Chapter 28

This time,

morning didn’t just arrive.

It lingered.

Like it wanted to watch them a little longer.

Eraya woke slowly.

Not fully.

Not all at once.

There was warmth.

That was the first thing she noticed.

Not the sunlight.

Not the quiet.

Warmth.

It wrapped around her, not heavy, not suffocating… just there.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she shifted.

And then,

she felt it.

An arm.

Draped around her waist.

Loose, but certain.

Eraya stilled.

Her breath slowed.

Carefully,

so carefully,

she turned her head.

Zivah.

Still asleep.

Her face was turned slightly toward Eraya,

her cheek resting against the pillow,

hair scattered in soft disarray.

One arm was around Eraya’s waist,

the other tucked under her own head like she had fallen asleep mid-thought.

But it was the way she held her,

Not tight.

Not possessive.

Just… instinctive.

Like even in sleep,

she knew where Eraya was.

Eraya’s fingers curled slightly against the bedsheet.

She didn’t move away.

And that alone,

felt like something.

Her gaze softened.

She studied her.

Not quickly.

Not shyly.

She let herself look.

How can someone look so calm…?

Zivah’s lashes rested lightly against her skin.

Her breathing even.

Her lips parted just enough to let out quiet breaths.

There was no teasing here.

No sharp replies.

No stubborn energy.

Just…

peace.

Eraya swallowed.

Because something in her chest,
shifted.

No one has ever held me like this…

Not when she was scared.

Not when she needed it.

Not ever.

Her eyes lingered on Zivah’s arm around her waist.

And she doesn’t even know she’s doing it.

That made it worse.

Or better.

She didn’t know.

Carefully,

she lifted her hand.

Hovered.

For a moment.

Right above Zivah’s wrist.

She could feel the warmth from there.

And then,

very gently,

her fingers rested against it.

Zivah didn’t wake.

But her hold tightened.

Just a little.

Eraya froze.

And then,

a breath escaped her.

Soft.

Almost like a laugh.

“…okay.”

She whispered.

Like she had accepted something,

without fully understanding what.

She didn’t move for a while after that.

Just stayed there.

Letting herself be held.

Eventually,

she slipped out carefully.

Reluctantly.

She adjusted the blanket over Zivah,

almost unconsciously.

And before she left,

her gaze lingered one last time.

“…you look… different like this.”

She murmured.

Then she walked out.

Instead of heading straight to the kitchen,

Eraya paused near the balcony.

The door was slightly open.

A soft breeze slipped inside.

Carrying the faint smell of morning,

fresh, cool, quiet.

She stepped out.

The city hadn’t fully woken yet.

There were sounds,

but distant ones.

Muted.

She leaned lightly against the railing.

This feels… new.

Back there,

morning had always meant movement.

Work.

Responsibility.

Here,

it felt like…

a beginning.

Not something she had to survive.

Something she could exist in.

She closed her eyes for a second.

I woke up… without fear.

That realization hit deeper than she expected.

Her chest tightened.

I wasn’t alone.

She opened her eyes again quickly.

Because that thought,

felt too big.

Inside,

Zivah shifted.

Her hand moved across the bed,

searching.

Empty.

Her eyes opened immediately.

“…Eraya?”

No answer.

She sat up.

Ran a hand through her hair.

“…where did she go now…”

There was no panic.

But there was,

something else.

A quiet pull.

She wanted Eraya near.

She got up.

Walked out.

And then,

she saw her.

On the balcony.

Standing there.

Facing the morning.

Zivah stopped.

Didn’t call out.

Didn’t interrupt.

She just…

watched.

She looks… like she belongs here.

The thought came without effort.

Not hidden.

Not small.

Just…

there.

Zivah leaned lightly against the doorframe.

“…you wake up earlier than the sun.”

She said finally.

Eraya turned.

Slightly startled.

“…you’re awake.”

“…I woke up and you were gone.”

Zivah said, walking toward her.

There was no accusation.

Just… fact.

Eraya looked away for a second.

“…I didn’t want to wake you.”

“…you could have.”

“…you were sleeping peacefully.”

Zivah stopped beside her.

“…and you left?”

There was something in her tone.

Soft.

But not entirely casual.

Eraya noticed.

“…I didn’t think it would matter.”

She said quietly.

Zivah looked at her.

Properly.

“…it does.”

Eraya blinked.

“…why?”

Zivah shrugged slightly.

But her gaze didn’t leave her.

