Author's Note / Blurb:Sometimes the smallest gestures speak the loudest. A brush of hands, a remembered favorite snack, a soft glance—Ryu and Rey are learning that connection isn't always loud, but it is powerful. Meanwhile, Aakash and Ravi observe, emotions swirling, and the quiet tension between hearts begins to surface.
Ryu sat cross-legged on the bed, carefully removing the real jewels her mother had given her for the function.
She placed them one by one into soft cloth pouches. Maya watched, eyebrows raised.
Maya (teasing):
"Wow madam, such royal handling! Are these going to a museum or what?"
Ryu (half-smiling, distracted):
"No... they're special."
She paused, fingers still.
"...I saw him talking to someone
Maya (instantly alert):
"Wait... you mean Rey?"
Ryu nodded slowly, then looked away.
"He was helping me with the dupatta. Our hands... touched. And for a second... I felt like I forgot everything else."
Maya (shocked):
" That same Rey? The one who'd rather fight gravity than admit feelings?"
They both laughed. But only Ryu knew — it wasn't funny. It was too real.
Ryu had just stepped outside when Ravi arrived.
Ravi:
"You look different today... softer. That pink suits you again."
Ryu blushed slightly, giving a small thanks.
Rey's POV (watching from afar):
Why is he always around her?
Why does she smile differently when it's him?
And why does it feel like someone's twisting my chest when I see it?
Just then, Aakash walked up to them. He noticed the awkward air immediately. His eyes rested on Ryu for a moment longer.
Aakash's POV:
There she is again... caught between the wrong stares.
I don't know what their story is — but I don't like how uncomfortable she looks.
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
Aakash: "Come. You promised to help me with snacks, remember?"
Ryu gave a small grateful smile and walked with him.
Ryu's POV:
He didn't ask anything.
He didn't need to.
Just walking with him felt like... safety.
They sat under the school tree, unwrapping snacks and laughing over dumb jokes.
Suddenly someone — probably Maya — said it out loud:
"Wait, isn't your birthday coming up?"
Ryu (startled):
"...How do you—?"
Aakash:
"She mentioned it last week."
Everyone turned.
Maya:
"Awww! So you didn't plan to tell us? That's rude."
Kabir (grinning):
"Party toh banti hai!"
Ryu (smiling nervously):
"Fine... okay, you'll get your party."
Ravi offered to drop Ryu and Maya home. Aakash and Rey joined.
Ryu walked ahead and stopped at the corridor corner. Rey was standing alone, leaned against the wall.
She walked up and handed him a small packet of chips.
Ryu (softly):
"For your siblings. You said they like this flavour, right?"
She didn't wait for a reply — just walked away.
Rey's POV:
She remembered.
She always remembers the small things I say.
But why does it feel like she's slipping away?
Ravi drove, Maya beside him, Ryu in the middle of the backseat, Rey and Aakash flanking her.
The car was filled with light laughter, but Rey sat mostly quiet, stealing glances.
At one point, Ravi complimented Rey for helping his younger cousin in studies.
Ravi (cheerfully):
"Rey is surprisingly soft-hearted with kids. You should see him around them."
Rey's POV:
Why does that feel like a warning wrapped in praise?
He's not just talking to them. He's saying something to her too.
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