After returning home that evening, he stayed over — not for the first time. He lay beside me, quietly, like it was the most natural thing in the world. No words were needed, no gestures exaggerated. We simply existed in the same space, in silence and ease. The closeness wasn’t forced — it just was.

  I turned a little to look at him. He was already slipping into sleep, his face calm, the edges of his mouth relaxed. I didn’t touch him. I just watched, admired, and felt a strange, sweet calm settle over me. His presence had this grounding effect — like everything noisy inside me suddenly softened. I kept watching him for a while, tracing the peacefulness on his face, until slowly, without even knowing it, I drifted into sleep too.

  And in that moment — those few hours of shared silence — I felt something I’d never felt before. Safety. Warmth. A sense of being held, even though we hadn’t moved an inch toward each other. It felt like home. Not in the physical sense, but something deeper. I remember thinking, I wish this night would never end.

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  When morning came, I stirred slowly, blinking against the soft light. As I opened my eyes, I saw him already awake — lying there, still beside me, just watching me. His gaze wasn’t heavy or intense; it was calm and patient, almost as if he had been waiting for me to wake up.

  I smiled sleepily and asked, “What are you looking at?”

  He just smiled, that soft, knowing smile, and replied, “Absolutely nothing.”

  But I could tell. That "nothing" meant everything.

  Later that day, we stepped out to roam around the city — no destination, no rush. Just two people walking, talking, stopping at corners, laughing at silly things. The day felt endless in the best way. And when we finally returned home, he gathered his things and left for work. I watched him go, a little piece of my heart walking out the door with him.

  A few days passed, and soon it was time for me to return to my family’s house. They had organized a puja — a Lakshmi Puja — and I was expected to be there. It meant a lot to them, and despite my heart wanting to stay longer, I knew I had to go.

  When I told him, he didn’t hide how he felt. He didn’t want me to leave, that was clear. But he didn’t say much — just nodded, with eyes that spoke more than words. Still, he came with me to drop me off.

  The ride back was quiet, but his hand found mine. Neither of us said it out loud, but we both knew — some moments stay, even

  when people part.