The rest of the day felt heavy for Aarav.
Anaya's words kept repeating in his mind.
"Rohan… was my boyfriend."
Even though she said it was in the past, Aarav couldn't stop thinking about it.
After the last class ended, students slowly began leaving the college.
Aarav walked outside and saw Anaya standing near the gate, looking worried.
"Are you waiting for someone?" he asked.
Anaya hesitated.
"Yes… Rohan."
Aarav felt a small sting of jealousy, but he tried to stay calm.
"Do you want me to stay?" he asked.
She looked at him and nodded.
"Yes… please."
Just then, a familiar bike sound came from the road.
Rohan arrived and parked near them.
He removed his helmet and looked directly at Anaya.
"Thanks for coming," he said.
Anaya crossed her arms.
"What do you want, Rohan?"
Rohan glanced at Aarav.
"Can we talk alone?"
Anaya shook her head.
"No. Whatever you want to say, say it here."
Rohan sighed.
"Fine."
He looked serious now.
"Anaya… I came here because I want you back."
Aarav's heart tightened.
Anaya looked shocked.
"What?"
Rohan stepped closer.
"I made mistakes before. I know that. But I still love you."
Anaya's expression hardened.
"You disappeared for two years without a single message."
Rohan looked guilty.
"I had problems… family problems."
"But you never told me anything," Anaya replied.
Rohan looked into her eyes.
"I'm here now."
He pointed slightly toward Aarav.
"And I don't think you should throw away what we had… for someone you just met."
Aarav felt anger rising inside him.
But before he could say anything, Anaya spoke firmly.
"Stop."
Both boys looked at her.
"My life is not something you can fight over," she said.
Then she looked directly at Rohan.
"Yes, you were important to me once."
"But you left without explaining anything."
Her voice became stronger.
"And I had to move on alone."
Rohan stayed silent.
Then she continued.
"And now suddenly you come back and expect everything to be the same?"
Rohan didn't answer.
Anaya shook her head.
"That's not how life works."
For the first time, Aarav saw real strength in her voice.
Rohan looked disappointed.
"So… you're choosing him?" he asked quietly.
Anaya didn't answer immediately.
She glanced at Aarav.
Then she said softly,
"I'm choosing my happiness."
Rohan looked at both of them for a long moment.
Then he sighed.
"This isn't over."
He put on his helmet and started his bike.
Before leaving, he looked at Aarav one last time.
"Take care of her."
Then he drove away.
The road became quiet again.
Aarav looked at Anaya.
"You okay?"
She smiled a little.
"Yes… I think so."
For the first time since morning, the tension finally disappeared.
Aarav looked at her gently.
"You were really brave just now."
Anaya laughed softly.
"Maybe I learned something from you."
"Like what?" Aarav asked.
She smiled.
"To be honest about my feelings."
Aarav felt his heart beat faster.
The evening sun was setting behind the trees, casting a warm golden light around them.
And in that moment, both of them felt their bond growing even stronger.
But somewhere in the distance…
Rohan was not ready to give up yet.