_____________________
At Yunah's Home.
Yunah stepped out of her room, fully ready for the reunion.The nude-pink slip dress clung to her like it had been made only for her—soft, elegant, dangerously simple. It traced every curve without trying too hard, making her look effortlessly breathtaking. Her hair fell loose around her shoulders till her waist, bouncy and alive, brushing against her backside and collarbone. A small golden clutch rested in her hand, matching the gold heels that added a quiet confidence to every step she took.
Noah was sitting on the couch when she walked out.The moment he looked up and saw her, time betrayed him. His breath caught. His jaw went slack. And for a second—just one terrifying second—his heart forgot how to beat.Whatever he had wanted to ask her vanished from his mind as if it had never existed.He didn't move. Didn't blink.
His eyes locked onto her, dark and stunned, tracing her slowly as if his mind needed time to accept what it was seeing.
"Noah… do you think I'm looking okay?" Yunah asked as she stepped closer but go no answer."Noah?" She waved a hand in front of his face. "Noah…"
Nothing.
"Noah!" she called louder, her voice snapping him back to reality.
"Huh?—Oh!" He cleared his throat quickly, his ears and cheeks betraying him with a faint flush. "Did you said something, Di?"
"I asked if I look okay," she repeated, narrowing her eyes at him. "And just what were you thinking so deeply about, huh?" she added, casually adjusting her hair.
Before he could answer—
"Are you seriously going out wearing that?"
Yunah's mother stepped out of the kitchen, her eyes sweeping Yunah from head to toe.
"Yeah. Why?" Yunah raised an eyebrow. "Do I look bad?"
"No," her mother admitted. "You look beautiful. But you should take a jacket or something with you. You might need it later."
"Mom…" Yunah sniffed the air dramatically. "You should go back to the kitchen. I think something's burning."
Her mother froze."Oh Lord—my omelette!"
She rushed back inside.
Yunah shook her head with a small scoff, then turned to Noah. "You," she pointed at him, "stay home like a good boy. Don't roam around." She paused at the door, smirking.
"And if you behave today, I'll take you to the viewpoint tomorrow."
His shoulders dropped instantly. "You really don't want me to come with you, Di?" he asked quietly, disappointment softening his voice.
"No." Her answer was firm, almost too quick. "I don't want you getting dragged into trouble. And it's our reunion—partners aren't even necessary. If you come pretending to be my boyfriend, they'll figure it out immediately." She grabbed her clutch and moved towards the door. "It's better if I go alone."
"At least listen to Mom and take a jacket," Noah said, standing and following her. "It gets cold later."
"I don't need it," she replied, already opening the door.
He hesitated, then said softly, "call me if you need anything, okay? And when it's over, call me. I'll come to pick you up." The concern in his voice was unmistakable. So were his eyes.
She smiled faintly without turning back. "Don't worry. I'll take a cab." And with that, she stepped outside and shut the door.
Noah remained standing there for several seconds, unmoving. The room felt emptier. Colder. Jealousy burned quietly behind his eyes. Possessiveness he didn't have the right to show twisted in his chest. He didn't want her to go. But wanting wasn't enough.
And that helplessness—that was the worst part.
******************
At Kancha's BBQ Restaurant.
The entire restaurant had been reserved for the ex-students of Algarah High School. Laughter, loud chatter, and clinking glasses filled the air as old memories were dragged out, exaggerated, and celebrated. Almost everyone had arrived—Gaurav, Meena, Raphael—everyone except Yunah and Serena.
"Where are they?" Gaurav asked, scanning the entrance while holding his glass of wine. "Don't tell me they're not coming."
Raphael scoffed and took a slow sip. "Yunah said they're on their way," he replied calmly, setting his glass down. Then, with a sideways glance, he added, "Why? Don't tell me you're waiting for her."
Gaurav chuckled, mildly offended. "Why would I wait for her?" he said, lifting his glass again.
But his eyes betrayed him.The moment Yunah and Serena walked in, his hand froze mid-air. His gaze locked onto Yunah—and for a second, the noise around him faded. She looked… unreal. Confident. Stunning. He couldn't tear his eyes away.
He wasn't the only one. Raphael's expression stilled, and nearly every man in the restaurant turned instinctively toward the entrance. Yunah, in that dress, commanded the room without even trying.
"Yunah… you're here," Meena said, her tone stiff as she walked closer to Gaurav. Jealousy flickered in her eyes when she noticed where his attention was fixed, but she masked it quickly with a practiced smile. "Where's your boyfriend?" she asked, glancing around theatrically. "Didn't you bring him?"
