AaravI
stand frozen in the park, watching the black car disappear around the corner. Atlas's drink is still spreading across the pavement at my feet, its sweet scent rising in the evening air. My hand feels empty where he pulled away from my grip.
What just happened?
Behind me, Aunty's truck sits loaded with groceries, waiting to be delivered. Everything was normal just minutes ago—we were shopping, joking. And then… Atlas saw that woman. His mother. The moment he spotted her, his whole body changed, like a switch flipping.
I've never seen him look scared before.
My phone feels heavy in my pocket. I should call Aunty, tell her… what? That Atlas just left with his mother, who appeared out of nowhere? That her new favorite customer isn't coming back?
That smirk he gave me at the end—it's wrong. Forced. Like a mask that doesn't quite fit.
"Tell your aunt I won't be coming by anymore."
His words loop in my mind as I climb into the truck. The engine rumbles to life, but nothing feels normal anymore. Mrs. Leth's cold smile. The way Atlas moved in front of me, like he was shielding me from her. The quiet threat in her voice when she mentioned Aunty's restaurant.
I drive slowly, my thoughts racing.
"Just drop it, Aarav. Go back to your normal life and forget about yesterday. Forget about me."
But I can't.
The restaurant comes into view, its warm lights spilling onto the sidewalk. Through the window, I see Aunty moving between tables, smiling at customers. When she spots the truck, she waves.
I start unloading the groceries. My phone buzzes, and for a moment, my heart jumps—but it's just Aunty asking if I need help. I text back that I'm fine.
Should I message Atlas? Would he even respond?
Inside, Aunty is busy with the dinner rush, but the moment she sees me, her eyes narrow.
"Where's Atlas?" she asks, helping me carry vegetables to the kitchen. "Did he have to go home?"
"He…" I pause, stacking cucumbers in the fridge. "He had to go—some emergency."
"Oh?" She stops, watching me carefully. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes."
Before I realize it, my phone is in my hand. I type out a message:
"I delivered the groceries." "Aunty is worried about you."
I think about the way Atlas stepped in front of me when his mother arrived. The way his voice went cold at the end. Protecting us from what?
Another message:
"Whatever's going on, you don't have to handle it alone."
Both messages show as delivered, but no response comes.
"Come on," Aunty says, squeezing my shoulder. "Help me with the dinner rush. Keep busy."
I nod, tying on an apron, but my mind keeps drifting back to the park. To Mrs. Leth's sharp smile. To Mr. Sid, watching everything with that unreadable expression. To Atlas, looking trapped and terrified before forcing that fake smirk.
Something's wrong. The question is: what am I going to do about it?
The dinner rush keeps me moving—taking orders, serving food, clearing tables.
Later, after we close, I help Aunty clean up. She pauses while wiping down a table, watching me.
I check my phone one last time before bed. The messages still show as delivered, but not read. Outside my window, the city lights twinkle. Somewhere out there, Atlas is… what? Safe? Trapped? Both?
"Forget about me," he said
But I don't think I can. Or want to.
I save his number in my phone, even though he probably won't use it again.
The next morning, I wake up, already thinking about him.
The first thing I do is check my phone.
"He read it."
He read the message—but he doesn't respond.
Now that I think about it… which college does Atlas even go to?
My morning is consumed by thoughts of him.