The library was wrapped in a hush so complete, it felt sacred—its shelves brimming with books that whispered secrets from distant worlds.
Ayan and Vihan sat quietly at a table, their postures relaxed yet expectant, as if even the stillness was holding its breath for someone's arrival.
Then, like sunlight breaking through clouds, Aarav strode in. His warm smile lit up the room, radiating quiet confidence as he made his way toward them. Behind him, Karan appeared, panting from the chase.
"Unbelievable…" Karan muttered, half out of breath. "Say one name and suddenly he's an athlete."
Aarav barely acknowledged the remark. His eyes had already found Ayan—soft, searching—and without hesitation, he took the seat beside him.
"Where's Abhi?" he asked, voice low.
Ayan replied, his tone warm and affectionate. "My brother took him for their tuition session. He asked me to wait here."
Aarav's eyes shimmered with something quiet and beautiful. "Then... may I wait for my brother too?"
Ayan flushed. His nod was small but full of feeling.
Vihan, not missing a beat, grinned. "Me too?"
Ayan blinked, unsure how to respond.
Karan stepped in, mock-serious. "Nope. Aarav, call us when you're done."
He grabbed Vihan's wrist, ready to drag him away, but the younger boy hesitated—casting a hopeful glance at Aarav.
Aarav offered him a small, reassuring nod.
Karan noticed Aarav's barely-contained joy and rolled his eyes. "Thanks. Keep up with the studies," he called, tugging Vihan along.
As their footsteps faded, the library returned to its tranquil hum.
Aarav and Ayan exchanged a look—quiet, meaningful, and wrapped in the unspoken comfort of shared silence.
---
[ At the Café ]
Abhi's gaze lingered on Arun, eyes narrowing with a hint of mischief. "So... how come you agreed to study here?" he asked, one brow raised.
Arun lounged on the sofa, unbothered.
But his stillness only made Abhi lean in, voice playful with an edge of tension. "Aren't you uncomfortable being alone with me now?"
His smile was soft, deliberate—like he knew exactly what he was doing.
There was weight in Abhi's gaze. Arun stilled, breath catching.
Then—without thinking—he whispered, "I like it."
The moment froze.
Abhi's eyes widened slightly.
Arun looked away, heat blooming along his neck. He busied himself with the surroundings—the soft afternoon glow filtering through the glass walls, the lingering scent of desserts, the subtle hum of conversation behind the one-way partition.
"It's peaceful. And quiet," he added, voice calmer now.
Abhi smiled, soothed by the warmth of the space and Arun's words. "I like it too."
Their eyes met again.
Something delicate flickered between them—silent, unspoken.
Arun froze again, startled by the emotion blooming between them. He quickly looked away.
"Take out your sample paper for tomorrow's exam," he said, pulling out his notebook. "Let's start with the basics."
Abhi reached for his backpack but paused—his eyes catching a movement beyond the glass.
A sleek, familiar car pulled into the parking lot.
His breath hitched.
That car... The one that had interrupted them before.
A poised girl stepped out, a file in hand, sunlight catching her radiant face.
"Books?" Arun's voice brought him back.
Abhi blinked, distracted. "You… love someone?" he asked suddenly.
The question landed like a stone in a still pond.
Arun froze, caught off guard. His eyes widened, as if the words had struck something buried.
Before he could respond—
"Hello?" came a soft voice.
They turned.
The girl had entered. Her smile was serene.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said, settling beside Arun with quiet confidence.
Arun cleared his throat. "She's Annaya, my—" but she finished for him, slipping her fingers into his.
"...His girlfriend."
Her gaze turned to Abhi. "You're Abhi, right?"
Abhi took her in—posture, tone, their linked hands. Something about her was polite. Sweet. Yet unmistakably calculated.
He smiled politely. "Yes. That's me."
She leaned toward Arun, then back to Abhi. "Mind if I borrow your tutor for five minutes? Just a private word."
Abhi glanced at Arun, something tight twisting in his chest. But he nodded. "Take your time."
He stepped toward the counter.
From behind the glass, his figure remained visible.
Annaya, now seated apart, didn't take her eyes off Abhi.
"Now I can see it," she said with a chuckle. "He looks cute when he's annoyed."
Arun's voice was quiet but firm. "Don't mess around. He's dangerous."
