The door of Arav’s cabin clicked shut behind Anya, and for a moment, the entire room fell into a silence so heavy it almost felt like it had weight. The faint sound of college chaos outside seemed distant, almost unreal, as if the world had paused just for them.

Arav stood near his desk, not immediately turning around. Anya remained near the door for a second longer, her fingers lightly gripping the strap of her bag. The air between them felt different today colder, more controlled, yet strangely tense in a way neither of them was willing to acknowledge.