Chapter 29

Friday had a different kind of quiet.

Not empty-just… softer.

Like the week had finally exhaled.

Eraya lay on the bed, her eyes already heavy, her body giving in to a tiredness she hadn’t realized she was carrying all week. The moment her head touched the pillow, something in her loosened, like she no longer had to hold herself together so tightly.

Zivah sat beside her.

Like she always did.

Without asking,
she gently lifted Eraya’s legs onto her lap.

Her fingers moved slowly, pressing into the muscles with a care that had become… familiar.

Not rushed.

Not mechanical.

Intentional.

Eraya let out a small breath.

“…it still feels strange.”
She murmured, eyes half-closed.

“…what does?” Zivah asked softly, continuing the rhythm.

“…this.”
A pause.
“…being taken care of.”

Zivah didn’t stop.

“…get used to it.”

Eraya smiled faintly.

A few seconds passed in silence,
comfortable, warm,
before Zivah spoke again.

“…how was your week?”

It was a simple question.
But something about the way she asked it,
like she actually wanted to hear,
made Eraya open her eyes slightly.

“…it was…”
She paused.

Searching.

“…different.”

“…different good or different bad?”

“…different… new.”

Zivah hummed.

“…tell me.”

And this time,
Eraya did.

“…the first day… I was scared.”
She admitted quietly.
“…not of the classes… but of people.”

Zivah’s hands slowed slightly.

Listening.

“…I thought… it would be the same.”
A breath.
“…the looks. The whispers.”

“…and was it?”
Zivah asked gently.

“…some of it was.”

Zivah’s jaw tightened.

But she didn’t interrupt.

“…but… it didn’t stay.”

“…why?”

Eraya looked at her.

“…because I wasn’t alone this time.”

That landed softly.
But deeply.

Zivah’s fingers pressed just a little more carefully now.

“…Shivi…” Eraya continued.
“…she talks a lot.”

Zivah huffed.

“…that’s an understatement.”

“…but… she makes things easier.” Eraya continued.

A small pause.
“…she doesn’t let silence become heavy.”

“…and Anu?”

“…she observes.”

Eraya said softly.

“…she doesn’t say much at once… but when she does… it makes sense.”

Zivah smiled faintly.
“…accurate.”

Eraya shifted slightly, getting more comfortable.

“…and you?”
Zivah asked, almost without thinking.

Eraya stilled.

“…what about me?”

“…how were you… in all this?”

A longer pause this time.

“…I spoke more.”
She said quietly.
“…not a lot… but more than before.”

“…I noticed.”

“…you did?”

“…you always do this thing…”
Zivah said, absentmindedly tracing small circles on her ankle now.

“…you start quietly… and then slowly you forget to hold yourself back.”

Eraya blinked.

“…I didn’t know that.”

“…I did.”

A silence followed.

“…I laughed too.”

Eraya added softly.

Zivah’s hands paused for a second.

Then resumed.

“…I noticed that too.”

“…it felt…”

She searched for the word.

“…light.”

Zivah didn’t say anything.

But her expression softened.

“…and when you said you’d be waiting…”
Eraya continued, voice quieter now.
“…I didn’t feel scared to go.”

That,

Zivah felt.

Not loudly.

But somewhere steady.

“…I’ll always wait.”

She said simply.

Eraya looked at her.

Something in her eyes shifted again.

“…I know.”

The room fell quiet after that.

Not empty.

Not awkward.

Just… full.

Zivah continued the massage.
Slower now.
Gentler.

Eraya’s breathing evened out.

Her body relaxed fully.

And just before sleep took her,

“…thank you.”
She whispered.

Zivah didn’t reply immediately.

She just adjusted her grip slightly,
careful, steady,

And murmured softly,

“…you don’t have to thank me for staying.”

Evening didn’t arrive quietly that day.
It came in with noise.
With energy.
With Shivi.

The door had barely unlocked when-

“ERAYAAAAA-“

The voice echoed before the door even fully opened.

And before Eraya could process anything,

Shivi was already there.

