As they drove through the dimly lit streets back to campus, the quiet filled the car, broken only by the soft hum of the engine. Karan glanced over at Meera, who sat leaning against the window, her gaze unfocused, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist. She looked distant, almost as if she’d dissolved into her own world, and Karan resisted the urge to break the silence.
Yet, the silence between them wasn’t cold—it was layered, like the quiet held a hundred unspoken thoughts, each lingering in the air. Karan’s grip on the wheel tightened as he finally spoke, his tone gentle and reassuring.
“You don’t have to pretend, you know.”
Meera’s eyes flicked to him, her expression guarded. “Pretend what?”
“That you’re okay,” Karan replied, his voice careful, as if not to intrude. He kept his gaze on the road. “You act like nothing gets to you, but I know tonight wasn’t easy.”
She let out a sigh, her fingers stilling against the bracelet. “I didn’t ask you to try and figure me out, Karan.”
“I know,” he said, casting her a small smile. “But I can’t help it. I care.”
For a moment, the words hung between them, and she looked at him, something vulnerable flickering in her eyes before she looked away, a faint tension settling back into her shoulders.
“I don’t... I don’t want to be the person who can’t handle goodbyes,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Or who gets so wrapped up that it hurts when people leave.”
Karan’s chest tightened, feeling the weight of her quiet admission. “There’s no shame in feeling something real, Meera. Everyone has someone they miss, someone who mattered. That just makes you human.”
She stayed quiet, her gaze fixed on the road ahead, but her posture seemed to relax, her defenses lowering just a fraction. Karan could sense the crack in her wall, small but significant, and he realized it was more than she’d allowed anyone in recent years. He wanted to tread carefully, to not overstep.
After a few moments, Karan took a deep breath, his voice steady as he spoke. “Look, I’m not saying you need me to be there, but… if you ever want someone to lean on, I’m here.”
Meera turned her gaze to him, her expression softening in a way he hadn’t seen before. There was a long silence before she answered, her voice almost contemplative. “Maybe… I’ll keep that in mind.”
The rest of the drive passed in silence, but it was different now—comfortable, even. It was as if they’d reached a new understanding, unspoken but tangible, something solid that lingered in the quiet.
As they neared campus, the city lights dimmed, giving way to the familiar shadows of the college grounds. Karan turned onto the narrow road leading to the dorm buildings, the silence between them deepening as he pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. But even with the car at rest, he made no move to leave, and neither did Meera.
Karan turned slightly to face her, noticing the lingering tension in her posture, as if she was here with him yet a thousand miles away.
“Meera,” he said softly, breaking the stillness. “I know this might not change anything, but… I want you to know that no matter how hard you try to keep people at a distance, some of us are just stubborn enough to stay.”
She looked over at him, her gaze searching his face, as if trying to gauge the sincerity in his words. For a moment, her guard slipped, and her voice softened to a quiet vulnerability that was almost fragile. “And why would you want to?”
“Because I see you,” he replied without hesitation, his voice steady, almost fierce. “Not just the tough exterior or the guarded looks. I see the person underneath—the one who’s passionate, who cares more than she lets on, who feels things deeply even when she wishes she didn’t.” He paused, watching her expression soften, her walls dropping just a little more. He felt a sense of accomplishment in her silence, as if he’d reached a part of her she hadn’t shown to anyone.
“You don’t have to do this alone, Meera,” he continued, his tone filled with quiet conviction. “I’m here. I’ll keep being here, even if it takes time for you to trust that.”
For a moment, Meera seemed to wrestle with her response, as if his words had stirred something she wasn’t prepared to acknowledge. She took a deep breath, her voice barely audible when she finally spoke. “You make it sound so easy.”
Karan gave a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “It’s not easy. But it’s worth it.”
She let out a quiet laugh, though there was a sadness in her eyes. “You don’t know what you’re asking for, Karan.”
“Maybe not,” he admitted, shrugging lightly, his eyes holding a steady warmth. “But I’m willing to find out.”
A faint smile appeared on her lips as she looked away, her gaze drifting to the darkened campus outside the window. She seemed lost in thought, her fingers absently tracing the bracelet she wore, and Karan wondered what memories lay there, tangled in that bracelet and held in her quiet sadness.
After a few moments, she turned back to him, her voice steadier now, holding a small hint of gratitude. “Thank you… for tonight, for not pushing, and… for being here.”
Karan’s smile grew as he nodded, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest. “Anytime.”
They both stepped out of the car, the chill of the night air brushing over them as they walked toward the dorms. Karan felt the shift between them—a subtle change, like a small crack in the armor she wore so carefully. It wasn’t much, but he knew it was a beginning, a step forward, and for now, that was more than enough.
When they reached the entrance to her building, Meera paused, turning to face him. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, Karan thought he saw a softness there, a warmth he hadn’t seen before.
“Goodnight, Karan,” she said softly, her voice carrying a gentleness that was new, yet unmistakably genuine.
“Goodnight, Meera,” he replied, his voice low, matching the stillness of the moment as he watched her disappear into the building.
As he walked back to his own dorm, a quiet smile played on his lips, a sense of hope settling in his heart. He didn’t know where this road would lead, but he knew one thing for certain—he wasn’t going to give up.
And as he entered his room that night, his mind was still filled with the lingering echoes of their conversation, of her quiet admission, of her walls lowering ever so slightly. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying each word, each glance, and realizing with a quiet certainty that this wasn’t just a passing connection. It was something deeper, something that had changed him, even if only a little.
For the first time, he found himself wanting more than just a fleeting attraction. This wasn’t about chasing a thrill or winning a game—it was about something real, something fragile yet powerful. And as he finally closed his eyes, he couldn’t help but smile, the warmth of her words echoing in his mind.
In a world where Meera was surrounded by people yet kept herself isolated, Karan knew he had somehow managed to find a place beside her. And even if it took time, even if it was a slow journey, he was willing to be patient. Because for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was right where he needed to be.
YOU ARE READING
Silent Vows
RomanceKaran Kapoor has always lived life on his own terms-charming, confident, and a notorious playboy who never took anything too seriously. Relationships were just a game to him, and emotions were something he could easily brush aside. That is, until a...
