10-07-2025, 01:32 PM
She responded when spoken to.
Laughed gently at one or two of Amit’s stories. But Ravi noticed the difference.
She didn’t join in.
She didn’t tease him like she used to.
She didn’t pass the water to him without being asked.
Once, he reached for the salt and his fingers brushed hers by accident.
She flinched.
A fraction of a second. A twitch.
But he felt it like a slap.
Amit didn’t notice. He was too busy recounting a hilarious miscommunication with a plumber.
Ravi forced himself to eat.
But the biryani sat heavy in his mouth.
Every grain felt like it was dragging through sand.
After dinner, Priya wordlessly gathered the plates.
Ravi stood, trying to help. “Let me…”
She didn’t respond. Just walked into the kitchen.
He followed with a couple of bowls. She took them from him without a sound.
Not a “thank you.”
Not a look.
Just silence.
- o -
.
Laughed gently at one or two of Amit’s stories. But Ravi noticed the difference.
She didn’t join in.
She didn’t tease him like she used to.
She didn’t pass the water to him without being asked.
Once, he reached for the salt and his fingers brushed hers by accident.
She flinched.
A fraction of a second. A twitch.
But he felt it like a slap.
Amit didn’t notice. He was too busy recounting a hilarious miscommunication with a plumber.
Ravi forced himself to eat.
But the biryani sat heavy in his mouth.
Every grain felt like it was dragging through sand.
After dinner, Priya wordlessly gathered the plates.
Ravi stood, trying to help. “Let me…”
She didn’t respond. Just walked into the kitchen.
He followed with a couple of bowls. She took them from him without a sound.
Not a “thank you.”
Not a look.
Just silence.
- o -
.