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"Yunah, you're seriously the slowest person alive—" Serena burst into the house, her voice echoing through the living room. "Everyone's already gathered outside your place, and even Noah's—" She stopped mid-sentence. Her cheerful tone dropped instantly, turning cold and sharp as her eyes landed on Meena."What the hell is she doing here?" Serena asked, disbelief and irritation lacing every word.
Meena stood silently in the middle of the living room, her head bowed, fingers tightening around the basket she was supposed to take outside. She didn't say a word.
Before Serena could say anything else, Yunah hurried over, grabbed her arm, and pulled her towards the hallway.
"Come with me. Now," Yunah said firmly.
As she dragged Serena towards her room, Yunah shot a quick glance over her shoulder at Noah. "Take her outside. We'll join you after a quick talk."
Noah met her eyes for a second, understanding the weight behind her words. He nodded calmly, adjusting the supplies in his hands. "Okay."
Yunah pulled Serena into her room and shut the door behind them, the sound echoing like a warning—this conversation wasn't going to be easy.
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Inside Yunah's Room.
"Leave my hand," Serena snapped, yanking her arm free. Her jaw was tight, eyes blazing. "What is she doing in your house? Don't tell me you forgave her. After everything."
"I know it must've surprised you—" Yunah began.
"Surprised?" Serena cut in, a bitter laugh escaping her. "I was furious. Seeing her here made my blood boil. How can you just forget her betrayal? Her words? Did you forget how, just last night at the reunion, she did everything she could to embarrass you in front of everyone?" She stared at Yunah, frustration written all over her face.
"I haven't forgotten," Yunah said quietly but firmly. "And no, I haven't fully forgiven her either. I don't trust her yet." She took a breath, steadying herself. "But Serena… she really needs us right now. You know what her childhood was like. She's always been desperate to be loved." Her voice softened. "And she's broken up with Gaurav."
"What?" Serena froze. "When did that happen?" Her confusion spilled into her voice. "They looked perfectly fine yesterday."
"That was just the surface," Yunah replied. "An act. I didn't want to let her back into our lives either—trust me. But after hearing her…" She paused, her expression turning serious. "I realised she's more broken than she lets on."
Yunah went on, telling Serena everything Meena had confessed. Serena listened in stunned silence, her anger slowly shifting into disbelief.
"The hell…" Serena finally muttered, dropping onto Yunah's bed. "So Gaurav and Meena were talking even before you two got together." She clenched her fists. "That bastard Gaurav…"
"I know, right?" Yunah let out a small, ironic smile as she picked up her phone. "Looks like he wanted both of us. Thanks to Meena, I dodged a bullet."
"I never imagined Gaurav would turn out to be such a jerk," Serena said, her tone calmer now, the edge finally fading.
"Anyway," Yunah said, standing up, "let's forget about that idiot and go. Everyone's probably waiting for us." She hesitated, then added gently, "And Serena… just treat Meena normally, okay? Try not to be hostile."
Serena sighed, pushing herself up from the bed. "Hmm." She nodded once. "I'll try my best."
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Noah stepped out carrying a few packed bags and immediately noticed the white campervan parked outside Yunah's house. Without hesitation, he walked straight to it, loaded the bags inside, and silently helped Meena place her basket as well. He didn't say a word—his focus precise, controlled.
As he shut the van door, his eyes caught a familiar sight. A black Thar stood parked a little distance away. A man leaned casually against it. Noah stiffened. He recognised him instantly—yet couldn't understand why he was here. His jaw tightened as he walked towards the man, irritation clear on his face.
"What are you doing here, Da?" Noah asked coldly.
Nerav chuckled, unfazed. "Wahh… look at that. My own brother didn't invite me for camping. Had to be invited by an outsider instead."
"Did Di invite you?" Noah asked, his glare sharp and unwelcoming.
"Yeah. And not just me." Nerav tilted his head, gesturing behind him. "There are guests too."
"Guests?" Noah frowned.
The Thar's door opened.
Ivan stepped out first—followed by Nisha, standing a little behind him, eyes lowered, expression shy.
Noah blinked once. "What the—" he muttered. Then louder, "Did Di invite you two?"
"N-no…" Ivan answered nervously. "I was bored." He hesitated, glancing at Nisha before turning back to Noah. "As for her… ask her yourself."
"I came with Ivan because I wanted to see you…" Nisha said softly, her voice shy and hopeful.
Noah didn't even react.
"Ohhh—looks like the group just got bigger," Yunah's voice chimed in as she arrived with Serena.
"I'm sorry for coming without any notice, Di," Nisha said quickly, bowing her head. "I didn't mean to cause trouble."
"No, no," Yunah replied warmly, shaking her head with a bright smile. "No need to apologise. It's good to have more people." She looked around. "If everyone's ready, we should leave. Has everyone arrived? Where are Preeti and her husband?"
"We're here!" Preeti called out as she appeared with her husband. "We went back to grab the couple cups we forgot earlier."
"Perfect," Yunah said, clapping her hands lightly. "Everyone's here then. Sharon said he'll meet us at Silent Valley, so let's go."
"Let's gooo—wooooh!" Serena shouted, bouncing with excitement.
Nerav watched her, a faint smile tugging at his lips, amused by her energy.
"Okay," Yunah said, turning practical. "Let's divide ourselves. Serena, where do you want to sit?"
Serena tilted her head innocently. "Can I choose the Thar?"
Yunah scoffed lightly. "Sit wherever you want."
That was all the permission Serena needed—she jumped straight into the front seat of the Thar without even glancing at Nerav.
Nerav stared at his car, speechless. "Wahh… is that really my car?"
Yunah laughed softly before turning to Noah. "Then I'll ride with you. Preeti and her husband can take the campervan."
"Hm," Noah nodded, clearly pleased.
"Meena, come with us," Yunah said, heading towards the black Brabus.
Noah opened the door for Yunah. She slid into the front seat, while Meena quietly took the back.
The engines roared to life— and with unspoken tension lingering in the air, the journey finally began.
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On the way, Yunah dozed off in the passenger seat—as she always did on long drives. Meena had already fallen asleep in the back too, curled up in silence.The window beside Yunah was slightly open. The day breeze slipped in, teasing loose strands of her hair, making them dance against her face. In her sleep, she shivered faintly and
Noah noticed it instantly.
Without taking his eyes off the road, he loosened his grip on the steering wheel just enough to slip off his jacket with one hand. Carefully—almost instinctively—he draped it over Yunah's shoulders, shielding her from the cold. Then he reached across, rolled the window up, and let the cabin settle into warmth again.
Yunah didn't stir.
For a moment, everything was quiet.
Then Yunah's phone vibrated which lay in the center console between the two seats, screen lighting up softly in silent mode.
Noah glanced at it—Unknown Number. He muttered and ignored it.
The phone buzzed again.
And again.
With a faint frown, Noah reached for it with one hand, steering with the other. Just as he picked it up, the call disconnected making him frustrat for few seconds and then he placed the phone back.
A second later, the screen lit up once more—this time with a message notification.
Out of reflex, not curiosity, Noah glanced down.
And froze.
The warmth in the car seemed to drain in an instant. His jaw tightened. His fingers curled hard around the steering wheel, knuckles whitening as his eyes locked onto the screen.
The name staring back at him wasn't unfamiliar.
Gaurav. He let out a dangerous whisper as he read the text.
"Hi, Yunah. It's me, Gaurav. Can we meet and talk."
Noah's expression darkened—dangerously still.