The next morning felt… different.
Not warmer.
Not colder.
Just heavier.
Anaya woke before her alarm, her mind replaying last night's conversation. Aarav's words echoed in her head.
*Safe.*
*Responsible.*
*I don't know.*
None of them were love.
But none of them were rejection either.
She dressed quickly and headed downstairs, hoping to avoid him.
Fate, of course, had other plans.
---
Aarav was already in the dining room, coffee in hand, laptop open.
"Good morning," he said.
"Morning," she replied, taking the seat across from him.
They ate in silence.
But it wasn't empty silence anymore.
It was… aware.
"About last night," he began.
She looked up.
"I wasn't trying to hurt you," he said. "I'm just… not good at emotional explanations."
"I know," she said softly. "I wasn't asking for love. I was asking for honesty."
"You got honesty."
"Yes," she said. "And I appreciate it."
He nodded.
---
Later that day, Anaya went out for groceries, needing a break from the house.
The store was quiet, familiar, comforting.
Until a familiar voice spoke behind her.
"Anaya?"
She turned.
It was Kabir.
Her ex.
Her stomach tightened.
"Kabir," she said carefully. "What are you doing here?"
"Shopping," he said, smiling. "Just like you."
The smile felt… rehearsed.
"I didn't know you lived nearby," she said.
"I didn't," he replied. "I moved back last month."
She nodded politely. "That's… nice."
He glanced at her cart. "So, married life suits you?"
Her grip tightened around the handle. "How do you know I'm married?"
He smirked. "People talk."
"People always do," she replied.
---
They walked toward the checkout together.
"You look different," Kabir said. "Not just… dressed differently. Stronger."
"Life changes people."
"Did he change you?" Kabir asked.
"No," she replied firmly. "I changed myself."
Kabir paused. "Are you happy?"
The question hit harder than she expected.
"I'm… stable," she said.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I have."
---
That evening, Anaya returned home earlier than usual.
Aarav noticed immediately.
"You're back early."
"I ran into someone," she said.
He looked up. "Who?"
"My ex."
His expression darkened.
"Did he bother you?"
"No," she said quickly. "He was just… curious."
"About what?"
"About us."
Silence followed.
"What did you tell him?" Aarav asked.
"The truth."
"And what is that?" he asked.
"That we're married," she said. "And that my life is none of his business anymore."
Something in Aarav's gaze shifted.
"Good," he said.
---
Later that night, Anaya sat on the balcony, watching the stars.
Footsteps approached.
"Can I sit?" Aarav asked.
She nodded.
He sat beside her, leaving a respectful distance.
"Do you regret leaving him?" he asked suddenly.
"No," she said. "I regret staying too long."
He studied her face. "Why?"
"Because I kept hoping he would become someone he wasn't."
"And did he?"
"No."
Silence.
"And you?" she asked. "Do you regret letting Rhea go?"
He took a long breath. "Sometimes."
"Do you regret marrying me?"
"No."
This time, he didn't hesitate.
She turned to look at him. "That was faster than last time."
"Because the answer hasn't changed."
"Then what has?"
He looked at her.
"The line between responsibility and… something else."
Her heart skipped. "Something else?"
"I don't know what to call it yet," he admitted. "But I know I'm aware of you."
Her breath caught.
"So am I," she whispered.
Silence stretched between them.
But it wasn't heavy this time.
It was charged.
And for the first time, neither of them wanted to break it.
---