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Chapter 16

His Silent Care

Between Hearbeats

Abhishek wasn’t the kind of guy who showed his love with grand speeches or dramatic gestures.

No, his love was quieter—woven into the everyday moments, hidden in small actions Meera barely noticed.

But if you looked closely, you’d see it everywhere.

—

1. The Extra Jacket

Meera always insisted she wasn’t cold.

"I’m fine, Abhi."

"I don’t need a jacket."

"Seriously, stop treating me like I’ll freeze to death."*

And yet—

Every time they were out late, she’d somehow find his jacket draped over her shoulders, like it had just magically appeared.

She’d glance at Abhishek, who’d be pretending not to notice, hands stuffed in his pockets like he hadn’t just silently taken care of her.

"I told you I didn’t need it," she’d tease.

"Then give it back," he’d reply.

She never did.

—

2. The Silent Mornings

Meera wasn’t a morning person. At all.

Abhishek, however, woke up early.

Instead of waking her, he always made sure the house was quiet. He’d get up, make her tea exactly the way she liked it, and leave it by her bedside.

By the time she groggily sat up, there it was.

"Did you make this?" she’d ask.

Abhishek would just shrug. "Must’ve been the tea fairy."

She’d roll her eyes, but the small smile on her face? That was his real win.

—

3. The Way He Listens

Meera talked—a lot.

Sometimes about important things. Sometimes about absolute nonsense.

But Abhishek always listened.

She once mentioned, offhandedly, how she missed this rare kind of chocolate her mom used to get when she was little.

A week later, it showed up in her bag.

"Abhishek… where did you—"

"Found it in a store," he said casually, already walking away.

She stared at the chocolate, heart melting.

—

4. The Protective Instinct

Meera was independent, stubborn, and fierce. She didn’t need anyone looking out for her.

Abhishek knew that.

But that didn’t stop him from instinctively stepping in front of her on a crowded street. Or holding a hand against the car door so she wouldn’t bump her head.

Or glaring at any guy who so much as looked at her wrong.

"Abhi, you don’t have to scare people away," she teased once.

"I’m not," he said. "I just have a very unapproachable face."

She laughed—but later that night, she squeezed his hand a little tighter.

—

5. The Unspoken Words

Abhishek wasn’t great with words.

He didn’t always say "I love you" out loud.

But he said it in other ways.

In the way he’d stay up late just to make sure she got home safe.

In the way he’d send a simple "Did you eat?" text in the middle of the day.

In the way he always, always made sure she was okay—without ever making a big deal out of it.

Meera noticed.

And every time she looked at him, she knew—

His love wasn’t loud.

But it was everywhere.

—

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