Chapter 25

Break came like a quiet release.

Not loud,

not chaotic,

not for them.

For others,

the bell meant noise,

movement,

groups forming,

chairs scraping against floors.

But for Eraya,

it meant something new now.

Someone is waiting.

The thought didn’t come with panic.

Didn’t come with disbelief like it had in the morning.

It came… softer this time.

More settled.

Like something her mind was slowly learning to accept.

Shivani was still talking beside her as they walked toward the cafeteria-

“…and I’m telling you, if he gives another surprise test, I will simply surprise him back by not existing-“

Eraya let out a quiet breath.

Not quite a laugh.

But close.

“-are you even listening to me?” Shivani narrowed her eyes dramatically.

“…I am,” Eraya said softly.

A pause.

“…you said you’ll disappear.”

“…good,” Shivani nodded proudly.

“At least my dramatic suffering is being acknowledged.”

But even as she joked,

she noticed it.

Eraya’s steps.

They weren’t hesitant anymore.

Not dragging.

Not reluctant.

Just… steady.

And Shivani didn’t say anything about it.

But she smiled to herself.

When they entered the cafeteria,

Zivah was already there.

Not scrolling through her phone.

Not distracted.

Just… waiting.

Her gaze lifted the moment Eraya stepped in.

And something in it,

softened.

Anamika, sitting beside her, caught that instantly.

And leaned closer, whispering,

“…wow.”

Zivah didn’t look at her.

“…what?”

“…you didn’t even try to pretend you weren’t waiting.”

“…I wasn’t pretending.”

“…exactly my point.”

Before the teasing could continue,

Zivah stood up slightly.

And pulled the chair beside her out.

The same chair.

The same gesture.

The same quiet certainty.

Eraya paused for half a second.

Her eyes flickering to the chair.

Then to Zivah.

And then,

she sat.

Not awkwardly.

Not hesitantly.

Just… naturally.

Anamika saw that.

And immediately leaned back, folding her arms.

“…this is becoming a routine.”

Zivah glanced at her.

“…what is?”

“…this.”

She gestured dramatically.

“The chair. The waiting. The service.”

Zivah rolled her eyes.

“…she just sits here.”

“…because you make space for her,” Anamika smirked.

Zivah didn’t reply.

But her fingers adjusted the edge of the table slightly,

like she needed something to do.

Shivani dropped into the seat across from them.

“…okay first of all, I’m starving, second of all-why does it feel like I walked into a married couple’s lunch?”

Eraya froze slightly at that.

Zivah coughed.

“…eat your food Shivi.”

Anamika laughed.

“…she didn’t even deny it.”

“ANU.”

“OKAY OKAY.” Anamika laughed.

The conversation eased after that.

Not forced.

Not stiff.

Just… flowing.

Zivah opened the lunchbox.

Carefully.

Everything inside was arranged.

Neat.

Balanced.

She didn’t say anything.

Just quietly,

started serving.

Placing food onto Eraya’s plate.

Not too much.

Not too little.

Just enough.

Adjusting it slightly.

Moving a piece closer.

Making space.

Eraya noticed.

Every movement.

Every small detail.

And something in her chest,

tightened.

Not painfully.

Just… deeply.

“…you don’t have to do this every day.”

She said it softly.

Not rejecting.

Not uncomfortable.

Just… unsure.

Zivah paused.

Her hand still for a second.

Then she looked at her.

Not defensive.

Not dismissive.

Just… steady.

“…I know I don’t have to.”

A small pause.

“…But I want to.”

The words weren’t loud.

But they carried something heavy.

Something intentional.

Eraya looked down at her plate.

Her fingers brushing lightly against the edge.

Zivah leaned back slightly.

Studying her.

“…is it too much?”

Eraya shook her head quickly.

“…no.”

Then softer,

“…just unfamiliar.”

That word stayed between them.

Zivah nodded slowly.

“…then we’ll let it stay unfamiliar for a while.”

A pause.

“…until it isn’t.”

Eraya didn’t reply.

But she didn’t resist either.

She picked up her food.

Took a bite.

And for once,

she didn’t feel like she was being watched.

Judged.

Measured.

She just… ate.

The conversation shifted again.

Shivani, as expected, took over.

“…okay so listen-this professor today, I swear, if he says ‘critical analysis’ one more time-“

“…you will critically analyze his existence?”

Anamika offered.

“…EXACTLY.”

Eraya listened.

And then,

unexpectedly,

she spoke.

“…he repeats that phrase when he doesn’t know how to explain further.”

The table stilled for a second.

Shivani blinked.

“…wait.”

“…what?”

“…say that again.”

Eraya hesitated slightly.

But then repeated,

“…he uses repetition when he doesn’t have more depth to add.”

