Aira Kapoor learned something important that day.
You could choose someone quietly.
Softly.
Without announcements or labels.
But the world?
The world was loud.
The moment she walked into school beside Reyhan—beside, not hiding, not running—the atmosphere shifted.
Whispers followed them like shadows.
"Is that Reyhan?"
"Who's the girl?"
"Didn't he hate relationships?"
"Wait, isn't she the new one?"
Aira kept her eyes forward, heart pounding.
She hadn't realized how visible they'd become.
Reyhan noticed.
Of course he did.
He slowed his pace slightly, matching hers perfectly. His shoulder brushed hers—not accidental, not possessive—just grounding.
"You okay?" he murmured.
She nodded, then shook her head. "Everyone's staring."
"So?" he said calmly.
"So I don't like it."
Reyhan tilted his head, watching her carefully.
"Do you want me to walk ahead?"
The question stunned her.
Not I don't care what they think.
Not get used to it.
Just… an option.
Aira hesitated.
Then quietly said, "No. Just… don't make it worse."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I can behave. Sometimes."
They entered the corridor together.
Sia spotted them instantly and gasped like she'd just witnessed history.
"OH MY GOD—YOU WALKED IN TOGETHER."
Aira groaned. "Sia. Please. Inside voice."
Zayden stood nearby, watching with a polite smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Morning, Aira," he said gently.
"Morning," she replied, relieved.
Reyhan nodded at Zayden—not cold, not hostile. Just… aware.
But when a group of girls passed by, whispering loudly—
"Wow, he downgraded."
"She doesn't even look confident."
"How long do you think this'll last?"
Aira flinched before she could stop herself.
Reyhan didn't.
He stopped walking.
The hallway quieted just enough.
"Say it again," he said calmly, turning toward them.
The girls froze.
Aira grabbed his sleeve immediately. "Reyhan—don't."
He looked at her.
Not angry.
Not aggressive.
Just checking.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "Yeah. Please… don't."
Something shifted in his eyes.
He turned back to the girls—not with fury, but with finality.
"Then keep my name out of your mouth," he said evenly.
"And hers too."
The girls muttered something and hurried away.
Aira's heart pounded painfully.
"Reyhan," she whispered once they were alone again, "you didn't have to—"
"I know," he said. "I wanted to."
She swallowed. "You'll get into trouble."
He shrugged. "Worth it."
She stopped walking.
He stopped instantly.
"Why?" she asked quietly. "Why do you care this much?"
Reyhan studied her face like the answer mattered.
"Because," he said slowly, "you didn't choose me loudly. You chose me carefully."
Her breath caught.
"And I'm not letting anyone make you regret that."
Aira didn't trust herself to speak.
They walked the rest of the way in silence.
Not awkward.
Not tense.
Just heavy with everything they weren't saying.
Later, during class, Aira caught her reflection in the window.
She looked… different.
Not dramatic.
Not glowing.
Just steadier.
And when she glanced sideways—
Reyhan was already looking at her.
Not watching.
Not staring.
Just there.
As if he'd already decided.
Aira opened her notebook and wrote at the bottom of the page:
Rule No. 28 broken.
She didn't know what came next.
But for the first time…
She wasn't afraid of finding out.
RULE #28: Don't let the world notice when you choose him.
Because once it does…
you'll realize how brave quiet choices really are.