“Van, are you sure you can go home on your own?” Devandra stood at the doorway of his house, traces of tension from their earlier conversation still lingering on his face.

Vania exhaled, lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked up. “I need some air, Dev. If I stay here any longer, my head will explode.”

Devandra studied her for a few seconds, as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he only nodded. “Be careful.”

Vania walked away, hugging herself. The evening breeze carried the scent of rain that had yet to fall. Her steps eventually led her to a small café on the...