Author pov...

Neel woke up to the soft chorus of birds chirping outside his flat.

The morning light slipped quietly through the curtains, spreading a pale golden glow across the living room where he had fallen asleep on the sofa.

For a few moments, he simply lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the world awaken around him.

With a slow breath, he finally sat up and ran a hand through his hair. The house felt calm… peaceful.

He stood and walked to his bedroom, picking out fresh clothes before heading to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the silence.

When he stepped out after his shower, droplets of water trailed from his damp hair down to his neck.

He got dressed neatly, adjusting his sleeves, then walked toward the small corner of the house that held his temple.

Folding his hands, he closed his eyes in devotion.

The soft scent of incense lingered in the air as he prayed quietly, asking for happiness, for protection… for her.

After finishing his prayers, he moved to the kitchen.

There was a gentle warmth in his heart as he began preparing breakfast two plates, as always.

One for himself, and one for his wife.

Aisha.

It had only been two months since their marriage, but to Neel, she was already in his entire world. His life. His peace. His heartbeat.

A faint smile curved on his lips as he cooked her favorite breakfast.

He imagined her sleepy face.

Once everything was ready, he carefully arranged the plates on the dining table, making sure everything looked perfect.

His eyes lingered on the second plate for a moment, his smile softening.

Wiping his hands, he walked toward Aisha’s room and gently knocked on the door.

“Aisha…” he called softly.

But there was no response.

The silence from inside the room felt heavier than it should have.

Inside the room, Aisha was already awake.

She lay quietly on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her hands resting lifelessly beside her.

The room was wrapped in silence thick, unmoving, almost suffocating.

She had heard Neel’s voice the first time he called her name.

Every word reached her clearly.

Yet her lips refused to move. Her heart stayed still.

Another knock.

“Aisha…” Neel called again, this time a little softer, a little more hopeful.

Still, no reply.

When the silence continued, he spoke through the door, trying to keep his voice light. “Aisha, I’ve kept breakfast on the table. Heat it before eating, okay?”

He knew she was awake. He could feel it.

In these two months of marriage, he had learned the rhythm of her silence.

She wasn’t sleeping. She just wasn’t answering.

For a brief second, something flickered in his eyes—disappointment… maybe even hurt.

But he swallowed it down like he always did.

A small, patient smile appeared on his face, the kind that hides more than it shows.

He walked back to the dining table.

The two plates sat untouched, the food slowly losing its warmth. His appetite had already faded. This wasn’t the first time.

In these two months, Aisha had not once come to have breakfast with him.

Not once.

A dull ache pressed against his chest, but he didn’t allow it to surface.

Without a word, he picked up both plates and carried them to the kitchen.

He carefully packed the food away so it wouldn’t spoil, making sure everything was covered properly.

Even now, he handled her portion with extra care.

As if she might come out later.

As if she might change her mind.

He picked up his office bag, paused for a brief second outside her door, and then quietly walked out of the house.

The birds were still chirping outside.

But inside, his world felt painfully silent.

When Neel returned home that night, the entire house was wrapped in darkness.

He paused at the door, frowning slightly. Why didn’t Sujata turn the lights on before leaving? he wondered to himself.

The silence felt deeper than usual, almost unsettling.

He stepped inside and switched on the lights.

One by one, the rooms slowly came to life under the warm glow.

His eyes instinctively turned toward Aisha’s room.

The door was slightly open.

A strange uneasiness gripped his chest.

He walked toward it and gently pushed the door further open, turning on the light inside.

The room was empty.

For a second, his heart skipped.

Then he noticed the balcony door.

He walked toward it and stepped out quietly. There she was.

Aisha sat on a chair in the balcony, her figure still and fragile against the night sky.

She was staring into the distance, lost in her own silent world. The cool breeze moved strands of her hair across her face, but she didn’t seem to notice.

Relief washed over Neel.

She was here. She was home.

“Aisha…” he called softly. “Did you eat dinner?”

No response.

Not even a glance in his direction.

Her silence wasn’t loud. It was calm. Steady. And somehow, that made it hurt more.

Neel stood there for a moment, waiting.

When she didn’t say anything, he simply nodded to himself and walked away without another word.

