The morning air shimmered with a lazy glow, the kind that hinted at the day's promise. The streets were quiet, the calm before the campus storm. Bunny's car cruised silently along the road leading to Prestige University, the faint hum of the engine the only sound between the two passengers.
Inside, the silence had stretched too long—heavy, not with awkwardness, but the weight of everything unsaid. Raha sat staring out the window, fingers nervously playing with the edge of her sleeve.
Suddenly, she spoke. "Can you… drop me off here?"
Bunny blinked, turning slightly to her. "Here? We're barely two hundred meters from the gate."
"I know," she replied, voice low. "I just… I don't want people talking."
Bunny frowned. "People will always talk, Raha."
"I just don't want them to make it real. Whatever happened yesterday…"
He looked at her, more confused than hurt. "It was real. At least for me."
Raha looked away. "I don't know how to deal with that."
A beat of silence.
Bunny sighed and gently pulled over. "Fine. You want space? I'll give it to you."
She opened the door slowly, but her fingers lingered on the handle. Before stepping out, she glanced back. His jaw was tight, his eyes fixed forward—distant.
"Bunny—" she began, voice soft.
"You asked me to stop," he said, without looking at her. "So I did."
Her chest tightened. Words failed. Her eyes welled up. She wiped them quickly, hoping he hadn't noticed.
But he noticed.
"Hey," Bunny said, voice suddenly gentler.
She turned, startled.
He reached across, lightly brushing his thumb under her eye. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm not," she whispered.
"You're a terrible liar."
She swallowed, her throat thick. "I just… I hurt you, didn't I?"
His fingers dropped away, resting on the gear. "I'm not angry you're scared. I'm just... sad that you think I wouldn't understand."
Raha's voice cracked. "I'm scared of wanting this too much."
He met her eyes, raw and honest. "And I'm scared of losing it before it even begins."
There was silence. But it wasn't empty. It was full of fear, of hope, of something fragile and forming.
Bunny exhaled slowly. "You don't have to figure it all out now. Just don't walk away before giving it a chance."
She nodded. Just once. Then gently closed the door.
By the time Bunny pulled into the main courtyard, the mood had shifted but hadn't lifted. He was trying to hold it together—trying not to let her fear become his own.
And then a voice called out.
"Raha!"
Aisha.
She rushed over, concern etched on her face. "You okay? I was so worried."
Raha nodded weakly. "I'm fine."
But her eyes darted briefly to Bunny. And Aisha noticed.
Especially the way his hand brushed lightly against Raha's back—subtle, steady, grounding.
Aisha's gaze flicked between the two of them, quiet understanding dawning.
"Oh," she murmured.
Raha turned red. "It's not like that. I mean—maybe. It's… complicated."
Aisha didn't press. She just smiled gently. "Hey. I'm here, okay?"
Raha gave a small nod. "I've got lab now. I'll see you later?"
"Of course."
As Raha disappeared into the science block, Bunny remained behind, silent.
Aisha lingered for a second before slowly walking over. She stood beside him—not too close, but not distant either.
"You care about her," she said softly, not as a friend but as an observer. Someone starting to understand him.
Bunny nodded without looking at her. "Too much, maybe."
"She's scared."
"I know. That's why I'm holding back. Even when all I want to do is hold her."
Aisha studied him for a moment. She hadn't known Bunny well before today. But in that moment, she saw past the reputation and the silence—to someone real.
"She's lucky, then," she said. "To have someone who doesn't give up, even when it hurts."
He let out a dry laugh. "I'm just hoping she sees it before it's too late."
Before Aisha could respond, another voice cut in—familiar, warm, teasing.
"Well, now this is a picture I wasn't expecting."
They turned.
Ishaan walked over, coffee in one hand, his signature smirk in place. But it wasn't mocking. It was laced with familiarity and something deeper—care disguised as casual.
"Bunny. Looking all broody by the fountain. With Aisha beside you, no less." He raised an eyebrow. "Should I be jealous or just curious?"
Bunny chuckled, finally relaxing. "Probably both."
Ishaan grinned and bumped his shoulder lightly against Bunny's. "So. Raha?"
Bunny gave him a look. "What about her?"
Ishaan shrugged. "You tell me."
There was a pause. Then Bunny answered, quietly, "She matters."
Ishaan didn't tease. He simply nodded. "Good. Because you don't say that about anyone."
Aisha watched this exchange with interest. The way Bunny and Ishaan interacted—it wasn't rivalry. It was brotherhood. Solid, unshaken.
"I was just looking out for her," Bunny added, almost defensively.
"You always do," Ishaan said, softer now. "That's who you are. And it's why I've got your back. Always."
Bunny gave him a look of silent gratitude.
Aisha, touched but slightly out of place, checked her phone. "Drama club. Auditions are starting."
Aisha saluted lightly. "Good luck, Bunny. Looks like your story's just getting started."
As she walked away, Ishaan sat beside Bunny on the ledge.
"You alright, man?"
Bunny stared into the distance. "I don't know. But I want to be."
Ishaan sipped his coffee. "That's a start."