Lunch break arrived like a floodgate opening.
Maya and Ryu sat under their usual tree—the one near the back field, away from the crowd.
"You're sitting with Ravi now?" Maya asked, munching on a sandwich.
"Only for today," Ryu said quickly. "Long equation chapter. He needed help."
"Oh?" Maya raised an eyebrow. "You always say that when you're trying not to care."
Ryu didn't answer. Just stared into her tiffin.
Then, softly, "I met Rey's siblings."
Maya blinked. "Wait—what?"
"They're so cute, Maya. Anika and Aarav. I didn't even know they studied in our school."
"You didn't? But you're on Rey's card list. You're coming to his birthday, right?"
"Card?"
Maya paused. "You didn't get one?"
Ryu shook her head.
Maya frowned. "But everyone did... even Arjun's annoying cousin got one."
Before Ryu could reply, a shriek echoed across the field.
Her name.
"Ryu! Come fast! There's something urgent in your locker!"
It was Ravi's voice.
And Rey's laugh.
By the time she got there, a bunch of students had already started giggling.
Inside her locker: a crumpled up fake love letter, with a drawing of her proposing to Ravi in cartoon style.
Her face turned red—not with embarrassment.
With rage.
"Ravi!" she shouted, eyes blazing. "REY!"
Laughter erupted as she chased them across the field, her bag swinging wildly.
They dodged and weaved—until she slipped on wet grass.
Her arms flailed.
She expected the ground.
But landed in Ravi's arms.
Silence.
A strange kind of silence.
Rey stopped running. Watching.
Ravi's heart thudded. Not with guilt. Not even amusement this time.
Something else.
Something heavy.
But he masked it with a cocky smile. "You okay?"
Ryu shoved him gently. "Idiot. Why'd you catch me?"
"You'd thank me if your nose didn't smash into mud."
Behind them, Rey didn't speak.
But his eyes said plenty.
🚗 Later that evening...
Ravi offered to drop Ryu home. She hesitated at first, then gave in.
The silence in the ride wasn't awkward. Just strange.
Halfway through the road, she asked, "Why'd you prank me?"
Ravi smirked. "Because you never smile unless you're annoyed."
"Moron."
At her gate, she stepped out and was about to thank him when—
Her brother, Arjun, opened the door.
He looked at Ravi. Then at Ryu. Then at the silence between them.
"You're late."
"Got delayed," Ryu replied.
Ravi nodded. "Bye, Ryu."
Arjun watched the boy ride off before turning back to her.
"Something you wanna tell me?"
Ryu didn't answer.
Not because she didn't want to.
But because... she didn't understand it herself.
Yet.