Ezhil's pov:

The knife halted for just a second when she asked.

 "Did you... I mean, have you ever loved anyone?"

I didn't expect the question. Especially not from her. Not in the middle of chopping onions and planning what chutney would go best with dosa tonight.

I could've laughed it off. Made a sarcastic comment. But something in her tone stopped me.

So I told the truth.

Yes.
I did.

But not the whole truth.

How could I?

What would I say? Yes, Kayal. It was you. You — with your moon-face and stubborn cheeks and the way you ran into my arms crying over broken crayons when we were little. You , whose silence hurts me more than your anger. You ,who unknowingly built your world around someone else while I stood at the borders, building mine quietly around you.

But no. I couldn't say it.

Not now. Maybe not ever.

Not when she's just starting to heal.

Not when she's finally found her feet, a goal, a life to rebuild.

Not when she's still standing in the ruins of what Arjun left behind.

I looked at her after saying that ... about the girl who loved someone else , and her face... it changed. Not dramatically. But enough for me to notice.

Her brows knit just slightly. Lips pressed a little firmer. She wasn't angry, just... unsettled.

I hated that.
I hated that my truth could hurt her even in this way.

So I lied by omission.
Said I'd tell her another day.
Let her nod and walk away.

She didn't slam the door. Didn't cry. But she didn't hum like she usually does when she's in her room, either. The silence was too loud tonight.

After dinner, I peeked in. She was asleep.

Or at least pretending to be.

The blanket was pulled too neatly for someone who actually sleeps like a tornado. She'd probably pulled it over her head the moment she heard me outside.

I sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling fan.

She asked if I had loved someone.

The answer, if I could say it fully, would have been—

Yes, Kayal.

It's always been you.

Back when you wore two braids and tied friendship bands on my wrist every August.
Back when you used to say "I'll marry Arjun mama!" with a shy laugh and I'd force a smile, hiding the ache.
Back when I sat outside your house after your engagement, pretending I was busy on the phone when really I was praying for some miracle to stop the wedding.

And when the miracle came — in the ugliest form, when Arjun broke your heart but I still didn't rejoice. Because love isn't supposed to feel victorious when someone else shatters.

It only felt heavier.

When Appa told me they were considering me instead... I said yes.
Not because I thought I was next in line.
But because I knew I'd do better. I had to.

But tonight, I realised again — this wasn't the time for confessions. It wasn't even the time for hoping.

She's building herself again.

I'll be the pillar until she stands tall enough on her own.

And maybe... maybe someday when she's ready, I'll tell her that every bit of this journey — even in silence  has been love.

For now, I just watched her sleeping form and whispered to the dark—

 "Some truths can wait."

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