The university halls were as busy as ever, filled with students rushing to their classes, laughter echoing through the corridors, and the occasional complaints about assignments. I was used to it. The noise, the routine, the everyday life of a professor.
But today... something felt different.
Kruti wasn't being herself.
I first noticed it in class. She wasn't participating as much, her usual sarcastic remarks missing, her teasing gaze absent. She wasn't even whispering to her friends at the back of the class like she usually did.
She looked... distant.
I frowned. Maybe she was just tired.
But even during lunch break, when she usually barged into my office uninvited, eating like it was her last meal and making fun of me in between bites, she was quiet.
Too quiet.
I closed the file I was reading and looked at her sitting across from me. "What's wrong?"
She barely glanced up from her food. "Nothing."
Liar.
I leaned forward, studying her. "Kruti, don't make me repeat myself."
She sighed, pushing her food around with her spoon. "It's nothing, Dev. Just... tired, I guess."
I didn't buy it. Not even for a second.
Kruti was never this quiet.
I exhaled, trying to keep my patience. "Did something happen?"
She shook her head.
I stared at her for a moment longer, trying to figure out if she was hiding something. But she just sat there, eating in silence, avoiding my gaze.
And that bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
Because after everything that happened... After almost losing her, the thought of her slipping away from me again made my chest tighten.
I wanted to shake her, demand answers, but I knew that wouldn't work.
So, instead, I let out a breath and said, "Okay."
She looked up at me, a little surprised.
I stood up, grabbing my coffee cup. "But don't think for a second that I won't find out."
She rolled her eyes. "So dramatic."
I didn't respond. Just watched her for a second longer before leaving the office.
Something wasn't right.
And I was going to find out what it was.
Later That Evening â On the Way Home
The ride home was quiet.
Kruti sat beside me in the car, staring out of the window, lost in thought. Usually, she'd be complaining about my driving or playing annoying music just to mess with me. But today, she was silent.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
This wasn't like her.
Not at all.
I didn't know what was going on, and I hated it. Hated the distance between us. Hated the way she looked like she was carrying something too heavy for her shoulders. Hated that she wouldn't tell me.
And maybe... maybe it was selfish.
But after the accident, after everything we went through, I didn't want her to shut me out.
Not again.
Not when I finally... Finally started to accept what she meant to me.
I exhaled. I needed to do something.
I pulled over in front of a small flower shop.
Kruti frowned. "Why are we stopping?"
I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out without answering.
The bell above the door chimed as I entered, the air filled with the scent of fresh roses, lilies, and jasmine.
A young woman behind the counter greeted me. "Looking for something specific?"
I looked around, my eyes landing on a bouquet of yellow roses and white lilies. "Yes."
The woman smiled, "for someone special, I guess?"
I tried to not smile. "For my... Wife."
"Ah... I see. Wife is such a beautiful creature."
"You think that?" I asked.
"Of course," she laughed.
"Maybe you're right," I said quietly.
"See? I think you're totally in love with her."
"Maybe."
"That's sweet of a man like you... now, anything you need?"
"The bouquet of yellow roses and white lilies." I said.
"That's a really beautiful choice. Her favorite?"
"Y-yes."
The woman smiled softly and handed me the bouquet.
As I walked out of the flower shop, the thought struck me like a wave. I wasn't good at this. At comforting people. At doing things that made them smile. But I wanted to try.
I wanted to see her smile again.
Even if it was just for a moment.
I paid for the bouquet and walked back to the car.
Kruti was still frowning when I handed it to her. "What's this?"
I sighed. "What does it look like?"
She blinked at the flowers, her fingers brushing over the petals. "You... bought me flowers?"
I looked away, gripping the steering wheel. "Don't make a big deal out of it."
For a second, she didn't say anything. Just stared at the bouquet.
Then, slowly... She smiled. A small, genuine, heart-melting smile.
And just like that...
The weight in my chest eased.
She turned to me, her voice softer than before. "Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me," I whispered.
"Why not?" She pouted.
"I don't know..." I sighed.
"Awww! You're being such a softie!" She exclaimed.
I didn't say anything.
Didn't need to.
Because for the first time that day... She looked like Kruti again.