[POV: Aarav]
She hadn't said anything after that.
She just looked at me — like she had a thousand thoughts but not one she could say aloud.
And I didn't ask her to.
Because sometimes silence was louder than words.
---
The evening passed quietly.
Just before dinner, I dialed her number.
Aarav (on call):
"Bunny… listen. I have to go for dinner with a business partner tonight. It's important. So please head home after work, alright? It'll be late when I get back."
Bunny (over phone):
"Oh… okay."
I could hear the slight pause in her tone. But she didn't question it.
---
[POV: Bunny]
He sounded distant… not cold, just… not the same.
It was just a dinner meeting. So why did it bother me?
Why did I want him to cancel it and stay home with me?
I sighed and threw my phone on the bed. "Idiot Bunny. It's nothing. You're not even dating."
Or were we?
---
Later that night
[POV: Aarav]
The meeting was longer than I thought. The client insisted on drinks after the deal. I never drank much, but tonight — I gave in. Just a little.
The house was silent when I returned. My steps were heavy, but my thoughts were heavier.
Just as I was about to head to my room, I noticed…
Her light was still on.
I frowned.
Why hadn't she turned it off?
Was she reading? Awake?
I walked toward her door slowly, unsure of why my heart had started to race a little.
I pushed the door open — just a crack — and peeked in.
---
She was asleep.
Tucked under the blanket, her face half-buried in the pillow. Her eyelashes rested softly against her cheek. Her breathing calm, steady.
Peaceful.
I stepped in, quietly, and walked up to her bedside. I sat down beside her. Just watching.
Aarav (whispering, softly):
"It's been 20 years, Bunny..."
My fingers brushed her hair back gently.
Aarav (low, almost to himself):
"But I still can't say it out loud. Not when you're looking at me. So I say it now… when you're asleep. When I don't have to see the confusion in your eyes."
He paused.
Aarav (exhaling slowly):
"I'll say it one day. I will. When you're awake. When you're ready. But not tonight…"
He leaned forward, softly pressing a kiss to her lips — just a second — then one to her forehead. He stood up, switched off the lamp beside her bed, and quietly left the room.
---
[POV: Bunny]
My heart was thudding.
I wasn't asleep. I hadn't been asleep.
I had heard every word.
I had felt his breath on my skin.
The kiss… first on my lips, then my forehead.
My eyes opened the moment the door shut.
My whole body was trembling — not in fear — but in shock.
---
Bunny (whispering to herself, sitting up):
"Wait… what just happened? Did he just… did he kiss me?"
I pressed my fingers to my lips. The warmth still lingered.
So it wasn't acting anymore. Not at night. Not when he thought I was sleeping.
That was real.
And it scared me.
But more than that — it made my heart ache in a way I couldn't explain.
Because I didn't know if I was ready to admit it to him.
---
I stared at the closed door.
Bunny (in her thoughts):
"I want to ask him… why can't you say it to me when I'm looking at you?"
But deep inside…
I already knew the answer.
Because he wasn't the only one scared of hearing the truth out loud.
---
To be continued...