“…because when I wake up and you’re not there…”

A pause.

“…it feels… wrong.”

The honesty,

was unfiltered.

Eraya didn’t know what to say.

So she said nothing.

They stood there for a moment.

Side by side.

The silence wasn’t empty.

It carried something.

Something growing.

Later,

they moved inside.

Breakfast wasn’t rushed.

It wasn’t a task.

It was… shared.

Zivah insisted on helping.

Even if she didn’t know what she was doing.

“…you’re cutting them wrong.”

Eraya said, watching her attempt at chopping vegetables.

“…there is no wrong way to cut vegetables.”

Zivah defended.

“…there is.”

“…you’re judging me.”

“…I am.” Eraya chuckled

“…rude.” Zivah huffed.

Eraya smiled.

And Zivah,

paused.

Because there it was again.

That smile.

I like that.

She didn’t say it.

But she felt it.

By the time they stepped out,

the day had fully begun.

Shivani and Anamika were waiting downstairs.

“…finally!”

Shivani exclaimed.

“…I was about to come upstairs and drag you both.”

“…you wouldn’t dare.”

Zivah muttered.

“…try me.” Shivani smirked.

Anamika leaned against the wall.

Watching the exchange with quiet amusement.

Then her gaze shifted to Eraya.

“…good morning.”

She said gently.

“…good morning.” Eraya smiled.

Shivani didn’t wait.

She pulled Eraya into a hug immediately.

“Okay but listen-you look different today.”

“…different?” Eraya asked.

“…yeah.”

She pulled back, squinting at her.

“…better.”

Zivah raised an eyebrow.

“…she always looks fine.”

“…someone’s defensive.”

Anamika teased.

“…I’m not defensive.”

“…you are.”

“…I’m not.”

“…you literally just proved it.”

Eraya let out a small laugh.

Zivah’s head turned instantly.

There it was again.

She didn’t interrupt.

Didn’t comment.

She just… listened.

I could get used to this.

I could get used to her.

And that thought felt beautiful to her

The car ride was chaos.

As usual.

Shivani talking.

Anamika adding sarcastic remarks.

Zivah pretending to be annoyed.

And Eraya,

watching.

Not overwhelmed.

Not lost.

Just… there.

Included.

At college,

things moved quickly.

But something had changed.

Not the people.

Not the place.

Just…

how Eraya stood in it.

Less hesitant.

Less withdrawn.

Still quiet.

But not invisible.

Shivani walked beside her like it was the most natural thing.

Zivah watched them go.

And instead of feeling like she was losing something,

She felt…

steady.

Because she knew,

This wasn’t distance.

It was… growth.

And when the break would come,

She’d be there.

Waiting.

Like always.

And for some reason,

that thought made her smile.

The day didn’t rush.

It unfolded.

And somewhere between classes, corridors, and conversations that weren’t meant to matter, but did,

something shifted again.

During Break time.

The cafeteria was louder than usual.

Or maybe,

Eraya just noticed it more today.

Voices overlapping, trays clattering, chairs dragging across the floor,

everything alive, everything moving.

And yet,

when she stepped in beside Shivani,

her eyes didn’t search the room.

They found her.

Zivah.

Already there.

Already watching.

Not obviously.

Not in a way anyone else would notice.

But Eraya did.

There was something in the way Zivah straightened slightly when she saw her.

The way her hand moved instinctively,

pulling the chair beside her back.

Not exaggerated.

Not announced.

Just… ready.

Eraya slowed for a second.

She was waiting.

That thought,

it still did something to her.

Even now.

Shivani noticed the pause.

Followed her gaze.

“…oh.”

She smirked.

“…someone’s already saved your seat.”

Eraya didn’t respond.

But her steps resumed,

quieter.

Zivah didn’t say anything when she reached.

She just looked at her,

for a second longer than necessary,

and then,

softly,

“…sit.”

Eraya did.

The chair didn’t scrape loudly.

The moment didn’t break.

It just… settled.

Shivani dropped into the seat across dramatically.

“…wow.”

She leaned back.

“…this is getting very routine.”

“…what is?”

Zivah asked, opening the lunch bag.

“…you. Waiting. Chair pulling. Soft eyes.

It’s all very… suspicious.”

Anamika snorted beside her.

“…she’s right.”

“…I always sit here.”

Zivah said, unfazed.

“…yeah, but earlier you used to sit like this-”

Shivani slouched aggressively, mimicking Zivah’s usual careless posture.

