The first examination was over.
But the next one wasn't tomorrow.
That somehow made the evening feel strangely less urgent.
They had another day.
One whole day before the next paper.
Which, according to Aanya, meant there was absolutely no reason to stop studying.
By the time they reached Sagnik's room, Aditi had already made herself comfortable on the couch.
She had announced that she was going to study for another twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes had become forty.
Forty had become an hour.
And eventually, she had disappeared into the guest room sleepy
"Wake me if you two decide to become responsible."
Neither of them had answered.
They were too busy studying.
The room had become quiet.
The only sounds were the occasional turning of pages and the soft scratching of pens against paper.
Aanya sat on the floor beside the low table, surrounded by books.
Sagnik sat opposite her.
Every few minutes, one of them would ask the other something.
Sometimes Aanya knew.
Sometimes Sagnik did.
Sometimes neither did.
And then they would search for the answer.
It had been going on for hours.
Eventually, Sagnik leaned back.
His eyes moved toward the clock.
He frowned.
It was later than he'd thought.
He had told himself he'd study for another half hour.
Just thirty minutes.
But then he looked at Aanya.
She was still reading.
Still making notes.
Still completely absorbed.
If he studied for another half hour, she would too.
And she couldn't keep doing that.
Not tonight.
He closed his book.
Aanya didn't notice.
He waited.
Nothing.
He reached over and gently tapped the edge of her notebook.
"Aanya."
"Hmm?"
"Enough."
She didn't look up.
"Five more minutes."
"No."
"Three."
"No."
"Two."
"Aanya."
She finally looked at him.
"What?"
"Close it."
She stared at him.
"But—"
"No."
She made a face.
He waited.
She reluctantly closed the book.
Then opened it again.
Sagnik stared at her.
"Aanya."
"I just remembered something."
"Of course you did."
"I need to check—"
He reached over and closed the book himself.
She looked offended.
"I wasn't finished."
"You were."
"No, I wasn't."
"You've been saying that for the last hour."
"Because I wasn't."
He sighed.
She opened the book again.
Sagnik closed it.
She opened it.
He closed it.
Aanya glared at him.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Go to sleep."
"No."
"Aanya."
"No."
She folded her arms.
"I can study."
"I know."
"Then let me."
"No."
She stared at him.
He stared back.
She opened her book again.
That was the third time.
Sagnik finally reached across the table.
He caught her gently by the wrist and pulled her toward him.
Aanya didn't have time to react.
Her body shifted forward and collided lightly against his.
She let out a small yelp.
Then went completely still.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Sagnik looked at her.
She looked at him.
He seemed amused.
"You seriously don't know when to stop, do you?"
Aanya opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
He smiled.
Not teasing anymore.
Just quietly amused.
His gaze remained on her face.
For a long moment.
Almost a full minute passed without either of them saying anything.
Aanya could feel her heartbeat.
She wasn't sure whether he could.
His eyes moved slowly across her face.
Then his hand lifted.
He gently moved a few loose strands of hair away from her face.
Aanya didn't move.
Neither did he.
His fingers paused briefly near her temple before falling away.
Their eyes met again.
Neither looked away.
Then Sagnik smiled.
Small.
Warm.
"Come on."
He stood.
She followed.
He walked her toward the bedroom.
Aditi was already fast asleep in the guest room.
Sagnik opened the bedroom door quietly.
"Go."
Aanya climbed into bed.
He pulled the blanket over her.
Adjusted it around her shoulder.
"Sleep."
She nodded.
He turned to leave.
Then felt her fingers close around his wrist.
He stopped.
Looked back.
Aanya didn't say anything.
She simply looked at him.
Then raised her hand slightly, asking him to come closer.
Sagnik hesitated.
Then bent down to her level.
"What?"
Aanya leaned forward.
And kissed his cheek.
Sagnik froze.
Just for half a second.
His eyes widened slightly.
Aanya pulled back.
She looked almost as surprised by her own courage as he was.
Neither spoke.
Then his expression softened.
A small, almost sheepish smile appeared on his face.
"Goodnight."
He straightened.
And walked out of the room.
Aanya watched him disappear through the doorway.
Then slowly pulled the blanket higher.
Her lips curved into a smile.
Outside, Sagnik closed the door.
He stood there for a second.
Touched the cheek she had kissed.
And smiled to himself.
Then he quietly returned to the other room.
The books were still open on the table.
But for some reason—
He wasn't thinking about them anymore.