Stephan stood there…
still looking in the same direction.
Where she was.
Even after Johan and Hill stopped teasing—
his attention didn't move.
Pixel was near the water.
With Stevan.
Talking.
Smiling slightly.
Like everything was normal.
"Bro…" Hill said, amused,
"You're still staring."
Stephan looked away immediately.
"I'm not."
Johan smirked.
"Yeah, sure."
Stephan didn't reply.
Because even he knew—
they weren't wrong.
After a few minutes—
he moved.
Not towards his friends.
But towards her.
Pixel noticed him approaching.
But her expression didn't change.
"Bhai!" Stevan smiled.
"You came!"
Stephan nodded slightly.
Stevan started talking again.
Pulling Pixel into another random story.
And she listened.
Like always.
Calm.Present.
Stephan stood there for a moment.
Then finally—
"Where is Ketty?"
Pixel looked at him.
"She's around."
A small pause.
"She was trying to talk to you."
Stephan didn't respond.
Pixel continued—
"Did you like her?"
That question—
came unexpectedly.
Stephan frowned slightly.
Pixel didn't look away.
"She's a very good girl," she said calmly.
No emotion.No hesitation.
"You should give her a chance."
There was silence.
Stevan looked between them, confused.
Stephan's expression changed slightly.
"And you?"
The question came out again.
Before he could stop himself.
Pixel paused.
Just for a second.
Then—
"I don't think like that."
Same answer.
Same calm tone.
But this time—
it felt heavier.
Stephan looked at her.
Trying to understand.
But she had already turned back—
towards Stevan.
Conversation over.
Like it didn't matter.
And that—
stayed with him.
After some time—
the sun grew stronger.
Afternoon.
Pixel stood up slowly.
"I should go for a while."
Stevan looked at her.
"You'll come back?"
Pixel nodded.
"Yeah."
Then she turned—
and walked away.
Stephan watched her leave.
Again.
And this time—
it felt heavier.