“…and now you sit like this-” she straightened dramatically, eyes focused, posture attentive.

“…like a responsible wife.”

Eraya choked slightly on nothing.

Zivah froze.

Anamika lost it.

“…oh my god,” she laughed, leaning forward.

“…that’s accurate.”

“…I am not-“

Zivah started.

“…you literally packed lunch,” Shivani cut in.

“…you serve her food. You wait. You-“

“…eat your food.”

Zivah snapped lightly, pushing a box toward her.

Shivani grinned.

“…defensive.”

“…I’m not defensive.”

“…you’re very defensive.”

Eraya smiled.

Again.

Zivah saw it.

And something in her chest,

did that thing again.

There it is.

She didn’t interrupt.

Didn’t tease.

Didn’t pull attention toward it.

She just… let it exist.

Quietly,

like something she didn’t want to scare away.

Lunch unfolded slowly.

Zivah opened the containers.

Placed everything neatly,

not mechanically.

Not habitually.

Deliberately.

She shifted one dish slightly closer to Eraya.

Moved another so it wouldn’t be too far.

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

Eraya said softly.

Zivah didn’t look up immediately.

“…I know.”

A pause.

“…then why?”

Zivah looked at her then.

Not teasing.

Not deflecting.

“…because I want to.”

The answer was simple.

But it didn’t feel small.

Eraya didn’t push further.

She just nodded.

And ate.

But this time,

she didn’t eat quietly.

Not entirely.

“…this is good.” Zivah said taking a bite.

Eraya blinked.

“…you say that every day.”

“…because it is.”

“…you don’t have to compliment everything.”

“…I’m not complimenting. I’m stating.”

Anamika leaned in.

“…wow.”

“…what?” Zivah frowned.

“…she speaks more around you.”

Eraya stilled slightly.

Zivah noticed.

“…she speaks when she wants to.”

She said calmly.

Anamika raised her hands.

“…I’m just observing.”

Zivah watched.

Watched how easily Eraya smiled now.

How her shoulders weren’t tense.

How her eyes,

held light.

And for a moment,

she forgot to eat.

Because she was too busy,

memorizing.

The rest of the break passed like that.

Easy.

Unforced.

And for the first time,

Eraya didn’t feel like she was borrowing space.

She felt like,

she belonged in it.

After classes,

they didn’t rush home.

Shivani insisted on dragging them to the small park near campus.

“…we deserve fresh air.”

“…you had fresh air all day.”

Zivah muttered.

“…that was academic air. This is emotional air.”

“…what does that even mean?”

“…don’t question my philosophy.”

Anamika laughed.

“…I support this.”

They ended up sitting on the grass.

Not in a perfect circle.

Not arranged.

Just… wherever they dropped.

Shivani lay back immediately.

“…I’m not moving.”

“…you just got here.” Zivah commented

“…I’m tired emotionally.”

“…you didn’t do anything.”

“…exactly. That’s exhausting.”

Eraya sat quietly beside them.

Watching.

Listening.

The sky above,

wide.

Open.

Zivah sat beside her.

Not too close.

Not distant either.

Just… beside.

“…you’re quiet.”

She said after a while.

“…I’m listening.”

“…to what?”

“…everything.”

Zivah hummed softly.

“…and?”

Eraya thought for a moment.

“…it feels… light.”

Zivah didn’t respond immediately.

Because something about that word,

light-

felt important.

“…good.”

She said finally.

A breeze passed.

Eraya’s hair shifted slightly.

Zivah noticed.

Before she could stop herself,

her hand lifted.

Paused.

Then,

gently,

tucked a loose strand behind Eraya’s ear.

The touch was brief.

Barely there.

But it lingered.

Eraya stilled.

Her breath caught,

just slightly.

Zivah pulled her hand back immediately.

“…sorry.”

“…it’s okay.” Eraya said softly

Their eyes met.

And something passed between them.

Not loud.

Not defined.

Just… there.

Shivani sat up suddenly.

“…did I miss something?”

“…yes.”

Anamika said.

“…but you’ll never know.”

“…rude.”

Zivah looked away.

Eraya didn’t.

On the way back,

things were quieter.

Not because they had nothing to say,

But because…

they didn’t need to fill every second anymore.

Zivah drove.

Shivani leaned against Anamika’s shoulder,

half-asleep, hands intertwined.

And Eraya,

watched the passing streets.

But every now and then,

her gaze shifted.

