chapter 6 : unspoken thoughts

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Hazel entered the apartment, shutting the door behind her. The place was quiet, except for the faint sound of the TV from Naina's room. She kicked off her shoes and headed straight for the kitchen, feeling the exhaustion settle in.

Just as she grabbed a bottle of water, Naina appeared in the doorway, arms crossed, smirking. "So, someone had a nice night."

Hazel rolled her eyes. "Don't start."

"Oh, I am starting," Naina teased, hopping onto the counter. "You ignored my texts, then waltzed in here looking all… dazed. Who was the lucky guy?"

Hazel sighed, taking a sip of water. "It wasn't a date."

Naina gasped dramatically. "It was a guy!"

"Arav and I were working on the project. We got pizza. That's it." Hazel leaned against the counter, but even saying it out loud felt like an understatement.

Naina narrowed her eyes. "Hmm. And he dropped you home?"

"Yeah, because it was late. Don't make it a big deal."

Naina studied her for a moment, then grinned. "You like him."

Hazel nearly choked on her water. "What?! No, I don't!"

"You so do!" Naina laughed. "You're blushing!"

"I am not!" Hazel turned away, busying herself with a snack.

Naina hopped off the counter, still smirking. "You can deny it all you want, babe, but I see what's happening. And I love it."

Hazel groaned. "Good night, Naina."

"Sweet dreams of a certain brown-eyed guy," Naina called as she walked away.

Hazel sighed, shaking her head. But as she crawled into bed, her mind wandered back to the car ride, to the way Arav had said her name before she left.

Maybe Naina was onto something.

---

Hazel sat on her bed, her laptop open but long forgotten. Her fingers hovered over her phone screen, Arav's number staring back at her.

She wasn't overthinking this—no, definitely not. It was just a message about their project, nothing more.

Taking a deep breath, she started typing. Hey, about the project—

And then she saw it.

"Typing…"

Her heart did an embarrassing little jump. Arav was online. He was about to text her. But then—nothing. The typing disappeared.

Hazel frowned. Maybe it was just a glitch.

She waited.

Nothing.

Okay, now she was curious. What was he going to say? Why did he stop?

She locked her phone, tossing it aside. Not my problem, she told herself.

But two minutes later, she was staring at the screen again, hoping those three little dots would appear.

Just as Hazel was about to give up on waiting for Arav's message, her phone buzzed—but it wasn't from him.

Meera: Hey, Hazel. Are you free? Need to talk.

Hazel stared at the message. Something about it felt… off. She and Meera were friendly, sure, but they weren't exactly the "text each other randomly" kind of friends.

Still, curiosity got the best of her.

Hazel: Yeah, what's up?

Meera: Can we meet? It's about something important.

Hazel hesitated, glancing at the time. It was already late, but Meera sounded serious.

Hazel: Now?

Meera: Yeah. Five minutes? Outside your apartment?

That was fast. Almost too fast. Hazel sighed, grabbing a jacket. Looks like her night wasn't over yet.

As she stepped outside, she spotted Meera leaning against a lamppost, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on her face.

Something told Hazel—this wasn't going to be a normal conversation.

Hazel approached Meera cautiously, tucking her hands into her jacket pockets. "So, what's this about?"

Meera lifted her gaze, eyes sharp under the dim streetlight. "I think we need to talk about Arav."

Hazel's heart skipped a beat, but she masked it with a casual shrug. "What about him?"

Meera let out a small laugh—one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You really don't know, do you?"

Hazel frowned. "Know what?"

Meera stepped closer, lowering her voice. "He's not who you think he is."

Hazel's stomach twisted. "And you know this how?"

Meera held her gaze, a slow smirk forming. "Because I know him, Hazel. More than you do."

A strange chill ran down Hazel's spine. Meera wasn't just saying this as a warning—there was something else. A claim. A stake in something Hazel hadn't even realized was hers to question.

And for the first time, she found herself wondering—who exactly was Arav to Meera?

