Back at Prestige University, the air in the Vipers' lounge was heavy. The tension hadn't quite lifted, even though the offenders had been dragged away, and statements had been taken. There was a lingering silence as if the building itself was trying to process what had just happened.
Ishaan paced across the room, phone in hand, giving updates to faculty members and a few influential alumni who had caught wind of the incident. Naina sat on the edge of the couch, her foot tapping anxiously, while Neel scrolled furiously through social media to check if word had leaked online.
The door swung open.
Aisha stood at the threshold, breathless, her face set with panic. She glanced at the intimidating lounge, a space she rarely dared to enter. Her gaze locked onto Ishaan.
"Where is she? Where's Raha?" she asked, voice strained, tense.
Ishaan looked at her coolly. "She left. With Bunny. Said she needed some air."
Aisha stiffened. "With Bunny? Alone?"
He nodded. "Yeah. He didn't say much. Just wrapped his coat around her and carried her out."
Aisha crossed her arms tightly, glancing warily at the rest of the lounge. "You let that happen? Just like that?"
Naina stood up. "He didn't give us a choice. Bunny wasn't in the mood to argue."
Aisha stepped further in, frowning. She could feel the weight of their stares. She wasn't part of this world — the Vipers' lounge was sacred ground for Prestige's elite, and she wasn't one of them. They knew it. She knew it.
"Do any of you even know what she's going through right now? Raha's not just 'sad.' She shuts down. She spirals. You think taking her on a ride will fix that?"
Ishaan narrowed his eyes slightly. "We're not heartless. Bunny did what he thought was right. He's not the comforting type, but he's not going to let her crumble."
"You act like you know her," Aisha snapped. "But you don't. And Bunny? He's a stranger to her. A nice gesture doesn't mean she's fine."
Neel put his phone down. "Look, no offense, but barging in here and accusing us won't help her either."
"I'm not accusing," Aisha said, biting her lip. "I'm just... worried. I shouldn't have let her go alone. I should've stayed."
"You didn't know," Naina offered, her tone gentler now. "You care. That's obvious. But Bunny isn't careless. He's rough around the edges, but when he decides to protect someone, he means it."
Aisha shook her head. "This isn't about protection. It's about understanding her. Raha doesn't open up to people. Especially not people like—"
She stopped herself, realizing the weight of her words.
Ishaan tilted his head. "People like us, you mean?"
Aisha met his gaze. "I don't mean it like that. I just mean... she's not like you. She doesn't trust easily. And this… this whole day has been too much."
Ishaan sighed and walked toward her, his expression unreadable. "You're right. We don't know her like you do. But maybe that's exactly why Bunny's the one she needed in that moment. No expectations. No pressure. Just someone who saw her falling and didn't hesitate to catch her."
Aisha blinked, startled by the sincerity in his voice.
He continued, "We're not close. But I watched Bunny's face when he saw her cry. That wasn't indifference. That was someone who'd go to war for a stranger just because he couldn't stand to see her in pain."
Aisha slowly lowered herself onto a nearby chair, overwhelmed.
"She never talks about her feelings. Not even to me. If she breaks down in front of him, it'll be… different. Vulnerable. And I'm scared it might be too much."
Ishaan crouched in front of her. "If she does, then maybe she's finally letting herself feel. Maybe that's not the worst thing."
Aisha gave a half-hearted chuckle, her voice shaking. "I came in here ready to yell at you all. But now I just feel… helpless."
"You're not helpless," Naina said softly. "You're her anchor. But even anchors need to rest sometimes."
Aisha looked around the lounge — these weren't her friends. They didn't know her. But right now, they weren't the enemy either. Just strangers trying, in their own messy way, to help.
"Just tell me if you hear from her," she said, standing up.
"We will," Ishaan replied. "And when they come back, you'll be the first to know."
Aisha nodded, heading toward the door. Before she left, she glanced back.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For not leaving her alone."
The room was silent as she left. The Vipers exchanged glances — maybe for the first time, feeling the edges of a different world brush against theirs. Not enemies. Not allies. Just people.
And sometimes, that was enough.