The next day didn't feel like anything special.
But somehow, Una still found herself walking the same path again.
She told herself it was just for the quiet… the calm… the way the wind felt softer there. Not because of him.
Definitely not because of him.
"Back again?"
The voice came from behind her.
Una froze for half a second before turning around. Ayaan stood there, hands in his pockets, that same unreadable expression on his face—but this time, there was something else… a hint of familiarity.
"You too," she replied, trying to sound casual.
Ayaan shrugged lightly. "Guess we both like quiet places."
Before the silence could return, a loud voice suddenly broke the moment.
"BROOO, you disappeared again!"
A tall guy came jogging toward them, slightly out of breath but smiling like he owned the world.
"This is Leo," Ayaan said, almost reluctantly.
Leo grinned. "Best friend. Also the only reason this guy has a social life."
Una let out a small laugh before she could stop herself.
Ayaan rolled his eyes. "That's not true."
"It is," Leo said confidently, then turned to Una. "And you are?"
"Una."
"Nice name," he said. "Mysterious. Fits the vibe."
Before Una could respond, another voice joined in—soft but sharp.
"Leo, stop scaring people."
A girl walked up, her steps calm, her expression slightly amused. She had a book tucked under her arm and eyes that seemed to notice everything.
"Clara," she introduced herself simply. "Ignore him."
"I'm not that bad," Leo protested.
"You are," Clara replied without hesitation.
Una smiled, feeling something shift. The quiet place didn't feel so quiet anymore—but it didn't feel bad either.
Over the next few days, the path became their place.
Not officially. Not intentionally.
It just… happened.
Sometimes they talked about random things—movies, dreams, things they'd never admit to anyone else. Other times, they just sat in silence, watching the sky change colors.
And somehow, that silence started to mean something.
More people slowly became part of their circle.
Ethan, who joked about everything but never talked about himself.
Maya, who noticed the smallest details and asked the biggest questions.
Ryan, who always seemed distracted but somehow understood everyone.
Sophie, whose laughter could lighten even the heaviest mood.
They were all different.
But together, they felt like something complete.
And in the middle of it all…
were Una and Ayaan.
It wasn't obvious.
Not at first.
But Clara noticed the way Ayaan's voice softened when he spoke to Una.
Leo noticed how Una stayed a little longer whenever Ayaan was around.
Maya noticed everything—and said nothing.
One evening, as the sky turned a deeper shade of orange, Una sat beside Ayaan, their shoulders almost touching.
"Do you ever feel like…" she started, then stopped.
"Like what?" Ayaan asked quietly.
Una looked ahead, her voice softer now. "Like things can change really fast… even if you don't want them to?"
Ayaan didn't answer immediately.
When he did, his voice was calm—but distant.
"Yeah," he said. "They always do."
Una nodded slowly, though something about his answer didn't sit right with her.
She didn't ask why.
He didn't explain.
And just like that…
something small was left unsaid.
Something that didn't seem important.
Something that would matter later.
Because sometimes, it's not the big moments that break people apart…
It's the little things they choose to ignore.
---