He went to his room, changed out of his office clothes, and freshened up.

When he stepped back into the dining area, he stopped in surprise.

Aisha was standing near the dining table, quietly placing plates on it.

He immediately walked toward her. “Aisha, you don’t have to do this,” he said gently. “Leave it… I’ll do it.”

Without arguing, without speaking, she placed the plate down and sat at the table.

Neel carefully arranged the food for both of them.

He served her first, as he always did, then sat down across from her.

“Aisha… eat,” he said softly.

She picked up her spoon and began eating silently.

And in that simple moment just watching her eat Neel felt something warm settle inside him.

A faint, genuine smile appeared on his face.

There was no conversation, no laughter, no shared words.

But she was sitting there.

She was eating.

With him.

But his fragile happiness did not last long.

The silence between them was heavy, but at least they were sitting together.

At least she was there.

Then Aisha spoke.

Her voice was calm. Steady. Almost emotionless.

“I’ve spoken to a lawyer,” she said without looking at him. “The divorce papers will arrive within a week. Just sign them when they come.”

For a second, Neel thought he had misheard her.

The spoon in his hand froze mid-air.

It felt as if the air had suddenly disappeared from the room.

His breath caught in his chest.

His heart didn’t just ache it felt as though it had stopped beating altogether.

A strange ringing filled his ears, drowning out everything else.

Divorce.

The word echoed in his mind, cold and merciless.

He looked at her, searching her face for some crack… some sign of hesitation… some emotion. But Aisha remained composed.

She finally lifted her eyes to meet his and said quietly, “You don’t need to carry my burden… or my family’s burden anymore.”

Burden.

The word struck him harder than the first one.

Was that what she thought she was?

Was that what she thought he felt?

Neel opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His throat felt dry and tight.

Everything inside him was collapsing, yet he sat there still, silent just staring at the woman who was his entire world… and who was now calmly asking to walk out of it.

When Neel said nothing… Aisha quietly continued eating.

The sound of her spoon against the plate felt louder than it should have.

Each small movement echoed in the silence between them. Neel didn’t touch his food.

He just kept looking at her at the woman who had just shattered his world with a few calm words.

He was waiting.

Waiting for her to say it was a mistake.

Waiting for her to look at him differently.

Waiting for something.

But nothing came.

After finishing her meal, Aisha stood up without a word.

She picked up her plate, walked to the washbasin, rinsed it carefully, and placed it aside as if everything was normal… as if she hadn’t just asked for a divorce.

Then she walked to her room.

And closed the door.

The soft click of the door shutting felt louder than a slam.

Neel remained seated at the dining table, unmoving.

The chair beneath him suddenly felt heavy, like it was holding a man who didn’t know how to stand anymore.

And then—

His vision blurred.

Tears gathered in his eyes without his permission.

One slipped down his cheek, then another.

He didn’t even try to wipe them away.

He didn’t understand.

Why was she doing this?

She had chosen him. She had agreed to this marriage herself.

He had never forced her, never pressured her. He had tried to give her space, patience, and respect.

Then why?

Why did she want to leave him?

Why did she call herself a burden?

Why did she think he wanted to be free of her?

His chest tightened painfully as questions filled his mind, but there were no answers. Just the suffocating silence of the house… and the closed door between them.

And Neel sat there, alone at the table meant for two, trying to understand how love could feel so close… and yet so far away.

A week had passed.

Seven long days of silence, distance, and unanswered questions.

Every single day, Neel asked himself the same thing—

Why can’t Aisha love me?

Just once… if she would only tell me what I lack… what is missing in me… I would change it. I would fix it. I would become worthy of her.

That was all he wanted.

Not pride. Not ego. No explanations about divorce.

Just one honest answer.

But she never said anything.

She never told him what was wrong with him.

And so his mind stayed trapped in a loop, thinking about her constantly. At work. At home. Even in his sleep. Every thought somehow led back to Aisha.

Then one morning, something unexpected happened.

Neel had prepared breakfast like he always did quietly, carefully, without expecting anything in return.

And just as he placed the plates on the table…

Aisha stepped out of her room.

Fresh from the shower. Hair slightly damp. Face calm.

For a moment, Neel froze.

He genuinely wondered—What changed today?

