The night after the call haunted me in silence.
I didn't cry again. I couldn't. It was as if all my tears had hardened into resolve. After hours of lying on my back, staring at the ceiling, I finally sat up—still, breathless, but strangely calm.
Love isn't about forcing someone to stay.It's about knowing when to let them go—just enough to find themselves.
The next morning, I picked up my phone and stared at Maddy's contact. My thumb hovered over the call button. I knew he wouldn't call first. He never would. So I did what I always did—I reached out.
The screen lit up with his face. His voice was soft, casual. "Hey... good morning."
I smiled, weakly. "Hey."
He seemed relieved to see me. His shoulders relaxed. He started talking, trying to ease into conversation like nothing had happened. But I couldn't play along anymore.
I took a breath. "Maddy," I said, interrupting him gently.
He paused. "Yeah?"
"I think… we should take a break."
He blinked. The words hit him visibly, like a slow-moving wave crashing into his chest. "What?"
"It's been heavy for both of us. I know that now." I kept my voice even. "And I heard you. Even if you didn't say it to me directly."
His expression shifted—first into shock, then into guilt. Then something softer. Sadder.
"You know?" he asked quietly.
I nodded. "Aarav tried to help. I was on the call."
Maddy looked down. "Diya…"
"You didn't say anything wrong," I interrupted. "You were just… honest. And that's okay. But I don't want to pretend I don't see it. I don't want to pressure you or hold on so tight that you feel caged."
He looked up again, eyes glossy with tears. "I didn't want to hurt you."
"I know," I whispered. "But hurting me slowly… hurts more."
There was a long silence. His breathing changed—heavily, shakily.
"Look at me," he said. "Please, Diya. Just… look into my eyes."
But I couldn't.
If I did, I'd fall apart. If I looked at him, I might take it all back. Pretend I was okay when I wasn't.
So I kept my eyes down.
He saw it.
"I just need a few days," he said finally, voice breaking. "Just a little time. To think. To breathe. To… become stable again. Then we'll talk. I promise."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
This wasn't a breakup.Not yet.But it was a pause I never wanted.A silence I never asked for.
Still… I gave it to him.
Because sometimes, love means stepping back—so the person you love can step forward.
Even if it's without you, for now.