Hazel forced a small laugh, crossing her arms. "You're being cryptic, Meera. If you have something to say, just say it."

Meera tilted her head, studying Hazel as if deciding how much to reveal. "Let's just say… Arav has a habit of keeping things to himself. And you? You're stepping into something without knowing the full story."

Hazel felt a flicker of irritation. "And you do?"

Meera's smirk didn't waver. "I know enough. Enough to say—don't get too comfortable, Hazel. People aren't always what they seem."

Hazel's fingers curled slightly, a mix of confusion and unease settling in. "And what exactly do you think I am to him?"

Meera shrugged. "That's what you should be asking him, don't you think?"

Before Hazel could respond, Meera turned on her heels and walked away, leaving behind more questions than answers.

Hazel stood there for a moment, the air around her suddenly feeling heavier. A part of her wanted to shake off Meera's words as nothing more than unnecessary drama. But another part—the part that always analyzed everything—couldn't ignore the tension in Meera's voice.

Who exactly was Arav to Meera? And why did it feel like Hazel had just stepped into the middle of something bigger than she realized?

Hazel exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if that would rid her of the unease Meera had left behind. This is ridiculous, she told herself. It's just a project. He's just a guy.

But Meera's words lingered.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Hazel turned toward the library, deciding that drowning herself in research was the best distraction. Yet, as she walked, her mind refused to let go of the conversation. The way Meera spoke—as if she knew Arav better, as if Hazel was intruding on something she didn't understand—bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

Next day ,

She reached the library doors, pausing for a second before stepping inside. The quiet hum of students working at their desks helped settle her mind, and she made her way toward her usual corner, ready to bury herself in books.

But then, just as she was about to sit, a familiar sound caught her attention. The rhythmic bounce of a basketball, the squeak of sneakers against the court.

Curious, Hazel turned toward the large windows overlooking the campus grounds.

And there he was.

Arav.

Dressed in a black jersey, hair slightly damp with sweat, effortlessly moving across the court. He was fast, precise, completely in control of the game. It was different from how she usually saw him—reserved, unreadable. Here, he looked alive.

Hazel lingered by the window longer than she meant to, watching as he moved through the players with ease. A teammate passed him the ball, and in one swift motion, he took a shot. The ball swooshed cleanly through the hoop, and for the first time, Hazel saw him smile.

It was quick, barely there, but real.

And then, as if sensing her gaze, Arav looked up.

Their eyes met.

Hazel's breath hitched slightly.

Arav held her stare for a second longer than necessary before turning back to the game.

Hazel quickly looked away, heart hammering against her ribs. Great. Now I look like a complete creep.

Shaking her head, she forced herself to sit down, flipping open her book. But no matter how much she tried to focus, Meera's words and Arav's unreadable expression kept pulling her back.

Don't get too comfortable, Hazel. People aren't always what they seem.

She wasn't sure if Meera was trying to warn her or push her away. But one thing was clear—Hazel wasn't stepping back anytime soon.

Hazel tapped her pen against the open book, pretending to focus, but her mind was elsewhere. Arav. Meera. The lingering look across the basketball court. What exactly am I stepping into?

With a sigh, she shut the book and rubbed her temples. It was getting exhausting—this constant back and forth in her head. Why am I even thinking about this so much?

Deciding she needed fresh air, Hazel packed her things and stepped out of the library. The cool evening breeze felt refreshing, but as she walked across campus, her phone buzzed.

A message.

She pulled it out, expecting Naina, but her brows lifted when she saw the name instead.

Arav: So, how was the game?

Hazel blinked. Excuse me? Was he teasing her? She hesitated before typing back.

Hazel: Didn't know you saw me staring.

Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then appeared again.

Arav: Hard to miss when someone watches you like they're analyzing your entire existence.

Her lips parted in slight offense. The audacity.

Hazel: Oh, please. I was just passing by. Don't flatter yourself.

This time, he replied instantly.

