The last day of the Lonavala trip had arrived. The sun had barely peeked over the misty mountains when Zoya woke up, her heart strangely light. Last night’s bonfire had been wild — drama, laughter, confessions, and... Akif.

He had defended her. Again.

And while he said few words, each one had landed like thunder in her chest.

The group had plans for a short walk to the nearby lake that morning. Some were too lazy to wake up early, others tagged along with coffee mugs in hand. But Zoya went.

Of course, she went.

And not just because she wanted fresh air.

---

The path to the lake was narrow, carved between tall trees, echoing with birdsong. When they reached it, the view pulled a collective gasp from the group.

A mirror-like lake stretched ahead, its surface calm and glowing in the golden morning light. The trees reflected in it, blurring like a dream. A few ducks glided across slowly, and the only sound was the soft ripple of water.

Aarfa had immediately dragged Ayaan away for a photo session.

Zoya smiled and took slow steps toward the water, walking alone along the edge, letting the breeze kiss her cheeks.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” came a familiar voice behind her.

She turned.

Akif.

Hands in his jacket pockets, hair slightly tousled from sleep, his eyes soft under the morning sun.

“It’s peaceful,” Zoya said quietly. “It’s the kind of place you only find once.”

He stood beside her without asking. Close, but not too close.

“I come here every year,” he said. “Same place, same silence. But this year feels... different.”

Zoya looked at him sideways. “Because of the ducks?”

He smirked. “Because of the girl walking next to me.”

Her breath hitched, just a little.

She sat down on a large rock by the edge. He followed. Silence fell between them again, but this time it wasn’t heavy — it was warm.

“I still remember the first time I saw you,” he said after a pause. “You looked like you didn’t belong here. Like your soul was still back in some storm.”

Zoya swallowed. “I think I left parts of myself back there. But Mumbai is... changing me.”

He looked at her, the reflection of water dancing in his dark eyes.

“You’re changing yourself,” he corrected. “This city is just the background. You’re the whole story.”

She smiled faintly, her heart doing flips.

“Do you miss anything?” he asked softly.

“Sometimes. My old room. My childhood books. The sound of my mother cooking... before she stopped.”

He didn’t interrupt. Just listened.

“And you?” she asked after a moment.

“I miss having a reason to be quiet,” he said. “Back then, I used silence as a shield. But now... with you, it feels loud in my head all the time.”

She blinked. “What do you mean?”

He looked away briefly, as if choosing his words.

“I mean... every time you smile, I feel like something inside me wakes up. And it’s loud. Confusing. Real.”

The wind stirred around them. Her heart wasn’t flipping anymore — it was sprinting.

“But we barely know each other,” she whispered.

Akif chuckled lightly. “You know enough. Like how I take my tea. That I hate noise. That I don’t talk much unless it matters.”

“And I know,” he added gently, “that you pretend to be okay when you’re not. That you care too deeply, even when it hurts. That you’re stronger than you think.”

She stared at the lake, blinking fast.

He didn’t touch her. Didn’t lean closer. Just sat beside her, letting the words do the work.

“You make me feel seen,” she said finally.

“I see you,” he replied.

Their eyes met again.

And this time, it was quiet, powerful, and full of something neither of them dared name yet.

The moment stretched — unbroken, pure.

Then Aarfa’s voice echoed from a distance. “ZOYAAAAAA! PHOTO TIME!”

Zoya laughed softly, eyes still locked with his.

“Saved by the best friend,” she joked.

He grinned. “Until next time.”

As she stood up and walked away, her fingers brushed his lightly.

Just for a second.

But it was enough to promise that the next time would come soon.

---

Last day of trip. It ended I'm crying 😭 (joking 😺)