The morning light filtered softly through Maya's curtains, but the brightness didn't reach Aryan's apartment. He lay sprawled on the bed, staring at the ceiling, heart hammering, eyes stinging with unshed tears. Last night played on repeat in his mind—the way Aveed looked at Maya, the words he had almost said, the unspoken confession hovering between them like a storm. He hadn't realized it before, but he had loved her for so long. And now… the truth hit him like a freight train.
Maya stared at her phone, staring at the notification again. College closed for a week. She smiled faintly, then tapped Aryan's number.
"Hey, Aryan. Did you see? College is closed for a week," she said, trying to keep her voice light.
There was a pause before he answered. "Yeah," he said, flat.
"Everything okay? You sound… different," Maya ventured.
"I'm fine," he replied curtly, almost too curt. "Just… tired."
Maya frowned. "Tired? You're usually buzzing in the morning."
Another pause. "Not today," he said simply, his tone cold, distant. Not the usual teasing, carefree Aryan she knew.
Maya tried again, softer. "Are you upset about something?"
"I'm not upset," he said, though there was an edge she couldn't miss. "I'm just… busy with my own thoughts."
Maya's chest tightened. Something had shifted. "Okay… well, just wanted to let you know about the closure. That's all."
"Thanks," he said, quietly, then added, "Talk later."
The line went dead before she could ask more. Maya set her phone down, a little unsettled. Aryan wasn't himself — not playful, not warm, just… cold.
Maya tapped Aveed's number and waited.
"Hey," Aveed answered.
"Hey… college's closed for a week," Maya said quickly. "Also… Aryan's acting really off today."
There was a brief pause. "Off how?" Aveed asked, a flicker of concern in his voice.
"Just… cold. Not like himself," Maya replied. "Anyway, thought you should know."
"Thanks," Aveed said, his tone tightening slightly. "I'll keep an eye on him"Anyway," Maya said, shifting in her chair, "what are you planning for this unexpected week off?"
Aveed chuckled softly. "Nothing too crazy. Probably catch up on some reading… maybe try not to get stuck in my own thoughts."
Maya smiled faintly. "Sounds productive… unlike me. I'm thinking sleep, snacks, and some terrible shows."
"Terrible shows are the best kind," Aveed teased. "Gives you an excuse to procrastinate properly."
"You know me too well," Maya said, laughing. "So… anything interesting happen on your end?"
"Not really," he replied lightly, though she could hear a subtle edge in his voice. "Just the usual… thinking about why I can't seem to stay away from certain people."
Maya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That sounds suspiciously specific."
"Maybe," Aveed said with a small, knowing smirk. "Or maybe I'm just overthinking things. Happens to me sometimes."
Maya laughed softly. "Yeah, overthinking seems like your hobby. Not that I'm complaining."
They continued talking, drifting into jokes, small stories, and random observations. The conversation was easy, flowing, yet underneath it all, both were quietly aware of the tension from the previous night. It lingered like a shadow they didn't dare speak aloud — not yet.."
"So… you're just going to spend the week thinking and reading?" Maya teased. "Not even a single adventure?"
Aveed smirked. "Depends… does meeting someone for coffee count as an adventure?"
Maya laughed, almost choking on her tea. "That was one time!"
"Exactly," Aveed replied, a mischievous tone in his voice. "One time… but memorable, right?"
Maya rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her. "Yeah, memorable. You're impossible."
"I know," he said smoothly. "But somehow, you like it."
Maya flushed, trying to act casual. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure," Aveed said, mock-innocent, "but I can see it in your messages. That tiny smile emoji you sent me last time… guilty conscience?"
Maya groaned, hiding her face behind her hand. "Stop… you're reading too much into things!"
"I call it observational skill," Aveed said, laughing. "Anyway, I guess this week gives us a chance to test how much we can annoy each other without the world watching."
Maya's lips twitched into a grin. "You mean… bond?"
"Bonding, annoying… same thing," Aveed said, voice teasing. "And I plan to win."
Maya laughed again, shaking her head. "We'll see about that."
Aveed ended the call with Maya, running a hand through his hair. He knew something was off with Aryan, and he wasn't going to sit and wait for it to blow up.
Pulling out his phone, he dialed Aryan's number.
"Hey," Aveed said, leaning back against the wall, tone light. "Figured I'd check in. College's closed, so—what are you up to?"
There was a pause, then Aryan's voice cut through, sharp and curt. "Why are you calling me?"
Aveed raised an eyebrow, maintaining his calm. "Just seeing how you're doing. Nothing serious."
"I'm fine," Aryan snapped. "I don't need you asking questions. Or checking in. Or whatever."
Aveed chuckled softly, as if the tension didn't exist. "Alright, alright, no pressure. Just wanted to say hi."
Aryan's jaw tightened audibly. "Hi. Cool. That's it. Don't call again."
Aveed stayed unbothered, letting the silence stretch a beat before replying casually, "Got it. Don't worry, I'll leave you to your… day, then."
The line went quiet. Aveed didn't press further, just leaned back, a faint smile on his face. Aryan, on the other end, sounded nothing like himself—cold, clipped, and hiding a storm he couldn't control.
Aveed hung up and let out a soft sigh, running a hand through his hair. Something was definitely off with Aryan. He hadn't sounded like this in years—not even when he'd been stressed over exams or projects.
He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table. Rude. Cold. Short. And yet… something else. There's more to it than just mood swings.
Aveed smiled faintly to himself, trying not to overthink. Aryan's always been a little intense, but this? This is different. He's… hurt, or worried, or maybe just confused.
He shook his head slightly, keeping his voice steady in the imaginary conversation he was having in his mind. Okay, keep it cool. Don't push. Don't ask too much. Just… be there if he needs you.
And yet, no matter how much he tried to act indifferent, his thoughts kept drifting back to Aryan—the way his tone had clipped, the sharp edge in his words. Something told Aveed this wasn't going to blow over quickly.
Not that I'm not intrigued, he admitted to himself, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Two days had passed since that night. Aryan had gone completely off-grid—no texts, no calls, nothing. To the world, he might as well have been invisible.
Maya sat cross-legged on her bed, phone in hand, staring at the blank chat screen. Nothing. Not even a "hey". She let out a frustrated sigh and tossed the phone onto the bed.
Across the city, Aveed's phone buzzed. He picked it up and saw Maya's name flash. "Hey," he answered.
"Hey… have you heard from Aryan?" Maya asked immediately. "He's… not himself. He hasn't replied in days."
Aveed frowned, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah… I've noticed. He's not replying to me either. Something's off."
Maya's shoulders slumped. "I don't get it. Two days, Aveed. It's like he vanished."
Aveed gave a small, calm smile, though his mind was restless. "I know. But he'll come around. We just have to give him space… and be ready when he does."
Maya sighed again, biting her lip. "I hope so."
After a brief pause, they ended the call, each staring at their own ceiling, thinking about Aryan in silence. The worry lingered, but no one could reach him—at least, not yet.
And so, the city slept, unaware that the next chapter of their tangled lives was already waiting—locked inside Aryan's mind.