"No," Yunah replied flatly, taking a seat beside Raphael. Serena sat next to her, already irritated by the familiar faces.
"Ohhh," Meena drawled, feigning disappointment. "We were dying to meet him again. Why didn't you bring him?" She looked around at the group. "Everyone was so excited to see your young boyfriend, right guys?"
"He's busy with Independence Day work," Yunah said coolly, meeting Meena's eyes without flinching. "And this is a school reunion—not a boyfriend exhibition." Her glare was sharp enough to silence a few murmurs.
"Come on, Yunah," a girl with short hair and French bangs chimed in while chewing on grilled pork. "I heard he's really tall and handsome."
Serena slammed her glass down lightly. "Why are you all so interested in Yunah's boyfriend, huh?" she snapped. "If you're that desperate to show men off, why didn't you bring your own boyfriends first?"
The table went quiet under Serena's death glare.
Before things could escalate further—
"Guys," Raphael cut in smoothly, standing up with his glass raised. "We're here to celebrate. Let's actually do that, hmm?" He smiled lightly. "A toast—to our reunion… and to a brighter future."
"To a brighter future!" a cheerful guy echoed, standing up.
One by one, everyone followed.
Yunah rose too, lifting her glass. The tension dissolved into laughter and cheers as glasses clinked together. Music grew louder. Conversations shifted. The party resumed.
And for the moment, Yunah's love life was forgotten—at least on the surface.
--------------------
At Yunah's Home — Yogesh's Bedroom.
Noah sat by the window, motionless except for the restless tapping of his fingers against his thigh. The street below was quiet, almost mocking in its calm. He checked his watch—again. Too late. She should have been home by now. And she hadn't called. His jaw tightened. Every instinct screamed at him to go—to find her, to drag her home if he had to. But he stayed where he was, chained by the one promise he had forced himself to keep. He was all focused on looking out when his phone buzzed.
One notification.
Yunah's story.
Noah opened it—and froze. There she was, smiling with her friends. And beside her—Raphael. The chair scraped violently as Noah shot up, tipping over and crashing to the floor behind him. His chest tightened, breath coming sharp and uneven.
That guy.
At that exact moment, thunder cracked in the distance—and rain began to pour, sudden and heavy, drumming against the window. Noah looked up. A slow, dangerous calm settled over him.
Now I have a reason.
He grabbed his denim jacket and car keys without a second thought and bolted out of the room, the sound of rain swallowing his footsteps as he sprinted out of the house.
******************
Outside Kancha's BBQ Restaurant.
Rain poured relentlessly, trapping everyone outside the restaurant. A few people huddled under the awning, others stood restless, waiting for cabs that seemed in no hurry to arrive.
Gaurav and Meena, however, stepped forward confidently—their car was parked right outside.
Serena rolled her eyes the moment she saw them, arm wrapped around each other, putting on a show for an audience they clearly wanted. A few boys and girls watched with visible envy. Yunah simply looked away, a wave of nausea rolling through her at their exaggerated display of affection.
Just as Gaurav reached for his car door, the low growl of an engine cut through the sound of rain. An expensive black car slid to a halt right in front of the restaurant.
Everyone turned.
Everyone—except Yunah. She recognized the car instantly.
"Damn… that's a sexy car," a guy muttered, eyes wide.
The door opened. An umbrella unfolded first, obscuring the man beneath it. He stepped out slowly, movements unhurried, confidence radiating from every stride as he walked towards them.
"Whoa… that aura," the girl with the short hair and bangs whispered, craning her neck. "I can't even see his face yet…"
The umbrella tilted.
Noah's face came into view.The chatter died instantly. A collective silence fell as eyes locked onto him—sharp features, rain-dampened hair, an expression carved from cold authority. Mesmerized didn't even begin to cover it. Only Gaurav and Meena stiffened, their smiles faltering.
Serena broke into a wide grin, satisfaction lighting her face."Perfect timing," she said loudly, not bothering to lower her voice. "Here comes Yunah's knight in shining armor."
"Knight in shi—" the short-haired girl began, confused, but stopped mid-sentence when Noah spoke.
"I told you to take a coat earlier," Noah said calmly, stepping in front of Yunah holding the umbrella carrying a gentle smile on his face which was only for her.
Yunah stared at him, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
He didn't hesitate. Not even for a second.
"Picking up my baby."
The words hit like thunder. Gasps rippled through the crowd.Yunah choked on her own breath, her face burning as every eye snapped towards her. Red crept up her cheeks as she stared at him in disbelief—heart racing, mind spinning. My… baby?!
Noah stood unfazed, gaze steady, possessive, daring anyone to challenge him.
And just like that—the balance shifted.