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Yunah stepped towards Noah. Instantly, he tilted the umbrella over her, angling it with quiet precision so not a single drop touched her—while rain soaked into his own shoulder and hair.
"Di, hold this for a second," Noah said softly, placing the umbrella handle into her hand.
She lifted onto her toes to take it—he was taller, too close—and before she could ask why, Noah shrugged off his denim jacket. In one smooth motion, he draped it around her shoulders, pulling it snug.
Yunah froze.
Warmth wrapped around her—not just from the jacket, but from the way he did it. Careful. Intentional. Time seemed to slow as the fabric settled against her skin, carrying his heat, his scent. Her heart skipped so hard it almost hurt.
Around them, the world reacted. Eyes widened. Whispers sparked. Envy hummed thick in the rain-soaked air.
Meanwhile, Serena was openly grinning, practically vibrating with excitement, already shipping them in her head. Gaurav and Meena, on the other hand, stiffened—jealousy written plainly across their faces.
"Th-thank you," Yunah murmured, finally lifting her gaze.
Noah was already looking at her. His eyes—soft, warm—glowed like the first light of morning cutting through a dark night.
"The pleasure's mine," he replied quietly.
He took the umbrella back from her hand, fingers brushing hers just enough to send a spark racing up her arm. Then, with deliberate ease, he leaned in slightly.
"If you're done," he added, voice dropping into something dangerously smooth, "shall we leave, baby?"
Yunah's breath hitched. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. Heat rushed to her cheeks, spreading fast as his words sank in. The way he said it—so natural, so assured—made it feel terrifyingly real. For one dizzy moment, she forgot it was all pretend. Forgot everything except the way he stood beside her, claiming space, claiming her.
"Wow—why the rush?" the short-haired girl from earlier chimed in, her tone dripping with forced amusement. "Aren't you going to introduce your boyfriend to us, Yunah?"
The word introduce hit Yunah like a warning bell. Her fingers curled unconsciously into Noah's jacket. Noah noticed instantly.
Without hesitation, he slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close—protective, possessive—and turned to face everyone.
"I think it's late," he said calmly, authority threading every syllable. "Introductions can wait." His gaze flicked briefly, pointedly, to Gaurav and Meena. "I'll introduce myself properly at their wedding."
A beat of stunned silence.
"For now," he continued, looking down at Yunah with a faint smile, "you can just know my name. I'm Noah." His fingers tightened gently around hers. "And I'm her boyfriend."
That was all.
He didn't wait for a reaction. Holding Yunah's hand, Noah led her towards the car, umbrella tilted carefully over her. Rain poured harder—but only onto him. One shoulder darkened, water streaming down his sleeve, while Yunah remained completely dry. Not a single drop touched her. He never adjusted the umbrella for himself.
As their car pulled away, Serena burst into laughter, clapping once in pure delight.
"Why do you all look like you've just seen a ghost?" she asked mockingly. "Weren't you dying to meet her boyfriend? Forcing her, teasing her, blah blah blah…" She laughed again. "Hope you enjoyed the show."
She slung her bag over her shoulder. "Anyways, my taxi's here. Good luck finding a handsome hunk of your own."
"You're single too, don't forget," the short-haired girl snapped, clearly offended.
Serena smirked. "I'm single by choice, darling. You wouldn't understand." With that, she jogged off towards her taxi, holding her bag over her head as rain poured down—leaving behind a crowd soaked not just by rain, but by the undeniable shift that had just happened.
******************
On the way — inside the car.
Rain drummed softly against the windshield as the city lights blurred past.Yunah turned towards Noah, arms folded, eyes sharp.
"Why did you come?" she asked. "And how did you even know our reunion was at Kancha's BBQ?"
Noah kept one hand steady on the steering wheel. Then he glanced at her—just for a second—lips curved in a calm, almost teasing smile.
"It started raining," he said simply. "And you didn't take an umbrella." His eyes returned to the road. "As for the location… you posted it."
Yunah exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing despite herself. She had lost the argument the moment he showed up—she knew that. He had helped her. Saved her, even. Still, a part of her worried—about what people would think, about the image she was dragging him into without meaning to.
And yet…
She couldn't deny it. She was glad he came.
Without another word, she turned towards the window, resting her head lightly against the glass. The night stretched out beyond them, rain washing the streets clean, reflections dancing like distant stars. Her lips curved into the faintest smile—one she didn't even realize was there.
The car moved forward, quiet but charged, carrying everything left unsaid between them.
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At Gaurav's Apartment.
The door slammed shut behind them.
