Chapter 31

“…and don’t start overthinking it the moment you hang up,” Parvati was continuing, her voice soft but knowing,

“you have a habit of turning one feeling into twenty thoughts.”

Eraya let out a small breath, almost a laugh, almost a sigh.

“…I’m trying not to.”

But even as she said it, her fingers were lightly tracing the edge of the counter, something she did when her mind was already running ahead of her.

Before Parvati could reply,
the bedroom door opened.

“…Erayaa, did you take the medicine-“

Zivah walked out mid-sentence, her hair slightly damp from washing, and then stopped.

Her eyes landed on the phone.

Then widened slightly.

“…Di?”

The shift in her voice was instant. The concern, the seriousness, softened into something brighter.

Parvati smiled immediately from the other side.

“…Zivah.”

Zivah walked closer without thinking, leaning just slightly to get a better look at the screen, like she needed to confirm it was actually her.

“…you’re on call and nobody informed me?” she said, a hint of mock offense slipping into her tone.

Eraya looked up at her, calm.

“…you were in the bathroom.”

“…still. I should have been updated.”

Parvati let out a soft laugh.

“…do you want me to hang up and call you separately so you feel included?”

“…no-no, stay,” Zivah said quickly, pulling a stool and sitting beside Eraya, like she had just invited herself into the conversation.

“I’ve already missed too much.”

Eraya shook her head slightly, a quiet smile forming, one that she didn’t even realize had come so easily now.

Parvati’s eyes flickered between them.

“…how are you now then?” she asked again, gentler this time.

Zivah answered before Eraya could.

“…better. Fever has come down. She’s eaten something. I checked twice.”

Eraya turned her head slightly.

“…twice?”

“…minimum requirement.”

“…you’re very strict.”

“…only when necessary.”

There was a small pause, light, easy.

Then Parvati spoke again, softer now.

“…Zivah… thank you.”

Zivah blinked, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity.

“…for what?”

“…for taking care of her.”

For a second, Zivah didn’t respond.

Not because she didn’t have an answer,
but because the weight of those words landed somewhere deeper than she expected.

Her gaze shifted, just briefly, to Eraya.

Then back to the screen.

“…she needed it,” she said quietly.

It was simple.

But it carried everything she wasn’t saying.

Eraya felt it.

In the way her chest tightened, not painfully, but gently, like something unfolding.

Parvati smiled softly, as if she had seen that shift.

“…and the soup?” she added, changing the tone deliberately.

Eraya’s lips twitched immediately.

She looked at Zivah.

Zivah narrowed her eyes slightly.

“…don’t.”

“…it was-“

Eraya paused, trying to find the right word, but the smile had already betrayed her.

“…memorable.”

“…memorable?” Zivah repeated, offended in a very controlled way.

“…yes. emotionally intense.”

Parvati laughed out loud.

“…I knew it.”

“…I followed the instructions exactly,” Zivah defended, sitting straighter now.

“…you threw in everything you saw in the kitchen,” Eraya added softly.

“…because everything looked important!”

“…including three types of leaves that I don’t think even belong in soup.”

“…they were green. That felt correct.”

Parvati was still laughing.

“…I wish I could have seen this.”

“…no, you don’t,” Zivah muttered, but there was no real irritation in her voice, just warmth, just ease.

Eraya glanced at her again,
longer this time.

Watching how naturally she sat there now.

How easily she had become… part of her space.

Zivah felt it.

That look.

Even if she didn’t fully understand it.

She shifted slightly, clearing her throat.

“…anyway, she drank it.”

“…of course she did,” Parvati said gently.

“…I had supervision,” Eraya murmured.

“…you had no option,” Zivah corrected softly, but there was a smile hidden in it.

A quiet pause followed.

Not empty.

Just… settled.

Then Parvati leaned back slightly on her side.

“…I think I can finally relax.”

“…you were that worried?” Eraya asked.

“…very.”

“…I’m okay now.”

“…I can see that.”

Another small pause.

Then Parvati added lightly,

“…just don’t scare me like this again.”

“…next time I’ll avoid dangerous desserts.”

“…and inform me before eating anything questionable,” Zivah added instantly.

Eraya nodded, obedient but amused.

“…okay.”

Zivah leaned back slightly, her shoulders relaxing for the first time since she had walked out.

“…good.”

Parvati looked at them both, her expression soft, content, like she was witnessing something she had hoped for but didn’t want to interrupt.

“…take care of each other.”

This time, Zivah didn’t hesitate.

“…we will.”

The call ended.

And the room fell quiet again.

But it wasn’t the same silence as before.

Zivah turned toward Eraya.

“…medicine.”

Eraya sighed softly.