Arms around her.
Tight.
Warm.
Sudden.

The kind of hug that didn’t ask for permission.

Eraya stiffened for just a second,
not out of discomfort,

but because her body still hadn’t fully learned how to receive things like this.

Then slowly,
very slowly,
her hands came up.

Resting lightly on Shivi’s back.

“…you’re back early today.”
Shivi mumbled into her shoulder.
“…I missed you.”

Eraya blinked.

“…you saw me this morning.”

Shivi pulled back just enough to look at her.

Eyes wide. Dramatic.

“…that was ages ago.”

“…it was a few hours.”

“…exactly. Ages.”

Anu walked in behind them, closing the door with a soft click, leaning against it like she had seen this exact scene a hundred times.

“…she’s been counting minutes, don’t argue with her.”

Zivah stood near the kitchen entrance, arms crossed, watching the entire thing unfold with an expression that tried to look unimpressed,
and failed.

“…this is getting excessive.”
She muttered.

Shivi turned instantly.

Still holding Eraya’s wrist now, like she refused to let go completely.

“…jealous again?”

“…I’m not jealous.”

“…you sound jealous.”

“…I sound annoyed.”

“…same emotion.”

“…not even close.”

Anu laughed under her breath.

“…no, no-look at her face. That is textbook jealousy.”

Zivah glared at her.

“…Anu you’re enjoying this too much.”

“…of course I am.”

Eraya looked between them,
and something about the ridiculousness of the argument,
the familiarity in their voices,
the ease,

it slipped out.

A laugh.

Not small.

Not restrained.

Real.

It filled the room softly.

Zivah’s head turned instantly.

Her expression didn’t change much,
but her eyes did.

They softened.

And for a second,

she forgot to respond to anything else.

There it is again.

That sound.

She didn’t interrupt.
Didn’t tease.
Didn’t pull attention to it.

She just… let herself listen.

And quietly,
without making a scene,
she smiled.

They moved to the couch.
But “sitting” was a very loose concept.

Shivi ended up half-curled beside Eraya, legs tucked under her, talking non-stop about everything that had happened in the last three hours as if it were a lifetime.

“…and then she literally said that to me-like can you believe that? I mean I didn’t even say anything but internally I had a full argument with her-“

“…you always do.”
Anu muttered.

“…because people are annoying Mika.”

“…you’re people.” Anamika laughed.

“…I’m selectively people.” Shivani argued.

Zivah leaned back, watching the two of them with mild exhaustion.

“…this is why I stay quiet.”

“…you don’t stay quiet.”
Anamika raised an eyebrow.
“…you just judge silently Zi.”

“…I don’t judge.”

“…you literally just judged me.”

“…you deserved it.”

Eraya’s lips curved again.

Another laugh.
Softer this time.

But just as real.

Zivah leaned back,
pretending to look at the ceiling,
but she was listening.
Again.

I could get used to this.

Time passed like that.
In overlapping conversations.
In half-finished sentences.
In jokes that didn’t always land but were still funny because of who said them.

Until,

“…okay.”
Anu clapped once.
“…food. Before shivi collapses from hunger.”

Shivi sat up immediately.

“…I was already dying.”

“…you’ve been dying for the past hour.”

“…because no one feeds me properly.”

“…you literally ate chips twenty minutes ago.”

“…that was emotional support, not food.”

Zivah exhaled slowly.

“…what do you want?”

Shivi raised her hand dramatically.

“…pizza.”

“…obviously.” Anu smiled.

Zivah turned to Eraya.

“…what do you want?”

The question was softer this time.
Less general.
More… intentional.

Eraya hesitated.

“…I don’t know.”

“…anything specific?”

“…no… I haven’t really-“
She paused.
“…tried much.”

That was honest.
Simple.

Zivah held her gaze for a second.
Then nodded.

“…pizza it is.”

When the pizza arrived,
it felt like an event.

Boxes opened.
The smell filling the room instantly.

Shivi had already grabbed a slice before anyone else fully processed it.

“…wait,” Zivah said, stopping her mid-bite.

