The night was calm and peaceful.
A silver moon shone brightly above the camp, covering everything in a soft glow.
Most of the students were asleep after an exhausting day, but sleep refused to come to two people.
Viki sat alone on a wooden bench outside his room, staring at the stars. His expression was calm, but his mind was filled with thoughts.
From a distance, Azaan noticed him.
For a few seconds, he simply stood there, watching him. Every time he looked at Viki, a strange warmth spread through his heart.
Taking a deep breath, he walked closer.
"Sir...?"
Viki turned around and smiled.
"Oh, Azaan. You're still awake?"
Azaan nodded.
"I couldn't sleep."
Viki laughed softly.
"Looks like we're the same then."
Azaan sat beside him. The silence between them wasn't awkward. It felt comfortable.
For a few minutes, both of them looked up at the sky.
The stars sparkled beautifully.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Viki asked.
"Yes."
Azaan wasn't looking at the stars.
He was looking at Viki.
After a while, Viki spoke again.
"Azaan... can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Sir."
"Why did you join this college?"
The question surprised him.
Azaan's smile faded.
He looked down at his hands.
For the first time, he felt like telling someone the truth.
"I wasn't always here, Sir."
Viki listened quietly.
"I used to study in London."
"Really?"
Azaan nodded.
"But things didn't go well."
His voice became heavier.
"I lost my parents when I was young. After that, I had nobody."
Viki's eyes widened slightly.
Azaan continued.
"I learned how to live alone. At first, I thought I was strong enough. But loneliness is harder than people think."
The pain in his voice made Viki's heart ache.
"In college, everyone saw me as an easy target."
"They bullied you?"
Azaan nodded.
"Every day."
The wind blew gently around them.
"I ignored everything. The insults. The jokes. The humiliation."
He paused.
"But one day they started talking about my parents."
His fists clenched.
"I couldn't control myself."
Viki remained silent.
"I fought them."
"And then?"
"Their parents complained to the dean. Nobody listened to my side of the story."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"I was expelled."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Azaan looked at the stars.
"After that, I worked for money and searched for another college."
"And you found this one."
Azaan smiled.
"Yes."
"Do you regret it?"
The answer came immediately.
"No."
Viki smiled.
"Why?"
Azaan's heart skipped a beat.
Because I met you.
The words almost escaped his lips.
Instead, he looked away.
"Because this college gave me a second chance."
Viki nodded.
"I'm glad you came here."
Those simple words meant more to Azaan than Viki could ever imagine.
After a moment, Viki gently placed his hand on Azaan's shoulder.
"Listen to me."
Azaan looked at him.
"You're not alone anymore."
The words hit him harder than anything else.
"Nobody will bully you here."
Viki smiled warmly.
"And if someone tries, they'll have to deal with me first."
Azaan laughed for the first time that night.
"Thank you, Sir."
At that moment, he wished time would stop.
The next morning, the camp was filled with excitement.
Students packed their bags and gathered outside.
Viki stood in front of everyone.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning, Sir!"
"Today we're visiting a nearby village to help with farm work. Everyone be ready."
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Soon they began their journey.
Students walked in groups, laughing and talking.
Sam was walking beside Azaan.
Normally, Azaan would join the conversation.
But today...
His eyes kept searching for someone.
Viki.
Whenever Viki turned around to check on the students, Azaan's gaze followed him.
Whenever Viki smiled, Azaan smiled too.
Sam noticed everything.
At first, he ignored it.
But as time passed, he couldn't.
A strange feeling began growing inside him.
When they finally reached the village, Viki spoke with the village chief and divided everyone into teams.
Some students helped clean the fields.
Others fed animals.
Azaan secretly hoped he would be placed in Viki's group.
And somehow...
His wish came true.
The moment Viki called his name, Azaan couldn't hide his happiness.
Sam saw that too.
Throughout the day, Azaan stayed close to Viki.
Whenever Viki needed help, Azaan was already there.
Whenever Viki carried something heavy, Azaan offered to help.
Whenever Viki smiled at him, his entire day became brighter.
Sam watched quietly.
The more he observed, the clearer everything became.
By evening, the students finished their work and started heading back to camp.
The sky turned orange and pink.
The cool evening breeze made everyone feel relaxed.
Azaan was smiling as he walked.
Thinking about the day.
Thinking about Viki.
Thinking about how happy he felt.
Then suddenly—
"Azaan."
Sam's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hm?"
Sam looked straight at him.
There was something serious in his eyes.
"I want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
Sam took a deep breath.
"I know what you're thinking about."
Azaan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Sam stopped walking.
"So stop pretending."
Azaan's heartbeat quickened.
Sam looked directly into his eyes.
"You like Viki."
Silence.
The world around Azaan seemed to disappear.
The laughter of the students.
The sound of footsteps.
Everything vanished.
Only Sam's words remained.
"You love him, don't you?"
Azaan stood frozen.
His biggest secret...
The secret he had hidden deep inside his heart...
Had finally been discovered.

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