“…you’re not going to forget, are you?”

Zivah shook her head.

“…not when it comes to you.”

Eraya didn’t look away.

Not this time.

She just smiled,
soft, quiet, but real,
and reached for the medicine.

Because somewhere between care and chaos,
this had stopped feeling unfamiliar.

And started feeling like something she could lean into.

The evening didn’t arrive quietly.
It never did when Anamika and Shivani were involved.

The door had barely opened when,

“ERAYA-“

Shivi rushed in like a storm that had decided to hug instead of destroy.

Before Eraya could even react,
she was already pulled into a tight embrace.

But just as quickly,
Shivi paused.

Her grip loosened slightly.

Her brows pulled together.

“…wait.”

She leaned back just enough to look at her properly.

“…why do you feel warm?”

Eraya blinked.

“…I’m fine-“

Shivi placed her palm on her forehead.

“…you are not fine.”

Zivah, who had just settled on the couch beside Anamika, let out a quiet sigh.

“…she had a fever last night.”

Shivi’s head snapped toward her.

“…what?”

Her tone changed instantly.

“…what do you mean she had a fever last night?”

Eraya opened her mouth to explain,
but Shivi had already turned fully toward Zivah.

“…and you didn’t tell me?”

Zivah leaned back slightly, calm but not dismissive.

“…it was late.”

“…and?”

“…and she was already being taken care of.”

There was no arrogance in her tone.

Just… certainty.

Shivi narrowed her eyes.

“…I still should have been informed.”

“…you would have panicked.”

“…I am panicking right now.”

“…exactly.”

Anamika, sitting between them, covered her mouth to hide a smile.

Eraya watched the exchange quietly,
her lips curling just a little.

There was something oddly comforting about being argued over like this.

“…how are you now?” Shivi asked, turning back to her immediately, her voice softening again.

Eraya nodded faintly.

“…I’m okay.”

“…actually okay?”

“…yes.”

Shivi stared at her for a second longer,
as if trying to read between the lines,
then sighed.

“…fine. I’ll believe you. For now.”

Anamika leaned forward slightly, her tone gentler.

“…how did you get sick like that?”

There was no accusation.
Just concern.

Eraya hesitated.

Then said quietly,

“…Actually I’m allergic to peanuts.”

Silence.

One second.

Two.

Then,

clap.

Shivi straightened dramatically,
pointing straight at Zivah.

“…I KNEW IT.”

Zivah blinked.

“…what did you know?”

“…THIS is your fault.”

“…how is this my fault?”

“…because YOU fought for that stupid cake.”

Anamika burst out laughing immediately.

“…oh my god, she did.”

Zivah sat up straighter.

“…excuse me? That was a valid argument with the receptionist.”

“…you argued for ten minutes over cheesecake.”

“…it was important.”

“…it made her sick.”

“…I didn’t know she was allergic!”

“…you should have felt it.”

“…what does that even mean?”

“…best friends just know these things.”

“…you didn’t know either!”

“…that is not the point.”

Eraya couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She laughed.

Soft at first,
then a little more.

The sound filled the room,
light, unguarded,
something that didn’t come easily for her before.

Zivah heard it.

And for a second,
everything else faded.

Her argument.
Shivi’s dramatic accusations.
Anu’s laughter.

All of it blurred.

Because that sound,

that laugh,

felt like something she didn’t want to interrupt.
Didn’t want to lose.

So she didn’t.

She just… watched.

Her expression softening,
without realizing.

“…okay, okay,” Anu finally said, catching her breath.
“…conclusion-Zi is guilty of excessive cheesecake enthusiasm.”

“…I accept that,” Zivah muttered.

“…and Eraya is guilty of not telling anyone.”

Eraya raised her hands slightly.

“…I accept that too.”

“…good. Case closed.”

Shivi nodded like a judge finalizing a verdict.

The room settled again,
but the warmth stayed.

A little later,
Zivah stood up.

“…Anu, come.”

Anamika looked up.

“…where?”

“…kitchen.”

“…am I being summoned or invited?”

“…summoned.”

“…okay then.”

She got up, grinning, and followed her.

The kitchen felt quieter.

Not empty,
but… away from the chaos.

Zivah leaned against the counter for a second.

Then exhaled.

Anamika watched her.

“…what happened?”

Zivah hesitated.

Not because she didn’t know what to say,
but because saying it out loud made it real.

“…I think I’m in love with her.”

Anu didn’t react immediately.

She just… nodded.

“…yeah.”

Zivah blinked.

“…that’s it?”

“…what else do you want? Fireworks?”

“…you’re not surprised?”

“…Zivah.”
Anu leaned against the counter beside her.