Arav: Sure, Roy. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Hazel rolled her eyes, but a small, amused smile tugged at her lips.

She started to put her phone away when another message popped up.

Arav: I was going to grab coffee. Join me?

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. For a moment, she considered saying no, pretending she was busy. But then she remembered Meera's words.

Don't get too comfortable, Hazel.

And just like that, a part of her wanted to push back against them.

So, instead of overthinking, she typed:

Hazel: Where?

His reply came seconds later.

Hazel stared at the screen for a second longer. Was this a good idea?

But then again, when had she ever backed down from a challeng ?

Arav: Blue Bean Café. It's quiet.

Of course, he'd pick somewhere low-key. Shaking her head, she slipped her phone into her pocket and made her way there.

—---

The café had a warm glow, the scent of roasted coffee beans wrapping around her as she stepped inside. Hazel spotted Arav almost instantly—seated near the window, casually scrolling through his phone. He looked up as she approached, raising an eyebrow.

"You actually showed up," he remarked.

She pulled out a chair, unimpressed. "Would you rather I hadn't?"

His lips twitched, but he didn't answer. Instead, he pushed a menu toward her. "Order something. You look like you overthink your caffeine choices."

Hazel scoffed but flipped through the menu. After a quick debate, she settled on a caramel latte, while Arav simply nodded at his black coffee.

Once their drinks arrived, silence settled between them—not uncomfortable, but different.

"So," she started, stirring her latte. "You play basketball, drink black coffee, and think way too highly of yourself. What other clichés should I expect?"

Arav chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "And you overanalyze, pretend you're indifferent, and watch basketball players when you think no one's looking. Should I go on?"

Hazel narrowed her eyes. "I was passing by."

Arav smirked, taking a slow sip of his coffee. "Of course. And I'm sure you weren't staring either—just… observing intensely?"

She sighed, shaking her head. This guy was impossible.

Their conversation flowed more easily after that, shifting between classes, random college observations, and subtle teasing. It was... surprisingly nice.

After finishing their coffee, neither of them suggested heading back immediately. Instead, they stepped outside, letting the evening air fill the quiet space between them.

The city lights flickered around them as they walked down the street, the sound of distant traffic and occasional laughter from passing students creating a familiar hum.

"You always take this route?" Arav asked, hands stuffed into his pockets.

Hazel nodded. "Yeah. It helps clear my head."

"Hmm." He glanced at her, then looked ahead. "Maybe I should start walking more."

Hazel smirked. "Are you saying I inspire you?"

Arav shook his head with a small laugh. "Not everything is about you, Roy."

She bumped her shoulder against his lightly. "Keep telling yourself that."

And as they walked under the streetlights, Hazel realized something—this was the first time it didn't feel like a game. No teasing battles, no guarded silences. Just... them.

the cool breeze brushing against them, Arav suddenly spoke up, his tone casual but curious.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend, Roy?"

Hazel glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. "That's random."

He shrugged, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "Just asking."

Hazel exhaled, her gaze drifting ahead. "Not really. I mean, I've had guys interested, but nothing serious. No one ever felt… worth it, I guess."

Arav hummed in response, as if considering her words. "So, never been in love?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Love's a big deal to me. I'm not the type to fall just because someone looks at me a certain way."

A small smirk tugged at Arav's lips. "High standards, huh?"

Hazel chuckled. "Not high—just not easy to impress."

Arav didn't respond immediately, just looked ahead, his expression unreadable. Then, after a beat, he said, "That's not a bad thing."

Hazel stole a glance at him, her heart doing something weird in her chest. She quickly brushed it off, telling herself it was just the evening air

Hazel let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You say that like you have experience."

Arav raised an eyebrow. "And what if I do?"

She turned to face him fully, walking backward as she studied him. "So, have you been in love, Mr. Mysterious?"

Arav let out a soft chuckle, looking away for a second before meeting her gaze again. "Once thought I was," he admitted, his voice quieter than before. "Turns out, I was just holding onto something that wasn't real."