To Zivah.

Just for a second.

Just long enough to notice,

the way her fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel.

The way her jaw relaxed when she wasn’t talking.

The way she,

existed.

That night,

everything felt slower again.

Like the day had stretched something inside them,

and now it needed time to settle.

Zivah placed the apple mint water beside Eraya.

Like always.

But this time,

she didn’t leave immediately.

She stayed.

Sat beside her.

“…you smiled a lot today.”

Eraya looked at her.

“…did I?”

“…yes.”

“…is that bad?”

“…no.”

A pause.

“…I like it.” Zivah answered softly.

Eraya looked away slightly.

“…why?”

Zivah shrugged.

“…because it looks good on you.”

Eraya didn’t respond.

But her lips curved again.

And Zivah,

noticed.

Again.

This.

She thought.

This is enough.

She is enough.

Later,

they lay down.

Not speaking.

Not forcing conversation.

Just… there.

The distance between them,

smaller than before.

Not accidental.

Not questioned.

Just… natural.

And somewhere between that silence,

and the quiet rhythm of their breathing,

both of them felt it.

That strange,

unfamiliar,

but undeniably real feeling,

a pull.

like something soft was growing.

Not rushed.

Not named.

Just…

there.

And neither of them,

pushed it away.

The next day,

Evening didn’t begin with anything important.

No big plan.

No dramatic setup.

It began with boredom.

Zivah lay sprawled across the couch,

one leg hanging off the edge,

staring at the ceiling like it had personally offended her.

“…this is illegal.”

She muttered.

Eraya, sitting on the floor near the coffee table with a book open in her lap, didn’t look up.

“…what is?”

“…this level of boredom.”

“…you’ve been on your phone for an hour.”

“…exactly.”

Zivah turned her head toward her.

“…and now even my phone is bored of me.”

Eraya hummed faintly, turning a page.

Zivah watched her.

For a few seconds.

Then longer.

“…how are you okay like this?”

“…like what?”

“…just… sitting. Quiet. Existing.”

Eraya paused.

Looked up.

“…I used to not have time to be bored.”

She said simply.

That landed.

Zivah’s expression shifted-just slightly.

“…right.”

A small silence followed.

Not heavy.

But not light either.

Zivah sat up abruptly.

“…okay no. We’re not doing this.”

Eraya blinked.

“…doing what?”

“…thinking.”

“…that’s… normal.”

“…not today.”

Zivah stood up, grabbing her wrist suddenly.

“…come.”

Eraya stiffened slightly.

Not out of fear,

just surprise.

“…where?”

“…I don’t know yet.”

“…that’s not reassuring.”

“…trust me.”

Eraya looked at her.

And something about the way she said it,

not dramatic, not forceful,

just… certain.

She nodded.

“…okay.”

Zivah grinned.

Five minutes later,

they were on the terrace.

Not the polished kind.

Not aesthetic.

Just a slightly uneven rooftop with old chairs pushed to one side,

a rusted railing,

and a sky that felt bigger than it should.

The evening had turned soft.

A little windy.

Eraya stepped forward slowly.

“…you brought me here to… look at the sky?”

“…no.”

Zivah said, dragging two chairs toward the middle.

“…I brought you here to fix your boredom tolerance.”

“…I wasn’t bored.”

“…you were dangerously calm.”

Eraya almost smiled.

Zivah dropped into one chair.

Then looked at the other.

“…sit.”

Eraya did.

For a moment,

they just sat there.

Wind brushing past.

Hair moving lightly.

“…now what?”

Eraya asked.

Zivah leaned back.

Looked at the sky.

“…now… we do nothing.”

“…that’s what I was already doing.”

“…no. That was silent nothing. This is… intentional nothing.”

Eraya frowned slightly.

“…you’re confusing.”

“…I’ve been told.”

A pause.

Then,

Zivah turned toward her.

“…tell me something.”

“…what?”

“…something no one knows.”

Eraya stiffened slightly.

“…why?”

“…because I asked.”

“…that’s not a reason.”

“…it is for me.” Zivah grinned.

Eraya looked away.

The sky stretched endlessly in front of her.

“…I used to… count steps.”

She said after a long pause.

Zivah didn’t interrupt.

“…when I used to walk back from college… I would count every step. So I wouldn’t think about how far was left.”

A small silence followed.

“…how many steps?” Zivah asked softly.

“…I don’t know. I stopped counting after a while.”

“…why?”