“… You panic when she’s quiet. You notice things about her that she doesn’t even notice herself.”

A small pause.

“…you look at her like she’s something fragile and strong at the same time.”

Zivah looked away.

“…I don’t-“

“…you do.”

Silence.

“…I thought I was hiding it.”

“…you’re terrible at hiding it.”

“…great.”

“…adorably terrible.”

Zivah let out a small breath-half a laugh.

Then grew quiet again.

“…I can’t tell her.”

Anu tilted her head slightly.

“…why?”

“…because we’ve just started… this Anu.”

Her voice softened.

“…she’s just getting comfortable. She’s just… starting to trust all of this.”

A pause.

“…if I say something now…”

Her fingers tightened slightly against the counter.

“…what if I scare her away?”

That fear wasn’t loud.

But it was real.

Anamika didn’t answer immediately.

She watched her.

Then said softly,

“…or what if you don’t say anything… and she thinks she’s alone in feeling it?”

Zivah stilled.

“…I don’t think she-“

“…you don’t know that.”

Silence again.

“…you don’t have to rush it,” Anu added gently.

“…but don’t hide it so well that she never finds it.”

Zivah looked down.

Thinking.

Feeling.

“…I just want to do this right.”

Anu smiled slightly.

“…there’s no perfect way to love someone, Zivah.”

A pause.

“…there’s only honest.”

Zivah didn’t respond.

But something in her expression shifted.

Not resolved.

But… clearer.

“…we’ll see.”
She said quietly.

Anu nudged her lightly.

“…you’re already in it. ‘We’ll see’ is just you pretending you’re not.”

Zivah huffed softly.

“…go back before Shivi declares me a criminal again.”

“…too late. She already has a full case prepared.”

They both laughed,
soft, familiar.

And when they walked back,

Zivah’s eyes found Eraya again.

Instinctively.

And this time,

she didn’t look away quickly.

The idea didn’t arrive like a plan.

It arrived like Shivi.

“…we’re going out.”

She announced it from the couch like a declaration of war.

Anamika didn’t even look up from her phone.

“…to where?”

“…arcade.”

Zivah raised a brow.

“…since when do you make plans without asking?”

“…since now.”

Eraya, sitting quietly between them, blinked.

“…arcade?”

The word felt unfamiliar in her mouth.
Like something she had only heard in passing.
Never experienced.

Shivi’s head snapped toward her.
“…wait-“
She leaned forward dramatically.
“…You’ve never been to an arcade.”

Eraya hesitated.

“…I haven’t.”

Silence.

A beat.

Then,

“…OH MY GOD.”
Shivi stood up.
“…Then we are going RIGHT NOW.”

“…it’s evening,” Zivah said dryly.

“…exactly. Peak time. Drama. Chaos. Perfect.”

Anu finally looked up.
“…she’s not wrong.”

Eraya looked between them.
A small, unsure smile forming.

“…I don’t know how it works.”

Zivah noticed it immediately.
That hesitation.
That slight tightness in her shoulders.

She stood up quietly.
Walked over.

And held her hand.

Not sudden.
Not overwhelming.

Just… there.

“…you don’t need to know.”
She said softly.
“…we’ll show you.”

Eraya looked at their hands.
Then at her.

Something in her chest eased.

“…okay.”

The arcade was loud.
Bright.
Alive.

The moment they stepped in,
sounds crashed into Eraya all at once.

Lights flashing.
Machines beeping.
People laughing.
Coins clinking.

She paused.
Just inside the entrance.

Her fingers tightened slightly in Zivah’s hand.

Zivah felt it.

She leaned a little closer.

“…too much?”

Eraya shook her head quickly.

“…no… just…”
She searched for the word.

“…new.”

Zivah nodded.

“…stay close then.”

She didn’t let go.

And that was enough.

“COME HERE-“
Shivani had already disappeared halfway into the chaos.

“…she’s gone,” Anamika sighed.

“…we’ll find her screaming somewhere.”
Zivah muttered.

They moved slowly at first.

Zivah guiding.

“…this is shooting games.”
“…that one is racing.”
“…and that-“
She pointed.
“…is where people lose their dignity.”

Eraya looked at it.

“…what is it?”

“…dance machine.”

“…you’re trying that.”
Shivi suddenly appeared.

“…no.”

“…yes.”

“…no I’m not.”

“…yes.”

“…she just came here.”

Zivah cut in calmly.

“…let her breathe.”

Shivi narrowed her eyes.

“…fine.”

Then immediately grabbed Eraya’s other hand.

“…we start easy.”

And just like that,
Eraya was pulled into it.

The first game was simple.
Basketball.

