Chapter 24 – When the World Notices
Falling in love is quiet.
But staying in love? That's where the noise begins.
Because eventually, the world notices.
And the world always has questions.
—
It started with the stares.
Their friends were used to seeing them together. Aarav and Mehar had always been close—best friends who shared headphones, stole fries, finished each other's sentences.
But now, there was something different.
The way he looked at her a second too long.
The way she leaned in just a little closer.
The way silence between them felt heavy with something more.
It didn't take long for people to catch on.
—
First came Tara.
She pulled Mehar aside during lunch, eyes wide with knowing. "You two are a thing now, aren't you?"
Mehar blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean the heart-eyes. The way he looks at you like you hung the stars. Come on, Mehar."
Mehar's lips curved up before she could stop them. "We're... figuring it out."
Tara squealed. Loudly.
Too loudly.
Aarav looked over from across the canteen. Raised an eyebrow. Mehar mouthed, Don't ask.
He smirked.
—
Then came Aarav's roommate, Krish.
"Dude," Krish said one night as they were leaving the gym, "you've been smiling at your phone like it's your girlfriend."
Aarav didn't even try to deny it. Just said, "It's Mehar."
Krish paused. "Oh. Well... finally."
Aarav laughed. "Finally?"
"You've been halfway in love with her since second year. We all knew. You just took your time catching up."
—
Soon, their not-so-secret secret became... less secret.
Their classmates started pairing them off for every group activity.
Professors noticed the way they sat beside each other—shoulders brushing, heads bent close.
Even the campus café guy, who had seen them walk in a hundred times, finally asked, "You two dating now?"
Mehar blushed. Aarav simply said, "Yes."
—
But with attention comes pressure.
People expected things. Labels. Timelines. Drama.
There were whispers like, "They won't last."
And "It's just a phase."
Or worse, "They'll ruin their friendship."
At first, they ignored it.
But eventually, it crept in.
—
One evening, after a long day of classes and curious glances, Mehar sighed.
"Do you think we should've kept it hidden longer?"
Aarav turned to her. "Are you ashamed of us?"
She looked shocked. "What? No. Never."
"Then let them look," he said gently. "Let them talk. We've always been loud without words, Mehar. Now we're just... not hiding anymore."
She nodded. Quiet. Comforted.
And maybe even a little proud.
Because for once, she wasn't scared of being seen.
Not when it was with him.
—
Let them notice.
Let them question.
Love doesn't need defending when it's real.
—