The Echo of First Love

Chapter 11

Meera's POV

It had been a couple of weeks since Karan had come to pick me up from work, and in that time, we had settled into an easy rhythm together. I found joy in our little moments-whether it was teasing him during our morning routines or the quiet evenings we shared. But tonight felt different; there was a weight in the air that I couldn't ignore.

As I stood on the balcony, looking out at the stars that twinkled above us, I sensed Karan's restlessness beside me. He had been unusually quiet all evening, a faraway look in his eyes. I knew he was dealing with something, but he hadn't shared it with me. I wanted to reach out, to let him know that I was here, but I didn't want to push him into a conversation he wasn't ready for.

I glanced over at him, and my heart sank. His shoulders were tense, and there was an intensity in his gaze that made me wish I could ease whatever burden he was carrying. The gentle sway of the swing I sat on contrasted with the storm I sensed brewing inside him.

"Hey," I said softly, breaking the silence. "You okay?"

He turned to me, a half-hearted smile flickering across his face, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Just... thinking," he replied, his voice low.

"About?" I prodded gently, hoping to coax him into sharing.

"Nothing important," he said, but I could tell that wasn't true. I felt the urge to reach out, to touch him, but I hesitated, unsure of how to approach this moment.

Karan's POV

I stood next to Meera, my heart heavy with memories I couldn't shake. Today marked my late wife's birthday, a day I typically avoided the house, where everything felt too raw, too alive with echoes of the past. But for some reason, I had chosen to stay with Meera tonight, wanting to be near her, even if I couldn't fully engage.

Looking out at the night sky, I felt the familiar ache of loss settling in. It was a bittersweet reminder of what I had lost. My heart clenched as I thought of her smile, the way she would light up a room with her laughter. I usually kept my feelings locked away, but being with Meera had begun to stir things inside me-feelings I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

When she asked if I was okay, I forced a smile that I hoped didn't betray me. "Just... thinking." It was easier than admitting how much I missed My love Vishakha, how the memories would wash over me like waves, relentless and overwhelming.

But as I stood there, feeling Meera's presence beside me, a flicker of warmth broke through the coldness in my chest. She had a way of making the pain feel a little less sharp, a little more manageable.

Meera's POV

The gentle creaking of the swing interrupted my thoughts as I swayed back and forth. I could feel Karan's turmoil, the way it enveloped him like a thick fog. He seemed so far away, even when he was right beside me. I wanted to bridge that gap, to draw him out of his thoughts and into the present, into this moment we were sharing.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ventured cautiously, my voice softening.

He sighed, a heavy sound that spoke of unspoken weight. "It's just... today is hard," he admitted, finally breaking the silence that had stretched between us.

"Your wife's birthday?" I asked gently, not wanting to pry but hoping he would feel safe enough to share.

He nodded, the shadows of his emotions flickering across his face. "I usually don't come home on this day. It just... hurts too much." He looked at me then, his gaze steady and searching, as if gauging my reaction.