Arista's POV
The bus didn't feel the same on the way back.
Everyone was louder than usual, maybe because trips always do that — they make people cling to noise so they don't have to feel the ending. Laughter bounced off the seats, snack packets crinkled, phones flashed with photos already being replayed.
I should've felt happy.
But something felt… off.
That's when I noticed Kaelor.
He wasn't joking.
He wasn't leaning back lazily.
He wasn't talking to anyone around him.
He was on a call.
At first, I didn't think much of it — until I saw his face.
Kaelor's expressions were always easy to read. Even when he tried to hide things, his eyes betrayed him. But right now, his face was… still. Serious in a way I had never seen before.
His voice was low. Not angry. Not soft either. Just controlled.
I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I could tell it wasn't casual.
Then he looked back.
Just once.
Our eyes met, and for half a second, it felt like he wanted to say something — like he almost smiled — but then it vanished, and he turned away again.
The bus stopped for a break.
Everyone rushed out, stretching and complaining about stiff legs. I followed slowly, scanning around without meaning to.
Kaelor wasn't there.
Minutes passed.
Ten.
Twenty.
I told myself I was overthinking.
But when everyone started getting back on the bus, laughing and counting heads, my chest felt strangely tight.
He still hadn't returned.
---
Kaelor's POV
I didn't want her to notice.
That was the only thought running in my head as I stepped away from the bus, phone still pressed to my ear.
The call wasn't something I could ignore. Not now. Not ever.
"Two hours," the voice on the other end said.
"I need to confirm something."
"I'll be there," I replied, without thinking.
I walked farther than I meant to — past the shops, past the noise, until the laughter faded behind me.
I leaned against a wall, running a hand through my hair.
Timing had always been cruel.
Everything felt fine just a few hours ago — the trip, the laughter, Arista smiling without realizing she was doing it. And now this.
I checked the time.
I was late.
I knew that it would be
I also knew I couldn't explain this to anyone. Especially not to her.
When I finally headed back, my steps felt heavier than usual. The bus was still there, engine humming, teachers counting students.
I climbed in quietly.
Our eyes met again.
She looked… worried.
That almost made me turn back around.
Almost.
---
Arista's POV
He came back.
Relief hit me so suddenly that I hated myself for feeling it. It should only be an attraction for me for Kaelor, but why his absence was breaking me inside?
He didn't sit next to me. Didn't joke. Didn't tease.
Just a small nod. A quiet "hey."
That was all.
I wanted to ask where he'd gone. Why he looked like that. Why something inside me felt unsettled.
But I didn't.
The bus started moving again.
And I didn't know it yet — but this was the last time things would feel even remotely normal.
I tried to talk to him, but I didn't think he will . His face looked like he was in a big trouble.
What if it's actually something wrong?