__________________
"Don't worry?" Noah snapped, his voice tight. "How can you be so calm? She's—"
He stopped himself, dragging in a sharp breath, frustration clawing up his throat. "Forget it."
Before Yogesh could say another word, Noah ended the call and immediately dialed Yunah's number. His jaw clenched as the phone rang—once… twice… each second stretching his patience thinner.
Finally—
"Hello?" Yunah's calm voice came through.
"Where are you, Di?" Noah asked instantly, worry flooding his tone despite his effort to sound steady.
"I… I'm outside the stadium," Yunah replied softly.
"Outside?" Noah frowned, already breaking into a run. "Stay there. Don't move." He pushed through the crowd, heading straight for the exit. "Wait for me. I'm coming right now. And don't hang up.
Before Yunah could respond, he was already sprinting, his focus narrowed to one thing—her.
"Hey, Noah!" Ivan called after him, startled by his sudden rush.
Noah didn't looked back. He didn't slowed down. Behind them, Nisha stood frozen, disappointment settling across her face. She had hoped—just a little—to spend more time with him. But once again, Noah's world had already shifted elsewhere. And this time, it was pulling him straight towards Yunah.
*****************
Noah burst out of the stadium, his eyes scanning the dark stretch of road outside. The street was quiet, lit only by a row of flickering lampposts and a lonely bench beside the roadside.
On the other end of the call, Yunah could hear him—his uneven breathing, heavy and rushed, each breath proof that he had run just to reach her. The sound alone made her heart race. She stayed where she was, fingers curled around her phone, eyes fixed on the path he would come from. Minutes felt longer than they were.
Then Noah saw her. He slowed to a stop, chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. For a moment, neither of them moved. Their gazes locked across the short distance, the noise of the world falling away. Almost at the same time, they lowered their phones and ended the call.
Noah started walking towards her. Each step he took made Yunah's breath grow shallow. Under the soft glow of the lamppost, he looked devastatingly handsome. His baggy white T-shirt—splashed with streaks of paint—fluttered slightly in the night breeze, outlining the strong V-shape of his body. His hair was a mess, his expression intense, unreadable… dangerous in a way that made her pulse spike. Yunah felt heat rush to her cheeks, her face turning crimson as the tension tightened inside her chest.
And Noah—without breaking eye contact—kept walking towards her, as if she was the only thing that existed in the dark.
"Di… why didn't you call me?" Noah stopped in front of her, concern etched clearly across his face. His voice was low, almost restrained, like he had been holding it in for too long. "How long have you been waiting here?"
Yunah snapped back to herself, pushing away whatever warmth had taken over her moments ago. She lifted her chin slightly and smiled—gentle, composed. "I didn't wanted to disturb you," she said softly. "So I waited. I didn't knew your work would take this long."
A flicker of frustration crossed Noah's face—not at her, but at himself. "I thought you left with your friends…"
"I wanted to," Yunah replied. She looked up at him, then hesitated. "But…" Her voice softened. "Didn't you told me to wait for you?"
Noah exhaled slowly. "I did, but—" He cut himself off and shook his head. "Never mind. Let's go. It's late." His eyes scanned her instinctively. "Are you cold?"
"No." She shook her head, then studied him closely. "Are you done with your work?"
"Uh… yeah," Noah replied, a little too quickly.
Yunah narrowed her eyes. "Really done," she asked, "or just saying that because of me?"
This time, he met her gaze head-on. "I'm done," he said firmly. "It was just decorations. I've helped enough." He gestured at himself with a faint scoff. "You can tell—I'm a complete mess."
Yunah laughed quietly, shaking her head. "Looks like you worked pretty hard today."
She stepped forward, motioning ahead. "Then let's go. If you're really done."
Noah watched her for a beat, then nodded, falling into step beside her.
"Hm."
They walked side by side into the night—close enough to feel each other's presence, quiet enough for everything unsaid to grow heavier between them.
************
At the Parking Lot.
As they neared the car, Noah suddenly picked up his pace. He stepped ahead of Yunah and reached the front passenger door first, pulling it open smoothly—instinctive, practiced. Gentleman through and through.
Yunah laughed softly as she slid into the seat.
"You really know how to be a gentleman, hmm?"
"Of course," Noah replied without hesitation. He placed one hand on the edge of the door, shielding her head as she leaned in, his attention sharp and careful until she was safely inside.
She glanced at him, amused. "Your future girlfriend will be very lucky."
The words had barely left her mouth when a slow, devilish smirk curved his lips."Well," he said casually, leaning closer to the window, "do you want to be that lucky girl?"
The door shut with a soft click.
Meanwhile Yunah froze. For a second, her mind went blank—only her heart reacted, fluttering traitorously. This was wrong. He was younger. Five years younger. She shouldn't feel anything at all. And yet—
"W-what did you say?" she asked, blinking up at him, genuinely shaken.
Noah chuckled lightly, as if brushing it off, though his eyes said otherwise. "Relax, Di. I was just teasing." He straightened and turned towards the driver's seat.
"Noah!"
He stopped mid-step and turned. Ivan was walking towards them, Nisha beside him.
Noah's expression cooled instantly. "What are you two doing here?" His tone made it clear—he wasn't pleased.
Ivan scratched the back of his neck, leaning closer to whisper, "She wanted to come. I didn't bring her." Then, louder, with a forced grin, "We were hoping for a lift. Right, Nisha?"
"Y-yes…" Nisha nodded shyly. "Can you give us a lift?"
Noah didn't even look at her. He ran a hand through his hair, irritation flashing. "Don't ask me." His gaze flicked briefly to Yunah. "Ask Di."
Ivan winced.
"Di… can we?" Nisha asked softly with her pleading eyes.
Yunah hesitated,"W-well… yeah." Her answer came awkwardly, eyes drifting away.
Noah's jaw tightened."You heard her," he said flatly. "Get in."
They moved—carefully.
"Actually…" Nisha paused, glancing at Yunah again.
Noah turned sharply. "Now what?"
"I get car sick," Nisha said, her voice small, innocent. "Can I sit in the front seat, Di?"
The air snapped.
Noah's patience shattered the moment she asked Yunah to give up the seat that was hers. His eyes darkened, anger flashing sharp and unfiltered.
That was crossing a line. And this time—he wasn't planning to stay quiet.