Haruv sat there for a long time after reading the note.

Thank you for protecting me.

The words felt… heavier than they should have.

Not because they were a burden —
but because no one had thanked him like that before.

Not for this.
Not in this way.

He placed the note carefully back on the table, next to the food she had left.

The porridge had gone cold.

Still, he ate a little.

Not because he was hungry —
but because she had made it.

Later that day, Ashi sat at her office desk, staring at her screen.

The numbers on it made no sense.

Her fingers hovered above the keyboard, unmoving.

Her mind kept drifting back to the quiet living room across the street.
To the bandage on his forehead.
To the way he held her note even in his sleep.

She sighed softly and shook her head.

Focus, Ashi…

But her heart wasn’t listening.

That evening, she stepped onto her balcony again.

Not intentionally.

Just… naturally.

The sky was a pale orange, slowly melting into purple.

The street was calm.

Her eyes drifted to his window before she even realized she was looking.

It was open.

Haruv stood there.

Not moving.

Just standing, watching the sky like it held some answer.

Their eyes met.

Not suddenly.

Not dramatically.

Just… quietly.

This time, neither of them looked away.

The moment stretched.

No nod.
No smile.
No words.

Just two people standing in different houses, sharing the same silence.

The wind passed between them.

Ashi felt something shift inside her chest.

Not excitement.

Not fear.

Something gentler.

Something like recognition.

Haruv lifted his hand slightly.

Not a wave.

Not a greeting.

Just a small movement — uncertain, hesitant.

Ashi didn’t know why, but her heart skipped.

She lifted her cup of tea just a little in response.

A quiet answer.

Then both of them slowly looked away.

As if the moment had reached its natural end.

Inside, Ashi leaned her forehead against the glass for a second.

Her breath felt warmer than usual.

Across the street, Haruv closed his window halfway.

His chest felt lighter than it had in a long time.

Neither of them knew why.

But something had begun.