Sometimes you don't notice someone's presence.
Until their absence starts to feel… louder than everything else.
The next day, Meera reached the library at the usual time.
Her steps were steady.
Her expression was calm.
At least, that's what she told herself.
She took her seat near the window, opened her notebook, and arranged her papers just like always.
Everything was normal.
Everything looked the same.
But something felt… off.
Meera glanced at the chair across from her.
Empty.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her pen.
*Why does it feel so strange when he's not here?*
She quickly looked away, as if ignoring the thought would make it disappear.
She checked the time.
Late.
Again.
She exhaled slowly and tried to focus on her notes.
*Good,* she told herself. *It's better this way.*
Less distraction.
More control.
But no matter how hard she tried, her eyes kept drifting back to the empty chair.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Meera tapped her pen against the table, faster this time.
"Unbelievable," she muttered.
She tried to continue writing, but her thoughts refused to settle.
After another few minutes, she closed her notebook with a soft thud.
"That's it."
She stood up, grabbing her bag.
"If he's not serious about this, I'll just do it myself."
Just as she turned—
"Leaving already?"
Meera froze.
She turned around quickly.
Aarav stood there, slightly out of breath, his hair a little messy as if he had rushed.
"You're late," she said immediately.
"Sorry," he said, a little more serious than usual.
Meera blinked.
That was unexpected.
"You're… apologizing?"
"I had something to finish."
"That doesn't mean you show up whenever you want."
"I know."
His voice was calm.
No teasing.
No sarcasm.
Just simple honesty.
And somehow, that made it harder to stay annoyed.
Meera looked away.
"Next time, be on time."
"I will."
There was a brief pause.
Then Aarav placed a folder on the table.
"I compiled the initial data framework," he said. "And I sorted the responses we already got online."
Meera looked at the folder.
"You did this already?"
"Yes."
She opened it.
Everything was organized.
Clear.
Precise.
Exactly how she would have done it.
Meera's grip tightened slightly.
*Why does he always do things properly?*
She exhaled slowly.
"It's good," she said.
Aarav nodded.
"Let's continue."
They sat down.
But something had changed.
The conversation felt quieter.
Less sharp.
Less competitive.
And more… careful.
As if both of them were aware of something they couldn't explain.
After a while, Meera spoke again.
"You were really late."
Aarav glanced at her.
"I said sorry."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
Meera hesitated.
"I just…" she paused, then shook her head. "Forget it."
Aarav watched her closely.
"You were waiting," he said.
Meera looked up immediately.
"I was not."
"You checked the time three times."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You were watching me?"
"I notice things."
Meera looked away quickly.
"That doesn't mean anything."
Aarav didn't reply.
But the faint smile on his face made her more aware of herself than she liked.
"Focus," she said quickly, pointing at the notes.
"We have work."
"Right."
They continued working, but Meera found it harder to concentrate.
Her thoughts kept drifting.
Back to yesterday.
Back to that moment.
Back to that question.
*Are you jealous?*
She pressed her pen harder against the paper.
*No.*
Of course not.
It was just irritation.
That's all.
"Meera."
She looked up.
Aarav was watching her.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Overthinking."
She frowned.
"I'm not overthinking."
"You are."
"I'm just focused."
Aarav leaned back slightly.
"You've written the same line three times."
Meera looked down.
He was right.
She quickly crossed it out.
"That's because you distracted me."
"Of course."
She ignored the hint of amusement in his voice.
"Let's just finish this."
"Alright."
A few minutes later, Aarav quietly pushed a water bottle toward her.
"You should drink something."
Meera blinked.
"I'm fine."
"You've been sitting here for over an hour."
"So have you."
"I'm not the one forgetting what I'm writing."
Meera paused.
Then, without arguing, she took the bottle.
"…Thanks."
Aarav didn't respond.
But the silence that followed felt different.
Not awkward.
Not tense.
Just… quiet.
And somehow, that quiet felt heavier than all their arguments.
Later, as they stepped out of the library, the sky had already begun to darken. Streetlights flickered on, casting soft golden light along the pathways.
They walked side by side.
Neither of them speaking.
Finally, Meera broke the silence.
"You were late because of work?"
Aarav nodded.
"Yes."
"Not because of… something else?"
Aarav looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
Meera hesitated.
"Nothing."
Aarav studied her expression for a moment.
Then said, quietly—
"It wasn't because of anyone else."
Meera looked at him.
For a second, their eyes met.
And something unspoken passed between them.
Something neither of them named.
She quickly looked away.
"Good," she said.
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"Good?"
"I mean…" she paused. "It doesn't matter."
Aarav didn't push further.
But this time, he didn't smile either.
They reached the campus gate.
Meera slowed her steps.
"We'll meet tomorrow," she said.
"Same time?"
"Yes."
She turned to leave.
But after a few steps, she stopped.
Then, without turning back, she said—
"Don't be late."
There was a brief pause.
Then Aarav's voice came, calm and certain.
"I won't."
Meera walked away.
But this time…
The distance between them didn't feel like relief.
It felt like something missing.
And that was the most confusing part of all.
Because for the first time…
Meera wasn't sure if she wanted that distance anymore.