“…just throw.”
Shivi demonstrated dramatically.

The ball bounced off the rim.

“…ignore that.”

Eraya smiled faintly.

She picked up the ball.

Hesitated.

Then threw.

swish.

Shivani froze.

“…what.”

Anamika blinked.
“…again.”

Eraya threw again.

swish.

Zivah leaned against the side, watching,
a slow smile forming.

“…she’s good.”

“…she’s a traitor,” Shivi whispered.
“…she lied about being new.”

Eraya laughed softly.

And this time,
Zivah didn’t miss it.

She didn’t interrupt.
Didn’t speak.

She just… watched.

Because that sound,
that ease,

that was enough.

Time passed differently there.

Faster.
Lighter.

Eraya started moving more freely.

Laughing more.
Trying more.

Shivani dragged her to racing games.

“…if I lose, it’s because of emotional distraction.”

“…you’re losing because you’re bad.”
Anamika replied.

“…betrayal.”

Eraya held the steering wheel tightly at first.

“…just drive,” Shivi said.
“…don’t think.”

Eraya nodded.

And drove.

Terribly.

“…OH MY GOD YOU’RE HITTING EVERYTHING-“

“…I said don’t think!”

“…I am not thinking!”

Zivah stood behind them,
phone in hand.

Click.

Click.

She was taking pictures.

Not of the game.

Of Eraya.

The way her brows furrowed.
The way she laughed when she crashed.
The way she looked… alive.

“…are you documenting my humiliation?”
Eraya asked breathlessly.

“…yes.”
Zivah said calmly.

“…delete them.”

“…never.”

Somewhere between games,
Anamika pulled Shivani aside.

“…you’re being too loud.”

“…I’m always loud.”

“…not like this.”

Shivani looked at her.

“…what?”

Anamika stepped closer.
Lowered her voice.

“…you’re nervous.”

Shivani scoffed.

“…I’m not nervous.”

“…you keep checking if she’s okay.”

“…that’s called caring.”

“…that’s called being soft.”

Shivi rolled her eyes.

“…don’t start.”

Anamika smiled.
Soft.
Knowing.

“…you like her too much.”

Shivi paused.

Just for a second.

“…I do.”

Anamika reached out.
Lightly brushed her fingers against Shivi’s.

“…good.”

It wasn’t dramatic.

Just… real.

“COME HERE-“
Zivah called out this time.

They turned.

She stood in front of a claw machine.

“…I’m winning that.”

“…you can’t even win arguments sometimes,” Anamika said.

“…watch me.”

She inserted the coin.

Focused.

Eraya stood beside her.
Watching.

The claw dropped.

Missed.

“…again.”

Missed.

“…again.”

Shivi leaned in.
“…this is embarrassing.”

“…silence.”

One more try.

The claw grabbed,

held,

lifted,

and dropped,

A small bear.

Soft.
Light brown.

Right into the slot.

Zivah blinked.

“…I did it.”

Shivi gasped.
“…she did it.”

Anamika clapped slowly.
“…miracles happen.”

Zivah picked it up.

Turned to Eraya.

For a moment,
she didn’t say anything.

Just held it out.

“…for you.”

Eraya looked at it.

Then at her.

“…for me?”

“…yes.”

“…why?”

Zivah shrugged slightly.

“…because I wanted to win something for you.”

Simple.

But it stayed.

Eraya took it carefully.

Her fingers brushing Zivah’s for a second.

“…thank you.”

Her voice was softer now.

Zivah smiled.

Then,
lightly,
ruffled her hair.

“…don’t thank me. I struggled for this.”

Eraya laughed again.

And this time,
Zivah didn’t even pretend not to stare.

Dinner was quieter.

Not silent.

Just… slower.

They sat together.

Food spread out.

Shivani still talking.

Anamika still teasing.

“…you almost crashed into a wall five times.”

“…I was exploring.”

“…you were failing.”

“…same thing.”

Eraya sat between them,
holding the small bear in her lap.

Zivah watched that.

Not the conversation.

That.

The way she held it.

Like it mattered.

“…you liked it?”
Zivah asked quietly.

Eraya nodded.

“…I really did.”

A pause.

“…no one’s ever won something for me before.”

Zivah’s expression softened.

“…get used to it.”

Eraya smiled faintly.

And for once,

she believed it.

On the way back,
the night felt different.

Quieter.

But full.

Eraya leaned slightly against the seat.

The bear still in her hands.

Zivah glanced at her.

“…tired?”

“…a little.”

“…happy?”

A pause.

Eraya looked at her.

Then nodded.

“…yes.”

Zivah didn’t say anything after that.

But something in her chest settled.

Because that,

that was enough.
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