The days after the backstage incident felt... different.
There was no formal apology. No heart-to-heart. No dramatic confessions. But something subtle shifted between Eisha and Ayaan. He started waiting near the class door again when she lagged behind. She no longer walked away when their eyes met. They began sharing glances, short conversations, and those small, quiet moments only two people with history could understand.
But comfort has a way of attracting chaos.
It began with a whisper.
By Wednesday afternoon, it had become a wildfire.
"Ayaan and Eisha are back together."
"Did you hear? They were hugging in the storage room."
"I heard they were crying in each other's arms. So romantic."
At first, Eisha thought she could ignore it. But by the second lecture, she could feel the weight of dozens of eyes trailing her every movement. The way her benchmate Mili hesitated before passing her notes. The way a few girls giggled and nudged each other when she walked by.
She clenched her fists, trying to stay calm.
During the lunch break, she avoided the canteen entirely. But fate had other plans.
She ran into Riya—yes, that Riya—just outside the library.
"Well, well," Riya said, arms crossed, lips curled in amusement. "Didn't take long, huh?"
Eisha narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh please. Don't act innocent. First you disappear, then you return, and suddenly Ayaan can't stop staring at you again."
"I don't owe you an explanation, Riya."
Riya smirked. "No, you don't. But Ayaan might. He told me we were just friends. Guess I wasn't the only one who misunderstood."
Eisha felt her heart thump painfully. She didn't want this—this drama, this jealousy, this war for something that never belonged to anyone but her and Ayaan.
"I'm not playing games," she replied, voice steady. "And if you think he is, maybe you should ask him instead of throwing shade at me."
Before Riya could respond, Eisha walked away.
She didn't cry.
Not this time.
Ayaan, meanwhile, was completely unaware of the storm brewing until Rohit bumped into him later that day and casually joked, "So, you're back with your childhood sweetheart, huh?"
"What?" Ayaan blinked.
"Don't act surprised, bro. Everyone saw you two at the auditorium. Whole college's talking."
Ayaan sighed. "We weren't—ugh, this is ridiculous."
"Hey, I'm not judging," Rohit shrugged. "Just hope she's not crying again tomorrow because of you."
That hit Ayaan like a punch to the chest.
He found Eisha at the back stairs near the old chemistry lab, her usual escape when the world got too loud.
She looked up as he approached. "If you're here to ask about the rumors…"
"I already know," he cut her off gently. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't think people would twist something so… personal."
Eisha looked away. "It doesn't matter."
"It does," he said, sitting beside her. "Eish… I don't want to hurt you again. Not even by accident."
She hesitated, then asked, "Did you ever like Riya?"
Ayaan didn't expect that question. "No. I mean… she's nice, funny sometimes. But she's not you."
That silence again.
But this one was softer.
"I hate that we can't even talk without becoming someone's gossip," she whispered.
"I know. But we've always been a team, right?" he smiled. "Let them say whatever. We know the truth."
She looked at him. "And what is the truth, Ayaan?"
He opened his mouth to answer, then stopped.
Because the truth was — he didn't fully know himself.
Not yet.
But his heart did.
And it beat a little faster every time she looked at him like this.
The bell rang, pulling them back to reality.
They stood up together, walking side by side.
Still not lovers.
Still not sure what they were.
But maybe, just maybe, heading somewhere beautiful — even if the road was a little messy.