Pov:Max
The corridor still echoed faint whispers, like the haunted block hadn't recovered from what just happened. But we had—well, almost.
I, sat on the dusty ledge near the staircase with Kitty and Ren beside me. No one said a word at first. Not because we didn't want to, but because none of us knew how to speak about something that had left our hearts pounding and cheeks flushed.
Kitty broke the silence, "So… do you want me to scream now or wait until we're back in the hostel?"
I looked at her, lips twitching, caught between embarrassment and a smile. "Kitty," I warned softly.
Ren tilted her head with a smirk. "She means scream in a good way, Max. Like… 'finally!' kind of scream."
My cheeks burned, but I couldn't stop the smile this time. "You guys saw?"
"We didn't need to see it to know what happened. But yeah, we saw," Kitty said, nudging me with her elbow. "And girl, you both were glowing. That wasn't just a kiss. That was years of pain melting into one single touch."
I lowered my eyes, my fingers brushing the edge of my sleeves nervously. "I didn't expect it. He didn't say anything, just… kissed me. And for a second, it felt like the whole world stopped."
Ren leaned back against the wall, arms folded, her expression unusually thoughtful. "It didn't feel awkward… it felt right. Like he was supposed to be yours, and that was the moment the universe confirmed it."
The three of us sat quietly again, absorbing the truth. The tension that once hung between us—caused by misunderstandings, silence, and our unspoken worries—was finally replaced by something warm, maybe even magical.
"I've never seen Ram look at someone like that," Ren admitted. "He used to be quiet, withdrawn… but today, when he kissed you, Max, he looked fearless."
I swallowed the sudden knot in my throat.and started with you guys know"He spoke to my mom before that."
Both their eyes widened.
"She accepted his feelings. She told him she was happy… and then, he found me here."
Kitty's eyes lit up. "So that's why the kiss felt like a promise."
Ren smiled. "A beginning."
Just then, Vin peeked through the broken doorway, pretending to cover her eyes. "Is it safe to come in now, or should I return with snacks and tissues?"
We all burst into laughter.
"Come in vin ," Kitty called out.
Vin plopped next to us and looked at me sincerely. "Max… that moment? It made me believe in something again. Not just love, but timing. The way you two looked—it wasn't just romantic. It was healing."
Her words settled in me, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"I was scared," I admitted. "For so long, I buried everything I felt… but in that kiss, I realized he never let go."
Kitty pulled me into a side hug. "And now, you don't have to either."
The haunted block, with all its past heartbreaks and legends, had witnessed something else today—something real and soft, brave and pure. Maybe, it wasn't haunted anymore.
Maybe… it was finally at peace.
Just like me.
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