Stephan stood there…
still looking in the same direction.
Where she was.
Even after Johan and Hill stopped teasing him—
even after the moment should have passed—
his attention didn't move.
Pixel was near the water.
Standing with Stevan.
The waves moved gently around their feet, sunlight reflecting softly across the surface.
She was listening to him.
Not just hearing—
but actually listening.
Nodding occasionally.
Smiling slightly.
Not loud.
Not exaggerated.
Just enough to show she cared.
Like everything was normal.
Like nothing around her disturbed her.
"Bro…" Hill said, amused,
"You're still staring."
Stephan blinked, pulled back slightly.
He looked away.
"I'm not."
Johan let out a quiet laugh.
"Yeah, sure."
Stephan didn't reply.
Because even he knew—
they weren't wrong.
And that was the problem.
After a few minutes—
he moved.
Not towards his friends.
Not towards the crowd.
But towards her.
His steps were slow at first.
Uncertain.
As if he didn't fully understand why he was going.
But he didn't stop.
Pixel noticed him approaching.
Of course she did.
But her expression didn't change.
No surprise.
No reaction.
Just the same calm presence.
"Bhai!" Stevan smiled brightly.
"You came!"
Stephan nodded slightly.
"Hmm."
Stevan immediately pulled Pixel back into his conversation.
Talking about something random.
Something simple.
But still—
she listened.
Like always.
Calm.
Present.
Attentive.
Stephan stood there for a moment.
Watching.
Observing.
Trying to understand something he couldn't quite define.
Then—
Pixel spoke first.
"Where is Ketty?"
Stephan looked at her.
"She's around."
A small pause.
"She was trying to talk to you."
Stephan didn't respond.
Didn't explain.
Didn't react.
Pixel continued—
"She likes you very much."
The statement came suddenly.
Without warning.
Stephan frowned slightly.
His eyes settled on her.
Pixel didn't look away.
Didn't soften her tone.
"She's a very good girl," she said calmly.
No emotion.
No hesitation.
"You should give her a chance."
Silence followed.
Quiet.
But heavy enough to be felt.
Stevan looked between them, confused.
Not understanding—
but sensing something had shifted.
Stephan's expression changed slightly.
Subtle.
Controlled.
"And you?"
The question slipped out before he could stop himself.
Before he could think.
Pixel paused.
Just for a second.
Barely noticeable—
but enough to matter.
Then—
"I don't think like that."
The same answer.
The same calm tone.
But this time—
it felt different.
Heavier.
Like there was more behind it.
More that she chose not to say.
Stephan kept looking at her.
Trying to read her.
Trying to understand.
But she had already turned away—
back to Stevan.
As if the conversation had ended.
As if it wasn't important.
As if he wasn't important.
And that—
stayed with him.
A strange feeling.
Unfamiliar.
Uncomfortable.
After some time—
the sun grew stronger.
The air warmer.
Afternoon settling in slowly.
The energy around them shifted.
Less excitement.
More quiet.
Pixel stood up.
"I should go for a while."
Stevan looked up immediately.
"You'll come back?"
There was hope in his voice.
Simple.
Genuine.
Pixel nodded.
"Yeah."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Then she turned—
and started walking away.
No delay.
No second thought.
Stephan's eyes followed her.
Again.
But this time—
more consciously.
More aware.
He noticed everything.
The way she walked.
The way she didn't turn back.
The way she left—
like it didn't matter.
And for some reason—
it felt heavier.
Like something had been left incomplete.
Like something was missing.
"Bhai…"
Stevan's voice broke through his thoughts.
Stephan looked at him.
"You like her, right?"
The question was sudden.
Direct.
Stephan didn't answer immediately.
Didn't even look at him.
Because he didn't have an answer.
Or maybe—
he did.
But didn't want to admit it.
Stevan smiled slightly.
"I like her."
Stephan let out a quiet breath.
His gaze shifted again—
towards the direction she had gone.
Empty now.
And that emptiness—
felt strange.
Because for the first time—
he didn't just notice her presence.
He noticed her absence.
And that…
was new.
For someone like Stephan—
who was used to control.
Used to distance.
Used to not caring—
this wasn't normal.
Because now—
it wasn't just about watching her.
Or noticing her.
Or questioning her.
Now—
it was something else.
Something deeper.
Something he didn't fully understand yet.
But one thing was clear—
every time she walked away…
it didn't feel the same.
And this time—
it felt heavier than before.