In the library, soft light streamed through the windows, filling the air with a calm and fresh atmosphere.

Ayesha went to washroom while Ameena, and Ahmed sat together in a quiet corner, discussing their plans for the upcoming speech.

After they finished outlining the details, Ameena turned to Ahmed and said firmly,
“Listen, I’m only working with you because of Ayesha. She’s really excited about this....so don’t make any mistakes, okay?”

Ahmed leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and smirked.
“I think you  should focus on your role,” he said casually, before standing up and walking off without a backward glance.

Ameena’s face turned red. She stomped her foot hard against the floor.
“Ahhh! I hate you!” she shouted after him.

The words echoed through the quiet library. Suddenly aware of everyone staring, she froze, slapped her finger to her lips, and quickly bowed her head.
“I-I’m sorry…” she mumbled, apologizing to the onlookers before sinking back into her chair.

Just then, Chawoon entered, hoping to see Ayesha. He couldn’t settle the uneasy thought in his mind that he wasn’t there, but Ahmed was.

“Ay...”
He stopped as soon he saw Ameena sat nearby. Ayesha and Ahmed were nowhere to be seen.

Why does this bother me so much? he wondered, irritation creeping in as he exhaled slowly.

He walked up to Ameena.
“Hey, Ameena… do you know where Ayesha and Ahmed went?”

She smiled faintly. “Who are you looking for.....Ayesha or Ahmed?”

He hesitated. “huh...They… went together?”

Ameena chuckled. “No. Ayesha went to the washroom. And Ahmed?” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

The tension in Chawoon’s shoulders eased. A small, almost relieved smile appeared as he thanked her.

He turned to leave before she could add anything else.

Ameena watched him go, narrowing her eyes.
“I'm sure he only wants to know about Ayesha  ...,” she murmured.

And Here Ayesha stepped out of the washroom, her phone still in her hand. Her thoughts were wandering far away from the hallway.
"Chawoon looked fine today… he even came to college. ...That’s good I guess?, she thought with a small smile, not realizing where she was walking.

Her eyes were on the screen, not the wall right in front of her.

“Ayeshaa!”

A sharp voice called out

Before she could react, a warm hand rose in front of her, stopping her just in time. Her head missed the wall by inches, and as she halted, her shoulder brushed lightly against his arm instead.

For a second, her mind went blank. She caught the faint scent of his perfume fresh, soft, oddly comforting.

Her eyes widened as she looked up and found Chawoon standing there, his hand still against the wall to block her from bumping into it. He wasn’t too close, but close enough for her to notice the small details: the loose end of his sleeve, the worry in his eyes, the tension in his expression.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently, lowering his hand.

Ayesha blinked, finally processing what had just happened.
“Y-yeah… thank you,” she said softly.

A few students passing by giggled, but Chawoon didn’t seem to notice. His attention stayed on her.

Almost at the same time, they both stepped back, awkwardly clearing their throats.

Her heartbeat quickened, a flicker of guilt tightening her chest at the thought of how close they’d been. She spoke quietly, careful with her words.
“Chawoon… I’m okay, but… please keep a little distance. At least an arm’s length.”

“Uh ...sorry,” he muttered immediately.

“No, it’s fine. I should’ve been paying attention to where I was going,” she added quickly

He nodded, then hesitated. “Actually… I was looking for you,” he said quietly. “I really wanted to talk to you alone.”
He paused, then asked, “Can you spare some time?”

“Huh? Why?” she asked, still flustered.

He glanced around the corridor and lowered his voice.
“Can we talk somewhere quieter?”

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.

When they reached the canteen, he placed something on the table a bottle of banana milk juice.

“Your favorite, right?” he said, glancing at her with a shy smile.

Ayesha blinked. “How do you know?”

“I just noticed,” he replied. “You always get this.”

She smiled softly, touched. “Thank you… but why are you doing this?”

