where he was, silent under the awning, heart tight but unreadable.
Then came headlights. Kairo's car, pulling up like some ridiculous soft-hearted savior.
Kairo leaned over, rolled down the passenger-side window halfway.
> "You're going to catch hypothermia. Just get in. You can ignore me in the car too, I don't mind."
Ayan didn't move.
Another minute passed. His jaw was clenched. Eyes fixed forward.
Kairo didn't beg. Didn't speak again.
He just left the door unlocked and waited.
Finally, Ayan exhaled through his nose. Silent and cold.
He slid into the passenger seat without a word.
Didn't speak. Didn't look at Kairo.
But the car smelled like citrus and heat. The air inside fogged slightly from his breath. And the warmth soaking into his frozen fingers made something inside him ache.
Kairo didn't try to make small talk. Didn't smile like usual.
He just drove.
And somewhere in the silence, something charged and sharp shimmered between them — tense, unspoken, and impossible to ignore.
_____
Let me know ur thoughts 🫶