“…what?” Shivani asked confused.

“…not you.”

“…excuse me?”

Zivah ignored her.

She turned to Eraya.

Picked up a slice.

“…try.”

Eraya looked at it.

Then at her.

“…I’ve never-“

“…I know.”
Zivah said gently.
“…just a bite.”

Eraya nodded slowly.

Took the slice.

Her fingers brushed Zivah’s again.

A small pause.

Then,
she took a bite.

Silence.

All three of them watching her.

“…why are you all staring?”

“…because this is important.”

Shivani said dramatically.

“…it’s just food.”

“…no. This is your first pizza experience. Respect it.”

Eraya chewed slowly.

Her brows lifted slightly.

“…it’s… good.”

“…only good?”

Zivah frowned.

“…no… it’s… really good.”

Shivani gasped.

“…we did it.”

“…we didn’t do anything.”

Anamika muttered.

“…we introduced her to pizza. That’s cultural growth.”

“…you’re dramatic.”

“…I’m right.”

They made her try different slices.

Different toppings.

Different combinations.

Each time,
watching her reaction like it actually mattered.

“…this one?”
Zivah asked.

Eraya took a bite.
Paused.
Her eye brows coming together.

“…I don’t like this.”

“…why?”

“…too many flavors.”

“…valid.”

“…this one?”

Another bite.

“…it’s okay.”

“…okay is not enough.”

“…you’re very demanding.”

“…I need accurate reviews.”

Finally,
Zivah handed her a simple slice.

“…this one.”

Eraya took a bite.

And this time-
her expression changed.
Her brows came together.

Softer.

“…this is… nice.”

“…which one?”
Shivi leaned forward.

“…this.”

Zivah glanced at the box.

“…margherita.”

Eraya nodded.

Zivah smiled.

Quiet.
Satisfied.

Mental note.

She likes Margherita.

After dinner-
Shivi leaned back dramatically.

“… I need dessert.”

“…you just ate.” Zivah groaned.

“…I have layers.”

“…of what?”

“…hunger.”

Zivah stood up.

” I think it’s time to make eraya taste my iconic cheesecake…Anu let’s go we will bring.”

Eraya looked up quickly.

“…you don’t have to go it’s late-“

“…I want to.” Zivah answered

Simple.

Final.

She picked up her keys.

“…Anu, come.”

“…ofcourse.”

The door closed behind them.

And for the first time that evening,
the room fell quiet.

Not empty.
Not awkward.

Just… still.

Shivani turned toward Eraya.
Her energy softer now.

“…so…”

Eraya looked at her.

“…so?”

“…you like her.”

Eraya blinked.

“…what?”

“…Zivah.”

Silence stretched.

“…she takes care of you.”
Shivi continued, not pushing-but not backing off either.

“…she does.” Eraya said softly.

“…how does that feel?”

Eraya looked down at her hands.

“…different.”

“…different how?”

A long pause.

“…like… I don’t have to be careful all the time.”

Shivi’s expression softened.

“…safe?”

Eraya nodded slowly.

“…safe.”

A silence followed.

“…she won’t leave.”
Shivi said quietly.

Eraya didn’t respond immediately.

But her fingers tightened slightly.

She nodded.

“…no one has ever… stayed like this.”

Shivi leaned back slightly.

“…I know.”

“…you don’t have to be scared of good things.”
Shivi said quietly.

A silence followed.

Not heavy.

Just… honest.

And for the first time,

those words didn’t sound uncertain.

They sounded… believed.

And when the door opened again,

bringing laughter and cheesecake with it,

the moment didn’t break.

It stayed.

Soft.

Settled.

Real.

“…we got it.”

Anamika announced like she had just returned from war.

Zivah followed behind her,

slightly out of breath,

holding a small box with way more care than necessary.

“…you make it sound like we climbed a mountain.”

“…we basically did.”
Anamika dropped onto the couch dramatically.

“…do you know what Zi did?”

Zivah froze mid-step.

“…don’t.”

“…no, no, I’m telling this.”

Anamika pointed at her, grinning.

