The rain had returned, soft and persistent, tapping gently against the library windows. It was late evening, long after most students had left. Only two figures remained in the quiet room—Aryan and Kavya—surrounded by stacks of books and the faint scent of coffee gone cold.
They were finishing the last part of the reading project’s schedule, but the atmosphere had shifted. The usual rhythm of collaboration had slowed, replaced by something quieter, heavier.
Kavya glanced at him from across the table. His shoulders were tense, his expression unreadable as he reviewed a list of volunteers. The dim light from the desk lamp cast shadows on his face, outlining a weariness she hadn’t noticed before.
“You okay?” she asked softly.
He blinked, as though pulled from a distant thought. “Yeah. Jus