His gaze dropped to the floor, his voice turning gentle.
“Actually… I wanted to thank you properly for yesterday.... I went there to say something, but...”

Before he could finish, she sighed softly.
“I was so scared that night,” she admitted. “What if I hadn’t saved you…?”

She looked at him, worry flickering in her eyes.
“And ..are you alright now?”

He chuckled under his breath. “Cute.”

Then, louder, his dimple showing as he smiled,
“Yes ! Absolutely fine!...because of you....If you hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would’ve happened. Thank you… for that push.”

Her cheeks warmed instantly, and she looked away.

Chawoon smiled, quietly admiring her, then added,
“I know you both were startled. Everything happened so suddenly. But don’t worry everything’s fine now. And I’m sure my brother will make sure he stays in jail.”

“Alhamdulillah,” Ayesha whispered now she felt relieved

He hesitated, taking a breath.
“Ayesha… yesterday, I wanted to say...”

Just then, Ahmed walked in and patted Chawoon’s back.
“What’s happening here?” he asked, then turned to Ayesha.

"Btw Ayesha! Ameena bula rhi hai tumhe!”

((By the way, Ayesha!
Ameena is calling you.))

Chawoon didn’t quite process the words. He only noticed Ayesha gripping the bottle as she stood up.

“Chawoon, I’m sorry ,I have to go. Thank you for this,” she said with a small smile before leaving with Ahmed.

Ahmed waved as they walked away, speaking in Hindi/urdu

Chawoon frowned.
“Ahmed is like an ad ...always popping up and interrupting the most important scenes… ah but what did he even say?” he muttered.
They shared a common language that was why Ahmed was there, and why I’m here instead.
His eyes lingered on the empty chairs, irritation quietly settling in.

Then his mind caught up with the words he’d heard.
“Ayesha Ameena bol hai’… "

He searched the phrase on his phone, squinting at the result.

“…What? Why does this sound like a threat?”Confused, he muttered to himself, slipped the phone away, and walked out.

At Chawoon's House

Since Chawoon wasn’t at home, Min Kyu decided it was finally time to tell his mother the truth. Everything that had happened in the past few days weighed heavily on him, and she was the only one who knew his darkest secrets.

Before leaving his room, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to calm the storm inside him. Then, he walked to his mother’s door and knocked.

When she opened it, Min Kyu immediately stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
“Mom… I’m sorry I lied to you,” he said, his voice low and filled with regret.

His mother stiffened in surprise, caught off guard by his sudden embrace.
“H-huh? Min Kyu… what’s going on?” she asked, taken aback.

Then she remember yesterday talk

“yeah...I knew it…” she whispered under her breath, fumbling with her words as though she had suspected something all along.

“Mom, please… calm down,” Min Kyu said gently, guiding her to the sofa and helping her sit. “He’s in prison now.”

His mother’s eyes widened, trying to process his words.

"Yuseok… he didn’t want to kill me for money or out of hatred for who I am,” Min Kyu said, his voice low but steady. “He wanted revenge… for his father’s murder.”

His mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.

Min Kyu’s eyes darkened as he went on. “His son, Yuseok… was there that night. He saw me pull the trigger.” His fists tightened at the memory, the veins on his hands showing.

His mother’s voice shook. “And… Mr. John? The one who shot Ji Won … he’s with Yuseok?”

Min Kyu’s lips curved into a cold, bitter line. “Yes. Mr. John...Yuseok’s uncle. They joined hands. Planned everything together. To destroy me.”

Then he reached out, gently taking her trembling hand in his. For a brief moment, his expression softened, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"But now, everything is fine, so don’t worry. And

He paused then said in a low voice
"don’t say anything to "Chawoon"...I don’t want him seeing me as a criminal or know about my dark past."

"Yes... I’ll take care of it," she replied
"Did he tell the police about you?" his mom asked, concerned.

