ch 7 jealousy and coffee
1023 Words
Chapter 7: Jealousy and Coffee
The world hadn’t changed much after they kissed in the garden, but Ayan felt it differently now — softer at the edges, warmer beneath the surface. Mornings felt less empty, even when filled with textbooks and alarms.
He walked into the college café like he always did, scanning the room out of habit. Kai was already there, seated at their usual table near the window, hoodie draped loosely over one shoulder, sipping from a paper cup. His camera was on the table beside him, along with his sketchbook — the one Ayan had never seen the inside of, even now.
Ayan approached with a smile. “Morning.”
Kai looked up and gave him that half-lidded look — the one that always made Ayan feel like he was being seen and studied in equal measure. “You’re late.”
“You’re early.”
“I missed you.”
Ayan blinked, taken aback by the bluntness. Kai rarely said things like that without teasing. “You did?”
Kai shrugged, but his lips twitched into a smile. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” Ayan said, sliding into the seat across from him.
---
They had barely been sitting together for ten minutes when a voice called out from across the café.
“Ayan?”
Ayan turned, surprised. A tall guy with dyed brown hair and a confident grin was weaving through the tables toward them.
“Neil?” Ayan blinked. “I didn’t know you went here.”
“Transferred this semester,” Neil said, pulling Ayan into a quick, familiar hug before stepping back. “It’s been, what, two years?”
“Something like that,” Ayan said with a sheepish smile.
Kai watched silently, sipping his coffee. His expression didn’t change, but his fingers tapped a slow, restless rhythm on his paper cup.
Neil glanced at him. “Oh, hey. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“This is Kai,” Ayan said, gesturing. “A friend. Classmate.”
Kai raised an eyebrow slightly at friend, but said nothing.
Neil smiled and extended a hand. “Cool to meet you.”
Kai shook it briefly. “You too.”
“Anyway,” Neil said, turning back to Ayan, “I’m still getting used to this place. Mind showing me around later? Like old times?”
Ayan hesitated. “Yeah, maybe. Let’s see how the day goes.”
“Sweet. Catch you later, then.” With a final grin, Neil walked off, leaving the scent of cologne and confidence in his wake.
Ayan turned back to Kai, who was now staring into his coffee like it held all of life’s answers.
“You okay?” Ayan asked, cautious.
“Totally,” Kai said, too fast.
“You sure? You look like you want to murder your cup.”
Kai huffed. “So, that’s the famous Neil.”
“Not famous,” Ayan said, frowning. “Just… someone I used to know.”
Kai didn’t respond.
Ayan leaned forward. “Are you jealous?”
Kai looked up, eyes unreadable. “Would it matter if I was?”
“Yes,” Ayan said. “Because you don’t have to be.”
Kai looked away, jaw tight. “I know we kissed. I know we’re… whatever this is. But that guy just hugged you in front of me like he knew you better. And you let him.”
Ayan’s breath hitched. “I didn’t think—”
“I’m not mad,” Kai cut in. “I just… I don’t want to go back to being someone you almost choose.”
Ayan reached across the table and placed his hand over Kai’s. “You think I didn’t notice how quiet you got when he showed up? How you stopped smiling?”
Kai didn’t pull his hand away, but he didn’t look at Ayan either.
“You’re not an almost,” Ayan said, voice low. “Not anymore. You’re the part I was scared to want — and now that I have you, I don’t want anyone else.”
Kai looked at him, finally. The jealousy faded, just a little, replaced by something quieter. “You’re good with words.”
“I’m better with feelings,” Ayan whispered.
Kai chuckled. “You’re still annoying.”
“You’re still pretending you’re not relieved.”
Kai squeezed his hand. “Okay. Maybe a little.”
---
Later that afternoon, they sat under a tree near the edge of campus, Kai’s head resting on Ayan’s shoulder as Ayan read aloud from his notes — mostly nonsense, just background noise.
“Neil was a crush once,” Ayan said suddenly.
Kai tilted his head up. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. In high school. Before you.”
Kai smirked. “And then me?”
“And then you,” Ayan confirmed. “And it never went away. Not even when I ran. Not even when we stopped talking.”
Kai closed his eyes. “I don’t want to be insecure. I trust you. I just…”
“I get it,” Ayan said gently. “But let me make this clear — I want us. Not could-have-beens. Not almosts.”
“Okay,” Kai whispered.
A breeze passed through the trees, scattering yellow leaves across their laps.
Ayan smiled, pressing a kiss to Kai’s temple. “Now, can we go get that coffee I definitely earned by calming your stormy little heart?”
Kai laughed. “Only if you promise not to flirt with the barista.”
“No promises.”
---
That evening, Ayan found a new post in Kai’s sketchbook — left open on purpose on his bed.
It wasn’t a poem. It was a sketch.
Of them — under the tree, fingers laced, leaves around them like confetti. And beneath it, in Kai’s small, neat handwriting:
> You don’t need to say it every day.
But when you do, it echoes louder than the silence ever did.
Ayan smiled and closed the book gently.
He didn’t need grand declarations. Just this.
Just Kai.
---
[End of Chapter 7]
- Writer
