~THE THINGS WE DON'T SAY~
Months had slipped by, and Raffy and I were still together.
Not just "together," but closer than ever — inseparable, almost like breathing each other in. Still, something lingered in the air between us: his growing desperation, my unspoken fears.
Raffy wanted more. He wasn't shy about asking anymore, not even trying to hide the hunger in his eyes or the way his hands lingered when they brushed against mine. He always asked for something physical but after making me mentally comfortable, something beyond what we already shared but he always asked for my permission and if i want it but if anytime i say no he truly appreciates my decision, and though my heart trusted him completely… my mind always whispered the same question:
*What if he leaves me midway?*
That thought alone kept me pushing him away every time, making jokes, distracting him, or simply turning away before his lips could claim mine the way he wanted. He'd groan in frustration, burying his face into my shoulder, but never forced me. That was Raffy — desperate, but still patient.
---
One evening, our whole street crew — Ayan, Maheen, Wateen, Raffy, and me — gathered in the lounge for games. Wateen suggested a silly one: the **tissue game**. The rules were simple yet ridiculous — one person holds a tissue in their mouth, and the next has to rip it with their own mouth.
I groaned. *"This is childish."*
Maheen grinned. *"That's the point!"*
The first turn was Ayan and Maheen. Ayan held the tissue; Maheen tore it so easily she looked smug about it. Then it was my turn. I tried, laughed too much, and managed to rip it — but a tiny piece stuck to my lip.
Before I could pull it away with my hand, everyone shouted.
*"Raffy's turn!"*
My heart stopped.
Raffy's eyes gleamed like he'd been waiting for this all along. He leaned toward me, gaze locked not on the pathetic scrap of tissue but on my lips.
I whispered, panicked, *"It's too small, you can't—"*
He cut me off by coming closer, so close that I could feel his breath warm against my mouth. He brushed my lips ever so slightly, pretending to aim for the tissue but making it clear his real goal wasn't the game.
The world slowed, the others giggled, my chest pounded like it wanted to escape my body. And yet, he didn't take the tissue. He just smiled against my lips like a tease.
That was it.
*"I'm not playing anymore!"* I blurted, jumping back with my cheeks burning.
Everyone booed, but before Raffy could chase after me, the doorbell rang. Relieved for the distraction, I rushed to open it.
---
The smile on my face dropped instantly when I saw who it was.
*Mehzil.*
I rolled my eyes hard. *"How did you even know where Raffy is?"*
She blinked at me, her expression surprisingly calm. *"I'm not here for Raffy."*
From behind, Raffy's voice called out, *"Who's at the door, Waffle?"*
*"I'm coming, wait!"* I shouted back, narrowing my eyes at her.
*"Are you guys together?"* she asked suddenly.
I straightened my shoulders and proudly said, *"Yes."*
But there was no jealousy in her eyes, no revenge, no sharpness. Just something softer… something I couldn't name. Her voice lowered.
*"I came here to meet you. I didn't have your number. Can you give it to me?"*
I raised a brow. *"Why?"*
*"Because… I want to talk to you privately."*
For the first time ever, she didn't look like the villain of my story. She looked… innocent. Almost pretty in a way that startled me. Against all logic, I nodded and gave her my number. She thanked me softly and left.
I was still frozen in shock when Raffy appeared, eyes narrowing. *"Who was that?"*
*"No one,"* I lied quickly.
He searched my face, trying to read me, but I turned away before he could.
---
Later, when we were finally back in the dorm, my phone rang. Mom and Dad.
I squealed and jumped onto the sofa, picking up the call with joy. For almost an hour we talked — about everything, about nothing. Raffy sat beside me, listening quietly, interrupting once in a while with his usual sarcastic remarks that made even my parents laugh.
It felt so normal. So safe.
---
That night, after I hung up, Raffy leaned against the wall, watching me with that unreadable expression of his.
*"You know,"* he said casually, *"soon we're going to be free from all this studying."*
I smiled. *"I know."*
*"And then what will you do?"*
*"A job, of course!"* I said excitedly.
He sighed. *"When will you get married?"*
I blinked at him. *"Whenever you ask me to."*
His head snapped up, eyes wide. *"Wait. You're ready?"*
I shrugged with a small smile. *"I was ready the second time we met your parents."*
His reaction was priceless. He let out a strangled yell, clutching his head dramatically, pulling at his hair so hard I thought he'd go bald.
I burst out laughing. *"Raffy! Stop!"*
*"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"* he shouted, pacing.
*"Because you never asked!"* I teased.
He practically tackled me in a hug, lifting me off the ground, spinning me around before crushing me into his chest. His voice cracked with happiness.
*"Finally. Finally, you agreed."*
I wrapped my arms around him tighter. *"But not now. Let's wait for our results."*
*"I know,"* he said quickly, his forehead pressing against mine. *"We'll pass. We'll make it. Just… be happy."*