Zara spoke quickly, almost too quickly, "No, no—maybe Riven is busy. He might have other work…"
But Raiyan never lets things slide so easily.
Raiyan clicked his tongue, laughing, "What work? All he does is wander around outside the whole day."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Kelly pointed at me with a wicked grin. "Go, brother! If you go with Zara sis, maybe a little romance will happen— I mean… work will get done too!"
I nearly choked on air.
"Ei! Shut up!" I snapped, heat rushing to my face.
Mom's stern voice cut through the laughter. "Enough. Riven will go. It's a good deed; don't refuse."
Dad nodded in agreement. "Yes. It'll be good experience too. Go, Son. Don't waste time."
The way everyone was looking at us… it felt like they were ready to arrange a wedding right there.
Embarrassed, I muttered, "Okay, okay. I'm going…"
Zara was packing some documents into her bag while I stood beside her awkwardly.
Mom came to the door and said warmly, "Take care, son."
Zara smiled respectfully. "Yes, aunty. I'll look after him."
I just murmured a quiet "Hmm."
Inside my mind, Jason—the real me—was panicking.
"Oh God… I'm actually going out alone with a girl. Not just any girl… a mature, graceful one!"
Zara looked at me and gave a small smile.
"Shall we go?"
I cleared my throat. "Ah… yeah. Let's go."
We stepped out of the yard. The air carried the scent of pitha, winter fog curling around the village like a soft blanket. Dew glistened on the dirt road beneath our shoes, making a crisp sound as we walked. Morning sunlight drifted through the clouds with a gentle warmth. Wet grass sparkled in the distance where the light touched it, the whole village glowing in a soft, sleepy peace.
I walked quietly, staring at the ground. Zara kept glancing at me but didn't say anything. Maybe she could sense how awkward I was. She had some clothes and notebooks in her bag, so I reached out instinctively.
"Give it to me. I'll carry the bag."
She laughed softly.
"No need. Just stay beside me."
I couldn't help smiling as I turned away.
This girl… she's different. Truly different.
At the pond's edge, a few kids were playing. They spotted Zara and shouted excitedly,
"Sister! Are we getting sweaters today?"
Zara's smile was warm enough to melt winter itself.
"Of course! Just be on time at school."
The joy in their eyes loosened something tight in my chest.
Yet inside, a strange tension coiled.
Maybe it was nerves… maybe it was something else.
Suddenly Zara turned to me with a soft smile.
"Riven… you weren't like this before."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You used to tease girls, smoke, pick fights… look at you now. So calm. Sometimes I feel like… you're not the same Riven."
My heart dropped.
Did she… suspect something?
But I'm not Riven. I'm Jason—someone completely different.
I stuttered helplessly,
"N-No… I mean… I'm still Riven…"
Zara raised a brow, her eyes sharp enough to cut through my soul.
"Hmm? Is that so?"
Her stare made my cheeks burn despite the cold morning.
Right then, a familiar voice pierced the air—
"Oii! Did the sun rise from the West today or what?"
Leo.
He walked toward us with a cup of tea, lips curved into his usual mischievous grin. His cheeks were slightly red—maybe from the cold. He wore a gray hoodie under a heavy jacket with a thick purple scarf wrapped around his neck.
He slung an arm around my shoulder.
"So? Got a girlfriend and now you forget your friends?"
I stared at him, scandalized. "Girlfriend?! Who?!"
Leo laughed.
"Oh please. Walking in the winter morning with a girl? Sure. Totally not romantic."
Before I could respond, Zara exploded,
"Leo! Shut your mouth. You roam around the streets all day, chase girls, don't study— fix yourself first!"
Leo froze for a second, then grinned again.
"Ahh, you guys will love and I'm supposed to focus on studying? That's unfair!"
Zara glared. "Say one more word and I'll tell the headmaster and why you here in your school time?"
Leo retreated instantly, muttering curses as he walked toward the tea stall.
A moment later, he was back to sipping tea and pretending not to stare at girls.
We continued walking.
Zara looked irritated.
I looked embarrassed.
At the shop ahead, we bought blankets, socks, and a few bags.
Then Zara sighed.
"I can't walk anymore. Let's take a rickshaw."
The rickshaw arrived. She got in.
I hesitated.
"You sit. I'll walk."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't act smart. Sit."
With my face burning, I climbed in. The cold air pressed around us, but her presence felt unexpectedly warm. The rickshaw bumped along the foggy road, our shoulders brushing gently. I stared anywhere but at her—trees, sky, dust, whatever was not her. My heart was beating too fast.
The wheels clattered, and silence wrapped around us.
Zara finally spoke in a soft voice,
"Why are you so quiet, Riven? Afraid I might say something?"
I jumped slightly.
"No… I mean… it's cold."
She laughed—the kind of soft, melting laugh that made winter feel gentle.
"You know… you weren't like this before. I used to be scared of you. Now… I feel safe around you."
Safe.
The word echoed in my chest.
I wasn't even the real Riven…
But somehow, in that moment, I wanted to be someone she could trust.
The rickshaw bumped again. Our hands brushed—just barely.A pulse shot through me.
Zara looked away, cheeks tinting slightly.
"Thank you… You know, no one's ever believed in my dreams before."
Something in her voice trembled.
She exhaled softly.
"When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming a writer. But now… I barely have time to breathe, let alone chase dreams."
I listened quietly.
"Everyone thinks I'm just a quiet girl—someone who studies, takes care of family, nothing more. But every night, I stay awake imagining stories… of people who live, love, break, survive…"
Her voice cracked slightly.
Before I could stop myself, I said,
"You can do it, Zara. People might doubt you… but I know you have a fire inside."
She stared at me, surprised—almost touched.
The rickshaw rattled as our hands brushed once more.
Zara quickly looked away, a shy smile forming.
"No one's listened to my dreams like that before…"
I smiled faintly.
"Maybe because I'm a character inside your story now…"
She blinked. "What?"
I panicked.
"I-I mean… like a side character! In your story!"
We both burst into laughter.
The rickshaw rolled to a stop in front of Raymond Primary School & College, but our laughter lingered in the air—soft and warm.