"No... He doesn’t have any proof. I’m safe. But if he wants, maybe.." Kim min said, trailing off. ..."but ,I don’t think he will. He’s had so many chances to speak up, and he never has," he added.

His mom was continuously looking at him with a concern

"Don’t worry! "everything is fine now", he hugged her, pressing a kiss on her forehead. "Take some rest okay don't Overthink about it"

Time skip
At Ji Won’s House

Ji Won sat on her bed, scrolling through Ayesha and Ameena’s messages. A soft ache of guilt tugged at her chest she regretted the words she had spoken back then. More than anything, she wanted to apologize in person, but her mother had forbidden her from leaving the house until she was fully recovered.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

She opened it and blinked in surprise. A tall figure stood before her, one hand tucked casually in his pocket, the other holding a basket beautifully decorated and filled with chocolates. When she looked up, her heart skipped Kim Min Kyu was standing there.

Without a word, he extended the basket toward her, his eyes gentle.
“Shall I come in?” he asked softly.

Ji Won’s lips curved into a smile she couldn’t hide as she accepted the basket. “Yes,” she replied, stepping aside.

“Thank you,” he murmured, walking in. His gaze drifted around. “Where’s your mom?”

“She went to the store,” Ji Won said.

“Ah.” He nodded, then turned his eyes back to her, his voice laced with quiet concern. “So… are you okay now?”

Ji Won smiled brightly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

For a moment, he simply watched her, his usual coolness melting just slightly. “Good,” he said, though his tone carried something deeper. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me. Anytime.”

Her heart fluttered a bit at his words. “ah...I’ll be fine. And tomorrow, I’ll be back at college,” she said with a cheerful laugh.

“That’s good,” he said, almost relieved. Then, awkwardly, he reached for his sunglasses. “I guess I should go now.”

“Take care,” he added softly.

She hesitated before stopping him. “Wait… Did you find out who tried to kill me?”

His body stilled. For a moment, silence hung between them. Then he answered carefully, “Yesterday… he was sent to prison. Everything’s fine now.” He forced a small smile and made to leave.

“So who was it? And why?” Ji Won asked again, her curiosity and fear mingling.

He didn’t want to burden her, but he also couldn’t lie completely. After a long pause, he said, “It was my manager. He wanted revenge… for the injustice I did to him.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “What? I can’t believe he would go that far.”

“I can’t believe it either,” Min Kyu admitted quietly. “But it’s the truth.”

Her face hardened. “He deserves prison for life.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “I want that too. And don’t worry—I’ll make sure he stays there.” His voice carried both promise and determination.

Ji Won’s anger faded into a smile, touched by his words.

Min Kyu watched her quietly, something soft flickering in his gaze. A gentle smile appeared on his face.

She noticed. “Why are you smiling?” she asked, her cheeks warming.

He looked at her for a long moment before answering simply, “Because seeing you happy… makes me happy too.”

Her breath caught. For a moment, the air between them felt different—warm, fragile, yet comforting.

Then, with a small nod, he slipped on his sunglasses. “Rest well, Ji Won.”

She stood at the doorway, clutching the chocolate basket. He’s a kid with such a cold face… she thought, yet a soft smile lingered on her lips as she watched him walk away, her heart strangely lighter than before.

At College

Chawoon sat alone, the soft light casting a glow that made him look almost unreal, like an angel.

Ayesha’s heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of him. She turned slightly, whispering to herself,“What… is happening?”,No....please. He’s my friend. Nothing more....but...I Love h…?

“Ah… Astagfirullah,” she whispered.
What am I even thinking?

Her chest thumped violently, and she pressed a hand to it, trying to slow her racing heartbeat. "Calm down… just calm down," she told herself, taking a shaky breath. Slowly, she started walking toward him, her steps tentative but determined.

Nearby, she overheard a voice “Hyejin, Chawoon looks so handsome…"

Hyejin replied "he is ~" while looking at Ayesha she added "I wanted to date him, but I’m pretty sure Ji Won and he are together.”