Shivani stared at her.

Then slammed her hand on the table.

“…I KNEW IT.”

Anamika laughed.

“…you didn’t know it, you complained about it.”

“…same thing.”

Zivah watched quietly.

Not interrupting.

Not teasing.

Just… watching.

Because Eraya wasn’t just sitting anymore.

She was… engaging.

Responding.

Adding.

And that-felt like something fragile.

Something important.

And Zivah didn’t want to disturb it.

Then,

mid-conversation,

it happened.

“…Shivani, you said-“

Eraya stopped.

The name had already left her mouth.

Shivani froze.

Anamika blinked.

Zivah looked up.

“…you… said my name.”

Shivani whispered.

Eraya’s fingers tightened slightly.

“…I-“

But before she could retreat,

Shivani broke into a grin.

“…okay first of all-illegal.”

Eraya blinked.

“…what?”

“…you cannot call me Shivani like we’re in a formal meeting.”

“…but that’s your name.”

“…no,” Shivani leaned forward dramatically.

“That is my government name.”

Anamika snorted.

“…not the government name-“

“…the people who matter call me Shivi.”

A pause.

Shivani’s tone softened slightly.

“…and you matter.”

The words landed.

Not loud.

Not heavy.

But… certain.

Eraya looked at her.

Something shifting again.

“…okay.”

She said it quietly.

“…Shivi.”

Shivani froze for a second.

Then,

smiled.

Not dramatic.

Not loud.

Just… real.

Anamika leaned in immediately.

“…okay then I’m also updating my branding.”

Zivah groaned.

“…no.”

“…yes. You will call me Anamika in public but in private-“

“…no one calls you Anamika.” Zivah sighed.

“…EXACTLY. So now it’s just Anu.”

Eraya hesitated.

Just for a second.

“…Anu.”

Anamika placed a hand on her heart.

“…wow.”

“…what?” Zivah asked.

“…that felt like emotional growth.” Anamiks said dramatically.

Zivah shook her head slightly.

But she was smiling.

Not loudly.

Not obviously.

Just… enough.

Because she saw it.

All of it.

The way Eraya was slowly stepping out.

Not all at once.

Not dramatically.

But… steadily.

By the time they reached home,

the air had changed again.

The noise of the day had faded.

Replaced by something quieter.

More personal.

They freshened up.

Moved into their own rhythms.

And then,

like clockwork,

Zivah walked into the room.

A glass in her hand.

Apple mint water.

Eraya looked at it.

And before she could stop herself,

a small smile formed.

Zivah noticed.

Immediately.

“…you like it.”

It wasn’t a question.

Eraya took the glass.

Her fingers brushing lightly against Zivah’s.

“…I do.”

A pause.

“…I think I love it.”

Zivah leaned against the side of the bed.

Arms folding loosely.

“…good.”

Then softer,

“…you’ll have to get used to it.”

Eraya looked at her.

“…why?”

Zivah tilted her head slightly.

“…because I’m not stopping.”

There was no arrogance in her tone.

No teasing.

Just… certainty.

Eraya didn’t argue.

Didn’t question it.

She just… drank.

Slowly.

The room fell into a comfortable silence.

Then,

Zivah spoke again.

“…lie down.”

Eraya blinked.

“…what?”

“…lie down.”

She repeated, softer this time.

Eraya hesitated.

“…I’m fine.”

Zivah sat beside her.

Not forcing.

Just… present.

“…I know you are.”

A pause.

“…but you can still rest.”

That word again.

Rest.

Eraya looked at her.

Longer this time.

Then,

slowly,

she lay down.

Zivah adjusted slightly.

Then gently,

lifted her legs onto her lap.

Eraya tensed immediately.

“…you don’t have to do this every day.”

Zivah didn’t stop.

Her hands already warm against her skin.

“…I know.”

A pause.

“…I want to.”

Then softer,

“…and your body needs it.”

Eraya opened her mouth to argue.

But,

nothing came out.

Because her body,

was already responding.

The tension.

The ache.

The constant, quiet pain,

It started… easing.

Zivah’s movements were careful.

Not rushed.

Not mechanical.

Intentional.

As if she was learning something with every touch.

Eraya’s breathing slowed.

Her fingers loosened.

Her thoughts,

which usually ran in circles,

Quieted.

“…Zivah.”

She whispered.

Zivah hummed lightly.

“…hm?”

“…no one has ever…”

She stopped.

Didn’t finish.

Zivah didn’t push.

Didn’t ask her to.

She just continued.

“…then we’ll start now.”

She said quietly.

And that was enough.

Because Eraya’s eyes closed.

Not out of exhaustion.

But… trust.

And for the first time in years,

She slept.

Peacefully.
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