Chapter 1: The Quiet Library
Kabir was known as the quietest boy in college.
He preferred books over people, silence over noise. Every afternoon, he sat in the far corner of the library, headphones on, even though no music was playing. It was his way of telling the world not to disturb him.
Until one day, someone did.
"Excuse me," a soft voice said.
He looked up to see a girl holding three thick novels and looking slightly annoyed.
"You're sitting in my seat."
Kabir blinked. "Your seat?"
"Yes," she said confidently. "I've been sitting here since first year."
He glanced around. The entire library was half empty.
"You can sit here," he replied calmly. "There's space."
She hesitated… then sat down.
That was how he met Meera.
She was nothing like him. She talked too much, smiled too easily, and laughed without caring who heard her. She loved music, drama club, and long phone calls with friends.
Kabir didn't understand how someone could be so… alive.
The first few days, they barely spoke. But Meera had a habit of breaking silence.
"Why don't you talk much?" she asked one afternoon.
"I do," Kabir replied.
"When?"
"When necessary."
She laughed. "You're strange."
He didn't know why, but he didn't mind her saying that.
Slowly, the library corner became theirs. She would tell him about her day. He would listen quietly. Sometimes, he would give short replies that somehow meant more than long speeches.
One evening, as the sun's golden light entered through the tall windows, Meera looked at him seriously.
"You know, Kabir… your silence isn't empty."
He raised an eyebrow.
"It feels safe."
For the first time in a long while, Kabir didn't know what to say.
Because maybe… his silence had found someone who understood it.