Episode 16

Dunk began the tale. "Niran, who's obsessed with reading novels, always spent most of his time in the old library. That’s where he felt most alive, even though no one really noticed him. His heart? It wasn’t in the books he read it was in the shadows where Arthit, the writer existed."

Chen took over, his voice softer as he continued the story. "Arthit. Yeah, the handsome, charming Professor who always seemed to have the entire world figured out. Everyone admired him. But Niran... Niran just watched from a distance. Arthit never even noticed him, not in the way Niran wished. There was only a thin line between them like a library aisle or a whispered lecture in the back row. But that line felt miles wide to Niran. A quiet, secret longing he couldn’t share."

Everyone could sense the glint in Chen’s eyes as he spoke, his voice laced with emotion.

Dunk then continued. "Then, one night, Niran found a forbidden book. “The Codex of Shadows”—an old manuscript with mysteries so dark that even the most daring scholars avoided it. He didn’t care about the danger. It wasn’t the book he wanted; it was the way Arthit had mentioned it once, casually, during a lecture. That small moment was enough to draw Niran in."

Chen picked up the story. "And then Arthit walked in. He saw Niran hunched over the manuscript, his fingers tracing the ancient pages. 'The Codex?' Arthit had asked, his voice filled with that same curiosity Niran had heard in lectures. Niran could only nod, feeling something shift in the air between them. Arthit joined him. They began reading together, each word pulling them deeper into the manuscript’s dark grip."

Dunk took over again. "Niran wanted to say something. To tell Arthit how he felt, but the words wouldn’t come. Arthit was so wrapped up in the book, in the adventure, in the knowledge—it was like Niran didn’t exist beyond being another student. And that hurt. He realized, for all the closeness they shared in those moments, it would never be more than this—a quiet, one-sided connection. Just shadows, fleeting and untouchable."

Chen continued the narration. "The manuscript was calling them, growing heavier with each page. Secrets that promised power, knowledge, and danger. But Niran knew the real truth: the only thing he could never have was Arthit’s love. As they reached the end of the manuscript, Niran knew one thing for sure—sometimes, some things were better left unread. Some feelings were better kept in the silence of the library, where they could never be exposed or lost."

Finally, Dunk concluded the story with a sigh. "In the end, Niran closed the book, not just on the manuscript, but on the love he could never share. He’d never have Arthit, but the moments they shared in the library—those would remain his secret, locked away in the pages of a forbidden book."

There was a long silence after Dunk finished. The entire group stared at them in awe, the weight of the story hanging in the air. Aadhya was the first to break the silence, clapping her hands and cheering. That was amazing! I love how deep it was! she said with genuine admiration.

Saran couldn’t help but smile. Yeah, you guys have a way of telling stories, he said, his voice full of appreciation. That was something else.

Even their parents, who had been watching from the sidelines, exchanged a few glances and shared an awkward smile. They hadn’t expected such an emotional and thought-provoking story to come from their children.

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