She walked to the dining table and sat down.

And without a word…

She began eating.

Neel stood there for a second, simply watching her, unsure if this was real.

Then slowly, a soft happiness spread across his face.

It wasn’t loud joy. It wasn’t dramatic.

It was small.

Gentle.

But real.

At least today… she was eating the breakfast he made.

At least today… she came out on her own.

To anyone else, it would have been ordinary.

But for Neel, it felt like hope.

They finished their breakfast in silence.

But today, the silence didn’t feel as heavy.

Neel picked up his office bag and said softly, “Aisha… I’m leaving for work.”

He had already taken a few steps when—

“Ruko, Neel.”

He stopped instantly.

For a moment, he thought he had imagined it.

Slowly, he turned around and looked at her. He hadn’t expected her to speak.

Not to him. Not like this.

And then it hit him—

She had said his name.

After so many days… hearing “Neel” from her lips felt like something fragile and precious.

A warmth spread through his chest, and before he could stop himself, a small, hopeful smile appeared on his face.

“Haan, Aisha?” he replied gently.

She walked toward the sofa and picked up his tie that was lying there, slightly crumpled. She held it up, looking at him.

Only then did Neel realize—

He had forgotten to wear it today.

Without meeting his eyes for too long, Aisha stepped closer and said quietly, “Should I… put it on for you?”

Neel didn’t hesitate even for a second.

“Yes,” he said almost immediately, his voice softer than usual.

He stood still in front of her as she moved closer. The distance between them felt smaller than it had in weeks.

She adjusted the collar of his shirt, her fingers brushing lightly against him.

Neel’s heartbeat grew louder in his own ears.

It was such a small gesture.

Just a tie.

But to him, it felt like something much more.

For the first time in days… he felt seen.

As Aisha adjusted his tie, Neel couldn’t take his eyes off her.

The proximity was overwhelming, making his heart race uncontrollably.

Aisha glanced up, locking eyes with him.

"All done," she whispered.

Neel nodded blankly and started to turn, but Aisha pulled him back by the collar.

Before he could react, she stood on his toes and kissed him.

Neel went completely still, frozen in the moment.

The world narrowed down to just that one spot where their lips met.

For a moment, Neel forgot how to breathe.

When Aisha broke the kiss, she looked at him with a gaze so raw and unfamiliar that it made his heart ache.

He was drowning in confusion, his head spinning as he reached out,

"Aisha..." But she was already gone.

She didn't just walk away she ran, as if she were escaping a fire.

The sound of her door slamming shut was a sharp punctuation to the moment, leaving Neel standing there, touching his lips, wondering if he had just dreamt the whole thing.

Neel stood there, completely still.

His mind hadn’t caught up with what had just happened.

The world around him felt distant… blurred… unreal.

And then his phone began to ring.

The sharp sound pulled him back to reality.

He blinked, as if waking from a dream.

Slowly, almost unconsciously, he lifted his fingers to his lips.

She had kissed him.

Aisha had kissed him.

He whispered to himself, barely audible, “This… this is real, right?”

His heart was racing, but his thoughts were tangled.

He didn’t know what he was supposed to feel.

Was he happy?

Yes.

More than happy.

But then why was there fear too? Why did it hurt at the same time? Why did the word divorce still echo in his mind even after that kiss?

The phone kept ringing.

Finally, he answered it. “Hello…”

On the other side, someone spoke urgently, explaining something important about work. Neel forced himself to focus.

“Hm… okay. I’m coming,” he said quietly.

He lowered the phone slowly, still touching his lips for a second as if confirming it had truly happened.

Then, without wasting another moment, he picked up his bag and hurried out of the house toward his office.

But even as he stepped outside…

His heart remained behind.

With the memory of that kiss.

The entire day at the office, Neel carried that morning with him.

That kiss.

That one unexpected, silent kiss.

He found himself smiling for no reason. Sitting at his desk, signing files, walking through corridors again and again, his fingers would unconsciously brush against his lips, and a soft smile would appear.

His colleagues noticed.

They exchanged confused glances.

What happened to Neel today? He seemed lighter. Happier. Almost glowing.

For the first time in days… hope had returned to him.

He came home that night with the same quiet smile lingering on his face.