“…this story deserves to be heard.”

Shivani immediately sat up straighter.

“…oh I love stories. Especially embarrassing Zi ones.”

“…it’s not embarrassing.”

Zivah muttered, placing the box gently on the table like it held something fragile.

“…it’s very embarrassing.”

Anamika leaned forward, elbows on her knees, fully settling into narration mode.

“…so we go to the bakery, right? And I’m thinking-simple. We pick something and leave. Easy. Peaceful. Normal.”

“…it was going to be normal.”

Zivah tried.

Weakly.

“…no, no-it stopped being normal the moment madam here saw the cheesecake display.”

Zivah closed her eyes briefly.

“…Anu-“

“…and then-“
Anamika continued, ignoring her completely.

“…she goes, ‘Where is the peanut caramel cheesecake?'”

Shivani gasped.

“…specific.”

“…very specific.”

“…and the poor receptionist-“
Anamika pressed a hand to her chest dramatically.

“…she just looks at her and says, ‘Ma’am, we’re out of that flavor.'”

“…and that’s where it should have ended.”

Zivah muttered.

“…but no.”

Anamika pointed at her again.

“…this woman leaned forward like she was negotiating a deal and goes, ‘Check again.'”

Eraya blinked.

“…you didn’t.”

Zivah avoided her eyes.

“…I did.”

“…SHE DID.”
Anu clapped once.

“…and when the receptionist said again that it wasn’t available-this one-“

she gestured at Zivah like she was presenting evidence-

“…actually asked if they had it in the back. Like some secret stash only she deserved access to.”

Shivi burst out laughing.

“…no way.”

“…I just asked.” Zivah shrugged.

“…you interrogated.”

“…I did not-“

“…and then-“

Anu leaned even closer, voice lowering like she was about to reveal something crucial-

“…she said-and I quote-‘It’s important.'”

Silence.

Then,

“…you said that?”

Shivi wheezed.

Zivah looked slightly offended.

“…it was important.”

“…for what? National security?”

“…for-“

She stopped.

For a second,

her gaze flickered toward Eraya.

“…for her to try it.”

The room quieted.

Just slightly.

Not enough to kill the warmth,

but enough to shift it.

Eraya’s fingers stilled in her lap.

“…you… fought for a cheesecake?”

“…I didn’t fight.”

Zivah said quickly.

“…she fought.”

Anu corrected.

“…emotionally. Politely. Persistently.”

“…and then-plot twist-the manager came out,”

Anu continued, unable to stop smiling.

“…and somehow-somehow-they found one slice.”

“…see?”

Zivah said, almost defensively.

“…it was there.”

“…it was hidden.” Shivani laughed.

“…it was meant for me.”

“…you sound insane.”

“…I got it, didn’t I?”

“…you did.”

And then,
finally,

Zivah turned to Eraya.

“…I wanted you to try it.”

The words were simple.

But they didn’t feel small.

Eraya’s eyes softened.

Not dramatically.

Not loudly.

Just… quietly.

“…you didn’t have to do all that.”

“…I know.”

Zivah said.

A pause.

“…I wanted to.”

Something about that,

the lack of hesitation,

the absence of explanation,

it stayed.

Zivah opened the box carefully.

Inside,

a small slice.

Perfectly layered.

Glossy caramel on top.

Crushed peanuts scattered like something delicate.

“…okay,” Shivi leaned forward again.

“…this better be worth the drama.”

“…it is.”

Zivah said, without looking at her.

She picked up a fork.

Cut a small bite.

And held it out toward Eraya.

“…try.”

Eraya hesitated.

Not because she didn’t want to.

But because,

so much effort… for something so small.

“…what if I don’t like it?”

She said softly.

Zivah shrugged lightly.

“…then I’ll find something you do.”

No pressure.

No expectation.

Just… certainty.

Eraya looked at her for a moment longer,

then leaned forward slightly-
and took the bite.

Silence.

Again,

three pairs of eyes watching her like this mattered.

She chewed slowly.

And then,
her expression changed.

Subtly.

