Kabir hadn’t spoken a single unnecessary word since the last evening.

Earlier, he used to comment on small things—

the noise in the corridor,

the slow internet,

or the tea being too sweet.

Today, nothing.

At breakfast, his mother asked him,

“Office today or work from home?”

Kabir nodded without looking up.

“Office.”

Aarohi noticed how his voice sounded… neutral.

Not cold.

Not warm.

Just distant.

She poured tea into her cup and accidentally spilled a little on the counter.

Kabir reached for a cloth before she could.

Their hands brushed—just for a second.

He pulled back immediately.

“Careful,” he said, without meeting her eyes.

That was it.

No concern.

No irritation.

Just a sentence.

Later, while leaving, Kabir picked up his keys and stopped.

“You don’t need to wait for me tonight,” he said.

“I might come late.”

Aarohi nodded.

“Okay.”

The door closed.

Only after it did, she realized—

she hadn’t asked why.

And he hadn’t explained.

At noon, she helped her mother-in-law fold clothes.

“You and Kabir… everything okay?” his mother asked casually.

Aarohi smiled automatically.

“Yes, aunty.”

But the smile stayed only on her lips.

Inside, something felt unsettled—

like a question she hadn’t asked yet.

In the evening, Aarohi went to the terrace to water plants.

Kabir’s childhood friend Rohan was there, leaning on the railing.

“Hey,” he said.

“You look quiet today.”

“So do you,” Aarohi replied.

Rohan smiled.

“You know Kabir, right? When he goes silent, something is working in his head.”

Aarohi looked at the sky.

“Does he ever talk about it?”

Rohan shook his head.

“He waits till it stops hurting.”

Aarohi didn’t reply.

She wondered—

what if the silence never stops?

Was Kabir’s silence protecting him… or pushing her away?

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