But as soon as he stepped inside Darkness.

The flat was completely dark again.

His steps slowed.

He switched on the lights one by one, the warm glow spreading across the empty space.

His eyes immediately turned toward Aisha’s room.

The door was closed.

He walked toward it and knocked gently. “Aisha…”

No response.

He waited a moment longer.

Still nothing.

Maybe she didn’t feel like talking, he told himself. Maybe she was resting.

He turned to go to his own room—

And that’s when he noticed something on the dining table.

Some papers.

He frowned slightly and walked closer.

At first, he didn’t understand what they were.

Then his eyes froze.

Divorce papers.

His heartbeat stumbled.

His hands felt cold as he picked them up.

Aisha’s signature was already there.

She had signed them.

Before he could process it, a folded letter slipped out from between the papers and fell to the floor.

Neel bent down slowly and picked it up.

On the front, written in familiar handwriting, were the words:

“To my best friend, Neel.”

Best friend?

His brows furrowed in confusion.

His fingers trembled slightly as he unfolded the letter and began to read.

—

Neel,

I’m leaving.

I’ve already signed the divorce papers.

You just need to sign them and submit them in court.

Don’t worry about me. I’m going with

Shikhar.

The words blurred for a second.

Please forgive me. I troubled you a lot in these three months, didn’t I? Like you’ve always forgiven me for everything… forgive me for this too.

Now you can focus on your paintings.

Ayush is slowly growing up he’ll handle the company.

He only needs a little guidance from you.

He’ll take care of Mom too. You don’t need to carry their burden anymore.

I’m not your wife anymore… so you’re free from all these responsibilities now.

You can live your life the way you truly want to.

And if someday life brings us face to face again… maybe we can meet like we always were best friends, right Neel?

I’m really sorry I left before you came home.

Take care of yourself.

Your best friend,

Aisha.

—

By the time he finished reading, his hands were shaking.

The room felt unbearably silent.

She was gone.

Not just emotionally distant this time.

Gone.

The kiss from the morning replayed in his mind like a cruel memory.

The smile he carried all day suddenly felt foolish. Fragile. Broken.

Shikhar.

The name echoed painfully inside him.

His legs felt weak, and he slowly sank into the chair near the table, the letter still clutched in his hand.

She had called him her best friend.

Not her husband.

Not her love.

Just… best friend.

And for the first time, Neel understood—

Sometimes the deepest heartbreak doesn’t come with shouting or anger.

It comes quietly.

With a signed paper.

The letter slipped from Neel’s trembling hands.

For a second, he couldn’t breathe.

Then suddenly as if something inside him snapped he rushed toward Aisha’s room.

He pushed the door open.

The room felt… different.

Too still. Too empty.

“Aisha?” he called out instinctively, even though he already knew.

No answer.

He walked further inside, his eyes scanning every corner desperately, as if she might appear from somewhere and say this was all a misunderstanding.

But the bed was neatly made.

The balcony door was slightly open, curtains moving gently with the night breeze.

And there was no trace of her.

His heartbeat grew louder in his ears.

He stumbled toward the wardrobe and pulled it open.

Empty.

Her clothes were gone.

The shelves that once carried her presence colors, her scent, her existence were bare.

That was the moment it truly hit him.

She hadn’t just written goodbye.

She had left.

His vision blurred instantly. Tears welled up and spilled over, uncontrollable.

His chest tightened so painfully it felt like something inside him was tearing apart.

Slowly, his legs gave up.

He sank down onto the floor beside the open wardrobe.

And he cried.

Not the quiet tears he had held back before.

But broken, helpless sobs.

His shoulders shook. His hands covered his face as if he could hide from the reality that had just destroyed him.

It felt like someone had switched off the light inside his life.

Like the warmth had been pulled away without warning.

Everything around him felt dark even though the room lights were on.

The walls felt unfamiliar.

The house felt hollow.

He didn’t understand.

Just this morning… she stood close to him. She had touched him.

She had kissed him.

And now—

There was nothing left.

No voice.

No presence.

No Aisha.

Only silence.

And Neel was sitting on the cold floor, feeling as though his entire world had walked out of the door… leaving him alone in a darkness he didn’t know how to escape.

...............................................................................

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