But unmistakably.

Her eyes lifted slightly.

A softness spreading.

“…this is… really good.”

Zivah blinked.

“…really?”

Eraya nodded.

“…the caramel is sweet but not too much… and the peanuts… they make it better.”

Zivah’s shoulders relaxed.

A small smile forming,

but it didn’t feel small.

It felt… earned.

“…I told you.”

“…okay fine, give me that.”

Shivi grabbed the fork.

“…hey-” Zivah scolded.

“…I need to confirm this hype.”

“…don’t eat it all.”

“…relax, I’ll leave you emotional people some.”

Anamika shook her head, laughing softly.

“…you two are impossible.”

“…we’re efficient.”

“…you’re chaotic.”

“…same thing.”

The cheesecake disappeared slower than the pizza.

Each bite shared.

Each reaction discussed like it was a topic worth debating.

And the room,

once again,

filled with noise.

With teasing.

With overlapping conversations.

But somewhere in between,

Eraya sat back slightly.

Watching.

Listening.

Her fingers still curled loosely around the fork.

Her eyes moving from Shivi’s exaggerated reactions,

to Anu’s quiet smiles,

to Zivah,

who was watching her.

Not the cheesecake.

Not the others.

Her.

And something,

shifted.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

Just… gently.

A strange warmth settled in her chest.

Not uncomfortable.

But unfamiliar.

Like something new was trying to exist there,

and she didn’t know what to do with it yet.

She laughed again when Shivi complained about the last bite being “unequally distributed.”

She responded when Anu teased Zivah about starting a “cheesecake war.”

She stayed.

Present.

But beneath it,

there was a quiet awareness.

Of the way Zivah looked at her.

Of the way her chest felt just a little too full.

Of the way her thoughts lingered longer than they used to.

And for the first time,

Eraya didn’t just feel safe.

She felt… something else.

Something she couldn’t name yet.

Something soft.

Something that stayed,

even when the laughter faded,

even when the plates were cleared,

even when the night settled back into quiet.

And she didn’t understand it.

But she felt it.

And that alone,

was enough to make her heart beat just a little differently.

The kind of different,

that doesn’t leave easily.

The night settled slowly after they left.

Not abruptly,

not with silence falling all at once,

but in pieces.

Shivi’s laughter still lingered faintly in the air.

Anu’s teasing echoes still clung to the corners of the room.

Even the empty cheesecake box on the table felt like a quiet reminder of how full the evening had been.

And Eraya…

sat in the room.

Still.

Not sad.

Not uncomfortable.

Just… off.

A strange tightness sat in her chest.

Not sharp.

Not painful.

But unfamiliar.

She pressed her palm lightly against her sternum.

Breathing in.

Then out.

It wasn’t just physical.

Something deeper.

Like her body didn’t fully know how to process everything it had been given today,

laughter, care, attention, warmth,

Too much.

Too fast.

Her thoughts tangled quietly.

The door opened softly.

Zivah stepped in,

holding the glass.

Apple mint water .

Routine.

Steady.

Eraya looked up.

Zivah walked closer, placing the glass carefully on the table beside her.

“…you okay?”

It was a simple question.

But Zivah didn’t ask it casually.

Her eyes searched.

Eraya forced a small smile.

“…I’m fine.”

Zivah didn’t immediately believe it.

She tilted her head slightly.

“…you don’t look fine.”

“…I’m just tired.”

A pause.

Zivah watched her a second longer,

then nodded.

She knew something was wrong but didn’t push it.

“…drink this.”

Eraya took the glass.

The familiar scent grounded her.

She took a slow sip.

Cool.

Refreshing.

It helped.

Or at least,

it felt like it did.

Zivah sat beside her.

Not too close.

Not too far.

“…did you like the cheesecake?”

Eraya blinked.

Caught slightly off guard by the shift.

“…yeah.”

“…the peanut caramel one?”

“…yes.”

Zivah smiled faintly.

“…good. It was worth the drama then.”

Eraya let out a small breath.

“…you really fought for it.”

