Little by little, Nayza had started taking care of herself again.
She smiled more often now, stayed happier, and no longer kept herself trapped inside her own thoughts all the time.
Meanwhile Erhaan had developed a strange problem when it came to Nayza.
He kept thinking to himself, How could someone just leave me like that? Am I that easy to leave?
Or maybe it wasn't really about Nayza alone.
The moment she walked away from him so easily, it brought back memories from his past memories. He had tried hard to bury.
And he couldn't bear it.
Now, all he wanted was for Nayza to realize what she had done to him.
On the other side.
Nayza was no longer as gloomy as she used to be. She didn't think about her past as much anymore.
She had become busy with her new life. And for the first time in a long while, she was actually happy. She had finally made friends especially Leera. Her parents only sent her money every month. They barely even talked on calls anymore.
Days passed
With only one month of university left before 4th year ended.
She was sitting in class with Doruk, books open, Notes scattered.
"Take a break," Doruk said, standing up. "I'll get something."
Before she could respond, he walked out.
A few minutes later, he came back with two Juices bottles.
"One for you," he said, placing it in front of her.
Nayza looked up surprise, "You didn't have to."
"I know," he shrugged. "I wanted to."
She smiled, small genuine, "Thank you."
They talked. lightly. Casually. For once. It felt normal, easy
Across the room Erhaan saw everything. His jaw tightened slightly.
"Every girl wants to be around me." The thought came sharp and cold."Then why doesn't she?"
His gaze did not leave them. Not even for a second. "Fine." A slow, dangerous thought settled in. "Let's see how long that lasts."
The next day.
The class had not started yet. Students were moving in and out. Talking. Waiting.
Doruk stepped out again.
"To get Juices," He said casually. Nayza nodded, not thinking much of it.
Erhaan was standing near the canteen counter when he said to the worker there, "Give the strawberry juice to my friend when he comes. He'll be here in a bit. Don't tell him that I sent it, because he's upset with me. If he finds out, he probably won't take the juice. "
The worker nodded. "Alright."
After that, Erhaan went and sat down at one of the nearby tables.
A little while later, Doruk walked up to the counter to grab drinks when the canteen worker suddenly handed him a juice bottle, "Here, take this strawberry one. It's the last one left."
"Alright, give it to me," Doruk replied casually.
Knowing Nayza liked strawberry juice, he took it for her without thinking much about it.
But while taking the drink, his eyes suddenly met Erhaan's.
Erhaan was sitting there quietly, staring straight at him.
For some reason, the look felt strange.
Doruk frowned slightly at the sudden awkward feeling but ignored it and walked away anyway.
Back in class, he handed one to Nayza. "Here."
She looked at it, "Strawberry?"
"Yeah," he said, "You like it, right?"
She gave a small nod, "Yeah. Thanks."
They drank, talked. Five minutes later, something shifted.
Nayza blinked slowly. Her focus slipping. Her head feeling... heavy.
"Doruk..." her voice was softer now, slower. "I feel sleepy."
Doruk frowned. "What?"
"I don't know," she murmured.
"I just,"She leaned slightly toward him. "Can I... ?"
Her words blurred, "Your shoulder?"
Doruk didn't overthink it, "Yeah... yeah, okay."
She rested her head on his shoulder, and within second she was asleep.
Doruk froze, "Hey...Nayza?"
No response, confusion settled in. But before he could process it. A quite click echoed.
Across the room. Erhaan lowered his phone, a faint, unreadable smile on his face.
The class hadn't started yet. Only a few students were around. No one paid attention.
Doruk tried again, "Nayza...wake up."
Nothing, a flicker of unease ran through him. This wasn't normal, his glanced at the juice bottle.
Then, something clicked, his expression changed. Without wasting time, he carefully stand up her. "Alright... Come on," he muttered, He took her outside. Toward the garden. Fresh air, space. Quite.
"Wake up," he said, shaking her lightly, No response.
Meanwhile, back in class Leera looked around, "Where are they?"
Yesir frowned slightly. "No idea."
And in the corner Erhaan sat still. Looking at Nayza's empty seat, a slow, almost invisible smirk forming.
The class went on, time passed. Hours later. In the garden, Nayza was still unconscious, Doruk sat beside her, tense. Watching. Waiting, "This isn't normal..." he muttered.
His gaze shifted again, to the memory of the Juice. To Erhaan, Understanding hit. Sharp, Clear."You."
Doruk walked straight to the canteen worker, his expression darker than usual.
"I won't ask too many questions," he said coldly. "Just tell me one thing... what was mixed in that strawberry juice?"
The boy behind the counter looked confused. "Nothing was mixed in it. Why?"
The next second, Doruk raised his voice angrily. "If there was nothing in it, then why did the person who drank it faint?!"
The worker immediately grew nervous seeing Doruk like that, "T-That's not my fault," he stammered quickly. "Your friend told me to give it to you. He said you two weren't on good terms, so if he gave it himself, you probably wouldn't take it."
Doruk's eyes narrowed instantly, "Who?"
The boy swallowed nervously before replying, "I think his name was... Erhaan."
By evening, Leera and Yesir still could not find them, calls unanswered. No sign, until Erhaan walked up to them, "I saw them," he said calmly.
Leera stood up instantly, "where?"
"In the garden."
A pause.
"They're sleeping."
That was enough.
They ran.
Doruk looked up as they approached.
"Finally," he said.
"What happened?" Yesir demanded.
He told them everything.
Leera's expression darkened instantly.
"Yesir"
"I know," he said, jaw tight.
Nayza still hadn't woken up.
They took her home carefully. Leera found the keys in her bag, opened the door. They laid her on the bed, "She'll be fine," Doruk said, through he didn't sound sure.
"Yes," Leera said quietly.
But her eyes were furious. Doruk and yesir left soon after, "What about you Leera?" Yesir said.
"I'll stay with her,"
Yesir nodded, "Okay take care."
The door closed, silence filled the apartment.
Somewhere else, Erhaan looked at the photos on his phone. One of her sleeping defenseless close to someone else. His expression did not change. But his eyes darkened.
"Now," he murmured quietly.
Let's see what you do.