Annaya smirked. "Oh, I knew that already."
She tilted her head. "What's more dangerous... is that he knows he's cute."
Together, they watched as Abhi laughed at something with a group of upper-class students—his smile easy, magnetic, the effortless center of attention.
Arun's gaze darkened. Something twisted in his chest.
Annaya handed him the file. "Here's the information you asked for."
Arun flipped through the pages. "They won't stay quiet after Mr. Mekham's disappearance. And Papa won't let go of that land."
Annaya nodded, her voice gentler now. "Then maybe this is your chance... to make things right. Especially for yourself."
Moments later, Abhi returned, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Done? Or should I keep waiting?"
Annaya stood, smiling. "No. Time to hand him over to you."
She turned to Arun, her voice low and teasing. "And maybe... try expressing some love while you're at it. Good luck."
She smiled at Abhi on her way out. "You too. Bye."
Abhi looked between them, puzzled.
Arun ignored it, slipping the file into his bag. "Sit down. If you're done flirting with the upper class."
Abhi raised a brow. "Then don't schedule personal meetings during our session."
The words were light, but carried a quiet tension—part rivalry, part something more complicated.
---
[ An Hour Later ]
Abhi's head drooped as he scribbled notes, sleep tugging at him. He yawned, rubbing at his flushed cheeks.
Arun watched him. His stern expression softened.
"That's enough," he said gently, closing the book. "You'll do well."
He stood, gathering his things with quiet care.
But just as he turned, Abhi's hand reached out, wrapping around his wrist.
Arun stilled.
The touch was soft. Hesitant. But grounding.
Abhi didn't say much. Just held his gaze, then slowly let go.
"I need the washroom," he said softly. "Wait for me."
Then he walked away, leaving Arun staring at the space he'd just vacated—caught somewhere between stillness and longing.
---
[ Back in the Library ]
Aarav and Ayan sat in easy silence, the library wrapping around them like a cocoon.
Then Aarav spoke, his voice warm and low. "Is it hard for you?"
Ayan blinked, pulled from his book. He opened his mouth, but Aarav smiled first.
"I think you've read the same sentence five times."
Ayan flushed and ducked his head.
Without missing a beat, Aarav leaned closer, teasing yet tender. "Let me see what's so fascinating…"
As he moved in, Ayan turned toward him—and their faces were suddenly close.
Aarav stopped.
Their breaths mingled.
The air charged between them.
Ayan's eyes shimmered, wide and unreadable. Lips parted.
Aarav's gaze dropped—soft, flushed, impossibly inviting. His heart pounded.
Slowly, instinctively, he leaned in and brushed his lips against Ayan's.
Soft. Sweet.
He pulled back just slightly, eyes scanning Ayan's face for a reaction.
Ayan lowered his gaze—shy, yearning.
Aarav leaned in again—
A Bzzz distracted them.
A phone vibrated on the table.
A message from Abhi lit up the screen. "We are coming back."
---
[ At the School Gate ]
Dusk had settled. Arun and Abhi leaned against the car, their bodies relaxed—but Arun's eyes were still scanning, always alert.
Then Ayan appeared, walking toward them. His face was brighter, softer—something in him had shifted.
Arun's stance eased. His smile, though small, was genuine.
Abhi noticed.
He tilted his head, mock-offended. "Why don't you smile at me like that?"
Arun's smile faded. He straightened, voice sharp. "Are you my brother or what?"
Abhi grinned, unfazed. He stepped closer, tone light but layered.
"What do you want me to be, young master?"
The words hung there—teasing, but charged.
Their eyes met.
Then—footsteps.
"What's going on here?" Ayan asked, confused.
Arun turned swiftly, covering his shift in tone with a brisk, "Get in."
Ayan climbed into the car, unaware of what he'd interrupted.
The car pulled away into the dusk.
Abhi watched it go. Then turned back toward the gate.
From behind it, three boys stepped out—Aarav, his face lit with mischief, followed by Karan and Vihan.
"It's bad for my heart," Aarav laughed, running a hand through his hair.
Abhi folded his arms, grin sharpening. "I want every single detail, brother."
Aarav chuckled, already bracing for the interrogation.
Side by side, all four turned toward their cars—walking in sync, the soft hush of evening wrapping around them like a secret.