The words, lightly giggled, cut through her focus. A pang of longing shot through her chest.

She clenched her fists briefly, forcing herself to keep moving but then froze. The memory of the hug between Ji Won and Chawoon flashed vividly in her mind.

"Ah....I should ....stay away…" she thought, her steps faltering. "I can’t bear seeing him with her but at the end that is truth..... I just need to focus on my studies…"

Closing her eyes, she pressed her palms together, taking a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened them, she slowly turned back, a bittersweet ache in her chest.

“I know Ji Won will be a good life partner for you… because she loves you more than I ever could,” Ayesha whispered softly, forcing a gentle, wistful smile as she walked away, every step heavy with unspoken feelings.

Chawoon, meanwhile, was busy thinking, "Hhh, such a boring day..." He picked up his phone and started searching, "How to become a pro in Hindi?"

Ahmed approached him, raising an eyebrow as Chawoon quickly shut his phone.

"What were you doing?" Ahmed asked, intrigued.

"Ah, nothing. Just an informational video," Chawoon replied quickly.

"Really? So why did you shut your phone like that?" Ahmed asked, suspicious.

"Privacy. I didn’t want to show you," Chawoon said, trying to shrug it off.

"Okay, fine. he gave him a side eye supiosus look and continue But if you were talking with a girl...trust me, don’t make a girlfriend," Ahmed said, grinning.

"Well I don't want to make girlfriend what's the point to date when there is an option of marriage he paused “whatever but why ?" Chawoon asked, confused.

"Because girls are really dumb. Like, see Ameena. I always roast her," Ahmed laughed.

"Why do you always do that to Ameena? She’s a great girl," Chawoon said, defending her.

"Yeah, I know. She’s a nice girl, but I love to irritate her... and whispered to himself" she looks cute when she gets mad," Ahmed smirked, lost in thought.

Just then, he spotted Umer. "Oh, wait, Chawoon. I want to make someone regret something," Ahmed said with a mischievous glint.

He ran toward Umer and started throwing shoes at him. "I’ll teach you how to change an alarm!"

"Sorry, man!" Umer shouted, running around as they both played around.

Chawoon smiled, watching them.

"Min Joon saw Chawoon sitting alone on a bench.

He wanted to talk to him, but guilt was holding him back. After a moment of hesitation, he walked over to Chawoon.

"Hey, Chawoon," Min Joon said nervously.

Chawoon's happy expression quickly turned to anger. "What? You know I don’t want to talk to you. Just leave me alone."

Min Joon, hurt, turned and walked away with a sad face.

At the Library

Ayesha and Ameena were already there when they noticed Min Joon looking upset.

"Ameena, I think we should talk to Min Joon. He’s sad for some reason," Ayesha said, concerned.

Ameena looked up and agreed. "Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go."

They walked towards Min Joon, and Ayesha asked, "Is everything okay?"

Min Joon, his voice trembling, replied, "No... Chawoon will never forgive me. He’ll never make me his friend again."

Ayesha understood that Chawoon must have said something hurtful to Min Joon.

She handed him the water bottle with a calm, reassuring smile. "Okay, calm down," she said gently, her tone soft but firm. "I’ll talk to him. Trust me."

Ayesha took a deep breath, she just a few time ago decided to stay away from Chawoon,but something else is written in her fate

Min Joon’s eyes softened, a glimmer of hope flickering in them. “You will?”

Ameena, noticing the shift in his demeanor, nodded with confidence. “Yes, Ayesha will.”

Ayesha offered a smile, but beneath it, her heart was conflicted. She had decided to keep her distance from Chawoon, but in that moment, she couldn’t ignore the flicker of hope she felt for Min Joon. She just hoped she’d be able to do what she promised !

Min Joon looked at her with hope. "Thank you, so much."

This gave him hope, and he smiled in return.

************************************

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