The morning flashed before my eyes.
I had woken up at five.
The room was quiet. Peaceful.
Like the scent of fresh flowers scattered across the apartment.
It felt like someone's presence had changed the entire air.
The heaviness, the tightness — it had all vanished overnight.
Just one night… and the sun's golden light had entered my apartment again.
In the hall, Tej was still asleep on the couch — curled up like a little puppy.
His face looked calm. His eyes closed.
The curtains were still drawn, so maybe he didn't even realize morning had already arrived.
He slept like a child—peacefully, as if dreaming of something sweet.
I didn't wake him up.
I just stood there for a while, watching him.
Then, quietly, I tiptoed to the bathroom.
Took a quick shower.
Wiped the fog off the mirror.
For a moment, I paused.
My reflection looked… different.
Brighter.
And my eyes—they were glowing.
There was a soft sparkle in them.
Was it excitement?
But why?
I couldn't even remember the last time I felt this way.
I didn't have anything special planned for today.
Still… something inside me fluttered gently.
Every time Tej is around, I notice these little changes in myself.
I look in the mirror a little longer.
I fix my hair more carefully.
I try—just a bit—to look… better.
And I don't even know when that started.
"When did you wake up?" he asked, stepping out while drying his hair with a towel.
He was already sitting at the dining table.
In the same chair that always used to stay empty.
The chair I once stared at during lonely breakfasts…
Imagining someone sitting there.
And now—he was really there.
"Before sunrise," i replied, chewing on a sandwich.
He looked… fresh.
At ease.
But something in his eyes felt unfamiliar.
This wasn't the same Tej I used to know.
That Tej always had a plan. A goal. A reason.
But this Tej…
Had shown up at my door,
Unannounced.
Carrying nothing but silence.
"You seem different. Did something happen?" I asked softly.
He didn't reply right away.
I sat down across from him, my eyes settling on the sandwich he made.
It smelled warm, comforting.
The bread toasted just right.
Cheese gently melted, not too much.
It was the kind of sandwich someone makes when they know what you like.
I took a bite.
It was… really good.
Better than anything I'd ever made for myself.
I ate slowly, savoring every bite.
I didn't want it to end too quickly.
He looked at me and smiled.
"Hey, sloth," he teased.
I looked up, confused.
"What…?"
He grinned wider.
"Sorry, but you're acting like one. Walking slow, talking slow, eating slow… like a real sloth."
I let out a small laugh.
His words didn't mean much.
But they made me feel lighter.
Like… things were normal.
Then his voice softened.
"I didn't mean to disturb you," he said quietly.
"I didn't even plan to come here. I just… I was walking. For hours. I didn't know where I was going. The streets were empty, the sky was full of thunder. It started raining—really hard. I couldn't even feel my feet anymore. I didn't realize where I'd walked to."
He paused.
"And then, suddenly… I was standing in front of your door."
My heart ached.
He wasn't okay.
He had kept it inside all this time,
But now it was slipping out—bit by bit.
I nodded gently.
"It's okay," I whispered.
"Sometimes, when something's weighing on us, we lose control of our thoughts.
Our feet take us places we didn't plan to go.
Our heart just… wants comfort, even if our mind can't explain why."
He looked at me quietly.
"I didn't know where else to go," he said again.
"You came to the right place," I replied softly.
There was a long silence after that.
Not awkward.
Just… calm.
The kind of silence where two people don't need to say anything.
Where just being there… is enough.
I finished the sandwich and wiped my hands.
He stood up, poured himself some coffee, then turned to me.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Better," I smiled.
And I was.
Better than yesterday.
Better than all those lonely mornings…
When that chair in front of me was empty.