The morning air was cool and gentle when. The sky was washed in pale colors, the sun still half-asleep, and the river flowed calmly, as if it had all the patience in the world.
They sat on a wide stone near the edge. Their shoulders were close, not touching, yet close enough to feel each other's presence. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Aruna watched the water move endlessly forward. "It feels peaceful here," she said softly. "Like nothing from the world can follow us."
Maira nodded. "Yeah. Places like this don't demand anything from you. You can just exist."
Aruna smiled faintly.
Maira picked up a small stone and tossed it into the river, watching the ripples fade. "You've been quiet," she said after a moment. "Not the uncomfortable kind. More like… your thoughts are louder than your voice."
Aruna looked down at her hands. "Sometimes I'm scared that if I start talking, I won't be able to stop," she admitted. "And I don't know what will come out."
Maira turned slightly toward her. "Then don't talk," she said gently. "You don't owe anyone explanations. Especially not me."
That made Aruna's chest tighten.
The wind brushed past them, lifting Aruna's hair slightly. The sound of water filled the silence again.
Then Maira spoke, her voice steady but careful, like she was choosing every word with intention.
"Aruna," she said quietly.
Aruna looked at her.
"There's something I want to tell you," Maira continued. "I don't want you to feel pressured. I don't want you to think you need to respond right now. I just… I don't want to keep this inside anymore."
Aruna felt her heartbeat quicken.
Maira took a slow breath. "I like you, Aruna."
Aruna froze.
"I like you," Maira said again, her voice calm, honest. "Not because of anything dramatic. Not because I expect anything from you. I like the way you try to be strong even when you're breaking. I like how you stay quiet but feel things deeply. I like how you care about people even when you're hurting."
Aruna's face slowly warmed. A soft blush crept up her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.
"I know you're carrying a lot," Maira went on. "And I know you don't always know what you feel yet. That's okay. I'm not asking you to decide anything today."
Aruna lowered her gaze, embarrassed by how fast her heart was beating. Her fingers tightened in the fabric of her sleeve. She wanted to say something ,anything but her thoughts felt tangled, heavy.
Maira noticed and smiled gently. "You don't have to say it now," she said softly. "You don't have to say anything at all."
She paused, then added, "You can answer me anytime. Tomorrow. Next week. Or never. I'll still be here the same way."
Aruna swallowed, her blush deepening. She nodded slightly, still unable to form words.
They sat there together, the river continuing its quiet journey, the morning sun slowly rising higher.
Some feelings didn't need immediate answers.
Some confessions were meant to rest gently between two people waiting, not demanding.
And for the first time in a long while, Aruna didn't feel afraid of what she couldn't say yet.