The Almost Confession

Chapter 5 –

Eshan had always thought of himself as someone who blended quietly into the background. But with Reyan, he felt like the center of the world.

That evening, after classes, Reyan insisted they walk home together. The streets were quieter than usual, washed in the golden glow of sunset. Their shoulders brushed now and then, sending tiny shivers through Eshan that he tried hard to ignore.

“You’re quiet today,” Reyan said, glancing sideways at him.

“I’m always quiet,” Eshan replied with a faint smile.

Reyan shook his head. “No. Today feels… different. Like you’re holding something back.”

Eshan’s steps faltered for just a moment. His heart thudded in his chest—was it that obvious? He wanted to say it, to confess the storm of emotions growing inside him since the moment they met. But the words clung stubbornly to his throat.

Reyan stopped walking and faced him, eyes searching.

“You know… you don’t have to hide things from me. I want to know what you’re thinking, Eshan. Always.”

The sincerity in his voice nearly undid him. Eshan’s fingers tightened around the strap of his bag, as if to steady himself.

“I… it’s hard to explain,” he admitted softly.

“Then don’t explain. Just say it the way you feel.” Reyan’s voice dropped to a whisper, gentle but urging.

For a heartbeat, the world went still. The fading sunlight painted Reyan’s face in warm hues, his gaze steady, open. Eshan’s lips parted—he was so close to saying it, to letting the truth spill out: I think I’m falling for you.

But at the last second, fear pulled him back. He lowered his eyes.

“Maybe… another time,” he murmured.

Reyan studied him quietly, then gave a small smile, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment.

“Alright. I’ll wait.”

They walked the rest of the way in silence, but it wasn’t empty. Every unspoken word between them hung heavy in the air, drawing them closer, whether they admitted it or not.

For Eshan, one thing was certain: the longer he stayed near Reyan, the harder it would be to keep his feelings hidden.

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The week felt unusually long for Eshan. Every moment with Reyan filled him with warmth, yet every unspoken word weighed heavier on his chest.

One evening, they found themselves at the rooftop of the library. Reyan had dragged Eshan up there, claiming it was the “best spot to breathe after drowning in lectures.” The city lights twinkled below, the sky stretching wide and endless above them.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Reyan said, leaning against the railing.

Eshan nodded, though his eyes weren’t on the skyline. They were on Reyan. The way the soft breeze played with his hair, the way the glow of the night painted his face—it was a view Eshan could never sketch enough times to capture.

Reyan noticed the stare and smirked. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?” Eshan asked quickly, flustered.

“Looking at me like I’m some kind of masterpiece.” Reyan’s tone was teasing, but his eyes held something more—something gentle, curious, and vulnerable.

Eshan’s face burned. “I wasn’t—”

“Yes, you were.” Reyan stepped closer, closing the space between them. His voice lowered, almost a whisper. “And… I don’t mind.”

The silence that followed pulsed with electricity. Eshan could hear his heartbeat echoing in his ears as Reyan leaned in, just slightly, close enough that their breaths mingled. The world around them seemed to blur.

Eshan’s hand trembled at his side, then—before he could stop himself—he reached out. His fingers brushed against Reyan’s, tentative, testing.

Reyan didn’t pull away. Instead, he turned his palm and laced their fingers together, firm and certain.

Eshan’s chest tightened. It wasn’t a kiss, it wasn’t a confession, but the meaning in that simple touch was undeniable.

For the first time, neither of them looked away.

And though words still remained unspoken, their silence said enough: something was already happening between them, something too real to ignore.

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