Meena walked straight in, her steps sharp, furious. She yanked her sling bag off her shoulder and hurled it onto the couch. The sound echoed through the living room.
Gaurav watched her in silence for a moment. He'd noticed it all night—the stiffness at the reunion, the silence in the car, the way she kept clenching her jaw. And now this.
His patience snapped."What is wrong with you?" he demanded, voice rising. "Why are you acting like I've committed some crime, huh?"
Meena turned slowly, eyes blazing."You really don't know?" she shot back. "Or do you think I'm stupid?" She stepped closer, invading his space.
Gaurav dragged a hand through his hair, irritation etched deep into his face. "What the hell are you talking about? If you have something to say, say it clearly."
"Don't act innocent now!" Meena shouted. Her voice cracked as she went on. "Do you still have feelings for her?"
The room went still.
"Feelings?" Gaurav scoffed lightly, pretending confusion. "For who?"
"Don't play dumb!" she yelled. "You know exactly who I'm talking about. I saw you tonight. The way you were looking at Yunah." Her chest heaved. "Do you think I didn't notice?"
Gaurav exhaled slowly, forcing his tone to stay calm. He slipped off his coat and tossed it aside."You're overthinking, Meena. I'm tired. Let's just sleep."
He turned towards the bedroom.
She grabbed his arm."Overthinking?" Her voice dropped, shaking. "We're getting married next month, Gaurav. And you still look at her like she's the only woman in the room." Tears spilled freely now. "You never look at me like that." She swallowed hard. "Tell me… do you even love me? Do you really love me?"
For a second, she hoped. Begged. Waited.
Gaurav's face hardened."Meena, stop this drama," he said coldly. "I said I'm tired. Go calm down and come inside when you're done."
The words shattered something inside her.
He walked towards the bedroom door.
"Let's break up," Meena said suddenly, sobbing.
He stopped—but only for a moment."If that's what you want," Gaurav replied flatly, as if she had asked for coffee instead of ending a life they were supposed to build. He opened the door and went inside.
Meena froze.
Then her knees gave way. She collapsed onto the floor, a broken sound tearing out of her chest. The man she had loved for years. The man she was supposed to marry next month. The man she had betrayed her own best friend for—didn't even look back.
She cried there alone in his living room while he went to sleep like nothing had happened.
Regret flooded her mercilessly.Yunah's face rose in her mind—every smile she had mocked, every humiliation she had caused, every cruel word born from jealousy. She had destroyed that bond with her own hands.
Eventually, Meena staggered to her feet and walked out of the apartment, tears blurring the streetlights. She wandered aimlessly, hollow, until she reached a small convenience store. She bought a cheap local drink and carried it to a nearby park—one close to Yunah's house. She sat on a bench, drinking straight from the bottle.
Laughing. Crying. Cursing herself. Her makeup smeared. Her dignity gone. Her heart aching with the weight of what she had lost—not just Gaurav, but the friend she had betrayed for him.
Only now did she finally understand.
And the realization hurt more than the breakup ever could.
*****************
Yunah was halfway through her night routine when the doorbell rang. She froze, glancing at the clock. 11:03 PM.
"Who comes at this hour…?" she muttered, unease crawling up her spine as she stepped out of her room.
At the same time, Noah emerged from Yogesh's room, already alert. One look at the time and his expression tightened.
"I'll get it, Di," he said, moving towards the door. "It's late."
But Yunah was already walking faster, instinct pushing her ahead of him. She reached the door first and pulled it open.
The sight on the other side made her breath hitch.
Meena stood there—soaked in rain, hair disheveled, eyes red and swollen. The sharp, confident girl Yunah remembered was gone. In her place was someone wrecked, shaking, reeking faintly of alcohol. Tears streamed down her face without restraint.
"Meena…?" Yunah whispered, disbelief flooding her voice."What happened to you?" Her concern slipped out before she could stop it. "Are you okay?"
That was all it took.
Meena's face crumpled. She broke down completely, sobs ripping out of her chest as if she'd been holding them in for hours.
Yunah stiffened, stunned. Behind her, Noah stepped closer, eyes narrowing in concern. They exchanged a quick glance—both confused, both wary.
"Hey—hey," Yunah said softly, gripping Meena's arm to steady her. "Come inside. Talk to me." She guided her in, closing the door behind them.
Meena clutched Yunah's sleeve like it was the only thing keeping her upright."G-G-Gaurav…" she gasped between sobs, breath uneven. "He… he broke up with me."
The words hit Yunah like a slap.
"…What?" Yunah breathed, shock flashing across her face. "What did you just say?"