Eraya shrugged lightly.

“…it didn’t make it shorter.”

That did something to Zivah.

But she didn’t say it.

Instead,

she leaned forward slightly.

“…okay my turn.”

Eraya looked at her.

“…I talk too much when I’m nervous.”

“…you talk too much anyway.”

“…rude.”

“…true.” Eraya smiled saying.

Zivah narrowed her eyes.

“…I also… hate being ignored.”

“…you don’t get ignored.”

“…I know.”

A pause.

“…but if I ever do… I get irrationally annoyed.”

“…I can see that.”

“…you’re judging me again.”

“…I am.” Eraya chuckled.

Zivah huffed.

“…your turn again.”

Eraya hesitated.

“…I don’t like loud places.”

“…I noticed.” Zivah said.

“…but today…”

She paused.

“…it didn’t feel that bad.”

Zivah didn’t react immediately.

“…why?”

Eraya didn’t answer right away.

Then,

quietly,

“…because you were there.”

The wind picked up slightly.

Zivah blinked.

And for once,

she didn’t have a reply.

Not a teasing one.

Not a clever one.

Just,

“…oh.”

That was it.

But it carried something.

A few minutes passed.

Then,

Zivah suddenly stood up.

“…okay enough emotional depth.”

“…what?”

“…we’re doing something stupid now.”

“…that’s not reassuring.”

“…stand up.”

Eraya hesitated.

Then did.

Zivah walked toward the far corner,

picked up a small, old box.

Opened it.

Inside,

chalk pieces.

Broken.

Colorful.

Eraya blinked.

“…what is this?”

“…art.”

“…this is chalk.”

“…exactly.”

Zivah grinned.

“…we’re drawing.”

“…on the floor?”

“…yes.”

“…why?”

“…because we can.”

Eraya stared at her.

“…this is very childish.”

“…and?”

“…I don’t do childish.”

Zivah stepped closer.

“…you painted walls with me.”

“…that was different.”

“…this is also different.”

A pause.

“…come on.”

Eraya looked at the chalk.

Then at her.

Then,

slowly,

she crouched down.

“…fine.”

Zivah grinned wider.

“…good choice.”

They started drawing.

Not seriously.

Not perfectly.

Just lines.

Shapes.

Random patterns.

Zivah drew something that looked like a tree.

Or maybe a cloud.

Or maybe nothing.

“…what is that?”

Eraya asked.

“…art.”

“…it looks like confusion.”

“…you don’t understand my vision.”

Eraya laughed.

Zivah stilled.

Because,

that sound again.

Uncontrolled.

Real.

Not held back.

And this time,

it stayed longer.

“…what?”

Eraya asked, noticing her staring.

“…nothing.”

“…you’re staring.”

“…you’re laughing.”

“…so?”

Zivah shrugged slightly.

“…I like it.”

Eraya looked down.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the chalk.

“…you say that a lot.”

“…because it’s true.”

A pause.

“…you don’t have to hide it.”

Eraya didn’t respond.

But she didn’t stop laughing either.

By the time they were done,

the floor was messy.

Colorful.

Uneven.

But alive.

Zivah leaned back on her hands.

Looking at it.

“…this is terrible.”

“…you made most of it.”

“…exactly.”

Eraya shook her head slightly.

“…it’s not terrible.”

“…you’re just being nice.” Zivah sighed.

“…I’m not.”

Zivah looked at her.

“…then what is it?”

Eraya thought for a moment.

“…it’s… free.”

Zivah blinked.

“…free?”

“…no rules. No expectations.”

A small pause.

“…just… doing.”

Zivah leaned back again.

“…I like that.”

Eraya looked at her.

“…me too.”

The sky had darkened by then.

Lights flickered on in distant buildings.

Wind grew cooler.

Zivah stood up.

Offered her hand.

“…come.”

Eraya looked at it.

Just for a second.

Then,

she took it.

Not hesitantly.

Not uncertainly.

Just… naturally.

And Zivah,

smiled.

Because in that moment,

she realized something quietly.

Not loud.

Not dramatic.

Just a simple truth settling in her chest.

This… is enough.

Not perfect.

Not complete.

But enough.

Eraya beside her.

Laughing.

Drawing nonsense on a terrace floor.

And for the first time,

Zivah didn’t feel like she needed anything more.

Not answers.

Not labels.

Just her.

Just…

this.

And she held onto that feeling,

like something she didn’t want to lose.
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