The car stopped in front of Café Corner.
Aria stepped out, her chest tight with worry.
What will I say if they ask about yedu?
They will definitely be angry at me.
I wasn't here… not on the most important day of Café Corner. I'm so irresponsible…
She whispered these thoughts to herself as she pushed open the door and walked inside.
And then she stopped.
Her eyes widened.
Everything she had planned, designed, and dreamt of—every tiny detail—was right there, glowing in front of her.
The place looked beautiful.
Every furniture piece, every chair, every cup, even the tiny little spoons… everything was arranged perfectly. Unique, warm, and welcoming.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and soft, warm cake drifted through the air, making the moment feel even more magical.
The café was full of people—not overcrowded, but perfectly alive.
A sign of success.
A sign that Café Corner had already made an impact.
Aria smiled softly and looked around.
Some familiar
faces spotted her and smiled back, even though they were busy running from table to table with dishes and trays.
Aria paused for a moment.
Then she decided she should go straight to the kitchen.
Everyone's attention seemed turned toward one side, but Aria didn't bother to check. She just wanted to reach the kitchen before anyone questioned her.
That's when it happened.
A sound blocked her steps.
A familiar sound.
A familiar voice singing.
It came from the direction of the small stage.
Aria's head turned instantly.
It was him.
Zorvath stood under the soft yellow lights of the Café Corner stage, singing a song that felt too beautiful for that small room.
A song so emotional it could make anyone freeze.
Beside him, Rithul strummed the guitar with calm confidence,
while Leo played the piano with a soft, steady rhythm.
Aria could only stare.
His eyes locked onto hers—
and hers refused to look anywhere else.
The world around them blurred into silence.
Then the lyrics hit her.
A girl with ocean eyes...
Arriving at a our world.
Cleaning it. Fixing it.
Changing everything.
Changing everyone.
Everyone in the café understood.
The repeated line—the girl with blue eyes—left no confusion.
The song was about Aria.
When the last line faded, the café exploded in applause —
not polite claps, but loud cheers, whistles, excitement.
People stood up.
Tables shook.
Everyone celebrated her.
Aria just stood there, eyes shining, unable to hide the emotion.
Then the crowd opened up—
And KHSS students rushed in.
Not just a few—
almost half the school.
Ruby, Sona, Danvy, Leo, Ashwin, Rithul, Sreya…
and finally, Zorvath.
Their faces were bright, warm, proud.
Someone placed a soft gift-wrapped box in her hands.
Another handed her a letter.
A tray of brownies.
A tiny keychain.
A handmade note.
And then—
Zorvath stepped forward.
He held a bouquet—white and royal blue roses—
the exact colors she once said she loved.
He offered it to her with a small smile.
Sreya came beside him and placed another bouquet gently in Aria's hands.
The entire café watched.
The KHSS group surrounded her in a tight, emotional circle.
Lolan whispered, "Thank you for everything, Aria."
Sona added, "You changed this place… you changed us."
Danvy smirked, "And finally, you made KHSS look classy."
Laughter broke through the tears.
Then riswan pushed through the crowd with a grin.
"And officially," he announced loudly,
"welcome to KHSS, Aria."
But before Aria could react—
Aswin cut in teasing, and completely unfiltered
"—no, no, not my—… move.
It's my turn."
He was struggling in the crowd to get near Aria .
The café burst into laughter.
Aria covered her face for a second, overwhelmed.
Zorvath looked at her gently.
Everything paused.
Every breath.
Every sound.
And Café Corner's first day became unforgettable.
A viral moment.
A celebration of friendship.
A beginning of something powerful.
__________.
Café Corner had turned into a dream.
Night vibes at their peak—
music, dance, laughter, games,
new couples forming,
and the smell of delicious dishes filling every corner.
It was the perfect combination for a beautiful night.
But while everyone was inside enjoying the celebration…
Aria sat quietly in the backyard of the café,
surrounded by the mountain of gifts the KHSS students had given her.
She opened each one slowly, emotionally.
A brownie box from Lily—
soft, sweet, warm.
She smiled. She loved it.
Then a heart-shaped box from Lolan.
Inside it: a rose-scented perfume,
a beautiful red dress,
and a few fresh roses.
Aria didn't think too deeply about it—just admired the beauty of the gift.
Riswan's gift came next:
a tiny teddy and some chocolates.
She hugged the teddy with a soft smile.
Mike had gifted a white mini dress—simple, elegant, perfect.
Sreya, Sona, danvy…
everyone had given her something thoughtful.
Some students shared a single gift from two or three of them together,
but every gift had a heartfelt letter inside.
Aria read each letter slowly,
her hands trembling as she took in the words—
students writing about their struggles,
their broken hopes,
and how her arrival gave them courage,
a belief that maybe they could study,
maybe they could survive,
that life could still change for them.
Tears streamed down Aria's face.
She cried reading every message, realizing how much pain they hid behind their smiles.
Then her eyes landed on a bouquet—
white and blue flowers woven together beautifully,
with a letter pinned on top.
She knew instantly.
This was from Zorvath.
She held the bouquet gently,
admiring the colors,
the neat arrangement.
She brought it closer to her face and breathed in softly.
The scent—
it reminded her of him.
She froze for a second.
Then, as she lifted her head,
she saw him.
Zorvath was standing right in front of her,
hands in his pockets, looking at her quietly.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice low, warm.
Aria quickly wiped her face.
"Nothing… just checking the gifts," she said softly, placing the bouquet aside.
Zorvath stepped forward and sat beside her.
Zorvath glanced at the gifts scattered around her and asked softly,
"Did you… like the gift?"
Aria nodded immediately.
"Yeah. I liked the gift from everyone. They're so heart-touching, emotional… and beautiful."
Then she picked up the white-and-blue bouquet again and added innocently,
"But I don't remember who gave me this one."
She turned the bouquet in her hands carefully.
Zorvath's eyebrows lifted.
"You really don't remember who gave you that?" he asked, watching her closely.
Aria hid her smile behind her breath.
"No. Do you know who gave it?" she asked playfully.
Zorvath shrugged.
"No… I didn't see," he lied, sounding painfully innocent.
Aria nearly burst into laughter but forced herself to stay serious.
Zorvath leaned closer.
"It's beautiful, right? Good smell too?"
Aria sniffed it dramatically.
"Mhm… it has a smell," she said thoughtfully.
Then she added, straight-faced,
"It smells like… ripened egg. I don't know where they bought this from.
If I ever find the person who gave it, I should seriously advise them to buy flowers from a proper shop next time—
fresh ones.
Otherwise flowers will smell like this… egg."
Zorvath blinked.
For a second, he froze.
Then he whispered under his breath,
"I told Rithul to buy fresh flowers. Let me see him tomorrow…"
Aria heard it very clearly
but pretended she didn't, covering her mouth like she couldn't handle the "egg smell."
She continued,
"And also… I couldn't read the letter that was attached.
That's why I can't figure out whose bouquet this is."
Zorvath asked quickly,
"Why couldn't you read it?"
Aria shrugged.
"The handwriting.
I don't trust anyone in khss will write this badly."
Zorvath looked like he got stabbed.
He muttered under his breath,
"I told Ashwin to write neatly.
Why don't these guys do one thing properly…?"
That was it.
Aria couldn't hold her laughter anymore.
A loud, uncontrollable laugh burst out of her.
Zorvath finally understood.
He stared at her for a moment—confused, betrayed, dramatic—
and then realized she was teasing him.
He didn't get angry.
He just smirked…
because he was preparing something for her too.