Airam barely slept throughout the night. Every time she closed her eyes, Harry's voice echoed in her head, "Just leave." She hated that it bothered her. Hated that she cared at all.
By 5 a.m., she was already in the kitchen packing the kids' breakfasts. Jane walked in, her face tired but gentle.
"Airam… about last night,"
"I don't want to talk about it," Airam said quickly, forcing a smile. "Let's just get through the morning."
The kids came in next, full of energy, shouting over each other. Airam kept waiting for Harry to appear in the doorway like he always did, hair messy, eyes half-awake, making some sarcastic comments.
But he didn't.
When it was time to leave, everyone was out. Airam stood by the gate, helping the kids with their bags.
Still no Harry.
Just before the bus arrived, she heard his door open upstairs. She didn't look, but she felt it. The heavy pause. Hesitation.
Then silence.
She finally glanced up.
Harry was locking his door without even glancing in her direction. He had earphones on, his backpack slung over one shoulder, eyes fixed ahead like she was invisible.
It stung more than she expected.
"Good morning, Uncle Harry!" Mayo called out excitedly.
Harry gave the child a small smile and a thumbs-up but didn't look at Airam once.
The bus arrived. As the kids climbed in, Airam's chest tightened.
Harry walked past her to the bus stop, deliberately keeping a meter of distance between them. He was avoiding her.
She couldn't blame him. She had been harsh with her words last night.
Still, something about the silence gnawed at her.
When the bus finally arrived and stopped, Harry stepped on first. He turned slightly, as if debating whether to hold the rail for her like he always did.
Then he didn't.
He simply moved aside without a word.
Airam boarded, keeping her face blank. But inside, irritation mixed with a strange, unwelcome disappointment.
Harry stayed at the opposite end of the bus. No talking. No teasing. No, trying to explain himself. He looked out the window, earphones still in.
She stole a glance at him.
He didn't look back.
At her stop, she moved toward the door. For a moment, she paused, expecting him to say something. Anything.
But Harry didn't even notice she was leaving.
Or maybe he noticed…
…and chose not to show it.
Airam stepped off the bus, the doors closing behind her. Harry didn't turn. Didn't look.
And for the first time since he barged into her life…
She missed the way he used to annoy her.
For a whole week, they barely spoke.
Harry remained polite but distant. He still greeted the family warmly, still played with the kids, still helped Aunt Maggi carry heavy grocery bags, but when it came to Airam, his face hardened into cool neutrality.
He made no jokes. No comments. No unnecessary conversations.
"Have you spoken to Harry?" Jane asked. "We are not friends, so why will I be talking to him? Airam responded.
"If you say so," Jane smiles.
Airam told herself she didn't care. But the quiet pricked at her. It wasn't anger anymore, it was something else. Something she couldn't name.
The entire neighborhood experienced a blackout that night. Darkness swallowed the house, the kids screamed, and everyone scrambled for candles.
Airam climbed the stairs to the balcony, her new escape, the only quiet corner she had.
A faint glow greeted her. Harry was sitting on the floor with his laptop closed and on his phone.
He looked up, surprised flashing through his eyes, before he immediately stood.
"I'll leave," he said quietly, already reaching for his laptop.
"You don't need to," Airam replied, her voice softer than she intended. "I just needed a place to breathe. You can stay."
Harry hesitated but sat back down, keeping a respectful distance.
The silence between them stretched not uncomfortably this time, just… cautious.
Airam hugged her knees . Harry stares at the sky. He was texting Joe when Airam arrived. Outside, the children laughed in the dark.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked gently.
He blinked, almost suspicious of her sudden calm. "Yeah. Your eyes are beautiful,"