Hazel slowed her steps, sensing the shift in his tone. "What happened?"

Arav exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Let's just say people leave. And sometimes, they don't give you a reason."

Something in the way he said it made Hazel's chest tighten. She could tell there was more to the story, but she didn't push.

Instead, she simply said, "That sucks."

Arav glanced at her, a small, almost grateful smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. It does."

For a moment, they walked in silence, the sounds of the city filling the space between them.

Then, in a lighter tone, Hazel smirked. "So, heartbreak and black coffee. You're really leaning into the brooding aesthetic, huh?"

Arav let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "And you? Never been in love, but act like you've got it all figured out?"

She grinned. "I like to think I'm observant."

He gave her a look. "More like annoyingly confident."

Hazel gasped dramatically. "Rude."

Arav just shook his head, amusement flickering in his brown eyes. "You'll live."

As they continued walking, the heaviness of the previous moment faded, replaced by the usual ease between them. But Hazel couldn't shake the thought lingering in the back of her mind—Arav wasn't just some mystery to solve.

He was someone who had been hurt. And for some reason, that made her want to know him even more.

As they kept walking, the streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement, Hazel found herself sneaking glances at Arav. There was something about him—this mix of confidence and quiet sadness—that made her want to figure him out.

She was about to ask something else when Arav suddenly spoke.

"You know, you never actually answered my question," he said, his voice teasing but curious.

Hazel frowned. "Which one?"

"Why haven't you been in love?" He shoved his hands into his pockets, tilting his head slightly. "You don't seem like someone who avoids things just because they're complicated."

She smirked. "Oh, so you've figured me out now?"

"Not even close," he admitted. "But I'm trying."

Hazel rolled her eyes but sighed. "It's not that I avoid it. It's just... no one's ever made me feel like it's worth it, you know? Sure, I've had guys interested, but none of them ever made me stop and think, 'Yeah, this is something real.'"

Arav hummed, as if considering her words. "So, you're waiting for something real?"

She nodded. "I guess so. I don't do things halfway, Arav. If I ever fall, it's going to be all or nothing."

For a moment, he didn't say anything. Then, quietly, he muttered, "That's a dangerous way to live."

Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Arav looked straight ahead, his expression unreadable. "Because people aren't always what they seem. And sometimes, when you give them everything, they leave you with nothing."

His words sent a strange chill down her spine. Before she could say anything, he glanced at her, the corner of his lips lifting. "But hey, maybe you'll be lucky."

Hazel scoffed, shaking off the weight of his words. "I don't need luck. I need someone worth it."

Arav chuckled softly. "Let me know if you ever find that person."

And just like that, the air between them shifted again—back to playful, back to teasing. But Hazel couldn't ignore the unspoken weight behind his words.

She didn't know much about Arav's past. But one thing was clear—whatever had happened to him, it had left scars. And whether he realized it or not, Hazel wanted to understand them.

Hazel and Arav stood near the entrance of her apartment complex, the night air crisp but not uncomfortably cold. The street was quieter now, only the occasional car passing by. The soft hum of the city in the distance filled the silence between them.

Hazel adjusted the strap of her bag, glancing at him. "So, this is where we part ways."

Arav nodded, his hands still shoved into his pockets. "Yeah."

She rocked back on her heels, unsure why this felt… different. Normally, she had no trouble saying goodbye, but tonight, something about the lingering silence made her hesitate.

Arav seemed to notice because he raised an eyebrow. "What? Did you suddenly forget how to walk inside?"

Hazel scoffed. "Maybe I was just making sure you don't get lost on your way back."

Arav smirked. "How considerate of you."

She rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. "Goodnight, Arav."

He gave her a small nod. "Goodnight, Hazel."

As she turned toward the entrance, she had the oddest feeling he was still watching her. But when she glanced back, he was already walking away.

And yet, she still felt his presence—lingering, like the echo of an unfinished conversation.