“…I didn’t fight.”

“…Anu said otherwise.”

“…Anu exaggerates.”

“…you asked them to check again.”

“…politely.”

“…you said it was important.”

Zivah went quiet for a second.

Then,

shrugged.

“…it was.”

The answer was simple.

Too simple.

Eraya didn’t respond.

She just looked down at the glass again.

Took another sip.

The tightness in her chest hadn’t fully left.

But she pushed it aside.

“…sleep?”

Zivah asked softly.

Eraya nodded.

They lay down.

The lights dimmed.

The room settled.

Zivah shifted slightly,

pulling the blanket over both of them.

“…goodnight.”

“…goodnight.” Eraya answered gently.

And for a while,

everything was quiet.

Until it wasn’t.

Eraya’s eyes snapped open.

Her chest felt heavy.

Her throat burned.

A sudden wave of nausea twisted sharply inside her,

unexpected,

violent

She sat up abruptly.

Her breathing uneven.

What is-

Before the thought could finish-

she was already moving.

Rushing toward the washroom.

The door barely shut behind her before-

She threw up.

Harsh.

Uncontrolled.

The sound,

enough to break the stillness of the night.

Zivah woke instantly.

Confusion first.

Then panic.

“…Eraya?”

No response.

Just the sound again.

Zivah was out of bed in seconds.

She pushed the washroom door open-

And froze for a split second.

Eraya was hunched over,
one hand gripping the sink,
her body trembling.

“…hey-hey-“

Zivah rushed forward.

Without thinking,

she reached for her,

one hand holding her shoulder steady-
the other moving gently along her back.

“…it’s okay-“

Her voice was soft.

Grounding.

“…I’m here.”

Eraya didn’t respond.

Another wave hit,

and she bent forward again.

Zivah didn’t move away.

Didn’t flinch.

Her hand continued to rub slow circles on her back,

steady,

consistent,

Waiting.

Letting it pass.

When it finally did,

Eraya stayed there,

breathing heavily,

her grip on the sink loosening slightly.

Zivah crouched a little lower,

bringing herself to her level.

“…hey…”

Her voice softer now.

“…look at me.”

Eraya slowly lifted her head.

Her eyes were watery.

Unfocused.

“…I don’t feel good…”

She whispered.

Zivah’s chest tightened.

“…I know.”

She reached for her hand,

holding it gently.

“…it’s okay. We’ll fix it.”

Carefully,

slowly,

she helped her stand.

Eraya swayed slightly.

Zivah’s arm immediately wrapped around her waist,

steadying her.

“…easy…”

Step by step-
she guided her back to the bed.

Helped her sit.

Then lie down.

Pulled the blanket over her.

Her hand instinctively moved to Eraya’s forehead.

And froze.

“…you’re burning.”

Panic flickered across her face.

“…since when-“

She didn’t finish.

She stood quickly,

moving toward the kitchen,

then stopped halfway.

Medicine.

Her eyes scanned the shelf.

Then her thoughts caught up.

She just threw up.

Her hand hovered near the box.

She can’t take medicine on Empty stomach…

She pulled it back.

Confusion.

Frustration.

“…what do I do…”

She muttered under her breath.

She grabbed a glass.

Filled it with warm water.

Returned quickly.

“…drink a little.”

She helped Eraya sit up slightly,

holding the glass to her lips.

Eraya took small sips.

Zivah watched closely.

“…good… just a little more…”

When she was done-
Zivah set the glass aside.

Her mind racing now.

This isn’t normal.

What happened?

Was it something she ate?

How did she get sick.

Her breath quickened slightly.

She stood up again,

this time with purpose.

Phone in hand.

Her fingers hesitated for a second,

hovering over the contact.

Then pressed.

The phone rang.

Zivah glanced back at the bed,

Eraya curled slightly under the blanket,

her breathing uneven,

her face flushed.

Her chest tightened.

“…pick up…”

She whispered.

The call connected.

“…Di?”

Her voice,

for the first time that night,

shook.

And the room held its breath,

right there,

on the edge of knowing.
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